Are You a Pleasing Aroma?

Good morning y'all! It's Monday again! Glory be to God for a new day and a new week! Let me just get to it, when was the last time you check the scent of your life? Is a pleasing aroma before God? If you search the word "aroma" in the Bible you will see a lot of Old Testaments verses  that talks about how the sacrifices offered to God in those times were a special gift, a pleasing aroma. Today, God isn't looking for sacrifices of animals, grains, incenses or oils. He is looking for self-sacrifice from those who follow Him. Our lives should mimic the life of Christ Jesus. We are to love others as we love ourselves. We are to forgive each other of our faults. We are to be a living sacrifice because Christ sacrificed His life for us. Do you have a willing heart? Are you desiring to be that special gift, a pleasing aroma unto God? Sacrifice of self is the answer! Be a living sacrifice, give your entire life to Christ Jesus, who was the first human sacrifice to please God!

Simply Prayer: Father God, in Your power and might, show me and help me to be a living sacrifice, living a life filled with love and following the example of Jesus; who loved me and offered Himself as a sacrifice for me, a pleasing aroma to God. Glory and honor is Yours as You deserve it. I pray this pray in Christ Jesus name. Amen.

One Love,

Valerie

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God's Plans are Fail Proof

Have you ever made plans to do something or go somewhere and end up not doing it or not going? Yes, we can make plans all day long to do what pleases us. We can make plans to hang out with some friends or family but then we end up having car trouble. Or maybe we have planned to take a trip, then something else comes up and we have to cancel our trip. It seems that our plans have the ability to fail.

However, when we consult God about his plans for our lives we find that those plans always come to pass. Because the word of God says in Isaiah 55:11, "So shall My word be that goes forth from my mouth, it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." Over the past several years, I have heard Minister Coriya Falker say many times and learned from my experiences that my plans may fail but God's plans are fail-proof. There's nothing He has spoken that has not occurred from the beginning of time God has spoken and that which He spoke came to be. So I'm leaning on God to lead me. I can't lose with God's plan!

One Love,

Valerie

"No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began." 1 Corinthians 2:7 NLT

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#YourSpiritualTea #GodsPlansareFailProof #GodLead #GodsPromises #GodPromised 


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Half Obedience is Disobedience

Hello everyone, it's a great day to be obedient! LOL I just had to share this one with you all.

Do you recall growing up that your parents asked you to do something and you almost finished it? Like clean your room and you throw all of the trash under the bed just so you can go outside. Maybe I am the only one who half did what was asked of me by my parents. Okay, not all of the times but there were some.

Well, some of us are that way with God. When the Holy Spirit gives us a word of instructions from God, we may hear all of what was said or some of what God instructed. Oh but don't think for a moment that we are along in this. King Saul was instructed to kill all of the Amalekites; not one was to remain alive. This was a promise God made to Moses because of the way the Amalekites treated the children of Israel. However we see in 1 Samuel 15, when the time came Saul only half obeyed the word of God. He allowed King Agag to live and his men brought back plunder. As a result, God rejected the very man He made king. Saul thought he had done what he was instructed to do, but half obedience is disobedience in God's eye. In the same chapter, we see what Samuel said to Saul. "Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." (Verse 22)

This past weekend I realized that I half way obeyed what God had asked of me. Earlier this year while fasting, the Holy Spirit told me to cancel all of my traveling plans. I assumed only those that I had for myself. Unbeknownst to me, God meant all of them. As my luck would have it, my grandson and nephew missed their first cruise. I truly believe everything happens for a reason and this trip should have been canceled as well. B.U.T. (but understand this), even though I was disobedience, God still answered my prayers. They were still able to have an awesome time. I repented for my sin of disobedience and the favor of God showed up! Lesson learned is never assume you know or understand what God is asking you to do. Always confirm with Him first. His plans or thoughts are way beyond ours!

Now, go be obedient to the word of God! Have an awesome day!!

One Love,

Valerie 

Check rates & book your own vacation by clicking here. You can also call Champion Travel Escapes directly at 678-949-1416. 

Smudging, Biblical or Not?

Pic courtesy of Smudging-101

Good day! I often hear people burning incense or sage, walking through their homes with the hope and purpose of cleaning or getting rid of evil spirits or negative energy. Sage burning or smudging, as it is also called, is defined as a ritual used to cleanse a space or environment from negative energy, generate wisdom and clarity, and promote healing. Some people even smudge their bodies.

There is no sin in burning incense or sage or any other herb or spices. As a matter of fact, the Levites burned oils and incense at the alter of God, giving the Lord a sweet aroma. "And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take there out his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord:" Leviticus 2:2 KJV. However, there is no scripture proof that sage or smudging performs the things one has belief it does. I don't believe that smoke from an incense, sage or any other object provides healing and protection of ones home or self. Even though this ritual may be done with good intentions, it is not biblical.

The Bible tells us that God, Jehovah Nissi, protects His children from evil. We are not to trust in human-made rituals but instead to trust in our Savior, God. He is a refuge, our source of life and protection. In His word God promises, "The Lord will keep you from harm - He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore" Psalms 121:7-8. If I missed something, please tell me.

One Love, 

Valerie

A Simple Prayer

Good morning! I felt compelled to post a prayer this morning. Give God the glory and enjoy your new day and week!

I pray that your spirit is a joyful one and in a peaceful state. I pray that God's anointing rest upon you so that you can fully experience His presence. I pray that all is well with your family & that God keeps them protected at all times. I pray that God gives your husband/wife a deep desire to get to know Him. I pray that your sons and daughters grow to be a blessing to the Kingdom of God as this will prosper their souls. I pray that all of your needs are met and that you desires are God's desires for your life. I pray that God's angel protect your dwelling. Giving all praise, honor, worship and glory to Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Giving a praise of hallelujah to God for His grace and mercy. May the peace and favor of God follow you wherever you go. In Christ Jesus name I pray. Amen One Love,  Valerie

Forgiveness Is For You!

Good day everyone! Let me start off by saying "forgiveness is for you" and not for the other person or persons. This message is for you, who has not forgiven your Ex, your old boyfriend, former best-friend, mama, daddy, sister, brother or cousin. You get the picture. Holding on to the hurt and pain of what someone did to you, only gives them the power to control how you feel and how you react. You find yourself constantly thinking about what they did or said that hurt you. Whatever happen yesterday, last month, last year, five years ago or even 20 years ago; yeah, some of y'all still talking about hurt from 20 years ago, should not take up space in your heart. As long as you hold on to the pain and memory, you magnify that person's presence in your life even if they are not around. Let it go and forgive them. The Bible tells us in several places that we should forgive others. Mark 11:25 says "But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.". You will also find in Colossians 3:13 that you should "make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you MUST forgive others." I capitalized that word myself because of its significance. 

Simply put, forgiveness is a command from God. Yes, I could list more scriptures on why you should forgive but I'll let you do some digging on your own. However, I will suggest that you release that person or persons for their wrong doing. Take back your power! Don't give it another thought because it's not worth it. Let by gone be by gone! And remember, forgiveness is for you, not for them! Now go have yourself an amazing new day and week! I love you all!

One Love,

Valerie

Scripture reference www.bible.com

Uniquely Designed - Words of Encouragement

As women we wear many hats on a daily basis. The question is how do we do it? Well, as a magnificent creation of the Most High God, you were designed that way. You were designed to be the help mate in the relationship, the glue that keeps the family together. You were meant to have the house where all the kids came because they had nowhere else to go. You were meant to go through that storm so you can walk the storms with your sisters. To make a long story short, your strength and wisdom comes from God. He created you! So when things don't seem to be working in the proper order, go to your Creator. He can guide you with the proper instructions.

Be blessed my Sisters in Christ! I encourage you to hold on tight to your faith in God! It is time to believe in His promises for they will come true! I love you all!

One Love,


Valerie

Being Before Doing

Has God placed a gift in You that you’re dying to start working in it? Is there an assignment He’s given you that you are ready to run with? We should take note that there is a process and before we can make a true impact, we must go through it. We can take a look at the life of Ezra. His heart was fully committed to God.

In Ezra 7, we see that “This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.” Ezra saw fit to first get into the word of God. Before we can act on the assignment or share our spiritual gifts, it would be beneficial for us to model what Ezra did. Here are 3 things to keep in mind regarding the word of God.

Learn it: Ezra studied and discovered the truth himself.
Live it: Ezra practiced and applied what he had learned.
Teach it: Ezra passed on to others what he had already embraced.
God desires to construct our being before our doing!

One Love,

Valerie

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#YourSpiritualTea #BeingBeforeDoing
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http://bible.com/116/ezr.7.10.nlt