How did YOU dress today?

Many times, over the years of receiving invitations to attend a variety of events, the question has come up ‘what is the dress requirements?’ Or ‘how are we expected to dress?’

I’ve even had friends ask me personally, ‘what are you planning on wearing?’

And this is all well and good.

We certainly dont want to be out of order or draw unnecessary attention to ourselves-especially negative attention.

And let’s face it- most of us just want to fit in.

Right?

If we are going to a child’s soccer game, we ladies wouldn’t wear a fancy dress with heels, nor would men show up in suits and ties.

No- more likely, we’d wear shorts and a t-shirt, flip flops or tennis shoes…

But- changing the scenario, if we are invited to a wedding, we wouldn’t show up wearing shorts and t-shirts, flip flops or tennis shoes!

Instead, we ladies would absolutely wear a nice dress with heels, and men would wear suits and ties!

Knowing what to wear matters.

There are all appropriate ways of how we should dress in the natural… but God has a more profound dress code for us as believers…

He’s showing us the expected SPIRITUAL dress code in scriptures…

And it requires a whole new lifestyle wardrobe change.

God has filled up our spiritual closet with a clothing style that is timeless…

God’s fashion choice of clothing will never go out of style!

Choose from the wardrobe God has given you:

Compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.

Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense…

And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.

It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”

Colossians 3:12-14 MSG

God DEFINITELY allows -turns!

Who DOESN’T want a life that is abundantly whole, healed, put-together and full of delight???

I don’t think any of us decided when we were little children ‘when I grow up, I want to be miserable, broke, busted and disgusted!’ Right???

Yet for some of us, our lives have somehow gotten off course.

We find ourselves trapped, not the way we envisioned it to be, stuck.

Any of you find yourselves asking these questions or expressing these thoughts:

• How in the world did this HAPPEN?
• This surely wasn’t what I wanted.
• What am I going to do?
• Where did I go wrong?
• What did I do to deserve this?

Whoa!!! Hold on, friends! You’re not alone!

And I have good news! No matter how lost you are, there’s always a way to get back in track!

God truly does allow u-turns!

Have any of y’all besides me gotten lost while traveling? Anyone else take the wrong turn before?

Let me share one true experience I had… my family STILL teases me about it!

One year, my family were traveling by car from

Virginia to Iowa, and eventually, Wisconsin for a family reunion…my husband, myself, and our three children.

I was telling them of this amazing multi-story shopping mall, with an indoor amusement park, called ‘The Mall of America’ that I visited briefly with my mother when we had a layover at the airport in-between flights… it was in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Yeah, I know this NOW… but THEN? I got it wrong. WAY wrong. Using the paper maps, I rerouted our trip, to go through INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA…. thinking that was where it was.

But of course, the nearer we got- we were not seeing signs to the Mall of America!!! I kept telling the kids ‘keep looking! It’s across the street from the airport! We can’t miss it- it’s huge!!!’

Finally, we pulled up to an airport hotel and asked the concierge ‘we must have taken a wrong turn, sir. Could you tell us which exit is for the Mall of America?’

Oh, his face expression was priceless! He broke into a belly gut laugh!!! I couldn’t figure out what was so funny until he told me-

‘Mam, you’re in INDIANAPOLIS. The Mall of America is in MINNEAPOLIS. You’re in the wrong state! You’re about 590 miles away!’

Crushed! I was embarrassed, and crushed., as I quickly realized my children were going to be disappointed… Thankfully, I’m married to THE most patient man. We added a few extra days to our trip, and sure enough- we made it to the Mall of America!

The kids got to play in the big Lego’s store, and ride the roller coaster and other rides in the in door amusement park. Fun memories were made after all- but the biggest one laughed about now, was the wrong turn!

We can laugh at our mistakes, when we confront them with grace… and learn from them-and correct them.

God wants us to live an abundant life. He knows we will make mistakes. He’s there to help ya through them. And He’s there to help us get back on track.

Just as in my story, in life- we make ‘wrong turns.’ If we are focused on the right directions, and following them, we won’t end up where we need to end up.

Adjustments must be made, and a little extra time has to be spent to get back on track- but with God, and godly people in our life- it’s absolutely doable!

Real life is abundant, pure, a gift!

Eternally good.

This can only be obtained when we listen AND DO what God’s voice is telling us what to do!

Listen!

There are two voices competing for our attention-

God’s, and Satan’s.

One is good, and wants only good for us-

The other is bad, and wants only bad for us.

We choose.

• We choose which voice to listen to…
• We choose which voice to obey…
• We choose which life to live…

A life designed by God, reaching our potential and call He has planned for us-serving Him all of our days with the goal of having an abundant life well lived, meaningful…

Or a live planned by the evil one, Satan, full of struggles, deception, ungodliness, falling short, unfulfilled, no real purpose- no real peace, with his goal to kill, steal and destroy us.

When my children were small, we’d sing this song:

‘🎶 Oh be careful little eyes what you see! Oh be careful little ears what you hear! 🎶. For the Father up above is looking down with love, oh be 🎶 careful little eyes what you see! Oh be careful 🎶little ears what you hear!’

There’s so much wisdom in this simple tune.

Satan is the little ‘g’ god of this world.

God said, as Christians, we are in this world, but not OF this world.

God has said it- He has given us eyes to see, and ears to hear.

He has told us:

‘Above all else…Guard your heart. For everything you do flows from it.’ (Proverbs 4:23)

Actually- God loves us so much He has given us instructions for living a life right!

Proverbs 4:20- 27

‘My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to My Words.

Do not let them out of your sight,

Keep them within your heart;

For they are life to those who find them and healing & health to all their body.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk from your lips.

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.

Watch the path of your feet and let all your ways be established.

Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.’

See! God has given us a road map to navigate successfully through this life, in His Word! He’s also given us His voice, the Holy Spirit… AND- He’s given us the most amazing G.P.S. ‘God’s Precious Son.’

Without God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ, we are lost, off track, heading in the wrong direction.

It’s time for a u-turn!

If you resonate with this, if you’re feeling tugs in your heart, then the Lord is beckoning you to Him.

Pray this simple prayer and mean it in your heart:

‘Dear Heavenly Father,

I’m lost. I’ve been wandering around through my life, made a few wrong turns, and can’t seem to find my way back to you.

Help me, Lord! I see now from these scriptures that I haven’t guarded my heart…I haven’t paid attention to Your Words. I have let them out of my sight… please forgive me!

I choose to return to You, dear God. I will listen. Speak to me. Show me. Guide me. Lead me. I am Yours. In Jesus Name, Amen.’

If you’ve prayed this prayer, there’s thousands of angels in Heaven right this very moment cheering and celebrating your decision!!!

We encourage you to get into a good, bible teaching church., so that you can restart your Christian life with other believers to help disciple you.

We’d love to hear from you and to know of your decision! God bless you!

You can contact us through our website link here:

Website for iamjesusgal ministries

Hope.

All throughout the winter, I have been driving past this tree on my way to and from work.

Always captures my attention…

This tree has a lesson. So does this empty fruit basket.

It’s been speaking to my soul. And yes, trees can speak.

We read about Jesus speaking to the fig tree in Mark 11… it spoke back to Him, in obedience. It heard what He said, and did what He said.

Regarding THIS tree-and THIS empty basket…

Most specifically the little fruit basket sitting as if it’s waiting. It has been speaking to me.

A lot.

It is a symbol of hope and of new life.

When we look at things that seem lifeless and hopeless, the more we let our gaze dwell there unchecked, we grew weary and depressed.

This image paints a different picture to focus on-if only we have eyes to see and ears to hear…

The tree branches are empty.. there’s no sign of life…

There’s a hint of life however on the bottom, of the green grass starting to grow… but the symbol of hope here is in the empty bucket waiting at the bottom… it’s a sign that good things will come in the future.

I believe this is a message to encourage somebody.

Are you facing a hopeless situation?

Anyone feeling as if life will never come again the way you want it to?

God has different seasons in our life for a reason.

While we learn to wait on God, let’s purpose to trust Him!

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrew 11:1),

Based on the true uncompromised Word of God!

We need to learn to be obedient and to do what God says to do, in order to get the results God says we can have.

“call those things that are not as though they are!” (Romans 4:17)

God is a speaking Spirit!

He spoke everything into existence and to this day there are new galaxies still being created based on His original command to exist!

“Words are powerful! Words can be our salvation and words can be our damnation.” (Matthew 12:33 MSG)

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue!” (Proverbs 18:21)

What are we saying?

What are we declaring?

What are we confessing?

We need to learn to look adversity directly into its face and declare our victory!

Like this little basket sitting at the foot of this barren tree, waiting for the right season of fruit to come-anticipating…

let’s “trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on to our own understanding- in all our ways acknowledge Him and let Him direct our steps!” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Lets look with eyes of faith! And speak into our future right now the expected end!

Be encouraged, dear loved ones- hope never disappoints!

Perspective

Fears and uncertainties can dominate your thinking.

When we only view things from our limited scope, from our own limited understanding- our viewpoint is inaccurate.

God’s ways are not man’s ways.

God’s thoughts are not man’s thoughts.

God uses the foolish to confound the wise.

That’s why we need to see things through the lens of God’s Word.

That’s why we need the Holy Spirit to lead us, reveal and teach us, to direct us through His truth.

God’s #perspective is far more valuable.

Mans perspective is limited and skewed, but God is #omniscient –

He sees from an eternal perspective of past, present and future.

He knew us before we were even formed.

He knows the plans He has for us-every mistake, every misstep, every ‘bend’ and ‘detour’ in the roadtrip of our lives-

God doesn’t get alarmed and is never caught by surprise when we venture in the ‘wrong’ direction-

Because He saw the beginning from the end.

You see- each of us was born a mess.

God’s job is to #transform our mess into our messages, to enhance our testimonies, to be His Witnesses on the earth.

He is The #Creator, we are His created.

He is the #Master, we are His masterpiece.

A beautiful ceramic vase started out as a lump of dirty, filthy clay.

Yet the #Potter sees the hidden beauty within in it- because He knows it’s potential-

The Potter patiently sits besides His wheel, guiding the process of transformation from clay to vase-satisfied with each step because He sees the beauty all along the way.

ALL of us have sinned, and fall short of God’s glory. That’s why we need a Savior-to save us.

Each of our dirty, lumpy mess of clay looks different. Our ‘sins’ have different names and depths- but that doesn’t phase God one bit.

He loves us all. ALL of us- no exceptions.

Can you ‘see’ His perspective a bit clearer?

Pray this with me:

“Father God, help me to see others through YOUR perspective and not my own. Help me not to judge others ability to be transformed by you while they are still in the transformation process. Help us to trust in You, and to pray for others in our path, and to love them as we love ourselves. In Jesus Name, amen.”

Awaken the Carriers: Arise!

Carriers of Your glory.

Yes, Lord!  We are carriers.  Full of Your glory.

Same power that raised Christ from the dead is in us.  

But it’s not JUST for us.

A seed is created to reproduce. 

God commanded us to be fruitful and to multiply.

We are to be full of His glory. 

Filled to spill!

As the healed, we touch others to be healed, in the Name of Jesus.

As the blessed, we touch others to be blessed, in the presence of Jesus.

As the redeemed, we touch others to be redeemed, through the power of Jesus.

As the rich, we touch others to become rich, through the purpose of Jesus.

We are His ambassadors on this earth.  

We are His hands and feet.

He is the potter, we are the clay. He has His plans for our future from BEFORE the beginning of time.

His glory… inside us, the very vessel, the very temple, the very carrier, He created us to be- for HIS glory…

Wait a minute!!! How is it that WE, the carrier He created US to be, argue with Him?

Isaiah 45:9-12 puts this into an excellent perspective:

“Does a clay pot dare argue with its maker, a pot that is like all the others? Does the clay ask the potter what he is doing? Does the pot complain that its maker has no skill? 10 Do we dare say to our parents, “Why did you make me like this?” 11 The Lord, the holy God of Israel, the one who shapes the future, says: “You have no right to question me about my children or to tell me what I ought to do! 12 I am the one who made the earth and created human beings to live there. By my power I stretched out the heavens; I control the sun, the moon, and the stars.”

No. We are the clay. He shapes us and molds us. Then, He fills us with His glory… and it’s not about us. As a vessel- we carry a supply full of the same power that raised Christ from the grave IN US and ALL times, to be the help on this earth to those in our shadows…

Others in our shadows should be covered with Gods glory, because of the glory within us…

Christ IN us, the hope of glory.

What’s IN us comes THROUGH us.

Another thought came to me in prayer-and only God knew all that was on my heart- I’m so thankful that I can take it all to Him in prayer… and then to listen to Him speak.

God is a Holy God, in a perfect, Holy Heaven.

It’s impossible for Him to permit tarnished, sinful spirits in His Holy, perfect heaven.

Yet almost everyone believes, when they die, that they will continue their partying self-centered lifestyle in Heaven., with no understanding of the holiness and pureness of God.

Why would someone who never gave a moments thought about God, who never did anything with or for God’s Son, who often mocked and ridiculed people who lived a life of holiness, WANT to spend eternity in the very environment, with the very people they spent their lifetime avoiding or despitefully using? Don’t they get it? Don’t they realize that the wages, the cost, of sin is death? NOT Heaven’s reward?

Even though He loves us all- only the redemptive covering of the blood of Jesus over us when we cry out to Him, surrender all to Him, repenting and permitting Him to be Lord and Master of our life- through His grace- are we saved, and able to enter His Heaven.

In a hospital if someone’s immune system has been compromised, the medical staff screens the visitors to protect the ones in their care.

How much more does God protect the sanctity of Heaven for His saints to maintain a Holy and pure Heaven?

No, absolutely none- no impurities can enter such a Holy place or be in the presence of a Holy God.

Nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash us clean.

Many people ask ‘how can a good God allow people who’ve never heard of Him (or the plan of salvation) die and go to hell forever?  That’s not fair!’

I’ve personally heard this many times.

But they don’t have revelation of our Holy God or of a Holy Heaven.

They don’t have revelation of Gods plan of our being created to be fruitful and to multiply.

They don’t have understanding how God calls us to GO YE but many disobey and ‘STAY HERE’.

God can’t go against His Holy Word or retract what He has commanded.  

He is waiting on US, His CHURCH, to do what He created and commanded us to do, and the blood of those perishing in Hell is on us. 

We WILL be held a accountable and judged for what we did not do.

It’s time to stop THINKING about it and to start DOING it.

Too many people in need all across this world.  

Biggest need is Jesus. If we can get them Jesus- Jesus will get them everything else they need.

And remember- Jesus gets people what they need THROUGH PEOPLE who are part of The Church.

So let us be carriers of Your glory, God!

Let us share Your love, unconditional love!

Let us testify of Your goodness!!! Of Your Miracles!  Of Your salvation!

Use us, Lord!!!  Use us to carry Your glory!

Fill us, spread us, forgive us, bless us.

There are people suffering, and we can make a difference!

There are people hurting, alone- and we can love them.

There are people dying without You Jesus, and we should be telling them about You.

Help us, Lord! Wake us up, Lord!!! Awaken us!!! Shake us!!! Let YOUR GLORY in us ARISE!

What voice are you hearing?

I have been meditating a lot on this topic-
We are a triune being- we are a spirit, we possess a soul, and we live in a physical body.

…and a few days ago during my morning devotion it came up again…

So I decided to give birth to my thoughts and see what’s born…

Many have ‘awareness’ of this concept, based on bible truth-but few have revelation that we are a three part being and each part has a voice:

‘Conscience’ is the voice of our human spirit.
‘Reason’ is the voice of the soul, or mind.
‘Feeling’ is the voice of our body, or flesh.

Our Heavenly Father connects with us through our spirits, our inward witness… He doesn’t speak to our soul or our bodies… 

Nowhere in the Bible are we told God speaks to our body., or has a relationship with our mind.  

On the contrary, it’s our spirit man that is born again, but our mind has to be renewed daily.

Yet, the enemy ALWAYS gains access to us through our bodies (flesh) and our souls (mind)… in the ‘sense arena’- Satan appeals to what we ‘see’, ‘feel’, ‘hear’, ‘imagine’ or ‘think.’

And this is where it’s dangerous.

Satan is a liar, the father of all lies, in him there is no truth.   (John 8:44) He is a master of deception, and though there is nothing good about Satan, he is good at what he does:

Kill.  Steal.  Destroy.

That’s it.  That is his job description according to John 10:10.

He uses our senses to deceive us, so he can steal from us, destroy us, kill us.
Satan can not succeed however, unless we permit him to.  And God will permit what we permit.

Most of us get caught in the ‘feeling’ part… and get stuck there.

Many believe if they feel sick that they are sick.  Then they begin confessing the sickness, and their confession soon leads to possession… 

Before you are even aware- the thought that came by a wrong feeling was entertained, and settled into the heart, then confessed out of the mouth- bingo.  

Life is born from the wrong thought, that failed to get caught or run through the filter of Truth, God’s Word.

Follow the fruit to its root. Did it come to kill, steal or destroy, or, did it come to bring life, more abundantly? 
Folks- consider the root and inspect the fruit.

Many times you will actually hear people refer to a sickness as theirs…  In talking about it, without thinking, often they will say something like “my cancer has returned” thus, they are calling it theirs.  
Or, will say something like “I have the flu.” Taking ownership of it… agreeing with, permitting it rights to remain., assuming  there is no other way- if they have medical facts it exists, if they are feeling the symptoms, it must be so. 

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21).

Many believe that if they see, hear or feel it, ‘it’ must be true.

I’m not suggesting we live with our head in the clouds and ignore reality, symptoms, feelings or facts.  I’m stating that though something might exist and be a fact doesn’t mean it has the rights to remain and become a truth.

Friends, there’s a profound difference between ‘truth’ and ‘fact.’

If we give in to what we feel, or hear, or see- we are not living by faith. We are living by the worlds standards, not God’s.  We become a ploy for the enemy.

If we ‘feel’ something, we believe we ‘are’ what we feel. If we go by feelings alone, we become deceived and give in to these feelings.

God doesn’t call us to walk by our ‘feelings’. 

He created us with feelings, our emotions serve a purpose and it’s good to understand them, but as believers, we are not called to live by our feelings or get caught in the sense realm.

Rather, we are called to live by faith., by the Spirit. Not by sight.

Feelings are subject to change.

Thoughts and reasoning are subject to change.

Feelings and thoughts are based on facts- and facts are subject to change.

Truth (Jesus is Truth- and Jesus is The Word- therefore God’s Word is Truth.). So Truth, however, will never change, but has the power to change facts when acted upon by faith.

We are spirit, soul and body. Each has a voice.  

So… I’ll close with this thought provoking question:
Which voice is dominating you?   
1 Thess 5:23. Romans 8:1.  

12 Cor 5:7-10. Gal 5:18-20.

John 17:17. 
Minister Wendy J Roundy, international motivational speaker & missionary

Founder of ‘iamjesusgal ministries’ Iamjesusgal website

Founder of ‘Helping The Homeless Ministry’ Helping The Homeless Website

Found on Josie’s Pinterest

Many people have opinions that social media is a tool of the enemy, so they avoid it like a plague. 

I have  come to believe that Satan has no creative abilities, only those that may corrupt, pollute or distort something beautiful that God created, because I believe God is the almighty Creator- and that all things were created BY God and FOR God (Colossians 1:16).

No one person can ‘create’ something totally by scratch.  They can use the creative abilities bestowed upon them and inspired by God.  

However, in order to do so, they are using ingredients or supplies or materials…already created by the Creator.
It is humanly impossible to create something that never before existed, using a substance that they alone created, out of nothing.  
Only a Creator can do this, and only God is the true, one and only, Creator.
For something to be made, reproduced, invented, etc, something had to already previously existed or be created- then, using the creativity one possesses, an individual could potentially assemble something unique… using materials already created by the Creator.
Everything has potential to be used for the good, or to be used for bad.

Jesus said this:  ‘The thief comes only to kill, to steal and destroy, but I have come so that you might have life more abundant.’  (John 10:10)

We choose to use social media for either good, or bad.  
  
We can promote good (God) in all we do and say, or we can promote bad (Satan) in what we do and say.
I think you understand my point.
This morning, I read a post on Facebook from a friend.  

This friend suffered a tragic, sudden, unexpected loss of her beautiful, young, carefree, talented, full of life, full of God, daughter, 7 months ago. 
We lost our youngest daughter in a tragic, sudden, unexpected bizarre hurricane related accident 6 years ago next month from severe brain injuries when a tree fell on our van, but only for 6 minutes…somehow, supernaturally, God restored life and healing to our daughter…, whereas for my friend- her daughter’s death was sudden, complete- yet her daughter is complete, healed, restored, and alive as well, only living in Heaven.
So I can relate, to a degree, of the emotions a parent feels seeing their own child lifeless…& my heart still aches for my friend… Sonya… and for all of her family who each one is still affected by the shock, still grieving from the unexpected, so I am still covering them in prayers for God’s supernatural comfort.
But back to the post I read this morning on Facebook…

It simple said ‘found on Josie’s Pinterest’ and included a picture of a beautiful poem that brought my friend, this grieving parent, an unexpected positive memory… 
I’ve since googled this poem.   I wanted to read the whole poem, and to learn who penned it.
It’s called ‘After a While’ by Veronica A Shoffstall.

Simple.  Yet profound.  Healing balm to a wounded soul.

Intrigued by these beautiful words, I was prompted to research more about the poet, and this particular poem that captured Josie’s attention on Pinterest that my friend shared this morning on Facebook…

And in doing so, discovered the rest of the poem.

It’s called “After a While You Learn” and actually is part of the authors wordpress blog, copied below in the link.  
I encourage all to read, as it’s beautifully written and contains more gems of wisdom.  Here’s a link to do just that, if you’d like.

https://purenourishment.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/after-a-while-you-learn-by-veronica-a-shoffstall-1971/amp/

Social media was used in a positive way this morning.  It gave my friend a glimpse into the past of her precious daughter’s life- and shared a precious moment of a mutually appreciated poem…

Through Facebook, a Pinterest ‘like’ temporarily connected a departed daughter, now living in Heavens eternity,  with a grieving mother, still passing through life’s journey here on earth, in a beautiful God moment. 

All because of social media.  
Something God created to be used for good, not evil.  It’s up to us to choose how.   

Today, I choose for good.

Wonder Woman- WHO?

Enjoying slowly reading through #lisaterkeurst #thebestyes … I thought this was interesting with recent release of remake #wonderwoman …

 Knowing #when to say #yes and #what to say yes to is vital to our well being as #women … there’s a difference between #confidence and #conviction… know God’s Word, and answer His call on your life… doing His plan will never wear you out, but will leave you fulfilled and content in serving 😇 
As women, and as moms, we tend to multi task.
Baby on hip, phone on the ear, hand on spatula frying ground beef for Hamburger Helper, broom on other hand sweeping floor… never a dull moment, that’s for sure!

Juggling choir practice, prayer meetings, soccer games, band practice, PTA meetings, bible studies, grocery shopping, bill paying, dog grooming, dry cleaning, laundry!!! And being invited to this party, that fundraiser, this meeting, that ministry- can generate stress, not success.

Learning the BEST YES needs to be prayerfully made, and that it’s ok to say no. 
We are not every one else’s answer to everyone else’s prayer.
Just because we are asked doesn’t mean we should.
Boundaries.  Self respect.  Honoring the temple we have been made to be- that’s wisdom.
Don’t let another’s opinion of you define your identity or determine your destiny.   
You were created with a purpose, and are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Find out who you are, and whose you are- by what the Bible says.
God has already determined your value based on His sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. He determined your worth, and decided YOU are worthwhile.
Sometimes there are seasons in life. When busy raising children, that IS your mission.   Anything else be sure to pray over before committing…
Be joyful in serving.  Never stressed… 
Be a true ‘wonder woman’ and let the God of all wonder lead you where He needs you.
Be led by the Holy Spirit, with peace, not need.  Be moved by compassion and conviction, strong and courageous.
Be blessed AS you are being a blessing!
#iamjesusgal #iamjesusgalministries #balance #guardyouryes #timemanagement #womenempowerment #strength #wisdom 

Patience: A fruit to ripen

#Patience
Patience isn’t something most of us are born with. It surely doesn’t come automatically the moment we take a breath-it’s developed. It’s a process. It takes time.
Children are not automatically patient. As mom looking back, I can’t even count the number of times I told my children “just be patient” or “in a minute!” When you stop to analyze that statement it’s actually quite funny. A little child? Be patient? Most adults struggle with being patient, yet we expect our children to ‘be patient.’
Most people, including children, truly don’t understand what this word means. “Patience.” Yet we expect it from everybody. But are WE being patient?
Children learn patience when it’s demonstrated. They live what they see demonstrated. It is learned over time but so are other characteristics.  

I know as a mom, there were times when I demonstrated patience with my children, yes; but there were MUCH more times when I didn’t. I wish I could change that now. I can’t. I was still ‘fruit’ in the process of being developed at the time I was raising my children… 
Webster defines it this way:
Patience:
“the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. The ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed.”
The word “patience” historically comes from the Latin, patientia, meaning suffering, which also gives us the word patient, referring to someone who is suffering from being sick or injured.
“Patience” is one of the fruits of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22) Fruit takes time to ripen. So does patience.  
The Strong Concordance for the original Greek word translated to our English language for patience is:
#8318 pa’-shens (hupomone, makrothumia):
“Patience” implies suffering, enduring or waiting, as a determination of the will and not simply under necessity. As such it is an essential Christian virtue to the exercise of which there are many exhortations. 
We need to “wait patiently” for God, to endure uncomplainingly the various forms of sufferings, wrongs and evils that we meet with, and to bear patiently injustices which we cannot remedy and provocations we cannot remove.
PATIENCE: The quality of forbearance and self-control which shows itself particularly in a willingness to wait upon God and his will. Believers are called upon to be patient in their expectations of God’s actions, and in their relationships with one another.
Patience is often hard to gain and to hard to maintain, but, in Romans 15:5, God is called “the God of patience” as being able to grant that grace to those who look to Him and depend on Him for it. 
It is in reliance on God and acceptance of His will, with trust in His goodness, wisdom and faithfulness, that we are enabled to be patient, endure, and to hope stedfastly.
“Patience” is a form of #Love
In 1 Corinthians 13:4, “LOVE is patient.”
Ahhhhhh.
This is key.   
“God is love.” (1 John 4:8)
We are to walk in love. (Ephesians 5:2)
When we are patient with one another, 

we are demonstrating Gods love. When we are patient with ourselves, we are receiving Gods love.  
While we strive to be patient all the time, to be loving all the time, we fail.
Progress takes time. We’re all human.
Praise God that HE never fails! He is ALWAYS patient with us, ALWAYS loving towards us.  
Join me today to commit to exercise our patience with one another.
#FaithActs!