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God’s Hand of Blessing

Psalm 18:35 NIV You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great.

I’ve often referred to the Hand of God as my hand of protection. It wasn’t until reading a recent devotional from Pastor Joel Osteen that I began to meditate on the phrase “God’s Hand of Blessing.” I’ve witnessed countless interventions in which God has protected me from dangers seen and unseen but somehow my mind always connected those valiant acts of kindness as protection instead of blessings.

Several weeks ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and much to my delight, I was diagnosed in the very early stages of development (blessing). On April 8, 2015, I had planned to spend a fun-filled spring break day with my daughter but God had other plans for me (blessing). For several weeks I had experienced a constant nudging to have a mammogram performed (blessing). I’m so thankful that I obeyed the Lord’s instructions, which led me to the local mammogram mobile unit in my community and several follow-up appointments (blessing).

I’m ecstatic over these series of events because: 1. I didn’t have an authorized referral to get a mammogram, but God saw fit to give me favor with the nurses and they granted me access to what I needed. 2. Through numerous test and observations, it was concluded that the cancerous cells were confined to one location. 3. I was able to have genetics counseling which paved the way for my daughter and future grandchildren to be aware of any threats. and 4.I’ve learned the value of true friendship. I understand now more than ever why it is important to surround yourself with wise counsel. We all need friends to laugh with but we also need those friends that will cry with us, pray with us, encourage us and hold our hand as we take a walk of faith through a stormy season.

I’m so thankful for the many blessings that God has given me by simply waving his hand in my direction! To God be the Glory!

Peace and Blessings,

SuGa

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Things Remembered

Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV- Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Oftentimes we can be hard on ourselves for bad decisions that we’ve made in our past. If we’re not careful we will allow our entire life to be defined by a few bad choices that we made during a weak season in our life. Maybe it was a bad breakup or a financial investment gone wrong, or maybe something as simple as a lapse in judgment on our part. Those choices can have a profound affect on us and how we conduct our everyday life.

We view some mistakes as being more difficult to bounce back from than others. Sometimes we’re embarrassed and think how could this have happened to me and then there are those other times when we worry about what others will think of us because of our misstep.

In those times I am comforted by verses 13 and 14 in Philippians Chapter 3 because they say so eloquently say the words that I often have trouble reciting. The word makes it clear that we will make mistakes, but it’s how we bounce back after the mistake that will determine our outcome. In those two versus I found three declarations to help get me through the tough times: I don’t understand, I will not forget and I will press on.

File those missteps in your “things remembered file” and press on toward the victory in Jesus Christ. He doesn’t want us to get stuck in our past, we’ve been purposed for greater things ahead.

Peace and Wellness,

SuGa

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Heartbeat

Psalm 126:5 NIV – Those who cry while they plant will joyfully sing while they harvest. The person who goes out weeping, carrying his bag of seed, will come home singing, carrying his bundles of grain.

God has promised to replace our tears with joy and our weeping with singing. Our job is to remain loyal in our obligations. Whatever responsibilities that God has entrusted to us, may we run our race whole-heartedly and never give in to weariness.

Trust and believe that God appreciates our willingness to complete those small tasks. Your current assignment may seem insignificant, but in due time, God will multiply your efforts and your faith will produce a harvest.

It may be rough going for you at the moment and you may feel like your current assignment is lasting a long time, but never has God forsaken those who love him! In fact, the word says that your name is written in the palm of his hand! We are reassured by God’s word that we are the apple of his eye and I firmly believe that he is concerned about every aspect of our lives.

Do you remember in the book of Genesis when God came down from Heaven to see about Adam and he asked that one simple question, “Where are you?”

Answer God and let him know where you are today. Make a decision to dedicate every waking moment of your day to God and watch him move in your life. Whatever concerns you, concerns God.

Personal Reflection:

During my quiet time, when all is still and my mind isn’t racing, I love to sit and listen to the sound of my heart beat… “thump thump”, “thump thump”, “thump thump”. Those thumps are soon replaced with the phrase…”go God”, “go God”, “go God”

Each time I repeat this phrase I am humbled because God loves me so much and I am reminded by every heartbeat that God is always with me, he is always in control and I am reassured in the fact that everything that I am and will ever be is all because of his love for me.

I pray that you find encouragement in each heartbeat.

Much Love,

SuGa
    

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Self Control

Philippians 4:6  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

As children of the Most High God, we belong to a royal priesthood. When you get a taste of royalty it’s easy to want what you want when you want it. Often it becomes hard to wait for things to happen on your behalf or wait for that next turn around blessing to appear.

Philippians 4:6 illustrates a simple blueprint on how we can maintain our self-control about a situation. We have to remain calm, submit to the Lord in prayer, formally submit our request to God and then Thank him in advance for how he chooses to act on our behalf.

The key to maintaining self-control is to understand that nothing is about us and everything is about the will of God being fulfilled.

Whenever we find ourselves feeling anxious, remember that God is well able to provide for all of our needs.

Much Love,

SuGa

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#IfTheySpeakForMe

Remember to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 4th! Let your voice be heard or be prepared to let others speak for you!

Click the link below to watch a video illustration of what it means to allow others to speak on your behalf.

If They Speak For Me

#IfTheySpeakForMe will the issues that are important to me be addressed?

 

Blessings,

SuGa