4 Signs of Growth and Maturity

Everyone at some point decides to make changes in their life for a better life. Here are four signs that let you know you are on the right track.

1. Old issues are no longer an issue.
At one point in your life there were certain situations and people that would get you upset with just a simple thought. These same things no longer get any of your attention or energy today which is a sign that you are, as they say, OVER IT!!

2. Out with the old in with the new
Replacing bad habits with new healthier habits is a major sign of growth. It shows that your emotional and physical well being are important to you. Also that you value peace.

3. Moving forward
Anything from your past that is a horrible reminder of where you came from you make a decision to leave it there, in the past. That includes exes, horrible feelings, bad memories, most likely anything that could hinder your progress with growth. Releasing those things and deciding to not look back is showing that you value yourself enough to let go and keep it moving.

4. Accountibility
This one can be a tricky one at times because people will allow other people to hold them accountable for their past. That is not how this works. You hold yourself accountable for what has happened in your life. Be willing to say yes this is what happened in this area and this is my part in it and be done with it. Admitting and explaining are two different things. You don't owe anybody an explanation for decisions you made in your past. Being able to be accountable frees you from a lot of personal guilt and it helps you move along in your growing process.

If you have any other signs that you are growing and maturing I would love to hear from you. Comment below share with friends let's start talking.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness has always been a touchy subject for me until recently. Someone does something to you and the first response is usually revenge or hold a grudge. Grudges create bitterness and resentment. Both which can lead to unhappiness, depression, confusion, etc.. Some may ask what is the point of forgiveness? Have you ever heard people say you forgive for you not for them? That is very true. There are unanswered prayers and stacked up blessings simply because some of us won't allow ourselves to forgive. We block our own progress, our own freedom, our own blessings when we choose to harbor old feelings and anger. That is not the life God has designed for us to live in hurt and hate. Keeping emotions bottled up because we are afraid of what others may say or think.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.(John 8:36) How can you be completely free when you are still bound mentality? You are holding your mind hostage because you won't go to them and get it right. At times going to the other person is not an option. In that case you have to give it to God and leave it there. Let him mend the hurts. There are things we have to grab hold of and never let go. Like the fact that its not about us but its about Jesus. All hurts were not because of something you did wrong.  There is no hurt that God cannot heal but we have to surrender to Him for that to happen. We can't say, " I give it to you God" on today and pick it right back up tomorrow. When you release it you never return to it. 

This next point is going to set somebody free. Sometimes you have to be okay with the sorry you never got. Forgiveness takes power. You have to put your ego to the side and let God work on your inside. It's not an easy process nor is it an overnight process but it is a rewarding process. Stay in God's presence and He will guide you through.

You're Entitled

You're entitled to live a life free of drama and baggage. You're entitled to have the freedom of self. Most times the rights we fight so hard for are the ones we need to let go of in order to be truly free. Society teaches that we have the right to have low self esteem. That we have the right to feel inferior to everybody else because of facts in history. People teach us that's its okay to harbor hatred in your heart for someone even if all you do know of them is the color of their skin. People teach you that no matter how hard you try there will always be someone waiting to be a stumbling block in your way. The media teaches you that important matters and news are extinct. Instead the latest fashion and dance craze is the norm. You are entitled to feel how you choose about this world and the people in it. While you judge those things please understand complaining never solved a thing. The only one person you have 100% authority over is self and there is plenty you can do about that individual. You are entitled to wake up every morning with a smile on your face and say today I will make a difference in someone's life. You are entitled to go against the statistic that puts you in a failure category. You are entitled to walk in freedom not because a man decided to abolish slavery but because THE MAN came and freed you when HE went to Calvary. You are entitled to pull up your pants and pull down the barriers that have kept so many bound mentally for years. You are entitled to cover up and still feel beautiful. You are entitled to get an education and gain knowledge, to get a better understanding of where you came from in order to gain a sense of direction as to where you are headed. Feel entitled to do better for yourself. You are entitled to have a life that you can be proud of instead of a life that other people say you deserve. They say history will repeat itself if people don't learn about it. Thing is people learn about it but they don't care about it. Value is no longer a thing of the present for most. It's impossible for people to value others if they have yet to place any on themselves. You are entitled to feel valuable and treat yourself as well as others the same way. You are entitled to put down the guns and pick up a book. Let go of the grudges and grab a vision. Strive for change, work towards a change, expect a change...because you are entitled.

Bills over Blessings

I am noticing a big trend in this day and time that is becoming very costly. People are confusing a blessing with a bill. Now you may be asking," What does that mean?". I will tell you. First I want to say the blessings of God are abundant and HE pours them out as HE sees fit. One thing I want to say about a blessing is if God gave it to you HE will bless you with the means to maintain it. Sometimes people come across what looks like a good deal and immediately they say this must be my blessing. That is not always the case. When it's a blessing you don't have to struggle to get, maintain, or keep it.

People get discouraged when they see someone with a new house or a new car. They feel left out or feel like God has overlooked them. That is not always the case either. Pay attention to the struggle that person has in keeping that item. If there is a struggle behind it that was not a blessing from God but rather a bill the created. Keep your head up people of God. What God has in store for you is so far beyond what your imagination can come up with. In due time your abundance will roll in. You won't have to struggle just thank God for it and enjoy it. Let the naysayers keep their bills and you just wait on your blessings! Smooches

How deep does your love go?

It's easy to utter the words I love you, but are you able to show your mate how deep that love flows when the tough times begin to fall on them? Are you able to cover them in prayer when their prayers are silenced by tears? Are you able to comfort them with your presence when your words are not needed? Do you have what it takes to stick it out through those past pains and disappointments? Love doesn't come with a multitude of questions just one; what can I do to help you through this?#EmbraceLove

The Proof is in the Pudding

After going through dead end relationships and heartbreak to which it seems to be no end I had made a decision. That decision being to simply take a break from this cycle that was spinning out of control in my life. I have already done the broken promises and the good talk game. I was fed up with the imposters of love. I had too many tears filling my eyes to see the real thing. One day after analyzing the many wounds and scars that have made a home in my heart I was approached by this man. My first thoughts were, "Here we go again, another empty dream or broken promise." He said, "I want the chance to be number one in your life. To give you everything you need and some. I want the opportunity to love you unconditionally and give you a lifetime commitment." With tears in my eyes I said firmly, "I heard it all before, what makes you different and why me?" Then he whispered in my ear,"Because I love you." So I whispered back in his ear," PROVE IT!" He then opened his hands towards me and as I saw the nail prints in his hands he looked at me and smiled and said,"THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING."

By Lady A

Table for 3?

Haters, Haters, Haters!!!!!! That’s all you hear these days. The bible speaks about having enemies but our modern day term for it is haters. There is always the question why. Why do the haters hate? Why don’t they like me? Why won’t they just mind their business and leave me alone. The answer is simple…it’s their job! That’s what haters do. You can’t get upset because they are doing their job just make sure you are doing yours by staying in the Word and in prayer. Instead of telling the “haters” to leave and get out of your face, tell them to pull up a chair. They have received an invitation to be at the feast with me and Jesus. Notice I said be at the feast, I never said they would be eating! The bible says(Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies~ Psalms 23:5). Which lets me know when God gets ready to bless me for real or HE begins to make manifest in my life those things HE promised, HE wants my enemies to be present. HE wants to enlarge my territory while they are watching. So they can see for themselves that God is God all by himself and anything HE says can and will come to past. So stop getting bent out of shape when the “hater” comes around. They are just fulfilling the prophecy that God has already given to you through HIS word…check please!!! :)

PRIORITIZE

The meaning of prioritize is to put things in order of importance. At times people wonder why things are not going according to plan or things are not falling in line like you need them to. 99% of the blame gets put on the devil. If we are truthful with self we would realize that at least half if not over half of our unwanted outcomes are simply because of improper prioritizing. I have goals, dreams, and a certain direction for my life. In order to accomplish these things, I have to prioritize and tailor my life to fit the direction I want to go. That means some friends have to be removed, some habits formed have to be changed, my mental state has to be adjusted to think and see myself how I want to be.( For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:~Proverbs 23:7). Yes making these changes are going to be hard and painful in some instances but in the end it will be worth the wait. No matter what is on your list of priorities make sure you put God first on the list. (:

The Marriage

I am married to God and because I'm not perfect our marriage will always be a work in progress. The beauty of being married to Him is that He always looks beyond my faults. He loves me enough to fulfill my needs every time. He knows all of my downfalls and He still gave me the chance to take on His name. Because of these things and sooooo much more I will always remain faithful to Him.

Signed,

A happily married woman

Disabled Ministries

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.(2Chronicles 7:14)

It's difficult for a person to work with broken hands. In most cases it is impossible to do so, just like it is difficult for someone who is broken on the inside to operate effectively in the body of Christ. Leaders need to pay attention to their flock because people are getting saved but not delivered and healed. These are the same people who are working in the ministry broken. Sometimes they  are the ones who are laying hands on the sick, and having most interaction with the flock. This is why when they lay hands on the sick they don't recover or  when they pray for someone or witness; the person remains in bondage because they lack the deliverance that frees them from the strong holds. This is a major cause as to why their ministries are not as effective as it should be, could be, and would be.

God already knew there would be times of hurt and pain for his people but it was never intended for us to stay there. Majority of believers remain in bondage out of fear of rejection and not wanting to be looked down upon because of the "Ive been saved all my life Christian and I have never done anything wrong" saints. This mentality will destroy a ministry because its the testimonies of the saints and how they got over is what helps,heals, encourages those who are going through the valley experience.

It's time to revive the disabled ministries and until we do so there will always remain a struggle with progress within that ministry.

Change

I believe everyone reaches a point in their life where they want different things and better things for themselves. In order to achieve these things a change has to take place. Whether the change comes in the form of a job, your appearance, or even the people around you. We hate to say goodbye to things and people because we get caught up and use to having them around that we expect them to be there always. Sometimes in order to get to your next journey you have to pack lightly. You cannot carry all the baggage into your new journey that you had on your last trip. You have to rid yourself of past hurts, aches, pains, people. People can and will be your biggest hindrance if you let them be. Some just cannot accept the fact that you want more for yourself and they honestly want to see you fail. I say to you now BUNK ‘EM. Just do you.

Overflow and Praise

This afternoon I was taking a nap and I had interrupted my nap because in my dream I was constantly receiving an overflow of money from everywhere. It seemed everywhere I turned blessings were being thrown my direction. So much to the point that I was running out of room to put all that I was being given. When I woke up the scripture came to me;
(Malachi 3:10)
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Immediately I went into praise because there were somethings I went to God about a long time ago and that dream was confirmation for me. What I received from that dream was the word PROSPERITY. Most ppl when they hear the word prosper money is the first thing to come to mind. Not too worried about the finances because the Word lets me know if I seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness then all these shall be added unto me. But I took that dream as God was getting ready to pour a prosperity blessing upon my life. My anointing, my prayer life, my career, my children, my position in him...all of it is about to be elevated. I usually don't share my dreams but this time I was led to because there are some who have prayed for things(doesn't have to be materialistic)and it is because of your faithfulness over the little things that God is going to make you a ruler over many. When these things come to past you are not to look back but go forth as thus saith the Lord and be a blessing to others. Just because certain doors didn't open that you felt should have been opened does not mean it's over for you. Remain faithful until your change comes. At times people get so close to the promises of God and they lose out because they feel the praise comes after the blessing is received. The praise begins before,during, and after the blessing. A Persistent Praise Provokes a Power Shift! Your breakthrough, deliverance, healing, blessing,etc. begins when you open your mouth.While you are waiting for your door to open praise Him in the hallway:) Praise your way right on into your next level. Be blessed

Accepting What God Allows

Often times when things come our way most of us have a habit of asking why me Lord? After a serious conversation with a trusted friend God sent a serious word to me that I wasn't expecting. It's not for me to know why. There is a reason and a purpose for everything. Too many times we lose out or miss out on the things that are intended for us simply because we haven't learned how to accept what HE allows. We get so caught up in the routine of life and so use to doing it and fixing it ourselves. God is sitting there waiting on you to stop playing his role so he can do his job. Once we finally get to that place where we can put self and pride on the shelf then that's when true healing and deliverance can take place. Healing from all past hurts and deliverance from any thing that has you bound. For me my biggest issue all this time has been self. Not willing to admit that I have faults and that I come short. Certain situations arise and I have to surrender to his will even when I don't want to because he always knows what is best in my life. I have to allow self to die daily so that he may live within me eternally.

Reflection on the past year of my life

I am a lot wiser than I was, definitely learned a lot about myself and those around me who claim to be for me. Quite a few lessons I learned. Always treat people how you want to be treated no matter how they are towards you. Honesty is so important and no matter what be real with yourself and the people you love. In order to experience the sunshine you have to go through a couple of storms. God is always in control and he will keep you if you want to be kept. If God gives you a ministry work it to your fullest ability and he will back you up. Step out on faith and go for what you want in life. Don't complain about what you don't have but thank God for what you do have. Don't be so quick to throw in the towel because to whom much is given much is required. One of my favs is I am who God says I am and there is nothing "man" can do to change that. There is so much more I could say but it is a note lol so I will leave it at that. Love you guys and as my man Steve Harvey says,"Don't be afraid to pray cause prayer changes things."

Dont let it be said too late

For every female who’s ever been in an abusive situation pay close attention to this:

Looking in the mirror and what do I see an unrecognizable face looking back at me. Broken bones frame my face. Bumps and bruises all over the place. Trying to figure out where it all went wrong. Was it the time he put me through a wall or slap me cause I was on the phone. Maybe it was putting the kids first that made his anger burst. As my blood trails the walls and floors fist holes in almost every door I think to my self how could this be I’m dying inside and I feel so empty. When he pulls up and the door opens I wipe my eyes quickly and get the last tear in. My outer shell putting on being as fake as a front lace all the while remembering the look on my kids face. As he drags me through the house, throws me on the couch, busts my lip cause he thinks another man is what I been with. As dinner is going okay I asked him how was your day immediately I became the prey hoping God let’s me see another day. Punch after punch hit after hit his voice says get back here you think you slick. Now I know you’re wondering why I allow him to control me . 10 yrs 3 kids I’m in this too deep. Don’t worry I got a plan though just as soon as he lets me go. I have some money put away that I was saving for a rainy day. I will take the car and leave even though its hard for you to believe. As so many thoughts run through my mind can’t help but wonder will this be the last time. Suddenly the hits stop coming but then he starts running. My body seems to be falling, on Jesus I am calling. But at last its too late I finally face my fate. Guess you are wondering what happened to me. Let me try to paint the picture clearly. I no longer have to think outside the box because now I live in one. I died that night at the hands of an abusive man. So when u feel you’re too scared to leave remember my voice saying YOU CAN.

YOUR SEASON IS COMING

IN TODAY'S WORLD THINGS SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT THE BLINK OF AN EYE. EVERYTHING IS A SPLIT DECISION. BECAUSE OF THIS WE TEND TO MAKE THE WRONG CHOICES. OR WE MAKE CHOICES BASED ON WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS THE VOICE OF GOD AND LATER ON WE FIND OUT DIFFERENT. LATELY EVERYONE IS IN A RUSH ALL THE TIME. IN A RUSH TO GET TO WORK, GET HOME, GET PROMOTED, GO TO BED, WAKE UP, TAKE THIS POSITION , TO PREACH, SING, ETC. CONSTANTLY MAKING DECISIONS BUT NO ONE IS LISTENING FOR THE VOICE OF GOD. THE STEPS OF A GOOD MAN ARE ORDERED BY THE LORD. THAT GOES FOR MEN AND WOMEN. GOD IS NOT GOING TO LEAD YOU ASTRAY OR HE'S NOT MOVING TOO SLOW AS SOME MAY FEEL. HE HAS DESIGNED IT SO EVERYTHING HAPPENS AT IT'S RIGHT TIME. BLESSINGS COME WHEN HE'S READY FOR THEM TO COME. YOU SHALL REAP IN DUE SEASON IF YOU FAINT NOT. WAIT ON THE LORD YOUR SEASON IS COMING.

Relationships from my view

In a recent quest for answers to several questions running through my head I managed to uncover some serious but real talk concerning relationships. Everyone has their own take on men/women based on their experiences with them. Which means I have one as well. Let me just clear this myth up right quick for all those who think there are no "good ones" left. There is someone out there for you!!!!!!!! Now back to my take on men/women. As far as women go I believe every woman wants love and to be loved. Every woman desires the wonderful family life at some point in their life. Women are emotional creatures so everything they do is based on emotions and how they feel at that particular time. Emotions can be a dangerous thing to a woman if not handled correctly because she can take it to different levels. Just because a woman wants a man does not mean that she needs him. As a woman we want a lot of things but that in no way means we need them. Women were not created to be needy ppl but needed ppl. Some where along the way women have lost sight of their true worth and began to settle for less than they are ought to. In due time all women will wake up again to see the beauty that lies with in and walk in it again. When it comes to men I think all men are not dogs. Most men have developed a selfish attitude towards women based on things they went through. I think for both sexes it has to come to a point where we both stop talking so much and start listening a little bit more. Relationships would last a little bit more and have more substance if we put in time, put in love, respect, honesty, trust, commitment, and God. We have allowed people's views and opinions to form our belief about each other. Those days when men open doors, pull out seats, take the check, hold down the bills, romance the lady, etc. are diminishing at a high rate of speed. It's becoming more accepted because women allow it to be so. A man is not going to know what a women likes and how unless she communicates. A woman is not going to know how and what a man wants unless he communicates. Everybody is busy communicating with everybody else except the one you are involved with. I believe there can still be solid relationships if we seek the kingdom of God first and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.