Avoid Dream Killers

Main Scripture: Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more… And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers…. When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him… His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.(Genesis 37:5-11)

Ladies, there are certain people and elements around you that has the potential to reduce or destroy your desires to be all you want to be in this life. These persons or elements are known as dream killers, nay sayers, negative criticizers to name a few. Unfortunately these persons are not only your enemies but can be your friends or even family members. Further to that your own thoughts can be the dream killer in your life.

Today, my encouragement to you is to avoid anyone or anything that can kill your dreams. If you find that there are persons around you who constantly question your dreams or always telling you that your dreams are realistic. Then you will want to stop sharing your dreams with those persons. I have a policy, if a person is too negative I disassociate myself from that person. These persons I consider to be toxic and add little or no value to my life.

Share your dreams with persons who will encourage you to be all you can be. Find people who have been where you want to be and allow their stories to inspire you. Start a journal or scrap book and make record of your dream. Google stories about persons who have achieved what you want to achieve. Read autobiographies of successful persons. Listen to motivational speakers.

Ladies if you can dream it, it can happen. If you tell yourself long enough you will start believing it. Start speaking positively in your life; speak positively in your children’s life. Give them a word that they can hold on to. I remember when I started my journey with God about eight years ago, there are many people who did not believe that I could make it this far, many who gave me weeks, but the Lord sent my Pastor who told me that there is greatness over my life if I only trust God. There are many cuts and bruises from the many times I have tripped and fall but I keep holding on to that word, knowing and believing that God has a purpose for my life and that the greatness will be manifested. I have seen some of it manifested but I know there is much more to come.

Don’t be afraid to dream because of ridicule, jealousy and doubts from your dream killers. Just like God did for Joseph He will remove your dream killers from your life they are a hindrance to His will. You will also face obstacles but do not let fears or doubts become your dream killer. If there is anything you desire today, claim it in the heavenlies, dream about, imagine it, speak over it and watch God bring it to pass.

Have A God Filled Weekend Ladies

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Let’s Pray,

Heavenly Father, it is you that have given us these dreams as your reminds us that every good thing comes from you. So dear God we petition you today to cover our dreams under your blood. Protect our dreams from dreams killers. Lord remove every dream and destiny killers from our lives. Connect us today with the right people who will encourage us and who will open doors for our dreams to come through.

In Jesus Name

Amen

A Spirit of Humility

Today’s Scripture: Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor. Prov 18:12 (NIV)

 I can remember growing up my mother use to pound the scripture above in my head. She used to tell us that “Pride goeth before a fall." A story is told of two roosters that fought for supremacy in a farmyard. Finally one was vanquished and he went and hid himself in a corner of the hen-house. The victor flew up to the roof of the barn and begin to crow, “I’ve won, I’ve won!” An eagle swooped down and carried him away and the rooster that had been defeated suddenly found himself unchallenged master of the farmyard. The moral of this story is the enemy is often defeated by his own pride. (www.Aesopfables.com)

Ladies how many of us are missing out on our blessings because we are full of pride? How many of our marriages are in jeopardy because of pride? How many of our businesses are failing because of pride? How many of our children are being influenced by the wrong crowd because we are full of pride?

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 6:16-17, that there are six things that God hates, top of this list is an attitude of pride. So often we miss out on the blessings that God has for us because we are too proud: too proud to apologize, too proud to admit when we are wrong and too proud to ask. Many marriages have failed because of pride, many successful businesses go under because of pride, many wars have started because of pride and many men have died because of pride.

Ladies pray and ask God to give you a spirit of humility instead of harbouring a spirit of pride. According to the Bible humility:

• Comes before honour (Prov 18:12)
• Leads to riches, honour and long life (Prov 22:4)
• Causes God to forgive sins and heal the land (2 Chron 7:14)
• Leads  to wisdom (Prov 11:12)

Let’s Pray,

Father forgive us for harbouring pride in our hearts, today we open up our hearts so that you can cleanse us and replace pride with a spirit of humility.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Common People Achieve Greatness

Main Scripture: “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” Judges 6:15, 16 (NLT)

Song to meditate on: The Impossible Dream – Luther Vandross (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AijRBQf-ato)

Do you have any big dreams or have been given a new challenge however you doubt you can do it because you have been told that you are good for nothing and you will never achieve anything? Or you are one of those children that the teacher never picked on even though you always held up your hand in class therefore you tell yourself that you’re insignificant? Have you ever been called the black sheep of the family? Have you ever been rejected because of where you come from? Maybe you have a disability or you think you do not speak well.

Well, Gideon in today’s scripture must have felt like you. Although God gave Gideon the task of rescuing Israel, He did not believe he was capable of doing it because of his limitations. Like many of us, Gideon used his limitations and weaknesses as excuses why he was not able to take on the challenge that God gave to Him. This he did even though God told him that he would be with Him.

How many times have we been given all we need to overcome a challenge but we use our weaknesses and limitations as excuses. We often make excuses like “I am too shy” or “it is too expensive” or “I am too busy, I will do it next year” or “they would never listen to me” or “I have no contacts”. The list goes on because we often focus on our limitations instead of focusing on our potentials.

Ladies today, I declare that our shortsightedness will be removed from us and that we will believe in God’s plan for our lives, we will believe in ourselves and stop using our weaknesses and limitations as excuses. Common and simple people achieve great things.

In the Bible we see where Moses – a Shepherd in exile and a murderer led Israel out of bondage to the Promised Land, David – a shepherd boy and last in his family became Israel’s greatest king, Esther – a slave girl saved her people from massacre.

Today we see where Usain Bolt – a little Jamaican boy from Trelawney is the fastest man in the world and six times Olympic Champion. Albert Einstein- could not speak and was severely dyslexic and autistic became the greatest scientist of the twentieth century and the greatest physicist of all time. Tanni Grey – physically challenged woman who used a wheel chair all her life is a 16 time Para Olympic medalist who holds the record for making 30 world records at the Para Olympics.

These people did not have greatness thrust on them; they achieved greatness because they chose not to focus on their limitations but to focus on their goals and ambitions instead. They had a dream, they had a challenge and through hard work and determination they became great. Great people do not allow their limitations to restrict them. Imran Khan - said "it’s important to know your limitations however it’s also important never to be restricted by your limitations.”

Therefore ladies, in order to be great stop focusing on your limitations, instead focus on your potential. Focus on your goals and ambitions. Focus on what God said you can be and go for it.

Have A God Filled Day Ladies

Let’s Pray,

Heavenly Father, thank you Lord for seeing greatness in us. Help us to focus on our potentials instead of our limitations. Forgive for using our limitations and weaknesses as excuses, remove the veil from our eyes and show us what you see so that we can walk into the plan that you have for our lives.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Expectations

Main Scripture: Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Prov 13:12 (KJV)

Song to meditate on: Babbie Mason – Show Me How To Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0RPql25XPs)

Have you ever been in a situation where you waited on something with great anticipation and then you did not receive it? At least you did not get it when you expected it or maybe how you expected it? Isn’t that the heights of disappointment?

Well Proverbs 13:12 concurs, it tells us that “hope deferred maketh the heart sick.”  It is quite normal that when we expect to get something and it is delayed we get frustrated, worried and unhappy. Some of us even get sick. It has been proven that people who feel like they have no hope gets sick and live shorter life. I can remember times when I have wanted something so badly, did not get it on time, went home and cried my eye balls out because I was so disappointed. However the scripture goes further to say that “when the desire cometh, it is the tree of life.”  Isn’t that true, that when you get what you desire you are as happy as a lark, even if it did not come in your own timing. It somehow puts a pep in your step.

I am reminded of the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. His sisters were so distraught because Jesus did not come before he died. He actually died for four days before Jesus came and raised him from the dead which filled everyone with joy.

Ladies, the fact is we are not going get everything we desire or plan for in this life. Everything is not going to go as we planned it or happen in our time. Sometimes we are going to do things for people expecting persons to return the favour and it is never going to happen. It was Shakesphere that said “expectation is the root of all heartache.”  It therefore means that disappointment will come. However, how we deal with and view expectations are tantamount to our happiness in this life.

1.   Adopt an attitude of faith – Faith waits on God. It therefore means that although the disappointments come and the plans are delayed, you live knowing that God promises are true and that He has a plan to prosper you and not to harm you. Romans 8:28 tells us “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.”

2.   Do good for people without expecting anything in return

3.   Love freely and willingly without expectation – Expressing your love does not always mean that someone is going to love you back. True love expects nothing in return. There is a little song that expresses this quite nicely:

Show me how to love in the true meaning of the word

Teach me to sacrifice expecting nothing in return. I want to give my life away becoming more like You each and every day. My words are not enough. Please show me how to love.

Ladies have an extraordinary and God Filled weekend

Let’s Pray,

Dear Lord, increase our faith in you today. Teach us to wait on you for all things. Show us how to love in the truest form, expecting nothing in return Lord, help us to endure the disappointments and trials that come with planning knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord.

You’re Rare

Main Scripture: …I am fearfully and wonderfully made…Psalms 139:14 

Song to meditate on: God Made You Special – Deniece Williams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eLH67yofIE)

I was watching a show recently where a soldier in Afghanistan was trying to save two young girls from an attack by insurgents on a girl school but her and the girls were caught and tortured. A member of the insurgents was a woman who was a teacher at the school; she gained the trust of all the students and teachers at the school so that she could tell the insurgents when to bomb the school. After the soldier was rescued she was asked, “how should the woman be punished?” She replied that the woman should be given the opportunity to watch those girls change the world, so that she could wish she had the opportunity that they did. She thought that would have been punishment enough for the woman. The officer that asked her told her that “she is rare”

Did you that you are rare too? As a matter of fact you are unique and different from everyone else. God made you special. There is no one else in this world that is exactly like you, even if you are an identical twin.

Ladies, God has given you your own DNA, your own finger print, your own thoughts, ideas, abilities, gifting and talents. Like Bill Gates, Davinci and Christ you can be great. In John 14:12 Christ said that we are capable of doing greater works than Him if we believe. Therefore you are a world changer too. You have something to offer to this world, God has placed something deep inside you as well.

Start believing in yourself, knowing that you were fearfully and wonderfully made by God. He created you in His own image and likeness, just a little lower than the angels. No matter where you were born, no matter what your circumstances are, no matter what you did yesterday. You are special in God's eyes and you are rare and you are here to impact the world.

Have A God Filled Day Ladies

Let’s Pray,

Dear Lord, thank you making us unique and special. Lord your word said that we were fearfully and wonderfully at things. We stand on this word today believing that we can do great things and so as of today we will walk in our destinies making an impact on this world.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Lost and Homeless

Main Scripture:  Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:4-9

Song to meditate on:  What if She is An Angel - Tommy Shane Steiner(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rEkvkjFJAA)

 

 

There is hardly anything more fulfilling for me than coming home after a hard day’s work. As a matter of fact, I look forward to it every day. There are a lot of persons however, who don’t look forward to going home because they either do not have a house to call a home or they live in a house but it cannot be called a home.

Ladies today I want us to reflect on the latter. Today’s scripture tells us about those who wander in the wilderness lost and homeless, but do you know that there are many people who live in a house that is not a home?

For many of us, at the end of the day we go home to relax, unwind and be away from the stresses that a hard day's work brings. However, there are some persons who prefer to stay away and even stay at work because home can be compared to hell. There are many women who are abused physically and emotionally daily. There are many who do not have food to feed their children. There are many who have never experienced love where they live. There are many who are sick and experience constant pain daily. There are many women who live in a house but they are homeless.

Oliver Wendell Holmes said “Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” Sadly, many women today are leaving not only with their feet but with their hearts. That woman might be sitting beside you at work today.

Therefore, ladies do not take for granted that you have a loving place that you call home. Do not take for granted that you’re not homeless. Instead cherish what you have, cherish your family, thank God for them daily. Home may not be perfect but if you can truly say you have a home, consider yourself blessed, there are many who have never experienced a place called home.

For those of us who cannot call our place of abode home, cry out for help! Pray and ask God for help, also remember that God have placed persons in your life to help you, do not be ashamed about your situation. Find a trusted co-worker or friend to talk to or find a counselor or Pastor.

For those of us who know someone like this we are God helpers on this earth, so help someone not to be homeless today by reaching out to them. We have to be God’s light by being our brother’s keeper. Take the time to help someone today.

Let’s Pray,

Dear Lord, forgive us for taking our homes for granted, help us today to appreciate our families and our love ones. Lead us today to someone who is hurting and homeless so that we can help them today.

In Jesus Name

Amen

 

Seek Peace

Main Scripture: …seek peace, and pursue it Psalms 34:14

Song to Meditate on: The Peace of the Lord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5a-ur_g8Zs)

In Psalms 34:12, the author David asks the questions “Do you want to enjoy life? Do you want to have many happy days?” (ERV). One of David’s suggestions is to seek peace and pursue it.

Usually when we hear the word peace we think of an absence of war or trouble, however, the word for peace in the Hebrew is shalom and it actually means complete peace. Shalom is said to be a feeling of completeness, wholeness, well being and harmony. According to the Strong’s Concordance shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, safety soundness, tranquillity  prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.

As such David is encouraging us to seek after this kind of peace. Having this kind of peace however, does not mean the absence of trouble; it means that in the midst of great trials you will still be at peace. The apostle Paul experience this peace when he said that he had learnt to be contentment in all circumstances (Phil 4:11-13). He also demonstrated this peace in Acts 16 where even though he was in jail he and Silas sang praises unto God being confident that God was being gracious to him. We also see in Jeremiah 29:7 where God was encouraging the Israelites that were being held captive at the time to seek/pray for the peace of the city of Babylon because in the midst of that peace they would in turn have peace.

You might be wondering how to come by this peace. A peace where although you are having hell in your marriage, you’re still happy. A peace where although you are about to loose all your finances, your still not troubled. A peace where your children are on drugs but you are still calm. A peace where you’re loved one has died but you are still rejoicing.

Ladies, this peace does not come from having a relationship with a man. It does not come from being successful at all we set out to achieve in life. It does not come from having a wonderful family either. Nor does it come from within us.

This peace can only be found by having a true relationship with God. Isaiah 9:6 describes the Messiah as the “Prince of Peace”. When Jesus was leaving the disciples he told them”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

My personal experience is that I only found this kind of peace when I became a Christian. Yes I still have troubles and I still get anxious at times but once I feel that anxiety coming on I start praying and I stand up on the word of God that says “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:7). As such no matter what I am going through - death of a love one, matters of the heart, financial stress, indecisions, or confusion – I expect that God’s peace will be activated during these times because I am a Child of the King.

Shalom Ladies. May the Peace of the Lord go with you.

Let’s Pray,

Lord Jesus, fill us with your peace today. Help us to understand that this peace only comes from you and is not of this world. Also, activate your peace that transcends all understanding when we face troubles and tribulations. We thank you for everything.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Creatures of Habit

Main Scripture: Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:19 (NIV)

Lately I am realizing that I operate a lot like my parents. For example I leave the bathroom lights on every night when going to bed. I am not sure why, but my parents left the lights on in the bathroom every night when I was growing up so now that I live on my own I do the same thing without questioning it. The truth is, I always find it comforting to know that the place is not completely dark while I am sleeping, however if I am going to conserve on electricity and help to save the environment, I better ensure that the lights are off before I go to bed.

Humans however are creatures of habit. We learn a routine, get comfortable with it and stick to it. No matter how bad these habits are we usually find them very hard to break. Jesus was trying to bring this point across when He spoke of pouring new wine, into old wine skins. The Pharisees were so used to their rituals and traditions, that they were not able to accept the way that Jesus brought His message across; hence they were always criticizing what He did and totally missed a grand opportunity for eternal life.

Sadly today, we are very much like the Pharisees in a lot of things that we do, often times we allow traditions and the old way of doing things to cause us to miss on very important opportunities in life. The fact is we cannot expect to see new results or change if we behave the same way at all times. My electricity bill will not reduce if I keep the lights on every night and I will miss out on the opportunity of saving a few extra dollars.

Is there anything you are missing out on because you are stuck in your ways? Because you are adamant that this is how you are and you are not going to change to please anyone? Someone once said that “the only constant is change,” while you are there holding on to your ideals, the world is changing, your children are growing up, your chance for a wonderful and blissful relationship with your family and your chance for a successful business and career  is passing you by.

Pray and ask God to guide you and to  open up your eyes so that you will not miss the plans that He has for your life.

Let’s Pray,

Father, today we want to thank you for imparting into our lives another time. You have truly been faithful. God, help us to embrace the changes that are happening all around us, help us not to be obstinate in our thinking but renew our minds Lord, lead us and guide us so that we will not miss the doors of opportunities that you have opened for us. Lord we bless your name and worship you.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Obedience

Main Scripture: …To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.1 Samuel 15:22

Have you ever been told to do something, but instead you do the absolute opposite because you did not understand why you should not do it? Or you thought your way was the better way? Is there anything you are fighting against today because you just can’t understand why you should do it?

I received a message from a friend that says, “Sometimes the very things we fight against, the very things we think are trying to pull us down are actually the hand of God trying to push us into a new season.” Don’t allow disobedience to rob you of your blessings.

In today’s scripture Samuel was talking to Saul as he disobeyed the commands of God, this disobedience resulted in God’s rejection of Saul, the loss of his kingship for his descendants and the eventual death of his family.

Many times we are like Saul, because of pride and sometimes selfishness we are disobedient to what God is calling us to do. Ladies are you disobedient about submitting to your husbands because you think men and women should be equals therefore both of you should be the head? (Eph 5:22-33) Is the Lord, encouraging you to spread the gospel to someone but you are afraid of what people will say so you don’t? (Matt 28:16-20) Are you reluctant to reconcile with a friend or your husband because they hurt you first? (Matt 5:24)

The acts mentioned above may seem small but, they all acts of disobedience to the word of God, all acts that indicates that you are full of pride and selfishness, all acts that can hinder the blessings of God in your life, and all acts that suggests that you do not love God. John 14:15 says, if you love me, you will keep my commandments.

It is important to remember that God blesses and rewards obedience, (For example in Genesis 22:18, God told Abraham “And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.” (NLT)) but disobedience also has its reward. Romans 2:6-8 tells us “…But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.”

Ladies ask God to help you today to be obedient to His commands and His will for your life.

Let’s Pray,

Almighty God, today we come to you with humbleness in our hearts. We pray that you will help us to obey even when we don’t want to and we don’t understand why; we ask that you help us to choose to. Lord we thank you for your kindness

In Jesus Name

Amen

Friend of God

Main Scripture: And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith." He was even called the friend of God. James 2:23 (NIV)

Worship Song to Meditate on: I am a friend of God (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty0SO7IvtXM)

There is little saying that goes “friends are better than pocket money.” Today however, I am not referring to an ordinary friendship; I am referring to a friendship with God.

You might be asking how can this be? How can I be a friend of God, after all He sits high and looks low? He is King of Kings, Lords of Lords so how can this be possible?

The scripture however tells us that Abraham was called a friend of God, well like Abraham we can be friends of God and God desires to have a friendship with us. In John 15:15, Jesus said to the disciples “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Friends care about each other and God cares about us. He cared about us enough to die for us. In John 15:9 He said, As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. All through the bible we see where God care for our every need and cares about what happens to us. He hears us when we call on Him (Matt21:22, 1 John 5:14).

Friends spend quality time with each other. I spend quality time with all my true friends, whether by talking on phone or having long intense face to face conversations or going out with them. God wants us to spend time with him in the same manner. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Friends share their secrets with each other. Psalms 25:14 tells us that  ^“The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.” (AMP). It therefore means that if we have a close relationship with God, He will share his secrets with us.

So today, ladies if you are longing for a true friendship, rest assured that you have a true friend in Christ, be assured that you are a friend of God. He loves you, He cares about you, and He wants to spend quality time with you and will share His secrets with you just like you can share your secrets with Him.

Let’s Pray,

Lord Jesus, our friend, thank you so much for calling us friend. It is truly a privilege and joy to know that we have a friend in you. Today, I declare that each person reading this devotional and longs for a friend will receive this word. I declare that all of us will draw even closer to you today.

In Jesus Name

Amen