I am NOT thankful

Well, it’s about that time of the year again, Thanksgiving. We are a few days before this great festivity and I personally have a lot to be thankful for. We all should. While many do not have shelter or food, I thank God that I do. Many will be in a hospital bed instead of being in their own beds this holiday season. Many families will be mourning the loss of a friend or family member. I tell you, with everything going on in this world, we seriously do not know if we will be returning home after a day at work or school. Lord be with us! I am thankful for a wonderful family, great friends and a loving church family. And, the list goes on, but today I want to focus on the one thing that I am NOT thankful for. Yes, I said it! I’m going to talk about it. There is one thing that has been bothering me and I want to talk about it. I know this can be deemed as being quote unquote “ungrateful” if that’s the case, then so be it!

                                                                    Photo Credit: Annetta Bosakova

I am NOT thankful for loss of time due to FEAR. I mean who is? No one, right? It is said that fear kills your mind, your heart and your imagination. Fear makes you waste time. Yes, many may say that time is not wasted, that there is always something to learn during those “idle times” but sometimes, you’ve gotten all of the preparation you will need, you just have to put the pedal to the metal and simply move! It is said that the majority of the dreamers are at the grave. Those who aspired to be someone or something in life and just never got to do anything, why? Mainly, because of fear. They thought they had more time, they thought they could stall a little longer, they wasted their time, they allowed fear to overtake their mind, hearts and imagination. I am not thankful for fear because it has robbed so many people from becoming their very best!

As we are approaching the last couple of weeks of this year, understand that you have the control to allow or disallow fear manage your life.

I thank God that I am beginning to understand fear a little bit more now and I am starting to kick its butt. I’ve been able to accomplish great things in 2014 that otherwise would have kept me from achieving it if fear would have taken a front seat.

When you stand up to fear, you stand up to defeat. Do not do yourself a disservice by putting up with fear. When you harbor fear, excuses take up residency in your life. And when you have excuses to rely on, things such as: I am too shy, I don’t know if that will work out, he or she does it better than me, I don’t know, we’ll see, I don’t have the resources or connections….” become part of your vocabulary. You see how easy it is to get entangled with this monster called fear? It sweeps you off of your feet and you begin to believe what it says about you. It’s time to stand up to this bully called fear and say: I will allow it NO more!

It’s time to live the life that God has intended for you to live. You must live it in absolute freedom because the plans He has for you are great and will require faith from your part. You must trust in the fact that He has called you to greatness for such a time as this.  This is your time and the time is now! Do not put a cap on what you can do for His glory! Be thankful for your skills, gifts and talents but do not be thankful for the words that the enemy whispers in your ear because those words are pure lies. He is the father of all lies, the bible says. He whispers words of doubt, failures and comparisons. He whispers FEAR. Reject those words in the name of Jesus and receive the words that God shouts in your heart, words such as: Yes, you can! All things are possible and I am with you!

I challenge you today to act. Thinking will never overcome fear, action will. Let this be your declaration today: I will not allow fear to rob me from another day. I will walk in faith and not in fear. I will accomplish everything that God has said that I will do, in Jesus Name. Amen!

I AM NOT THANKFUL FOR FEAR.

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥

 

Steps

The first quarter of 2014 is over.

Today we embark a new quarter, a new month, a new day. Looking back on the first three months of the year, how would you evaluate it? Are you proud of your accomplishments? Did you set short term goals and meet them? It’s important to acknowledge small achievements and celebrate your progress, even if it’s one step at a time. Why? Because you’re one step closer to where you envisioned yourself to be. No one can desire it more than you. No one can see the vision as clear as you can. No one can want it more than you. People can help carry out the vision for you, they can assist you in accomplishing your dreams but ultimately it falls on you because the dream is yours not theirs. Everyone has a place they’re trying to get to, everyone has a destination assigned to them, and everyone will be focused on their individual journey.

Image by Designated Disaster

So, as we enter a new phase of the year 2014, I ask you to re-evaluate your life and where it's headed. Ask the core questions that will give you clear and concise answers, because those answers will shed light in areas that are still darkened with doubt and confusion. Have the mindset of a champion that is focused and determined to make it to the end victoriously. Only you know how far you want to go. Only you know where you’re meant to be. We all have a purpose in this life and God is the one who reveals and pin points every detail of our lives. If you’re in sync with Him, you’re on the right path to living a purposeful life.

Beware of the roadblocks and detours that will try to redirect your path. Your path may be under construction and you may have to be redirected into an unfamiliar path but if you’re tuned in and focused to what God has for you, then you will arrive to the right place, at the right time and the right people will be waiting for you. Otherwise, you will end up lost, perhaps in a remote area or even in a place where you do not fit because that's not where you are suppose to be.

When in the correct path, be in expectation of what lies ahead, for God has prepared your grand arrival. You will not have to seek others; they will have already know of you and will be waiting with open arms for you. Everything you need will have already been provided. All of the resources and connections will be at your disposal and granted to you. All you need to do is arrive!

When we are obedient to the voice of the Lord and we walk in His perfect will and not ours, these treasures are made available to us. Psalm 37:23 declares that a man's steps are established by the LORD, and He takes pleasure in his way. Proverbs 16: 9 says that we can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. And Proverbs 20:24 states that the LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

I say all of that to say this, our life is not our own, to God we belong. Our steps are ordered by Him, our plans are to be submitted by Him and our lives are to be directed by Him. He is the orchestrator of it all. When we are obedient to His ways, His path, and His future for us, we become victorious and successful in all that we do, and everywhere that we go. The bible says that He takes pleasure in the steps that He establishes for us because He is so excited for us to see His grand plan for us. Can you imagine, following God’s lead and at the end, when we reach the place where He intended us to arrive at, He’s like: “ta-ra… This is what I had planned for you all along!” I can only imagine because our thoughts are not His thoughts and if I think BIG, He thinks B.I.G.G.E. R. !!!

Trust His Ways • Trust His Path • Trust His Promises

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥

 

 

 

But.. what if?

Have you ever wanted something really bad and did everything the way you were supposed to; I mean you crossed all of your T’s and dotted all of your I’s, and nothing?  Have you thought about how you would feel or react if things simply didn’t go as planned? I often think about it, especially in this walk of faith that day to day we endure. Life is a journey with many peaks and valleys, highs and lows, good and bad. How do we maintain a steady and balanced state of mind when things simply do not go our way, when prayers are not answered, when we don’t receive what we want but receive what we did not expect? Let’s talk about the many “But.. what if’s” that surprises and confronts us. What should our reaction be?

But.. what if I’ve been praying day in and day out for a specific request and God doesn’t answer or simply “delays” his answer? How am I going to react? Will I stop praying because I didn’t get my answer when I wanted or how I wanted it? Have you thought about that?

But.. what if I’ve been declaring God’s healing power over my sick body and I do not receive healing? Am I going to stop declaring? Will I stop believing that God heals because He didn’t do it for me? Have you thought about that?

But.. what if my faith is SO big and I am believing for something BIG and I am wrapped around God’s promises to the point that my faith is not shaken. I know that I know that I know it will come to pass (next week). And it’s a month later and everything is still the same. Will my faith be shaken? Will I still believe and know that I know that it will happen? Or will I just give up? Have you thought about that?

 

And there are countless examples that I’m sure you can think of as well. The point here is this: What will your attitude be if what you are asking, declaring, and confessing with faith turns out to a big “but what if” moment in your life? It appears out of the blue to disrupt your smooth connection of faith and prayer with your Heavenly Father.  I am the first one to believe in prayer, having faith, in declaring God’s promises and all of those beautiful biblical affirmations. But it is important to understand that our prayers are channeled to the throne of God through this question: Is it God’s perfect will? Sometimes we will receive exactly what we want and ask for, because it was God’s perfect will at that particular moment. Many times, we will have to wait, wait, and wait a little longer to receive our blessing. The word of God says in Proverbs 10:22 that “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it”. When God blesses, there will be no sorrow, confusion, bitterness, none of that. God’s blessings bring peace, love and joy. So many times, it is in God’s perfect will to answer that request but it's simply  not the right time. And that is why we must learn how to not only have faith but also, wait in the Lord for His perfect timing. You may be in God’s perfect will but be out of His perfect timing and that can be damaging to our lives.

I would like to propose that in this New Year, only 9 days new we really think about this. This is the time where we are still pretty fresh and excited about the New Year and we are on cloud 9 with our resolutions. Our prayer lives is in full speed and we believe for anything and everything good to happen to us. And I am all for that! I’m actually one of those people! Lol But let’s take a moment to think about the “But.. what if’s” . This will relieve us from many heart breaks, frustration and even anger toward life-and God.

When the “But.. what if’s” pop up, simply say THANK YOU! Thank you Lord because things didn’t happen the way I expected, they happened exactly the way you wanted them to happen. Then what? Then keep doing what you were doing. Your biggest mistake will be to simply give up. Continue praying, continue believing, and continue giving thanks because if it didn’t happen when you wanted, it will happen God wants. His timing is impeccable – and His clock is always on point, literally! If He didn’t answer a prayer when you wanted, do not give up!! He’s working on something bigger and even better.. Just wait a little longer! Do not get caught up in the moment; open your eyes to God's vision. And you will see what God sees, for we only see the  puzzle piece but He sees the whole picture.

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥

 

 

Photo Credit: www.photographymojo.com 

No Matter What • No Importa Que

As I reflect back on this year; with one day left, I have one word to say: Grateful!

I’m so grateful for 2013. It was a year of a lot of growth and trusting God for greater and bigger things. 2013 taught me to trust God and take His word serious. I was able to take leaps of faith, scared to death but I was able to do it. There were many moments of doubts and insecurities, times where I didn’t want to do or say something because of fear-yet I was able to overcome those fears. There were times were I didn’t think a certain goal, dream or project could become possible but with hard work, perseverance and God on my side, I was able to see the fulfillment of what I was striving for. 2013 was a year of stretching my faith, of walking in faith and of seeing the completed work in faith.

I am grateful for 2013.  I am a better, stronger and wiser person; simply because I dared to believe God and took His word and promises serious in my life.

• I am thankful for my salvation and relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
• I am thankful for my beautiful family and my loving husband
• I am thankful for being chosen to write my first book, Un Momento De Silencio
• I am thankful for traveling South America and visiting Paraguay and Argentina
• I am thankful for the doors of opportunities that were opened for me in 2013
• I am thankful because I did not allow fear to delay God’s purpose in my life for this year
• I am thankful because I have 365 days to do it all over again

2014 is the year of Open Doors and of greater opportunities but it will come to those who are brave enough to accept the challenge and run with it, no matter what!

Are you ready for the “No Matter What’s” in your life? No matter what, keep going. No matter what, keep pushing. No matter what, keep believing. No matter what your surroundings may say, you keep pressing forward! No ifs, ands, or buts about it! –No Matter What!

Take a seat and enjoy the ride! God has a lot of surprises in store for you in 2014. Let go of the fear and trust Him. He knows what He is doing, even when you don't!

I hope everyone has a Blessed and Prosperous New Year!!

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥

Mientras reflexiono en todo los acontecimientos de este año, solo tengo una palabra que decir: Agradecida!

Estoy tan agradecida por el año 2013. Fue un año de mucho crecimiento y de confiar en Dios por cosas grandes y mayores. 2013 me enseño a confiar en Dios y tomar su palabra en serio. Pude tomar saltos de fe, aunque a veces con mucho temor pero lo pude hacer. Hubieron momentos de dudas e inseguridades, ocasiones donde quizás no quería hacer o decir algo dado al temor, pero pude vencer esos temores. Tambien, hubieron momentos donde pensé que alguna meta, sueño o proyecto no se iba poder realizar pero con trabajo fuerte, perseverancia y Dios a mi lado, pude ver los frutos de lo que quería alcanzar. 2013 fue un año donde se estrechó mí fe, camine en fe y pude ver el cumplimiento de muchas cosas por los ojos de la fe.

Estoy tan agradecida por el año 2013. Soy una mejor, más fuerte y sabia persona; simplemente porque me atreví a creerle a Dios y tomar su palabra y sus promesas en serio.

·         Estoy tan agradecida por mi salvación y relación con mi Señor y Salvador, Jesucristo

·         Estoy tan agradecida por mi bella familia y mi amado esposo

·         Estoy tan agradecida por haber sido elegida para escribir mi primer libro, Un Momento De Silencio

·         Estoy tan agradecida por viajar a Sudamérica y visitar a Paraguay y Argentina

·          Estoy tan agradecida por las grandes oportunidades que me fueron brindadas en el 2013

·         Estoy tan agradecida porque no permití que el temor detuviera el propósito en mi vida para este año

·         Estoy tan agradecida porque tengo 365 días para hacerlo todo de nuevo

2014 es el año de Puertas Abiertas y grandes oportunidades pero solo vendrán a personas que sean lo suficientemente valientes para aceptar el reto y seguir hacia adelante, ¡no importa que!

¿Estás listo para el “No importa que” en tu vida? No importa que, siga hacia adelante. No importe que, siga empujando. No importa que, siga creyendo. No importa que diga tu alrededor, siga hacia adelante; sin ningún tipo de excusas- “No Importa” cual sea.

Tome un asiento y disfrute el viaje. Dios tiene muchas sorpresas para usted en el 2014. Suelte el temor y confié en El. ¡Él sabe lo que hace aunque usted no lo sepa!

Espero que todos tengan un Año Nuevo de muchas Bendiciones y Prosperidad.

Landy Pérez-Feliciano ♥

 

 

Photo credit: Nostalgique Images