Unshakable Power – Part 3

April 18, 2018April 18, 2018Leave a comment

roots-of-power Feeling overwhelmed and anxious are emotions many of us battle to subdue. Sometimes, they can be fueled by something extremely new or different to our normal routine. The good news is that you can grow and flow with opportunities while remaining unshakeable at your core. Four years ago, I posted about the challenge of what to do with yourself and emotions while God is at work. Please allow me to share again how you can enjoy peace and remain calm while He is in control of the situation…

How can you become unshakable in the midst of all this?

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD,
and whose hope the LORD is.
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters,
and that spreadeth out her roots by the river,
and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green;
and shall not be careful in the year of drought,
neither shall cease from yielding fruit. – Jeremiah 17:7-8

Get ROOTED.

Go DEEP in your relationship with GOD – deeper than you have ever been. Ask Him to show you new dimensions of His love and the essence of His power. Only with God will you become steady during turbulent times. The winds of change continue to blow and the heat of the unexpected burns, but nothing shall harm you. He loves, protects and empowers you to be a blessing in any situation. This requires a complete trust and focus on God instead of your circumstance.

SPREAD your roots among the “living water” of God’s Word. Find at least one or two scriptures in the bible that you believe to be true. If you’d like an example, here are two scriptures that you can begin to plant and grow roots in your spirit.

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them
that put their trust in him. – Proverbs 30:5

And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee;
for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee. – Jeremiah 1:19

Every day, speak the scriptures aloud and think on the words and their meaning until it abounds in you. You will know it is rooted when it comes into your mind or out of your mouth freely, without prompting. Once you have deeply rooted those scriptures in your spirit, search for others and repeat the process. Firmly establish yourself in the truth of God – not mankind. Understand, it is the storms of life that reveal how deep and wide your roots have grown.

When we are spiritually rooted and grounded, we become impervious to the chaos in the world. Our emotions are steady. We can love, forgive, prosper and go forward in the midst of any storm!

Get rooted in God’s Word and become UNSHAKABLE!

Meet Your Power Coach

January 3, 2018Leave a comment

A namtag sticker with the words Hello I Am Your Coach to represe

Searching for the perfect life coach or business mentor for 2018? Ready to turn big dreams into reality?
Well, look no further. Allow me to introduce your new power coach…

…your Heavenly Father!
You can experience the sweet success and undeniable results that come only from a proven leader. He is a Creator, a Provider and a Finisher. He is the ultimate game changer for your life!

The steps of a [good and righteous] man
are directed and established by the Lord,
And He delights in his way [and blesses his path].
– Psalm 37:23 (Amplified Bible)

Equip yourself with a power coach that can help you navigate through the well-meaning recommendations of friends, family and internet advisors. He can steer you away from dead-end paths void of fulfillment as well as, paths that cannot accommodate all your inner talents and secret desires. He can equip you with boldness over fear and confidence over uncertainty. Anything is possible with Him! He can open doors and create new partnerships that no one else can. And unlike other coaches, He can provide refuge and restoration from unexpected catastrophes that derail even the best-laid plans. Above all, God is not a procrastinator, money-waster or promise-breaker.

Delight thyself also in the Lord:
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
– Psalm 37:4

Your Heavenly Father knows all about you, so experience more of Him in 2018. Trust and allow Him to call the shots in every area of your life. The best part is when God is directing you; He empowers you with wisdom, favor and supernatural abilities! He will guide, inspire, and bless you beyond measure!

This year, get to know your power coach and elevate your life to a new level of delight!

Power Women

October 26, 2017Leave a comment

Photo Credit: Deddeh Howard

What makes a woman powerful? Does her power manifest only in immediate results or long term accomplishments? Some may answer that it is her ability to make things happen. Others may contend that it is her selflessness to help others. Media outlets often recognize powerful women as fierce, tough, strong, smart and wealthy. As I began to delve into this topic, I reflected on women who I admire and perceive as powerful… women like Harriet Tubman, Queen Esther and my grandmother just to name a few. To my surprise, there were mutual characteristics that I would use to describe each of them. Please allow me to share my definition with you.

A powerful woman is…

Luminous
She shines in the midst of a dark situation, although not always visible to the naked eye. Her brilliance glows through a deeper wisdom and understanding to positively influence her world. Her faith is strong. She can blaze a trail without scorching or casting a shadow on others.

Strength and honor are her clothing; she is confident about the future.Her mouth is full of wisdom; kindly teaching is on her tongue. – Proverbs 31:25-26 Common English Bible

Respectful of Men
She understands the value of both man and woman. Her self-confidence allows her to work with, lead, follow, help, communicate, care for, be loved by and receive from the opposite sex for a cause greater than herself. Gender does not hinder her collaborations.

But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the part with less honorso that there won’t be division in the body
and so the parts might have mutual concern for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it;
if one part gets the glory, all the parts celebrate with it.You are the body of Christ and parts of each other.
– 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 Common English Bible

Focused
She concentrates on her purpose, more than reacting to others. Pretense, deceit, slander and strife are not her modus operandi. Her behavior remains consistent through the storms of life and against evil opposition. She gives her attention to the future and goes forward without trepidation.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear,
but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment
and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm,
well-balanced mind and self-control].
– 2 Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible

Wow, it is amazing to think of the power God gave to us all! I’d love to hear your description or examples of “power women” in the comments!

The Power Behind Money

April 26, 2017April 26, 2017Leave a comment

money in the wallet (2) Do you handle your money or does money handle you?

Although some people feel empowered by it, money by itself has no power. When it comes into the hands of a human, it will carry out the motives of the spirit within its possessor.

In other words: If you are wicked, sneaky, bitter or stingy, so will your money be. In contrast, if you are compassionate, generous, wise or strategic, so will your money be. Your money will either be controlled by an evil force or a Godly one. Money gets its power from whatever spiritual force that is influencing you.

But people who are trying to get rich fall into temptation.
They are trapped by many stupid and harmful passions
that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
Some have wandered away from the faith and have impaled themselves
with a lot of pain because they made money their goal.
– 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (Common English Bible)

I had to learn hard lessons on how to handle my money. First, I had to trust that God is my total provision. No longer would I allow wrong influences to alter my values and character to obtain wealth. Here are some past examples:

Turn a blind eye to those who were mean to others to protect my income flow
Engage in activities that did not agree with my spirit for the potential to make more money
Befriend or date someone based on their perceived “money status”
Tolerate “mess” because money was involved and to be gained
Pretend, instead of being my true self, for financial promotion

Even in today’s modern society of enlightenment, you and I witness evil influences causing humans to act in the following ways:

Lie, steal or cheat others for notoriety and monetary bribes
Judge and oppress the less fortunate for increase
Sell themselves or others for sex, slavery, abuse, etc.
Marry, Uproot or Divorce their family solely for financial gain
Kill people or animals for blood money
Reject God in order to engage in deplorable acts for immense wealth

Understand that the last days will be dangerous times.
People will be selfish and love money.
They will be the kind of people who brag and who are proud.
They will slander others, and they will be disobedient to their parents.
They will be ungrateful, unholy, unloving, contrary, and critical.
They will be without self-control and brutal, and they won’t love what is good.

They will be people who are disloyal, reckless, and conceited.
They will love pleasure instead of loving God.
They will look like they are religious but deny God’s power.
Avoid people like this. – 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (Common English Bible)

There is nothing wrong with having an abundance of money. The final result depends on what power lies behind it and how you manage or “handle” it. You may desire to be rich and to use money as a means to fund mission projects and aid others. You can do great things and impact the world with significant monetary resources. However… Money is a tool, not a Savior.

Friend, know that only God can provide all the things money tries to buy. Money can buy the best medicine, but only God provides ultimate healing. Money can buy you status and companionship, but only God can provide unconditional love and joy. Money can buy you a nice car, but only God provides your daily life to enjoy the ride. Your Heavenly Father wants to fulfill all of your needs. You will never have to devalue yourself to increase with Him! Trust that His ways always lead you to an abundant, peaceful and successful life that you can handle. Allow God to be the power and influence behind your money!

Power Check-up

January 25, 2017January 25, 2017Leave a comment

Ready for a great start to 2017?

The direction and speed of your forward progress is closely related to the strength of your spirit. This core aspect of wellness proves critical for victorious living! If you are like me, you are ready to grow, excel and live with more energy and power than ever before!

Okay then…it is time for a quick check-up! Let’s take a look at two main organs.

The Heart
Your heart pumps life to the entire body. Whatever your heart is filled with, that is what will be running through your veins. This year, your heart can flow freely with love and power! Now is the time to eliminate these emotional plaques that clog your spiritual arteries:

• Regret
• Bitterness
• Shame
• Sorrow
• Jealousy
• Anger
• Hatred
• Unforgiveness (The Big Blockage)

You can unclog by exercising fun and laughter. Adopt a consistent lifestyle of thanksgiving in the midst of any life situation. Ingest spiritual super food with a daily dose of the living Word of God. Practice this new regime and you are on the path to a healthy, strong heart!

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart,
all ye that hope in the Lord. – Psalm 31:24

The Mind
Your mind is the control center of your life. Where it wanders, you will go. Often times, a mind without direction will create a chaotic state. Top it off with frustration and it can provoke you into depression, anxiety, bipolar and other mental disorders. This is not what God desires for you.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,
and of love, and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7

For your mind renewal, here are a few tips that can also help when feeling overwhelmed:

Shift your focus away from the distractions of the world. Take a break from social media, television, news and drama. Trust that God will take care of all things in your life, for your good and in His perfect timing.
Enjoy a daily mental break to relax, reflect and be still. Take deep breaths. Ahhhh, quiet and calmness. Meditation and prayer are great methods to ease your mind.
Re-direct your mind to positive, enriching thoughts. Think on things that bring joy and peace. Go to your “happy place” and speak empowering words to yourself.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee. – Isaiah 26:3

You cannot control the outside world. However, you can control what your mind consumes and what your heart retains. Spiritual wellness is essential to your successful destiny.
Take great care in how you nourish it this year!

Power of Stability

October 12, 2016October 12, 20162 Comments

yoga-woman-the-trent
Do you sometimes feel like you are losing your mind? Is it difficult to focus and stay the course? Maybe you feel unstable and have reached the limits of your patience. Don’t fret…you are not alone. This fast-paced society can inundate you with opinions and options that are not based in truth. These corrupt philosophies devise stress, division and confusion for all. You may find yourself living in fear of the worse, although you want to live in faith for the best.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. – James 1:8

The good news is that you can find stability meditating on God’s promises. His Word never surrenders or diverts from its purpose despite the pressure to conform to modern day culture. He will never abandon you or disregard your life as terrorists do. He does not deceive as some politicians do. His agenda for your life is not hidden. Your Heavenly Father desires for you to live in pristine physical, spiritual and mental health. He will never give up on you and His love is eternal no matter what you do.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
– 2 Timothy 1:7

You can experience power, comfort and unconditional love in the midst of chaos. The Kingdom of God and His Word are permanent, incorruptible and firmly established. It cannot be shaken or overthrown by any nation. It is constant and unwavering among a fickle society. God desires for you to be stable, whole and confident.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty
[Whose power no foe can withstand].
– Psalm 91:1 (Amplified Bible)

Your next move is to discover Him for yourself. Take time out to hear His perspective. He knows how to ease your mind and prepare you for your successful future. When you dwell with God, your life becomes lighter because you increase in Kingdom knowledge and trust in His perfect plan. No matter what the situation, He is the only one who can ensure that everything works out for your good.
God is the ultimate stabilizer!

Powerful Beauty Tips

June 30, 2016August 25, 2016Leave a comment

beautiful-black-woman 2 How do you define a beautiful woman? Some may describe her by the glow of her skin, the quality of her clothes or the shape of her physique. Others may characterize her by a friendly smile, a loving personality or a warm-hearted demeanor.

By worldly standards, beautiful women are most often measured by their outward appearance regardless of their moral character. Make-up artistry, hair styling and plastic surgery of today can create jaw-dropping presentations. But after all the cover-ups and push-ups are removed, what type of beauty remains?

One way the Word of God describes a beautiful woman is…

Your adornment must not be merely external—with interweaving
and elaborate knotting of the hair, and wearing gold jewelry,
or [being superficially preoccupied with] dressing in expensive clothes;

but let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart,
with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit,
[one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious,
but serene and spiritually mature]
which is very precious in the sight of God.
– 1 Peter 3:3-4 (Amplified Bible)

According to this scripture, a beautiful woman is defined as poised, kind, compassionate and stress-free. God sees her as very precious… adored, beloved and highly favored. Although she still adorns herself outwardly, she nurtures her deep inner spirit that is often unseen. Because of this, her confidence, influence and fearlessness are powerful! She radiates an everlasting beauty inside and out.

You are beautiful, too! Be lovely in God’s eyes and your beauty will inspire others. Take time to consistently adorn yourself in the spirit with grace, truth and love. Your inner spirit will glow. And though there are many ways to enhance the outer, here a few tips to cultivate the powerful combination of both external and internal beauty.

Seek to develop a more intimate relationship with God through daily prayer
Drink a glass of water at the start of your day to hydrate from within
Clear your heart of any unforgiveness, bitterness or past regrets
Have fun trying something new…fragrance, a lip color, hairstyle, etc.
Meditate on a scripture that brings you peace
Add a new exercise to your fitness routine
Esteem and appreciate others to refresh yourself
Rest, breathe deeply and rest some more
Regulate what you put in your mouth and what comes out
Trust God with every area of your life

Take good care of your whole self and remember…your beauty and power are everlasting with God!

Powerfully Discreet

June 9, 2016August 25, 2016Leave a comment

How can you be discreet in this age of social media? Almost every event and opinion is broadcast through cyberspace for public judgment. Most would agree that the internet is a powerful tool to spread uplifting and informative content through tweets, blogs, posts and pins. But sometimes, this unregulated medium is devastating when discretion is forgotten.

Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
– Proverbs 2:11 (New International Version)

So, what does it mean to be discreet?
It does not mean to keep secrets or to behave in a sneaky or deceitful way. For example, you should not refer to someone as “discreet” if they have an affair with someone’s spouse and do very well at keeping it quiet. That would be an inaccurate use of the word.

To be discreet has much more substance and responsibility…
– to be wise in speech or written word
– respectful of delicate matters
– avoid causing offense by one’s actions or words
– prudence with regards to one’s own conduct
– to select the best means to accomplish a purpose

My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. – Proverbs 3:21-22

Discretion requires wisdom and wisdom is a prerequisite for power. I believe you can still be “real” or “transparent” with others you are connecting with while also being discreet. I admire the way Jesus spoke in parables to encourage and teach. His purpose was to love, not judge. He used discernment. Even during public correction, He was kind to protect the identities and feelings of others. Social media is the new public arena. You and I can follow His example. Our words can be intentional, impactful and discreet.

Stress-Free Power

March 31, 2016August 25, 2016Leave a comment

Photo Credit – Awana.org

What gets you pumped up and ready for each day? Are you invigorated by your favorite cup of joe, the early morning show or a good cardio workout? Maybe your daily routine begins with quiet time or meditation. If you are looking to relieve stress and take your morning routine up a notch, invite God to power up with you!

Here are a few benefits of powering up with God for a stress-free day:

Maintain patience and peace – Any first-thing-in-the-morning crisis, nagging pain, grueling commute or a cantankerous start with kiddos can deplete patience reserves by 9am! There is still an entire day left. Starting the day with God through prayer or reading His Word provides a supernatural peace to protect our sanity.

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God,
and of Jesus our Lord, – 2 Peter 1:2

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7

Withstand Haters – All of us encounter those who do not like or support us. This negative opposition can drain our emotions. In some cases, “haters” relentlessly attack our character, work and personal well-being. They often outnumber us and attack without a cause. Thankfully, God does not want us to be distracted from our joy or from going forward. He gives us strength through His Word to remain peaceful and focused until “haters” no longer have an effect on our daily lives.

And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee;
for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.– Jeremiah 1:19

Eliminate anxiety and stress – Nothing in the world is for certain…relationships, economy, weather, national security. This uncertainty can fuel stress and lead to numerous health complications. Without God, the weight of protecting our assets and constructing a future solely on self-effort is exhausting. Some engage fortune tellers, idols, rituals or even drugs just to ease the burden. Worrying about life destroys hope, debilitates faith and hinders the power of God in our lives.

Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Gentiles long for all these things.
Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
– Matthew 6:31-33 (Common English Bible)

Praise God! With your Heavenly Father, there is certainty of success! All things that have happened and will happen in the future work together for your good. You may not always understand how God works, but you can be sure that His power does work! Communicate with Him through prayer, praise or worship. Invite Him to lead your path each day and power up in His amazing presence!

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits,
even the God of our salvation. Selah. – Psalm 68:19

Power Over Terror

December 31, 2015August 25, 2016Leave a comment

Small-Group praying Have you ever felt terrorized…mentally or physically? Terror is defined as extreme fear or the violence committed to cause extreme fear. At first glance, terror and those who distribute it appear powerful or unstoppable. However, it is only an evil tactic to distract and rattle your faith. In these times, a strong and wise spirit is critical to dominate over the terrors of this world.

Terror wants to literally “scare you to death” and make you relinquish your power to serve its cause. It is not a person, but an evil, dark presence that is revealed through, but not limited to, the following forms:

violent attacks against innocent persons, racism and other “isms”, brutality, abuse,
human trafficking, slavery, threats, kidnapping, wicked secret societies,
bullying, propaganda, genocide, pestilence and injustice

Although terror is atrocious, God’s grace is greater! You and I are not hopeless or defenseless. As Believers, we must unite in strong faith. We have the power of God inside our spirit to disarm and disrupt the schemes of terror globally and in our own communities!

You shall establish yourself in righteousness
(rightness, in conformity with God’s will and order):
you shall be far from even the thought of oppression or destruction,
for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
Behold, they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me.
Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you.
(Isaiah 54:14-15 Amplified Bible Version)

Here’s how you can fight terror…

Focus on God
Speak His promises of victory – Be Fearless!
Unite with other Believers – we need each other in these times of spiritual warfare
Put on the whole armour of God – now is the time to be skillful
Helmet of Salvation, Shield of Faith, Breastplate of Righteousness, Belt of Truth, Sword of the Spirit (Word of God) , Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace
Pray for your enemies – pray they are no longer used by the evil one – pray that their wicked plans will not be executed – pray to forgive them: forgiveness keeps you disconnected from fear
Pray for the safety of your families, communities, churches, leaders and your country
Trust God as the ultimate Vindicator

Praying, believing and speaking the Word of God over any form of terror is key to success! Victory is your inheritance! Today is the perfect day to align with the only One who is victorious!

AKILAH GRANT

Power, Love and Inspirations

Category: POWER