Reflection

Hello Sweet SisterKeepers and Happy New Year 2019!

This is the time of year when most of us reflect on the past year and set goals for the New Year.

Reflect | re-flect | verb - To think deeply or carefully about.

Reflecting helps us review how well we have done in the previous year - or not. Reviewing our intentions, the paths that we have chosen, the friends we have made, our accomplishments and our failures, all can be a humbling experience. When we reflect on the past year, we should do so with the intent of assessing the effectiveness of our past behavior and making the necessary changes where needed. It is a time to reset. “Out With the Old, In With the New.”

1. Set new goals, perhaps create a vision board, start journaling… Dream Big! The possibilities of this year are endless. Pray and listen for God’s direction. Take a long look with your spiritual eyes, there may be doors that have already been opened that you haven’t noticed.

2. Take a look and recognize what season you are in and pray about what God would have you to give as well as learn while you are here. Once you have clarity on your what, clarify your why (please consult the Holy Spirit on this one). Don’t set limits on yourself or The Father.

3. Chart your course of success and be ready to invest the necessary time in yourself and your task. Celebrate Life this year, the small ones as well as the big ones. Prioritize what really matters, remembering to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing.

This year, my goal is to implement order, create structure, and create boundaries (We will talk later about these). Our Best Life is Right In Front of Us and Our Next Is Now! Sooo, let’s get started! And remember as we journey together, life is only a reflection of what you allow yourself to see!

Luv

Higher Level of Trust

Hello SisterKeepers! Today, God is calling us to a higher level of trust which is based on our faith. Hebrews 11:6 says “But without faith it is impossible to please

God. We must entrust ourselves to God, commit to His plan already in place and put our confidence in Him. Look with me in Numbers 13 where we find the report of the 12 scouts that went out to survey the land. 10 of them were negative because they allowed fear to set in. They gave plenty of reasons for entering the land, but they could not stop focusing on their fears and reported the descendants of Anak were strong giants and their cities were fortified and very large. Verse 33 says, the 10 scouts “saw themselves as grasshoppers in their own sight.” Let me say this woman of God, “fear is an ugly monster.” Fear never wants us to see what God sees in us. Fear never wants us to know our true worth. Philippians 4:13 says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Don't let the spirit of Anak the giant keep you from entering into the promises of God for your life. Every day we are faced with some type of challenge, whether it’s tough situations or difficult people. God promised us in Hebrews 13:5 “to never leave us nor forsake us” and then verse 6 says: We can boldly say: “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

When we have that type of mindset and we trust God at His Word, nothing will be able to stop or hinder us from entering into the promises of God. My SisterKeepers, don't let the difficulties of life blind you from God's power to help you. Have a spiritual mindset like Joshua and Caleb. You can conquer because God is on your side. I love you and have a blessed day.

HE is my Shepherd

I asked the Lord, "What could I say that I might encourage someone today, even myself?" The Holy Spirit dropped in my spirit, Psalms 23, a familiar book, and the first verse which says, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Another translation says it like this, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall have all that I need." If God Jehovah is our Shepherd, as His sheep we must completely depend on the Shepherd for provision, guidance and protection.

If we allow Him to be the Shepherd of our life and if we submit unto Him, He will lead us to the right places and in the right way. God is just that type of Shepherd who will be with us throughout each day.

Like I said, I may not be speaking to everyone today; it might just be one person. But I say to all of us, let’s allow God to be the Shepherd of our life because we are His sheep. As sheep, we need to be led. We need protection. We need provision. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to take us through each and every day. So if you know Him as your Shepherd, follow Him and do what He would have you to do.

I believe this Word is a reminder for someone today who may be down, troubled or may feel as though you're at the end of your rope to be encouraged in spite of whatever you face from day-to-day; that you are not alone. We have a Shepherd that cares about every one of our needs.

I love you and God bless you and please allow Him to be the Shepherd of your life.

In Jesus name! Amen.

-Pastor Chaplain Dover