Friends, it is so easy to be distracted and spend too much precious time concentrating on the challenges we face.   May I suggest that when we face challenges, regardless of the size, by taking them to the Lord in prayer.  Let’s make prayer our first resource and not our last resort!  Let’s go to our Power Source and place all of our cares and burdens upon His shoulders, then spend time in praise and worship for the results that are forthcoming.  We are to work as though the results depend on us, however believing that God is the one who will work all things for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose! 

• Whose report will we believe?  Whose voice are we listening to?

• Are we familiar with the promises in the scriptures?  As for me and my house we believe, trust and listen to the voice of the Lord.  Be not deceived, our God is not mocked and when we are in relationship with God we will know when God speaks to us in His soft, quiet voice which is spoken in His chosen timing. 

• Are you devoted and listening for God’s voice through the power of the Holy Spirit?

• Do we have a designated ‘prayer closet’ where we worship, praise and study God’s Word without disruptions of our world?

When confronted with a challenge....let’s stop, take some time out and spend dedicated time with God regarding the circumstances of our dilemma.  Tell it all to God and let God direct our minds, hearts, tongue and steps.  We, alone, are not capable to handle most of our challenges successfully without God’s instructions.  His way is always perfect!  He leaves no residue to haunt us later in life.  It is solved well!

Be careful who you share your challenges with.  When possible, let’s keep them to ourselves until God leads us to a source that will be sincere and will help us overcome!  Otherwise we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and maybe even failure.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding!  In all your ways acknowledge Him and let Him direct your path!     (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

I have been pondering this question for sometime!  Friends, it is essential that we prepare ourselves for blessings and success.  Our ‘faith’ is what determines the strength of our beliefs and it is our relationship with Jesus, knowledge, experience, faith and passion that help us achieve success.  Let’s look into each a little deeper.

Faith - The expectant confidence of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.  Believing that we are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under the Lord’s table, yet believing that our God will provide  all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  We must work and keep our eyes focused on our Lord and Savior.  We stand in faith and call those things that are not seen as if they were already performed.  We trust and believe, according to the scriptures, that our God is able to do everything but fail.  Let’s live each day in unshakable faith.

Relationship - It is imperative that we establish a strong relationship with our Lord and Savior which is easily accomplished when we spend time with God reading the scriptures, meditating on His Word and listening for the   promptings of the Holy Spirit, daily!  This means establishing an unbreakable bond with Jesus.  Jesus then chooses to bless each believer based on our faith and our ability to manage the blessings we have already received.  Why ask for millions of dollars when we do not manage the money that we are entrusted with now?  God blesses us based on our ability, knowledge, skill, experience and faith that we already have and/or seeking before receiving great blessings.  What do we generously share with others from our current blessings?  God expects us to have a  personal relationship with Jesus, help others and live in faith.

Passion - Do we have passion (a burning desire) for a relationship with Jesus? Do  we seek to live in unconditional love with our family, friends, neighbors, and others that we come in contact with?  Do we trust God relentlessly? Secondly, are we passionate about being blessed based on who we are and what we are capable of doing?  Do we desire to accept and live with our blessings in the manner in which God directs our steps through the power of the Holy Spirit?  It is important to understand that as “BELIEVERS” we are expected to live and manage our resources according to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  God knows when we are faking it!  Please be real; live in faith, work hard and wait on the Lord!  He keeps all of His promises!

Jeremiah 29:11 states:  For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the  Lord; plans for good and not evil; to give you hope and a future!

Is our ‘Faith’ strong enough for additional blessings?

Are you tempted in your weakest traits of your life or in what you thought were your strongest traits?  Often we neglect to cover ourselves in a manner that will build a shield against the evils of this world.  Often we leave our strongest traits open because we think...”I’ve got this” because I am strongest in a particular area.  We work to cover and strengthen our weaker traits.  Well, believe it or not, the area in which we feel more secure is where evil tries to break us down; to damage our self esteem; to decrease our confidence and generate fear and doubt.  Please don’t fall for the tricks of evil beings and actions.

Faith in God is our source to shield us from evil.  The Word of God (Ephesians 6: 10 - 18) advises us to put on the whole armor of God, daily, to protect us against the wiles of the enemy.  Temptation is real and can turn our lives tops-turvy if we aren’t mindful of the evil desires that are available to us.  If we let down our guard and accept the charm, persuasion and attractiveness of the temptation take place in our mind, heart and soul, then we are on our way to discourse in our lives.  Our futures may be derailed.  Friends, if it is too good to be true; too easy to achieve, had to answer immediately without time to process a decision, may I suggest that you run as fast as possible in the other direction.  Pray constantly for wisdom and discernment.  Walk and live in faith.  The Word of God states that “We Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Us!” (Philippians 4:13)

 Resist Temptation, trust God, be strong and let’s keep our eyes, ears, and minds tuned in to the truths of God’s Word. 

There are many people living in FEAR each day!  Is it Fear of the unknown; of job loss; of not being able to keep up the pace of friends;  or not being able to have the same material things or social life of your peers; not being sought after by someone you are attracted to; driving on freeways; driving after dark; and over eating, to name a few?  Is it you?  Are you living in fear or doubt about many facets of your life? 

 An acronym for fear is:  False Evidence Appearing Real.

 Sometimes we create fear in our minds when we are preoccupied with the challenges of others through social media, the news, hear say, witnessing a cruel act upon someone, etc.  Whatever the means for acquiring a fearful mindset, it can stop us in our tracks and prevent us from being productive, healthy, moving forward with daily living and blaming others for our failed choices.

 Often, we blame satan for our fear or doubt.  That is exactly what satan wants us to do so we can be controlled by this evil force.  Yes, satan can be responsible for some bad things that happen to good people, however it could be our life choices as well.  Satan allows and causes terrible things to happen in our lives so our lives will not follow the plan that God has for us...a plan for good and not evil....a plan of hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).  Please stop operating and living in fear!  We are children of God, so start living like it!  Pray, seek wisdom from the scriptures and meditate on God’s Word, then take the most important step...take action...start today...just do it!

 The fear of abuse can only be removed by the power of God.  There is great potential for those who believe in the one true God.  Let’s unlock our past abuse, past disappointments, past dreams, past history, so God can wipe our slates clean.  Pray for wisdom and discernment and shake the old crud and move forward.  God will anoint each believer with God’s power to bring forth new life from deep inside.  Let go!  Let God do a new thing in our lives.  Let go and please trust God!  The plan of hope for our futures is available to all!

Good morning Lord!  It’s me.  Checking in with you to see what you have for me to do today!  I know it is going to be exciting, challenging, fulfilling, and a blessing to someone.  I am looking forward to this day.  This is the day that you have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Every day is a new day with new opportunities and new blessings!  Let’s rise each morning with a fresh perception on life.  Each of us have 24 hours, the same 24 hours.  When we wake up in the morning do we establish a plan for the day or do we say, “whatever will be will be?”  We can make or break our 24 hours!  Our mindset will set the tone for the day.  Life is fragile so keep it positive.

When we activate our faith, each day will be productive.  Will we face challenges?  Yep! Often!  Life is fragile, however, with faith in God, even if we are confronted with challenges, we will be directed through them and in some instances, we will be carried through them.  The day will be a win win day either way because we trust God through it all.   What matters is how we respond to the challenges and rejoices that occur in a given day.  We can either operate in fear or in faith.  It is best when we believe and understand that, ‘All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to God’s purpose.’  Make everyday count! God can make it a blessing!  Let’s not waste a minute, an hour or an entire day.  Life is fragile and is for living!  Are you living in faith or are you dying, so called ‘happy?’  Don’t live a life of regrets.  Make each day a great day!!!!  Yesterday is gone, never to be repeated; today is upon us to be lived, so make tomorrow even better!

Today I began work on Hazel Jackson Ministries. The site will be a place to learn more about me, my services, and to get weekly inspiration. I hope you enjoy!