My Purpose to Fulfill

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant (Jeremiah 1:8-10).

What has God told you lately? What has He reassured you of time and time again, but you have dismissed it as if it was never said? From the foundation of the world, God had you in mind. In your mother’s womb, He implanted in you purpose and destiny. He gave you something He did not give anyone else. Only you were made to fulfill the role that He created you to fill. Only you have been assigned to certain individuals or events to bring about change for them. You have a purpose to fulfill.

When the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, Jeremiah thought that God couldn’t possibly be calling him to do a major assignment because he was but a young boy. However, God was not concerned about the statue of Jeremiah or even his age. What was most important was that he could be used and that Jeremiah was teachable. God told him to be not afraid but to stand firm and proclaim His word. Many of us will listen to people all the time to the point of negating the potential we have inside of us, for fear that we couldn’t possibly measure up. But it’s not about what we can do. If it’s up to us, we could never measure up. But greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world! (1 John 4:4). We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us! (Phil. 4:13).

You have something in your mouth to say that will change people’s lives. God allows experiences to happen to us so that we can use those to be a testament for others. Your story could be the vehicle to getting someone saved. God wants each of us to be ready to say whatever He commands us to say. Will you allow him to use you for the Kingdom?

Many times in our lives, seasons come and go to test our faith. Within seconds, our once happy, productive day can be changed by unexpected distractions, causing us many times to forget what the Lord had just told us about His promises. The circumstance seems to outweigh the faith that we said we had. It’s during these moments when we need to remember who we are in Christ Jesus and start to take the word of God seriously for what it is: LIFE! If God said He has made us joint-heirs with Christ, and that our inheritance is wrapped up in Him, then we are to overthrow all manner of evil, destroying all imaginations attempted to kill our witness and use our voices to build us up and ultimately the saints of God and our families. We are Ambassadors of Christ! (2Cr 5:20) So start today by truly reflecting on where you are in your faith walk, and declare that from this day forward, you will use your mouth and your thought life to confess who God has already created you to be, a person of purpose to fulfill.


Selah—(Think on These Things)

* Has fear stopped or delayed you from going after God’s call for your life?
* What limiting beliefs have you bound from taking the next step?
* Ask God to reveal those fears to you, seek forgiveness, and commit to making change in that area.



Prayer:

Lord, I thank you that even before my being in my mother’s womb, you had me in mind. You crafted me and made me to be a force in this world. I appreciate my uniqueness and all that makes me who I am. There are times when I may forget who you created me to be, resulting in doubt and fear. Forgive me, oh Lord. As I connect with you through prayer and your Holy Word, I will be so careful not to forget what you have promised for my life and will walk in your commandments, making it an example for my life for all to see. I declare that I have purpose and that purpose is alive on the inside of me! In Jesus Name, Amen!



Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved (From the Upcoming Book, "There's Hope for the Weary: God's Promises for Life's Greatest Storms''-By Lily L. Ratliff-Jenkins).

PUSH Your way to Your Destiny!

New eBook Available NOW!

I am extremely excited to be offering my new eBook, All is Not Lost, a short story that is a precursor to my new, upcoming novel of the same name! I am so thrilled because not only is it available on Kindle, Nook, Smashwords, and PDF formats, it has also went up quickly in rank on Amazon!! Praise God!

Here's a synopsis: Sandra Blakely had it all: a successful, five year marriage to a wonderful husband, a good paying job, and a new home to entertain their many friends. It wasn't until she found out the secrets of her husband's past, his seemingly frequent whereabouts and the news of her dying grandmother that Sandra's life started to take a turn for the worse. With the only thing she had left, Sandra went on a quest to find her way, knowing that through her faith in God, all was truly not lost.

To order your copy at a special introductory price, go to Amazon and order TODAY!

For His Glory,

Day 4 of the Isaiah 40:31 Blog Tour!

Soar like an Eagle!

One of the most famous scriptures in the bible today is Isaiah 40:31 which says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (KJV) However, we as a people recite this verse, not truly realizing the extent to what our God is really saying to His people, especially in these last and evil days.

Many of us today are facing a financial crisis that this world as never seen since the Great Depression. People are losing their jobs and their homes, their life savings from 401K’s and stocks and bonds are gone by the close of the day, and sickness and disease has crept up into many a families from the stress of all that’s going on around them. However, if we are children of God and truly living within the body of Christ, we are not a part of the recession. As children of the Almighty King, we shouldn’t have to claim that Egypt mentality. Oh no, we are living in Goshen if we are lined up to the will and power of God! Amen!

God wants us to wait on Him. And not just wait in the literal sense of waiting for Him to respond, which we know he will also do, but also waiting (as the Hebrew Qavah suggests-which means to hope or look for, or have great expectation in receiving His salvation and help in the time of need). We can’t do everything on our own accord and our own will, because it will do nothing but collapse and fail. God calls those people in Isaiah 40:30-youth or vigorous young men because they run like mad men trying to work up something, but fall flat on their faces from weariness and fatigue. Selfishness is something God will not tolerate. But if we are ready to receive all that God has for us, then God will grant us power to withstand-it’s the kind of strength that will move mountains! He will restore us to our rightful positions. Hallelujah! It says in Isaiah 40:28, and I will paraphrase this: Didn’t you know? Haven’t you heard that our Almighty God, who made heaven and earth, never fails, nor gets weary or weak in well-doing? You may not understand Him, in His infinite wisdom, but he’s asking for you to do the impossible! You may complain about the length of your journey, and feel you can’t make it. If you look at God through your circumstances, He will seem small and very far away, as if you can’t get a prayer through, but if by faith you look at your circumstances through God, He will draw very near and reveal His greatness to you. When the devil tries to come against us, with the authority God has given us, we will be able to step on his head, and make him our footstool as we mount up, rise, and fly like eagles, and experience life on a higher plane, a soaring supernatural life which is always available to every believer.

This scripture also takes me to another familiar scripture that’s similar and it’s Hebrews 12:1-4. In it, the Lord tells us to set aside every weight that so easily besets us, or the cares that you might have that you want to hold onto; you know the ones about your children, or your unfaithful spouse, or the boss on your job that’s giving you a hard time. Even though those things are disrupting your thought life, we are still to run this race knowing first, that God is there and will never leave us, but also two-God has been through what we’re going through and more.

2. “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. Just think of Him who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. 4. You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood. (AMP)

See in verse two and three of that chapter, he goes on to explain that he endured the cross, he despised and ignored the shame and endured patiently. He didn’t lose heart; he didn’t give up; he did it all for us! Think about what God had to struggle with each and every day. That should give us hope for a glorious future in His Kingdom! But don’t think for a second that that future couldn’t start today! Oh no! God wants us, while we are in this race, to live victoriously! An abundant life, health, wealth, prosperity, wisdom, peace, and joy are ours, right now! Just speak it, declare your faith towards God, and encourage yourself in this faith walk. Keep pressing Saints of God! We must not be moved. God is in control! Amen.


To see any of the other wonderful authors from the tour, go to Written Voices, All the Buzz, and Urban Christian Fiction Today!

Be Blessed!

New books about to be Released!

Excitement is in the air as two books are about to be released! One of the books that I actually just received in the mail is my first children's book, "An Act of Forgiveness." It's from the six part series entitled, The Last Shall Be First. They are targeted at 3rd-5th grade children.

ENDORSEMENT: In this book, Ms. Ratliff, captures the heart of forgiveness. She shows the challenge and victory that come in the act and effort to forgive others. Along with forgiveness, this book examines the differences in individuals. No two people are alike. Each of us has a unique personality, which is what makes our world so flavorful. Learning to respect our differences is important to our walk with God. This book adds to every child’s character development and should be on every child's, library's and school's bookshelf.

--Caterri S. Leaks
Willing Heart Creations
Founder & Author

Go to http://www.lilylratliff.com to order NOW!



The other book, which has been in the works for over a few months now, is entitled, Have a Little Faith: Trouble Don't Last Always. Have A Little Faith is designed for those individuals that have gone through test and trials and come out on the right side of FAITH. Have you or anyone in your family ever been healed of an illness, delivered from an addiction, or set free from sin all in the name of Jesus. If you have, then you most certainly must Have A Little Faith. It also contains stories of entrepreneurs that have stepped out on faith and gone into ministry, started a company, or wrote the book/released the CD that was in their hearts. Now they want to share their stories of triumph amongst all of the odds that were against them.
It is set to be released May 20th and can be pre-ordered now from my website, http://www.thelifeofalily.com. My story, "The Breakthrough" will be featured. These are sure to bless your spirit!

A Friend That Sticks Closer Than A Brother

Friends, don't ever take for granted this world around us--nature, the birds, the trees, and everything God made for each of us. Because regardless of what it might look like, the evils of this world, the economy, the microwavable, fast-pace of the days before us, it's nice when we have people that care enough about us and can show the unconditional love that goes with having true friends. Watch this video. It's sure to make your heart flutter with affection and praise!

Beauty Tips

Beauty Tips
written by Sam Levenson

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years -only grows!

Our beauty shows deepest when we feel good inside and it exudes outwardly to others. Doesn’t it also feel good when we can get dressed in our best feeling good on the inside as well? Amen! But in today’s economic times, it’s really hard to be able to go out to different boutiques to buy expensive jewelry. We go out of our way to serve and treat others, all the while losing ourselves. How about treating yourself this upcoming holiday season with economical but beautiful inspirational jewelry that speaks volumes in style and grace, while proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. www.everythingthatslily.com showcases some of the finest costume jewelry at a fraction of the price! Do something special today!

White Lillies

On InspirationalArchive.com, I had the opportunity to run across this post from Carol Barrett about her intrepretation through God, about White Lillies. Here, she shares her story….

I just had to share this story with you all. I’ve had a tough year with my son Michael’s illness and the ongoing breast cancer battle my sister Shirley is struggling with. There have been times when it has been difficult but I’ve managed to press on.

This past Tuesday I took the day off from work to take Michael to the doctor and take care of some other personal business of my own. While waiting for Michael’s appointment to arrive I decided to mow the lawn. When Tom and I moved into our house a little over a year and a half ago I noticed immediately that there were no flowers on the property just a lot of shrubs, bushes and trees. After mowing the back lawn I naturally mowed the front lawn and then proceeded to take the mower to the back yard again to put it away. As I approached my back yard I noticed a single beautiful white lilly plant growing along the back fence. I knew immediately it was a sign. I put the mower away and ran upstairs to my computer. I googled “white lillies” and there it was. White lillies are a sign of hope and life. Wow, God is good.

So I send to you today white lillies.

Carol Barrett