Becoming A Woman of God

Greetings, my friends!

I come writing so humbly giving all glory and honor to God! As I approach another year of life, I am so tickled as I see all the wondrous workings of God in my life. This wondrous workings did not happen overnight, believe me. I had to get in total obedience with the will of God, that was the only way, God told me, He would have it. As I serve the Lord, I realize that becoming that woman, that woman that God intends for me to be takes hard work and dedication to the will of God. It does not come overnight, it comes with daily reading and studying of the Word, daily living of the life that God sets out in His holy book, daily repentance and love towards others. Becoming a woman of God requires that the household loves and serves the Lord.

I reflected back to a luncheon I attended which was hosted by the Ministers and Deacons Wives Ministry of my church. The theme of the luncheon was "The Chosen Lady -A Woman Worth Imitating". As I continue to work on becoming the woman that God wants me to be, I pray that as other women, including my daughter and my nieces, look at my life, they will see the God in me, the chosen lady, a woman worth imitating.

I pray each day for God's continued mercy and grace. I pray each day that the Lord keeps me humble and grounded as I walk in His path so that young and old women may see that I am just a sinner saved by God's grace, redeemed and sanctified and would want to know God more and more because they see that His light is shining in and through me!

To God be the glory from whom all blessings flow!

Have You Extended Mercy Lately?

My dear friends:

As my birthday draws closer, I cannot help but first, and foremost, thank God for my life. I have not always been the role model, the disciple, the Christ follower, oh no. But, I thank God for salvation and redemption. I know it is only God’s favor over my life that I am able to stand and walk and leap and jump and skip! My quote for today reads, “Be on the lookout for mercies. The more we look for them, the more of them we will see. Blessings brighten when we count them.” – Maltbie D. Babcock

I am consciously aware of mercy, that is, God’s favor given to me, even though I do not deserve it. When I look at the people God uses to do His work, I get so thrilled because if HE used them, HE surely can use me. I am just an ordinary woman saved by God’s grace, favored with His mercy, once lost but now found, trying to live the life that is pleasing unto Him. My favorite apostle, Paul, reminds me in Ephesians 2:4-5: “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (NIV)

God has showered me with so many blessings, I will forever praise His name. I ask you today to have mercy on someone because God has extended mercy on to you.

To God be the glory!
Therese from Belize

Two Are Better Than One

Today, my devotional quote read: “Rich is the woman who has a praying friend.”
– Janice Hughes

I give God all the glory for my riches because of the praying friends I have in my life. I know I cannot make it on my own without others interceding on my behalf. I always thanks God for my family who prayed for me each and every day when I was walking outside of the will of God.

Janice Hughes' quote brought my attention directly to Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. I read this scripture all the time, especially when I am standing in agreement with my Sisters.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (NIV)

I can be assured that I have at least one sister, one friend who prays for me daily and continuously. I am rich because I have friends who lift me up on the daily in their prayers and my sisters and my friends know that they do not have to ask me to pray for them, I do it because that's what I do (and the Holy Spirit convicts me to pray for others).


You pray for me, I pray for you! God bless you!

Therese from Belize

Becoming A Virtuous Woman

My friends, this month I am celebrating "me". As I look forward to celebrating another year of life, I thank God for His mercy and grace. When I look back over my life, all that the Lord has brought me through, I know that I never would have made it without the Lord, so the least I can say is "thank you, Lord." Thank you Lord for forgiveness, thank you for putting me on the right track, thank you for showing up day after day, after day in my life; thank you for deliverance; thank you for redemption; thank you for letting me believe in YOU; thank you for letting me see my worth as a woman.

Becoming that woman, that virtuous woman that God wants me to be, requires work, God's work. One cannot be a virtuous woman and not love herself or her family or her neighbors. A virtuous woman serves the Lord with all her heart, mind and soul.
As I work on becoming that virtuous woman of God, Proverbs 31:10 -31 directs me:
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." (KJV)

My Sisters, take that journey with me to become that woman, that virtuous woman of God!

God bless,
Therese from Belize

Joy Comes In The Morning

Psalm 30:5, "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
Last evening I let a situation (sore throat, headache, achy joints and a messy house) get the best of me and Satan found an opening to attack. But the devil is a liar. Today is a new beginning and I am jumping with joy, joy joy, down in my heart! As soon I arrived at my 8 year old's school, he ran to me with a big smile! His smile was just radiant and I saw the innocence and love glowing in him. I thank God for giving me this new beginning. I know that in His favour is life. Today I may be down but I know that tomorrow I will be up because weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning! Satan is defeated, in the name of Jesus, and he can attack me any way he wishes, but I serve a God who blesses me with favour each and every day and for that I am very grateful.

Glory to God.
Therese from Belize

Amazing Grace

Today, I am thanking God, sincerely thanking God for His grace! Sometimes, I get this overwhelming joy and happiness in my heart that I just cannot explain, sometimes it just makes me want to get up and dance about the place!! Last night, I was completing the second chapter of my book, but I was also listening to XM Channel 32, the Praise Channel, and the music, it was just ministering to my heart! I had to stop write and just praise God! God is good to me; He has been good to you too! I just kept asking myself, what would I do without grace, where would I be without grace? It is because of grace that I am sanctified and redeemed.

As Paul reminded the people of Philippi in the Book of Philippians 3:12-15: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in
Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.”

Because of grace, I am pressing forward, there is no looking back for this Sister! I pray that each of you will continue to press forward as you continue to mature in your walk with Christ, continue to magnify God’s name, and keep your lights shining for all to see! Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!

To God be the glory!
Therese from Belize

Doing The Lord's Will

My dear friends, please know I have not stopped writing my blogs. However, God is using me to spread the Gospel via witnessing. I am doing some outreach and also working on my book. I am now on the second chapter, which is to be completed by October 26, 2010.

My friends, please keep me in prayer as I work for the Lord, as I do what God wants me to do, as I go where God wants me to go.

I thank God for you and for your support. Please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail at therwarrick@gmail.com.

2 Timothy 4:1-5
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Stay blessed,
Therese from Belize

My Praise Will Not Quit

Greetings, my friends, in the name of Jesus!
I pray all is well with each and every one of you. The Lord has been at me since last year about my redemption. He has given me a message to tell others, and in obedience, that is exactly what I will keep on doing — I will keep telling about my redemption!

Therefore, I just had to let you know that my praise will not quit and I pray that your praise will not quit! In case you are wondering why I am talking about not letting our praise quit, let me break it down for you (with the help of Rev. Dr. Beecher Hicks):

1) Our praise should not quit because God favors us with unexpected blessings;
2) Our praise should not quit because when we are favored with God’s blessings, it is obvious to others that we are blessed;
3) Our praise should not quit because when we are blessed, the people in our circle “get it”; they too get blessed!

Psalm 107:2 says: “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” (KJV) I will keep on saying so and I pray you will do the same! My heart has been dancing with joy!

God bless,
Therese

I Have A Pep In My Step - I am Grateful!

I am still dancing to the songs of Bishop Hezekiah Walker (God Favors Me, I Am Souled Out, and a few others). I was in attendance at St. Stephen’s Church for a concert featuring Bishop Walker last Saturday evening. One song just keeps resonating in my mind and that is the song, Grateful. I am not a singer, but I know the angels are singing with me!

Here are the lyrics:

I am
Grateful for the things
That you have done
Yes, I'm grateful for the vic-tories we've won
I could go on and on and on
About your works
Because I'm grateful, grateful, so grateful
Just to praise you lord
Flowing from my heart
Are the issues of my heart
It's Gratefulness
Grateful, Grateful, Grateful, Grateful, Grateful, Grateful, Grateful, Grateful, Grateful, Grateful, Grateful, Gratefulness
It's flowing from my heart
Flowing from my heart
Are the issues of my heart
It's Gratefulness


Grateful means to be obliged, appreciative, thankful, indebted. I am indeed indebted to my Christ Savior, for He sacrificed His life so I can receive the free gift of salvation! I am appreciative and obliged and thankful to my Father because He supplies All my needs; He turns my sorrow into joy; He is my rock on which I stand; He is the King of kings and Lord of lords; He is my deliverer and redeemer; He is my friend in time of trouble; my Lord just gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by!! I can certainly go on and on and on, but you know what I am talking about.

Friends, let us treat our Lord as if we are indeed grateful to Him. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath delivered from the hand of the enemy. (Psalm 107:2)

Be blessed,
Therese from Belize

Why Is The Redeemed Not Saying So?

I am a woman who have been redeemed by the Lord, a sinner who was once lost, but now found, a child who once left home, but has now returned. Psalm 107:2 says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.“ (KJV) Notice, friends, let the redeemed of the Lord say so… not the redeemed of man, not the redeemed of momma, not the redeemed of daddy, not the redeemed of granny or granddaddy, but the redeemed of the Lord!
Before I could get into the message of being redeemed, I looked in the King James Reference for the word “redemption” and it gives me a simple definition, “salvation by sacrifice”. In other words, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came and redeemed the world by the sacrifice of His blood.
In Hebrew “Redeem” means to regain possession of
Other definitions I found: Save from sin, restore the honor or worth of; to rescue, to recover, to deliver from (King James online reference)

What does Salvation by sacrifice do? It restores our honor or worth of. In other words, God sent His only begotten Son to restore our honor and worth. For my sisters, we are restored to queens, restored to royalty, we are joint heirs with Christ. This is where we say thank you Father.

Let me tell you of a true example of redemption…the Samaritan woman at the well. Yes, that’s right, the woman at the well. Powerful conversation between that Samaritan woman and Jesus. I read the King James version, but I want to break this down simple, so I went to my study Bible, the New Century Version. John 4, Verses 16-18, “Jesus told her go get your husband and come back here. The woman answered, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, you are right to say you have no husband. Really, you have had five husbands, and the man you live with now is not your husband, You told the truth. And the conversation continued and she recognized Jesus as someone special, she asked him if he were a prophet. She knew the Messiah was coming and Jesus told her, “I am He”. You know the story, the disciples showed up, they were surprised. Now, here is where she run tell dat…she went back to town and told the people all about Jesus, so they all left to come and see Jesus. Many saw, many heard, many believed. Many came to Christ. True redemption, my friends, redemption, my Sisters. You see, Jesus did not judge her because of her past, but He made her so comfortable, He gave her the free gift, that is, redemption through salvation.
Sisters, what keeps the redeemed from saying so? Why do we say by mouth we are redeemed but we do not run and tell anyone what our Lord and Savior has delivered us from? Our Lord and Savior Jesus was crucified for our sins. Jesus went through all the pain and suffering so we can be redeemed and yet still we do not open our mouths to let the world know that we have been redeemed.
Let me answer this for you, from experience, I am answering.
1) Our past. Ashamed of how we used to live in the past;
2) Guilt. This is when we have done something to someone and we never asked that person for forgiveness;
3) Idea of unforgivable sins – abortion, adultery, abuse;
4) Image issues - physical scars on our bodies, gaining weight, surgeries;
5) Waiting for perfection to say so. Try to change first because telling someone of God’s goodness and forgiveness and love for His people.

My friends, before I truly got serious in my walk with Christ, I was that woman who went to the well… Yes, I was all of those things I just told you about. I have been there, done that—my past, yes, guilt, yes, unforgivable sin-yes, image issue – don’t even talk about that, yes, waiting for perfection- yes. But see, we serve such an awesome Savior that me too me had that conversation with Christ one fateful Sunday morning at the well (in the parking lot of Crossroad Christian Church in Lexington, KY). All glory and honor to God, I am proud to say, to yell, to jump and run and let you know I am redeemed.
My friends, are you redeemed? Are you redeemed? Are you redeemed?

It is not the clothes, not the house, not the car, not your money, the job, oh no, it is Christ’s mercy and grace that hath redeemed us.
If you are not redeemed, now is the time to get redeemed, today is the day, do it today, do not delay.
Redemption is simple and easy. Just go back and re-read John 4. God redeems us through:
1) His power – Deuteronomy 7:8
2) Christ’s blood – Ephesians 1:7
3) God’s grace – Romans 3:24-25

What is even more beautiful is that there are benefits to being redeemed. In these crazy times, redemption pays.
It pays because:
1) We are Forgiven. When we are forgiven God wipes our slate clean; no one can throw anything in our face. We have been found not guilty.
2) We receive an Inheritance – inheritance not only for ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren and for everyone that is associated in our circle. That neighbor who is struggling, that co-worker with problems, the husband or wife who is acting the fool. Let us not be selfish, let our children be blessed.
3) We receive Eternal Life – most importantly. We will have a room in God’s mansion!

My friends, as I close, let me remind you, Christ is coming, you best believe and He is coming soon. I do not know when, I do not know the hour. All I know is that He is coming. I suggest you get redeemed before He comes because He will come like a thief in the night. Will you be redeemed?
God bless.
Ta ta,
Therese from Belize

You Don't Need A Man Who Will Not Speak Up For You - Rev. Dr. Felix G. Williams, III

My friends, I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit. I have been meditating on the sermon preached by my Pastor, Rev. Dr. Felix G. Williams, III on June 27, 2010. I could not help but to reflect back on my life and how far God has brought me. To God Be The Glory.

Rev. Williams spoke to the women directly, telling us we need praying, anointed men in our lives. As women, we need men who will speak up for us, men who will call out our names to the Lord. I agree with Rev. Williams wholeheartedly. This sermon brought me to a place of thanksgiving. I thank God for releasing me from the grip of men who were too ashamed to pray for me, men who did not stand up for me, men who abused me, men who only misused me. James 5:16 tells us, "Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

I did not stop there with Rev. Williams’ message. I went on and did some research on domestic abuse. I found that one out of three Black women and one out of four White women will become a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime. I currently have 217 friends on my Facebook page, of which 105 are women. Two out of every seven girls/women on my Facebook page will be or have been a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime. Think about that my friends. I have already counted myself in that statistics.

My Sisters, we need to get strong. We need to begin to stand on the promises of the Lord. We need to understand that we are covered by the blood of our Lord and Savior. Sisters, God promises us a new beginning, all we have to do is call on His name, ask for whatever we need, in the name of Jesus and it will be given to us.

My brothers, take responsibility and start standing up for your family, your wife, your girlfriend. Rev. Williams asserted that men are abandoning their responsibilities. Stop the abandonment, become a God’s man, a praying man, an anointed man. You can start by going to the Lord in prayer for yourself and then for your family, for your loved ones. Men, stop taking the easy route, that is, stop giving up so easily and leaving your family to go and shack up with some other woman and her kids. Put a ring on your woman’s finger, if she is not the one, let her go. My Sisters, if a man is not going to put a ring on your finger, let him go. It is the will of God that men and women live in holy matrimony, not in sinful abode.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate”, says the Lord. (NIV)

My friends, Rev. Williams said, and I agree, that the devil tries to come to you with somebody who can manipulate your weakness. This is when you need to separate yourself. Pray and meditate upon God's word and sanctify yourself daily (Rev. Dr. Felix G. Williams, III, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church).

The Quest for Spiritual Maturity

My friends, I pray all is well.

Today, I woke up with thanksgiving in my heart. I looked out the window and what a beautiful day I saw! I had no idea that God was preparing me for fellowship with a friend. She came over to deliver me some products I had ordered and one thing led to another, next thing I know we were sitting around the counter sharing testimonies and praising God. The Spirit showed up in our midst. I thank God for using me to share my testimony with others, to tell my story of how good God has been to me, despite what my enemies have tried to do to me, despite the struggles that come my way, despite the ups and downs that come in living in this world where a lot of my brothers and sisters are still not listening to Him.

She said, "Therese, there have been times I know you were going through some things, but you always kept that smile and always had a good word to share". When she said that I started praising God because what that tells me is that I am becoming spiritually mature. That's what I am striving for, spiritual maturity. I thank God that His light in shining in and through me. Hebrews 5:13-14 say, "Anyone who lives on milk is still a baby and knows nothing about right teaching. But solid food is for those who are grown up. They are mature enough to know the difference between good and evil. (New Century Version)

As we continued sharing, I clearly heard my pastor's, Rev. Dr. Williams, voice replaying in my head, "spiritual maturity allows us to walk in forgiveness; it has to do with how we handle the folk we hurt and those who hurt us; spiritual maturity has to do with loving people at the level God wants us to love them, the way He expects us to love them." Rev. Williams said that we are not spiritually mature when we cannot hold our friends accountable to doing what is right. He asked, "how can we claim to love God, yet we hold grudges and seek to tear others down?" (Looking For Friends In All The Wrong Places, 5/30/10)

My friends, we should be striving for spiritual maturity. I tell you, we are blocking our blessings when we hold grudges and when we try to bring down our brothers and sisters. We are still feeding on milk when we cannot ask God to forgive us of our sins and to forgive those who do wrong against us. We are still feeding on milk when we hear the Word but turn our backs, we are still feeding on milk when we hear but do not do what God wants us to do.

We can gain spiritual maturity by practicing what the Word tells us to do; doing what God wants us to do. We get spiritually mature when we study God's Word and the Spirit brings us understanding so that we can go out and practice and teach what we have studied. Spiritual maturity comes when we let the Spirit rule in our lives.
I just thank God that He is walking with me each day as I strive for spiritual maturity. I know one thing, I cannot do God's will if I stay as a babe in Christ, feeding on milk. Lord, please let me be a doer of your Word, please let me discern what is good and what is evil, please let your Spirit rule and abide in me, in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.

God bless.
Therese from Belize

The Spirit of Truth

My friends, I pray all is well with you.

I have been looking forward to attending Bible Study today. When you have that relationship with God (note I say "relationship", not "fellowship"), He sends a Helper, that is, the Spirit of Truth. In the Gospel according to John, Chapter 14:15-17, Jesus said, "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (KJV) Praise God.

The devil has been attacking, I have been battling, but I know that the blessing that God will send will be bigger than the battle the devil has tried to wage with me. I will remain in Christ because He promises me that I can ask for anything I want, and it will be given to me (John 15:7). My friends, Jesus is telling us, do not be afraid to ask God for what we want, we just have to stay in submission to His will. There is no need to turn to anyone else, but God for what you need.

Heavenly Father, I turn to you for help in this battle with Satan. Lord, please let Satan release his filthy hold on everything he has stolen from me and is still trying to take from me, in the name of Jesus. I will stay close to the Spirit of Truth and I will keep loving and obeying the Lord's commands because God has sent me my Helper to be with me forever-the Spirit of Truth. Glory.

My friends, don't let Satan mess with you, turn to Jesus and ask Him for your Helper.

God bless,
Therese from Belize

I Will Just Stand

My friends, greetings in the precious name of Jesus!

This message is for those of us who have given all we can and yet it seems to be not enough. Do you know what I am talking about? Day in and day out, you give your best, day in and day out, you try to be a better person, but it seems like it is still not enough. I have had enough and now I am at the point where I will just stand. So, today, I mediated on God's word. Specifically, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, where Paul wrote, "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." (NIV) I needed to hear those words. I needed that encouragement today.

One of Donnie McClurkin's song came to mind and I began to listen, After You Have Done All You Can.
Donnie sings in the chorus:
"Well you just stand
when there's nothing left to do you just stand
Watch the Lord see you through,
Yes after you done all you can,
You just stand."

My friends, that is exactly what I am doing, I am standing because I will not be entangled in the bondage that I was once tangled in. I am standing on the promises of Christ. I am standing through the hurt and the pain, through the rain and through the storm, I am standing for all women whose hearts have been heavy laden, who have been used and misused, I am standing for women who are in bondage and praying that they will be able to stand because up God will step in. When there is nothing left for you to do, just stand.


God bless,
Therese from Belize

Where Does My Help Comes From?

As you may know, I am raising two children in a one-income household. However, I am not one of those women who chases behind a man for child support or asking for this or asking for that. I just do not believe I need to do that when the Lord has blessed me with good health and with a good job. Now, call me stupid, but as a child of God, the Bible tells me that I should not worry what I will eat or drink or wear. Matthew 6:33 tells me that the most important thing I should want is God's Kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things will be given to me. I am a walking testimony of how good the Lord has been to me and my household. I am reminded each time I contemplate if I should be aggressive in pursuing child support, but time and time again, I get the same response, that is, Psalm 121. "Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." As a child of God, a true believer in the promises of the Lord, I know that the Lord supplies and will continue to supply ALL my needs. You see, this is not about pride or stupidity, it is about forgiveness and spiritual maturity. God will take care of men and women who do not do what they are supposed to do as mothers and fathers. What good will paying child support do for my child if that man is not there for my child? What good does child support do if you do not teach about God in your household? I do not have a lot, but I thank God that each and every day He wakes me up, I am able to go to work and make an honest living that I can provide for my children. I give God all praises and glory because I am highly favored and blessed! That is what matters the most.

God bless you.
Therese from Belize

Submitting To God's Will

My friends, I pray all is well with each and every one of you. I come with humble heart seeking prayer, cooperation, support, kindness and love from you. As I continue to serve as the recently appointed Director of Youth Ministry at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, I face challenges each and every day. I am determined to run the race, without giving up or giving in because I know I serve a mighty God because angels bow before Him and heaven and earth adore Him! I place all my trust in the Lord.

I would ask your support in whatever way you can. I am seeking direction from God with these blogs because I need to start writing about youth ministry and the experiences with youth ministry. Please pray for me.

God bless
Therese from Belize

Loss For Words

My friends, I pray all is well. I have been so busy with work and enjoying my private life. Nevertheless, I must not neglect to write my blogs. God is still the ruler of my life!

Let me ask you, have you ever been in a situation where someone says something to you and you were at a loss for words? Well, that happens to me every now and then when I do not have on the full armor of God and then I feel stupid. Well, as I was studying one of Ken Hemphill's devotionals titled, "We Can", Mr. Hemphill made three important points in this particular lesson in regards to being at a loss for words. He said that there is a way for us to answer the critic, but we must be very confident in doing so. Okay, so how do we answer the critic without being at a loss for words? Mr. Hemphill says:
1)First, we must receive it; that is, study diligently and ask God for direction and understanding of the Word;
2)We must appropriate it; that is, our willingness to obey;
3)We must delight in it; that is, we must feast on the Word daily, morning, noon and night.

When we study God's Word, we must study with a purpose, we must study truthfully and then we must ask God for understanding of what we have read. As we keep on studying the Word, we will find that when someone says something that may catch us off guard, we can hit them with the Word because God gives us a spirit of boldness, not timidity. When we are grounded in the Word, God gives us the ability to answer the critic lovingly and cheerfully, leaving them no choice but to leave us alone.

My friends, I encourage you to get in the Word, study daily, study with an open mind, study diligently, but most importantly pray before you read and pray after you read
the Word asking God for clarity.

Be blessed,
Therese from Belize

My Life Re-written

My friends, I pray all is well with you. God has been good to me and I thank Him for every blessing He has bestowed upon me and my family!

I recall my Pastor, Rev. Dr. Felix G. Williams, III saying that favor is not fair. Guess what? He is right, favor is not fair. Favor is blessing God gives us even when we do not deserve it. I thank God for favor. Rev. Jamal Bryant prophesied, once the anointing of God comes in my life, no one can separate me from the love of God. Rev. Bryant said it does not matter who likes me or who does not like me, because I have the love of God. And because I have the love of God, He has re-written my life, He has given me a new slate to start all over. My friends, God has re-written my life, He has re-written all the bad and has turned them into good. Now, look at me, look at my life and all that God has done for me. All I want to do is shout about it! All I want to do is dance about it! All I want to do is sing about it! All I want to do is keep praising God! Rev. Bryant said that when we praise God, He will change us, He will reorder our steps. Glory.

My favorite apostle, Paul, tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. In other words, my friends, when we confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness and ask Him to come into our lives, He wipes our slates clean, no matter what we have done or with whom we have done, whether sins of commission or sins of omission. I am a living witness that God can clean us up so good ands fresh when we submit to His will. I was once lost, but I am now saved by God's good grace and I am eternally grateful. God has surely re-written my life and I know if He did it for me, He will do the same for you. Be obedient to His will and submit to the Lord. Your life will be re-written and you will see how God will just use you to do good, you will see how much easier and happier life will be when you are cleansed in the blood of the Lamb. It is easy as a-b-c to get your life re-written; all you have to do is accept, believe and confess. To God be the glory.

Ta ta,
Therese from Belize

Claim It, In The Name Of Jesus!

To God be the glory, for His name is worthy to be praised!

My friends, I had declared on the 1st of January,2010 that this will be my year and my family's year. I believe because I am speaking life into it and I have faith that God will make it happen for us. I have already claimed victory in the name of Jesus. When we have vision, it stretches our faith because we have to wait on the Lord to do His thing. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1). Rev. Williams said that faith is not only spoke, but it is actually doing something. He said that when your situation talks to you, you have to holla back at it. Speak to your life, speak to your pessimism, speak to your negativity; speak to your brokeness; just speak life!

When we claim something or someone in the name of the Jesus, God hears our cry. God promises us over and over that when we call on His name, He will supply ALL our needs! Claim it, my friends, whatever it is, whatever you desire, claim it in the name of Jesus. There is power in the blood, power in blood of our Lord. I encourage you to begin claiming back your life, begin to claim back your husband, begin to claim in the name of Jesus that your finances will be released; claim it in the name of Jesus. Claim it, claim it, claim it. Look at me, I already claimed claimed victory, I claimed my life, my prosperity, my finances, I claimed everything in the name of Jesus.

God bless you and I pray that instead of worrying, you will begin to claim that thing or person.

Ta ta,
Therese from Belize

Beauty From Within

Greetings, my friends!

I give all the glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I just thank God for making me a beautiful person, beautiful on the outside, but most importantly beautiful on the inside. People often tell me what a kind person I am, what a humble spirit I have. My response has always been the same, it is natural beauty because God has given it to me--it is called favor. We do not all have God's favor of having beauty on the inside. Some of us are so very beautiful on the outside, the side that man sees, but the inside is rotten stink, the side that God cares about. I tell you the truth, I thank God for giving me beauty on the inside. I am not the most beautiful woman, but that is okay with me because what is important is that I have a clean heart that is pleasing unto the Lord.

In 1 Peter 3:2-4, Peter advised wives, "It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful." "No", Peter said, "your beauty should come from within you-the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit that will never be destroyed and is very precious to God." (New Century Version) My friends, let us not get caught up on the outside appearance--how good someone looks, how "foine" that person looks. Looks are deceiving and we must be careful to not fall prey.

In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord had told Samuel, "...God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart." (New Century Version) Let us fix our hearts, let us get the inside of us clean, so that we can have a gentle and quiet spirit, which pleases the Lord. I pray that God create in me a clean heart and renew my spirit because I thrive for a beautiful inside. If you agree with me, you pray the same, "Lord, please create in me a clean heart and renew my spirit." You know, I can remember my grandmother used to always say to me, "it does not matter how ugly you are on the outside, if you have a heart of gold, it will shine so bright that the heart is what gets noticed." I pray that when people see me they do not judge me by my outward appearance, but by what I have on the inside, that is, a gentle and meek spirit.

God bless.

Ta ta,
Therese from Belize

HELP WANTED: In Need of Paul

God's name is worthy to be praised! I thank God for a new day, a new beginning. As I take on my new role in directing my church's Youth For Christ Ministry, reality has set in...I am in need of a "Paul" in my life.

Rev. Angela Lee Price made me step back and evaluate myself in directing my church's youth ministry. She told me that it seems I am still committed to women's ministry, and I have not fully embraced the youth ministry aspect of my life. I contemplated what she told me and I tell you, she is totally right. I know God has anointed this area of my life and I must be obedient to His will and stay on course. Since I am new in this aspect of ministry, I have begun to start reading articles and look at various youth ministry websites. I came across a very interesting article. The article was titled, The Graying of the American Youth Worker, by David Olshine, Co-founder of Youth Ministry Coaches and Director of Youth Ministries, Columbia International University, Columbia, South Carolina.

Mr. Olshine, in his article, made several great points to help youth ministry workers. However, the point in his article that really resonated with me was his point on refocusing and re-energizing. Mr. Olshine's first point on refocusing and re-energizing is for me to find a Paul, for me be a Timothy. He said that there are few youth workers in their late 30s and 40s who have older mentors. In his article, he stated that we must find an older, wise person to walk with us. My friends, I just love it when God confirms what I need to do and how I need to do it. Thank you Lord.

As you know, I have written so much on Paul because I just love him, I see myself like Paul. God had to blind me in order to make me see the light. I work hard to carry out God's will, that is, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to any and every one. So, those of you who know me well, know I am not a quitter. I have not quit at anything I have set out to do, so I am not giving up on youth ministry, but I do need a mentor, I need support, I need encouragement, I need a Paul. I will finish this race that I have set out to run. I am a survivor, I have never given up and I will not let Satan get in the way of my doing God's work in youth ministry. Mr. Olshine said Paul was a true survivor. And like Paul, I will keep pressing on and keep holding on to my faith in Christ. In Paul's second letter to his protege, Timothy, he said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7, N.C.V.)

Please continue to pray for me as I set out to do God's will in youth ministry. Please pray for me that I will fight the good fight and will finish the race, while keeping the faith.

God bless.

Ta ta,
Therese from Belize

BE REAL, Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

My friends, I write today with such humility because the devil has been trying everything to get me discouraged in my work with youth ministry. Today, has been a difficult day because I began to feel discouraged, but my Lord told me to keep moving forward. After I prayed for courage to continue my work with the ministry, I looked at a motivational note that I have posted on my wall in my office from Ralph S. Marston, Jr., titled "BE REAL".
Mr. Marston wrote:
"The world will often discourage you from giving love. Give love anyway.
Many times, despite your best efforts, you will not be understood. Keep giving it your best anyway.
The treasures in life are not what you get back. Those things are only shadows of life’s true value.
The real treasures are what you are able to give yourself.
And as long as you give authentically, from the heart, with the best you have, it doesn't really matter what comes of it.
It’s nice to be acknowledged and respected and understood.
Yet even when you’re not acknowledged or understood, there is still great value in doing what you know is right, what you know is best.
Smile a peaceful smile to the depth of your being. Be real, and know that all is well."


It is just amazing how time and time again the Lord sends something or someone my way to give me that message; His answer to what I need to do or where I need to go. I will not let the devil tamper with my service to the Lord. The devil is a liar and I detest liars. I stand on the promises of my Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells me "Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (N.I.V.) I just give God all the praise because He has my back time and time again. My friends, do not ever, ever let the devil try to let you give up on something that God has ordained. Just keep praising God, surround yourself with "real" people, and keep on stepping.

I give God all the praise and glory, because He is the same yesterday, today, and always! My friends, I will keep moving forward as the Lord has directed me to do. I pray you will pick up yourself too and keep moving forward. Please pray for me and I will pray for you.

God bless,
Therese from Belize

Stop Living In Dreamland

Greetings, my friends! To God be the glory!

I had a conversation today with the Lord because something has been weighing heavily on my mind. My friends, I have been wondering why it is that grown folk choose to live in "dreamland". My own, personal definition of "dreamland" is an imaginary place grown folk "park" so as to enjoy the what-if (not having faith), instead of the when (having faith). To realize one's dream, a person must first and foremost, let God lead the way. Proverbs 16:1 says, "To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue." (N.I.V.) In other words, the dream, the plan must be from God; it must have God's stamp of approval. Next, when you have the dream or the plan, ordained by God, you must be focused; dedicated and willing and able to put in hard work. I can guarantee you that if you do not let God direct your path, direct your dream and stay focused on that dream or that vision, you will be exactly where you are; that is, in dreamland. What makes me irritated is when grown folk talk about the "ifs". If I only had money, if I only knew the right people; if I only had a computer, if, if, if. As I had told you some time previously, a man of faith says "when", while the unfaithful says "if". See, what these false dreamers and visionaries do not realize is that we serve a God who provides all our needs, we just need to ask, in the name of Jesus. When we ask, in the name of Jesus, the money will come, the right people will be sent our way, doors will be opened.

My friends, stop living in dreamland, you are only fooling yourself, not others. I implore you to let God direct your plans and they will succeed. When God directs my plans, they succeed, no need for me to live a life that is not pleasing to the Lord, a life of "wanna be"; a life of "if". The author of the Book of Proverbs had encouraged me in Chapter 16, verse 3 to "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." He also warned me, in the same chapter at verse 9, that "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (N.I.V.) I encourage you to submit your plans to the Lord. Dream big dreams, yes, but ask the Lord to direct those dreams. Remember, if it is His will, those dreams will come through no matter what anyone says. Get back in the driving mode, pull yourself out of "park" and submit your plans to the Lord.

God bless,
Therese from Belize


PRAYER REQUEST:
Please stay in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. May God give them all the resources they need, may families be comforted with words of wisdom ad encouragement.

Thanking God In Good Times and In Bad Times

My friends, I pray all is well and everyone is staying in the Word! I thank God for the forgiveness of my sins and I thank Him for His mercy and grace. I thank God for sparing the people of Belize from man-made and natural disasters. My friends, we must continually praise God in the present and in the future, praise Him now, praise Him today, praise Him in advance. Even though there may be many to ask "why", the Lord has a plan for the country of Haiti and for the people of Haiti. We can only pray and extend our Christian love and assistance to our brothers and sisters in that country. My friends, we do not know what tomorrow holds, so we must live each day like it is our last, whether good or bad.

In Paul's letter to the church in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul wrote, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." My friends, I pray for peace and comfort for the people of the world. I pray that as disciples of Christ, we extend love to all our brothers and sisters. We must keep praising God through good times and in bad times. I know it may be difficult in bad times, but we serve a God who hears our cries. I promise you when you turn your troubles over to the Lord, He takes care of them for you.

With all my heart, mind, and soul, I will continue to thank the Lord in good times and in bad times, and I pray you will too! Be blessed, stay prayed up, keep hanging on to God's everlasting love. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

God bless,
Ta ta
Therese from Belize

Keep on the Light

What an awesome and mighty God we serve! My friends, I do not have much, but I will let you know, I have plenty of light shining everywhere I go! So, as I sat down this evening reviewing my mails and answering e-mails, my mind went on Luke, the physician by schooling, but a true and honest believer and follower of Jesus Christ. Luke's accounts is so detailed, but it is no surprise because as a physician, one must be very detailed-oriented. So in his letter to his dear friend, Theophilus, he wrote about his account of Jesus' life, God's mercy and grace and forgiveness of our sins and how what he saw and heard made him believe even more. My friends, I hope when you read Luke's account, his joy and excitement jump out at you.

My friends, we cannot and must not allow the devil to sabotage the work that some of us have worked very hard for. As the physician reminded us in the letter to Theophilus, "do not let the light in you become darkness." (Luke 11:35) How do you keep the light shining? You do so by praying each and every day, morning, noon and night. You also forgive others and forgive yourself. You must love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. Forgive yourself and forgive others. Everyday is more refreshing!

Keeping your the light on takes dedication, commitment, submission and trust in the Lord. Do not let the devil cause you to hide your light, we are warriors of God's army and we have protected ourselves with the Word. To God be the glory.

Ta ta,
Therese from Belize

Do Not Label Me As A "Single" Parent

Wow, what a fantastic way 2010 has started off for me and my family! We have already won "Family of the Year" award because you see even though I am raising my children in a one-parent household, I can tell you, that they are getting the same attention, the same nurturing, the same love as if there was another parent in the home. I thank God for blessing me at every turn I make. God keeps providing for me and my family. Please do not label me "single" parent because even though you see me raising my kids by myself, I do have my Father who is present in my household each and every day, morning, noon and night! I do have my Father who watches over us and protect me and my children. God is the head of my household.

Joshua 24:17, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." I thank God that I have children who love and adore Him. I am blessed with children who pray for their mother, children you call on the name of Jesus. Labeling me "single" will not help your cause, because the Lord has a plan for me as I raise and nurture my children in a one-parent household.

Just know that my current circumstance does not determine my future, so stop calling me a "single" parent.

Peace and Love
Therese from Belize

Wearing The Full Armor Of God

My nephew, Jair, in Belize, sent me a beautifully and well-colored Roman soldier who is in full protective gear, from the helmet on his head to the sandals on his feet. Jair reminded me to wear the full armor of God for protection against the devil. I thank God for my little nephew, he is only 6 years old, but he is looking out for his Auntie! God is good.

My friends, my favorite apostle, Paul, encouraged us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Paul pleaded with us to "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:10-13, N.I.V.)

My friends, Jair sent me this picture so his Auntie can stay in the protection of the Lord. I declare, in the name of Jesus, that I will always wear the belt of truth around my waist; with the breastplate of righteousness in place; my feet wearing the Good News of peace so I can stand strong. Paul encouraged us, my brothers and sisters, to always be ready and never give up (Ephesians 6:14-15). I thank God for using a child to remind me of how I must keep on protecting myself as I walk on the road of healing, peace and joy.

To God be the glory.

Ta ta,
Therese from Belize

Speaking From Personal Experience

My friends, I pray all is well with you. I cannot help but to tell you, like you already do not know, that we serve an awesome God! We have a Father who forgives us of our sins, a God who has mercy on us, a God who promises us eternal life if we serve Him with all our hearts, minds and souls! Now, you would be a fool to not surrender to the promises of the Lord. I can tell you from personal experience that ever since I began relying on the Lord, He has opened doors that were once closed; He supplies all my needs; He has brought me joy and peace down in my heart.

I realize that if you do not know the Lord for yourself, you will have a difficult time understanding and believing what I am saying. You need to know the Lord for yourself; He needs to be your personal Savior. You need to start relying and trusting God for everything and let Him work in and through you. My friends, I promise you that when you start trusting God, you will see a difference in your life. You will get that job promotion, your finances will get better, your children will act better, your spouse will treat you better. I know because ever since God came into my life, things have begun to turn around for the better. I no longer stay in depression, my finances are looking up, I am getting in good health, my children are being blessed exceedingly. Every turn I make, God has a blessing for me. Are you tired of being tired? Then I urge you to turn it over to the Lord, walk with the Lord, believe in the Lord, trust in the Lord. Let Him take care of all your needs.

Jesus, as recorded in John 14:14 said, "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." My friends, what better promise than this you need? Just ask. If you are in pain, ask God for healing, in the name of Jesus; need a financial breakthrough? Ask God for that financial miracle, in the name of Jesus. Your spouse is acting up, cheating, walked out on you? Ask God for deliverance and ask God to rebuke that bad behavior, in the name of Jesus. Whatever you desire, my friend, ask God for it and He will give it to you. Just ask God, in the name of Jesus.

My friends, I was once lost, I was once considered a lost soul, I know many people gave up on me, I know many people talked about me, but glory to God, we serve a magnificent and omnipotent Lord because He forgave me of my sins, and ever since then He has been blessing me. The Lord is waiting for you to call His name. God is waiting for you to call on Him in the name of Jesus. Do it today if you are truly tired of being tired. Do not delay for tomorrow is not promised.

May God bring peace to you.

With love,
Therese from Belize

"If" versus "When"

My friends, I bring greetings in the name of Jesus! God's name is worthy to be praised because I am a living witness of how a prayer changes everything! When we have faith, we know that God will hear our prayer and He will answer our prayer. Faith, according to the author of the Book of Hebrews, is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrew 11:1)

Rev. Jamal Bryant said that people who do not have faith says "if". "If" I get the job; "if" I take that trip; "if" they give me that promotion. On the other hand, a true believer, who has faith says "when". "When" I get that job; "when" I take that trip; "when" they give me that promotion. Rev. Bryant preached that people often lack faith because they have a disconnection to God. I agree with him, so now my question is, how do we get back that connection? We can get back our connection to God when we submit to His will. We submit to His will when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior; when we believe in our hearts that Jesus was crucified, he died, was buried, and on the third day he rose from the grave; and we confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and He takes away the sins of the world.

My friends, get back that reconnection with God. Peter in his epistle, 1 Peter 1:8, assures us, "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." Peter is so right. When we have faith, we know that God is in control of everything. With faith, we believe that all things are possible through Christ who strengthens us. When we have faith, we give God all the glory and we praise His name constantly. Stay connected to Christ by having faith. Let God take care of you and all your needs.

I urge you to stay prayed up; I urge you to stay in obedience to the will of God. Have faith, and God will see you through.

God bless you.
Ta ta
Therese from Belize

Endurance In Running The Race

My friends, to our most glorious God,whose name is worthy to be praised!

I write tonight with all vigor and enthusiasm because even though the devil is trying to let me look in my rear view mirror, I will keep moving forward. I thank God for the anointment of my Pastor, Rev. Felix G. Williams,III. I am telling you the honest truth, this man of God always teaches and delivers the Word directly from God to me.

Rev. Williams said something to me that really touched the very core of my heart. He said that when one quits, it shows lack of character to handle issues of your life. This hit home for me because just recently I thought about quitting and just retreating to the comforts of my personal space. Retreating, I know, will shield me from people whom I do not want to deal with and those whom I simply cannot tolerate around me. This sounds harsh to say as a disciple, but it is the truth. But, to God be the glory, I am not going quit because I have a strong character, I have integrity and I have determination. However, I need the strength to carry on; that is where endurance comes in. Rev. Williams said that sometimes instead of praying to the Lord to get us out of something, we must pray asking God to help us "go through" whatever it is we are going through.

This word, "endurance" is used in many arenas, so I went to the dictionary to look for the simplest definition. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines endurance as "the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially, the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity." My friends, in running this race of life, we need endurance for sure. Psalm 30:5 encourages me that "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the the morning time." When we endure, we come out victorious. The enemy cannot stand us when we endure the pain, the injustice, the accusations, the struggles, the test. When we endure, God promises us to bring us out and because we have God's promises to bring us out, we have hope.

Romans 15:4 says, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." I do not know about you, but as for me, I will keep on running this race, I will endure, because when I look back over my life where I have been to where I am now, it is only by the grace of God that I came through victorious of all the adversities, struggles, battles, injustice, accusations and tests. My friends, it is important that we endure our situations because we do not want to give the devil anything to rejoice over. I am going through this race with my character, integrity, hope, and determination intact because I know I serve an awesome God who gives us what we ask for. If we ask the Lord for endurance during a difficult time, trust me, He will do just that. God delights in His children asking Him for help. I urge you to stay in the race, even if you are in last place, but just do not give up. Giving up, according to Rev. Williams, are for quitters who have no character, integrity or determination. God bless you and may He give you the endurance you need to finish the race, the endurance to carry on the work, the endurance to kick the devil to the curb! As we know, what is important is not how we start the race,but it is how we finish the work.

I pray that if you are thinking about quitting, that you keep your head forward, do not look back in that rear view mirror. Keep pressing forward with all determination and strength. To God be the glory.

Peace and love,
Ta ta
Therese from Belize

Relying On God's Promises

To God be the glory! I am starting over on a new clean slate for this new year because I have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and I've got the victory! The devil is defeated because my God said for me to call on His name and He will save me. My friends, I am relying on God's promises instead of man's because when the promises of man are not fulfilled, I get very disappointed. The psalmist in the Book of Psalms, Chapter 145:13-14 encourages me, "...The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." (NIV) What David is stressing across to me in this praise to the Lord is that the Lord is good to everyone He has made and will keep ALL His promises because the Lord is loyal to all He has made. I want you to pay close attention to one particular word, "loyal". How many of us can say we have loyal people in our lives or we are loyal to those in our lives? David praised God because of His loyalty to His people, those who have been defeated and those who are in trouble.

My friends, I am standing on the promises of God because I have the victory. As Tye Tribbett sings, "I've got the victory, the victory because whatever situation I face, I win..." My friends, if you want the victory, if you want to be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, if you want to win, turn to the promises of the Lord. Just turn your life over to the Lord and submit to His will. God will give you the victory because that is what He promises to those who call on His name.

In Psalm 145:20, "The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy." We just need to stand on the promises of the Lord because we know that the Lord is good to everyone and is kind and shows mercy. As David emphasized to us in v. 17, "everything that the Lord does is right." I am surely relying on the promises of the Lord!


Be blessed,
Therese from Belize