I’m reading in my Women of Faith Study Bible, (NIV) this year. I am currently in the book of Exodus, where Moses is pleading with Pharaoh to let his people go.

We have heard of the plagues of Egypt all our lives; we are even prone to correlate earthly epidemics, destruction, and disasters to the plagues of Egypt. “God must be mad at the world today!” We’ve heard it; we’ve probably said it.

I learned today that the plagues were not only signs of the power of Moses, God, and the determination of Moses, God, for his people, but God was also undermining the gods the Egyptians worshipped.

Hapi-Egyptian god of the Nile; his symbol was a water bearer. The plague–water turned into blood. There was not a glass of freshwater to be found in Egypt.

Heket-Egyptian, the goddess of fertility, water, and renewal. The goddess bore the head of a frog. In the second plague, frogs came upon the land and covered every space, beds, palaces, kneading bowls, ovens, and troughs.

Geb-Egyptian god of the earth. Geb was over the dust of the earth. The third plague was the dust of the ground thrown into the air and the air returning as gnats. Exodus 8:18 NIV “But when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not. And the gnats were on men and animals.”

Khepri-Egyptian God of creation, movement of the sun, rebirth. This God had the head of a fly. Yep, the fourth plague was the plague of flies. Exodus 8:22-23 NIV “But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarm of flies will be there so that you will know that I am the Lord of this land. I will make a distinction between my people and your people. The miraculous sign will occur tomorrow.”

Hathor-Egyptian goddess of love and protection. This goddess was depicted with the head of a cow. The fifth plague was the death of cattle and livestock. Note, no animals died in the land of Goshen.

Isis-Egyptian goddess of medicine and peace. The sixth plague was the first to attack the Egyptian people physically. God instructed Moses to take ashes from the furnace of affliction and throw it into the air. The plague of boils covering every Egyptian from head to toe. Again, the Hebrews were not afflicted.

Nut-Egyptian goddess of the sky. The seventh plague the plague of hail, God told Moses to warn the Egyptians to bring in their slaves and livestock. Scripture tells us some Egyptians believed, and brought in their slaves and animals. Exodus 9:23-24 “When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightening flashed down to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell and lightening flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation.” Again, no hail fell in Goshen.

Seth-Egyptian god of storms and disorder. The eighth plague Locust sent from the sky. Exodus 10:5 NIV “They will cover the face of the ground so that it cannot be seen. They will devour what little you have left after the hail, including every tree that is growing in your fields.”

Ra-The Sun God. The ninth plague was complete darkness for three days. Besides Pharaoh himself, Ra-The Sun was the most worshipped god in Egypt. By the God of Israel exhibiting his power over the sun, he is also showing he has control over life and death as well. The sun is vital for survival.

Pharaoh-The Ultimate Power of Egypt. The Egyptians worshipped Pharaoh. Pharaohs were believed to have been born a god, that the pharaohs were actually born of Ra, the god of Sun. The final plague, The Death of the Firstborn. The First Passover! The Hebrews were given specific instructions (read chapter 12 in the book of Exodus), one being to take the blood of the lamb you are to prepare and put some of its blood on the top and sides of the door frame. The blood will be a sign, and the angel of death will Passover your home.

I found the side note referencing a few of the Egyptian gods and Gods wrath so impressive that I did a further study this morning and thought you might enjoy a more in-depth look into the fact that our God has a reason for all he does or doesn’t do. We just need to know He is the God of All, and He works everything out for the good of those who believe in him and his word. He heard the oppressive prayers of the Hebrews in Egypt hundreds of years ago, and He still hears ours today.

Be Blessed, Be a Blessing, and Thank you for joining me. 🥰

Psalms 96:3 ESV “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.”

We are a walking, talking, breathing testimony. I often speak of a girlfriend who was one of my most excellent mentors. She knew the Lord; she knew scriptures inside and out and exactly where to find them in the Bible. (Still does)

I used to sit sometimes in awe at her knowledge, how she taught with authority and total belief in what she preached, and how she lived.

More than twenty years later, I think back to the question I always would ask Paula, “how can I ever share our Lord as you do? I have no clue where to find all these verses, let alone quote them to people.” Her response was simple; “Share What You Know.”

I’ve been blessed through the years to sit under beautiful teachers. I read the Bible and have read through the Bible enough times to know scripture. Still, I can’t recite where to find them, but I have a smartphone, and it finds the scripture addresses for me. What I have discovered throughout the years is share your experiences. “Share What You Know.”

Don’t worry about how to share your faith; the Holy Spirit will be there to assist. As you share your faith with others, he will remind you of truths that bring light. Please, remember that not all people are going to want your sunshine; some will prefer to remain in their darkness. Minister, if or when you can then simply be an example and turn them over to God.

The authority Paula spoke with I now know was a real relationship with Jesus. As you walk with him, talk with him, grow in him, He grows in you. Then one day you notice a trophy room of Gods blessings and deliverances, guess what? You have something to share; Your Testimonies. That’s where it all begins.

So, don’t fear what to say; the Holy Spirit will be right there with you; never be afraid to share your darkest deliveries; people need to see that Jesus’ kids are, in actuality, just people too. We stumble, we fall, we make mistakes, we lose our tempers; it’s how we pick ourselves up and move forward that matters.

Be blessed this Sunday. If you ever feel a prompt to share your walk and testimony take it, you will be so glad you did. Have a most beautiful day, and Thank you for joining me. 🥰

I was reading in “Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyers” in my nightly bubble bath, and the chapter I’m on is titled “Be Positive” I instantly thought of “Sunshine” and sharing some of her knowledge and insight with you.

Matthew 8:13 NLT “Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.”

Do you struggle with belief? Life thrown so many curve balls it’s a wee bit hard to trust? Is it easier to live unexpectedly so you never have to face another disappointment? It never seems to change so why bother? Change is the reason to bother. Possibly you need to do some reflecting. Ask yourself what part you played in some of life’s results and then start praying and asking for help changing the behavior cycle you’ve developed.

Albert Einstein has been credited for this quote: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”

Some changes might require changes in routines, habits, haunts, friends, and OUR THINKING PATTERNS!!!

Quote: from Battlefield of the Mind-Joyce Meyers: “Positive minds produce positive lives. Negative minds produce negative lives. Positive thoughts are always full of faith and hope. Negative thoughts are always full of fear and doubt.” End Quote

It is not being proclaimed if you think positive, nothing negative will occur in your world, that’s preposterous, but it can change how you view said negatives.

Ex: The refrigerator has breathed its final breath. Instantly the mind will go to the cost and hassle of replacing dead refrigerator. Now is where you can choose positive or negative.

Negative: It figures, now I have to deal with this, the expense is just not in the budget. Why do these things always have to happen to me. You can get mad, gripe, possibly throw a tool, making everyone around you uncomfortable. I can describe these perfectly because I spent many years reacting in such a manner and still can. I often have to stop myself, say a prayer, and take a breath.

Positive: Dang, it finally gave all it had left. I knew this was coming as the repair man has been here to many times lately. This is certainly something I didn’t budget for but God knows my needs and will supply. I will save money in the long run by not paying the repair man every few months. Does this kind of reaction happen naturally or easily, for some personalities yes but for many, no, it takes practice and prayer. Repeat!!! Repeat!!! Repeat!!!

Romans 8:28 NCV “We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan.”

God knows our situations, dilemmas, needs, hopes, dreams, and desires. So, the next time a wave of fear or doubt crash the beaches of your mind, send them right back out to sea. Refuse to give in to negative thinking; it’s a will and an action you have to consciously make but trust me from one working diligently on changing her thought patterns. It works, and It makes a difference.

Take your fears and doubts to the cross and ask Jesus and The Holy Spirit to change those thoughts to life, hope, and faith.

Be blessed today, try and be a blessing today. I love you guys. Thank you for joining me. 🥰

Have you reached your walk-in Christ where you might be experiencing some changes in friends’ behavior, a cooling, a distancing, excuses why they are too busy to hang out with you? If your answer is yes…

Then I would like to be the first to congratulate you on your walk with the Lord. When we give our lives to him and truly accept the changes he brings, often those changes are friends, establishments, habits, and hauntings.

Galatians 2:20 NLT “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

As we start to grow in our Lord and our walk with him deepens, we create a friendship with him and begin to reflect on him within ourselves. Often this is silent condemnation to friends still living in a world of darkness and their fleshly desires.

Proverbs 22:24-25 NCV “Don’t make friends with quick tempered people or spend time with those who have bad tempers. If you do, you will be like them. Then you are in real danger.” In other words, be cautious of the company you keep; their ways can corrupt quicker than our practices and examples can save!

Psalms 82:5 NCV “You know nothing. You don’t understand. You walk in the dark, while the world is falling apart.”

I would first like to say that these friends are lost, and the only real thing you can do is pray for them and try not to take it personally. God will remove obstacles from our lives, pain, illness, sorrow, and people.

Here’s some comfort from God if you find yourself possibly experiencing this. Proverbs 13:20-21 NCV “Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friend of fools will suffer. Trouble always comes to sinners, but good people have success.”

John 15:18-20 NCV “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as it loves its own. But I have chosen you out of the world, so you don’t belong to it. That is why the world hates you.”

I can’t think of a better reason to be hated! Remember if you lose a friend or two, God will replace with new ones, if he closes a door, he will open a window. Don’t count your loss as a loss, count it as a win. You are a testimony, and if that makes people uncomfortable, then…Hallelujah!!!

Be blessed and remember; You are never alone. Thank you for joining me today. 🥰

Ephesians 4:15 NLT “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”

Ephesians 4:29 NLT “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

1 John 3:18 NLT “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”

Many, many years ago, a dear friend and mentor used to say all the time, “speak it in love.” I have to be honest I had trouble understanding the depth of this. I grew up in a family if you had something to say you said it. Through the years of God’s grace and teachings, raising children, being an employee and co-worker, becoming a wife after many years of being single and doing it all my way, I learned the truth in love.

Often the timing plays a significant role in a godly conversation. God will set that up; just be open. Our words must be kind, not condemning; spoken gently with the conviction you are addressing, scripture to back up your comments, and a heart of love.

We are human beings; we will cop attitudes, get mad, display anger or wrongful emotions. We may detest the changes taking place in our government. Your children may be in places that have you in a wad of tangled rubber bands. COVID, has placed much stress on the earths population and its presence has caused so much havoc and fear. The world is a divided mess, and even we as Christians can get caught up in the muck.

We aren’t to judge each other, but we are to remind, teach. We are Jesus’ examples and are viewed as fiercely as he was, hard as it is, sometimes we need to be aware of our behavior and model, our speech and attitudes. The government is in Gods hands so like it or not we must trust why. Raise your children in the word and ways of the Lord and even if they depart, they will one day return. These are all scriptures and directions from God.

Do I have this all down yet? No! Do I have special people in my life that speak the truth in love to me, often! Yes! I am thankful for the ones who love me enough to have sometimes hurtful reality conversations with me. I am thankful for God’s grace when I have to have sometimes hurtful reality conversations with someone I love.

In a time of much discord, we need to stay true to the word, trust in God, and hold each other up. Speaking the truth in Love goes a lot farther then speaking with disdain and judgement. You know, “Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down.”

Be blessed today and always remember God’s Got This!!! Thank you for joining me. 🥰

God is “Omniscient.” Means, He is All-Knowing, All-Wise, All-Seeing.

Omnipresent, (of God) present everywhere at the same time.

Psalms 139:1-6 NCV “ Lord, you have examined me and you know all about me, you know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do. Lord, even before I say a word you already know it. You are all around me-in front and in back and you have put your hand on me. Your knowledge is amazing to me; it is more than I can understand.”

So, we know that we have a God who sees and knows all. He was with us yesterday, He’s with us today and He will be with us tomorrow. He knows what tomorrow holds and is preparing for our needs before we even get there.

If He is always with us, then He is well aware of any of our circumstances and has a plan. Why is it, we as mere humans, possessing no superhuman powers or a tell-all crystal ball, seem to think we know what’s better for us than God?

I don’t know the answer to that question, but I do know I spent many years hearing “Get Out of My Chair, Please!” Like many, I read about daily in the Bible, who think they need to give God a helping hand! I, too, have been known to possibly just give this boulder blocking my way a little nudge, just get it rolling a bit; only to have the boulder move the wrong way, flatten me, and as I lay there flat on my back with a big rock on top of me, do I see why the boulder was left there in the first place.

Thus, in actuality, causing a delay in answer to a prayer or prayers because, once again, I didn’t trust, have enough patience or faith, and got in the way.

If I can impart anything, if you are in need and have prayed and believed that your prayer lines up with God’s will for your life, then stop repeat asking, start repeat thanking, and move out of the way. Gods got this, so Get Out of His Chair. Please!!!

Be blessed today, you are never alone, God watches over you each day, let him! Thank you as always for joining me. 🥰

Who you think you are is probably way different from who God thinks you are. We tend to judge ourselves, and usually, pretty harshly, we might consider ourselves by the way others may be treating us, and then there’s the Evil One and his minions whispering lies in your head.

This morning, after my prayers, for today’s message. I felt in my spirit to send some of God’s notes on how he views you.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ESV “ Do you not know that you are God‘s temple and that God‘s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God‘s temple, God will destroy him. For God‘s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”

1 Peter 2:9 ESV “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies in him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV “Therefore, If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.”

1 John 3:1 ESV “See what kind of love the father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

Galatians 3:26 ESV “For in Christ Jesus you are all called sons of God, through faith.”

Ok, we read we are “His Holy Temple,” “A Chosen Race, A Royal Priesthood, A Holy Nation,” “His Own Possession,” “A New Creation,” “Children of God,” “Sons of God.” Those are some beautiful and worthy credentials!

We won’t always feel or even behave like children of God, but we still are. People will be sure to let us know when we aren’t acting like children of God. People may treat you differently after becoming a child of God. The old haunts and friends often don’t hold the same attraction after becoming a child of God. How we feel about ourselves, how others view or think of us, whether included or excluded, doesn’t matter because We Are Not of This World!!!

Have a blessed day. You’re in good company. It may be new company, but God put you on the best team. I run the same race; maybe I will see you on the track one day. Thank you for being here and joining me. 🥰

Do you love to give surprises? Do you love surprises? I come from a long line of surprise lovers. We will turn almost anything into a surprise. Yay!!! Loving a surprise, well that’s a coin toss. It depends on the surprise, right?

What about the surprise that doesn’t have bows and ribbons. The surprise that doesn’t look feel or even smells like a surprise. You might be wondering what a surprise smells like; not exactly sure, but I imagine a pleasing aroma, a fresh scent that brings a smile.

What about those surprises that stink? The loss of a job. The home you are renting has sold, and you must move immediately. Your car starts to cough, sputter, and stops cold. I am reading in Genesis and at the part where Joseph has become an esteemed man in Egypt and meets his brothers 20 years after they sold him to a traveling caravan.

The brothers are in Egypt trying to buy grain during a great seven-year famine. Joseph sets his brothers up, causes them significant discomfort when he insists they bring their youngest brother to him. Joseph and the youngest brother (Benjamin) of Jacob are from Rachel; the other brothers were from Leah.

Understand that Jacob believes to have lost Jacob to a wild animal, and now the brothers ask for the only son left of his most beloved. Due to the need for food, he, under much heartache, allows his sons to take Benjamin back to Egypt.

Surprise!!! God not only brought Benjamin back to Jacob; He moved Jacob and his entire family from Canaan to Egypt and his lost son Joseph. Read Genesis 37-45 for Joseph’s story. So, Jacob, blessed by God, lived his last days surrounded by his family and the addition of Josephs’s family.

My point is to be careful when the winds of change begin to blow that you don’t automatically fear them, feel victimized once again, or instantly repeat the same old line, “can’t anything just run smoothly for a while?”

The winds that are possibly blowing in your world just might be bringing the changes you’ve been praying for; they just might be bringing you a Joseph sized surprise!

Put your world in God’s hands. They’re big enough to hold you and all your cares, and then wait; the winds will start to swirl, the leaves will scatter, and a new breeze comes your way. Surprise!!!

Be blessed today. Remember, God sees you and is with you always, so if you feel a whirlwind start to blow, open your umbrella and enjoy the ride, Gods got this! Thank you for joining me. 🥰

It’s January; for most of us, it signifies winter, the beginning of a new year. Birth! In my home, January is seed time. My husband is an avid Gardner, and our yard reflects his passion. I have flower, vegetable and foliage catalogs scattered here and there. Preparation!

My Bible reading in the New Testament this morning was on just this subject. Seeds Sown!

Matthew 13:19-23 NIV “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who receives the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what is sown.”

God’s word is light in a world full of darkness. Psalms 119:105 ESV “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” His word is a guide, teaching us how to connect with him and walk this path we call life.

There is a Concordance in the Bible’s back; It contains many words and the scriptures about that word. Become familiar with it; use it! Money problems, Health problems, Marital Problems, Work Issues, Hurt Feelings, Pride, Sin, Fear, Hope, Dread, Joy…it’s all in there. God knew we would have times of joy and times of hardship. We received the curse in the garden and received a pardon on the cross.

I hope when the evil one comes to try and rob, kill and destroy your peace and joy, or he sends weeds that choke with fear causing you to forget the promises of God that you will grab your bible and fertilize your soil with his word so that your garden produces Life and Life Abundantly.

Be blessed today, try and be a blessing and thank you for joining me. 🥰

It looks like the beginning of a Christmas card; I thought we were passed the carols and gold paper. We are but should we be? The holidays are over, decorations are stored and boxes put away. The house feels a bit drab, and the weather is a monster.

This time of year can produce the most brilliant displays of Jack Frost’s artistry. Still, it is often dark and grey, and depending on where you call home, your landscape could be wet, sloppy, and muddy or frozen solid with dirt marring once beautiful white fluffy snow. The skies overhead wear a heavy wool blanket of fog, and the sun appears to be sleeping.

It’s easy this time of year for us to slip into a bit of grey fog. There isn’t anything special going on; this year is more challenging because we can’t even escape to a movie with buttered popcorn, our favorite haunts; after all, they’re closed; our social gatherings are canceled or weird at the very least. Nothing feels normal.

So with all the January grey outside what do you do with the boredom and gloomies? The inconveniences and challenges winter brings? Well, you could start a fire in the fireplace to produce warmth and a glow of atmosphere. Try Possibly lighting candles for the flicker of the flame and the scents that fill the air. How about filling a pot with meat and veggies to create a soup to simmer on the stove or something yummy baking in the oven.

These fill our space and senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of warmth, coziness, peace, and joy. Now to make it a perfect circle fill your inner spaces with the same. I am on a mission to walk in peace and joy this year. I may have to pray, repent, pray and repeat throughout the day, but I don’t want circumstances, the world, or daily challenges to decide my day; I want to determine how my day will be or at least work on it.

I realize that we can’t be bundles of sunshine every moment of every day, but I’m talking about making ourselves aware of how We’re letting life affect us rather than us affecting our lives. I can choose to be grouchy (and I do), or I can pray and ask the Holy Spirit to renew my mind!

Romans 15:13 ESV “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Romans 12:2 ESV “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

It’s a choice we can choose everyday. I can look at the world and possibly my circumstances of any given moment and let that dictate my thoughts, or I can pray and ask for Peace and Joy, and even though I may walk in the rain from time to time, that’s ok because I have rain boots and an umbrella.

Be blessed…Be a blessing and Thank you for joining me. 🥰