New things are happening at VE!
The purpose of VE’s new prayer & advocacy network is to be the standard in the Earth through prayer for truth and righteousness to prevail. The prayer network will have a special focus on injustice towards women.
Scripture Foundation: Isaiah 59:16-19; Mark 11:23-24; Eph. 6: 10-18; Mark 13:33-37; John 16:13-14 AMP; Isaiah 21:6,8 AMP
Stay tuned for more details…..
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.
Amplified Bible
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
Webster’s New World Dictionary defines fear as anxiety caused by real or possible danger, pain, etc. It has also been said that fear is false expectations appearing real. The common thread running between these definitions is that fear focuses on a perceived danger or circumstance. Fear is what compels you to believe something that has not come to be. However, we give fear its energy and cause those things to come true in our lives. The author of fear is Satan and the author of faith, the opposite of fear, is our Heavenly Father God. As women we are emotional creatures therefore, the enemies prime target on regards to us are our emotions. The Bible says we have not been given fear, however, many of us run to find it and keep it close. We are all given the opportunity to turn away from fear. It is a decision we make daily. You chose to fear. You choose to worry about things that have not even taken place. We need to strengthen ourselves through the Word of God and prayer to be able to resist fear when it tries to overtake our emotions.
There are scriptures upon scriptures which talk about how much God loves us, takes care of us and will protect us from any type of danger. It takes us realizing through revelation how big God is and how small the situation causing us to fear is. Fear is a tactic of the enemy to get us off focus and to sin. Worry is sin. I Peter 5:7 tells us to cast our care on the Lord because He cares for us. The Amplified Bible says, “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Casting your care might be end up being a daily ritual for you. How many times you have to do it doesn’t matter, just as long as you do it. God did not create a woman to carry such a heavy load mentally. Carrying a heavy mental load will lead to weariness and eventual burnout. There are many fears that we have an opportunity to take- fear of success, fear of failure, fear of change, fear of obeying God. Acceptance of these among other fears will stagnate your growth in God. Fear Not! Woman of God. Only believe that which has been told to you through the Father and His Word. Put your trust and confidence in Him and worry and fear will be a thing of the past.
Last week we talked about what influence is. Did you test yourself to find out what influences you? This is an excellent exercise to help you figure out how you are wired and why you do some of the things that you do. If you missed it you can check out the article on this blog. This week we will be discussing who you are influencing. We all influence someone. However, the question that remains is, are you using your power of influence for another’s good or to their bad?
As women, we were created with the innate ability to influence others. This can be seen regularly in male and female relationships. It all started back in the Garden of Eden to now. Even advertisers know the power of a female to incite others to do things. If you do not believe this, take a look at your television. The majority of commercials have some female advertising an item or using her power of persuasion to entice you to do something.
However, we have been given the power of influence not for selfish gain only but to move others towards the good. As a woman, you have been given a God-given gift to affect the lives of others. How can I be so sure of this? because we need this equipment to be effective wives, mothers, and individuals. We are born nurturers. We must use our influence to empower others around us. No one is in your life by accident. Each relationship has its purpose.
As women, we must take the time to discover the purpose of each and every relationship we have in our life and look for avenues to give and empower through our gifts and talents. Evaluate each of your relationships and ask yourself these questions.
1. Am I a positive or negative influence in this person’s life?
2. What can I do to help and make this person’s life better with the treasures I have inside?
3. Is this a relationship that I need to continue or is it one in which I need to end because no fruit is coming out of it?
If you discovered only negatively is coming out of some of your relationships, it might be in your best interest to leave those relationships alone. Negativity does not breed growth but does the complete opposite and eventually leaves you worse than when you began. Continue to develop those relationships which produce fruit. Your life will be fuller as a result. Next week we will discuss how to use your power of influence to catapult you to success.
This month we will be dealing with the topic of influence. What exactly is influence? Is it simply how you are perceived by others and how others react to you? Is it an undeniable magnetism or charisma that makes other people want to follow you, often seen in the lives of entertainers? Or is it more than that?
The dictionary defines influence as the bringing about of an effect, physical or moral, by a gradual process; power or authority arising from elevated station, excellence of character or intellect, wealth, etc.; reputation and finally, to control or move by power, physical or moral; to modify, bias, or sway; to move; to persuade; to induce.
As we can see the word influence can mean many things. The well-renowned author, John Maxwell simply defines influence as leadership. Influence is all these things. As we look at our lives we need to examine who or what we are letting affect us as a person. Who or what are we allowing to have authority in our lives? Who or what are we giving control to move us; persuade us; or induce us to action? As women we were created as emotional creatures- we often interpret the world in a different way than our male counterparts. We need to discover the influences in our life and evaluate if they are making a positive or negative impact. Here are 5 Questions to ask yourself which will lead you to discovering what influences you.
1. Who or what at the thought, mention of their name, or remembrance of an experience always yields an emotional response from you?
2. What things when you have seemingly nothing to do are you drawn to? This would include hobbies, types of music, art, etc.?
3. Look at your books and magazines. Do you notice a theme in what type of topics your read or are interested in?
4. On a piece of paper list your favorite television shows or TV networks. Are there trends here?
5. Where, doing what, and with whom do you spend over 50% of your time on a weekly basis?
The answers to these 5 questions will put you on the road to discovering your major influences in your life. Look forward to next week, where we will discuss who or what YOU are influencing for the good or bad.
Who Am I?
by Andrea I. Hart
Luke 9:18-22
And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? 19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. 20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. 21 And he straightly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; 22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
Jesus as we see through this passage knew who He was and what He was placed on this Earth to do. His passion to pursue the will of His Father drove Him during His Earthly ministry. Why was Jesus able to go through immense ridicule and pain? He knew everything that was put in Him was for the purpose of living a sinless life and destroy the works of the devil. He knew He was equipped and had everything He needed to accomplish this task. He wholly depended on His power source in the person of the Holy Spirit.
A woman who does not know who she is firstly, as a child of God and joint-heir with Jesus Christ and secondly as God’s woman of virtue and excellence is sentenced to live a life of dissatisfaction and temporary fulfillment. A woman must discover who she is before she can effectively help, inspire, and influence others. Without purpose you aimlessly go through life finding temporary fulfillment in people and things. Then, when you get utterly dissatisfied you move on. I want to introduce you to purposeful living, where you are so focused and driven you will virtually let nothing stand in the way of you and fulfilling your God-given destiny. This type of lifestyle always guarantees success and prosperity.
If you do not have a firm realization of who you are, you will inadvertently let other people, places, and things define you. If you do not know who you are in Christ you will let situations and circumstances dictate your path. You will not stand in your authority when sickness, poverty, or danger will try to come. If you don’t know who you are as a woman, you will not realize your worth. When you don’t realize or fully understand your worth, you will never fully walk in it.
Jesus knew who He was and what exactly He was sent here to do. He knew why He had certain traits & characteristics which is why He said the following in Luke 4:18-22
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?
Why were all eyes fastened on Him? I believe it was due to the strength and boldness these simple words carried in the mouth of Jesus. People take notice of someone who clearly knows who they are and acts according to that knowledge! They are a person that others want to respect and admire. I implore you, if you don’t have a revelation of who you are to seek the face of God concerning it. He will surely enlighten, comfort, and encourage you on the road to victory and success.
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By: Andrea I. Hart
Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty unto the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that he might be glorified.
As women of God we often try to look our best as we go about our day. We do all the natural things that cause us to look good daily. However, we must also have a daily spiritual regimen that causes us to walk in the power, love, and anointing of God every single day. This part of our regimen is essential. John 12:32 says And I, if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me. Everyday we must get into the presence of God and lift Him up. The presence of God is real and can be seen on an individual. This is evidenced in the Word with Moses and Jesus. When Moses went into the presence of God he returned shining with the light of God (Ex. 34:29-35). Luke 9:29 says: And as he (Jesus) prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistening. Matthew 17:2 And was (Jesus) transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. These are just examples of what should come on us every single time we get in the presence of God. We put Him on daily.
Ephesians 4:22-24 AMP
Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; 23 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], 24 And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.
It is our duty to make a decisive effort to do this daily. We walk in this world as God’s representatives- His ambassadors. We should carry characteristics of the kingdom inside and out. If you do this daily you will see the change in how people deal with you. You will be noticed, not just because of how you look naturally, but also because of what you carry spiritually. We see this in the story of Ruth. She got noticed and was shown favor by Boaz. Keep in mind this obviously did not have much to do with her natural appearance. He noticed her while she was at work, doing manual labor! She took a bold stand and chose to forsake the God of her fathers and to follow the God of Israel. God rewarded her for her faithfulness with a man of valor in Boaz. Boaz saw something in her and on her that made him stop and deal with her differently than others. In the same way, people will see something different in you and on you that will make them stop, take notice and deal with you a certain kind of way. However, this will not happen unless we make it a priority to get into God’s marvelous presence daily by praising Him, worshiping Him, spending that intimate time with Him. We will take away more than our hearts can imagine by spending that quality time with Him.
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Be Not Slothful in Business (Romans 12:11)
Proverbs 31:31
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
God’s signature woman, that is a Proverbs 31 woman. Many characteristics embody this vision in the heart of God. She is beautiful and intelligent inside and out; a true lady of virtue and excellence. Her goal and purpose is to be a daughter honorable in the sight of God. She is one to be treasured, recognized, and adored. What makes this woman who she is?
Proverbs 31:29-30
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
This woman’s relationship with God set her apart from the rest. He permeated every area and aspect of her life. He was her guide, strength, and source. He was her everything. Her love for God spilled over and created in her an awesome love of people. She was “others-centered” versus self-centered. She found delight in the work God gave her to do
(Psalms 37:4). She counted it an honor and a privilege to serve her maker, her King in any way she possibly could. This woman was no stranger to work, as we should be.
Colossians 3:23-24
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Everything that God has told you to do can be considered work unto Him. From your purpose and calling to your job to your service in your church, If God told you to do any of those things they are considered work unto Him. An issue that often comes up in relation to these are individuals that get so wrapped up in the work itself they forget their motivation for the work. We often forget to look at the bigger picture. Our focus gets diverted, especially when times get hard and many different things are competing for our attention. In this world, we can often have the right heart towards God, but get easily distracted with things of this world. God is looking for someone to trust Him and rely on His power and anointing to get His plan done in the Earth. If God told you to do something He has already put inside you what is needed to accomplish the task. However, you cannot do it alone. You were never meant to. God gives you the task, dream, or vision and then gives you His anointing to carry it out to completion. “Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it” (I Thess. 5:24). We work and are obedient because we love Him. We do our work not as unto ourselves but unto Him. If we all had this mindset we would never compromise our standards and always do our work in excellence. Every person can remember an instance in their life when they did not put forth their best effort. We have all done enough to just get by, at least once in our lives. However, God is calling us to a higher standard. We are representatives of God and that should be seen in EVERYTHING we do. However, often times we continually work for the approval of others and not of God. If we looked to God for approval, work would inevitably be more fun and the sense of accomplishment afterward would be more worthwhile.
I Corinthians 16:57-58
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Everything God has told us to do is for a reason and has a purpose. Sometimes the reason is foreign to us, but that is where trust and reliance in God comes in. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God knows the thoughts that He thinks towards us and that they are not for evil, but for an expected end. Sometimes God will tell you to do some things and you cannot see the reason why he told you to do these things. You must trust Him, be obedient, and always expect the best. God knows you better than you know yourself, after all He created you! God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us. His love is unconditional. Therefore, He would never knowingly tell you to do something that is not in your best interest. You MUST trust Him. Think of yourself as a trapeze artist and God as your harness. Your harness is always there for support to hold you up in whatever you might do. Even for those that choose to take off the harness who believes that they can do things themselves; God still supplies a net of mercy down below to protect you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Know that the things you do in the name of God are not in vain, so strive for the ultimate recognition, not from man, but from its author and creator God.
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