Featuring author Paulette Harper

Paulette Harper, author of "That Was Then, This Is Now"

Devotional Reflections from the Bible

with Paulette Harper

Women of Purpose: Naomi & Ruth

“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem of Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, his wife, and his two sons. But Elimelech, who Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. And Mahlon and Chilion died also, both of them, so the woman was bereft of her two sons and her husband.” Ruth 1: 1, 3, 5

“And she said to them, Call me not Naomi [pleasant]; call me Mara [bitter], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, but the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me”? Ruth 1:20-21 AMP

Have you ever been bitter with God because He didn’t answer your prayers like you had hoped? Did things turn out in a way you didn’t expect? Did things end up better? Well, if you are like me some things I had hoped and prayed for didn’t materialize like I had planned. But in life experiences, we often learn many lessons that are used to mature and develop us as people. The translation of Naomi name is pleasant. But because of her experiences in life she decided to call her self Mara meaning bitter. If you have never read this beautiful story it is one of hope, encouragement and redemption. Naomi didn’t realize that God was working on her and Ruth’s behalf even when it didn’t appear like He was doing anything at all.

We are all facing some type of dilemma in life either in our homes, families, job, children, finances, business and or ministry. Regardless of the situation you may not believe that God is going to bring you to a better place but He is. You may think that God has forgotten about you and your problems, but He has not. He is mindful of exactly where you are and how you are feeling.

The bigger picture in this story is the fact that God wanted to unite Ruth and Boaz. You might be saying to yourself but did God have to allow Naomi husband and sons to die? The answer is yes. There are things in our lives, relationships, marriages and even in our hearts that must die in order for us to live and reach the place of prosperity. Some people are not ready to go with you to the promise land and therefore you must be willing to let them go. Releasing friends, love ones and acquaintances is not always easy but when God wants to take you to a place that He has designed only for you, you must accept the way He wants to get you there. I didn’t quite understand the journey He was taking me on but I know that His plan, purpose and will for my life is better. When doors close, He will always open up other doors and opportunities that you will be able to go though. Those opportunities are looking for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paulette Harper is an emerging Christian Author making her debut with her first inspirational book That Was Then, This Is Now, This Broken Vessel Restored, a compelling story of deception, heart-ache and ultimate victory. In 10 chapters she masterfully uncovers the hidden obstacles she faced as the “first lady” and how she eventually broke through those barriers.

A native of Pittsburg, CA, Paulette travels as an Inspirational speaker and licensed minister teaching people how to overcome life’s unexpected experiences by delivering a strong message of hope.

Beyond her writing ability she has a passion to lead people to a clear and precise understanding of how life challenges can become one’s ultimate source of victory by sharing solid, biblical principles that will enable people to find a way out of every trial so they can reach their God given potential.

For more information about Paulette and her new release “That Was Then, This Is Now” visit: www.bvministry.org.

SHARE WITH US!

Devote this day to trusting, relying and believing that where God is taking you is bigger and better than anything you could possibly imagine. Do you have a favorite scripture that helps you stay focused on God, even when you don’t understand what’s going on in your life?

The Broken Vessel Restored Blog Tour Makes a Stop Here!

Stay tuned.  Paulette Harper, author of “That was Then, This is Now” is on tour.  She will make a stop here on Tues, March 17, 2009 as part of the Broken Vessel Restored blog tour.

You don’t want to miss it!

Blessings!

Carla

ILLUSIONS – by Wanda B. Campbell

Wanda B. Campbell

DEVOTIONAL WRITING BY WANDA B. CAMPBELL

An illusion is defined as an erroneous mental representation. In other words, the images Satan plants into our minds are false indications of reality. The enemy skillfully plays with our mind by planting scenes of us in our everyday struggles that end in our ultimate demise. He is a master at transforming the tangible into the intangible. He is described as an angel of light; therefore he has the ability to illuminate our hardships into visions of destruction and devastation.

Although the realities of universal hard times are fed to us daily through media and first hand testimonies, our mind deceptively feed us the ideology that our hardships are unique and isolated. We buy into the illusion that our personal situations are so severe and devastating that God himself can’t deliver us.

When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”  John 11:4

A close friend of mine, one who I consider a strong Christian, was recently faced with an illness that would require her to take several weeks off work. On state disability her monthly income would be cut in half. That was her reality. What surprised me was her deposition. Before the ink dried on the disability forms, my spiritual sister had accepted the illusion the enemy had planted in her mind. He took the temporary loss of income and painted a long-term picture of her losing her home and living on the streets.

It’s nothing more than an illusion that causes us to so easily believe our suffering and struggles are only about us and that we are alone. Much like the Prophet Elijah before the show down on Mount Caramel with the prophets of Baal. The purpose of that contest wasn’t to present Elijah as a superhero, but an opportunity for God’s sovereign power to shine. Likewise, the trials we encounter are not designed to destroy us, but are an opportunity for God to be glorified and magnified. 

Why is easier to believe the illusion and not the words God has spoken to us concerning his love and provisions for us?  Perhaps we, followers of Christ, have manufactured our own illusion.

Most of the brothers and sisters with who I associate believe their sufferings are only about them and that they suffer alone. That in itself is an illusion when Christ clearly promised never to leave nor forsake us. Even in the Old Testament, God promised to be with us through the water and through the fire; we would not drown or get burned. Habitually, congregations recite scriptures declaring God’s goodness; however, when under an erroneous mental representation, the notion is sometimes lost.

Just think how many souls would be won, if we didn’t buy into the illusion the enemy paints. What would happen if we really understood that our trials and sufferings are not for us, but a chance for God’s glory to shine?  What if we embraced our pain as the vehicle to strengthen our witness and confession of Christ?

If my friend, who is a single mother, had not accepted the mind games and distorted pictures the enemy sowed, she would have realized her sickness was not the vehicle that would drive her to the nearest homeless shelter, but at a way for others to witness how God loves and cares for His children.

In my Christian Fiction novel, Illusions, First Lady Denise Hightower learns almost too late that although the daggers thrown at her from the enemy, at the hands of her husband, penetrated her heart, she was not the sole target. As with Lazarus, her husband’s sickness was not unto death, but for the glory of God to be revealed. The illusion planted her mind reflected a devastating conclusion, when in reality God orchestrated the circumstance to revive the broken souls fallen among the dead.      

Wanda B. Campbell is the author of the Christian Fiction, Illusions.  I am honored to feature this gifted author here on my blog this week.  You can read more about Wanda here.  You may contact her by email at wbcampbell@prodigy.net.

Illusions is available today, click here.

Illusions by Wanda B. Campbell

 

 

 

BLOG TOUR STOP FOR WANDA B. CAMPBELL

I am honored and delighted that author Wanda B. Campbell is making a stop right here as part of her blog tour.  Wanda will be featured here on my blog for this entire week.  She will also be a guest on my radio show, Passion4Life on Tuesday, February 17, 2009. 

You will learn more about Wanda and her work as the week goes on, but here is a little information about her:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wanda B. Campbell is an extraordinary and talented writer who brings creativity, a new sense of hope, and restoration through the healing power of God to the Kingdom, by way of Christian Fiction.

 

Wanda believes there is nothing too hard for God and through His love and power, He can heal you in EVERY area you hurt. She believes with God’s help our darkest time can become our brightest moments. Her primary mission is to encourage everyone to experience the unfailing love of Christ. Wanda is not limited by race, age, sex, denomination or organization; believing the liberation that comes from Christ is free to all.

 

Wanda currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband of nineteen years and two sons. Her hobbies include writing and reading of course, traveling, and collecting magnets from around the world. Wanda is the self-proclaimed biggest Oakland A’s fan.

Contact Wanda at wbcampbell@prodigy.net

THIS WEEK:  Celebrate Wanda’s birthday & Valentine’s Day

This week’s winner will receive A Box of Sees Candies and a coupon for a FREE print design (choose a bookmark, postcard or business card) courtesy of Tywebbin Creations. Winner are responsible for printing.

Check Wanda B. Campbell’s blog for the winners.

GOD WILL MEET YOU WHERE YOU ARE

” He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.”  Genesis 28:12-13 (NIV)

Too often we believe that God is some distant and inapproachable object who remains out of our reach.  I hear people say that they are searching, or looking for God, as though He is lost.  Yet, it is you and I who are aloof, distant, and hard to reach.

A TRUE LOVE STORY

A Mother Cries

 

 

A MOTHER CRIES

By Carla Y. Nix

 

A shot echoes through the city
Lodging in the heart of a child
Destroying dreams of innocence
Shattering hopes of a bright future
A future filled with laughter,

Working Together For Your Good

Just like John 3:16, I believe that most people (well many) can rattle off to you from the top of their heads Romans 8:28.   Don’t feel bad if you can’t, just open the link and read.  You’ll say, “oh yeah, I know those words”.  Many times we speak them and read them, and they are just words to us.  Good words.  Encouraging words.  We even speak them, particularly Romans 8:28, as an affirmation and a statement of faith, when we are facing uncertain and trying times.

Today, I am rejoicing at a divine realization and ephiphany that God has made clear to me regarding Romans 8:28 in my life. 

Don’t let anger control you

I allowed myself to get so upset with someone last night that I ended up with chest pains and my blood pressure soared so high that I was seeing stars.  I was already having a day where I felt overwhelmed because I was doing so many things, and here I allowed some fool to just push me over the edge. 

My Goings On

I have been extremely busy over the last few months and as a result, I have not been able to remain as visible and present in some of the groups that I’ve founded, lead, or either belong to.  At this juncture, I am doing my best to spread everything out so that I can continue to be effective in all areas.

I recently shared some of my latest goings on with one of my groups.  I’d like to share it here as well.  Mostly because I desire your prayer for God to use me mightily in all that He’s called me to do and to give me the strength to do everything well.