News Alert! New Facebook Illness!

I was getting ready to post my daily verse and tip when I read a post on a dear friends (Orvetta) wall, about a new illness the doctor's have diagnosed some with. It is called "Facebook Depression" and apparently is caused from reading your friends posts, discovering they are doing better than you, or have more than you; which in turn causes depression... my reaction to this is: WOW, Really?!? Some really will use anything as an excuse!!

Then I continued to read on Orvetta's posts something that made me feel so RICH and Blessed! She said, "obviously they don't have God or Candye's daily posts"....That was awesome! And, so very true (the part about God - not necessarily me). That got me to thinking that this morning warranted a blog and not just a tip.

You must initiate your blessings! You can not be envious of what others have. If you want more, you have to do more. You cannot just sit idle and "wish" for it. God gives us brains and muscles to use and not to sit around and just complain about what we don't have or be envious of others. The Bible gives us direct verses about jealousy and envy.

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like: of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in the time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

James 3:14-16 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

You have to decide what you will have on earth and ensure it will not hinder your Riches in Heaven!

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me."

I believe that verse is not telling us that God expects you to sell everything you own and give it to the poor, but I do believe it is meant to convey that if you are more concerned about your worldly possessions then it will be hard for a rich man to enter into heaven... (Matt 19:23)

Don't look at what others have with envy. Instead, look at it as a motivator to get up and do something about it...go work hard like others do and make the most of what you have.

If you never ask for anything, you will never receive anything. Many people are so passive that they hang around life as limp as old rag dolls and never stand up to circumstances or enforce change. At the other extreme are the people who argue about everything. They are bitter and mean, priding themselves on being overbearing and outspoken.

Neither is effective. Being overbearing isolates themselves because they are obnoxious, yet being passive causes you to be taken for granted. You have to find the happy middle ground and learn to live with what you have or do something about it. Now I am not saying that gives you the right to go out and steal from others... However, I am telling you don't just sit around and wish for a better life...Go Create It! God will not release blessings to someone who will not ask him for it! (read Matt 7:7)

In my opinion, I have an abundance of Riches in my life. It's called a daily walk with Jesus, a wonderful family, a career (that is sometimes overbearing but apparently my boss read Matt 7:7 too; smile). See, I do not place my riches on the "things" of this world, but rather on the blessings God has bestowed upon me and the deliverance from not being an envious or jealous person. I am grateful for what I have and it's the small things in life that cannot be taken from me...my relationship with God...the memories I am creating along the way with family & friends!

You have to make your actions line up with your convictions, or you will live a fruitless life. What is even worse is the fact that in your old age, you will have to eat the fruit of what you did in your youth. Be careful what you cook! Initiate your blessings!

Blessings,

Candye~

God's Favor!

Sorry this is going to be a long one - but trust me, it is one worth reading to the very end!!

Have you ever really stopped to think about "God's Favor" and what it means to receive all He has for you?? I honestly can say, I have never thought about it in the way my sweet friend explained it. It was so amazing that I simply had to share my experience with you.

A week ago I was visiting (on the phone) with a girlfriend from Oklahoma. One I should talk to more often but as we all know the busy routine of life often gets in the way. The awesome thing is no matter if I talk to her once a month or every other month our friendship is never wavered and always remains so strong. I consider her a true blessing in my life. Anyway, before we ended our call we prayed together and then afterwards she sent me an email with the following verses.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

I carried those with me the following weekend to the Barrel Bash in Columbia, Mo., where I was setting up a vendor booth to promote and sell items. The whole week I worried that I would not sell enough to justify the 5-hour trip. Of course, my wonderful husband continued to encourage me saying, "you have to start somewhere" and "this will pay off for you, just have patience". Still, being the worry-wort I am (which, by the way, yes, I know that is a sin and I'm working on it) I continued to wonder what the weekend would hold.

My friends reminder that God rewards those that diligently seek after Him and His will for our lives stuck with me as well through the week. Well, let me just tell you how God's favor works if you trust and lean on Him and believe He will take care of you.

By the time we finished setting up for the Friday evening show there were quiet a few people in a hustle to get their horses ready. Not much activity at any of the vendors, not just mine. Immediately I thought about the cost of diesel ($3.75 - $4.00/gal) so I figured that would hinder sales somewhat. Saturday morning there still wasn't much activity. So, that's when I decided to take matters into my own hands and not be a worry-wort, but to become the prayer warrior I know to be. I began to pray over my booth/products and ask God to find favor in my products so they would sell and generate interest. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that almost immediately people started walking up and asking questions about Formula 707 (the equine supplements I'm selling). Within the hour I had sold several products, talked to several people and I was over joyed!

Sunday morning we got up early to go to Cowboy Church. What a blessing Pastor Metcalf was! He delivered a great message. We ended the service and I walked over by my booth and began to pray over it again. My friend and I went on for breakfast and when we returned I did not get the first bite completely chewed before people started piling in, and by the end of the weekend I was packing 1/2 empty boxes!

God never ceases to amaze me at how He takes care of His children and that He does find favor in us and wants us to prosper. My semi-load of items is slowly dwindling and I am now having to hurry and place another order before we head off to Lincoln, NE in just a couple of weeks.

If you ever doubted God's Favor before - DON'T!!! Trust in Him fully and it will be returned 10-fold!!

Expect God's Favor

in your life!

Jesus has called you

to serve others,

to bear fruit that will last (Jn 15:16)

Then serve the Lord

with a humble heart,

with a pure purpose, and

with determination

to do what is right.

"Lord Jesus, I trust in you!

Use me today to do good,

though I may get tired,

though my pride may be hurt.

Use me today, Lord Jesus,

to bless someone!"

For when you are a servant of Jesus,

you are a friend of Jesus.

You can EXPECT, you should EXPECT

His favor, His strength, and His guidance

To Help You!

(Poem by Ken Pilcher, Jr.)

Blessings,

Candye~

Welcome Spring!!

Spring is just around the corner, literally! With Spring comes outside work, rodeo's, barrel races, etc. For those of us with horses (and a full-time job) it means very little time inside; which is just what we need to cure this "cabin fever" coming out of winter! With this also comes "change," whether it is just for a season, there is inevitably change coming!

I find myself saying this more and more as I get older..."WOW, I cannot believe how fast time flies!" It is hard to believe we are already in the 3rd month of the year 2011. It almost feels as though one blinks and the month simply fades away without notice or hesitation.

The first two months have brought sadness with the loss of a family member, joy with the birth of a family member, a scare of a possible illness for another family member. It's really amazing at what we triumph through if you just stop and think about it!

I try to make it a habit to reflect on my day, everyday. Reflect on lessons learned, things I could have done differently, or better; things I should not have done at all, and opportunities I might have let slip by me for fear of the outcome. Yet last night as I was in my "reflection mode" I felt as if God was pulling on my heart strings and reminding me of all the blessings he has bestowed upon my life.

Something I feel is certain, where ever you are, whatever you're doing, you're not alone! God doesn't call those that are equipped, He equips those He calls.

Psalm 112:1-2 I will lift up my eyes to the hills -- from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Change is not always an enemy. It can be God's way of saying enough is enough. If you can remain flexible and face the changes of life with the assurance of God, you will win! It is God's desire to make you a wise one - not one full of doubt, sadness and confusion. Turn to him for complete love, assurance and know that everyday you walk with him, you cross the finish line a winner!

As I journey through this world and life he has provided for me, one thing is for certain, I am not alone! For that I am very grateful! Regardless of the challenges I may face, I always know that I face them with a friend, savior and loved one - Jesus! Most importantly, I face them with family!

Get up every morning and throw aside the curtain of doubt. Brush past the foggy films that would cloud your eyes from seeing what is right in front of you and embrace expectancy. It is the breaking of a new day. It is the establishing of fresh options!

Have a blessed day!

Candye~