YES/NO - STAY/GO

Page 4 Devotional Study Staci Pealock

Acts 16:6-10 (New International Version)

Paul's Vision of the Man of Macedonia

⁶Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. ⁸So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. ⁹During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." ¹⁰After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

YES/NO – STAY/GO??

We don’t know how the Holy Spirit told Paul that he and his companions should not go into Asia. It may have been through a prophet, a vision, an inner conviction, or some other circumstance. To know God’s will does not mean we must hear his voice. He leads in different ways. When you are seeking God’s will, (1) make sure your plain is in harmony with God’s word, (2) ask mature Christians for their advice;(3) check your own motives- are you seeking to do what you want or what you think God wants? – and (4) pray for God to open and close the doors as he desires. 16:7-9 The “Spirit of Jesus” is another name for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had closed the door twice for Paul, so Paul must have wondered which geographical direction to take in spreading the Good News. Then in a vision (16:9), Paul was given definite direction, and he and his companions obediently traveled onto Macedonia. The Holy Spirit guides us away from the wrong places. As we seek God’s will, it is important to know what God wants us to do and where he wants us to go, but it is equally important to know what God does not want us to do and where he does not want us to go. (Life Application Commentary)

Many times we find ourselves in this sort of dilemma. Do we take the job and move our family out of town? Is this the person God wants me to marry? We all face issues in life where we must make decisions. When we are walking closely with the Lord, we will know His directives for our lives. God is always speaking to His children. It is His desire to be in close fellowship.

Stop and listen today, Hear what God has to Say He will show you the way, And make everything OK!

Where ever you are traveling, the word of God is your road map. Seek it for all your directions. I promise, you will never have to worry about being not be lost!

GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES!!

Praise GOD for his covenant promise!
Rainbow near our house!!

Psalm 21:1-7 (The Message)

Psalm 21

A David Psalm

^1-7Your strength, God, is the king's strength. Helped, he's hollering Hosannas.
You gave him exactly what he wanted;
you didn't hold back.
You filled his arms with gifts;
you gave him a right royal welcome.
He wanted a good life; you gave it to him,
and then made it a long life as a bonus.
You lifted him high and bright as a cumulus cloud,
then dressed him in rainbow colors.
You pile blessings on him;
you make him glad when you smile.
Is it any wonder the king loves God?
that he's sticking with the Best?

Help Wanted

Page 3 Devotional Study Staci Pealock

Matthew 4:18-22 (New International Version)

The Calling of the First Disciples

¹⁸As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." ²⁰At once they left their nets and followed him. ²¹Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, ²²and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Help Wanted!

GOD revealed to me this morning during my personal devotion. In Matthew, (v18) we see Peter and Andrew going about their daily routine in life. They were probably engaged in a task that had performed numerous times. Then, in an instance everything changed for them. No longer were they Fishing for fish, but for men. Jesus came by with a "Help Wanted" sign. And they responded. Today, as I apply this to my life and ministry I see how this is relevant in my life. I, too was performing a task (vacuuming) I had done numerous times when GOD called me. I heard that still small voice asking me to carry a message of Freedom in the FATHER to wounded woman. I have experienced much freedom and from my experiences I can teach the message that GOD taught me. Like Peter and Andrew they went from fisherman of fish to fisherman of men. (v20) We too must lay down our nets (desires) and follow the call of GOD!

Answer the call of GOD, nothing else will satisfy the longing of your soul. Go fishing today!

I love you, Precious Sistas!!

Connecting one Sista @ a Time!!

Sista Leah Adams

This month marks my one year anniversary with the blogging world. I have truly enjoyed all the aspects of blogging. Especially, the connectivity in which it offers. Blogging bring a human connection to our lives, now that's a new slogan if I've ever heard one.

On Tuesday, July 21, I met Sista Leah Adams. She and I first met seven months ago through Beth Moore's blog - Living Proof. We have encouraged one another and shared other vital information (for instance I know how she makes her collard greens). Over lunch we shared sweet fellowship and food together. Leah is a spectacular woman of God. She just radiates the love of JESUS! We had a super natural connection. One fine and divine appointment. Thank you, Lord for the Sista~Hood!

I encourage all of you in the blogging world - take the next step and get to know your Sistas. We all need the power of human connections. Take care!!

Love,
Sista Staci :)

How is Your Happy :)

I bought this sign yesterday. I told my sweet man I was going to wear it around my neck as a necklace. Can I get an Amen from the Sista-Hood?

Lately,I have found myself not being very "happy!" Why? I am not real sure at the moment. And trust me I have been doing allot of soul searching. Sure, we all have problems and people in our lives that are difficult. We shall never get away from that, in this life, it's a given - Problems will come. But, do they have to prevail?

In the Bible we learn that we can do all things, right? Well, that's almost right. We can do all things through Christ that gives us strength. Recently, I have been struggling with just being content or plain ole' happy. What is happy , anyway? Why is happy important? How is your happy?

In the worlds view of happy we will find, big houses, fast cars, diamonds, furs and probably a second or third house somewhere. But, is that true happiness? If you look at the world's view for happy, you will be terribly disappointed. If happy was in the world, there would be no reason for Alcohol abuse, drug overdose and self destructive behaviors.

We can't find our happy in this world. Happy will not satisfy you. However, the Joy of JESUS can! When I was younger, I learned in Sunday School the meaning of JOY -

JESUS
OTHERS
YOURSELF

Simple as it seems, I have found this to be so true in my life. I have Joy when Jesus is first, then others and myself last. Fullfillment in the Father! Contentment in Christ! There is no other answer for happy!

Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Psalm 4:6 (The Message)
^6-7 Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say."More, more." I have God's more-than-enough, More joy in one ordinary day.

Psalm 9:2 (New Living Translation)
² I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

Psalm 30:5 (New Living Translation)

5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 41:1 (New Living Translation)

¹ Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.

Psalm 59:16 (New Living Translation)

¹⁶ But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.

Jude 1:24 King James Version (KJV)

²⁴Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy

These are but a few scriptures relating to Joy. As for, Ain't nobody happy, if Momma Ain't happy - Sistas we have the power within us to get our "Happy On!' While the man is the head of the house - we are the heart of the home! Where the heart goes, so does the Home! So, today I challenge you to be full of J.O.Y. - Jesus Others Yourself!

It's All Good in tha Sista-Hood!! AMEN??

May the Joy of Jesus fill you to overflow :)