Run, Don’t Walk!

Posted on April 25, 2022 by Candy S

If you’d prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the link to our podcast…

You’re up now and you have a lot of ground to cover. Shout with the voice of victory! … and Run, Don’t walk! It’s time to run to Jesus even while the Devil is still talking. We must trust the Lord beyond our knowing exactly what lies ahead. We must believe even though we haven’t seen the whole picture.

It’s called faith. The Lord is growing and maturing our faith. Faith in what He’s preparing for us to do. Faith for what’s ahead. The enemy tries to instill us with fear that what’s ahead must be bad. But’s that’s not necessarily so. However, at times, the Lord may disappoint us to elevate us… to get us up!

But we will say…

¹⁵Though he slay me, yet will I trust [in] him:
Job 13:15A

The Apostle James says, Count it All Joy!

²Dear brothers and sisters,^[^a^] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
jAMES 1:2-4

But, unfortunately, some of us may still be thinking, what if you don’t feel like running. Then I’d suggest that you tell God about it, you can’t fight the enemy in your mind. Some of us have been taught that we can’t complain to the Lord, but David said otherwise…

I cry out to the Lord;
    I plead for the Lord’s mercy.
²I pour out my complaints before him
    and tell him all my troubles.
³When I am overwhelmed,
    you alone know the way I should turn.
Wherever I go,
    my enemies have set traps for me.
⁴I look for someone to come and help me,
    but no one gives me a passing thought!
No one will help me;
    no one cares a bit what happens to me.
⁵Then I pray to you, O Lord.
    I say, “You are my place of refuge.
    You are all I really want in life.
pSALM 142

Let me tell you a little secret, I don’t like to run at ALL, ever! But, I will walk very fast. I’m kinda out of shape, so walking very fast will get my heart rate up and I’ll start to sweat. So, you may have to run at your own pace and if you don’t really feel like running, then start walking really fast! Now that you’re up, don’t let anything or anyone knock you down again. Only go down on your own terms and then, get up running or walking really fast! Because, the Lord has exceeding abundantly above all that we could ever ask or imagine, according to the power that worketh in us. So, we must remain humble… it’s all for His Glory.

Here’s Special Word for the Entrepreneurs/Business Owners that might be out there:

There is someone out there that waiting to see the numbers to determine their success. Number of likes or followers, or maybe dollars, or clients, I don’t know what you number is, but the Lord is saying that your obedience will determine your success, not a number.

⁵Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you.
    I will never abandon you.”^[^a^]
⁶So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper,
    so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?”^[^b^]
hEBREWS 13:5-6

Remember, always take a quiet moment to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying…

Ok, Now Get Up …

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Candy S

If you’d prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the link to our podcast…

Last week, I allowed you to just lay there for a little while longer, to get your head together, to gather your thoughts. You really needed the rest, you were so very tired, but you’ve laid there long enough, so it’s time to get up. Although you may still feel tired, …

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NLT

I pray that you’ve taken the time to allow the Lord’s anointing to fall fresh on you and you are ready to face those mountains that’s standing in your way and confront those things that are holding your back or holding you down. He promised that He would…

⁴Fill in the valleys,
and level the mountains and hills.
Straighten the curves,
and smooth out the rough places.
Isaiah 40:4 NLT

It’s time to get up, quiet time is over …

“Quiet time is not an excuse for the lazy, but a wise investment for the diligent.”
Priscilla Shirer

If you’ve truly been listening to what the Holy Spirit has been saying, you have received His guidance and direction.

We can make our own plans,
but the Lord gives the right answer.
Commit your actions to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:1,3 NLT

I pray that you’ve enjoyed this week’s blog post, and something has inspired and encouraged you. If so, we would love to hear your thoughts, so please leave your comments below.

“What If You Fall…”

Posted on April 11, 2022 by Candy S

If you’d prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the link to our podcast…

It is so very interesting that when you decide that you are going to quietly listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying, you discover that He talks all the time. I must admit that when this blog started, I didn’t think that it would last this long. To be honest, there have been several times that after I’ve written the week’s post, I assumed that it would be the last one. It’s the same thing when you decide not to move forward, or you stop short because you are afraid to fall. I’m saying all of this because even when I wanted to stop, the Holy Spirit just continues to feed into me, which has compelled me to continue to feed into you. Hence, this week’s post entitled “What if you fall…”.

Last Monday, I was sitting on my bed after sending out the podcast version for the week and my eyes were drawn to the cover of my journal which says, “God is with her, she will not fall.” Psalm 46:5 … Now I found that quite interesting, in light of last week’s post, “Falling on Our Faith”. So, I was a little confused. But think about it, falling on your face usually denotes failure, but falling on your faith, isn’t really falling at all. But, of course, I had to go the Bible for further clarification. The New Living Translation says it this way,

¹God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
²So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.
³Let the oceans roar and foam.
    Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude
A river brings joy to the city of our God,
    the sacred home of the Most High.
⁵God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.    From the very break of day, God will protect it.
Psalm 46:1-5 NLT

So guess what, we are that city. God dwells in us and He protects us. Ultimately, the question is not “What if you fall… It’s when you fall?”

To coin a not-so-funny cliché, do you feel like you fallen and not you can’t get up? Are you laying there wondering if you if even want to get up? Then you need to know that the Lord is laying there right beside you, waiting for you to decide. But, He is not going to help you up until you are ready. You may want to just lay there for a minute or two, rest for a moment, catch your breath and gather your thoughts and that’s ok. There’s no rush, but while you are laying there…

Make sure that you take a quiet moment to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying…

As always, I pray that you’ve enjoyed this week’s post, and something has been said to inspire and encourage you. If so, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments. But if for some reason, this blog does not resonate with you, please share with someone who you think might need it.

Have an Amazing Week!

Falling Flat on Our Faith!

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Candy S

If you’d prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the link to our podcast…

Last week, we talked about “A New Beginning”! So Now What? Oftentimes, when we start something brand new, or when we’ve made a huge decision or encountered a major change is our lives; in the back of our minds, we wonder if we’ve made a BIG mistake, and that we might just “fall flat on our faces”. Today, as we begin our lives afresh, I’d like to suggest that we try to “Fall Flat on Our Faith”!

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23

The month of April marks the end of the 1^st quarter of 2022. It’s truly hard to believe. However, it’s amazing how much society and culture has such a great impact on our thoughts and behavior. There is one term that is looming large these days, it’s “The Great Resignation”. I believe that people have decided that it’s time to get off the hamster wheel. Many have decided that they prefer their virtual offices and have found that they can be more productive on the job AND spend more time with the family. No more rush hours and long commutes. In the process of living differently, we have been given an opportunity to birth our dreams, to push beyond our limitations, move past all obstacles and reach for the stars.

I am just really concerned that we are being pushed back to the way things were, but in my heart of hearts, I don’t believe that that is what God intended. God has moved us out of Egypt, and He never wants us to return. It’s time for us to prosper and flourish in the places that He has put us or possibly, the places that He is sending us.

So, what are you going to do now? I am praying that before you go back to busy, stressed, and anxious, if you haven’t already, that you stop and give some thought to your next steps. Take a quiet moment to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying… Instead of fearing that you might fall flat on your face, try falling flat on your faith and allow the Lord to Order your Steps!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Don’t just say it, Do it…

If you fall, He will catch you before you hit the ground!

This is a New Beginning…. Not a Do-Over!

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Candy S

If you’d prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the link to our podcast…

I would venture to say that most of you will not be able to truly enjoy this week’s podcast, because you are just too busy. The only time you can even take 5 minutes to listen, is while you are driving to work, working, or driving home and for those of you that are not commuting, I’m not sure when you’d have time. But I would like to challenge you to take a few moments to stop what you’re doing….

Close your eyes
Inhale deeply through your nose until you feel it in your core
Hold for a few seconds … Focus your mind on your breath
Exhale through your mouth

Now, Open your Eyes to your New Beginning…

¹⁰For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10

But this is not “a do-over”. The last two years have taught us that we can live life differently. We can’t turn back the hands of time and start our lives over again, but we can start afresh. It’s a new day! Open your curtains and let the sun in. It’s time to wake up refreshed! Imagine yourself taking a cool shower in a waterfall and you’re drying off with your feet on the warm sands of the beach.

It’s Your New Season! It’s time for us to come out of the valley and go to the top of the mountain and look at all the vastness of what’s ahead. Spring is the time of year when the earth refreshing, renews and restores, and we should do the same.

Now, I know what you are thinking… I have a very vivid imagination and real life just ain’t like that and you are right. BUT, we can’t allow ourselves to simply go back to busy without some thought. At times, we are so very busy, but accomplishing so very little. Maybe this is our opportunity to…

1) REIMAGINE our Vision

2) REFINE our Goals

3) REENERGIZE our Plans

No one can limit us, we limit ourselves. So, what’s standing in our way? What are the mountains that we can’t climb?

⁴Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain…
Isaiah 40:4

Some of you know my testimony, I never dreamed that I’d be able to leave Xerox (no, I’m not telling you to quit your job). I was 55 years old, and a career move at that age… Are you kidding?

But God opened a door…

Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. ¹³For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
¹⁴Do everything without complaining and arguing, ¹⁵so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. ¹⁶Hold firmly to the word of life… Philippian 12b-16a
Philippians 2:12b-16a

But, think about it, if you are listening to this podcast, you are surviving a pandemic, one day at a time. I heard a pastor say, “God will allow a famine, although we will try to pray it away, so that we are forced to move”. He will tell you where to go and you must stay where He puts you and He will provide and prosper you there”. Let’s stop settling for “I’m blessed, I woke up this morning and yes, thank God for that, and will never take that for granted, but God has so much more for us than just to wake up. He wants us to live abundantly and that does not necessarily mean with a lot of stuff. What does “blessed” mean to you? We would love to hear your thoughts, so please leave us a comment.

Now I feel the need to say that you may be living your dream and this episode does not apply to you, then may I ask that you share that joy and encourage someone else to continue to strive to achieve their dream.

Let Today be a New Beginning… not a Do-Over!

It’s time to move forward and be sure to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying…

We don’t Always get it Right, but…

Posted on March 21, 2022 by Candy S

If you’d prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the link to our podcast…

Full disclosure, I’m kind of a perfectionist. I’m sure for those of you that know me, it’s hard to believe. LOL! But seriously, it used to be and sometimes still is, one of my biggest character flaws. Over the years, God has had to teach me what “perfect” really means and I’m still learning. It means that I can pursue excellency, but I should not try to be excellent. That’s His job!

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6

So, I guess you are wondering where I’m going with this… We don’t always get it right, but we are not meant to be perfect. We often find ourselves in a constant mental battle over those small mistakes, ultimately things that we can’t change, even if we wanted to. Now, this does mean that we should justify, defend, or disregard our mistakes, especially those that negatively impact and hurt others. But we should not beat ourselves up for the things that really don’t matter. For instance, when we assume that others are talking about us, when they have not given us any thought at all.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2

We don’t always get it right, but the one opinion that really matters is that of the Holy Spirit, which is why we must always take a quiet moment to listen to what He has to say ….

When the Door Opens

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Candy S

If you’d prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the link to our podcast…

Last week, we talked briefly about knocking on doors. So now, I’m somewhat curious as to what doors are we waiting to open? Have you been knocking a long time and the doors just won’t open? For some, it’s time to open the door and for others, the door is open, but you may be a little apprehensive about going through. So, the ultimate question is will we be ready “when the door opens”? As we ponder those questions and I would love for you to share some of your answers in the comments. Now, I realize that many of us are in a place of healing and therefore, your doors may be very different than those that I’m eluding too here. But remember, God’s Word says…

⁷“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8 NLT

So, let’s continue from where we were last week, we were knocking and I believe that while we wait, there are a few things that we should consider:

Persistence. You may get tired, but don’t give up. While, we’re waiting for the door to open, we must have a plan. Write the vision and make it plain. Our plan will be in accordance with God’s plan if we seek the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.

Perseverance. Times may get tough, so keep making progress by pushing forward. No matter our age, we must continue to grow and mature spiritually. Although, we must give God total control, we still must do the work in order to be ready when it open. When God opens the door, we should expect new things. Remember what we read in Isaiah…

¹⁸“But forget all that—
    it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new.
    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18 NLT

We shouldn’t look back. This pandemic has motivated us to live life differently, as we continue to navigate into new and unfamiliar territory.

Purpose. When the door opens, walk in with purpose. Don’t be afraid. Everything you need to fulfill your purpose is in you. Our true purpose in life is be blessed to bless others. Now open a door for someone else….

And as we wait for the doors to open,

It’s imperative that we always take a quiet moment,

To listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying…

Are you Knocking on the Door?

Posted on March 10, 2022 by Candy S

If you’d prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the link to our podcast…

We often speak about the Lord opening doors. Our doors of opportunity to thrive and prosper in this life. But my question is: Are you knocking on the door?… or are you just waiting for the door to open? Are you listening for your next assignment or are you avoiding the one that you’ve already been given?

I heard a familiar bible story the other day about when Moses was telling God to call someone else to speak to His people…

¹⁰But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” ¹¹Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹²Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” ¹³But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.” ¹⁴Then the Lord became angry with Moses.
Exodus 4:10-14a

The pastor reminded me and although I had probably read right by it, that this is the first time in the Bible that “God’s anger was kindled”, because Moses had told Him that he couldn’t do what God had already given him the ability to do. How many times have we “annoyed” the Lord by trying to convince Him that He must has called the wrong person? Are we trying to avoid the door or are we knocking on the door?

Obviously, there are a number of questions that need your answers. Over the past few weeks, we have talked about “Our Story”. We all have one, but more importantly, God have given us a plot, a purpose and a calling that is pervasive throughout our story. The future that we hope for, should be one that has fulfilled the purpose that God has created for us to accomplish. So, are you knocking or are you just waiting for the door to open? If you haven’t already, may I suggest that you move toward the closed door, I believe that the door is motion-sensored. Then try to open the door and if it don’t open, then it t’aint your door.

But don’t stop there, go to the next door and as we go…

⁷“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8

While you’re knocking…

Prepare: Have a plan!
Progress: Be ready for new things!
Prosper: Push Forward and Seek the impossible!

Be persistent and keep on knocking …God it’s me again! Knock through the NO’s! Move forward by faith, without an explanation. By the way, if you are still waiting for God’s Big Reveal, I’m here to tell that for whatever, He needs you to do, the ability in already in you, it’s always been in you, which makes it even more important for you to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying…

Are you Knocking on the Door?

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Candy S

If you’d prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the link to our podcast…

I heard a familiar bible story the other day about when Moses was telling God to call someone else to speak to His people…

¹⁰But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” ¹¹Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹²Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” ¹³But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.” ¹⁴Then the Lord became angry with Moses.
Exodus 4:10-14a

But don’t stop there, go to the next door and as we go…

⁷“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8

While you’re knocking…

Prepare: Have a plan!
Progress: Be ready for new things!
Prosper: Push Forward and Seek the impossible!

There’s More to Your Story

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Candy S

If you’d prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the link to our podcast…

We need to spend a little more time in Jeremiah 29, because remember, God exiled the good and the bad. So, when you take a moment to look at the chaos of this life and you feel like God has sent you into Babylon, you have to know that “There’s More to Your Story”.

¹⁰This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. ¹¹For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:10-11 NLT

Now let’s focus on Jeremiah 29:11. The Message translation says it this way, “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for”.

The KJV says it this way …¹¹For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

No matter the translation, from the moment that we took our first breath, there is nothing in our lives that has caught the Lord by surprise and from this moment forward with every breath we take, we must know that, “There’s More to Our Story”, because we know that God plans to give us….

<> a future and a hope

<> a future that you hope for

<> and an expected end.

In Isaiah (paraphrased), he says, as far as the heaven is from the earth are God’s thoughts from our thoughts and God’s ways from our ways. How He does, what He does will not make sense… but God is Still God.

But we can’t stop there, we must read a little further because there’s more to the story. Let’s take another look at verses 12-14.

¹²In those days when you pray, I will listen. ¹³If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. ¹⁴I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes.

We may not have realized it, but God’s promise comes with an expectation, that we will pray and seek Him, in other words He wants our love and attention. We play a key role in our story. It’s unfortunate that, at times, we don’t want to believe that God has expectations of us, just as we have expectations of Him. I truly believe the He desires that we love Him as much as He loves us. But at times, we make it so complication, He simply wants to hear what on our hearts. Our prayers may sound something like this… “Good Morning Lord! I love you and I am so grateful for everything you do and will do. Please anoint me this day for whatever you have for me to do. In Jesus Name Amen”.

So, although it may look like Babylon and it may even feel like Babylon, there’s not only a miracle after this, there’s a miracle in this, no matter what your “this” looks like right now, because you know that “There’s More to Your Story!”

I pray that you will see Jeremiah 29:11 with a new spiritual perspective. May the eyes of our understanding continue to be enlightened.

The Holy Spirit is always talking, which is why we just need to find those quiet moments to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying…

Order Your Steps

Be Inspired, Encouraged and Empowered to be the Best You you can be…

Category Archives: Inspiration

Run, Don’t Walk!

Ok, Now Get Up …

“What If You Fall…”

Make sure that you take a quiet moment to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying…

Falling Flat on Our Faith!

Don’t just say it, Do it…

If you fall, He will catch you before you hit the ground!

This is a New Beginning…. Not a Do-Over!

Let Today be a New Beginning… not a Do-Over!

It’s time to move forward and be sure to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying…

We don’t Always get it Right, but…

We don’t always get it right, but the one opinion that really matters is that of the Holy Spirit, which is why we must always take a quiet moment to listen to what He has to say ….

When the Door Opens

And as we wait for the doors to open,

It’s imperative that we always take a quiet moment,

To listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying…

Are you Knocking on the Door?

Are you Knocking on the Door?

There’s More to Your Story