A GOD OF COMFORT

A GOD OF COMFORT

SCRIPTURE:  2 Corinthians 1:3-4NIV

 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 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.

SCRIPTURE:  2 Corinthians 1:3-4KJV

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

In times like these; in the wake of Charleston, SC, bereavement, violence, stress, sickness, and all the ills of the world; may we be reminded that we serve a just God who knows and sees all that is happening.  He is waiting for us to turn our hearts and minds toward Him for comfort, peace  and hope.  Have faith.

Everyone is given a test and has a testimony in order to help and guide someone else.  Receive the comfort of the Lord today, in spite of what we see, hear and experience.  God can give us peace and comfort in a way that only HE can.  “Hope, Peace, and Faith” during times like these, in the name of Jesus.

Photo taken by Vanady

©2015 Written by Vanady A. Daniels

#ORDERED STEPS

Steps

In this Christian journey, life for us is much like that of a infant/toddler learning to walk and talk.  We have to follow the leader; that is, God's lead.  When we follow God's lead and not our own, we gain strength and confidence.  When we follow God's guidance, and not our own, we will know just when to plop down and crawl and when to stand tall.

My 10-month old granddaughter is learning to walk and talk.  She murmurs all kinds of sounds in response to those around her.  She even mimicks sounds and gestures.  She stands for seconds at a time, walks around furniture, stairs (even climbs to the first stair), and anything else that she can grip and steer. 

When she is guided by a larger hand and a walker, she is able to walk all over the place. The walker is her protection.  She can bump into walls and not get hurt.  When she's in her walker, she realizes that she can make it move, but not always in the direction she needs it to go.  When she gets in tight corners, she knows to turn around and make a noice to summon help.  She takes a fall or two at times. She even stumbles.  However, she gets up and does it all over again.

But I notice that when she loses a little self confidence in her steps, has no one to lead her, or has nothing on which to grip and steer, she will plop down on the floor and crawl to her destination. Pretty soon, when she gets more confidence, she will boldly walk on her own.  For now, she follows the leader very well, and trusts who's holding her hand.

God guides us in life through our circumstances and experiences.  We have the Holy Spirit and the presence of Christ to discern danger, caution, success, mistakes, and to know when to make a move and when to stand still.

Our experiences give us the self-confidence to live and learn from our mistakes.  Like a toddler, use the guidance of God to steer in the right direction.  He will let us know what to say, how to say it, and when to speak. He will let us know when to plop down and crawl and when to simply be still.  A fall or a stumble doesn't mean failure. Those experiences teach us how to recover and get up.  And the next steps we take will be higher and stronger.

Ask God to order your steps and guide you in the right direction.  No need to get anxious for personal gain when we don't acquire the things we want or think we need.  Wait on The Lord and let Him guide your heart and your steps. The results will be a stronger spirit, a sound decision, a successful goal, a blessed career, and abundant living.

God wants us to trust Him.  He wants to lead us because He knows what's best, and most of all,  He knows what's around the corner when we don't have the capacity to discern what's coming next. When we get in a tight corners and/or tight circumstances, call on the ultimate leader and protector for help. He is our protector...walk with Him.

Photo taken by Vanady

Proverbs 3:5-6King James Version (KJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; 

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
©2015 Written by Vanady A. Daniels

Buy the book at:
www.positivestationeryandgifts.com

Reflections

Reflections

Reflections is a simple word with big meaning.  It's important to take take time out of the hustle and bustle of life and reflect. Reflect on your thoughts, your deeds, your words, your decisions/choices, your actions and reactions.

When you reflect, you open your mind to think about what's meaningful to you in life and why.  Why did I do that? Was it meaningful to my life?  Why did I say that?  Was it meaningful to my life?  Why did I think that thought?  Was it meaningful to my life? Why did I react that way?  Was it meaningful to my life?  

Try this, pray and ask God to give you the capacity to reflect in a meaningful way with honesty.  Listen to that still voice of the Holy Spirit.  Let it guide your thinking and reflections.  Reflections will allow you to be at peace, make changes for improvement/betterment, and even "get your house in order."  

Reflect.  Take away the negativity.  Be at peace.

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Photo taken by Vanady

©2015 Written by Vanady A. Daniels

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#IN SPITE OF IT ALL, IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL

In Spite of it all - My Testimony and Message

One year ago, I established this blog that was burning in my spirit to release messages that would hopefully uplift, encourage, 

motivate, and enrich.  

Since that time, God has blessed me tremendously, though the blessing has been challenging, I obeyed. Therefore, I share my story of launching a business, August 2014, a book on October 29, 2014, and being elevated in ministry, November 2014.  FAITH. 

 I can't explain it.  What I can explain is that the enemy has tried to conquer my quest and take me down.  I've been lied on, cheated, talked about and sooooo mistreated.
When you follow a path for God's sake, the enemy, obstacles and negativity will attack you.  

Be steadfast and finish strong in the midst of it all.

  

I'm holding on to God's unchanging hand, that's all.  You may not be able to see the plan clearly at first, but by and by, God's plan and vision for your life will be clear and plain.  It takes faith and obedience.  Challenging; however, faith and obedience to His voice are the keys.

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?  When God gives you a path to follow - do not expect to see those who you think you will see along the way supporting and cheering you on.  God will send you a whole new lineup of people, supporters, and followers.  Don't be discouraged or disappointed, embrace it.  

It's all a part of His plan for you.

My Message

I am at a loss for words when I watch the news, read the paper, and listen to the thinking of people with "twisted" thinking.  That is thinking that it is alright to kill other people, thinking that a world of violence is "what's up;" thinking that it is alright to disrespect the President of the United States, his children and wife; thinking that it is alright to make a reality show that shows everything but reality; thinking that it is alright to make music that is full of profanity and derogatory language (sadly, people buy it), thinking that it is alright to live loosely-depending on others with no responsibility of their own; thinking that it is alright to betray someone who trusts you; thinking that it is alright to steal someone else's belongings; thinking that it is alright to be promiscuous; thinking that it is alright to stay at home all day, and not seek some level of employment; and the list goes on...

But, in spite of it all, God is on the side of righteousness.  He sits high and looks low.  There will be no jury in heaven to acquit those who have done wrong.  Good prevails over evil at all times. Timeliness may not always be on our clock, but God holds the eternal clock of life.  We will all be held accountable and face our deeds, good or bad.  

My message today is simple.  There is a great deal of work for us to do in society.  Especially for those who say that they love God and want to do what's right.  There is some good that can come from everyone. Find what your "good" is and make a contribution to help others in society.

May I tell you that not everyone accepts my messages and blog?   Some people delete the message without reading it, some have blocked the messages, one person requested that his/her email be deleted from the distribution.  But it's okay, God tells me to do it anyway because it helps somebody - somewhere.  To date, I have over 5,800 pageviews of this blog.  People from faraway countries and the United States are reading the messages.  See just a few of my blog's stats below:

Entry	Pageviews
United States	4634
Malaysia	482
France	175
Russia	63
Germany	55
Poland	37
Spain	26
Serbia	23
Ukraine	13
United Kingdom	11

Bottom line, do what God has commanded, no matter what it seems like.  You will be blessed.

Suggested readings:

Matthew 9:37
Matthew 28:19-20

Poem "Anyway" by Mother Teresa

©2015 Written by Vanady A. Daniels

Buy the Book - The Power of Positive: Inspiration, Encouragement, Motivation and Enrichment

Messages of 

Inspiration, Encouragement, 

Motivation and Enrichment

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Breast Cancer Awareness

Support the Cause

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I pen this message with fondest memories of my 

grandmother, Helen Sanders and 

my godmother, Geraldine Williams.

With fondest memories, these ladies hold a special place in my heart.  Every summer, I could look forward to getting my hair in pigtails.  My grandmother would spend a Sunday afternoon platting my hair in pigtails, while she sipped on her favorite "wickafam."

Not to mention, all of the funny stories by my godmother, Geri. She would tease us about the birds and the bees, and just make us all giggle deep down in our bellies!  As I grew older, I could tell her EVERYTHING.  OMG, I mean everything!

I'm sure there is someone in your life who is either a survivor, or has gone home to be in glory with The Lord.  Take some time this month to remember them with love.  Don't forget their fight!

October 6-31, 2014, 5% of purchases of breast cancer awareness products will be donated to Relay for Life/American Cancer Society for breast cancer patients.  Visit the website below to make purchases. (If link doesn't work, copy and paste in the URL address bar - top of website).

http://www.positivestationeryandgifts.com
©2015 Written by Vanady A. Daniels

Breast cancer screening is the most important step you can take to protect yourself against breast cancer.

There are three main types of screenings for breast cancer.  Talk to your doctor about the screenings that are right for you and when you should have them done.

Mammogram

If you are age 40 or older, getting screened for breast cancer could save your life.  A mammogram is a simple screening and is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer.  When caught early, the odds of recovery are much higher.  Women ages 40 and older should have a mammogram (or at any age if there are risk factors), once a year or as recommended by your doctor.

Clinical Breast Exam

A clinical breast exam is an examination by a doctor or nurse who uses his or her hands to feel for lumps or other changes in the breast or underarm (armpit).

Breast Self-Exam (BSE)

A BSE is when you check your own breasts for lumps, changes in size or shape of the breast, or any other changes in the breasts of the underarm (armpit).  Different women have different warning signs of breast cancer. Some women do not have any signs or symptoms at all.

Some warning signs or symptoms of breast cancer are:· New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).

· Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.

· Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.

· Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area of the breast.

· Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.

· Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.

· Any change in the size or the shape of the breast. 

Some of these warning signs may appear with other conditions that are not cancer. If you have any signs that worry you, be sure to see your doctor right away. To schedule your mammogram, call your doctor or OB/GYN.