Following

Love when the word through Joel is powerful! :)

What’s Following You?

TODAY´S SCRIPTURE

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever" (Psalm 23:6, NKJ)

TODAY´S WORD from Joel and Victoria

As a believer in Jesus, did you know that goodness and mercy are following you? God´s grace and favor are chasing you down! But if you live with a cloud of condemnation over you, if you surround yourself with negativity, then you are putting a barrier between yourself and the blessings of God.

So many believers today miss out on what God has in store for them because they live like they´ve got a dark cloud over their heads. They´re always talking doom and gloom, living in condemnation. But when you open your heart to receive what God has for you, that cloud is lifted and all that´s left is His goodness and mercy!

Instead of living in guilt and shame, God desires that you walk in His love and forgiveness. Make the decision today to let go of condemnation, let go of the past through forgiveness, let go of self–defeating behaviors, and embrace His goodness and mercy! Let His favor surround you like a shield so you can live the life of victory He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I humbly come to You today asking that You remove anything in my heart that would keep me from You. Give me a heart of forgiveness so that I can move forward into all You have for me. In Jesus´ Name. Amen.

On a side note, had an awesome Lunch with a dear friend expecting her first little guy in September. I love being able to share pregnancy and birth stories. She is such a sweet heart - I look forward to meeting the little guy, which probably will not be "little".

After lunch I headed over to school and began the process of cleaning the spaces that I have occupied for the past 12 years. 12 years is quite a bit of time to accumulate "stuff". It really felt good, empty cabinets, organized supplies and plenty of things to toss. I have one area down, 2 to go. So many great memories.

Gosh I love that school. I look forward to visits and keeping up with my "Teacher Friends"!

:)

GRACE AND PEACE!

Just a Reminder

From God Calling:

Help and Peace and Joy are here. Your courage will be rewarded.

Painful as this time is you will both one day see the reason of it, and see too that it was not cruel testing, but tender preparation for the wonderful lifework you are both to do.

Try to realize that your own prayers are being most wonderfully answered. Answered in a way that seems painful to you, but that just now is the only way.

Success in the temporal world would not satisfy you.

Great success, in both temporal and spiritual worlds, awaits you.

I know you will see this had to be.

This morning I woke up and in my typical fashion turned on the morning news, usually about 6:45, I catch the end of the local news before the Today show. The news had a brief story about an SUV that flipped in the 7900 block of Westfield. The passenger was killed, the driver was 18 - no names have been released. All I could think of was the mothers pain. I wanted to know the name so I could reach out the the mother and let her know God will take care of you.

The family will spend time asking Why, searching for answers that cannot be found. They are not answers for this time. It is part of the healing process.

Once I accepted that the WHY for me will not be answered yet, I was able to focus on the blessings and praise God for how He has taken hold of me and walked me through my circumstance.

Today my devotion from God Calling reminded me that God does have a plan, and he has prepared through my circumstance a blessing that I cannot even imagine. I look forward to understanding, but will remain patient for the appointed time.

GRACE AND PEACE!

Riches

From God Calling:

Never let yourselves think "we cannot afford this," or "shall never be able to do that." Say "the supply for it is not here yet, but it will come if we should have it. It will surely come."

Persevere in saying that and gradually a feeling of being plentifully supplied and of being surrounded by riches will possess you. That feeling is your faith claiming MY SUPPLY, and according to your faith it shall be unto you.

But it is not the faith expressed in moments of prayer and exultation I look for but the faith that lays immediately to rest the doubts of the day as they arise, that attacks and conquers the sense of limitation. "Ask, and ye shall receive."

GRACE AND PEACE!

6 months

Jeremiah Parker Shelby ... 6 months today.

This one seems a bit easier, in the sense that I am smiling more. Thinking of my sweet little man and how many ways God blessed Jeremy, Aaron and Me.

Earlier this week I was thinking about Jameson, my sisters 9 month old, and Dean my sister in laws 3 week old - a very broad smile came across my face. I realized Jeremy was right in the middle of the two boys. They provide a STRONG glimpse of where Jeremy would be. That is a blessing, I will not spend time wondering - I will have two little men to keep an eye on. What a blessing. I do realize that is terribly sad at the same time - but only if I choose for it to be. And I choose not to live defeated by my circumstance, but to find Gods hand in it all.

my reading today:

"Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you." Zechariah 9:12

my prayer:

Lord, you are my strong hold, and I thank you for restoring double to me of all that has been lost in my life. Thank you Lord that you are faithful and good. Thank you for the many blessings that you pour over me, continue Lord. You alone are my strength and in you I find my Joy. Lord, I ask that you continue to move mighty in my life and help me to recognize when you do. In your son's precious name, Jesus. AMEN.

Have a wonderful 4th of July Celebration:)

GRACE AND PEACE!

fitting

Live Excellently TODAY'S SCRIPTURE "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10a, NAS) TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria David was a man of excellence. The Bible tells us that David played his harp “skillfully.” He didn’t just play it, he played it with excellence. When he slung the stone that defeated Goliath, it wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t just a lucky break. David had practiced the slingshot year after year out in the shepherd’s fields. He was extremely talented with that slingshot. Some experts say he could hit a small bull’s eye more than 100 feet away! In the same way, if we want to see God’s hand of promotion, we need to live excellently. In this day and age, if you’re not growing, then you’re at a disadvantage. If you’re at the same skill level this year as you were five years ago, then you are falling behind. It’s time to step it up a notch. Whatever you are doing, do it with all your might! Don’t get complacent. Keep growing; keep learning; keep improving. As you do your best to live excellently, God will bless the fruit of your labor. He’ll pour out His “super” on your natural and cause you to rise up higher into the life of victory He has in store for you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father in heaven, I choose to live in excellence. I want to bring You glory in all that I do. Thank You for promoting me as I dedicate every area of my life to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. GRACE AND PEACE!

bead frenzi

yesterday was a BEAD FRENZI ... my hands are feeling it.

I spent the entire day creating components for a long multi strand, this is a necklace that can wrap 3 times, or be worn long. I have found this to be a popular one ... I do not have any in stock therefore I needed to spend some time creating the components - and will sell one on Esty.

This morning I was drawn to Psalm 90:17

"May the favor of the Lord rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us - Yes, establish the work of our hands."

In all I do, my Hope is in the Lord and His blessing. I have a few projects for Aaron in addition to the beading orders - and I pray that the Lord will bless each project. I pray that the Lord will quicken my thoughts to be effective in building the Kingdom.

GRACE AND PEACE!

In all things

Honor Him in All That You Do

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE "Remind people to be submissive to [their] magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be prepared and willing to do any upright and honorable work" (Titus 3:1, AMP)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria In what ways do you honor God? A lot of times, people think “I go to church to honor God. I read my Bible to honor God. I sing and clap to honor God.” And yes, those are ways to honor God, but did you know that you honor God just as much when you get to work on time? You honor God when you are productive each day and honor the people in authority over you. You honor God when you excel in your career.

Actions speak louder than words. When you give your very best in the workplace, your whole life is giving praise to God—it’s one of the best witnesses you could ever have. Just showing up with a good attitude, friendly, organized, being your best—people will notice there’s something different about you. They’ll want what you have.

As believers, we should set the standard in all areas of life. People should see the depth of your character and your spirit of excellence and know that you are a child of the Most High God. Make the decision to honor Him in all that you do because you are His representative in the earth today!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father in heaven, I choose to honor You in all that I do. I choose to set the standard and do my very best. Thank You for the privilege to be Your representative. I love You and bless You! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

I have posted my first items on Etsy .... www.bethshelby.etsy.com

I will continue to work on the photos for the pieces, jewelry is not the easiest to capture. BUT I have access to my sisters AWESOME camera and that helps.

GRACE AND PEACE!