The "Right Nows" of Life

For those who follow me on social media; for the past couple of weeks- even months, I have been sharing a lot on the subject of contentment. The Lord has been leading me into this place of contentment, and I know it transcends beyond the “four walls” of my life, He wants everyone to be content in the season they are in.

You may ask why? Why be content when I can do better, I can be better. Aren’t we supposed to have a spirit of excellence and not of mediocracy? The answer is yes, yes and yes. Of course, God doesn’t want us to stay stuck; He wants us to go from glory to glory. It is His desire to see us grow and prosper in everything that we do.

 

What I mean is to enjoy the “right nows” in life, in spite of what season you find yourself in. It’s a choice. How will I react upon adversity? Will I count my blessings or my troubles? Will I look over my shoulder and see how everyone else’s beautiful curb appeal is while my grass is withering? (Maybe they just put really cool filters to make it look greener…I mean, I’m just saying) The point is that contentment starts within. It's a decision, a decision to be happy. Decide to be happy with what you have today without being consumed with the worries of tomorrow. In every season there is a beautiful lesson to be learned and before you can advance to the next level, you must learn the lesson and pass the test. So often we are sucked into this idea that if we don’t have what we want now, we are not happy. I want to make something clear to you today, the devil is a liar. You may have 99 problems, but that one solution, that one blessing, that one ray of light is enough for you to stop yourself and say “Wait a minute, let me take this time and be grateful for this ONE thing.” If you were to take a piece of paper and draw a line in the middle, on one side you put blessings and on the other side you put problems or goals, or dreams; I can assure you that your blessings will outweigh your troubles.

Don’t ever allow the enemy, or people make you feel that you need more. You are enough; you are complete in Jesus Christ. I quoted this a few weeks back on Facebook, “Don’t be consumed with what lies ahead that you forget to enjoy what’s right in front of you. God has provided everything you need for today and new provisions will be added on for you tomorrow. God wants you to be happy with what you have now, instead of worrying about what you need later.”

I strongly believe that God wants His people to be appreciative with what they have today. Celebrate your small victories. Enjoy your every milestone. Be thankful for the small dosages of progress that you’re making each day. Stop comparing your custom-designed journey to someone else’s; you will never fit in because you were not meant to fit into someone else's mold. You’re meant to fit in yours and yours alone.  No matter how little or insignificant it may seem today, if you genuinely decide to be happy with what you have, God will open up the heavens and pour out abundant blessings over your life.

Learning to be content with what you have will bring complete fulfillment. Comparisons create unnecessary voids while contentment offers unconditional joy. Enjoy the “right nows” of your life, no matter how your season may seem. Don’t look for validation in anyone else’s life; everyone has a distinct journey they’re traveling. God has orchestrated every single detail in your life to His perfection. You may say, Landy you have no idea how my life looks like, it’s a mess. I tell you today, it may be a mess, but it’s beautiful. As disastrous as it may seem, as disappointed you may feel right now, it’s still your beautiful life and it’s perfect and fitting for you! A single season does not determine your destiny or the outcome of your life. A season is simply a fragment of your life; it’s not your entire life. It does not define you.

Learning to be content with who you are and what you have, gives you grounds to experience a liberating feeling like none other. You’ll be able to enjoy and savor the “right nows” of your life; leaving absolutely no room for the worries or concerns of tomorrow.

Decide to be happy, decide to be free.

“Learn to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want.” –Jim Rohn

 

For further Scripture readings, take a look at these: Philippians 4:6-7, 10-14,  Matthew 6:25-34, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, John 10:10,

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

landypf

Slaves of Fear

I can’t believe I haven’t touched based with you guys since last year! Actually, it’s only been about a month but you know what I mean… Happy New Year!!! I am declaring a year of fulfilment in your life. May 2016 be a ground-breaking, bold and fearless year for all of us.

Last weekend we had an amazing Women’s event, a true Night of Encouragement. We had about 90 women; some brought their children because we offered an amazing childcare experience. And to think that this is only our second year and God has blessed us and this incredible opportunity to minister to so many women is just mind-blowing. This is only the beginning of what’s to come; we are looking forward to next year’s event on Friday, January 6, 2017. The theme of the night will be “Beauty for Ashes”. It’s going to be transformational and we invite you beautiful ladies to join us. More information will be shared as the time approaches.

 

As we settle into mid-January, I want to talk about Slaves of Fear. One of the definitions of the word slave is a person who is strongly influenced and controlled by something. When you are under the influence, you lose control of your actions. It’s a power that affects and takes over the person, thing or course of events. And for many, fear has been that stronghold. Fear has become a powerful influence; it has gained control and has dictated the course of the lives of many people. Take for example 2015; can you honestly say that you accomplished everything you had set out for? Be honest. Only a small percentage can probably say YES, the grand majority will say NO. We get answers like, “I tried but I didn’t get around it “or “I was going to but then something came up and I got discouraged”, “Maybe next year”, “I wanted to but I got scared”. And there it goes again, fear creeps up until it takes complete ownership of our lives. And what’s sad is that we begin to believe all of the lies that the enemy infiltrates in our minds. We become Slaves of Fear.

The bible declares in Romans 8:37 that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. That’s powerful, isn’t it? His love makes us more than conquerors, His love makes us face our biggest fears, and His love assures us the victory; therefore, we shouldn’t live in fear. 1 John 4:18 tells us that “there is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear…” and that perfect love can only be found in Jesus. Last weekend, we were encouraged not only to Be Brave but despite what unforeseen challenges we may face in this year, we will declare victoriously that We Will Not Be Shaken! In order for that to come alive in your life, you have to live in complete freedom of fear! Yes, that means kicking that little sucker to the curb. John 8:36 says “so if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” As children of God, we are no longer held in bondage, we become free in Jesus. And that goes for any situation. Through Jesus Christ we are free from bondage, strongholds must come down, addictions must be broken, sinful activities must cease, and our past must be forgotten. And yes we must be free of fear. Fear can no longer control you. Is it easy? No. Will it happen overnight? Not really. Will you struggle with it? Maybe, but remember Romans 8:37! Ask Jesus today to help you and He will. Be receptive to His Word, because His Word will guide you into all truth.

When we are in Jesus, we are free, it’s not something temporary. This does not consist of being free on Sunday mornings during worship and then we become captive on Monday afternoon, I’m talking about a permanent freedom; free indeed as the bible states. Do not be captive by the lies of the enemy that try to bully you. Do not be a Slave of Fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 assures this, “for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. Fear does not come from God, the only spirit that comes from God is the Holy Spirit; therefore you have the authority to cast out any fear that wants to come over you. Whatever the Lord has placed in your heart to accomplish in this New Year, I pray that the Holy Spirit guides you into completing His perfect will. Something interesting happens when you surrender your dreams for God dreams; they become a lot bigger and bolder than what you could have ever imagined. And although the dreams may seem scary at first, it just feels right. A sense of peace comes over you and the sweet whisper of God tells you, “Do not fear; I am with you, everything will be alright.” When this happens, you will begin to see how much more productive you will become in whatever you do because you just know that …God’s got this!

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

~landypf

Do You Trust Me?

Do you trust me? Then let it go! –God

Allow Me to take over your life completely; every single area, surrender it to me. Do you trust me enough to put your guards down, be vulnerable and just be real for a moment? No front, no masks, no walls; just pure transparency. It's hard, isn't it? 

Trust God with your heart, trust Him with your emotions and let go of everything that has been weighing you down. Let go of the dead weight, it causes fatigue and  unnecessary delays. Let go of the old baggage that is causing frustration because you're not at the level or the place that you know you should be. Do you trust Him enough to let go? Only you know the answer.

With a few days left in 2015, I urge you to refuse to enter into a new year with the old. God cannot give you something new, if you don’t relinquish the old. Make room for the new; it will change your life. Clear out the clutter in your mind and in your heart and accept only the good. The bible says in Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

This leaves absolutely no room for the negative, the past, or the hurt. Romans 12:2 says "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." To renew our minds is to subject it to the Word of God. It is a daily decision, not just one day, but every day. Filtering our thoughts through God's Word will help us gain grounds when the enemy tries to bombard us with his filthy lies. 

Take a moment to think about the things, the words, the people, and the actions, the past and present experiences and filter them through the Word of God. Be intentional about every thought that consumes your brain and measure it up to Philippians 4:8. Is it true or is it false? Is it honorable or is it untrustworthy? Is it right or is it wrong? Is it pure or is it immoral? Is it lovely or is it hateful? And is it admirable or is it shameful? If the answer is yes, then you're on the right track, continue to indulge in those thoughts because they are excellent and praiseworthy! But if the answer is no; then the question is, do you trust God enough to let go and allow Him to replace it with the good? Only you can check yourself, only you can admit it, only you can desire the change. God is willing, are you?

Today is a good day to unravel layer after layer of  past hurt, deception, unforgiveness and failures; strip yourself completely bare into the presence of God and allow Him to do a new thing in your life. 2016 is around the corner and He has new things lined up for you. When you surrender it all to God, He will give you His all; because you have gotten rid of the old and made room to receive the new.

 

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all." - Proverbs 3:5 (MSG)

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed! 

Landy Perez-Feliciano 

Your Season Is Coming

About a week and half ago I was in New Jersey and Connecticut with my husband, visiting family, and in other engagements. I was loving it because this time of the year is just perfect to visit, I mean, who doesn’t love the fall season? It had been quite a few years since I had the opportunity to see the foliage and the beautiful scenic view that this season has to offer. I remember being memorized by all this beauty and couldn’t help to think “Well that sucks, we don’t get see this in Florida. Everything is the same. There is no change in season; we experiment pretty much the same season all year around-summer. And did I mention? The leaves are all one color, green.”

I remember being on the plane, ready to come back home when the Lord spoke to me. He began to tell me that many people feel that way; they think that their stuck in the same season where they see no change coming their way. Tell them that even though their eyes physically cannot see changes, a new season is approaching their lives. What has seemed like a hot, desert season, what has seemed like a routine- I get up in the morning, go to work, then church then back home and there is nothing new or refreshing, nothing to look forward to in my life, what seems like the same problem that just continues to linger on and when I think I’ve resolved it, something else comes up and I can never get a break… it's just that, a season, it's temporary, it has a life span of x amount of time. Every season has to come to an end because a new one has to begin.

I want to tell you today that no matter how long you’ve been stuck in your season, maybe you feel like this is it for you, there’s nothing new, nothing better in the horizon for you, I want to remind you once again that a new season is approaching. Take heed and prepare for what’s next in your life. 

 

In doing some research on seasons, especially Autumn, which I’ll be referring to as Fall, I came to realize that Fall approximately lasts about 83 days. This tells me that every season has an end and a beginning. You’re about to step into a new season! If you find yourself in a really bad season, don’t worry, there’s an expiration date, that season, that problem, that circumstance is only temporary, there’s a new season coming. Another interesting fact is in the tropical regions, such as Florida, the change in season is not so notable. Well, duh! For those of us who live here can attest to that because it feels like June in November! It seriously feels like we are in the summer season; however, despite what we may see or feel, the truth of the matter is that we are in the Fall season. On those rare occasions, when we experiment really nice cool breeze weather, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness and the fact that we are in a different season. Even though we may not notice it, a change is occurring. I want to tell you that even if you don’t notice big changes in your circumstances, there are changes happening right now. God is doing something new in your life! The changes may not be so noticeable but you will start to experiment subtle changes that will lead you to your next season.

Another interesting fact is that due to the low temperatures, the color of the leaves change from green to yellow, orange, and red. Because of the strong winds, these leaves tend to fall off the branches, leaving the tree bare. Also, leaving the homeowners raking and picking up lots of leaves from their yards, which I’m sure they love to do! But check this out: according to this research, there are a group of flowers that are able to resist the Fall season, and by resisting they’re able to continue growing and flourishing into a beautiful garden. I want to tell you today that if you are able to resist the strong winds that want to knock you off and make you fall, if you are able to resist you will flourish in the midst of your circumstance. Resist!

Another interesting point is this, animals begin to prepare to hibernate, and that is how they survive the winter season. But it’s fascinating how animals know that a new season is approaching. You don’t see them moping around, depressed, thinking that the current season will never end. No, they are in work mode- not waiting mode! They prepare for the next season because they know this season will soon come to an end and a new one will begin. C’mon, I know we are smarter than animals, right?....Right?? Well, then why is it that we do not begin to prepare for the next season that God has for us? Why is it that we are “stuck” in the waiting room and we are not invested in the work room? Why is it that we complain, get bitter, compare ourselves to others, think and speak negative about the current season as if we were meant to be stuck there forever? We should be preparing for what’s coming next. God will never take you to the next season unless  you’re prepared to enter and conquer that season.

And I’ll finish my findings with this, as far as harvest goes, the Fall season is the best season to harvest and collect, it’s the most fertile and abundant of all. I want to leave you with this:
 

• If you’re able to resist the season in which you find yourself in
• If you’re able to prepare yourself for the coming season

You will flourish, harvest, collect, you will be fertile and there will be great abundance in your life. The leaves of your story will change, they will no longer be of one color, but now your story will have great color and depth that will bring life and hope to others who need a change of season.

Enjoy your season because when you get out of it, you will be qualified to help others who are in that current season and at the same time you will be equipped to enter into your next season.
 
Be Encourged, Be Blessed!
Landy Perez-Feliciano

 

When It Hits Home

 

 Like a ton of bricks, five years later it hit home.

 

 

My father was no longer here. Like a rushing wind and a vicious tornado, ALS had taken him away; just like that. A healthy and active family man who had never consumed any types of drugs or alcohol was now gone. A husband of 27 years, a father to his children, a friend to many people and an active leader and preacher of the church; this man of God was gone too soon.

But why had it taken so long for it to hit home? Why now? When everything in life had finally settled down and I was supposed to be extremely happy, it hit home. Ministry was thriving, Bachelor’s degree was almost completed, marriage was strong, I was a stay-at-home mom, life was good until it hit home. Why now? How was I to deal with the weight of such sorrow and grief? Everything in life was near perfect, I had no complaints, I was happy. Why me? Why our family? Why now?  

You see that’s how grief is. We all process loss differently. For me, I was six months pregnant with my first son; Justin, when my father passed. Having had a miscarriage a year before, I suppressed all grief as hard as I could, in fear of losing my child again.  A year and half later, we were blessed with the news of our new baby girl, Melody. And again I suppressed it all. But eventually it hit home, he was gone. And although through God and God alone I was able to continue, the pain was unbearable. The reality that my children would never meet this wonderful man; their grandfather, was almost too much to bear. The reality that he had seen my husband and I as Pastors in a vision just two months before he passed, and not be able to witness it, shattered my heart in ways I couldn’t seem to vocalize or express. Who could I run to? How could I continue to serve in ministry when my heart was broken to what seemed to be beyond repair?

I began to seek information and realized that grief is just that, unpredictable. But I sought refuge in the Lord and the power of his Word. Psalm 34:18 Common English Bible (CEB) says: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.

I realized God had waited for this moment and he was ready and able to walk me through the process of healing; regardless of how much time had already passed. I knew I didn’t want to be a victim and that I wanted to help others through my experience. The lesson I learned was simple, yet powerful. This is true, especially for those in any form of leadership and the lesson was this:  It’s okay to grieve. No matter how strong we may think we are, grief debilitates us in ways we have not ever experienced. But in every moment the Lord is near, close and ready to console us with his unconditional love.

This year will be my second year riding to defeat ALS. I ride because I choose not to be a victim and wallow in my sorrow but to still give God the glory; even in my pain, because He is still faithful. ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, people may lose the ability to speak, eat, move and breathe. Essentially one is a prisoner in his or her own body.

Today, I kindly reach out and ask for your support in raising awareness of this terrible illness and that you help us make a difference and bless the ALS Association who blesses so many families with the countless services they provide, all free of cost.

Www.youcaring.com/teamcourageous http://www.alsa.org/about-als/what-is-als.html

And if you have had a loss, know this, it's okay to grieve. Know that the Lord is near, able and ready to walk with you in the long process of healing. You are not alone!

 

Be Blessed,
Pastor & Friend,

Erica Canales
House of Worship & Revival, Inc.

Erica Canales is the Founder at First Ministry “Mothers in Action”, Independent Contractor at AdvoCare and Co-Pastor, Bible Teacher, Administration at Iglesia Cristiana Casa de Adoracion y Avivamiento Inc. She studies Psychology and Life Coaching at Liberty University Online. Erica is married to Miguel Canales and has two children, Justin and Melody. You can find Erica on Facebook and follow her journey and ministry life at: https://www.facebook.com/erica.canales1

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pursuit of Purity

Last weekend I had the opportunity to speak at a youth event called Radical Conference. And the topic I was asked to speak on was “purity” which I titled it “The Pursuit of Purity” and I focused on four important points. Today, I want to share the cliff notes, a quick synopsis of what I spoke about. Purity brings presence, power, protection and peace.

“This life was not intended to be the place
of our perfection, but the preparation for it.”
– Richard Baxter

Purity it’s much more than just saving sex for marriage. It's a lifestyle. In 1 Timothy 4:12-16,  the Apostle Paul instructed his apprentice; Timothy on this very subject. He told young preacher, to strive for purity in all areas of his life; including speech, conduct, love, and faith. He did this so that Timothy’s life and ministry would be protected by any naysayers that would later rise up against him. So today, I want to dig a little deeper than your typical sex driven "purity" conference we tend to hear and talk about four points that will help us in our continuous journey of seeking purity in our lives.

We are living in a generation where purity is becoming obsolete; it’s a thing of the past. It’s no big deal if we don’t save ourselves for marriage, our conversations have become contaminated, our eyes and ears are no longer limited to what we see and hear. The Christianity of this generation has slowly blended in to the perceptions of this world.

We are called to be light in the midst of the darkness; we are not called to blend in. And God is looking for a generation that can be radical enough to stand tall in the midst of adversity. He is looking for a generation of young people that will rise and declare God Word, untarnished and uncontaminated. Are we that generation whose faith will not fluster or shake but stand strong despite what popular opinion states? Are you that person? Are you a person of faith in a faithless world?
 

1. Pursuing Purity Brings forth the Presence of God

When we pursue God’s presence, everything else will line up to His Word.
When you pursue His presence, His commandments will no longer feel like rules and regulations that you have to abide by but you will feel delighted in pleasing your Heavenly Father.

• The presence of God empowers us when we are weak and feel fear
• The presence of God allows us to feel safe and secure in the midst of danger, obstacles, uncertainty and pain. The Bible says in Psalm 46:1 that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. It doesn’t matter what circumstances we may be facing, when we have the presence of God in our lives, we become radical for Jesus. Where there is fear, now there is boldness and confidence.
• The presence of God allows us to become intimate with Him; we come to know who God is on a deeper level. We know things we did not know before, our relationship with Him grows, our love for Him becomes more evident and obedience to His Word will be less of a “sacrifice” or an obligation.

We all love these two verses found in Psalm 37:5, 6

Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.

When we delight in the Lord, we are surrendering to His Will and His Ways. And when we do that He will grant us the desires of our hearts……BUT it doesn’t stop there……. Verse 5 continues saying: Commit your way to the Lord. (when we make a commitment, it’s a pact, it’s a promise, you are going to stick to it through thick and thin. The Psalmist is saying: Stick to God’s way….it’s going to get hard, but stick to it! It’s not going to be the popular choice but you have to be radical enough and almost “stubborn” enough to say NO, I’M STICKING TO MY COMMITMENT, MY PROMISE, MY WORD IS VALUABLE AND I WILL NOT BREAK IT! My friends can derail from the truth, but I am not! I will honor God’s Word in my life. I will trust Him with my life AND THEN, AND ONLY THEN will He grant you the desires of your heart.

When the going gets tough, we have to be people of a strong foundation; our faith has to be founded on the solid rock that is Jesus Christ. The winds will blow, the waters will hit your foundation but the house that is founded on the rock will NOT fall. If we are not radical in our faith, when tough times come, when the tough questions are asked, when we are faced in a sticky situation, we will become like the house that was founded on the sand and the waves will take it away.

2. Pursuing Purity Provides: Power

Purity in the life of a believer is extremely powerful. In fact, purity impacts our prayers just as faith impacts our works. Faith without works is dead and prayer without purity is limited.

In Matthew 5:8, Jesus makes a simple yet powerful statement.

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”

Many believe this is a promise that will be fulfilled when this life ends and we enter eternity. And this is true, but it’s also a declaration that Jesus makes to His followers and to us today.

There is power in a walk of purity that results in the ability to open our eyes to see what is found in Psalm 27:13 ‘…the goodness of God in the land of the living.’ A person who walks in purity has the ability to open his/her eyes and see the goodness of God in their life and in their surroundings. God’s blessings hover over them. BLESSED, Jesus says, Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. I don’t know if you are yearning to see God, to see God’s greatness manifested in your life, to see His goodness and mercy poured upon their life. If you want to see His favor, if you want to see His promises fulfilled, and if you want to see His blessings poured down, having a pure heart will enable you to do so.

The power of God also gives us authority. You have power and authority to declare and decree the Word of God over your life and over the lives of others. Just because you pursue purity, does not mean you are weak, or you let people walk all over you, or it makes you an easy target and you get taken advantage of. All on the contrary, a person under the power of God; let me tell you, things have to change! The devil trembles when he sees young people on fire for God, unapologetic and radical for Christ. There has to be a shift in the atmosphere, the sick has to be healed and the oppressed has to be free. There is power in the name of Jesus.

Purity brings you before the presence of God and also leads to obtaining His power.

 3. Pursuing Purity Provides: Protection

Pursuing a pure life requires safeguards. These safeguards protect us and reduce the risk of temptations. As young people, we are confronted daily with temptations, your temptations may not be mine and mine may not be yours but they are present in our lives. The best way to pursue purity is to set up rules and safeguards for all areas of your life. Temptations are presented as opportunities to fail. They can be limited if you establish guidelines in your life.

The enemy has a calculated strategy against each and every one of us. Before he throws us a bomb to destroy, he studies us carefully, he knows what our weak areas are and he targets them. Don’t ever think for a second that the devil is dumb; he’s a very smart strategist that is why it’s important to be armed with the armor of God, because it will protect us from the enemy’s attacks.

We live in a society where there is temptations, left and right. Everywhere we go, we are being bombarded with the lust of this world. We have to be radical in our faith and in our purity to say like Daniel 1:8 says: “But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.”

Daniel was determined, he made a decision, he made a commitment, and he made a promise. He stuck to his word to not contaminate himself with unacceptable food. We as young people, we have to be determined and committed to not be contaminated by the corruption of this world.

“There is no point in praying for victory over temptation if we are not willing to make a commitment to say no to it.”
– Jerry Bridges

As we pursue a life of purity, safeguards are essential because they will protect us. John 10:10 says: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Let me ask you this? If someone were to accuse you of something negative or make a scandalous comment about you, would others believe it? Pursuing purity protects and defends you and your reputation.
 

“^I is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.”
– 1 Peter 2:15

4. Pursuing Purity Provides: Peace

When we keep our eyes focused on God, we can expect peace as a result. When we let our minds wander and do not yield the calling of God to live a life of purity, we find ourselves dissatisfied, disillusioned, and broken. When we walk in purity, God will give us His perfect peace, a peace that surpasses ALL understanding.

You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
– Isaiah 26:3

One of my favorite verses of the entire bible is found in Philippians4:6-7). It's such a beautiful promise that encourages us and strengthens our faith. No matter what circumstances we may find ourselves, these two verses remind us to not worry about anything, all we need to do it pay about everything and give God thanks. He has it all under control.  

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

Imagine living a life of peace, ahh, so peaceful, huh?. The whole world could be tumbling down before you and you’re ok. You have a peace that surpasses ALL understandings. A peace that even if you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, you will not fear because He is with you! Those who pursue purity, who seek to know God, who follow Him and yearn to be with Him are able to experience this peace.

Conclusion

When we pursue purity, we enter into His presence, we’re given His power, we feel His protection and we find His peace. This is why God calls us to a life of purity, this is why we should strive to pursue purity because it draws us closer to Him, we become empowered, we become bold and fearless and despite what the world may say or do, we are confident in who we believe and where our faith stands, in Jesus Christ.

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥

 

 

In The Storm

Where I live, it’s been raining every single day for the past three weeks, like a lot of rain. The local news outlets say that we’ve reached a record high in rainfalls. We’ve heard stories of flooding, evacuation notices, and cars under water, power outages, and a lot of buzz on social media about this horrible weather. And today is no exception, the storm continues to hit us and hit us hard. Everyone in this town is to the point where they’re like…ok, we’re like, “Enough!” When is this storm going to be over? We’ve already endured enough! It’s uncomfortable, you get wet and sticky and you have to take extra precaution when driving. Some may say extra prayers when leaving the house because the storm can be pretty nasty.

Today, during my morning devotional, I was reminded how important and necessary “storms” are in our lives. When we are in the storm, we are in God’s safe haven. It is not in our homes where we feel safe, it is not in our comfort zones, it is not in our jobs and careers, churches or ministries; it’s in the arms of our Heavenly Father where we find refuge in our times of need. It is in those storms, where God’s love and grace is revealed in our lives. He shows His mercy and compassion in the midst of those moments where we feel like we’re drowning in floods of uncertainties.  It’s not when the sun is shining bright where we feel hopelessness and despair, it is in the raging storm where we feel Him the closest.  

 

There are three things I want you never to forget when you find yourself in the storm:

1. Embrace the storm when it hits your life. Embrace it because it will come anyways, so you might as well have a good attitude going into it because there is a lesson to be learned. Many times, we may feel weary and the easiest thing to do is give up, but do not give up. You will not be able to get through the storm with your own strength, that is why it’s important to keep focused and put your faith in Jesus; He will give you the strength to endure and get past the storm.

2. This too shall pass. Storms will come into your life and storms will exit your life. The sun will come out again and brighten your gloomy day. I don’t know about you but it’s exciting to be reminded of this. Although we may face a season of gloom, once we get past it, the warmth of the bright sun will shine upon our faces and radiate joy and happiness.

3. And finally, remember that the storm will come, the storm will go but Jesus always stays. He is faithful and He will remain! The bible says in Psalm 27:4 “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close”. What a wonderful promise made to us that no matter who leaves, Jesus will NEVER leave us. It is in times of trouble; in the storm, where we discover who is really there for us and who has left. Today, we are gently and lovingly reminded that no matter who has left, Jesus will never leave.

 As I previously said in the beginning, storms are important and necessary in our lives. We don’t like them but we have to endure them. We must learn from them because they serve as stepping stones for where God wants to take us. Storms promote us to the next level, if we’re able to pass a rainfall, then we’re challenged at a higher level. And the more we’re challenged, the more God can entrust us. So today, thank God if you’ve past the rainfall level and you’re enduring a thunderstorm because if He helped you through the last storm, He will certainly help you with this one. And if your storm is catastrophic, hurricane “I WILL DESTROY YOU” thank God for that storm because it just means that the SUN will shine so, so bright and you have no idea what God has in store for you at the end. No matter how intense your storm may be, don’t give up, keep focused and put your faith in Jesus. Your storm will pass, so just hold on tight; just a little longer! Jesus will give you the strength to get through it and He will be with you every step of the way. And when you get past it, you will look back and say, “it was worth going through the storm because look at me now”.

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥

The Appreciation of Simplicity

It’s been a while since my last post, I know. A lot has happened, but I’ll do my best to bring you up to speed with the things I want to share today. Did I say a lot has happened? Lol

As I was in bed last night trying to find a comfortable and painless position to place my foot in, the word “simplicity” kept tugging at my heart. Simplicity!  At that moment, I was once again reminded of the beauty simplicity brings. You see, after I broke my ankle, things have been everything but simple. Complicated and dependability has become the new normal, oh did I mention, speed is no longer in the equation? I’ve become very slow at things I could do with my eyes closed, something that I quite can’t fathom. I often replay in my head the morning of the accident and think to myself how moments prior to the fall, I was well; I was walking, running and jumping without a care in the world. Simplicity!

These past two weeks, I’ve caught myself looking at people just …walk. I see my one and a half year old nephew running like if its second nature. He’s mastered the art of walking; yet, I’m struggling to take one step without feeling the fear of falling. Simplicity! These past couple weeks I’ve learned to appreciate simplicity.  The great and complex things in life are layered upon a solid and simple foundation. Before an athlete can become a marathon runner, he first has to master the art of walking. Before a girl can wear some killer heels, she has to master the art of walking first. But sometimes we tend to lose (not intentionally) but we tend to forget the basics because it has become a norm- we get up, walk, go about our day- no big deal. Um, yes, it is a big deal!  I can guarantee that if you stub a toe or hurt your finger, you will gain a greater appreciation over that small member of your body. Every single body part has an important function. These days, I am reminded of Simplicity and Appreciation.

Last month, while in Arizona and Las Vegas, I was extra adventurous! Although, I am fairly afraid of heights, I was able to overcome it several times and hike mountainous trails. I was able to go to the Grand Canyon and do some hiking there as well. Several times I had the fear of slipping and falling………and dying. Lol but nothing happened. Yet, in Bogota, Colombia I had a simple fall and fracture my ankle (go figure!) It was the simple activity that had a lasting effect. I thank God for everything because there is a purpose behind all of this. And throughout my daily activities, He constantly reminds me the importance of appreciating life and health because life can change in an instant. I am reminded of His love and grace, because things could have been worse but His protection was with me- as it is with you today.

Daily reminders of how blessed we are is what God wants to show us through acts of simplicities; such as waking up in the morning, walking, showering, driving…! All of the things that have become routine and second nature to us are the very things that the Lord is using to remind us that we are blessed. We often hear that life is hard and full of problems and complications; but life is also a beautiful gift given to us by God. As you are traveling through your journey, do not only focus on the destination but also take a moment to enjoy the view and always, always stop and smell the roses. Learn to appreciate the simplicity of your path no matter how complicated it may seem.

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥

Hope Is

Hope is to trust in, wait for, look for, or desire something or someone; or to expect something beneficial in the future. When you put your hope in God, you are trusting Him in whatever you are waiting for.

But here's the key, if you're going to trust, it has to be in God and Him alone. The hope I am talking about it not a superficial hope, like "I hope it doesn't rain today." The hope I am referring to is profoundly deeper that requires faith, patience and endurance. Hope is having an eager expectation for God to do something. I have two questions for you today, what are you hoping for? And what are you doing to prepare for it? Faith without works is dead, so I encourage you to exercise your faith by 'expectantly' waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled in your life. When you are expecting someone or something, you are getting ready for their arrival. Get ready!

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits and in His word I put my hope. ~Psalm 130:5

 

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥