Let's Talk: Forgiveness

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)

We all have our shortcomings and struggles. This life can truly be a fight. Apart of this fight to keep pressing forward is forgiveness. It is a definite way to show you are an heir of God. God loved us by offering His son as a living sacrifice for our sins. Surely, you can forgive your brothers and sisters here on earth by removing grudges and releasing your internal bitterness towards whomever. It does not matter how harsh the doing was towards you, you have to release yourself and forgive.

Forgiveness is truly for you. You have a life to live that cannot prosper with the weight of unforgiveness hindering God's blessings for you.

When you forgive, it is not only an opportunity to set yourself free of the past, but it may open the dialogue in some cases to bring others to Christ. Ultimately, this is the end goal.

Whatever God requires, I am willing to obey. Are you?!

This world is already too full with bitterness and strife. I do not want to add to the pot and I hope you want better for yourself and this world too.

So on this beautiful Sunday, I hope that you forgive those that have done wrong by you and keep them lifted in prayer. God will honor this act and bless you.

Read: Colossians 1:13-14; Matthew 6:9-15; ; John 3:16

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday. I love you all!

xoxo - Dominique

Let's Talk: Worry

Do not worry about tomorrow, today has worries of its own. (Read Matthew 6:34)

I am definitely guilty of worrying about things I have no control over or that are avoidable. Worrying is not healthy and only leaves you in disgust or worse, depression.

Some worries are avoidable like being prepared for a test final. Living a carefree life is a choice and right at your fingertips if you are willing to put in the work. When you put in the work, you have no time to worry. 

Some worries are uncontrollable like when a love one is in the hospital. When traumatic things happen in our lives, it can feel like a set back and in an instance, everything you thought life was is not. Everything is upside down. Even in those moments, God presents Himself as a present help. Nothing in life has to be faced alone. God is always there.

Try to remember to live in today's moment. You have the right to feelings and emotions in their right time and place. However, the key to any worry, big or small, is to pray and trust in God. 

You can choose to let your worries bring you close to God or away from Him. I have learned to trust God in one of my imperfections, worry. He has shown Himself over and over as a comforter and friend.

Meditate on these scriptures: Proverbs 12:25; Psalm 55:22; Matthew 6: 25-34; Matthew 11: 28:30; Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:6-7

I love you all! Hope you are enjoying your Sunday and weekend :)

xoxo - Dominique

Let's Talk: It's Not Easy

Life hits each of us in different ways.

Perspective is everything.

Life and death is truly in the power of the tongue.

What you say, you become. I know this has been said many times but it's biblical and the truth.

God makes it so simple for us but we choose sometimes to make it complicated.

I believe you and I have the power to speak life over our lives and nothing is impossible for God.

The key is having faith when everything around you says the opposite of the promises God has given you.

I definitely do not have all the answers, but I have been choosing everyday to keep pressing forward.

You have to start small. You have to allow God to handle ALL things. This is key.

God made the seas and placed each star in the sky. Surely, He can make your life brand new and open doors in an instant. But can He trust you with your bank account? Can He trust you with the little things? Are you living by your own might? Examine all areas of your life and make sure God is the center of all.

What are you doing now? What do you want for your life? What is God calling you to do? Do you know who you? These are questions each of us has to come to grips with in order to live life in its fullness.

What is your mind telling you and what are you feeding it daily? Are you praying consistently?

I'm a work in progress. I'm not perfect. I don't know anything fully. I'm simply a willing vessel for God.

It takes time. Be patient enough to try to get it right.

If it comes too easy, it's questionable. You are worth the time.

Most importantly, enjoy time with God and build your relationship with Him. He really wants to blow your mind. Let Him (God).

Read: Hebrews 11:1; Galatians 3:22; James 1:6; Mark 11:24; Matthew 15:28; Proverbs 18:21; Jeremiah 29:11; Genesis 18:14; Job 42:2

You are not in this journey alone. I know this world is ever changing but your strength should come from God. Don't try to do this life on your own. Reach out to Him for help and watch Him order your steps.

I love you.

xoxo - Dominique

Thank God for JESUS!

Genesis 3
1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat:
3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of Jehovah God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And Jehovah God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
13 And Jehovah God said unto the woman, What is this thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14 And Jehovah God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, cursed art thou above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
15 and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy pain and thy conception; in pain thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in toil shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
20 And the man called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
21 And Jehovah God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins, and clothed them.
22 And Jehovah God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever-
23 therefore Jehovah God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame of a sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.


Just think what if there were no JESUS...where would you be, today?

a little encouragement...

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."


John 14:27 New International Version

He is never too far...

Psalms 31: 22-24

In my alarm I said,
"I am cut off from your sight!"
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.
Love the LORD, all his saints!
The LORD preserves the faithful,
but the proud he pays back in full.
Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the LORD.

While waiting for your prince charming...

1 Corinthians 7:34

But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

I am living in union with You, what or who shall I fear?

Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" So we say with confidence. "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

It feels so good to know that if no one else is for you, God is!

we need each other...:)

1 Corinthians 11:8-9,11-12

For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man..... In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

a little Inspiration to get you through the rest of the week...

Matthew 6:19-34


Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" No one can serve two masters . Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.


Let's build our house in HEAVEN!

Today's Bible Verse: Come Together in Praise!

1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:1-6 (New International Version)

There is nothing more glorious than all of God's children coming together in praise. It is important for us all to recognize and live by the ultimate example of Jesus Christ by treating and accepting each other so that we can come together to give God praise. Thats what this thing is all about. Church is not a building...it is us the children of God.

Dont forget about the One that died for your sins!

Happy Easter to you!!!

xoxo

The day is so BEAUTIFUL!

I could never feel so inspired and grateful right now. I have exactly 29 days until I am a college graduate. I got some exciting news on yesterday that I will share with you after I graduate. Just know that it has been a long time coming and it was definitely well deserved.

Today I am hanging out with the girls. We are going to go see Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too. I know that it is going to be totally awesome. I will surely make a review on it either sometime late today or sometime tomorrow.

Well love you guys and have a BEAUTIFUL day! I know I will!!!

xoxo-Dominique

stay STRONG!

Know your POSITION.

I think as women we need to understand our position. God placed us here on earth to be simply help. Now this doesnt mean you have to be under someone command or demand, but you do have to understand your position. This is the reason why marriages are failing and why sometimes us good girls end up with the short end of the stick.

God made man the head of the household and made women his help and not the head. After that is the children. It may seem again we are being brought down, but look a little closer, it isnt that way because men arent suppose to rule us or dominate over us. He is simply the one with the final say with our help.

Position is simply a place or arrangement for order. It has nothing to do with having more education, wisdom, or other attribute to make us feel we should be higher than the next person. These things do not make you or anyone else ruler of anything. It is just what it is. We are the weaker vessel not in strength or faith but in position. Yes, as women, we were made and its in our nature to be independent beings (there is no coincidence there is more women on earth than men but nehoo!), so in essence it is true, we dont need men, they need us, but we must understand position and order.

Ephesians 5:22-33
5:22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, 5:23 because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. 5:24 But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her 5:26 to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, 5:27 so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. 5:28 In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 5:29 For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, 5:30 for we are members of his body. 5:31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 5:32 This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 5:33 Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

A few weeks ago, a preacher brought this to the attention of the church and it really but many things in perspective, so of course I had to share this with you guys.

GoodtoKnow.

Romans 8:38-39
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Chains

when life is too much

and you feel God is out of touch

think about the chains

and every one of them He has broken you from

just think of the many blessings that came when He broke those chains

if i were you, i would stand strong with my chains

and know that it is just a sign of the success coming your way

Shei Atkins

(please check her music and

blog out at www.myspace.com/sheiatkins

and sheifaithblog.blogspot.com)

when they came against, who was for you?

when they left you all alone, who comforted you?

when they mistreated you, who came and did right by you?

when they counted you out, who gave you success?

when they made you last, who said you were first?

when problems rose, who had all the answers?

if you havent figured out by now...it is GOD!

God's got your back and He will stand the test of time

im happy to call Him mine:)

Psalm 46:10 (New International Version)
"Be still, and know that I am God

God's Love

I think in order to truly find love, you have to find God first. He is love period. Many times we try to find love and our rescue in the physical things here on earth, but you must first understand the origin and the creator of all things. Right now I just want God to show his love more and more so that everything I am and will be is His will and not my own. To receive that blessing or breakthrough, you have to go back to the origin, the creator, GOD! It is just as simple as that. If you are wondering why this or that hasn't happened for you check your origin. Get back to the One who is and forever will be present in your life. Go back...start reading and studying His word. Its all there for you, but you have to seek Him for yourself. He will give you all the signs and answers through His love.

Ephesians 3:17-19
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

BTW I made straight A's for Fall Semester 2009 (now holding a 3.67 GPA)...one more semester to go!!! YAY!!!