Author: Author, Nicole L. Ross

Different People/Different Purposes

Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

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It’s amazing how when you talk to certain people they make you feel a certain kind of way.  I say that because I recently talked to one of my best friends, and talking to her really just gave me the kick start I needed and allowed me to refocus.  It wasn’t anything that she said in particular, it was just the fact that she knows me and has known me for so long and when talking to her I could really just be myself.  Then I think about when I talk to my husband, who really is my confidant.  It’s like God placed this man in my life for so many different reasons, and one of them is really to help me figure out me.  What I mean is, often times I think about a lot of different things in my mind just gets all jumbled up, but when I try to talk to an average person about it, I am not able to fully express what I mean in a way that they will understand. With my husband however, when I talk to him, he always helps me put things into perspective.  I mean it seems as though the light bulb in my head just clicks on during our conversation and what I couldn’t express to anyone else, now makes sense. And not only does it make sense to me, but he also understands.  Now, when I talk to either one of my brothers, no matter what situation is going on around me or how good or bad I may feel, they always bring such happiness to my spirit and cheer me up because they are so funny and crazy.  But in my dealings with them, they also challenge me to be a better me, a better sister, a better wife, a better daughter, a better friend, just an overall better person in general.

I gave these examples to say this, different people have different purposes in your life.  Ultimately, their purpose should be to help you along life’s journey and help push you towards your purpose.  Stop trying to make folks a part of your life who aren’t trying to help you get to your purpose.  AND stop giving people a role in your life that they were never meant to play.  Everyone can’t be your best friend, everyone can’t be your husband or wife, everyone can’t be your brother or sister, so do not expect them to act like it.  Then turn around and get disappointed when they don’t.  That is only setting yourself up for failure.  We have such high expectations for people, which many times is why we end up getting hurt.  If you put people in the right place in your life, and deal with them from the right perspective it will save you a lot pain and heartache, and that’s speaking from personal experience.

There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won’t anymore and who always will. So, don’t worry about people from your past, there’s a reason why they didn’t make it to your future.  And thank God for the new people He will send your way to help thrust you towards the destiny and greatness that you have on your life. #iDeclare #differentpeopledifferentpurposes

Prayer:

Father God in the name of Jesus, I thank you for helping me to understand the different roles that people play in my life.  I decree and declare that I will not give anyone a role that you never intended to play.  Thank you for those who will push me towards my destiny in you.  Help me gain a stronger spirit of discernment so I can know who they are.  I trust You Lord, and I thank You that You are the head of my life.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Scripture:

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

John 15:16 ESV “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

Always Give Thanks

Author, Nicole L. Ross1 Comment

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As we go about each day living life as we see fit, we must never forget to give thanks to the one who gives life.  I am not just talking about giving thanks for the big things, like a brand new car I’m talking about giving thanks for everything.  Food, clothes on your back, air to breathe, roof over your head, all of these things.  We must be thankful because believe it or not, there are people in this world who do not have some of the things listed above.  It’s sad because I think a lot of us know this to be true but it is easily forgotten because it’s not right in front of our face.

Just recently, while over here in Germany, someone came to my church who was from a different country.  This man was not from Germany, nor was he American, but he understood the English language and because he saw the signs outside of the church he knew this was the place he could come to not only get a word, but also get help.  Long story short, come to find out this man was homeless and had not eaten any food in three days.  He was in our area looking for work and had been traveling all over Europe trying to find a job.  So many things about my interaction with this man got me to thinking.  In spite of everything that was going on in his life, he had enough sense to know that when he saw the cross painted on the building and the word ‘Church’ that this was a place he needed to be in.  (That is whole separate topic I could go into when it comes to the church and giving people the help they need, but I’ll have to save that for later.)  To think I had nerve enough to complain about the cold and rain outside, when I have a home that is nice and warm and here this man is homeless.  I got mad when I first moved to Germany because I couldn’t find the specific type of foods I like at the grocery store, when again I meet this grown man who hasn’t eaten anything in the past 3 days.   Needless to say, my church helped him and he was extremely grateful, but on a personal level all I could do was pray and ask God to forgive me for having an ungrateful heart.  Truthfully, the main reason I wanted to write about this is because it should not take us running into someone who is going through hard times to get our mind right and be grateful for what we have.

I want to encourage you to take nothing for granted because things could change or even worse, it could be taken away from you in an instant. While you complain about eating chicken instead of steak, there is somebody who doesn’t have food at all and while you are upset because you want a bigger house, somebody is sleeping in their car every night.  The reality is this, if it weren’t for God’s grace and mercy that is new each and every morning there’s no telling where any of us would be. And the beautiful part about it is there is nothing you can do to earn it or deserve. That’s just who God is. His love is truly unconditional. #iDeclare #taketimeandgivethanks

Greatful

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come first repenting for not being grateful for each and every blessing that you bestow upon me.  Thank you for waking me up to see a new day, thank you for giving me food to eat and shelter over my head.  I just want to say thank you.  Thank you for who you are in my life and for all that you do for me.  I decree and declare on this day that I will take nothing for granted. Each day, I will take time to give thanks.  I love you Jesus, and I thank you that you are the head of my life.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Scripture Reference:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”

James 1:17 NIV “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Focused and Determined

Author, Nicole L. Ross2 Comments

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            What does it mean to be focused and determined?  When I looked it up, one of the many definitions for focus is the center of interest or activity.  I did the same for determined and came up with having made a firm decision and resolving not to change it.  These are two concepts I feel we should all purpose in our hearts to live by.  Is it easy?  Absolutely not.  You have to have enough will power deep down inside of you to keep moving forward, no matter what.  Stuff happens and when it does, often times it can catch you off guard.  Little things here and there, I call these distractions.  I’d even say that it really seems like more of these distractions seem to transpire when you are actually trying to stay focused, compared to if you are just breezing through life with no goals or ambition.  That being said, when you find your purpose in life, make a firm decision that you are going to fulfill that purpose.  In order to this however, the ability to not sweat the small stuff must be present.  We must learn to pick and choose our battles.  Do only those things that are most important and leave those other things alone.  They are simply a diversion meant to get you off course.

As an online college Instructor, one of the first things I tell my students when they start my class is to be prepared for any and everything.  I suggest that they have a backup computer, back up internet access, work ahead to complete each week’s assignment, just overall stay ahead of the game.  The reason I encourage them to do this is because should anything happen, they will be prepared.  Preparation is half the battle for successfully completing the course, which in turn will push them towards their goal of obtaining a college degree.

Whatever it is you have going on in life, let today be the day you decide to get focused and determined towards fulfilling the purpose and plans that lie ahead of you.  We have to be like Paul in Philippians 3:14, and press forward towards the prize. I decree and declare on this day that God is planning to do something new in your life.  Out with the old, let’s focus on the new.  Are you ready for it?  #iDeclare #focusedanddetermined

My challenge to you:

Don’t focus on today’s struggle, focus on tomorrow’s victory.

Don’t pray about a job, pray for a company.

Don’t look for a way out, determine to find a way up!

You got this! Just keep pressing forward!!!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come as humbly as I know how first to say thank you.  Thank you for your grace and mercy Lord.  Thank you for your loving kindness and for the favor that you have on my life.  I decree and declare that I will live a life that is focused and determined, not allowing anything to get in my way or stop me from moving forward.  I bind any distractions or stumbling blocks right now in the name of Jesus.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Scripture:

Proverbs 4:25 ESV “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.”

1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!”