History in the Making

Today America poises on the brink of making history in the world.

By the end of the day we will have chosen either a business man or a woman to be the next president of the United States. For some there is a sense of excitement, for some anxiety, some indecision and yet for others confusion about today. However there is still for some of us a sense of relief that this fighting and name-calling, and bitterness is coming to the end- or is it?

I love my country and I do participate in the electoral process, but I do not rely on any political party or person to be the savior of America. I totally rely on God, who can never be outvoted, cast out or however one tries cannot be pushed to the side.

As I vote- my prayer will be "God have your way" My prayer is that God will choose the person he can best use to make a difference in this country. I thank God that unlike men who look at the outward appearance that He looks at the heart. I am grateful that God is never swayed by words but by the heart. I am so grateful that God knows the future and also knows who is best suited to be the "Joshua" for the next phase of our Journey.

Please make sure that you go out and vote as every vote counts and in a very small way you are making a difference and whatever the outcome- I know God will get the Glory.

In His Service,

Vilma

The Cubs did it, so will you!

This has been such an exciting world series- The Cleveland Indians and the Chicago cubs. Finally after 108 years the Cubs were able to break loose from their period of drought. So many fans went to their graves during this season of drought not ever seeing their team going to much less winning a world series. Congratulations Chicago!!

As I reflect on this world- series, I am reminded of the fact that God never forgets about us. It may seem as if it is taking Him a very long time to make His move, but we can be certain that in His own time He will come through. I think about the children of Israel who were in captivity in Egypt they cried out to the Lord for deliverance daily, but it took God 400 years before He sent them a deliverer.

 

What do you do when it seem as if your prayers are not been heard? Well like the Children of Israel, you keep praying, you keep working and keep trusting. Like the Chicago cubs you keep playing, recruiting, trading and playing some more. The children of Israel, could settle in Egypt, all the original inhabitants had all died, and those who were there at the time only knew a life of slavery and hence could have been comfortable in just settling. I also know that they were taught about what God promised to Abraham and believed and kept praying knowing that God would one day take them to the promise land. The Chicago cubs could have given up, they could have dissolved the team, but they kept going, knowing that they would eventually be victorious.

Here is my advice to you, do not give up on God, whatever He has promised to you and your family it will come to pass. While you wait keep trusting, and keep doing your part and remember that God does things in His own time.

In His Service,

 

Vilma

Resisting Gossip!

Gossip can be juicy and mouthwatering especially when you are not the one being gossiped about. Refusing to listen to gossip is very difficult as it is refusing your favorite meal. If we take one bite of either we find ourselves craving more.

Proverbs 18:8 says this- Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one's heart (NLT).

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly (KJV).

Most time when someone brings you news it is usually misrepresented, colored and packaged in such a way as to break-up relationships and stir up trouble. As a child growing up, I was always told that any dog that takes you a bone- will take one from you. In translation what my parents were saying - when people bring you news beware they will go back with anything you have contributed to the conversation. As the verse says the words of a talebearer wounds deeply the person being talked about, their reputation, and their integrity.

As a person who is serious about their diet is able to resist food that is fattening or unhealthy, so we should resist rumors. If you do not nibble on the first bite you can’t take the second and the third bite.

In His Service,

Vilma

Marvellous Monday

For some people Mondays can be very daunting. The weekend is over and the work week starts all over again. You may be thinking “I don’t feel like getting up early, contending with the boss, the co-workers, the mountain of work in the office, the clients, the traffic, packing lunches and getting the children to the bus stop on time. For other people, they welcome Mondays because, they get a chance to leave the house and get a break from the children, the husband and the mountain of work they have at home- after all it’s more restful being at work than being at home.

Here is something I have discovered over the years. Our thoughts will eventually become our reality. The bible teaches that life and death are in the power of the tongue, it also admonishes us to speak life which is the same as to speak what is positive rather than what is negative.

So here is what I have been practicing. I learn to think about and describe my days how I want them to be. My Mondays are “marvelous Mondays” because I marvel at the goodness of God, providing me with a job, when there are so many others who spend countless days looking for one and coming up empty. I marvel at the fact that He gave me a break for two days, when some people work non-stop, I marvel that I have a family around me, hearing their laughter and their squabbles when so many have prayed for children and their wombs remain closed. I marvel because so many people live alone and would love to hear a sound every now and then. I marvel that I have a home to clean when so many are homeless or living in shelters.

It is a marvelous Monday because I have a chance to make a difference at my workplace. It is a marvelous Monday as I am expecting God to once again come through for me in every situation that I may face today. Ways that will cause those around me to “MARVEL” at God’s goodness.

Have yourself a “Marvelous Monday”.

In His Service,

Vilma

HE KEEPS YOU FROM SLIPPING!

Psalm 121

If you read psalm 121 in its entirety we see David assuring himself of help from God (v. 1, 2). He then goes on to assure others as well about this help which is also available to us (v. 3-8).

For the sake of space, I will just highlight one verse – which say “He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumbers“

If God keeps our feet from slipping we can translate this to mean that He will enable us to stand.  As you may be well aware there are situations that come upon us that will cause our feet to become shaky. We can be assured that God will not allow us to slip or fall.  This becomes possible only when we place ourselves completely in His care. His keeping power is available to us, but we must allow Him to do the maneuvering.

In those moments when we become weak, those are the moments we can see His strength in operation. When those hurdles come along especially those high ones that you are not able to jump over- do not panic- Allow God to take you over them. In those times when it becomes difficult to see where we are going, when we get thrown into valleys and unfamiliar terrains, know that God specialize in creating pathways for you that will keep you from stumbling.

Psalm 37:23-24 is a good affirmation of this truth- this is what it says: The steps of a man are established by the LORD and He delights in his way.  When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. 

I Love this.  Even when I fall, because I stray from the path He has created for me, I will not be hurled- or thrown headlong- That is brain damage!!!!

The remainder of verse 3 (Psalm 121) continues to say: He who keeps (protects, guards) you will not slumber.  In other words your guardian will not fall asleep-not even a light sleep or even doze off.  His watchful eyes are never closed. 

Guess what if He does that for you, He does the same for your children.  God has no grandchildren; our children are also His children.  So Keep Pushing for them.

In His Service,

Vilma

The face of Evil

Over the last couple of years I have seen evil raise its ugly head more and more both nationally as well as internationally. In the last month alone evil seems to be mocking us with a “catch me if you can attitude”

The face of evil was seen in Orlando, Florida; in St Paul, Minnesota; in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; in Dallas Texas and as of yesterday in Nice, France. This list is by no means exhaustive, as there are daily display of evil in many of our cities and states that do not get national attention. The effects are devastating as it impacts so many lives directly and indirectly.

 The bible tells us that in the last days “perilous times” will come - 2Timothy 3:1. However, I don’t want us to stop there, instead I want us to read about something else that will happen in the last days. In Joel 2:28-29 and in Acts 2:17 we see that God will “pour out His Spirit on all Flesh”, our young men will see visions and our old men will dream dreams.

 We can counteract evil with good, let’s pray diligently for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh. Let’s pray for a revival in our hearts, in our homes, our communities, our churches, and at our work places. Let’s genuinely invite God back in our affairs. Do not stop praying when it seems everything has quieted in the news. Do not let down your guard, Satan doesn’t. We must be persistent. If all God’s light and salt in the earth decide to savor and give light- darkness (evil) cannot stand, it cannot comprehend what it sees.  I beseech you to set some time aside daily to pray and keep calling out to God for a change in our land.

In His Service,

Vilma

Making the Choice to Forgive

This post is not new it was originally posted April 20, 2013 on my face book page, but I am lead to repost. Not a bad thing because most times we forget what we saw 3 days ago, how much more 3 years ago. In addition I have new friends, why rob them? Lol!

Most of us are able to recite the model prayer found in Mathew 6: 9-13, but how many of us really internalize and meditate on the meaning of those words. Sometimes we get so familiar with something or someone that we take it or them for granted. We fail to pay much attention to details and can really miss some important facts.

I would like to point out 2 very important verses, one being verse 12 "And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" What am I really saying when I horridly mumble these words? I am interpreting this as asking God to forgive us of our debts/trespasses/transgressions/sins as we forgive those who have transgressed or wronged us. Forgive us in a similar fashion as how we forgive- oops, really?

However, in practicality what we may be saying is- Lord I refuse to forgive Sally who talked about me 2 years ago, I refuse to forgive, my ex-husband for leaving me, my child for breaking that priceless piece of china, or my boss for passing me over for that promotion, and so Lord I expect the same treatment from you.

 Another practical interpretation could be- Lord it was so hard to forgive all these people who over the years have wronged me, but it was not worth holding on to un-forgiveness so with your help forgive them and I know you will do the same for me as well for my many mistakes and wrong doing. 

The second important fact that I want to draw to our attention is not even within the verses of the model prayer, but the verse that comes after (14): For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Being reminded of this I make a conscious choice on a daily basis to ask the Holy Spirit for strength to forgive everyone and every wrong even when it hurts a lot.  I realize that in my flesh I would prefer to choose who and what to forgive and when I forgive them, and so I look to God for the strength to make the right choice and forgive. 

So the next time you say the model – prayer please pay attention to the details.

In His Service,

Vilma

First 15 minutes- Psalm 121

https://www.periscope.tv/w/agG2HzFheVFWdnZEV29sUXB8MWRqeFhEVnZXUEJ4Wh_hApXaPBmdwkUnVgcHcUBU4inDHAH9fYJ5YA1Hosbm

A mother's morning prayer

Before I pack my children's lunches for school or put the clothes to wash or even before I take a bath or lay out my clothes that I plan to wear to work, Father my desire is to spend a few minutes to just say thank you and sit quietly in your presence as you speak to me.

First I thank you for waking me up and that my mind is functioning well. God I thank you that I am able to move my limbs unaided. I thank you for blessing me with these children that I sometimes take for granted, not recognizing what an awesome gift they are from you.

 My vision is limited to the things that I am able to see but you are Omnipresent. My mind is limited to the amount of things that I Know and understand, but God you are Omniscient.  I realize that my authority and power fluctuates according to where I am and who I am around, but God you are Omnipotent.  So I now commit the remainder of my day in your hand, I commit my children here at home or away into your hand. I commit my job or the job that you are providing for me into your hands.

 I command every anxiety and worry to leave my mind knowing that you are more than capable to keep safely everything that I have committed into your hands. My day is blessed, my children are blessed, my spouse is blessed, and every person that comes into my presence today will be blessed because you are with me everywhere I go.

In His Service,

Vilma

Periscope 5/10/16

https://www.periscope.tv/w/agCC5zFheVFWdnZEV29sUXB8MXpxS1ZEWWJNdlpKQoqDk12JDuxBv4F__CwwoRZT0ajL5QQKPblQhw7KWMOw

Setting the tone for your day

What kind of day are you looking to have?  As human beings we all want our day to be a great day. However we play a part in making sure that this happens.

Do not leave your day to chance, do not allow others to dictate the day you will have. Instead you make a conscious effort to "take charge" of your day. It's your day given to you by God- make it count.

You cannot retrieve "your today" tomorrow- neither could you have borrowed from "your today" yesterday.  Today is just for today- make the most of it. Go ahead set the tone for the day you want.

One way you can set the tone of your day is to pause at the beginning and speak with the one who gave it to you.  Spend a little time with Him and learn some things. You spend as little as 15 minutes in His presence- longer if you chose.

You will be surprised how 15 minutes with the Lord can dramatically change your day. It's not about how long but rather how well you use the time you spend with Him.

Doing so by your self is wonderful, but joining with others is even better. Please Join me every morning Monday- Friday, from 6am-6:15am for morning meditation and prayer. 

You can find me on periscope @MPUSH810 - feel free to also share this opportunity with your followers and friends.

God Bless,

Vilma

Update- It's that time

Today's Prayer

Father today, I pray for our children who are driving. I pray that they will exercise judgement on the road. I pray that they will obey the road signs. I pray that they will use self -control and deny the urge to speed, overtake foolishly, or text while driving.

Father I thank you for the many times you protected them from accidents and from getting a ticket because of the poor decisions they made or from the poor decisions by other motorist on the road.  I do not take it for granted when they leave home and return that it was all because of their driving skills but I also know that it was due to your providential care. In Jesus' name, Amen

In His Service,

Vilma

Weep no more

If we take the time to study the word of God we can find so much comfort and reassurance. Here is a passage of scripture that I think will be reassuring to most mothers.

 Jeremiah 31:16-17.

 This is what the LORD says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the LORD. “They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your descendants,” declares the LORD. “Your children will return to their own land.

 This is so fantastic! Are you weeping over your children’s choices at the moment? God is saying that your work – (raising your children,) will not be in vain, you will be rewarded. God is not saying that your children “may” come back but “shall” come back from the land of the enemy.

He continues to reassure us that there is hope that your children and their children will return to their own border (place of peace and safety and well-being).

 So dry your tears and stop focusing on how bad it may be now, instead look to what God has promised in His word. Don’t worry how He is going to do it, just believe that He is going to bring them back.

The power of God is greater than that of their enemies. So lets us start to give Him some Praise- THEY ARE COMING BACK!!!!!

 In His Service,

Vilma

Spiritual Fast

Many of us welcome the month of January to shed the many pounds that we accumulated over thanksgiving and Christmas. Some of us join the local gym and work out, and many will participate in various types of "Fasts" depending on how quickly they want to shed those pounds.

  Many Christians individually or collectively with their churches also participate in a Spiritual fast at the start of the New Year. For many of us it is the 21-day Daniel Fast.  

There are approximately 99 verses in the bible that refer to "Fasting" and hence it must be of great importance.  Although God commanded fasting by the Israelites in the Old Testament, we do not see Him commanding fasting in the New Testament or as a matter of fact forbidding it. Many early Christians did however practice fasting and prayer as a part of their spiritual lives and so should we. Having said this we should not participate in a Fast just to say we did a fast, but we should do so with a purpose of gaining spiritual strength, a deeper understanding of God and a closer relationship with Him. Sometimes we need clarity from God concerning our next steps, sometimes we need a breakthrough concerning situations in our lives (our health, issues with our children, our marriages or our career).

When we fast it is not about the length of time fasting but it is the effectiveness of it. Although fasting is generally abstaining from food, you can also fast from other things that will require some sacrifice such as watching television.  If you have never fasted before and want to try it, you should start with a partial fast- such as abstaining for a few hours each day and not an entire day at once.

  

 In His Service,

Vilma

A New Beginning

In just three short days we will be saying goodbye to 2015 and welcoming 2016.

What are your thoughts as this New Year approaches? As you anticipate this ‘new’ year, what images come to your mind?

 Here is what comes to my mind as I reflect on the word “new”- different, firsthand, fresh, original, turning point and innovative.  As you approach 2016, think of how you can make this a turning point in your life.

Here are a few thoughts: Let us embrace 2016 with the determination to keep your hope alive.  In order for us to take advantage of this opportunity, we will need to let go of some old ways of thinking, old habits, negative ways of speaking and believe it or not some "old" friends and companions.

Let me remind you of a popular scripture verse we often quote: Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

 Reading this verse brings me to another thing we need to leave behind in 2015 and that is our "old perception." We need to see things in an entirely different way. We need to understand that God will always make a way for us regardless of how things may sometimes look.  We must allow ourselves to truly experience the incredible love that God has for us.

So instead of seeing our bad experiences, and difficult times in 2015 as obstacles, let us see them as merely stepping stones.  For 2016 I want you to see God as your source and not your resource; see Him as having the answers to all your questions and not just as a mere onlooker. 

   

In His Service,

Vilma

A change in direction

I trust you had a great Christmas with your family and friends. The holidays are usually a very special time for many. For some it is a time of fun, food and fellowship. It's a time to exchange gifts and to catch up on family members you may not have seen or heard from in a long time.

 

Unfortunately for others the holidays are anticipated with fear, heartaches and a sense of loneliness especially if they have lost a loved one or if they are going through a  major relationship break up or experiencing conflicts within their families.

 

It is important that we reach out to those people who fit in the latter category. These are people that need hope by being reminded how much they ae loved by God.  This brings me to some exciting changes in my ministry that I need to share with you.

 

Having been through many tough situations in my life- I feel that God is now calling me to expand my ministry from simple Empowering mothers to pray for their children- to one which will help people in general who have lost their faith in God reconnect with Him. This new ministry is now called: "The Turning Point" and will incorporate MPUSH, SPARK change for high school girls and the praying wives.

 

It is very exciting and at the same time daunting, but I know that many will be blessed through this ministry. Regardless of what we go through in life we must understand that God is a good God and that He would not do anything to cause us (His children) pain.   So stay tuned for a new and exciting year ahead.

 

Let me also take this opportunity to wish you and your family every blessing that God has in store for you for 2016.  Make 2016 your "turning point"

  

In His Service,

 

Vilma

Make it happen Monday

   

In Mathew 19:16-22 we read the story of a rich young ruler who went to Jesus to ask what he should do to inherit Eternal life. As the conversation continues with Jesus we find that this young man was living an upright life, and had kept the law from a young child.

He was very pleased with himself and must have smiled thinking t “surely I have this all together”. Jesus however, surprised him by telling him that he was lacking something. Jesus told him "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.

Unfortunately this young man became sad and walked away from the opportunity of having eternal life. His love for God somehow did not translate to having love for others. I often marvel at this young man - he was willing to lose his soul rather than share his earthly treasure.

This rich young man could have made it happen for him- “Eternal life” He could also have made it happen for a lot of needy people by giving them some money from the sale of his vast possessions.

What can you do today to make some other person’s day? As you make your last- minute shopping and wrapping of gifts, think of someone in your neighborhood, your church or work that you can buy a gift for. Let us spread our love a little further than our homes this Christmas.

In His Service,

Vilma

Foolish, weak or both?

I am so fascinated by this verse of scripture in I Corinthians 1: 27. This is what it says:

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

There are many times that God chooses us to do some things and we don't for the simple fact that what He has asked looks and sounds down right foolish. However if we are obedient in the end people will be simple amazed at what you are able to accomplish, and the lives that have been touched. 

God requires our total dependence on Him, when He does things through us there should be no mistake that it is God. He opens doors for jobs that you are not qualified for and make you excel.  He brings people into your path for you to encourage and strengthen that blows your mind as well as theirs

Take a look at the story of Noah building an ark for many years in anticipation for rain that he has never seen or heard of before.  To everyone around him, this was absolutely foolish, but in the end his family and a number of animals were saved- it took him 120 years.

What of Abraham picking up his family and telling people that he was going somewhere, which he really had no clue about? Look at Abraham and Sarah so far pass the age for conception- how foolish Sarah must have looked pregnant in her 90's.

What of Moses with a little staff to part the red sea, what about the feeding of the five thousands with two fish and five small loaves? To the natural mind and through our physical eyes these things look and sound foolish, but check the end of each of these stories and see how God manifested His greatness.

Be that foolish weak person and just do what God is calling you to do and see how the wise and the strong get confused

In His Service,

Vilma

31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Children | Articles | Revive Our Hearts

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31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Children | Articles | Revive Our Hearts