Tag Archives: Encouragement

Put On The Shield

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by Suni Bradford

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Do you feel small and beaten down?  We all do at times but we don’t have to continually stay in this state. Life can sometimes feel completely overwhelming, like we are being attacked from all sides. It may feel like we have no control over anything. Circumstances such as losing your job, a spouse, the car breaks down, the kids off the hook rebellious, on and on…

Life is life. Things are going to be challenging. We can learn to stand strong, chest out against the enemy’s ploys to divert us from the truth. The truth of Jesus Christ our Savior. The plan of the enemy is to destroy us. Oh ladies, God’s great (Predestined) plan for our lives is far beyond satan’s ability to destroy it. He is tenacious. He is a liar. He wants to win and the crazy thing is, he actually thinks he can be greater then God. This is never a fight he will win. Our God is greater. Unfortunately, we sometimes let him win in many areas of our lives. We can unintentionally let him in by not protecting ourselves. I have let him into my life in many areas such as when battling with self esteem, self control (food & unwholesome talk), patience.  The lies he tells us are subtle, examples being; you can’t possibly think you could get that job or you’ll never be able to quit cursing, that’s just who you are.  Not true.

The truth is that we have an abundance of protection available to us.We serve a great God. Not a God of  condemnation but of love for His children.  He lifts us up to higher standards, one’s of goodness and peace. He is our greatest cheerleader. He created us and knows what we are capable of.  These truths can be known and lived by looking to what God’s Word tells us about Himself and what we are in Him. When we are doing what we know to be right (walking in obedience to God’s teachings) we are being protected.  When we are not, is when satan sneaks in.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) .”

We must stand on God’s word. He is our shield.  The last portion of Joshua 1:9 is a word to hold onto. “For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

So grab your shield, study it and live in a new way.

Love ya Sisters,
Suni

Inspired by a High School Student

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by guest blogger Nicole Banks

My name is Nicole Banks and I am a senior at Bella Vista High School. We have a Christian club called Revive at school and we meet every Tuesday at lunch. As one of the four leaders of the club it was my turn to speak in our group. I knew exactly what I wanted to talk about. Over the summer, the verse Hebrews 13:5 really impacted me. My youth pastor had shown me this verse and it is forever in my heart. I felt that this verse could help others the way it had helped me. When it came to speak I was ready and so excited to hopefully relieve someone else of the struggles that God had taken from me.

Tuesday, at lunch God stood beside me as I spoke of his love. The verse Hebrews 13:5 was such a powerful verse but I had never acknowledged its importance. I heard it so many times but until it was applied to my life I didn’t appreciate its peace. Hebrews 13:5 says “I will never leave you or forsake you.” I have struggles with something my entire life that I know a lot of other people do to…That feeling of being alone.

Things in life that happen to us make these feelings more prominent. Many people struggle with this. Life throws us down constantly and most of us just take it. Things like: stress, guilt, lost relationships, illnesses, death of a loved one and much more can sometimes make us feel alone in this world. BUT WE ARE NOT. When you are in that moment, where it feels like no one is around to hear you out. That fear of rejection or judgment. Like no one cares… We couldn’t be more wrong. God cares and He’s listening without judgment. God has our backs, he has your back.

We question if this is true when we physically can’t see Him. Just because we can’t see Him doesn’t mean he isn’t putting his arm around your shoulder and holding your hand through it all. And when we feel alone, we like to feed that sadness. You know what I mean. Listening to that beyond depressing song, watching that heartbreaking movie, isolating ourselves from everyone else, or even surrounding ourselves with people we know will disappoint us. When we are at THAT breaking point because everything in our day just went wrong… you were late to school or work and someone was rude to you. You failed that test you stayed up all night studying for. Someone shoved by you in the hallway and you just kept moving forward. When you got home it wasn’t an oasis because your family was at war with each other or there’s financial problems you can’t solve. And you just can’t seem to find peace and you feel alone. In this moment you pray. God is listening and He is begging you to just TRUST in Him, so that He can grant you that peace and take those hurtful feelings away.

We feel alone sometimes and this affects us in such a harsh way. But none of us deserve that feeling. God is standing by your side waiting for your call…He has no judgment and He loves you so much. Hebrews 13:5 is God saying “I will never leave you or forsake you…” He is telling you; I will never leave your side, I am here. Through it all. I will never forget about you and I will always love you.

Brilliant Living

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by Jenene Stafford

Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life. As Christians we follow Jesus. He is our compass and without Him we can easily lose our way. With Him, He kindly reminds us that we can live life with God at the core of our heart. The world is full of busyness and distraction, but He brings peace in the midst of chaos. So many people are desperate for someone to save them from themselves. To save them from a life off track. From depression. From sickness. From loneliness. From addiction. From what we call everyday life. I’m one of those people. I need a God that is alive. Powerful. Brilliant. Merciful. Graceful. Precious. He is that and so much more. He is the gift that keeps on giving. He says, “Try me and see if I will not prove myself to you.” As women who need Him and makes no bones about it, we are faithful servants to people everywhere who are desperate and in need. We share the light and love of Jesus Christ. We are called to heal the broken and reach the lost. Through the miraculous power of God working through us we can do the impossible. We will strive to reach the world through the talents God has given us. With grace we love and accept people in the world. We encourage the family of Christ to take what was said in Matthew 5:14 seriously and live brilliantly today!

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Lady Warrior Is Called to Fight

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by Jenene Stafford

About a year ago, the Lord began to give me small glimpses into the future of my life’s work and ministry. A year later I realize the Lord has literally dropped into my path extraordinary trials, unreliable people, overwhelming circumstances and unfamiliar territories to get me back on His path, rather than my own.

Does that sound strange or familiar?

Why would our God make the maze of life and ministry so incredibly challenging?

It can only be the wisdom of God who would train his disciples for life in this way. Would we continue to keep our eyes focused on Him when everything seems to be coming against us, even our closest and most intimate human relationships?

The answer is “yes”. We will continue the journey.

That is not to say that our eyes have not been muddied with the mud that has been slung and with it has come moments of unclear vision.

When I started this website, I knew the Live Brilliantly Today! slogan was absolutely divinely appointed. I have asked the Lord over and over to show me as plainly as possible exactly what this message of living brilliantly today meant and what the vision for this site would be.

God simply giving me the answer would have been too easy and not nearly as transformative as the path of “experiencing” the meaning and the preparation for myself.

The message of live brilliantly today is now beginning to live inside our (Cindy, Suni and I, Jenene) existence and we are experiencing the deeper secrets of its meaning.

The meaning is multi-faceted and full of spiritual and intellectual intrigue. What started as a spiritual journey, became a mental conquest to get it right and now I believe we have come full circle to realize the meaning is a combination of spiritual and intellectual pursuit.

That enlightenment in itself is an epiphany and just like God, it is brilliant because it is from God. It would have not been the same if we (Cindy, Suni and I, Jenene) had not been surviving and fighting so relentlessly to see women healed and how we play a part in that.

To realize that at the core of the Christian woman’s life must be the understanding that we are to stand and be strong in the power of His might, not our own might. In so doing, we release ourself from our own inadequate human strength and rely fully on the power and strength of the Spirit of the Almighty God.

During this journey of transformation, we have felt and learned the balance between humility and confidence, remaining confident in the ministry we are called to and humbled by our own new found inabilities.

Therefore, it is all I can do, to not scream from the rooftops what we’ve known all along, but seem to have had moments of forgetting along the journey. I believe you will be able to relate. Found in Matthew 6:33-34 Seek (aim at and strive after) first the Kingdom of God, (His way of doing and being right) and His righteousness and then all these things you need for your ministry shall be provided to you. (I added a couple of my own words there.)

Often we leave out Matthew 6:34, but the context is incomplete without it.

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

I used the King James version in verse 34 because I believe it is the most accurate in its description of portraying the evil that exists in each day. Iin spite of it the Lord will provide all that we need to accomplish His plan for our lives.

This brings me to another foundational teaching for living as a warrior for Christ and letting His light brilliantly shine through our lives.

Arguably the Apostle Paul being the most brilliant, passionate and scholar minded of the apostles beautifully uses the metaphor of the Armor of God to describe our walk as dedicated and fully committed followers of Christ. Even to the point of recognizing and describing that our walk is in fact, a battle and our identity is that of a warrior. If our identity is in Christ, then Jesus himself was also a warrior. He was a warrior for the Father’s purpose for His life. He did his Father’s will. He came, fulfilled his ministry and went home to be with the Father, and continues to intercede on our behalf. I look forward to that journey myself.

I’ve been a Christian most of my life and I had been very familiar during my life’s journey with many pieces of the armor. But, the Lord has revealed to me lately that there were some pieces missing. It’s almost as if the Apostle Paul knew that would be the case as the Holy Spirit emphasized our need to put on ALL God’s armor in order to stand against all the deceits of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-17

Amplified Bible (AMP)

10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude (righteousness) and right standing with God,

15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the Good News] of the Gospel of peace.

16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

What pieces can you see are missing for yourself?

To revisit where this all began . . .

And so my mind began on a journey of uncovering why the word brilliant? I immediately thought, the brilliance is the light of Christ and we must live with Him at the core of the Christian’s life.

I denied that “brilliance” had anything to do with intelligence. My own Father, as far as I know was one of the most intelligent brilliant minds, unable to access Christ in his thinking, but went from being an atheist to believing in God. I stopped giving any credibility to the intellectual because I saw that it couldn’t save the spirit of my Father. He spent his entire life consumed and obsessed with learning. He said he was unable to pray or meditate because he was unable to “stop thinking”. Truth be told, I have his genes and my mind is challenged to sleep. But, the greater truth is Jesus was brilliant in every sense of the word. I will not know until I get to heaven if my human Father was ever able to find Jesus in his spirit, regardless of his overly thinking mind.

Jesus, however, was truly brilliant and He had to be able to defend the gospel and have conversations that were relevant to the people He was called to minister to. Why would it be any different for us?

He had a ministry. His ministry lasted 3 years. His life, however, was spent in preparation. In that preparation He learned the art of what we now refer to as Christian apologetics. He knew the religious, philosophical, and political arguments of the day, as well as the culture as it related to the religious practices.

In order to live brilliantly today! as Christian women leaders we must be prepared as God calls us individually and uniquely to share The Secret of Jesus to those people He will put on our path.

On my journey the Lord has put many groups of people on my path, coaches, healers, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindus who tend to overall share a common thread in this country. Although each religion is distinctly unique and different, the commonality is the pantheistic point of view that is prevalent more in America. Or a more commonly used term heard in America these days is “All roads lead to God”. (The dictionary definition is below.)

What may come to many of you as a surprise that many Christians have fallen into the American Way trap. The spiritual movement occurring in recent years in America is one that is of Western materialism blended with Eastern mysticism. It is what Ravi Zacharius refers to as The New Spirituality in his book called “Why Jesus”. Even Christians fall into this trap of a blend referred to as Weastern Spirituality.

pan·the·ism

[pan-thee-iz-uhm]

noun

1. the doctrine that God is the transcendent reality of which the material universe and human beings are only manifestations: it involves a denial of God’s personality and expresses a tendency to identify God and nature.

But, I’m not going to go into this right now. However, I highly recommend this divinely inspired masterpiece of a book. (my opinion).

I share that information with you so that you can see that our journey to see women healed and the lost be found is at our deepest core ministry purpose. The way to sharing the brilliance of a life in Christ is to begin to live brilliantly ourselves. That message is for all women leaders who are seeking God wholeheartedly in the pursuit of His divine purpose.

Sometimes we have to get lost a few times to discover that we have seen this scenery before. Along the journey we may lose ourselves and tire, but in the process we find the Lord.

The Lord has called us to reach many with the One. Soon, this site will transform into all that Christ desires for it to be. We are working on getting out of His way.

 

Don’t Be Discouraged

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This morning I knew I needed to blog, but my mind and heart are discouraged right now and I know I’m not on this particular journey alone.

Someone else needs to read this.

My insides are being turned inside out on this journey to become the woman God can use for this ministry. Do you know that sometimes the Lord calls us to lead even if we DON’T FEEL LIKE IT.

Have you ever felt like you’re walking around with a blindfold on and God’s just directing you here and there and everywhere. Yet you know there’s something beautiful on the other side.

A promise.

A vision.

A purpose.

I want to give up today. I want to throw in the towel. I want to say “I gave it my best shot”.

Then I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone, like I’ve been here before. I recognize this scenery, but yet I always feel surprised that I’m here again.

That place of being UNABLE.

That place of I CAN’T DO IT!

Then I realize the Lord needs me right where I am. He needs to break me of thinking I can do this. He needs me to realize that all I have to do is be willing so HE can do the work and He can get the glory.

I looked up discouraged online and this story below of the Lord directing Joshua to get off his rear end (my words) after Moses had died.

It wasn’t an accident this scripture was divinely handed to me on a silver platter at my point of being totally distraught.

I hope you are encouraged to KEEP GOING if the Lord has given you a vision for His plan for your life or your ministry.

Joshua 1:1-9 (Message)

After the death of Moses the servant of GOD, GOD spoke to Joshua, Moses’ assistant: “Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I’m giving to the People of Israel. I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. GOD, your God, is with you every step you take.”

Find You On My Knees

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by Jenene Stafford

I felt like I hit rock bottom this morning in my journey to find God’s purpose.

How could it possibly be fulfilled in the midst of the challenges of my life? I am apparently lacking faith in this very annoying and hormonal season of life. Yuck!

Sometimes God is very direct, but vague. I am constantly left with more questions. I despise my “control freak” limitations. I imagine myself annoyingly saying to God, “Could you give me a little more to go on please?”

God, being the gracious God He is gave me an answer this morning.

But, the answer didn’t look the way I thought it would look. It was more like, “No, I’m not going to give you a little more to go on so get over yourself, I have everything under control.”

Notice, He said, I have everything under control, implying that I don’t. That’s not too hard to figure out! I cannot believe what a failure He is having me be. It’s been said that most people fear success. Not me, I fear failure. In fact, I downright hate it. Basically my personality is being destroyed in the midst of it.

Imagine that! God is changing my natural personality. Transformation is painful. Now I have to trust that something beautiful is going to come out on the other side. Right now it feels ugly.

I just want to say, “God, if you tell me what the point is, it would move things along a little faster.” See, I even want to tell God how to do His job.

I didn’t realize it, but my focus gets off of God sometimes during the journey of discovering what’s next. My determination can become to find the answers to all of my questions instead of the desire of my heart being to know God’s will for today.

I hope you get a good laugh at this and I’m sure some of you ladies can totally relate. The journey is seriously challenging and the answers are found on our knees. We have to hold on to His Word and forget all that comes against His plan, including our own voice and our own plans.

Jer. 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The Beginning of Suni’s Story

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by Suni Bradford

I was becoming the “class clown”.  I’m not sure exactly how the need to be the center of attention developed. I guess it was the need for acceptance or a protection mechanism of some sort.

How could my self esteem be damaged so young?

I grew up in a household where I felt very loved. I felt special, adorable and happy from what I remember.  However, I have a huge amount of lost memories. I realized the loss when looking through photographs.  Like the memory of fun in the wading pool with my neighbor Ronnie. I was wearing my favorite ruffled yellow and white two piece bathing suit.  I just cannot recall anything.  I am not sure what that means.

Many have said, this must means your mind has blocked out painful memories.  This may be true but I cannot work with nothing. I believe God will reveal things to me as I am ready to handle them.  Admittedly, I feel like I want to crack the nut so to speak.  In some way I believe not knowing is holding me back.  This makes me sad that I can not remember.

I love so many of my memories and I am also hurt by some. Of course, life wasn’t all roses and I was by no means the perfect kid.  Perhaps my self esteem was broken as far back as grammar school. We are fragile and soak everything up like sponges. We become developed by what others tell us we are.  We are also shaped by non verbal or physical communication.

Look at my experience and see if you can relate.

I had a kindergarten teacher that looked like Mrs. Clause, I thought she was the most beautiful woman ever.  She treated me with love and taught me through that love that I was valuable.  Other teachers as I moved through grammar school had different impacts, some positive some negative.

One teacher thought that I had special powers and was teaching me things like bending spoons with my mind.  That freaked my mom out, she got that taken care of right away.  Again, I felt special as strange as the experience was.

Another teacher did the complete opposite. I have told this story often because of the example of the impact others have on us.  My math teacher was consistently telling me how stupid I was.  I’m not sure how or why this started.  I don’t remember how I felt when he spoke to me that way.  What I do know now is that shaped how I saw myself.  I started becoming more of a goof ball. Kids thought I was funny.

Unconsciously I started moving towards humor.  It felt good compared to hurt or not good enough.  Denial began young.  Why hurt when you can ignore it and laugh instead?  It amazes me how we have these protection mechanisms that appear to be built in and kick in at such young ages.

I avoided things (and still do) that might make me look or feel stupid. It took me going to an algebra class in college and a teacher telling me I was smart and to quit making it so hard, to begin to heal that hurt child.

Today, I have compassion for these people that influenced my development and know that they were and maybe still are hurt people.  Hurt people hurt people.

I am so blessed to have a great God that has pulled on my heart to be an encourager rather than a hurter.  Stay tuned for part II-High School. I will reveal more of “My Story” in my blogs to come.

Love & hope of greatness for you. Suni

I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Let Your Light Shine

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by Jenene Stafford

Yesterday I was watching a video from a well known female coach. In her training video, she said “Please don’t take a offense to what I’m about to say, but if one more woman says she wants to be a light, I think I might scream. What does than mean anyway?”

It got under my skin.

But, I got her point and it was well taken.

So many women talk about being a light and letting their light shine, it’s sounding over-used.

Perhaps it leaves people feeling good, but it needs to be followed up with what it means.

The world is becoming more “spiritual” and letting their light shine so how do we set ourselves apart as Christians?

“You are a light of the world- like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

One thing for sure, Jesus made a declaration!

He didn’t say I think you should be a light, He said, “You are a light.”

So be encouraged! He was letting us know that being a light is a position of authority and favor. This is what it boils down to for me:

  • We bring light to all the platforms God makes available to us
  • We impact the world through good deeds
  • We glorify the Father in Heaven by being recognized for good deeds
  • No one will know you credit your successes back to the Father unless you verbally give Him the credit as someone following His example
  • (Matthew 5:17-20) In context, you better make sure you’re living righteously and not just trying to look good, but keep your heart and motives pure (unlike the teachers of religious law and Pharisees.)

Live Brilliantly Today!

Jenene

Now That’s Good News

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by Suni Bradford

I recently attended a festival that was designed to share with people the truth and love of our Savior. The message of His desire to have a personal relationship with us.  I wondered how many had heard the message of hope before.  Perhaps, they hadn’t felt the call or perhaps before they never responded. They may have been embarrassed and still others felt the strongest most overwhelming call of their lives.  They felt it emotionally as well as the physical pull from God.  The message which said, “I am love, come to me”. I remember that feeling very clearly when the Holy Spirit first spoke to me.

I got to experience a daughter, who was already a believer see her father come to Christ. She shined as you could see the joy radiating from her.  I had to ask them if I could take a picture of them.  I used her camera so she could see and remember this very special day.  Incredible.

The unselfishness and sincere desire to share the love, hope and life we all can have in Jesus Christ was beautiful.  From the great man that had vision, to the performers along with all of the many people that volunteered and served in one form or another to make this life changing event happen.

As I watched and listened to all the chattering of excitement, laughter, singing to praise music and the fabulous smell of kettle corn, I felt such joy and so blessed to be part of this great family. The whole experience was a reaffirming of His greatness. I could feel the energy in the air by the lives given over to the amazing God and by the reviving of a believer’s faith.  The wave that rolls out around all involved can be an accepted and welcomed drenching. Or it can feel like you’re on an abandoned ship.  Jesus stilled the waters before and He’ll still them again.  Fortunately, we may be attacked for our choice to change and live a different life.  It may make friends or family members uncomfortable as they do not understand this “God” we have found.  It takes great courage and I can guarantee that this new life is worth the risk.  So, be brave little engines and live boldly today.

The saying be brave little engines come from a cartoon called Thomas (the tank engine) and the toy workshops, theme song.  The first verses goes like this.  There are times to be brave and times to be strong, when you are lost and all alone.  You might be somewhere strange and dark, but long to be safe at home.

I think that the people that have accepted Christ, were being very brave and strong as they felt lost and alone and they heard God.  Even if they were in a huge crowd they heard His call. When we feel we are in a dark place, God offers us a safe home and He is always there waiting with open arms.  Now that’s good news.Congratulation and welcome to our family.

So again,  be brave little engines and live boldly today.

Love to all,  Suni

Choose to Do God Things, Not Good Things

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by Jenene Stafford

Hi Ladies,

Today Suni and I were having a conversation and as I was giving her a little personal coaching, this divine moment showed up and this statement flew out of my mouth.

I said, “Suni, you can spend your life doing good things or you can spend your life doing God things. It’s your choice.”  Suni was so excited, she said, you’ve got to create an ebook or product with that title.

Needless to say, I give God all the credit because He inspired the thought. Anyway, she left a few minutes later and I spontaneously created this video.

Since I know that all of us in our heart of hearts want to live our divine purpose and walk the God-inspired path for our life, I put this video together to help.  I pray it will inspire you to have a breakthrough in the area of purpose.