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      Good morning.  Today's power scripture comes from John 6:70 (KJV) – “Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

    Claim all the victories now… walk in favor with your head up …don’t worry about the devilish people or situations you encounter each day.  Remember that in your daily walk if you don’t met the evil , then you might be walking in the same direction he is going. 

Jesus did not pick his disciples haphazardly nor did he just select the twelve first come –first serve.  After much prayer he started to assemble his team.  He knew beforehand that Judas Iscariot was a bad seed, yet he allowed him into the ranks.  Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.  Jesus was not naïve or foolish to have Judas in his inner circle.  There was purpose and plan and Judas played an important role in helping the other disciples and followers of Christ see the magnitude and depth of God’s grace and mercy. 

       Use the harsh, unsavory, down-right abrasive people in your life just like fine sand paper.  The more they rub up against you and so against your grain the smoother and more polished and beautiful you become.  God knows and allows only the right amount of pressure to be applied to you to bring out your best.  So don’t focus on the devils in your life…they will always be there…keep an eye on them but let your concentration be placed on the wonders and awe of God.

       Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a power-packed GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

 

Good Monday morning! Today's power scripture comes from Genesis 50:20 (NIV) |”You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

 

Why me? Why now? Why like this?  We have all had these very questions and many more pre-pity party thoughts course through our consciousness when we are in uncomfortable situations. “Why am I the one who has to always experience the hard life?  Can’t anything ever come easily for me?  Just when I am about to make things happen, then this comes along.  Why now?  Why me?  Why? Why? Why?”  The answer is easy but the reality of the answer is as difficult as nuclear physics.  The answer is: because God ordained it to be so.  Now to wrap one’s head around that concept is where the tedious journey of trusting God comes into play.  To tell someone that their life is as it is because God willed it; takes a whole lot of faith.  But here is the process in a nutshell:

God is omniscient (all knowing)

God is omnipresent (everywhere at the same time)

God is omnipotent (all powerful)

God is sovereign – He will do what he wants to, how he wants to; with whom it wants to; where he wants to

God knows all about you, the hairs on your head, the breaths in your body, the tears you have shed and the desires of your heart

God has a plan for you; one of peace and not of evil

God orders your steps.

But most of all, God is pure love.

 

So lets’ review the facts.  If you take into consideration that God knows everything; he is everywhere; he is the ultimate power source and crown that with the fact that everything he does is to accomplish his holy and righteous will, then it only makes sense that in his loving wisdom even the ‘crazy’ stuff we endure is all a part of this plan.  If he gave it to you, then he knows you can go through it and come out on the other side not smelling like smoke.  He entrusted you to shoulder the hard stuff because you have what it takes to prove that you serve a loving God.  There are others around you who don’t have the ability to ‘save’ themselves or to better their situations without your influence, guidance or just your example.

     When evil is plotted against you, God is not asleep letting someone take advantage of his children.  No, to the contrary -  God is fully aware and already assigning angels, intermediaries, supporters and cheerleaders to embrace you.  So no matter what your boss, non-support paying ex-spouse; argumentative neighbor or jealous friend may have lined up for you…don’t get angry and all bent out of shape.  Simply keep serving; keep praising; keep bringing your “A” game and watch God turn it all around not just to rectify you…but to save many and to glorify himself.

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a power-packed GREAT day!  Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn

Congratulations to my sister Linda Bridges and all of the WOD and MOD members who made yesterday’s annual Empowerment Brunch a huge success.

Hooray for “Tee”!

 

Today's blog is dedicated to my wonderful aunt, Geraldine Houser who is celebrating her 89 birthday today.  Born in Mt. Meigs, Alabama, educated at Tuskegee University (called Tuskegee Institute then), Mrs. Houser whom I call “Tee” is the last living elder from my mother’s side of the family.  Her mind is sharp and her wit is sharper.  She is a force to be reckoned with and a joy to be around.  Thank you so everyone who seeded into her life celebration by sending cards, gifts, flowers, plants and love tokens

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a power-packed GREAT day!  Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn

Good morning! Today's power scripture comes from Numbers 13:30-31  “But Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We are not able to go up against this people, for they are stronger than we’”

 

The past few days have been filled with emotional rollercoaster events for many of my close friends and family members. I am sure that if it were not for the stabilizing force of the peace of God it would probably be more than many could bear.   Just this week, we have offered condolences as loved ones have passed away; heard praise reports of new life that is expected; witnessed missionary outreach vicariously as believers traveled to distant lands to help the oppressed; prayed over damaged family relationships; cheered as unexpected money paid past due bills; received medical results that sent shivers down the spine but through it all we saw the hand of God move miraculously in diverse situations.

Moses sent spies to survey the land and to bring back reports of what was to be expected.  Of the spies that checked out the opposition, only Joshua and Caleb came back with reports that lined up with the promise of God.  Sure the land was filled with giants and yes the terrain was something they were not used to traversing. The fight was surely something they were not prepared for, but God had promised them the land.  The other spies buckled under that they saw but Joshua and Caleb came back with a report hot off the presses from God.  EXTRA, EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT…GOD IS GOING TO GIVE US THE LAND.   When the spies returned and presented their reports to the people the verdict was simple…. Whose report do you believe?”  Joshua and Caleb said…”We shall believe the report of the Lord.” 

When the odds seem against you and the cards just don’t appear to be in your favor; take your eyes off of the circumstances and place your focus on the promises of God.  Read through the Bible, find words of encouragement, support, guidance, and instruction that falls in line with what you are facing.  Write them out…. Read them aloud…post them where you can see them.  Make audio notes in your phone and play them back often.  Keep God’s word in front of you. Do things for others which will take your mind off of your own issues and bring joy to those who need you most.  While you are helping them, God will work on you; for you; and yes, in spite of you.   God has a miraculous way of turning frowns upside down; turning cents into dollars; turning rent into mortgage; bus tokens into car keys; and even remote controls into romantic dinners for two.   Tell the devil he is a liar and to take his bad report back to (hades) where he belongs.  We WILL believe the report (healing, love, peace, prosperity, hope, salvation) of the Lord.

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a power-packed GREAT day!  Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn

 

Condolences to Katrina Allen and family (Columbus, GA) for the passing of her grandmother on Monday, June 2nd

Good morning! Today's power scripture comes from Job 42:2 (AMP)  “ I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted.”

  We all have at some point in our lives had to readjust certain ‘sure’ things’ around us to make sure we stayed on God’s course. Today's message is short, sweet and to the point.  Strive to become more like Christ in our daily walk by aligning your actions, deeds and plans with your life purpose. How can our walk be meaningful if we are uncertain of where we come from and where we are going?  We must know our coming and going to see the real connection.  We are designed to be the hands and feet of the Master; therefore we are at our best when follow the teachings of Christ and fulfill the mission assigned to us by God.  Use this simple prayer below to stay on course.  

Dear God!

Please help me discover my purpose in life.

Give me the directions to open the roads you want me to travel.

Please help me discover the treasure of being on my true course.

You have created me with a certain purpose.

Lead me to recognize my path so that my life will

have true meaning.

Thank you for listening to my payer.

Amen”

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a power-packed GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Good Tuesday Morning.  Today’s power scripture comes from Job 11:18 – “And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your rest in safety.”

      When we are bombarded with negative images, negative thoughts and constant examples of how things can go wrong, it isn’t difficult to understand why many may lose confidence and courage in the waiting process.  Regardless of the wait, it is surely worth it.   One of the greatest motivators for sustaining confidence is to re-evaluate where you are and giving thanks for where you are going.  Planning for the future requires hope.  Hope reminds us that there is something worth working toward; fighting through; and praying for.  Hope tells us to keep moving even when our bodies are weary, our minds are baffled and our souls are discouraged.  Hope keeps us striving; even though circumstances keep changing.  Hope dictates a pattern of courage that is unrivaled.   Hope is the glue that holds our dreams together as we connect the puzzle pieces that will form the picture of our destiny. Never let hope slip away, diminish or fade.  Keep encouraging yourself.  Read your Bible daily for inspiration. Pray continuously and guard your heart and mind against anything that wants you to maintain the ‘status quo’.

     Every day is a good day it is up to us to make it a GREAT power-filled day.  Be blessed!  Have a great weekend. See you on Monday.  Dr. JoAnn

Good morning. Welcome to another wonderful week.  I pray you had a memorable weekend.  Today's power scripture comes from Psalm 103:8 -The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

      I have always been told that I had quite a way with words.  I remember in my youthful, less tactful days, a gentleman said that I had the unequaled ability to respond to less-than-intelligent-discourse in a way that I could step on someone’s toes and not mess up their shine or as they say – I would tell it ‘straight with no chaser’.  I have to admit that back in the day my patience for ignorance was nil or next to none.  Once I discerned that the person I was talking with was a filibuster, a show boater, a braggart or a liar, I dismissed them and dismissed myself from the conversation.  Why waste good listening on foolish talk.   In some regards I am still that way today, but at least now I excuse myself and venture on to another part of the room or a more enriching discourse without letting them know or feel that I think they are an idiot. They may not be our cup of tea, but we have to be gracious in how we interact with all of God’s children.We all have approached God with foolish talk; whether we were telling God about our plans, our directives, our decisions or belly-aching about our circumstances.  We have engaged in show boating when we speak more highly of ourselves than we ought knowing full well that if it was not for the grace of God we would be lost.  We have all lied, even if it was only to ourselves about our abilities to handle our lives.  Through it all God never gives us his love in a filter. He does not handle us ‘straight with no chaser’. His love is always embraced with not only mercy but grace.  We must exercise gracious living when we interact with others.  Not everyone will response favorably but that is not our concern.  Covered in the blood of Jesus and guided by our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, we must exhibit behaviors that edify, lift and encourage those that might not know how great our God is.  We are a reflection of the God we serve; so always put your best foot forward and be gracious!

      Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a power-packed GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn