Do You Know What Are You Supposed To Do?

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith." - 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Whether you are a big sports fan or not, it’s easy to get caught up in the action whenever a famous sports celebrity is on TV. Why? They play at such a high level that it is an inspiration to watch them when they are "in the zone.” What does it mean to be "in the zone?" Well, that’s when someone’s actions seem effortless, almost as if they could score at will.

We can all think of a bad day at work, but can you think of any time when you were "in the zone" - a moment where you enjoyed your task, you were caught up in your work and lost track of time? What were you doing at that moment? What skills were you using? What was it that caused you to be passionate about the work? Understanding the answers to these questions will often help you better understand how to best use your time and talents - in other words, find your calling.

A calling is found when we are passionately using our God-given gifts in a way that pleases Him. We are not talking about your personality profile, but about those God-given gifts listed in the Bible like teaching, counseling, generosity, administration, and prayer, and wisdom, among many others.

Kirk Livingston, CEO of a communications company, sums it up, "When we find ourselves involved with God at work, we also begin to find the work we were meant to do." And that’s how we discover our true calling from God.
Have you discovered your calling? If not, pray and search for God’s will. Over time, He’ll reveal it to you.

In His Love

Leslene

The Right Place

There comes a time in everyone's life that you feel everything and everyone is against you. That is how I felt so many times.
Then I ask myself, "Am I at the right place?" " Am I doing what God has called me for?"
I realise today, I feel and think that way, not because I doubt God's purpose for my life, but others doubt what God has called you for.
Last week you felt comfortable doing God's work, you were even filled with so much excitement, but now, just because someone said something negative regarding your progress, you doubt.
That is so straight from the pit of hell. The devil hates you for enjoying God's work.
God might even appoint people to help in ministry but because others feed you with negative words, you think God wants to remove you. That is another lie straight from hell. Don't worry, trust God to show you what the plan is. If you know you're in God's will and willingly obey God, He will never remove you.
"Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies." Rom. 8:33
God wants everything to go well even if He sends in help. It's not neccesarily a bad thing. Being a team is good. It's actually awesome.
I love what John Maxwell says: "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."
That quote speaks volumes to me. We cannot do things alone. We have to accept that God's work belongs to the body of God as a whole. It's not yours alone.
Don't listen to any third parties. Look what happened in the Garden of Eden. The serpent came and confused Eve.
Don't let it happen to you. Trust God in all your ways and lean not on your own understanding...
Remember, that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
In His Love
Leslene
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Angry Much?

"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." - Ecclesiastes 7:9
We all get angry. We're human, after all. But, do you ever feel your anger is justified? Have you ever used the term "righteous anger?" The phrase is often used when someone has wronged us so unjustly that we say, "I have every right to be angry." And then to justify our outburst, we'll add, "Jesus showed righteous anger, didn't He?"
 
Well, yes, He did. But it is important to notice what triggered His righteous anger. Once was when He entered the temple and found it had been turned into a place for taking advantage of the poor. Jesus was furious about it because God was not being respected. Jesus also got angry whenever people were taken advantage of, mistreated, or were shown contempt. And Jesus became indignant when the disciples would not allow children to visit with Him. These are all displays of righteous anger.
 
But understand this: Jesus only became angry when others were mistreated. Jesus never got angry when HE was treated unjustly. So, how did He react when He was the target of injustice? Look at what Jesus did when He was unfairly sentenced to death, the ultimate act of personal injustice.
 
He said, "Father, forgive them."
 
"Right From The Heart Ministries"
In His Love
Leslene

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Struggled for years: Boldness

 So many people battle with not being bold enough. This is a trick of the enemy. I know what it does to a person who does not walk in their authority given willingly by God through Jesus Christ. What is preventing you from being "The Real You." This was my battle for years, but the more I searched God's word, the more I realize what God wants from me. Please declare the below and trust God to show you how to be bold.

I give no opportunity to the devil. I give no place to fear in my life. That which man fears comes upon him. Fear hath torment.

The fear of man brings a snare, but perfect love casts out fear. I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.

God has not given me a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love, power and a sound mind. In righteousness I am established, so I'll be far from oppression.

I win not fear or be in terror. It shall not come near me.

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall. I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore I will not fear. If I were still trying to please men, I should not be a servant of Jesus Christ. But I am a servant of the most high God. I fear not, for He is with me. I'll not be dismayed, for He is my God. He will strengthen me, He will help me, He will uphold me with His victorious right hand.

I'm not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe. I'm a minister of reconciliation. I'm an ambassador for Jesus Christ. The anointing I've received abides in me. The anointing breaks every yoke. I received power when the Holy Spirit came upon me to be His witness. His Word which comes out of this mouth will not return void but will accomplish His purpose and prosper in the thing for which it was sent. I know my God, I am strong, I will do exploits. As He is, so am I in this world.

I am righteous; therefore, I am bold as a lion. He will never fail me or forsake me; therefore, I can boldly say, The Lord is my helper, I'll not be afraid. What can man do to me? As a young man, I am strong. The Word of God abides in me. I have overcome the evil one. I am an over comer. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I am a hundred-fold Christian. I am complete in Him. I am more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me. Grant, Lord, to Thy servant to speak Thy Word with all boldness while You stretch out Your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Thy holy servant, Jesus!

I His Love

Leslene

Rules of Engagement - Cindy Trimm

Activation Prayer

As GOD'S OFFICIAL legislator and law enforcement agent:

 

I come in the name of the resurrected Jesus, whose I am and whom I serve, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord".

(Phil 2:1011, KJV; see also Psalm 82:1-8).

 

I effect and enforce God's original plans and purposes over and against the plans and purposes of Satan.

(Daniel 6:1-28).

I decree and declare that in this battle no intrinsic (internal) or extrinsic (external) weapon, be it emotional, financial, social, physical, psychological, interpersonal, spiritual, or organizational, formed against me shall prosper.

(1 Samuel 17:47; Isaiah 54:17; Jer 51:20; John 14:30; 2 Cor 7:5; Eph 4:27).

I place upon myself the armor of light and of the Lord.

(Romans 13:12; Eph 6: 13-17):

Truth to cover my loins (Psalm 51:6)

The breastplate of righteousness to cover my heart and chest cavity

(Psalm 5:12; 2 Corinthians 6:7)

The gospel of peace to cover my feet (Isaiah 52:7)

The shield of faith to defensively and offensively cover my body (Heb 10:38, 11:1,6)

The helmet of salvation to cover my head (1 Thessalonians 5:8; Isaiah 59:17)

The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17; Revelation 1:16)

The Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14)

A robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10)

The glory of God is my reward (Isaiah 58:8)

I decree and declare that the weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God.

(2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:13-18; Romans 13:12; 1 Samuel 17:45).

I pull down strongholds, cast down vain imaginations and every high thing that lifts itself against the knowledge of Jesus Christ. My thoughts are now subject to the Lordship of Christ.

(2 Corinthians 10:5; Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:2).

 

The Cry

"Hannah, why are you crying?" Her husband Elkanah asked. "Why won't you eat? Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than 10 sons?- 1Samuel 1:8 Isn't that how we feel at times? Well, it may not be over not falling pregnant, but there are so many things that troubles us. I sometimes sit and wonder, when will God come through. Therer are times I feel like doing my own things, but then I'm reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will guide you on the right path." That s not easy. So when I feel like acting on my own plans, I am reminded of what God did yesterday, last month or even this morning. He is so faithful in all His ways and here we want to not trust Him. I am hosting a ladies event soon and I am so nervous. There still so much I have to do and it seems as if nothing will be done on time. I am putting my trust in God and I know He will send he right people to attend. I trust God to send people who will help and I trust God to bless them abundantly. The same like Hannah, I pray and I do doubt and I know there are times you doubt as well, but we have to keep on hoping and not look at the unseen. There are people like Elkanah who questions your emotions, but God knows and He knows how to answer. Hannah was deeply hurt and she cried but God came through. she a vow to God which she kept and God honored that. Let us be like Hannah and follow through on what we promise God. He will come through and He knows our every thought, emotion and every burden. In His Love Leslene

Get Rest

As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness (rightness, justice, and right standing with You); I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake [to find myself] beholding Your form [and having sweet communion with You]. PSALM 17:15

Each evening the sun sets on all of our problems and on all of the mistakes we made that day. But something marvelous happens to us as we sleep—the Lord gives us rest physically, mentally, and emotionally. We are renewed and rejuvenated to face the next day. Today we may wake up with the same problems we had when we went to bed, problems that yesterday we felt we just couldn’t take anymore. But somehow
today, after proper rest and sleep, we think, I can do it; I can face it again. God promises to renew our
strength when we rest in Him.

I had this huge burden and it was really hard to deal with it, even though I know God would work it all out for me. I still had this nagging voice in my head that God will take too long. I waited the situation out and kept on trusting God until I had the peace that surpasses all understanding. I am so confident that whomever comes and questions the decisions I made, will leave the very same if they don't believe my decisions was based on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
My encouragement to you today is that you will know, no matter what, you are never alone. Trust in the Lord your God and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths. (Prov. 3:5...)
I give it all to Jesus because I cannot do this on my own.

In His love
Leslene

He wants all of me...Relentless Love

He won't relent until He has it all

No matter how hard we try to run away, hide or just turn a deaf ear, God will not give up.  For a while now I've been listening to the song “Relentless” by Jesus Culture and not for one second had I thought of searching for the below words in the Bible.

"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it..." Song of Solomon 8:6,7

That is a passionate love letter between a husband and wife--between King Solomon and his bride. But perhaps the most profound and amazing thing is, that these words are not limited to an earthly husband and wife.  At the heart of the Song of Solomon, is a message of God's love for us--of Christ's love for His Bride, the Church. And this Heavenly Romance is at the very center of all of Scripture. It's such a profound mystery that I have only begun to scratch the surface of it.

But the lyric to "You Won't Relent" that gripped my heart from the very first time I heard it (maybe because of the season I was in, or certain things God was speaking to my heart at the time) is the part that says "You won't relent until You have it all, my heart is Yours." According to Webster, to be relentless means "showing no signs of slackening or yielding in one's purpose." You see, God wants our hearts--our whole hearts.

I am so guilty of what the scripture says.

"The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Isaiah 29:13

God won't stop cutting away all the things that hold our hearts other than Him, all the wordly things--the idols--that keep us from walking even more intimately with our Savior. He is RELENTLESS in this, showing no signs of giving up in His purpose. God wants nothing more from us than for us to love Him with all of our heart. Even more than our church attendance, more than our tithes, more than our music preference. One of the most frustrating things to see is someone trust in Christ for salvation, but then their walk with their Savior ends there. From the time we are saved, God begins to mold us, to shape us, to make us more like Him. He is changing our lives daily. And that involves a breaking away from the world that used to hold our heart. So God begins to break us away from the world, piece by piece, bit by bit. And for our entire lives, He continues to break us of the worldly things. And He won't relent until He is finished, until He has our whole heart.

I am so stubborn at times, because I know what happens when I give God permission to cut away all the unwanted things. IT HURTS ME SO MUCH

I want to be taught daily. I want to look away from all that is happening around me no matter how hard it is. God knows how I battle to stay focused. I know how jealous He gets when I give attention to the world, and yet He never stops loving me. Writing this brings tears to my eyes. I have to make decisions daily, decisions that affects my life, my family’s lives, my friendships and I cannot do it without God. 

God wants your heart. And He won't relent until He has it all.

So trust Him with it. He will not lead you astray.

"Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead." PSALM 86:11-13

In His Love

Leslene

BUT LORD… Listen to me please???

In general people will write about their feelings and really express themselves. Then you get those who lies up a storm and people think it’s their own writing and then there are those who complains about things or people and makes it sound so awesome because they actually putting their feelings on paper. Well, that person is Leslene(ME), at least when I start writing it’s about complaining, but then Holy Spirit comes and changes my mind and I really hate it at times because my permission was not given.

I want to complain about people. I want to write about friends who just dropped me. I want to write about people disrespecting me. I want to write about my husband doing this and doing that and not to mention my kids. The list just goes on an on.

Then God says “Leslene, I have delivered you from all the complaints. Why do you want to circle that mountain again?”

Leslene: “yes but God……” we would then have this whole dispute, until I give up and decide I don’t like being a Christian anymore because God takes too long to send new people into my life. Or, God takes too long to answer my complaints. Well, COMPLAINTS is what they are.

Have you ever been there?

Then God would even throw in a scripture or two. He just never stops because He knows what is best for me.

Philippians 2:14-15

Good News Translation (GNT)

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky,

I have learned to deal with certain issues in my life which obviously come and go, but what I can tell you….when they do come, I don’t meditate on the issues. I move on…I pray…I keep myself busy with things that add value to my life and especially to others.

I want to leave a powerful truth today. It worked for me and it will surely work for you. God has given us the tongue of the learned that we should KNOW how to speak a Word in season to those who are weary (Isaiah 50:4) and definitely not complain all the time.

Deuteronomy 1:6-8

New International Version (NIV)

6 The Lord our God said to us…, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance….to the land … See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.”

STOP COMPLAINING, MOVE, TAKE POSSESSION and ENCOURAGE!!!!!

In His love

Leslene

Uncomfortable Feelings

“Hope is the feeling that the feeling you have isn’t permanent.” ~Jean Kerr

For most of my life, I was a fugitive from my feelings. I was driven by two connected motivations: to feel pleasure and avoid pain. Instead of being proactive and making choices for our happiness, we react to things that happen in our lives, and fight or flee to minimize our pain.

Instead of deciding to end an unhealthy relationship and open up to a better one, we may stay and either avoid confrontation or initiate one to feel a sense of control. Instead of leaving a horrible job to find one we love, we may stay and complain about it all the time, trying to minimize the pain of accepting the situation as real—and enduring until we change it.

From a very young age, I felt overwhelmed by pain. As a pre-teen, I ate my feelings. As a teen, I starved them away. And in my twenties and even thirties, I felt and cried my eyes red and raw.

And I wished I’d never chosen to feel them, but rather kept pushing them down, pretending everything was fine.

Except when I did that, they didn’t just go away—they compounded on top of each other and built up until eventually I exploded, with no idea why I felt so bad. One time when I was 17, I couldn’t open a jar. After ten minutes of twisting, banging, and fighting, I finally threw it at a wall and broke down.

You may think that was a sure sign I had emotional problems, and assume there was some pill to help take away that sadness.

That’s what a lot of people thought. But the reality was a lot simpler: I simply never dealt with my feelings from events large and small, and eventually they dealt with me.

As unpleasant as it may sound, I needed to learn how to feel bad—but first I needed to understand why I felt bad so often. It’s a whole lot easier to deal with pain when it’s not the default feeling.

Then I met Jesus who taught me to take an honest look at reactions.

·         Do I frequently jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts? Do I need other people’s approval to feel comfortable in your own skin? Do I assume you know what other people feel and take responsibility for that? Do I freak out over stressful situations, blaming other people, getting hard on yourself, and panicking over possible consequences?

·         Simply find the cause and effect.

When I make a decision to change, I do it. My power comes from realizing we don’t need to act on pain; and if I need to diffuse it, I can channel it into something healthy and productive, like writing, baking, or doing something physical.

Pain is sometimes an indication we need to set boundaries, learn to say no more often, or take better care of ourselves; but sometimes it just means that it’s human to hurt, and we need to let ourselves go through it, but we cannot go through it alone. That is where Jesus comes in. He wants us to relate to have, to have a relationship with Him and to allow Him to teach us how to turn the negative into a positive.

I choose to be a source of pleasure, for myself and the people around me.

In His love

Leslene

I Had the Power to Choose – I Still Do

“Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.” ~Wayne Dyer

I still see that lonely child sitting on the pavement waiting for mom to come from work. Knowing I have a brother and sister near by, still didn’t take the loneliness away.  I had a father who worked away (seaman), and I think that made it worse. I had to make some decisions in my young life to make me see things differently.

What is a daughter to do when you just want your father to love you? Every time my dad came from sea I was so excited because I knew we would have some fish to eat. I knew there would be money in the house. My mom would have money in her purse and she can buy some nice things.

We moved from house to house. Constantly on the move and the thought of ever settling down was endless. I wanted my own room because I had ideas of what my room should look like, but it never happened.

Years later, having a family of my own I thank God for what I’ve gone through. It was not easy at all because I had issues connecting with people.  I had thoughts of every person coming into my life would leave immediately and I would be this lonely person again. Not realising that for everything there is a purpose. You know, if you don’t know Jesus Christ you will never have peace. You will never be filled with that everlasting joy.

So many people have left me by the way side and I do admit it was because of the bad attitude I had. It was because of the lies I kept telling. It was because of all the hurt I’ve caused people. I don’t know if you know this, but when you hurt you will keep on hurting other people. When you no longer hurt, you can serve and love those who are hurting freely.

We all have a choice today. We don’t have to go through life hurting and pitying ourselves. I met Jesus Christ and He has taught me how to let go of the hurt. He has taught me how to love and not to expect anything in return.

A few years back, I met a young woman. What came out of her mouth was so powerful and so true. I would call her an extra ordinary Life Coach. She might not know this but whatever came out of her mouth, was so firm(sometimes hurtful but true). I started writing it down. It was a powerful truth. That was another choice I made. I said to myself, “If it works for her, surely it has to work for me”.  I met a guy and he was speaking the very same things and I knew this is God.

I started writing in a journal every day to get through life and understand myself better. One night I was feeling down, but I wanted to steer my thoughts in a positive direction. I started making a list of things I would learn.

They included things like not dwelling on the negative, loving myself, being confident, and being less critical of myself. In the middle of the list I wrote the words:

“I can choose what affects me.”

By the time I finished the list those words lingered. I repeated them over and over out loud. Every time I said them I felt more powerful. I felt more control over my life.

I can choose what affects me.

I can choose to not be damaged.

I can choose to not be afraid.

I can choose to look at mistakes as learning experiences.

I can choose to be confident.

I can choose to be happy.

I can choose to feel loved.

I can choose.

I CHOOSE TO SERVE JESUS

Every time I said a phrase I felt a chill in my body. Tears started flowing, but I wasn’t really crying. It felt like they were escaping; like I was letting go of this deep sadness I’ve carried for so long.

It was an awakening: a healing. It was one of the most significant and amazing experiences in my life.

In His Love

Leslene

Open Your World to New Possibilities

“To get something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.” ~Unknown

Maybe you feel stuck. Or bored. Or frustrated. It’s not that you don’t like the life you live, it’s just that you suspect there’s something more. Some greater sense of meaning or excitement. New connections. New adventures. New possibilities.

The truth is those possibilities are always within your reach. You may not be able to quit your job or develop new skills, but every day contains within it countless opportunities, all dictated by the choices you make. Some of those choices may seem inconsequential when you face them. They’re the little things, after all. Why not do it how you usually do? Why not stay in your comfort zone when it’s just so comfortable there?

Do it for the possibility. The possibility that if you make one minor change you may set the stage for major fulfilment. Sometimes even the smallest shift in thinking or doing can create the biggest opportunity.

GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD

1. Challenge your beliefs about what you can and can’t do. Maybe you are a good leader.

 2. Challenge your ideas about how things should work. Sometimes when you decide how things should be you limit your ability to be effective in the world as it actually is.

3. Have a vision session. Write in a journal,  sketch—anything that lets you explore what excites you most.

4. Look for opportunities in a tough situation. Avoid a victim mentality, and opt instead for a “ready for new beginnings” attitude.

5. Remove something from your life that doesn’t serve you to make room for something better and new. You never know what you might let in when you let something go.

6. Commit to something you always say you’ll do but always fail to start—and then take the first step right now.

7. Turn your focus from something don’t want to something you do want. This allows you to shift your energy from complaining to taking action.

8. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Positive energy creates positive results.

9. Identify the blocks that keep you from breaking a bad habit. Anytime you improve your habits, you pave the path for personal excellence.

10. Forgive someone if you’ve been holding a grudge. Removing that block will open you up where previously you’d shut down.

There’s a lot of information here—way more than you can tackle all at once. But it’s more about quality than quantity. Even just one small change can have a ripple effect into every area of your life. Of course it’s up to you to decide what’s possible.

How do you open your world to new possibilities?

Thanks Lori Deschene

In His love

Leslene

In Everything

“The person who lives life fully, glowing with life’s energy, is the person who lives a successful life.” ~Daisaku Ikeda

In everything we do, we seek happiness. Or at least what we think will bring happiness.

But this goal can often get us into trouble. It’s how you find yourself in a career that doesn’t represent you, consuming things lacking real value, and living a life that misses its impact on the world.

Most of the things we think create happiness, don’t.

We get caught in a spiral and life suddenly becomes a race to be won instead of a game to be played and enjoyed. Our focus on ‘success’ as society calls it, blurs our more important intangibles of life–our relationships and experiences.

The fear (and sad reality for many) is that we wake up 30 years from now, stressed, unhealthy and unfulfilled, wondering what on earth happened to those wonderful dreams we once dared to dream.

I’ll tell you what happened. We fell into the trap of being what others felt we should be as opposed to who we were meant to be. Other’s dreams became ours, only to realize they never mattered to us in the first place. We adopted the world’s definition of success instead of understanding and pursing our own.

Well there is good news. No matter when you wake up to this reality, it is never too late to take a stand and travel down that fresh path.

In all of my experience as a friend, writer, husband, personal freedom coach and citizen of the world, there is nothing more consistent with unhappiness than spending your time in a way that doesn’t serve who you are. And to the contrary, there is no more profound source of fulfillment and happiness than knowing you are traveling your own path and making the dent in the world you know you’re capable of.

Thank You -Scott Dinsmore

In His Love

Leslene

The Blame Game

“Whenever something negative happens to you, there is a deep lesson concealed within it.” ~Eckhart Tolle

The most common conversation I have with other people includes the blame game.

The one where your job, your wife, your dog, your mother-in-law, your neighbor six doors down, the media, the government, the receptionist at your doctor’s office, or the dress maker who measured you wrong is somehow responsible for the problems you’re having.

I too played the blame game.

Just this morning I blamed my husband for something I could’ve prevented.

I sat down, took a long deep breath, and thought about the ways I’d contributed to my own unhappiness. Once I came up with one way, countless others seemed to follow.

In that moment, I realized I was blatantly ignoring vital life lessons.

I believe we are here to learn lessons. Once we learn a lesson we move on to the next lesson. However, if we fail to learn a lesson, we keep finding opportunities to learn it again and again.

Isn’t it weird that the woman who can’t leave her old unhappy relationship without starting a new one is always in an unhappy relationship? Or the man who quits his job because he can’t stand his overbearing and ungrateful boss lands a new job with a boss who seems even more overbearing and ungrateful?

Life will continue to throw us the same lessons until we learn from them. Here are some ways to start learning that lesson you may be resisting:

1. Believe there is a lesson to be learned and consent to learn it.

This is probably one of the most important steps. Unless you’re really willing to learn the lesson, even if it feels uncomfortable at times, you can never move forward. Consent to view the situation as something that can help you grow.

2. Admit that you might have helped create the problem.

Warning: This does require you to immediately quit playing the blame game! Just consider the possibility that you somehow contributed to your current situation. This doesn’t mean no one else played a part; it just means perhaps you did, as well.

4. Let go of your attachment to the problem.

Trying to control the problem—your boss, your spouse, or your circumstances—will only keep you more attached to it and. The more you “leech” onto a problem, the more it “leeches” right back on you.

You will never be able to see the lesson or the solution if you dwell on all the little details about what seems wrong. Letting go could come in many forms: seeing the good in the person who seems difficult, accepting a situation for what it is, or seeing the other side of the story.

Any time we let go of our attachment to what went wrong or what should have happened we create the possibility of growth—and we pave the path for more positive results.

Thank you Rachel Woods

In His Love

Leslene

Coming Back

This is a post I’ve been dreaming about for a very long and it can finally be written. “Commit your works to God and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 was the scripture I was and still is holding on to. There are so many promises in the Bible but we’re not taking hold of it. When we do take hold of it we do it in the flesh.

My sister had this mind set that she was not a backslider, but to me her actions said something different. Don’t get me wrong, I am not this perfect Christian girl who has it all figured out. I have so many flaws but I am very quick to repent. I have a desire to change many lives by not doing good works (Isaiah 64:6), but by doing the right and honest works.

There are many people who can help me with CLAY, but I choose my sisters and my brother. I choose my husband, my sister’s husbands, my brother’s future wife, our kids and the generations to come. We have a story to tell. We have a message for the world. We are a people with a messy past, a bright future and God who delivers us from our affliction.

My eldest sister recommitted her life to Christ. It happened after I asked her to help me in ministry. I know when I posed the question she felt that she was not in line with God’s plan for her life. At the Conference where Todd Bentley was preaching she opened up her heart to Jesus Christ. On our way home she could then freely speak about CLAY and how she would like to help.

She was once again freed from the chains holding her down. The Power of God has broken the chain in Jesus name. There is so much I want to do and is happening already, but I have to continuously place God in the driver seat. My husband and kids are excited for what God is doing. One by one my family’s lives are changed and soon we’ll all be apart of CLAY to go out there, make a difference by being the change and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We are here NOT to look down on you, but to lift you up. We are here NOT to break you down but to help you tear the walls down.

We are here to LOVE you because Jesus loved you first. We are here to share in your weakness where His strength will be made perfect. We are here to tell you that it is time for CHANGE and we are here to show you how.

It is time to COME BACK and taste the goodness of God once again.

In is love

Leslene

Two Way Conversation

What does people want more of in life? Or let me ask, “What does a friend long for in life?”

A friend longs to be heard when life comes crashing down.

Good friendships improve all aspects of your life, providing comfort, joy, strengthening your health, providing companionship and prevent isolation. Not all people can keep themselves from isolating themselves. They need someone to help them.

When I think of my life and how friends have come and gone, it makes me sad. I’m asking myself, “have you not done enough to prevent the friendship from ending?”

Then Jesus comes and assures me that I have done enough. That season has ended. I have put in so much but the effort was not appreciated. There were times when I was so lonely; I would then go into isolation. I would create a pit and then throw myself into it. I would see my friend go on girly dates with other people and it would hurt my feelings and I would sink even deeper. I got myself out of that pit when I realised something. I read a quote of Dr Cindy Trimm which stuck to me since that day. “Loneliness is not the absence of people, but the absence of PURPOSE. When you have purpose, the right people will come.”

I have found my purpose. I have learned to equip myself in the lonely times. I can now equip others through their lonely moments. Every person I meet in this lifetime is my assignment. I don’t have to worry about being dumped by a friend, I can move on when the assignment is over. I don’t have to worry about girly dates and how hurt I feel when I’m not invited. The assignment NOW is to focus on the ones who hurt. My girly dates will come when it is God ordained.

Today, I know a friend when I have one. That friend is sometimes so hard to define because of stuff that person has gone through.

I ones was so hurt but not because of a friend and I got a bbm message from a lady. I wanted to share my hurt but God stopped me when she said, “I am only a bb away if you need me” My response was, “Every one is a bb away, and I don’t need that.”

I am a person who picks up the phone and ask how you doing. I am a person who will go to your house unexpectedly to give my support. Whether it is in serving you, encourage you or just pray with you.

Technology may have shifted the definition of friend in recent years, but having hundreds of online friend is not the same as having a friend you can connect and be in person with. You make new friends via the new technology yes, but it CANNOT hug you or cry with you when you need them the most.  Friends sharpens one another’s countenance (Proverbs 27:17).

Our survival ones depended on having friends. Yes they add special memories and hurtful memories which can only make you strong, but when you have Jesus Christ it all changes. He takes that void and fills it with purpose.

Off course friendship is a two way street. It brings joy to your life. When the one is quiet, it is understood. When everyone else leaves, a friend stays behind.

My prayer for you is to be patient. To love at all times. To serve at all times and that you will know, you DO NOT have to be the friend who constantly have to prove yourself. Be the friend you would want a friend to be to you.

In His love

Leslene 

Strong for you my friend...

There are so many things happening in our lives and to be honest, certain things are not to talk about. Whether it's good or not so good. It's just not important to talk about life's happening to people, but talking to God about it feels great.
I know God's ultimate plan for us is to grow in Him. He wants us to mature to a level that we know, He is involved in everything and that we shouldn't be running to friends with our issues. There will be a time when He does send someone on our path to talk to and believe me it will not just be anybody. It will be someone who has gone through the very same. You cannot discuss your affliction with people who does not understand that battle. That person will not be able to comfort and guide you. The word of God says so in 2Cor 1:4 "...who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
I don't knw about you, but I would say that life is very tricky. There are times that I personaaly feel I am alone but  then Holy Spirit comes and reminds me of my purpose. He would then tell me that loneliness is not the absentism of people in your life, it's the abtism of purpose. When you know what you day to purpose and assignment is, the right people will then come into your life, and I can truly say this is something I have experienced.
I would be lying if I tell you today that I have nothing to do in my home or with my husband and kids. Whenever I feel lonely, I create something to do. Yes, there are at times a longing in my heart to be amongst other ladies, but it only lasts for a few minutes.

I believe when you take your problems to people you are actually hardening your heart towards God. You are nor acknowledging that He is the One who can sort it out for you. Have you ever wondered why your future plans does not come into fulfillment or why it take so long? Are you doing what the Bible says you must do? Well, it's clear..."Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3
If you have not been doing that, I would say it's time to start.

My reason for writing this blog is to encourage you to be strong. You be that friend who is grounded so the weak can see where to go with their afflictions, trials and sorrow. When someone comes to you with an affliction, you be the one to encourage and to comfort and take your friend and their trial to God. Don't give you own advice, hear what God says and then you speak. 
Love on your friends especially in their time of need, because God has given us the tongue of the learned that we should speak a word in season to those who are weary, in Jesus name.

Love
Leslene

Missioned Family Camp 2013 Part 1

When you have prayed for something to be fixed and you will do anything in order for God to work, how can you back down when God speaks loud and clear saying, “IT IS TIME”

You know when God speaks and people question your actions, there’s no way you can explain it to them. You’re not acting in your own strength or upon your own thoughts. You get the assignment and you have to do it and when it feels right, you know it must be God. For me it meant putting everything aside except for my sister and brother. I even had to be less at church even though they did not understand, but I had to be there for my sisters in order for God to work. We say “use me, use me Lord”, but are we always ready? Well, I was ready and it pays off. I was so close to my pastor and his wife and it broke my heart when I had to put them aside to be with my sisters. I have grown so much being in their company but when God spoke, I had to put that friendship aside and attend to my assignment. In doing that I could also see who my friends are, but to day I can truly say, “I know who I am in Christ Jesus”

I was scared to let go of my comfort zone but I also had confidence that when you pray and decree a thing, it shall come to pass.

Excitement is running high at the Britz residence. We are having our first official Missional Family Camp 2013 and many more will follow in Jesus name.

“Therefore, do not cast away your confidence. Pay day is coming. You have need of endurance and after you have done the will of God, you will receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:35-36

 In His love

Leslene Allicia Britz

My vision is clear and my mission is unobstructed to fulfil God’s assignment and changing lives around you