Attention!

I’ve found out that the only One who can permanently satisfy your desire for attention is God. We all go through moments when we feel we need attention so we must be careful to look to God at those moments. Those moments are critical because one wrong move could leave us worse off then we were before. I’ve looked to many things throughout my life to fulfill my desire for attention but nothing satisfied it until I focused my attention on the One who’s always there. The busyness of life can cause us to forget that we have a God that never leaves us. People come and go but God remains. In John 15:4 it says, Abide in me, and I in you. So we must remember to abide in God, desire God, and he’ll fulfill our desires because he’s truly the only one that knows exactly what we need.  We have a God that loves us unconditionally and will never let us down. God desires to give us attention all the time but at times our own efforts don’t reciprocate that and we tend not to be open to receiving His attention. At times we can believe that receiving attention from another person is better than receiving it from God but that’s the wrong mindset because people can change their mind about you but God won’t. I’ve learned that the attention that God gives is like none other, it’s more than enough. God has a way of making you feel special in your weakness times. God cares so much about us and wants the best for us. Don’t be down and out because you feel no one cares about you. Know that God cares and the enemy wants you to believe you’re not cared for. If you allow your mind to be overtaken by dangerous thoughts that’s when the enemy can work best. You have to know you’re the apple of God’s eye and once you realize how much He loves you you’d kiss your down days goodbye. Realize that once your focus is on God and His ways of doing things,  he’ll give you everything you need. Just as Matthew 6:33 says, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and  all things shall be added. We have to learn how to be satisfied with God first because he’s truly is in control. God knows more about us then we know about ourselves so be willing to spend time with Him. Be willing to get to know Him.  As James 4:8 NLT says, “Come close to God and God will come close to you.“ Know that God will send others in your life but you must keep in mind that a person can never take Gods place. Keep God in proper place and you’ll stay fulfilled. Remember, God touches the hearts of people so you don’t have to do crazy things to get attention, let God lead the right ones to you, trust Him. He’s our Father and knows us best. Stay encouraged and stay in the race.

It's Bigger than Me

Often I have to tell myself this as I go through life’s hurdles. I have to remind myself that it’s bigger than Me. Things I’ve been through and currently going through, are constantly building me to be the person God called me to be. I’ve had successes, I’ve had failures and I’m still standing. Life is not perfect but my peace is made perfect because I know who God is. I came to the understanding that the challenges I face in life did not come to make me bitter but they came to make me better. There are things I wish I could’ve avoided in life but I know now going through those things have made me a stronger person. My struggles have brought me closer to God and have showed me just how amazing God is. Life has a way of making you realize what’s important. A lot of what I used to think was important is not as vital as I thought it was. I’ve found out that there are many things I can do without and still keep my joy. I found out that life is better when God’s will prevails over your will. I pray God’s will is continually done in my life and I know every step I take is ordered by God because that’s His word, (Psalm 37:23). So I encourage myself by realizing many of the things I’ve gone through will help someone else. It’s bigger than me and if I can encourage one person, that’s worth what I had to endure. I pray these blog posts help you in some way and that you’re continually encouraged. Know that life is worth living and God is worth serving. There’s none greater than God and He has the final say. So whatever you have to face in life know that you’re not facing it alone, God is with you. Life brings many exciting times and some not so exciting times but always remember who is in control. Always remember who’s permanent, God is. Refuse to give up, keeping standing and watch your dark days turn to light. You have destiny to fulfill so keep letting God lead you, he’ll never steer you on the wrong path. Everyday you wake up always give God thanks because he still continues to give us breath. Be grateful for the little things, their the stepping stones to greater things. Be grateful for your family, friends, jobs, skills, be grateful for everything God’s given you. Know that you are loved by God, favored by God, and predestined for something great for God. God placed what he wanted to in you, you’re a unique designer’s original so never dislike yourself. God will surround you around the people you need to be around so never fear being left out. I had to understand that it’s amazing who you can attract when you’re truly being the person God made you to be. God knew what he was doing when he created you so shine on. Keep the faith, keep hope, and most of all keep loving. Take life day by day with a smile knowing that you’re more than a conqueror. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Never forget that it’s bigger than you and that your testimonies can help someone else. Keep your joy, God gives you that, let’s go all the way. Stay in the race.

God Knows What He’s doing, Wait on Him

“Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel!”  Psalm 106: 13 NLT. Don’t get impatient and miss what God has for you. Don’t forget what he’s done for you in the past because you don’t have what you want right now. The same God that blessed you back then is the same God that’s going to bless you now. God knows what he’s doing, don’t forget that. There are things God want to produce out of you and production takes time. Some things need to be produced out of you before you’re given what you’ve been waiting on.  As I often say, greatness take time to prepare, so be willing to wait. There are things God’s placed in you that must come out.  If God gave us everything we wanted when we asked we’d be underdeveloped. Time and experiences develop us. They pull out of us what God predestined a long time ago. The way God is taking us is necessary. We have to wait and take his counsel because it’s the best way. Know that Psalm 32:8 says, “I’ll teach you what’s best for you, I’ll show you which way to go.“ God has a perfect time to release what he has for you. If God said he’ll do it, then that’s exactly what’s going to happen. Never let waiting cause you to forget who God is, He’s faithful.  God doesn’t make mistakes, He knows what he’s doing. Don’t try to take matters in your own hands because the wait seems too long. Don’t try to do God’s job and mess things up by moving out of God’s perfect timing. Sometimes we may think maybe God needs my help so we do something but it makes things worse. God knows what’s best and sometimes it’s takes longer than we’d like to receive that best but know it’ll be worth the wait. So regardless of what you see around you don’t forget that God knows what he’s doing. Wait for Him, remember he waited for you. God will tell you exactly what to do at the right time. As Philippians 4:6 says, “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.“ So don’t be anxious but be prayerful. God got you :). Stay in the race.

When Nothing Makes Sense

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6. There are many things in life we won’t understand but know that if God is leading your life your path is being directed. In times when things don’t make sense learn to lean on the Word of God and not your understanding. We’ll never be able to fully grasp the ways of God so we can’t stress ourselves out trying to figure them all out. This is a faith walk and faith walks require you to move even when nothing makes sense. You must keep going, keep hope, and keep believing God’s Word. Things will begin to line up and you’ll see one day why you had to take this path. Remember, without faith it’s impossible to please God so keep pleasing God by walking by faith. (Hebrews 11:6). Faith walks can be the most difficult because as humans we’re used to believing because we can see a thing in front of us. As the Word says, blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:29) So we have to stop letting our five senses dominate our walk with God and be lead by His Spirit into the things of God. God is greater than our natural senses and he wants us to trust Him. People will eventually let you down but God is the only one that will never let us down. So even when nothing makes sense tell yourself God is greater than my five senses, His thoughts are not my thoughts  and His ways are higher than mine so I’ll trust Him. (Isaiah 55:8-9). Stay in the race, you’re almost to your finish line.

God is Not Limited by a "No!"

Realize a "No" gives God the ability to do something better for you. You have to understand who ultimately creates opportunities. God knows when a door is too small or not right for you. Trust God enough to lead you to the right doors for your life. Understand that if God placed a desire in you, he’ll also give you the tools necessary to bring that thing forth and that includes the supporters you need. Everybody you asked help from is not qualified to help you or you may not be ready for that door. God can see the future and He knows which connections will bring you to where you need to be. God knows when you’re prepared for certain doors so don’t be discontent by closed doors.  Don’t be distraught from a “No” but rejoice for the greater to come! Keep preparing for that greater latter because God told us our latter will be greater than our former.(Haggai 2:9) Don’t curse those who don’t do for you but pray for them, pray God blessings over them. You can’t hold grudges and expect to be blessed. The person or company that said no to you can be doing you a favor because it may not have been the right fit. Forgive and let go so you can walk freely into the place God has for you. Don’t allow past "no's" to disrupt your future. Choose to be kind and keep showing love, your time is nearer than ever! Know that when God opens a door no man can shut it.(Revelation 3:7) So keep working towards your God given desires and stay prepared. God is NOT limited by a “No” everything has to respond to God so know when it’s your time, It’s YOUR time. If you truly knew what God had in store for you, you’d never again in your life sweat the small stuff. A “no” is not the end of your life it’s a sign that you need to keep trying and keep moving forward. We’ve come too far to give up now!!! Let’s make it to the end!!! Can’t stop, won’t stop!  Rejoice!! Stay in the race. -Eri

Praise!

Don’t let the battle destroy your praise. Understand that praise confuses the enemy. Praise lets God know you trust Him regardless of what you see. Praise lets others know you have the victory. Praise is a weapon and should be used when things are going well and not so well. Praise helps you stay focused on the finish line. Don’t let the battle silence your praise, instead let it increase it! Keep Moving. Stay encouraged. Stay in the race. -Eri

Don't Tie God's Hands with Doubt, Just Believe.

Doubting can prolong what you've been waiting on or cause you to give up..So ask yourself, why do I doubt? Is it because you don't trust God? Is it because you think it's taking too long to receive what you've been waiting on? Is it because you don't see everything you ask God for? Regardless of the reason don't let doubt tie God's hands. As the bible says without faith it's impossible to please God(Hebrews 11:6). The bible also says doubt causes us to be turned away from God (Hebrews 3:12).As I always say, as Believers we can't be moved by what we see but we have to be firmly planted in the Word. What we see changes all the time but the Word remains the same. So don't give up on God because of temporary situations! Regardless of what's going on around you God's Word is not affected by your circumstances it can cut through anything. So rejoice today, rejoice everyday, have the peace of God, have the faith of God, shout with the voice of triumph! Don't go through each day down and depressed but go through each day knowing you're being taken care of by God! Learn to encourage yourself during these times, learn to encourage others during these times! Your praise should not be dependent on your feelings, your praise should be based off who God is and He's good! No one is more faithful then our God!!! As my dad always says, "We're going over not under!! This is a time of rejoicing, a time of moving forward! Awake from your slumber and remember how good God is!! So stay encouraged keep your eyes on Jesus and not your problems. Look to the problem solver, he can solve anything! God Bless and love u!! I refuse to stop being excited because I know who I belong to! #God. Stay in the race. -Eri