Encouragement – Page 53

The Voice

Hi family,

My brother, Minister Garry, recently preached a sermon entitled “The Voice” based from John 12:20-32. This post is in reference to listening to that still, small voice that tells us what to do. Do you hear it or listen to it? There is a difference.

Awhile back, I was talking with a handyman *”Lou” who was trying to restart his business and offered to quote my friend, Lee and I for some work we wanted done on our places. Lou was polite, friendly, professional and reasonable. Great!

The Lord told me to mention a contract, so I left a message for Lou one evening to write up what he quoted me, what materials I needed, etc. I mentioned the contract to my friend, Lee, who said “why would we need a contract? Lou is just starting out, it’s a small business….”

Family, I was torn! How many judge shows had I seen where verbal contracts we not honored? I have a business degree. I know better! But, I felt bad, Lou was starting over, and needed a break. So I hushed the Lord’s voice about pushing the contract. Lou said he didn’t have any contracts anyway (red flag).

So, Lee, Lou and I scheduled a time we could all meet. That day, Lou was over two hours late–no call. We telephone out of concern and Lou gets on us about the heavy traffic, citing we don’t understand, he was coming from another town, and since we were expecting him, he figured we’d just wait. 😼(bright red flag).

While I’m listening to this frippery, trying to exercise self-control over my rising temper, I kept trying to explain to him that we understand traffic, just call if you’re going to be late. After a 15-minute conversation, Lou still didn’t think he needed to call if he was tardy (flashing red flag). While Lee dismissed Lou’s attitude and finalized plans, I heard The Lord tell me to not let him do any work on my place. I second guessed a little though–was I in my flesh? Maybe he had a bad day. We all mess up from time to time, right? I admit I hoped I misheard, but I kept watching and praying just the same.

Lou came and worked on Lee’s place. It started to look really nice and Lou even called when he was late or not coming….initially and sometimes. He didn’t show up for a day or two, but when he did come, he sang, worked and did a FANTASTIC job. When I stopped over Lee’s, Lou kept asking me when he could start on my place. I told him to finish up Lee’s first, (while I watched and prayed). Even though the work was getting done at Lee’s, The Lord’s voice was clear. Don’t do it (final waving flag with flashers).

How’d Lee’s story end? While what was done was indeed beautiful, some the work was three-quarters of the way done. Lou didn’t show up to finish and then started another job with another client! Lee was VERY upset, but got someone to finish up the work. I’m grateful that The Lord blessed me to HEAR and LISTEN to His voice and I didn’t let Lou work on my place. Thank God for the Holy Ghost!!

Why is it that when the Lord speaks, we sometimes second (or third) guess His direction? Granted, we want to make sure we are walking in the Spirit, but in many cases it can be fear, worry and unbelief. Sara and Abraham (Genesis 16), feared they were too old to have a child and went outside God’s divine will to start the process. Yes, you may be bobbing your head, but we are not exempt!

Bottom line: Sometimes the fear of hurting feelings, worry of losing out on a good deal, getting “cussed” out or looking foolish keeps us bound and making unwise decisions. The enemy has a way of trying to drown out the voice of God by using this age-old tactic. It’s our responsibility to know the voice of God and yield to it as Jesus said in John 10. As we steep ourselves in the Word of God, in prayer, meditation and study, God’s voice will become clearer and the voice of that stranger will cause you to flee from it and the things it suggests.

Let’s practice tuning out the noisome pestilence of the world and the enemy and tune in The Voice of God to ensure that the things we do and say will be pleasing to Him, Amen? Amen! God bless you for stopping by!

Love,

Blen

Commit your works to The Lord and He will establish your thoughts (Proverbs 16:3).

*names have been changed and details omitted to protect privacy.

Pic courtesy– http://www.relevantchildrensministry.com/2013/04/helping-kids-hear-gods-voice-in-quiet.html

14 May 201319 Dec 2015

BlenCouragesU4 Comments

CELEBRATE JESUS!

Hey family,

The world celebrates Easter with bunnies, chocolate, baskets and new clothes. As people of God, we know the real reason behind this season and it is Jesus!

While Jesus walked among people, He gave–by demonstrating how to love and treat one another. He also healed blessed, delivered, encouraged, corrected, chastised and saved (see the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). After dying a horrific death on the cross for EVERYONE’S sins, (yes–even that ornery neighbor), Jesus triumphantly rose again three days later, so we can all be saved by receiving the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38-39). Not only can we be saved and go to Heaven, we can live life abundantly here on Earth! (John 10:10). “Abundantly” does not mean trouble-free, or a guaranteed life on “Easy Street” mind you, rather, God does promise to take care of us (Matthew 6:25-34), and promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Is that GOOD news or what?! Just these few reasons should prompt you to celebrate Jesus!

May God bless you and your family this Resurrection season and always!

Love,

Blen

Infographic from Pinterest. Repinned from Home –> The Truth Has Been Spoken or More Words For My Walls by Holly Martin
From pinterestbest.net Repin Edit

28 Mar 20133 Jan 2016

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

Healthy Eating Spotlight–Blueberries

Hey family!

One of my dear sisters asked me about blogging about healthy food choices and I am only too happy to oblige. While we are not here to stay, I am of the mind while we are here, we should try, with God’s help, to do what we can to take good care of ourselves so we can head off preventable illnesses as much as possible. Of course, things happen that are out of our control, but we can control eating fried foods and large quantities of sweets every day.

Last year, I started making small dietary changes by incorporating more fruits, veggies and whole-wheat, and decreasing white, sugar, refined flour and caffiene. Eventually I started to eliminate wheat and “traditional” dairy, replacing them with gluten-free grains and almond or hemp milk. It seems I have more energy and lost a couple of inches. I do indulge every now and again with cake, chips or bread as a treat.

Well, Blen, what’s left to eat? Lots of things, we just need to break out of what we traditionally eat. The next few posts will focus on some simple info to incorporate in your diet. Let’s start small with this graphic on blueberries from MindBodyGreen.com

These powerful little berries can be put into your pancakes, spooned into your yogurt, put into a fruit parfait with granola, or into a smoothie (my favorite). Check your grocer’s freezer or the produce section of your market and stock up! While organic is best, it can be pricey. You can get around that by soaking them in equal parts vinegar and water for a few minutes and then rinsing.

Bottom line: Let today be the last day to not take better care of yourself through healthier eating habits. Nothing changes if nothing changes.

Love,

Blen

Infographic from MindBodyGreen.com

25 Feb 201319 Dec 2015

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

Goin’ green

Hey family!

While everyday should be one for love, I know February is the official love month (well at least it up until the 14th). In honor of the occasion, I’d like to share some of the very things I love.

Some of you know, while I do like my goodies, since I am over 19 now, I do try to eat healthy meals 80% (or better) of the time. This has two benefits: I can eat and enjoy other things (in moderation) when I go out, on holidays, birthdays, etc. Also, and moreover, once you start eating better, you really do not desire the junk as much. I did not think I’d see the day when I could not wait to get home to my spinach. Yep, I said spinach–it’s a favorite! Let me tell you one way I enjoy this versatile green.

I am a huge fruit smoothie fan, but just got brave enough to try a “green” smoothie thanks to simplegreensmoothies.com. They had a 30-day green smoothie challenge last month I was too chicken to try, but I decided to take the plunge a few days ago and have had two smoothies almost every day. The site has some good tips, testimonials and even an ebook with smoothie recipes for $5 (for the time being). Investing the few dollars in the book will ensure your smoothies will taste good and you’ll want to drink it. What’s that? Do you taste the spinach? Not a bit–the fruit in the smoothie masks the greens taste! And you don’t need a second mortgage to get started.

Fruit: Fresh or frozen (organic, if possible) your choice

Greens: (organic, if possible) spinach, kale or romaine lettuce and uncooked, of course.

Liquids: almond, soy, rice or cow’s milk, water (filtered or boiled and cooled) or coconut water.

Blender: I use a Hamilton Beach I purchased from Kmart for $20 or so.

On average, it’s a 60/40 ratio of fruit to veggies. Since the green smoothies are packed with fiber and nutrients, you are full for a couple of hours. These make a great snack when you have to be in the car for awhile or you’re running errands. I will eventually move past the spinach and try the other greens, but I believe in a slow hurry sometimes (that’s code for fraidy-cat). 🙀

Bottom line: Trust me, I am a Red Velvet Cake head. If I can do a green smoothie and love it, anyone can! Try it out and let me know how you like it!

Love,

Blen

7 Feb 201316 Dec 2015

BlenCouragesU1 Comment

Seasoned saints–The importance of salt in your life–Part 3

Happy New Year Family!!!🎊

I trust your holidays were blessed and you are enjoying the gift of a new year. A couple of posts back, I started a “salt series”. This entry will round off that series by exploring why we need (more) salt in our lives. While, I am not into resolutions, I think this may be a good area for all saved folks to gain more knowledge and strength in, myself included. Let’s dig in!

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matthew 5:13 NKJV).

Salt gets a bad rap because of its link to high blood pressure, fluid retention, etc. While anything in excess can be harmful, iodized salt is not the best for the body. Common “table” salt is void of vital nutrients except iodine, which is added back after processing.

Sea salt contains nutirents that are needful for the body like sulphate, magnesium, calcium, potassium, bicarbonate, bromide, borate, strontium, and fluoride. In addition, sodium regulates the passage of nutrients into the cells. Without it, nutrients cannot enter your cells and you will have malnutrition and exhaustion, no matter how good your diet. Some other salt functions are:

Muscle cramps prevention
Regulator of:
–blood pressure
–blood sugar
–sleep
Eliminates dry coughs (just a bit on your tongue)
Soothes a sore throat (warm water& salt gargle)
Draws out infections
Helps with muscle soreness

And that’s just the a small fraction of what salt does! Just as its needed in your body, it’s needed in the Body Of Christ as well.

Salt regulates the “Body” by keeping “infections” out such as: idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and things like this. Willful engagement of these behaviors will prohibit us from entering into the kingdom of God, according to Galatians 5:20-21. Having salt on the regular will keeps us functioning and keep the “good” in. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22, 23 NLT). Salt “preserves” us from practicing sin.

We also need salt for our conversations with family, friends, co-workers and the not-so-nice store clerk. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every one (Colossians 4:6 NKJV). Another example comes from Proverbs 15:1–a soft answer turns away wrath, but grevious words stir up anger. Salt helps temper your responses.

Few things are as bad as a flavorless, or what I call a peppered Christian—acting bitter and nasty due to hurt, cares of the world, practicing sin or bad habits. In fact, let’s go back to the verse that started the series–Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

You see, in the Bible days, when harvesting the salt, if any of it was contaminated with dirt or marsh, it was put on the dirt roads to keep the dust down, hence the reference to being trampled underfoot by men. A contaminated Christian NOT the testimony we want. We have to stay seasoned in order to draw the world AND love folks. Jesus said,“have salt in yourselves and peace with one another” (Mark 9:50). If there is no salt in you, you will not have peace with others. Makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it?

Bottom line: Salt is a necessary nutrient needed in our natural and spiritual lives. Adequate salt intake comes from prayer, fasting, regular bible study and attending church. Also, just like when we season our food, we want to use the correct amount of salt in our speech and actions. Too little salt is not effective—too much salt and is not palatable. Rather than trying to keep impossible resolutions this year, let us covenant with the Lord that with His help, we will always use/the right amount of salt in ALL our interactions. Amen? Amen!

God’s best blessings to you!

Blen

Pic courtesy of: http://www.thekitchn.com/come-along-on-a-159478