Monday, July 11, 2011

The Walking Wounded

  Many women today are walking carrying excess baggage from one failed relationship to another. They are often filled with bitterness, anger and frustration because they have sought men to complete them and make them happy. And when that doesn't happen, they become the walking wounded. Some are so focused on getting a man that they fail to consider what type of man he is. They fail to spend time getting to know the person behind the facade and jump into a sexual relationship only to discover that he is either emotionally unavailable or is involved with someone else.
  My sister's, I encourage you to allow the Lord to heal all the broken places in your heart. Allow his love to release the past and restore you to the woman of excellece he has created you to be. Allow the true lover of your soul to show you how beautiful real love can be. Stop searching for a man to complete you or define you. Don't be the woman that needs a man; be the woman that a man needs. Once you realize that you are the daughers of our Lord most high, and realize how much he loves you, no longer will you be willing to settle for a few crumbs of affection or disrespect. You will begin to walk boldly forward and demand complete respect because you know who you are and whose you are.
  Take the time to discover you and meditate on God's word until you understand how truly valuable you are. We don't have to settle for anything but the best and if a man doesn't recongnize your worth, then it's his loss. Keep moving. Love yourself more than you  love anyone else. And when the time is right, true love will find you.

                                                                                                                LPD

Saturday, July 9, 2011

This Woman's Worth

  Proverbs 31 describes to us the characteristics of a virtuous woman. It tells us her worth is far above rubies; the heart of her husband safely trusts her; she does him good and not evil all the days of her life; she knows that her merchandise is good; and she girds herself with strenth, honor and wisdom.
  So the question becomes, do you think you are a virtuous woman? Do you have a healthy self-esteem that comes from knowing your value is priceless? Do you demand complete respect because you are the daughters of our Lord most high? Or do you allow demeaning or derrogatory behavior? The truth is that we teach others how to treat us. They will only treat you as well as you treat yourself. If you love and respect yourself, others will do the same. We must practice self-love. Hold your head up high and cloak yourself with strength of character, wisdom and honor; understanding that whoever finds you (a virtuous woman) has found God's greatest gift to man.

                                                                                                               LPD

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

 Psalm 34:1
 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth


 LORD, I thank you that through all of my tests and trials; when I wanted to cry I'd think about your goodness and I had to smile. That no matter how many times I may stumble and fall; you were always there for me whenever I would call. Thank you for never turning your back on me; And for loving me even when I was blind and could not see. Thank you for loving me despite what I've done wrong; Thank you for your strength that helps me to go on. Thank you for waking me each and every day; Thank you for your blessings I've received along the way. Thank you for your son Jesus who paid the ultimate price; Even knowing what he had to face he didn't even think twice. Thank you Lord for being the true lover of my soul; Thank you for your healing, that what was once broken is now made whole.


                                                                                                         Janie Catron

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Conscious Living

Phillipians 4:8
Finally Brethren, whatever things are true,whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,whatever things are lovely and of good report. If there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.

Phillipians 4:8 exhorts us to meditate on positive and praiseworthy things. Oftentimes we go through life unconsciously; captive to whatever random thoughts that come our way as if we don't have any control. That is a lie that keeps us stagnate, powerless and missing out on our destiny that God has for each of us. Instead, we need to live a more conscious life of awareness at all times. Meaning we need to actively capture our thoughts and attitudes and examine them through the word of God. Satan doensn't want us to fulfill our destiny so he will submit seemingly negative, random thoughts into our minds and we must immediately rebuke these attacks. Likewise, we must stay on guard to the things we listen to, people we interact with and what we watch. And we must ask ourselves, Does this glorify God? Does being around this person give me a sense of peace and happiness? If the answer is no, we must immediately seperate ourselves and let go of anything that steals our joy.

                                                                                                                          LPD

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Stormy With A Chance of Praise

 Recently I experienced a very hurtful, trying time in which someone cost me my job. I was utterly devastated to say the least. I had prayed so long for a job to provide for my family and to lose it due to someone's petty jealousy was more than I could comprehend. I cried for two days every time I thought about what had happened. I could feel myself sinking into self pity and depression.

 Finally I had to remind myself that things often happen to us and we may never know why. But one thing I know is that God already knows our situations as well as the outcome. Instead of continuing to wallow in self pity, I chose to develop an attitude of expectancy. I started to praise God and thank him because I could look back over my life and see all the times that I didn't know how I would make it through a situation but the Lord was ever faithful and always brought me through.

 When we are in the midst of our storms, we often focus on the problem instead of the problem solver. We need to develop tunnel vision and focus on nothing except God's word. If we are continually praising God there can be no room for anything except joy and peace.

 So the next time you are going through a trial, practice defensive praise knowing that God loves you and he will never put more on you than he has equipped you to handle. The battle is not ours, its the Lord's and he's already on the job working it out.

                                                                                        LPD