Fear--- Get outta HERE!!!!

Oh my Gosh FEAR... Something we all have or had or will have. It will keep us in bondage for sure. I have been posting a lot on letting go on my facebook page because I keep talking with people who are in fear of the future and holding on to past hurts and events that won't allow them to move on. Here are some posts:

-----"People are just plain confused, on the fence, don't care either way, or whatever.... Make a decision, you cannot serve two masters. You cannot move forward if you holding on to the past. Usually if you don't make a decision life and time will make it for you and that aint always the best!

Revelation 3:15-16

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."

-----"Its time to let it go and move on with hope of better things to come. God has something so much better in store.
Jer 29
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."

I was scrolling along on Facebook and came across a friend of mine by the name of Alaina's and she had a post about fear and I just had the urge to go read it. I was reading and was all these things came across my mind of all the things I let pass me by due to fear. This gentleman by the name of  Darren D. Moore, Ph.D., LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, wrote an article about an event that he hosted, (click here for article) the title is "Speaking fear invites it into your life" and it is so true, what you speak begins to shift your world. I have written about this before, speaking life. But in the article there was an activity that they did which is awesome way to close one door and begin moving forward. They wrote a list of many of the things that they feared which held them back in those strongholds. They then read them aloud and think about how much time they were "operating out of fear". Then they went to the trash and apologized for being in fear and said, "I will fear, no Moore" and threw it away. I urge you to read the article in detail and take on that challenge to conquering fear. Of course be sure to pray first and ask God to give you the strength and courage you need. Remember that when we are weak God is strong (2 Cor 12:10) so it is alright to be weak. This is the perfect opportunity to give God the glory that He deserves! I personally had a fear of speaking in front of people and that included singing. I have a great voice but I have yet to break that fear completely. However, I am working it. I joined the praise and worship team and we each have our own mics and there is only 4 of us so it is like I cannot hide behind anybody. But I am sure I will be better if I keep working on getting OUT of my fear. Well I dare you to do that activity that is in the article and start seeing the changes. Peace and Blessings, Cicely

Some Scriptures to speak about Fear.... "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 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. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD." Psalm 27:1-6 "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." Psalm 56:3-4 "Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken." Proverbs 3:25-26 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

Stop Comparing Your Life to Others...

Saw this picture on Facebook and was immediately inspired. I believe it comes from Proverbs 31 Ministries whom I follow and Love...

Ever just look at peoples pics and get depressed because you want what they have or you are not feeling like you are at the right level based on what they are doing. I have plenty of times. But then I realize I do not know what they went through to get to where they are at and that I am only accountable of myself therefore there cannot be any comparison especially when every one did not start at the same starting line and different resources.

Compare yourself to the old you.. see how much better you can get!


There is this activity called The Privilege Line where it is like a group of people are in line holding hands. The idea is that you are all here at the same time but everyone had different routes to get there. The thing is yes, you may have crossed paths at one point but people can only be on one path, in their own lane. Even married people have their own lanes but I imagine that to be parallel and they venture off sometimes but come back. Because when you become one, your goals and visions should align or come together but still keeping some sense of self; your individuality. But back to the privilege line, everyone is lined up and there are statements that that make you take a step back and a step forward according to your race, upbringing, nationality and more. It is really good for those who are coming together for a like cause.

But God has created us all different but for one cause to believe in Him and do His will. HE gave us all gifts and abilities and a future but no one has the same outcome and path. That is why we just cannot compare ourselves to others, if God wanted us to do that then He would have all made us the same and that my friends would be boring!!

Better start getting excited about your life and all that God has done for you and blessed you with. People you see should be inspiration not goals. Come up with your own goals!!

Peace and Blessings,
Cicely

What are you doing with your talent?

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything you gave me"-- Erma Bombeck As every man has received a gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 My pastor has been teaching on the Parable of the Talents and it has really enlightened my thinking and when your thinking begins to change your words and behavior then changes. I was wondering what am I doing with this "Talent" God has given me? Talent can mean so many things such as time, gifts, money, opportunities, children, spouse, jobs etc. God has given us so much for the upbuilding of His Kingdom and according to our ability (Matt 25:15). In the parable, Three men were given an amount according to their ability, one man 5, the other man 2 and the other 1. All of them except the last used their talent and earned double. The last man was scared and hid it away and of course the master was uspest and took his talent and gave it to the first man; he was given more for using, being faithful and obedient over his talent. We have been given so much from God and what do we do with our gifts, our talents? Let's think about this literally- "talent", someone having great skill in a certain area. For example, I can sing, but for long as I can remember I was always shy and feared being in front of people. People who know me would say that I am far from being shy but that is how I felt. I sang in the choir but I just used my gift superficially, I did not go in deep because of fear and then I hid it. I realized, God gave me a gift and how am I using it to Glorify God? I wasn't, I locked away and did other things which just kept me busy. Recently I got back singing on the Praise Team for church and was still shy but as I dig deeper in my relationship with God and my desire to please God in all that I do so He can get the Glory my fear on stage is slowly disappearing. What other talents has God given you? What ministry did He put in your heart? Why don't you know? Some may know but are not working it, so why? Why are we not being good stewards over these gifts God has given us? Many people were given children and some have not been good stewards over God's blessings and when that happens he removes them or you and blesses someone who has been good stewards. It is just like a bank, why they only give loans and credit to those with good credit and have a history of paying things back and on time. Why would I trust you with much when you cannot take care of the little you have, "“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’" Matt 25:21. Oh my God! How awesome is that! I get to share my Master's Happiness...

And people wonder why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer sad to say but it is true. So what gifts do you have that God has given you to Glorify Him and build His Kingdom? Maybe you are an entrepeneur, partner with your church and start a business that will bless the church and the people. Maybe you are very detail-oriented, work as the adminstrator at the church or help plan strategically to take the church to the next level. Maybe you are an educator, people are needed to minister to the youth at the church. Maybe you can write, start a blog talking about the love of God. But whatever it is, use your gift and, "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men" Prov 18:6. God will send people to use your talents, your gifts and you will bring much Glory to God. You will bless His people. When it is all said and done God will ask you what have you done on earth and you can say I used everything you have given me and He will say well done my good and faithful servant Here is MORE! You definitely cannot beat God's Giving.... What is holding you back from using your talent? What is it that has you in bondage? Because when you are in bondage you cannot be used and not effectivily for God's work. It is time to get to WORK!! W-WILLING to do it... change that heart, that mindset. God cannot use those who do not want to be used. O-OBEDIENT- It is what God says to do! R-READY--- You got to always be ready when God calls K-Keeping GOD always first... remember everything you do is unto God! Please Comment and Share-- would love to know what people are doing with thier talents God has given you!!! Peace and Blessings, Cicely

Duties of a Wife... hmmmm

I Peter 3:1, 3-6 NKJVWives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

Marriage is quite the ride. Some scary parts, some thrilling parts, some boring parts and for those who have never been married some parts where you do not know what is coming next. But you stood in line, you knew it was a ride, you heard the screams, you saw the pictures, you heard from others who have experienced it, you gave them your ticket, sat in that seat, put your seat belt on, and you took off. You cannot get off until the ride is over, usually. It does not matter if you are crying, if you bumped your head, you threw up or whatever you are staying on that ride until it comes to an end. Just like marriage, you not only made a vow to your spouse but to GOD and that right there is no joke. Unfortunately, in marriages people do not stay to the end, they give up even though they knew what they were getting into. 

I absolutely love the thrill of marriage. Sometimes it is unbearable and I cry my little heart out and a lot of times it’s great. There are of course your mundane times where you feel like you are not going anywhere. But through it all I have my GOD who is my everything and sometimes I forget but He always reminds me. 

In the scripture Peter talks about the characteristics, roles, and what to do as a wife. This is very hard to swallow for many people do to culture and just people wanting to do them! But lets look at it. 

1)      Be submissive to your own husband

2)      Your beauty should be meek and quiet where people can see

3)      Be attentive to other Godly women 

The first part many women hate but it is good not only for our husbands and future husbands but good for us. I work at being submissive to my husband and have found joy in doing so. I struggle though every day and wonder if I will ever have it down but I still work at it for many reasons. When I see my husband I see the God in him. I serve the God in him and I love the God in him. My husband is a hard man but because I made a vow first to my God to marry this man forever I submit even harder. When I cook his dinner it is unto God, when I clean the house it is unto God, whatever I do for my husband it is unto God. Colossians 3:23 says, “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Submitting to my husband is submitting to God. Do you want to know the reasons why I do so? Well Ephesians 5:25  says for husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church. I want that love from my husband. He may not ever love me as much as I want him to but does that mean for me to stop submitting? NOT AT ALL… remember what I do is unto the Lord. But isn’t it beautiful how Christ love the church so much!!! Women love that type of love. 

Marriage is the earthly connection for the Lord Groom and His Church Bride. The church submitted to the Lord. The Lord submitted to do the will of His Father and if we call ourselves Christians we are supposed to walk like Christ so why shouldn’t we submit. 

Another reason is because I follow the word of God and I obey with all of my might to do what He says do even when others are doing what they are supposed to do. I realize I am accountable for myself and therefore I have to do the will of God. 

The second part which comes to me naturally but I cannot stand it. That was the previous blog I wrote. That meek and quiet spirit. But the scripture says that our beauty should not only be jewels and clothes but come from within showing a meek and quiet spirit which is precious in the sight of the Lord. That last part oh my gosh, precious in the sight of the Lord remember what I said earlier what I do is unto God. I love God and I love that he loves me back and the things I do excites Him! May not excite my husband but my heavenly Father oh yeah. Ok I can bear to be meek and quiet. What does that mean though. Well you are not snapping at the drop of a dime. You hold your composure in tight situations. You are kind and gentle you do not harm people with the words or actions you may want to use. People love to be around that spirit. It brings peace in the middle of the storm. How many of you have such beauty? When you see someone loud and tripping for no reason ready to fight or the silliest things what do you see? You see all these gorgeous women all dressed up but so many are ugly on the inside. We wives and future wives must learn that skill and hone it to our own. We need to embrace that not only for God but the sake of our dear husbands. I know men would love to come home to peace after a long hard day of work not loud disrespectful women. The want sweet kind words that exhort them and honor and respect them. This is no easy task but once you do it, do it again and again and again until it becomes habit and then it becomes a part of you.

I joined my husband’s church for a few reasons and so I had to meet new people. I really connected with my First Lady whom I love! She Rocks! But she has been a great mentor, role model and wise counsel for me as a wife. The third part is to be attentive to Godly wives. The scripture gives us a model, Sarah, who obeyed Abraham… Is there a wife that you can confide in, who can give you wise counsel, whose marriage is Godly? My first lady and her husband have told us it hasn’t always been easy but then something clicked and now have an impressive marriage. I love their marriage. They have fun and joke around. They encourage each other and love each other. That is one of the Holy, Godly wives that I set my eyes and ways on. You cannot follow just anybody’s steps and ways so be careful who you focus in on. Be careful of the company you keep because you start taking on their ways and it may not always be good! 

As I write this, I feel so good about this passage in the bible. I was nervous to dig into it but God has changed my heart and in love with doing His will. 

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to share. I really want you to!  I would love for this to be an open dialogue so get your friends in here! 

 

Peace and God Bless,

Cicely 

What is your story- Your Triumph Story- Your TESTIMONY!

For many years and still sometimes I compared my suuccess to others successes. I would wonder am I where I need to be at based on my age or abilities. I saw someone the same age and would think that I am so far behind.

"I didn't have kids when they did"
"I was not married"
"I did not finish my degree at their age"
"I am not far spiritually like them"
"I do not have money like they do"

OR EVEN ON THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM:
"She should have already done that"
"What, she had kids already I am glad I waited"
"I am so much further in my degree and we started at the same time"

HAVE YOU EVER DONE THAT!!! Be honest. We compare ourselves so much to others and even more true for women. We go deep as body shapes, hair, clothes and other petty stuff.

I was measuring myself based on their standards and their way of life. Thing is we did not start at the same starting line, we did not have the same resources such as family, money, location, and other things that set us apart. It took me a very long time to realize that it was not their standards that I am to measure myself at but my own standards. BUT THEN, my relationship with Christ grew deeper and stronger and realized oh hold up it isn't even my standards but GODS! Did you know that?Galatians 1:10 states," For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not
be a bondservant of Christ."   Now we are Christians and we know that the only LEGIT Judge is God but why are we constantly trying to prove ourselves to others? Why are we crossing over in other's lanes only to fall over and over because that was not the life, the path God gave us individually.
Galatians 6:4-5 "But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load." This scripture brings me to the main point of this article,

"Who's Story Are You Telling?"

"What Have You Experienced that claims Victory and Triumph?"

"Are Your Stories Worth Sharing?"

Many people have lived a very safe, sheltered life where they are just existing and not living. God does not want that, He came so that we can have life and not just any life, a life more abundantly (John 10:10). We are to enjoy life that God has given us... who gives us richly all things to enjoy, doing good works, giving and sharing (1 Tim 6:17-18). We pray the Lords prayer that His Kingdom come here on earth as it is in Heaven (Matt 6:9-13).... WHAT WE CAN HAVE HEAVEN ON EARTH??? That's another article just waiting to be written but back to this one!  So why are we so safe? What story are we going to have to tell our children?
On the other end, are our stories bringing defamtion to our names or better yet our Savior's name? Are we living a life that would bring SHAME to our AWESOME GOD? Are the stories in your life ones WORTH sharing? Will it cause others to be brought down? Do our stories encourage life or death?

Ok if we are living a safe life under a rock who get's the GLORY?

If we are living a crazy life full of shame who gets the GLORY?
What about that life where you are living, approach roadblocks, bumps, trials, tribulations but you are TRUSTING AND BELIEVING THAT GOD WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT... and then HE DOES! Who gets the GLORY?--- Is this the story worth telling? Will this inspire and bless others when you tell them your story? Can you tell your children and then they can tell their children of how GOD is so faithful?
Those are the stories worth telling.

I DARE YOU TO SHARE YOUR STORY!!! Post it in the comments section. Bless someone.

Please comment and share!
Peace and Blessings
Cicely

Meek And Quiet Spirit-- A bit of a struggle!

I Peter 3:1, 3-6 NKJV
Wives, likewise, be  submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let  it  be  the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

I grew up a sweet and shy young lady. I was never quick to anger or I never fought I just lived like everything was good and it was for me. I had many friends and we enjoyed each other. Sometimes I look back though, I felt that my kindness was taken for weakness I felt that people just walked all over me and used me because I was so kind and forgiving and sweet.

I learned behaviors from my mother who was of course kind and gentle and sweet. She was never angry and she never yelled at people she just was kind and gentle and loving in all that she did. People came up to me and said your mother's so sweet I can't see her ever getting angry I bet she's just so nice at home and she was.  And because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree I was my mother's daughter and I was just like her. I had her demeanor, her attitude, the way she walks, the way she talks and I love it because I'm just so blessed to be able to see the light in the way I do and embrace it and show people that love and kindness that Christ shows us.

As I got older my passiveness became passive aggressive and life became hard and I got angry but I never showed it because It wasn't me to yell and curse people out. I was that lady that gave people second chances and moreover more chances on top of chances unknowingly.  It wasn't until I got married when I fully realized how God loves us and gave us chances on top of chances on top of chances and gave us grace and mercy forgave us over and over.

Marriage is hard work, people hurt each others feelings they do things that cause you to just I want to hurt each other. They may not act the way you want them to, they may not do what you want them to do right away and you just get so frustrated because you think, this is not the marriage that you expected.

My husband has done some really hurtful things not on purpose but just because he has never been married and does not know how to go about his actions and I know I have hurt him as well. I have been learning how God loves us all, the things that we do to Him but he still loves us, how awesome is that! About a month ago my husband really did some some work in our marriage that made me want to give it up and the scripture above, I questioned that, I hated it.The part where they speak about us women being adorned in a quiet and meek spirit I've been living that my whole entire life and now that I'm married and things have been going wrong I have been still having that quiet and meek spirit.

In that situation I did not want to be quiet and I did not want to be meek I wanted to be a Hellraiser I wanted to curse people out I was tired of being seen as the sweet kind quiet lady that people knew me to be. I felt like my quietness was not being heard. I felt like my kindness was being taken for granted. I felt like I was forgiving and forgiving and forgiving but kept being hurt over and over.

Some people that knew my situation dug into it too deep and was like I would not have let it go down like that you are good, I would have cursed them out I would have done this or that and I struggle with that because I had every right to be angry and upset but what do I do I ask questions calmly I talk about it I express how I feel in a calm an upset manner but no cursing no yelling yes I'm hurt but I don't think anything would have gotten resolved if I had resulted to such behavior.

Every time I thought about getting angry and yelling and doing all that craziness this scripture kept popping up in my head and I realize God was like that's why you are the way you are and you need to be still and show other people the God in you. I realized God couldn't get the glory if I in all my flesh reacted the way I wanted to. God wouldn't have been able to bless other people through my actions if I would have acted in my flesh. This is where we see how God can continue to love and forgive us and that is how we need to show that through forgiving and showing love to other people.

Another thing I realized is that a lot of the things that we go through is not for us and is for other people, to be a blessing to other people, to show the God in us to other people so they realize that our situation doesn't have to stay this way and that what I see now is not in my future.Just imagine if I had acted belligerent and crazy what would people see? They would be like oh that girl is just as crazy as me why would I want to get in this situation or how can I praise God or thank God in my situation they wouldn't be able to get that. I thank God that I was put in this situation so that he can get the glory so that others can be blessed so that others can see the light and how God can bring that light.

Stay tuned for the next couple of blogs where we dig into this scripture of the quiet and meek spirit, of how to be submissive to our husbands and how to be that biblical wife. Be sure to comments and share this with others. Please give encouraging words.

Peace and Blessings,
Cicely

What are the words that are coming out of your mouth? Pt. 2

This is part 2 of Virtuous Women Speaking Wisely...

Proverbs 31:26 MSG The Message When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
Proverbs 31:26 KJV King James Version She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

My husband painted this idea of words so beautifully, he said he had a vision where everything he said he saw. He saw them float out of his mouth and watched each word and phrase being carefully watched and chosen for good or for evil. He said he saw God and the enemy scooping the words he said and then putting them to work in your life. Proverbs 18:21 says "Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." So what fruit are you eating? Death or Life?

As a virtuous woman, we have to be careful of the words we choose. When we speak it should be something of substance, something that encourages growth, kind words. The problem many face is that we are putting ill thoughts and messages in our minds and that is what is coming out. We have listened to too many people telling us that we are not worthy of anything great and we believe it but the deathly part is that we tell someone else the same thing and then they believe it. 2 Corinthians 4:13 -We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak" It is a cyclical effect that is deteriorating our women. So many women do not know how to speak kindly to one another.

I work for Girl Scouts and most of my girls speak so meanly to the other girls. They yell, talk about each other and have the worst attitude towards each other. I can just imagine that they hear it from their parents a lot at home. It is very sad to watch these girls spew out words that are so damaging and when asked about it they have no remorse. We cannot be like that as Christian women, we have to speak out of love. God is love.

One thing to remember is that we have have to believe we are a virtuous kind of woman, we have to see and believe our value and worth. If we do not see good in ourselves we cannot give good or see the good in others. Would you want to be tutored by someone who continued to fail a class? Why would you want to hear encouragement from someone who cannot encourage their selves. So the question is how do you begin to speak words of worth, words spoken kindly, and words of love that will encourage and uplift your sisters and brothers?

Well we can begin with the BIBLE... God's love letter to us. This gives you all the instruction you need other things are just supplemental.

Let's put this into action:

• Start seeing the good in you. Speak kind thoughts about yourself daily. Fall in love with yourself. A common phrase is if you don't love yourself then who will? GOD WILL though!! That is when you refer to the Love letter God wrote to us: The Bible.
• See the good in others. It is so easy to see what is wrong with people. If we shift our thinking to seeing and acknowledging the good in people more than the bad that will definitely help the words that will come out of your mouth for  good and not evil. 
• Read positive literature, watch positive movies, listen to positive music. Remember what you put in will come out. 
• Every time you think or even say something negative follow it up with good to cancel it out. Eventually there will be mostly good coming out of our mouths. 

Women, let's work on stepping into our roles as virtuous, Christ-like women of God.

I dare you to be more attentive to the things you say out loud, to people, about yourself see if the good out weighs the bad and if it doesn't I challenge you to do better the next day!


Thanks for reading! Please feel free to comment and share!!!

Be on the look out for new blogs!

Cicely