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Well this is it for this series ! I hope you’ve enjoyed it and I want to personally thank you for stopping by my blog. Life certainly is a journey and I have truly enjoyed  #journaling on this #write31day journey with many talented writers and bloggers. We were created with many different gifts and talents.  God not only gives us a purpose, but He also gives us the gifts we need to fulfill our purpose. God gives us these gifts so we can give to others - share yours with the world!!! Click here  for the blog link to the series. Enjoy! Be Blessed and be a blessing! All Photographs in this post/blog series © Cheryl Howard unless otherwise indicated.

Unity Pray that God would help you live in a manner worthy of your calling. We are called to be children of the King and represent the Father to the world. Our conduct should match our calling because God controls the circumstances of our lives. The word worthy means “equal weight.” Paul lists three virtues of Christlike character: humility, gentleness, and patience. When we walk in humility, gentleness, and patience His peace binds us in unity. Some days it not easy to display these characteristics. “But God” – with His help and strength there’s nothing He can’t do. He will help us to live in the light of His truth. Our beliefs inform our behavior. In Ephesians 4:2, Paul lists behaviors that believers should embrace. Make a list of these actions and attitudes. How do they compare to the behaviors valued by today’s modern culture? Which of these characteristics do you particularly struggle with? May God give you the Spirit of wisdom & revelation so tha

Self-control means to have full grip or control over oneself. Firm grasp over thoughts, attitude, reason, desires, ambitions, and longings. Our bodies have to serve the spirit and soul and not vice versa. So where does self-control come in ? Everywhere. It takes self-control to show true godly  love  instead of lust and infatuation—to love others not as the world loves, but as Christ loved us. “And walk in  love, as Christ  also has  loved  us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2, emphasis added throughout). It takes self-control to have godly  joy  when we are facing a difficult situation in life. “Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). It takes self-control to get along with others and make  peace  instead of constantly getting into conflict. “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). It takes self-control to  pati

God's Word is Eternal!

God meant for His children to succeed. God stated unapologetically in Joshua 1:8 that conditions exist under which “then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” (NASB) The only way we are going to impact the world and the next generation is to prove that our faith in Christ is real and that it works. The gap between our theology and our reality is so wide we’ve set ourselves up for ridicule. The sad part of it is that some of us are working pretty hard at something that is hardly working. Why do we spend so much time and energy on spiritual exercises with few effects while the rest of the world sleeps in on Sundays? Why are some of us getting up before dawn to have a quiet time with effects drained to the dregs by noon. Why are we running out of ink in our highlighters marking Scriptures that rarely jump off the page and onto the pavement? Why are we doing everything we can to convince others to do something that hasn’t worked terrifically

  “Moment” is defined in Dictionary.com as (1) an indefinitely short period of time; an instant – " I’ll be with you in a moment ." (2) the present time or any other particular time – “She’ll be with you in a moment,” and (3) a definite period or stage, as in course of events; juncture – “At this moment in history.” How do I want to spend my time? Some days seem to pass by more quickly than others. The choice is mine at to how I spend my time. What impact can I make on those around me? I was reading an article earlier today that stated whether we want to or not everything we do and say makes an impact on others. At this “moment” as you’re reading this I’m making an impact on you. The moment we speak, the way we engage with other people and through the things we post on social media – we make an impact on others. It’s my strong desire that you and I will be intentional about the choices we make to make a positive impact on those around us, those we encounter

Choices "It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."   - J.K. Rowling   You have a choice as to the street where you live. You choose not only your home but those who will live next door. Your choices affect your relationship with God and the outcome of everything you do.   Choices—we all make them every day. But in the end, they make us.   Choose to cultivate your inner person, and don’t sacrifice your character on this life’s road chasing success. Wisdom and folly both want to control our lives, and we have to make a choice which one will. Be blessed and be a blessing!

A Few of My Favorites Psalm 27:4-7 (NIV) 4  One thing I ask from the  Lord ,      this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the  Lord      all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the  Lord      and to seek him in his temple. 5  For in the day of trouble      he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent      and set me high upon a rock. 6  Then my head will be exalted      above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;      I will sing and make music to the  Lord . 7  Hear my voice when I call,  Lord ;      be merciful to me and answer me. See, I am doing a new thing!      Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness      and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 For I am the   Lord   your God,      the Holy One   of Israel, your Savior… Isaiah 43:3 From the west,   people will fear th

Beyond All Imagination Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from Your Instruction. Psalm 119:18 Read Ephesians 3:20-21 Paul says, “Now to Hi who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20). Of all the passages in Ephesians, this one is probably quoted the most. The New International Version translation says “more than all we ask or imagine.” That word imagine grabs your attention. Because most of us have a pretty good imagination. And God can do abundantly and immeasurably more than all we can imagine. God must be pretty amazing because I can dream up some pretty crazy stuff. But where did my imagination come from? It came from Him. He gives us our imagination. And He can do immeasurably more than anything we can ask or think or imagine. But no matter what I can dream up this passage is about God’s omnipotent power. God’s power is more than anything I can fathom. None of us. These two verses (3:20-21) Paul want

THE 10 VIRTUES OF THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN Many women believe that Proverbs 31 doesn’t really apply to our modern lives. The Book of Proverbs begins with the Prologue (1:1-7), which gives the goals of wisdom in general terms, so it concludes with this Epilogue (v. 10-31). The opening words who can find position this woman as an ideal. The phrase a virtuous woman speaks of excellence, moral worth, ability, and nobility; not just marital fidelity. Such a woman is the ideal of wisdom in action. The 10 Virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman demonstrates how, as Christian women today, we can all be Proverbs 31 Women. 1. Faith – A Virtuous Woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. (Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 31: 29 – 31, Matthew 22: 37, John 14: 15, Psalm 119: 15 2. Marriage – A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a help-m

No one can stand against the evidence of a changed life. A person’s living testimony of God’s deliverance and transformation cannot be dismissed. This is why our “God” stories are so important. It’s His light shining within us that draws others to him. Pray that God would give you boldness to proclaim His Word. Make a list of how you can be bolder in sharing your faith. May God give you the Spirit of wisdom & revelation so that you may know Him better. Have an awesome day in the Lord!! Ephesians 1:17

Our hope transcends what is today and trusts in what God will do tomorrow. God is with you no matter what happens in society, and He has always been with you! In Matthew 1:23, the angel Gabriel told Joseph that Jesus’s name, Immanuel, means “God with us.” At the end of the same book in 28:20, Jesus promised His followers, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The Bible promises that God came to be with us and that He is always with us. God was working in your life before you were ever born. He is present and active in our world, even when you don’t see it. And that’s the greatest hope of all. Be Blessed and be a Blessing!

Joy Joy doesn’t just affect you, but it pours out into the people around you. It can be good medicine for their heart as well. Joy has the incredible power to carry you through your darkest seasons and minister to others as they see your response. Find joy today, no matter where you are or what you are going through. Joy is Good for the Heart Joy is good for you and the people around you. Sometimes it may easier to bask in the difficulty of what you’re going through, but joy will be a much better response for you and for those around you. Some of the godliest people I’ve met are those who’ve been joyful in the midst of their trial, when they can point to God and proclaim He is good when their heart is in pain. Their joy overflows and becomes contagious; I can’t help but see my own joy expand a bit. Remember that joy doesn’t just affect you, but it pours out into the people around you. It can be good medicine for their heart as well. Joy has the incredible power to

Hope and Trust in God But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31  God wants us to exchange our weaknesses for His strength and He wants to give His power to those who hope & trust in Him. Have a great day!   Trust God and be blessed!!!

Love   the   Lord   you r  God  with all  you r heart and with all  you r soul and with all  you r strength and with all  you r mind; and, Love   you r neighbor as  you rself. (Luke 10:27 NIV) Unconditional love - the ability to love people who hold different beliefs, practice different lifestyles and hold distinctly different priorities from your own. The love required to love those who are different from us will always be supernatural. I can’t do this in my own strength but with the Holy Spirit living inside me I can do it.  I must be a willing vessel to be used by God, not just toward people whom I love and agree with, but to people whom I may find difficult or disagree with. We have to reach out to those around us, who God puts in our space, to show His Love to be that light on the hill that can’t be hidden. Shining brightly for all to see. Because of His unconditional love for all people, we often find God in the midst of places and situations where we