October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Choose today to #SpeakOut and share your story!10/1/2015
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Introduction What’s your relationship status is a book about the status of your relationship with God and His son Jesus Christ. There are some of us who define ourselves based on our relationship status with the opposite sex, but we should be defined by our relationship status with our creator, God. Today’s society is so pumped about social sites and it’s the hottest trend. We focus on what others will say, wait for likes on pictures, statuses, as well as comments and most of all, who we are dating. Well, why look to social media for acceptance when we are all accepted by God already. Being single is referred to as not knowing who God is, solely living life alone. No prospects, no intent of getting to know Him and simply being alone. In a relationship status, one can be defined as knowing God, knowing His son, obeying when needed but not quite ready to make that commitment fully to Him. An open relationship is tricky. This is the relationship with God that you are in and know His expectations, commandments and decide to purposely live the opposite life God intended. It’s complicated is exactly what it sounds like. This can be defined as the person that knows God, experienced God, but is scared to take the final step to commit to God. Maybe your journey is a bit tough and you keep getting sucked into the world not knowing where to go from here; life’s journey can be complicated, but it’s never too complicated for God. Lastly, Married status is the ultimate goal. No matter what your relationship status is, this is where you can be and will be if you allow God to take over your life fully; and guide you on His path for your life. Being married to God isn’t just a commitment, it’s a lifestyle change that takes time, patience, guidance and strength. All those things God can provide, He is understanding and is waiting for you to change your relationship status with Him today. My hopes for you while reading this book is that you will develop a relationship with God, strengthen your relationship with God and finally decide to make that commitment to God. No pressure; this is only your eternity. With guidance and God’s words this devotional will take you through the life and times I personally faced on my journey. From being single working towards the ultimate goal; a married relationship status. The best decision I’ve ever made. You too can have a happily ever after. Chapter: 1 “Does one spoiled apple really spoil the bunch?” An apple that is infested with mold will contaminate other fruits that it is stored with. As the mold seeks additional food sources and spreads; so it actually does take that one single apple to start a domino effect that ruins the bunch, but this doesn’t have to be true with people. Bible Scripture: Psalm 3:3-4 “But you, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the lifter of my head. With my voice I cry to the Lord and He hears and answers me out of His holy hill. Selah!” God is the only being that can keep you from depression. Holding your head high is what God does for us, so have confidence in Him. You have two options: Quit or keep going and the results of those will either be misery or joy. Will you be the bad apple that affects everyone around you with negativity and depression? Or, will you be the apple that does not let other affect the outcome of your life? Facing disappointments doesn’t mean you should give up. God has promised to lift your head and see you through. Being single can be fun at times and other times can be exceptionally difficult and lonesome. You may go through relationship after relationship and begin to feel drained, but do you just give up? Being married now reflecting on the times when I was single, had I given up and gotten depressed when my relationships did not work I wouldn’t be married. I decided to let God lift my head and make good on His promise to keep my joy flowing. I decided not to let one apple spoil the bunch, because unlike fruits, we can control the infestation of mold (negativity) in our life. There were times I thought to myself, “What in the world am I doing? I’m never going to find the one.” That attitude would not find love or allow love to find me. I had started to let that one bad apple spoil the bunch. Being in the word, God steps in at those times when you feel down and out; before you even think about depression God will hear your cries and be the lifter of your head. I listened to Him and didn’t give up. I decided to through that bad apple out of the bunch and save the rest from infestation and mold. You have the same power. Don’t allow one bad relationship or multiple bad relationship hinder you or bring you down. Keep your head up those times where you cannot ask God to lift it for you. Don’t allow one bad apple to spoil the bunch. Confession (read aloud): God, in Jesus name, I ask that you deliver me from depression and be the lifter of my head. Shield me, hear me and answer my cries. Give me the strength to throw that one bad apple out of the bunch so I can save the rest from infestation. I declare to keep going, living in joy and not allow disappointments to be my final results. Allow me to embrace being single and help prepare me for when I find my true mate or my true mate finds me or make me a better mate. I will not give up because I have you in my life, forever, amen! “To give up on the things you want most means eventually settling for things that least matter.” To read more click the link for your purchasing options: TheMaritalBlueprint.weebly.com/book-store.html
Hi guys. Just wanted to let you all know that I obtained my certification in marriage facilitation and wanted to extend the offer for anyone wanting/needing relationship mentoring to simply go to: http://themaritalblueprint.weebly.com/ for more information. I would love to have you all to take the couple's assessment and help build your relationships.
Love you all, Mrs. NaQuia Jones After watching the movie, God's not dead I instantly felt the power of being a believer. The move is about a present-day college freshman and devout Christian, Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), finds his faith challenged on his first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo). Radisson begins class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that first day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words “God Is Dead” on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh find himself at a crossroads, having to choose between his faith and his future. Josh offers a nervous refusal, provoking an irate reaction from his smug professor. Radisson assigns him a daunting task: if Josh will not admit that “God Is Dead,” he must prove God’s existence by presenting well-researched, intellectual arguments and evidence over the course of the semester, and engage Radisson in a head-to-head debate in front of the class. If Josh fails to convince his classmates of God’s existence, he will fail the course and hinder his lofty academic goals. With almost no one in his corner, Josh wonders if he can really fight for what he believes. Can he actually prove the existence of God? Wouldn’t it just be easier just to write “God Is Dead” and put the whole incident behind him?
As the plot thickens and people are faced with real life issues God becomes the only One that can help, even the non-believers. One person stood up and stood out to recognize God. His faith was tested, but he was determined to put his faith to work and help show others that God is real and very much alive. Also, in this movie a young woman is kicked out of her home due to her believing in God by her father because they are of the muslim faith. (It is not my position to judge anyone else's faith only my personal beliefs and opinions, so I do not purposely intend on offending anyone.) Why is it that God stands for LOVE and only things that are good, however, another faith can question and dislike God and Christians so much they will turn their back on their own family because they choose to believe in God? Now where is the LOVE in that? What is so wrong with believing in a higher power that gives us hope as a human race and encourages us to live a joyful life and by helping others in every way? This brings me to explain how powerful just 1 believer is. . . Imagine if we ALL had this mentality, even if most of us had this mentality we could be so much more of who and what God intends for us. The concept of God for some is so hard and I personally feel that it is because of the "religious aspect instead of the "relationship" aspect, which is what God is really about and what He wants us to experience. Just like there is good there is bad and vice versa. Anything that is good has a target from the devil/the enemy, to kill steal and destroy. As believers it is our duties to show that God is alive and real simply by living the life of the word (Bible) showing love and loving others just as God has loved us, even those that do not want to be love. The debate of God's existence is solely based on the fact that as human beings people want to prove things wrong or have the answers to everything. In life we will NEVER have the answers to everything, no matter what your religion or faith is. I understand that sometimes it is hard to believe something you do not have the answer to, however with God, He can help answer your questions and the questions that are left unanswered can be filed with faith, the feeling of believing without actually having it proved. All in all as a believer I urge all of you believers to stand up for your faith and be that 1 believer that brings the power of God everywhere you go. We together can spread God's good news and help others see the light. It only takes 1 person and 1 moment to show someone the goodness of God. It's never too late until it is too late to say and believe that God is NOT dead. YOU, JUST YOU ALONE HAVE THE POWER AS A BELIEVER. April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted and want to share your story, comment below or click the button below.
Paths Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make staight your paths. Most of us know the difference from right or wrong but how many of us consult God before making decisions that could affect all areas of our lives. We do things from an emotional standpoint and never stop to think that God looks out for us so that we dont suffer dire consequences for the actions that we've taken. I know personally i have put myself in harms way in one way or another without second thought. We convince ourselves that our reasoning justifies the actions. Life's about two paths. One leads to our purpose our true devine meaning in life. The only way to get to the end of that path is God's way. To serve him completely. To die daily to our desires, wants and what we feel is best. That means all areas of our life finances, relationships, etc. It's an all of nothing path. The other path is to try and do things our way. Which usually leads to self descruction. We find ourselves in situations we cant get out of. We rely on God for a second and then go back to doing what we want. We make excuses for why we need to do those things. We are some-timimg to get what we want. We wollow in self pity wanting others to feel sorry for the life that we live because of the path we chose to take. We make emotional decisions instead of using wisdom or asking God for the wisdom needed. Personally I have tried my way tons and tons of times and it lead me right back to that first path God's way. Asking him to forgive me and that I can't do it alone but I had to want it for myself to accept the fact that my way just doesn't work. I didnt have the wisdom needed to walk this path until i threw my hands up and said your way Lord. James 1:5 tells us "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." We all lack wisdom at some period of our lives. We say our decisions are in reaction to something someone said or something someone did to us. I encourage you to seek him first and watch the change in the way we respond to life's battles, trials and when life throws us off course know that God will direct us back on path to where we really belong. There are times we want to give up, I understand. I have a list of times I wanted to throw in the towel and give up, not just on things, but life. I simply want to give some inspiration to someone somewhere to hold on, just a little while longer, I promise God will make it worth the wait.
Working 12 hour shifts, driving 4 hours a day, at a job that was extremely difficult, to picking up the pieces and getting my life in order after being in an abusive relationship, there were plenty of times I wanted to give up. Even obtaining degrees in college to not put them to use, only for God to instruct me to go back to school, I wanted to say forget it and give up. Blessed as I am (I don’t like the word lucky) God instructed me to wait a little while longer and that’s exactly what I did and honestly what I am still doing. I just want to say thank you God for allowing me to have such a loving, supportive, God fearing husband by my side, for encouraging me not to give up as well. He allowed God to work through him to help keep me grounded, and that is a true blessing. I will never forget my years working as a correctional officer. It is one of my main teaching points because so many lessons were learned and tests I went through during that 3 year period of my life. The moment I became a single parent, that wasn’t the moment I wanted to give up; it was the moment I wasn’t able to see my daughter every single day that I wanted to give up. I literally cried everyday for an entire year if not more, I grew into a depressive state and just did not understand why this was happening to me. Well, God was strengthening me and getting me prepared. Not giving up and waiting a little while longer I made a sacrifice to continue working and commuting back and forth to work so that I could provide for my daughter and have us live together like we were meant to. This is also where my relationship with God became unbreakable and stronger than ever. In order to wait, I had to trust, and the trust built up over the 3 year period, making me rely strictly on Him. After this journey was over I was a stronger and able to continue life without wanting to give up on life. Meeting my husband we went through trying times and I wanted to give up on our relationship, but God kept me there, guiding him and helping him to be the person He intended. God solely showed me the good in my husband and since I had already been exposed and God was restoring me, it was someone else’s turn. I love the fact that God used me to transform my husband. Amazing as it feels, I’m so glad we both waited a little while longer with each other and allowed God to fully transform us separately, then together. The journey of US continues stronger than ever and it feels so joyous to know that God designed someone especially for you, to love you unconditionally and to care for you as you care for others. Finally, someone loving me as much as the love I give out, the God in me recognizes the God in him, because we waited just a little while longer. Lastly, After, my job as a correctional officer, I was no longer a salaried employee with great benefits. I was now working a temporary job unaware of the next step. I remained there for only 7 months, God told me that my journey there was over, and I became a house wife and an at home mom. Nope, I did not like it one bit. Then my husband said something to me one day and it changed my mind frame from that moment forward. My husband said, “Did it ever occur to you that God is giving you back the time you missed with Taylour during your back and forth episodes to work? He is allowing you to catch up on the things you missed and the things you need to do.” Wow, is all I could think. With 2 degrees, one in Business, the other in Criminal Justice and thousands and thousands of dollars in student loan debt I felt as though I should work in a job in one of those fields, so why in the world was God instructing me to go to Bible College? Your guess was good as mine, but waiting, I discovered some of the answer, Notice I said some, lol. Having a non-profit organization, I’m now going to Bible College for Christian Counseling, it fits. Now, I feel as though I’m on the right path God intended for me and my faith in Him has not only grown stronger, but I am constantly changing for the better., I waited I finally received that answer and now I’m enjoying the joys of being an at home mom and house wife. Now expecting our 2nd child, it feels like God’s plan is coming together for the greater good. Not to mention I have plenty of time to work on my book (which I have been prolonging for about 2 years), websites and blogs, no complaints here. Just know that waiting on God and not giving up can be the best decision you have ever made. No, things will not go according to your plans, and even while waiting and trusting, things will not be great all the time. However, that’s one of the many unique attributes of God. With all that you have been through, it will come out as strength you didn't know you had and it blossoms out of know where. Next thing you know, God will reveal His plans to you little by little and with every piece of the puzzle you will feel a little more complete, but you have to “Hold on, and wait just a little while longer.” Be Blessed. |
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October 2015
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