Power Source

For those who know me, I’m always on my phone or my iPad doing something. My important notes, messages, studies are on those devices; a lot of the chapters written in my book are documented in there. I write my blogs many times on my iPad, an idea or event often comes to life because I jot it down on my phone (real quick)…What am I trying to say? I use electronic devices a lot; it’s a powerful and practical tool that makes my life a lot easier. Thank you Apple, thank you Siri.. Lol

It’s funny because sometimes I freak out because I’m running low on battery and I feel the need to charge my phone or iPad now, not in ten minutes, not in two minutes but NOW because I am losing power. Just like we look forward to plugging in our devices every night to make sure we have a full charged battery for the next day, we should also be as eager to plugin with God through prayer.

 

Prayer is power! Your place of prayer is your place of power. God is our power source and in order to feel fully recharged every day, we must pray every day. You can have all of the resources, be the best in your field, the most creative and talented person but if you do not plug yourself to the power source, which is God, you are slowly dying.  Just as a phone or any other electronic device has vital information and is very useful, if it’s not charged, that information becomes useless.

We all should look forward to our prayer time; it’s our time to connect with God. It is through prayer that we receive revelation and direction from our power source. With each prayer we say, God revitalizes us and our battery percentage goes up until we are fully charged. Through prayer we receive power because The Almighty Powerful One lives in us and is manifested through us. Prayer gives us power to conquer and to believe that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

I encourage you today to stay connected with God through prayer, if you find yourself running low on battery, plug in. Only prayer can connect you to the power you need to keep alive.

 

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!                                                                                                                         

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥

 

 

The power of Words

I love to read devotionals because I receive a sense of empowerment and encouragement that no matter what I am going through, everything is going to be ok. We can all relate, I'm sure. The simple thought of knowing that things may have slipped from our control but nothing slips God is comforting. He has and will always have control over everything in our life! And something that I have told myself repeatedly is that words are powerful. The words that come out of your mouth have power to bless or curse, it has power to shift a negative atmosphere to a positive one. Your thoughts are translated into words and those words have power to bring forth change. Need a change in your life? It starts with your declaration. Make sure that your words coincide with the results you want to see. The bible says "Keep this Book of the Law [word of God] always on your lips; meditating on it day and night [your thoughts], so that you may be careful to do everything written in it [obedience]. Then you will be prosperous and successful [God's blessings]. {Joshua 1:8}

I came across this awesome word from Dr. Cindy Trimm and I wanted to share it with you. I know it will bless and encourage you!!

A certain cleaning brand has a new series of commercials that are really powerful! Have you seen the ads where people are blindfolded and asked to describe what they smell? In each instance, they are brought to a place overflowing with garbage, dirty socks, or rotting food. But, in every case, the blindfolded test subjects have a pleasant response, saying it smells like the ocean, clean laundry, or tropical breezes. 

In each of the commercials, we're promised that this wonderful product has the ability to transform the environment from disgusting to delightful; that no place is so odiferous that a few sprays of this amazing cleaner can't make it pleasant again. 

Whether you believe the product claims or not, it does provide a great parallel for what you and I can experience in our lives. You see, you are likely to find yourself in places that aren't always pleasant. Maybe you're dealing with stress or conflict on the job. Maybe your home has become anything but a place of peace and rest. It doesn't have to stay that way!

You can neutralize the negative effects of what has taken place in your home and in your business by what you put into the atmosphere. You have been empowered by God to infuse His Presence, His Promises, His Provision, and His Protection into your environment. You have the power within you to change your surroundings - wherever you are - into a place of peace and prosperity... because GOD is within YOU!

In fact, you can initiate the change you want through the power of your words. Job 22:28 states that you can decree a thing and it shall be established. The power of blessing and cursing, even life and death, is in the words you speak.

It's time for you to take authority with your words. Put them to work FOR you instead of against you by declaring your home and business blessed!

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Powerful words by Dr. Cindy Trimm, huh? I encourage you to not say what you don't want to see, but declare [speak] what you want to see happen in your life, in your family, in your situation. Your words, when aligned with the word of God are powerful and life-changing. I will leave you with this verse, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. {Hebrews 4:12}
 

 

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥

Finding Purpose When Times Are Tough

While preparing to teach for our weekly young adults small group, I felt compelled to also blog about this topic because it's something that we've all encountered, tough times. Now, the question is, how do you find purpose when times are tough? Take a moment to think back and remember when you were going through a specific tough time. How were you able to handle it and overcome it? What were some of the feelings you had at that moment? Fear, doubt, confusion, anger.. etc.. And did you find Purpose in that tough situation? Do you now understand why you had to go through it? Believe it or not: In everything that you go through in life, THERE IS PURPOSE!

The Bible tells us in 1John 5:4 that For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. [NIV] In other words if you are a child of God, you have power to overcome any adversity that may come your way and your faith in Him is what will give you the victory. What is to overcome? It is to deal with successfully, defeat, prevail, to beat, to conquer. You have power to overcome!

Today I want to give you four key components that will help you Find Purpose When Times Are Tough.

1. BE STRONG
Everyone goes through tough times but we must understand that we can FIND PURPOSE in those tough times! We are more than conquerors the Bible says and like we just read if we are sons & daughters of God, we have power to overcome the world, overcome trials & tribulations and overcome those tough times!

The Bible says that there is nothing that shall separate us from the love of God! Read Romans 8:38-39. Isaiah 43:1-3 is another good scripture that will show you that God is by your side no matter what you are going through. The Bible also says: John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” In other words, just because we are believers of Christ, we are not exempted of the problems that life throws at us; Jesus said it himself, but the clear distinction here is that we will always have a solution through Christ & because of Christ.

2. SEEK HELP
Let's face it, sometimes there are be situations that are simply out of control.  We've tried everything and nothing, in fact, things get worse. It is in those times that we must run to God not away from Him. Seek Godly council. Run to your pastor or spiritual leaders, people who can really help and encourage you. Go to people who will uplift you, give you an encouraging word, who will pray for you and with you. And someone who will constantly feed you word! God's word, His promises because at the end of the day, His word is what will get you through. It is important to understand that in times trouble, go to those who can give you a wise advice. When you get a chance, read James 1:1-8. These are some things that jumped out at me.
Trials=joy
Testing of your faith=Perseverance=maturity
Lack wisdom= ask God
Doubt vs. believe
Doubt=don't expect to receive= double minded & unstable
I wish I had more time to dig into this but read and study these few verses and you will see a great teaching behind all of this.

When seeking help, our first resource should always be God. Prayer! Call on to me and I will answer you and I will show your great and mighty things in which you do not know. -Jeremiah 33:3. You may not see the big picture right now but you will come to see it and understand it later. Everything will make sense and you will find purpose in what you are going through. BUT you MUST CALL ON TO HIM. He has the answer to your problems, he has the key that will unlock your understanding in the mist of your situation.
3. YOU'RE NOT ALONE
God will always have your back. He fights your battles. The battle is not yours, it's of the Lord says the word. He is your ultimate defender, your lawyer, the one who fights and protects you. Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with problems and the enemy specializes in letting us know that "we are alone" but I want to tell you that is a lie. Yes sir, the devil is a liar! The Bible says that He has promised to be with us everyday of our lives. We are not alone! God will send His warrior angels to fight for you in whatever situation our are in. Psalm 34:7 says For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. If you love, respect and fear the Lord in reverence then there are angels at your disposal to defend and protect you.

4. HE HAS A PLAN
His grace is sufficient! His grace holds us together & keeps us grounded because it is not by our might, it is by His. It is not by our strength, it is by His. It is not by our knowledge or power, it is by His! 2 Corinthians 12:9 says But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.His grace is ALL we need! His power works best in our weakness. So we don't have to be ashamed, we can brag about it for our weaknesses because the power of God works through us. God's power is at its strongest when you are at your weakest!

He has a plan! Even if you don't see it right now. Jeremiah 29:11 says For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Remember, this too shall pass. There is a time and a season for everything. God never writes sad endings, just happy ones. If at this point you're not happy; it simply means, it's not yet the ending to your story.

Remember you are more than conquerer! You are an overcomer because you are a child of the God Almighty and your faith in Him is what will give you the victory to overcome any situation that may come your way. And the only way you will be able to overcome anything is through your faith. I love this quote from Dr. Tony Evans"Faith is acting like it is so. Even when it is not so. In order that it might be so. Simply because God said so." This is so true because you have to act like it is done, even when it isn't done, so that it can be done simply becauseGod said it will get done. Faith will enable you to cause a reaction in God so that He can then take action. Trusting in God can be difficult but it is necessary so we can see purpose in those tough times. We may not understand why we are going through a certain situation but understand this: There is Purpose! Be Strong, Seek Help, You're Not Alone, He Has A Plan. So that is why I encourage you to keep praying even if things don't make sense right now- they eventually will. Keep trusting and believing in God's promises even if you don't see it because at the end of this journey you will FIND PURPOSE IN THOSE TOUGH TIMES.

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!
Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥