A Woman Assigned... for such a time!

Seasons... A TIme for Everything ~ Ecclesiastes 3:18

2011-11-10T10:20:00.001-05:00

A Time for Everything: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,  
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
 a time to kill and a time to heal,
 a time to tear down and a time to build,
 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
 a time to mourn and a time to dance,  
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
 a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
 a time to search and a time to give up,  
a time to keep and a time to throw away,  
a time to tear and a time to mend,
 a time to be silent and a time to speak,
 a time to love and a time to hate,
 a time for war and a time for peace.

REPOST: "The Road Less Traveled" from Dec. 8, 2009

2011-09-22T16:23:00.001-04:00

I had a conversation with a stranger in the BMV this morning. We spoke briefly about how we both observe that people just go along with the status quo, never challenging what's in front of them. Never taking the time, or making the effort to examine beyond what is told to them, or what appears to be popular. Following blindly down roads that appear to lead to popular places, people and things, with no thought about the outcome.

While I sat here in front of my computer, feeling the need to blog, Robert Frost's poem entitled "The Road Less Traveled came to mind." I've read the poem several times and many theories can be derived about what the writer meant, implied, inferred, and a host of other analytical and literary terms.

The poem in its entirety reads:

The Road Less Traveled

by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Today this poem has a new meaning, a new revelation for me. I'm not quite sure what Robert Frost was thinking, but the thought that came to mind is that in this particular season and at this particular hour we are at the intersection that branches off into two opposite directions. The time is at hand to choose which path we will take. We can't venture down both at the same time, hence a choice is inevitable. Not choosing is not an option, as no choice is still a decision - an implied decision to remain in the same place, in the same state.

I'm led to recall and recite the scripture reference in Joshua 24:15 that states "... choose you this day whom ye will serve...". God is calling us to make a choice; we will either live for Him, or live at enmity with Him. It's not enough just to act as if, the choice is a conscious decision to follow the rules of the road.

Though there is uncertainty associated with both roads, we know that the road of truth is the one that leads us straight to Our Father.

Ironically enough, this blog was fostered out of my morning BMV experience, yet is so relevant. When we venture unto a road there are rules, instructions, guidelines, that we must follow. When we are in violation of these rules, we are faced with penalties and consequences.

Even more ironically, when we get caught it's not usually the first time we were in violation. It's just the first time we got caught. The first "known" offense is generally a warning or a fine, but repeat offenders adamant to continue to defy the law, suffer more severe consequences; which can ultimately lead to court appearances, license revoke and/or incarceration depending on the severity of the offense. Some road experiences can even lead to death - of self and/or of others or both!

In our society, as we know it today, the road to God, to salvation, to following Him with your whole heart, in your walk, not just your talk is indeed the "Road Less Traveled, " and there are consequences for choosing this road. Friends and family may fore sake you. You won't be the most popular, you will be rejected and subjected to often the imaginable. Though the road may not be as attractive as the alternate, it is the one that leads to life, peace, abundance and manifold favor and blessings that are eternal in nature. It is the road of promise.

Though rough at times, the assurance is that while we walk in truth, though we may stumble, though we may even fall, we still walk on purpose to our appointed destiny. Along this road, there are curves, warning signs, stop signs, informational signs, under construction signs, detours and other roadside indicators that assist us while we are on our way.

Yet as the writer concludes and so will I... " I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

Which road will you choose?

Still traveling,

~Deneen

A Woman Assigned!

The End of a Year and the Close of a Decade

2010-12-31T12:21:00.003-05:00

This is a portion of a conversation, I had with a dear friend of mine as we exchanged emails this morning in reflection of this past year. It was her suggestion that I post it. I hope these words bless yet another and this action ties in with what I want my life to be in the days, months and years to come. It is my desire that my life experience, and my testimony will transform into motivations for change in the life of others...

In reflection...

Aren't you glad that He's a God who opens doors that NO MAN can shut and closes doors that NO MAN can open. They are open doors of access for opportunity or doors of destruction closed for our protection.

Don't look at what we've lost, let's look at what we stand to gain as a result of our losses. I've lost so called friends, abusive relationships, people who weigh you down, negative conversationalists, gifts with strings attached, and I've gained my freedom in Christ, a new perspective, a greater appreciation for what I do have and an opportunity to become all that I'm missing.

What a wonderful exchange. Jesus said that NO MAN can take my life, for I lay it down. We can't love our lives so much, because the bible says we then lose it, but if we lay it down for Christ we gain eternity in Him and with Him. I'm so glad, I'm so glad, I chose Christ. He has made all the difference in the world.

In closing...

The best days of our lives lie ahead of us. The bible says in Hebrews: 12:1-2... let us lay aside EVERY weight and sin that so easily besets us and run with patience this race that is set before us; looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." We can't take the old stuff into the new place!

It will take faith, mixed with obedience, and endurance to finish... so join me as we "press toward the mark for the prize of the high call of God in Christ Jesus" Ph: 3:14

May God's favor and blessings pursue you and run you over in this New Year~

Expectingly yours,
~Deneen
A Woman Assigned

Still On Assigment...

2010-08-07T16:02:00.004-04:00

Hello Everybody, Somebody, Anybody,

Today is Soul Saturday and as I reflect over the past few months, while silent, much has taken place. Transition, metamorphosis, maturing, refining, and growing. Allowing God to remove the dross, the impurities so that His refined product shall come forth.

Proverbs 25: 4 states: "Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer."

Though we are not always "comfortable" while being readied for our assignments, the results are indeed the perfect work of the Master. Although the process is never ending, when you begin to see the evidence of what's emerging, we have to acknowledge His handiwork in our lives. He deserves all the glory, the honor and the praise.

I don't know about you, but I know where He's brought me from and I am evidence of what He will do when you commit your way to His way and submit your will to His will. Let us not despise our beginnings, for the "end of a matter is better than the beginning."~Ecclesiastes 7:8.

Stay on assignment, embrace the process; endure to see what the end will be!

If for some reason you have veered from the plan, get back on course, it's not too late. REPENT! Do a 180 degree turn and get back in position. Don't let the enemy or your own ambitions rob you of what God has for you. His love will cover you; it's the enemy's' desire to expose you in your sin.

Though it is God's desire to bestow upon His beloved His very best, we have the FREE will to choose. What will you choose? To have a guarantee with God in His presence benefiting from His very best in His "perfect" will or a happenstance chance absent from His presence and in His permissive will?

In closing, let's remember 1Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

~Deneen
A Woman Assigned
Chosen. Called. Purposed. Ready.

NOTE: Be sure to check out the new poetry in motion, entitled "I See."

Spiritual Swap Meet

2010-03-01T20:33:00.005-05:00

An opening thought...

One Sunday morning when I awoke, the Lord reminded me that "It's All Spiritual." As I now explore and delve into more knowledge around my spiritual gifts and the significance of the fruits of the spirit, I am enamored with the word of God and anxious to continue to gain more wisdom, more knowledge and more understanding.

In recent months I've discovered, and heard people being referred to, labeled, and called "spiritual." The question that immediately comes to mind is of what spirit? The word tells us in 1 John 4:1, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God..." The things of hell are also spiritual in context, hence "It's all Spiritual."

Don't be deceived by people, places and or things that come wrapped in what appears to be "God's packaging." They may very well be impostors, impersonators, counterfeit, lures and bait used by the enemy to pull off his work of trickery, treachery, malice and destruction.

The older church folks used to say, "Remember chile, the devil comes to church. He gets there early, stays late, and often times you'll find him in the front pew or even in the pulpit. " Yes, the devil can preach. Does he not know the word? What he's banking on is the fact that we don't.

We are so carnal, that we are quick to believe what we see, especially when it "looks like God," and because we don't study the Word, we are clueless about God's character. You can't judge a book by its cover was usually used to describe people who weren't visually acceptable or appealing. The same premise applies also to things that are well packaged to reap a response delivered from emotional stimuli. The best marketing is in the presentation; that which appeals to the senses...

Even money is labeled "In God We Trust." Yet the word tells us in 1 Tim 6:10 "For the love of money is the root [core, foundation, premise, basis] of all kinds of evil (NIV).

Be mindful, in these end times, Matthew 24:24 states "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

Matthew also makes it plain in 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. "

Be discerning!

Well as we move into this week's topic: Spiritual Swap Meet...

A swap meet by definition is a place of buying, selling, trading and bartering.

The scripture passage that comes to mind is Ephesians 4:22-24 - "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Here Paul instructs the members of the church of Ephesus to put off, set aside, swap the former things; and put on the new man. In other words, trade our old way of thinking and the behavior associated with it for what is made "new" in Christ, for his blood redeems, restores, renews, and makes all things new. We are instructed to put on righteousness and "true" holiness. How obvious is the intentional use of the word "true; " true holiness as opposed to "a form of holiness" or as Timothy so eloquently states " a form of godliness."

We are instructed in Ephesians 6:11 to "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Now we, the "people of God" are doing the exact reverse. We are taking off our armour, our spiritual coverings and putting on the garments of the world:

The girdle of truth is twisted and entangled in deception, hence allowing us to sell off the rest of our armor...

Our breastplate is being auctioned off for designer finery and name brand fashions;

Our feet which should be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, quicken their way toward sin and unrighteousness;

The shield of faith is melted down and draped around our outer garments on display; worn as accessories, with no real value; strictly to adorn;

The helmet of salvation is being traded for alternative head gear and cover ups that provide no protection;

The sword of the spirit is being exchanged for carnal weapons that only cripple and kill;

Prayer and supplication are rendered powerless for the involvement with the things of the world dilute the power of prayer and intercession.

We swap, trade and barter the valuable and the enduring for temporary trinkets that are of no spiritual value. The enemy is not after our image, he's after our souls. We willingly stand naked and unarmed in battle fully exposed to the enemy, who just like any well-skilled opponent, will attack where there is vulnerability. We buy in, swap, and exchange the eternal for the momentary/immediately gratifying stuff, things, people, that lose value immediately upon purchase or acquisition.

In a swap meet, the buyers and the traders are strategically looking to acquire treasures, valuables. Be careful that you don't part with items that haven't been properly spiritually appraised or assessed. You may discard items that are crucial to your spiritual success.

Remain armoured...
~Deneen
A Woman Assigned

Anecdote to Selfishness >> Service

2010-01-18T20:27:00.011-05:00

Hello Everyone, Someone, Anyone,

Today is Magnificent Monday, and I want to express the immeasurable amount of gratitude in my attitude.

Blog topic: Anecdote to Selfishness >> Service

Yesterday, God provided me with an opportunity to participate in an awesome display of service. Myself, along with an awesome group of women, prepared and served dinner to the women and children at the Wheeler Women's and Children Shelter.

Just like God, the day flowed according to His divine direction. For morning service, I participated in the third of a teaching series on Grace, with yesterday's focus on "Contentment"... how to be "content" in the midst of our circumstances. The point of the teaching was to remind us that God's grace is more than enough.

After service, I accompanied a dear friend of mine, indeed one of God's angels, to the shelter, where we prepared dinner that we would serve to the residents as well as those from the outside who required a meal. The group of women who came to serve was small in number but huge in their genuine willingness to serve. Donations of food and paper goods were delivered in order to aid with this venture.

As we prepared to receive the women and children, my mind wandered back to some of the dark places in my own life and how God was with me, how He kept me and provided for me even in the midst of the worst of circumstances. How He extended His hand in my time of trouble, in the midst of unattractive circumstances, when others had counted me out, when people snubbed their noses up at me without knowing anything about me.

One of the former residents, who is now employed by the shelter shared her testimony and it was indeed evidence that we serve a capable and able God. I thought about how we often get so wrapped with our own personal trials that we so quickly forget that there are those whose struggles far exceed and go beyond what we can even conceive. How dare us that we can so easily live in a constant state of forgetfulness about how much God has done, and how far He has brought us. I can only speak for myself, but it took a move of God to "snatch" me from the hands of the enemy whose plan was to literally destroy me.

My own personal journey has repeated evidence of the grace of God, and although every I is not dotted and not every T is crossed, I am much more than I ever thought I would be, and looking forward to what's still in store.

As we prayed and sang songs and gave honor to God, it was obvious to me that many in the room, knew the God we called upon in prayer and sang about in song. So I say this to the women and children we encountered:

May God be with you continually. Success in not measured by your current circumstance, your current trials or situations. Success is measured by endurance. The bible says that the race is not given to the swift, nor the battle to the sure; but to the one who endures to the end.

I personally thank each and every one of you for allowing us to serve you. Know that those who labored among you took great pleasure in the opportunity to fellowship with you. You blessed us with your presence.

Know that though the clouds seem to hang low, if you keep looking up toward heaven, the clouds will give way to sunlight, and it will light your path. Don't give up. Don't give in... just hold on. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy will come in the morning.

Listen to Israel Houghton: If Not For Your Grace

Graciously yours,

~Deneen
A Woman Assigned!

The Road Less Traveled

2009-12-08T11:06:00.026-05:00

Hello Everyone, Someone, Just One,

Today is Tell the Truth Tuesday. And truth is what we need in this hour, in this season.

We are 8 days into the last month of this '09 Manifestation Year. Let's just reflect a moment on the activity and journey thus far. It's just a glimpse of where we're going... good or bad, blessings or curses... the choice is ours. We are at the crossroads, the fork in the road. Indeed, it's time to choose a path; a road.

This Week's Blog Topic: The Road Less Traveled

The poem in its entirety reads:

The Road Less Traveled

by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Though there is uncertainty associated with both roads, we know that the road of truth is the one that leads us straight to Our Father.

Yet as the writer concludes and so will I... " I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

Which road will you choose?

A traveler,

~Deneen

A Woman Assigned!

Binding the Strongman » Harvest Time Deliverance Ministries

2009-10-22T01:54:00.002-04:00

Binding the Strongman » Harvest Time Deliverance Ministries

This is a very interesting article relating to spiritual warfare and end-time deliverance.

In all thy getting, get understanding ~Proverbs 4:6

Study and show thyself approved, a workman that needeth not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth ~2Timothy 2:151

Get In Position: The Posture of Obedience

2009-10-14T02:20:00.009-04:00

Since the beginning of time God has been attempting to get us to understand the importance and benefits of obedience. If we revisit Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, all God required was that they obey Him. Just like Adam and Eve, the same holds true for us today. Access to living blessed starts and ends with a posture, a stance of obedience.

Be reminded that the first act of disobedience, and how we chose to live outside of that which God ordained for our lives, took place in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. Progressively as we move through the bible, we have consistently displayed a posture of blatant disobedience unto God and have reaped the consequences of such.

Eden was the first promise land. The reference(s) to Eden is not necessarily to focus on the garden aspect of it, but what it represents metaphorically… Eden was a place of beauty, life, and abundance. God is fervently trying to get us back to Eden, that place in Him, that place that says we can live blessed; where He is our beginning, our source, our supply, our sustenance, our provision, and our protection. Where we can live better than we can ever imagine.

What I really want to emphasize is that the same premise holds true today. God is calling us to obedience, to holiness, to godly living.

If you back-track to the time of Moses, when we were in the wilderness, we witnessed God’s awesome evidence of power and love for us when He heard our cries and delivered us from bondage in Egypt yet we were still disobedient and as a result, forfeited the land of milk and honey… the promise land.

In His word, God tells us that if we obey his teaching and instruction that we can live blessed.

Obedience is access, proper posture and positioning to the things of God; the things God said we can have, who God said we can be and where God said we can go. We often sing or say “God’s Will Is What I Want for My Life”, yet we want to do what we want to do; not seriously considering that doing so, positions us outside the will of God.

Let’s “Get in Position” and do what it is that God is calling us to do. The first 5 books of the bible, properly coined in Hebrew as “Torah” or in Greek as the “Pentateuch” is where God’s teaching and instruction resides, and teaches us how to live blessed. We can’t effectively live according to how God said we can live doing what we want to do. Yes, God extends us grace, and we know that grace’s partner is mercy, and yes, He’s a loving and forgiving God, but also let us remain aware that He is also a God of wrath and judgment.

The children of Israel, while out in the wilderness were blessed, but they were far outside of God’s best. They had what they needed to sustain them in the wilderness. Food, shelter, clothing, and all they needed to survive in the wilderness. But, the promise… was within their eyesight, yet they forfeited because of their disobedience.

I employ you at this time, in this hour, in this season, to get in position and honor the call to obedience, to holiness and godly living.

The question I pose is “How do we think we can obtain the things of God, and not live according to His teaching and instruction?" The best from God comes from being obedient. His will is a direct call to obedience. If we are obedient to his teaching and instruction, then we operate within His will and better position ourselves for the best and the greatest from God. If we choose to be disobedient and live outside of the will of God, we put ourselves in potential danger; creating avenues for the enemy to get into our lives and begin to reign. We enter into sin, and sin abounds… potentially unto death. The bible says that rebellion is as witchcraft. Blatant disobedience is sheer rebellion of the teaching and instructions set forth in the word of God.

I charge you to read Deuteronomy 28:1-14. This segment of scripture tells us how to live blessed. Be sure to meditate on verse one, which speaks to obedience. God has conditions for us to live blessed. Nowhere does it says in Deut. 28:1-14 that we can live any kind of way and still live blessed. If you drop down to v. 15-64, the consequence of disobedience is outlined in the same chapter. There are 14 verses on how to live blessed but 49 verses that unveil the curses we live under if we chose to be disobedient.

Obedience is a choice… God gives us free will... Yes, to obey Him or disobey Him. I employ you to pray and ask God to grant unto you a spirit of obedience. The enemy is cunning, subtle, sneaky and slick. A liar, deceiver... father of lies.

So I charge you to live according to the teaching and instruction provided by God himself, He is then bound by His word to keep us and deliver from the hand of the enemy. The devil, who is an accuser of the brethren, has no respect for people who live in disobedience. Coming to church and using church speak… rendering the appearance of righteousness, with motives and agendas have nothing to do with God; talking the talk, but not walking the walk; deceivers of themselves and potentially others. Usurping the opportunity for healing and deliverance and the ability to adopt a posture of obedience – access; a VIP pass to the blessings of God; inviting curses into their lives and the lives of those attached to them.

Is it easy? Not always... but His grace is sufficient! However, it’s necessary to be in a position of submission, fully surrendered and compliant to the will, the way and the word of God. Access to that which God has with our name on it, is contingent upon obedience.

Another call to obedience is the very first commandment of God: “I am the Lord your God, you shall not have strange gods before me”. Idolatry and pagan worship is also disobedient unto God; again attributed to the children of Israel; and just like them, in this day and time, people are worshiping things, man, money, status, position and the like. Our worship, because God is truly worthy of our expression of love, should be directed unto Him. Man has not built a heaven or hell to put us in, but God has, and if we put anything before Him, know that we compromise eternity with Him.

I sincerely hope that this presents a heightened level of awareness as it pertains to where we need to be and what we need to be setting our sights upon.

Check your posture, your position, your level of obedience, and your priorities. If what you do is to the glory of man, you can’t expect to get the best from God. God seeks and deserves all of our honor, our glory and our praise.

Walking, Talking and Being ALL that God has said I can be.

Obediently yours,
~Deneen
A Woman Assigned.

____________________________________________
Take the Obedience Quiz
http://www.christianet.com/bible/obedience.htm

Dressed for Success: Are You Properly Suited?

2009-10-01T00:18:00.011-04:00

Hello Everyone, Someone, Just One!

Today is Thought-provoking Thursday.

Another day that the Lord has made; commanding us to rejoice and be glad in it.

We are a people chosen to walk on purpose, guided by God to the promise land... destination: Destiny! We are one day closer... Let us Rejoice!

Today's Blog Topic: Dressed for Success: Are You Properly Suited?

We as a people invest in designer fashions and the latest and greatest in clothing trends. Fashion is a huge industry and yes, we are required to adorn ourselves appropriately to be presentable to the world. Most of us exhaust a great deal of time and effort in selecting just the right outfit - to appear acceptable according to the world's standards.

There is a uniform for the various roles we play. In the corporate sector, it may be business casual or executive apparel; from the police officer on the beat to the nurse in the hospital, to the mailman and the sanitation engineer, there is a code for attire that is deemed appropriate.

Dressed for Success? Maybe, but are we properly suited?

Ephesians 6: 11-12 tells us to "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

One of the greatest feats of deception that the enemy has orchestrated is making people think he does not exist. This is far from the truth and in these last days, he is indeed on his job. He arrives early, stays late, works weekends and pulls extra hours.

We are in a war. It's not hand to hand combat or a shoot out... It's spiritual. It's the same war that has existed since before the beginning of creation, but in these last days, the enemy is running rampant in the earth. He's creating havoc in our homes, in our workplaces, in the church, and in our day to day lives. He's a liar, a thief, a murderer and a demolition expert. As we approach the time of promise, the season of destiny, his goal, his objective is to deter and destroy our destinies and to steal souls.

The best defense in any strategic battle is a good offense. The word of God provides us with instruction on how to "Dress for Success" and be "Properly Suited" for war. The designer clothing does not provide the sufficient covering and weaponry that we need to stand victorious. Would it be wise to take a knife to gun fight? Well the same premise applies.

God tells us clearly in His word in Hosea 4:6 that "My people perish for lack of knowledge".

Before we can suit up, we need to know the plan of attack, the strategy. In every battle, the offensive team warriors study their opponent. It would not be wise to enter into a battle without the proper knowledge of the ploys of the opposition.

We are commanded according to the word in 2 Timothy 2:15 to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." It is our responsibility to read, study and research the scriptures for proper teaching, guidance and instruction on how to proceed in battle.

We are reminded that this battle is not one that can be fought in the natural and the spiritual attire doubles as our weapons for warfare. 2 Cor 10:4 tells us "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

We need to adorn ourselves from the crown to the soles with the "armour and weapons" of God.

Ephesians 6:13-18 teaches us how to dress for success...

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints..."

It's time we fine tune our minds to embrace the activity of the spirit realm, so that we don't get taken unaware. "To be aware is to be alive!" The enemy gets dressed for success. He adorns himself with bodies. He gets in where he fits in. He dresses up and dresses down. He talks the talk and sounds and looks good doing it.

Indeed deception at its best is executed when there's an element of truth. So he embodies those we least expect to pull off his greatest work. If he showed up looking like the devil, he wouldn't get very far, so he shows up looking just like you and I... Be mindful of appearances, they too can be suited for deception.

This is indeed a battle between light and darkness. Light yields unto Life and Darkness yields unto Death. Choose to fight to stay in the light... It will save your life!

Are you properly suited?

A Warrior!
~ Deneen
A Woman Assigned

____________________________________________
Interesting and powerful reading on Spiritual Warfare:

Rules of Engagement
by Cindy Trimm
www.cindytrimm.com

Strong House, Clean House
by Kimberly Daniels
www.kimberlydaniels.com

2 Women Entrepreneurs.com

2009-08-03T10:35:00.000-04:00

Join 2 Women Entrepreneurs!

It's the Little Things...

2009-07-31T12:16:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone. Someone. Just one.

Today is Freedom Friday and I am indeed FREE. It's been a couple of weeks since my last blog, and although I've been away, I am still under the will of God. We are in the midst of yet another awesome day and living in a season where God is indeed up to something. He's always up to something, but I just believe that He is working out some miracles and wonders on behalf of the saints. I just appreciate how AWESOME God truly is. I've been engulfed in a season of sheer gratitude for what He has already done, what He is doing, what He is going to do; what He has promised to do.

This week's blog topic is It's the Little Things...

This is indeed where I am in my journey. I feel that I am in a place where God is fine tuning me and perfecting a "perfect" work in me. He's surfacing and addressing the little things, the not so obvious things, the minute details, the sum of the parts that create the whole that brings it all full circle.

Through His revelation, here's a comparative illustration:

Think about a potter and the potter's wheel. From a spiritual perspective, we know that God is the Potter and we are the clay, but I would like to use a natural example for spiritual clarification.

A potter will take a lump of clay, place it on the wheel and begin to mold and sculpt the clay so that it begins to take on a form and shape. The intended masterpiece begins to immediately take form and becomes identifiable in a general sense, whether it's a bowl or a vase (for example), we begin to see the direction, the vision of the artist.

I'm sure that there is a basic pattern or procedure in place that the potter emulates when he begins each new piece. I envision the potter setting the foundation for each creation in a general sense and setting it aside until he's ready to refine the begun work. He then repositions the piece back on the potters wheel and begins to shape out the details of this masterpiece, fine tuning and carving out the intricate particulars and adding elements that will make this creation one-of-a-kind; UNIQUE.

The bible states "But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." ~ Isaiah 64:8

God begins a work in us, as the Divine Potter. He begins to shape us into basic creations, formed by His hands, and continues to refine us, define us, and carve us into His perfect work, hand-made masterpieces. We have the touch of the Master over our lives and His hand guides and molds us into His unique creations, molded to His vision of what He has destined us to become.

We often times miss the move of God because we tend to focus on the "BIG" things, but God is just as sovereign in the smallest of details.

So I employ you to embrace the little things. See God's awesomeness in the smallest of instances, the things we usually take for granted, as it is in the "Little Things" that God does His best work.

So the next time you enter a store and see hand crafted items on display, think about the work, that went into that creation... and relate it back to self. Make it personal.

It's in the Little Things!

Gratefully yours,
~ Deneen
A Woman Assigned

Uncomfortability builds FAITH

2009-06-18T13:11:00.005-04:00

Hello Everyone, Someone, Anyone.

Today is Thursday, June 18th, another day that the Lord has made. We should all be grateful for another opportunity to walk, talk and be. God saw fit to assign an angel to each of us to wake us and shake us. Mercies were renewed at dawn, and we are all a product of God's continued grace and mercy!

This week's blog topic:
~Uncomfortability Builds Faith
was birthed during a conversation with a fellow choir member.

"Comfortability KILLS" - is a concept I learned more than a decade ago. It was not under the realm of a spiritual environment, but it so applies. We are creatures of habit and we like to feel comfortable in our surroundings. We like things in their proper place and like to know or accurately anticipate what's next... so we can plan accordingly.

The concept that "Comfortability KILLS" is highly thought provoking as the word "comfortable" would imply a "good" state. When you examine the concept closely what it really communicates is that a state of comfortable can be a hindrance as complacency can easily set it, hence keeping us from challenging ourselves or taking on new challenges that will foster growth in various areas of our lives.

I know that as I continue on this "FAITH" journey, I am often uncomfortable and instinctively, I want to run back to a place of "comfortable", a place where I can shelter myself and feel safe in the confines of a false sense of security with self.

For example, back in 2006, I left my family, what was considered home for most of my life, my job, my friends and all that I knew, to come to Indianapolis and begin a new life. Well, that blew up pretty quickly. I immediately became uncomfortable, as I really didn't know many people, and was not at all familiar with this "new" land that I had migrated to. I no longer had a job, but I was working as an entrepreneur, doing pretty well, with a brand new home (mortgage), new car (car note)... a new life in an unfamiliar place. Instinctively, I cried many a days and nights and wanted to go back home to what was comfortable.

I am grateful for the people that God strategically aligned to speak faith into my life, and soon became very aware that although the plan wasn't God ordained, it was definitely God allowed and would be used by God. The more uncomfortable I became, the more I prayed and asked God to show me how to believe Him, how to seek Him for EVERYTHING. We often seek the hand of God (i.e., what God can do and provide for us.) Today, I seek His face. I grow to know Him better each and everyday for Who He is for me, and it's personal. I don't know where He's taking me, but I know where I've been and what He's brought me through. Indeed, God is faithful, and His faithfulness has taught me faithfulness in the midst of my uncomfortability.

The word of God has become a force for me, as I study the scriptures, I gain a better understanding that I am exactly where God wants me to be. He wants me to understand that He is my source, and I now know that my uncomfortability is God's way of processing and pruning me for DESTINY.

I studied the story of Abraham over and over again. I compared my process to what God did with Abraham back in the Old Testament. God told Abraham to "get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee ~ Genesis 12:1 ". Abraham's obedience, faith and endurance set Him up for the GREATER of God. I began to understand how Abraham's sacrifice and obedience positioned him for what God had for him; the reward for his faithfulness.

I became solely dependent on God for peace, provision, comfort, love, and my daily sustenance. It's all preparation for my nexts and my yets. My daily bread (sustenance), protection and provision continues to be a walk of faith. I get up everyday believing that God will bring forth what I need to maintain. I focus less on what I need and more on what I have and what I have for certain is a covenant with God, His promise for provision, His promise for greater, and the shed blood of Christ who died that we may life an life more abundantly.

Is it uncomfortable sometimes, YES!
But I've come too far to turn back. When I feel uncomfortable, God positions someone or something to remind me that "it is in Him, that I live, move and have my being". ~ Acts 17:28

Do I still feel like running sometimes, YES!
1. It's a feeling and it will pass
2. Wherever I go I take me with me
It's time to stick and stay; STAND. Again God is strategic, and there's always an angel with a word to minister to me or the Holy Spirit will bring to my remembrance that it's time to stop running and STAND in the midst of my struggles.

So now's the time to change our natural thinking. Spiritually, uncomfortability is a good thing, as it fosters growth. Think about the stages of our physical growth. We endured awkward stages as we entered into the different phases of growth and development... from newborn to adult. The same holds true spiritually.

COMFORTABILITY KILLS;
UNCOMFORTABILITY BUILDS FAITH!

Uncomfortably yours,
~ Deneen
A Woman Assigned

For more in-depth reading, here's and interesting and relevant article:
Uncomfortability, by Peter Hill
http://ministries.cpm-e.com/devotionals/docs/08-06-05.pdf

Why A Woman Assigned?

2009-06-12T13:13:00.003-04:00

Today is Fearless Friday!

Still in the land of the living; still the product of God's grace and mercy!

Today's blog topic: Why A Woman Assigned!

I've been mulling over this blog topic for nearly two weeks. I missed speaking to you all last week. Technology was not on my side, but God is faithful and I'm back up and running.

Let's get to the topic... Why A Woman Assigned.

My revelation is that readers may want to know just who is this "Woman Assigned". It's often difficult for me to speak about myself, yet I understand the importance of my testimony.

Who is a "Woman Assigned"?

In brief,

I am a woman who has endured pain, heartache, obstacles, trials and tribulations for a huge portion of my life. For a long stretch, I moved from pain to pain, and heartache to heartache. I walked around in the "shell" of a woman, not really understanding why my life was the way it was. I grew up believing in God, only to find out that I didn't know God.

Through relationship and seeking God - not for what He does - but for who He is and who I am in Him; reading, studying and researching the scriptures, God has revealed that all of the hardship, although, not ordained by Him, has been shaped and transformed into purpose for my life. As I continue to grow in God, my process is now moving me from faith to faith, and from glory to glory.

I no longer look at what my life was, but what it has become as a result of relationship, not with man, but with God. God kept me and covered me through the years of abuse, being beaten physically, mentally, emotionally and verbally (externally and internally; because when the external forces stopped, I started because it was all I knew), worthlessness, no esteem, being used and taken advantage of, being mistreated, and much more.

I knew that I couldn't do it alone and there was no relief "naturally". The "shell" of a woman had exhausted all carnal means. It wasn't until I hooked up with my "spirit" woman that I began to understand the bigger picture.

I feel like I've been waiting all my life for God to do something AWESOME, and what I realize is that He has already. Through the blood of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, He has saved me, delivered me, rescued me, redeemed me, freed me, comforted me, transformed me, the list goes on. Whenever I'm tempted to look at what I DON'T have "YET", I look back and remember how far I've come.

Why the blog?

Simply, because God said so...

It's tied to purpose. I have a responsibility to share my bio story in order to encourage and inspire another.

One of the meaningful scriptures for my life says it best: "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." I am also asking that others find the courage to share their stories so that others know and understand that they are not alone.

We are in a time where people are suffering needlessly. There is peace, joy and salvation in relationship with God...

Let's care through sharing... Share words, save lives!

Here's a new poem I wrote about 2 weeks ago. May it do what God wants it to do.

That Mmmmm in Me
by Deneen G. Matthews

Struggled to journey to a space
a place
a season of free.
Formed a new alliance
with my Maker;
tapped into Jesus Christ, my Saviour
Oh how sweet, the flavor
I savor... mmmmm
Embraced the new vision
the plan for destiny,
you see;
seized that "new creature"
That mmmmm in me.

Discovered my purpose;
a path;
through the highs, the lows;
up on the mountain;
down in the valley.
Searching for residence in
a state called happy;
looked high above;
sought deep within;
found hope and peace and love
and then, you see
came the opportunity to meet, to greet
That mmmmm in me.

Renewed;
restored;
a grateful me.
The twins;
one grace;
the other mercy;
that pair, divine;
the perfect mix; so well aligned.
Joy and happy now reside
within a home where He abides
My heart, mind, soul, and spirit be
the shelters for
That mmmmm in me.

Want to know more or just want to chat? Contact me via my offline email address:
deneen@womanassigned.net. All emails will be private and held in the strictest of confidence.

Personally,

Deneen
~ A Woman Assigned!

It's Not About You, part 2... Our Testimonies

2009-05-27T14:32:00.005-04:00

Hello Everyone. Someone. Anyone.

Today is Word Wednesday, another day, another chance, another opportunity to experience the awesome wonders that God has already ordained for this day.

I deemed it Word Wednesday, because here at a Woman Assigned, we share words that tell stories. Which leads to the topic for this week - a continuation of last week: It's Not About You, part 2... Our Testimonies.

For the month of May on our internet radio talk show, The Purpose Diva and Friends, we've covered the topic: From VICTIM to VICTOR. Just like God, the topic for the month, mirrors my first blog as well as the piece I wrote for Afi's Tearoom, entitled " Are you a VICTIM or a VICTOR?"

I was the first to be interviewed on the talk show and although it was difficult, I shared my story. As we continued the shows for the month, we interviewed two other women: Sonya J. Wells and Kendal S. Turner, and they too shared their stories.

What stood out in my mind and was quite evident was the fact that although our stories were very different, they were the same. We were all women who went through sheer hell . We now stand in the midst of the victories and firmly understand that had it not been for God working in and on our behalf, we don't know where we would be.

As I examined this further, the scripture in Genesis 50:20, the foundational scripture for my book stood out in my mind... "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."

You see, the enemy had a plan of death and destruction for my life, but God... used it for my good and in keeping with the topic: It's Not About Me... God saved me, delivered me, rescued me, covered me, kept me, kept my mind and guarded my heart. Although I was blessed as a result, I can't keep it unless I give it away... to help bring promise and hope to yet another.

"In order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." speaks personally to the theme and purpose of this blog... A Woman Assigned for such at time... God's divine timing tied to purpose.

So you see, It's Not About Me at all! All that God has done for me, is to bless yet another. It's My Time, It's My Season, Time to Make a Difference. So let's shed the misconception, that we've gone through is nobody's business... We have a responsibility to speak words, tell stories and share victories!

Submittingly yours,
A Woman Assigned
~ Deneen

Share words. Save lives.
If you've been blessed, bless another.

Get Over Yourself... It's Not About You!

2009-05-19T09:13:00.004-04:00

Hello Everyone. Someone. Anyone.

Today is Wonderful Wednesday, another day where we can appreciate God's grace and mercy. God saw fit to send one of His appointed angels to shake us and wake us to witness the birth of a new day. Mercies were renewed at dawn, and we have yet another opportunity to walk better, talk better and be better with and for God.

This week's blog topic is Get Over Yourself... It's Not About You!

I open this up with a question: Why were we created?

The truth is that we were created to praise and worship God. The word of God says in Revelation 4:11 "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

We all look for God to bless us, to provide for us, to protect us and to be all that we need Him to be. Do we ever really think about what God requires of us? He does not bless us based on who we are (status or position, as we know God is no respecter of persons ~Acts 10:34) or based on what we've done (works) or how good we've been. We can never earn anything from God and He owes us nothing.

We are blessed because of who God is, and what He requires from us is so small in comparison to how big He is. All that He has done, knowingly and unknowingly in our lives should invoke a level of gratitude in each and every one of us that we should want to worship, honor and serve Him. It's just my belief that God doesn't just bless us just for us, but that we have a responsibility to bless and be a blessing to someone else.

I thought again about how God will get the best from the least of us, which reminds me of just how unworthy we are in the eyes of God, yet He placed something unique in each and everyone of us to bless the kingdom. Hence coming to terms with the phrase "It's Not About Us."

It's not about you.
It's not about me.
It's all about my Father
and what gives Him glory!

Many of us attend church, participate in ministries and auxiliaries and think that we have fulfilled our commitment just because we show up and may even be on time. Our responsibility doesn't start and stop with showing up or with meeting the obligations of the office or position we may hold.

Ministry defined is the act of serving. Even the dictionary definition implies that it is ongoing since there is not limit placed on the act. Ministry is what we should do without interruption. Often we miss opportunities to (serve) be a blessing to someone else as a result of being too full of ourselves; self-serving. We must be careful not to be in a position where we are operating with mismanaged motives, ill intent, and/or personal agendas.

At the end of the day, it's not about us anyway. It's about God's agenda and He's just so kind that He allows us to be blessed in the process.

Let's be mindful of how we carry and conduct ourselves; our decorum, our deportment. The lives of others may be riding on the examples we set.

Let's be very careful to remember what's really at stake:

It may be the life of the newcomer who may be teetering with making a decision about their salvation.

It may be the salvation of a person who may have never stepped foot into a church before.

It may be the life of someone who is discouraged, and thinking about giving up.

It may be the life of the person lost and trying to find their way.

It may be the person who lost faith in the church.

It may be the person who may need a hug or kind word to make it another inch of the way.

It may be the life of someone who is suffering, struggling and contemplating suicide.

You never know another's struggle. You never know what a person may be considering. We are living in a time where people are struggling and looking for something solid to rely on. We know that God's promise is greater than our struggle, but just because we know, doesn't mean that holds true for everyone.

We may be in a unique position to help someone.

Don't miss it!

Get Over Yourself.

It's Really Not About You...

In Spite of Me

2009-05-12T12:56:00.002-04:00

Hello Everyone. Someone. Anyone.

As I often times conduct my self inventory, I am often overwhelmed with gratitude at God's love and His overextension of grace and mercy.

As I sat in service on Sunday, the Holy Spirit ministered to me the phrase and topic of today's blog...

In Spite of Me

The revelation... simply stated!

When I'm at my worst,
God is at His best!
Not because of me;
In spite of me.

God will get His glory
Nonetheless!
Not because of me,
In spite of me.
~Deneen

God in His ingenious plan for our lives, can take our imperfections and use them to manifest His perfect will in our lives.

We are like old pennies; outwardly, we need to be shined up to see our brilliance, yet we maintain our value and are still counted as ONE, continuously being re-polished and restored at the hand of God... THE PROCESS!

The bible says that we are "The Apple of God's Eye". Imperfect in the flesh, prone to sin, yet saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

God knows all about us, He knows us better than we know ourselves. When you go before the Lord, take to Him your imperfections... He already knows about it and He will lead you and guide you.

I love ~Psalms 139, which contains the overarching scripture associated with my blog; Please read it in its entirety and be blessed.

Here's a poem, entitled In Spite of Me that I found online (Look at God).

In Spite of Me
by Larry Smith

Inside of me, In spite of me,
Christ my savior lives.
Inside of me, in spite of me
Christ my Lord forgives.

Well within my sin darkened soul,
In my inmost place,
Christ Jesus makes me ever whole,
By His wondrous Grace.

Outside of me, in spite of me
God uses me each day.
Outside of me, in spite of me
God has His own way.

When I submit to His leading
Then, trust in His care,
I find that I am succeeding
For He’s always there.

All around me, in spite of me,
Others come to Him.
All around me, in spite of me
Freed from lives so grim

If ever I’m the one He uses
To reach one that’s lost
It’s in spite of my faults and bruises:
He’s…paid all the cost.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works,
so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Eph 2:8-10 NIV

Source: FaithWriters.com

Inspiringly yours,
~Deneen
A Woman Assigned

Share words. Save lives.

LIBERTY! BE FREE...

2009-05-05T11:05:00.004-04:00

Hello Everybody. Somebody. Anybody!

Today is TERRIFIC Tuesday, another day that the Lord has made... REJOICE, REJOICE and be glad in it!

Our blog topic, BE FREE was inspired by my conversation with a friend and dear sister in the Lord.

Before I get into the blog, I want to send a message to my dear sister Patrice... You are the inspiration for today's blog. I thought about our conversation on yesterday and the Lord gave me BE FREE... I love you my sister and it's alright already! You have a beautiful heart, much like my own... From me to you my sister, love God with your whole heart, and the love you so freely extend to others, give freely to yourself. Look at Psalms 139:14 whenever you get down on yourself... "I will praise Thee, for I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made: marvelous are thy works; and my soul knoweth right well . Let Go my sister... and Let God!

The opposite of FREEDOM is BONDAGE.

bond⋅age. The state of being bound by or subjected to some external power or control.T he state or practice of being restrained, as by being tied up, chained, or put in handcuffs.

free⋅dom. The state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint; exemption from external control, interference, regulation.

The bible defines liberty in John 8: 36: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." often quoted as "Whom the Son set free is free indeed."

The only perfect entity that exists is God, and His perfect will is what He desires for our lives. We are sin creatures, "born in sin and shaped in iniquity." ~Psalms 51:5. God's ingenious plan and ultimate sacrifice was the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ - a plan orchestrated by God to save us, deliver, us and redeem us.

Why then do we enslave ourselves or allow others to enslave us?

Often times we carry the burden of guilt and shame of past mistakes, decisions, and behaviors, beating ourselves up, and hindering ourselves from operating in our purpose. The enemy thrives off of our own need to condemn ourselves, robbing ourselves of the joy that belongs to the Lord, stealing our praise that belongs only to God.

As far as other folks... if everyone worked on picking their own locks, they'd be too busy to worry about yours. So don't trip.

We have to get to a place in God where we can praise Him in spite of our condition, praise Him in spite of our circumstance, in spite of our flaws and imperfections. He already knows about it. The bible states in Romans 8:28 that "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." All things: good, bad or indifferent...

I think about the people in the bible who God selected to serve. He got the best from the worst of them.

Just yesterday, I mentioned that I'm glad God doesn't bless me based on how good or bad I've been. It's just a testimony that God blesses us because He's a loving, kind and merciful God. Our salvation is determined by faith, not works... so NEVER lose sight of who you are in God. I love that God says his mercies are renewed every morning, because it gives us another opportunity, another chance to embark upon this journey.

God is a faithful, loving and forgiving God. The problem is that we often times can't forgive ourselves. We sit in handcuffs, shackled and bound. We even allow others to detain, confine and restrain us while holding the key to our very own freedom within arms reach. No matter what the offense, your "get out of jail FREE card" is in the hands of the Lord.

We all are works in progress, always returning to the potter's wheel to be reshaped and remolded. I have a way of saying meaningful things in a joking manner, but I find that people remember what makes their hearts happy. I often say, Lord thank you for the potters wheel... I know there are times that I just need to jump back on it, sit on it, kneel on it or stretch out on it, because I know you are not done with me yet.

Instead of selecting a jail cell or a shiny pair of handcuffs to put yourself in, think about how far God has brought you. Think about what He's already delivered you from. Think about the fact that you are STILL here, and that God is still perfecting a work in you. It's a process... don't fool yourself. We didn't become who we are overnight, and we won't become what God wants us to be overnight!

To pull a verse from the song written and composed by the late James Cleveland:

Please be patient with me,
God is not through with me yet.
Please be patient with me,
God is not through with me yet.
When God gets through with me,
when God gets through with me,
I shall come forth,
I shall come forth like pure gold.

If you should see me and I'm not walking right,
and if you should hear me and I'm not talking right;
please remember what God has done for me,
when He gets through with me,
I'll be what He wants me to be.

Christ gave His life for my liberty! BE FREE!

Yours in freedom,
~Deneen
A Woman Assigned!

For additional reading (for women)
I found a great book entitled
The Fight for Freedom
by Eunice Frazier, Dave Gamboa
read the online synopsis

Hold On!

2009-04-30T09:26:00.006-04:00

Hello Everyone. Anyone. Someone.

Today is Threshold Thursday... take hold of this day and thank God for allowing us to remain on this side of the Jordan. Mercies were renewed at dawn, presenting us with yet another opportunity to walk better, talk better and be better with God.

Let's thank Him for the doors He's already opened as well as the ones He's shut. We have only to HOLD ON!

The topic of my blog this week is HOLD ON! I wrestled this week with what to write, but God put it on my heart to share my journey, so at this point of my purpose walk, I am instructed to HOLD ON!

Earlier this week, I had a talk with an awesome woman of God, who I hold very near and dear. She's known me all of my life and now at this juncture, she is a great source of encouragement and inspiration to me. God is ingenious, however, because whenever I'm feeling discouraged, tired, lonely, or the like, my phone will ring and her voice on the other end strategically and prophetically speaks to my situation, reminding me of God's promise; His covenant.

This week, Monday to be exact was one of those days. I was at a place where it felt like the bottom had dropped out. Folks cutting up; couldn't get any work done, money funny, bill time coming; feeling burdened and very heavy. I cried before the Lord seeking relief and comfort.

Like clock work, the phone rang and that awesome Angel of the Lord was speaking POWER back into my spirit. The one thing that stands out every time I speak with her is "Deneen, just HOLD ON!"

During this call, I told her that I don't have a choice. The alternative is not an option. I've been there before, there's no turning back. I told her that I am desperately holding on to the end of my Father's robe... holding on for dear life.

What she said in return, I want to share with you, as it presented an illustration that will always remain with me. She said, while you're holding on, if you feel yourself slipping, tie a knot and secure yourself. When I thought about what she said, it became so real to me.

I thought to myself, I know that God has it all under control. I know that He is faithful. He promised in His word to take care of me. I know He is able. I know His promise. I know His covenant. Has anybody ever been there? When you know, that you know, what you know about God, yet you still feel the impact of life and the hardships. In my mind, I reached out and grabbed hold to his robe tied a knot on the corner and held on. I asked Him to drag me, if need be, because I won't turn loose.

God hears our cries and whenever you feel like giving up, throwing in the towel, reach up and latch on to Him. He will carry you... I promise!

I'm reminded of a song that I sang in the choir at my church back home. The name of the song was HOLD ON! As a matter of fact, that awesome woman of God, used to always comment on this particular song.

Before I sign off, I just want to share the words.

Hold on, you hold on.
Victory's coming. It won't be long.
The race is not given to the swift or sure.
Hold my brother (sister) you hold on.

Weeping may endure for a night.
But joy will come in the morning light.
Keep the faith. It will be alright.
Oh my brother (sister), you hold on.

~Deneen
A Woman Assigned.
Share words. Save lives.

If you've been blessed, bless someone else!

Flesh vs. Spirit... The Rematch. Conversations in the Ring!

2009-04-21T11:33:00.020-04:00

Hello Everyone. Someone. Anyone.

It's Tell the Truth Tuesday, another day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Today's blog, unlike any other is geared toward a specific group of people. Men, no offense, as it may bless you, I really want to speak to the women.

There is a particular group of women, however, that I care to address. If you are super spiritual, too prissy, super saved, and/or self righteous, please click the "X" in the upper corner of your computer and close your browser.

But... for the ladies who seek truth... let's get to down to business. This is not for punks and wimps, it's for those who claim and profess that they want to honor God with their being who take the time to examine themselves; that includes the things of the flesh.

I wrote a previous blog entitled, "Ringside... A Full 12 Round Bout: Flesh versus Spirit". If you haven't read it, I suggest you scroll down and familiarize yourself with that piece and come back and read today's entry.

Now that we've set the order and weeded out and streamlined the target audience, let's talk about our flesh "wo" man and our spirit "wo"man.

NOTE: Ladies, let me hear from you... use the commenting feature. It will only be published if you say so!

My experience is that as women we often evade or avoid talking about the fact that just like men, we fight with our own desires; our flesh "wo"man.

For me (because that's where my truth lies), I am a physical person, who enjoys the passions and particulars of intimacy. It gets lonely living as a single woman, abstaining from sex, especially when you enjoy cuddling up next to a pair of thighs, with all the curves and cuts that fit within the realm of your imagination.

Embodied in the things of God, faithful in church attendance, bible study, choir participation; talking the talk, reading the bible, learning scriptures and singing the songs that confirm that we should live holy... nurturing the spirit "wo"man and just happy in the Lord.

Then one day... SHAZAM, you meet him!

He's everything you could ever imagine. He's just the right height, banging body, put together just the way you like it, sexy and got SWAGGGGGGER; he's intelligent, witty, you have a great rapport, and UH OH, there's chemistry. IT'S STRONG. The ADONIS of your dreams.

You flirt with one another, you spend time together. You start to get to know one another, and it's awesome.

Then one night you allow the kiss! Seems harmless, right? NOT! That kiss turns into a full awakening of your flesh "wo"man.

The conversation begins:

Flesh: It's been a long time. He's a really great guy. We are attracted to one another, we both got it going on. What you waiting on.

Spirit: No matter how good it feels, it's a feeling, and for a moment of pleasure you will be guilty before God. You do know that fornication is a sin.

Flesh: You've been asking God to send you a good man. Well here he is and if you don't, he'll get it somewhere else.

Spirit: If he is indeed a good man, he'll respect you and that you value the laws of God and will honor your desire to be obedient even with your body.

Flesh: Damn respect, it feels good and you haven't had any in a long, long, time.

Spirit: It's just a feeling... you've been here before, and remember where you ended up?

Flesh: But they were bums, he's got it going on, and he's interested in you! You need to lock it down. You know that there are probably 10 of you waiting in line. You DO know that there is a shortage of men. Stop playing!

Spirit: You asked God not to let you settle... doesn't that include compromising your body, as it too is holy, it is your temple.

Flesh: But it really feels good!

Spirit: HEY! HEY! STOP!

While this battling is going on, you manage to come to yourself, and turn down the heat, and escape.
Round 1: Flesh vs. Spirit.
Score: Spirit: 1; Flesh: 0

NOTE: Oh, Ladies, before you start rebuking the devil, this one's not on him. We want to blame the devil for everything, but this bout is internal.

Moving right along... so now, you don't hear from him for a day or two, and the battle begins again.

Flesh: You see, I told you. Should have gave him some. He probably left you and called the next number on his speed dial list. Now you're sitting here looking pathetic and all hot and bothered. You had him and you blew it.

Spirit: "Delight thyself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~ Psalms 37:4

Flesh: Your heart? You think he's really interested in you like that. Seems like he's only interested in hitting it. But you'll never know, will you. You blew it. You know men are physical and they show their emotions through sex. He'll move on.

Spirit: If he does, he wasn't the man you thought him to be. It's not about him, it's not about you. It's about the things of God.

Flesh: That's why you're by yourself. You trying to walk the walk, well as you can see, it's a lonely walk.

Spirit: You already know what doing it your way has gotten you. You made a decision to trust God. He will reward your obedience.

Round 2: Spirit wins.
Score: Spirit 2; Flesh 0

Well, he calls and you begin to talk. Conversation is great. You spend more time together, but no one is talking about the 800 pound gorilla that's in the room.

Clarity break: The 800 lb. gorilla is the sexual tension that you both acknowledge, but no one speaks about. You carry on as if it's not there, yet you continue to toy with it, ignoring the dangers of poking at this deadly animal. You engage in flirtatious conversations... and the like and the gorilla keeps growing. You keep putting yourself in harm's way, just escaping its grasp, but trust me, if you keep fiddling with the gorilla, you'll be in a bad way, wondering how you got there...

You hang out together and prepare to part company, and another conversation...

Flesh: Wow, you see, he's really a nice guy. He didn't jump your bones. Wonder if he's going to kiss you. You really like kissing him.

Spirit: Be mindful of where kissing got you before. Why didn't you talk to him about the 800 lb. gorilla?

Flesh: No need to mess up a perfectly good evening. He really seems interested in me.

Spirit: Interested in what? You or sleeping with you. Time to ask the hard questions.

Flesh: It doesn't matter, he's here and BOY, he "really" does it for me. Go for it!

So you kiss him goodnight. There's no move to the bedroom, but you keep what you've done is cracked the door. You walk away feeling all of the tensions of the flesh, your mind in a tizzy; imagining just how good it would be. You can't sleep. Restless night! Trying to convince yourself that there would be no harm in it, just once... YEAH, RIGHT!

We all know that the wood gets good and we are all caught up in a world wind of sin, guilt and shame.

Round 3: Flesh vs. Spirit
Score: Spirit:2 Flesh:1

This can go on and on, the point of this example is that it's true of what happens when we are faced with decisions about our flesh. Our flesh "wo"man as well as the spirit "wo"man have a voice.

Knowing the right thing to do is never the easiest thing to do.

After my divorce, I asked God to give me the strength and the courage not to settle. When they say, be careful what you ask for, take heed. In my mind I thought it from a relationship standpoint, but God took it to the extreme. He used it to bless me. I often settled for the almost, as opposed to the ultimate. I had a dream of a good life, was doing well, with a desire to share it with someone; often operating under the premise of "making it happen" for myself. With doing it my way, I ended up moving fast and clumsily through relationships, with my goal in mind.

WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

How many of us lived in deceit; getting up on Sunday mornings going to church, shouting and falling out, knowing that we just left the pair of thighs home in the bed? I was guilty of it. Then I started to feel like a liar. It stopped feeling good.

I began to understand that I must guard my gifts: my heart, my body, my love, my passion, my kindness, and the like. I also learned that God has a perfect plan for my life and only through Him, can I have good success.

Yes, I have desires, things that I want, but the Holy Spirit is reliable in reminding me to "Delight thyself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~ Psalms 37:4. The even better part to this is that as I walk and talk with God, my desires become the things that He wants for me, and through His ingenious plan, He allows the Holy Spirit to put the prayer on my heart to pray to Him, so that He can deliver.

Ladies, this is not to say that we won't be tempted in our flesh. WE ARE HUMAN. Let's do some consequential thinking. Replay the tapes...
1. We know how to do this one.
2. We've done it before.
3. We did it our way.
4. It was a disaster.
5. We left pieces of ourselves behind never to recover them.
6. We compromised our place with God for a night, week, month... pursuing the lusts of our flesh.
7. The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again expecting different results.
8. Sex does not equal love and love is not obtained through sex.

I can't ever remember a time in my life that I went against God, and it worked the way it was supposed to.

Paul often talked about dying to self. I find it to be a hurtful process. It is indeed a killing off of the flesh "wo"man, so that our spirit "wo"man can live.

Still walking,
~Deneen
a woman assigned!

______________________________________________
Here's a written piece from the desk of Bill Keller of LivePrayer.com

Dying to self daily is what Paul spoke of so often. It is how we walk in the "Spirit" and not in the "flesh" as we are instructed in Romans Chapter 8 and Galatians Chapter 5. The whole issue of dying to self daily is the absolute key to living a victorious life in Christ. It literally means that you have to die to self DAILY! This is why so many people who are saved, love the Lord, live beneath their blessings and in constant turmoil. This is how people who know Christ as their Savior end up committing adultery, cheat people, lie, get in bondage to drugs, alcohol, food, sex, gambling, shopping, greed, and anything else people become enslaved to. They don't die to self each day and end up walking in the "flesh" and NOT the "Spirit."

read more

Truth and Trust... First Cousins

2009-04-15T15:39:00.008-04:00

Hello Everyone. Someone. Anyone.

Today is Work it out Wednesday, and we are still blessed, benefiting from the mercies renewed at dawn.

This week's blog topic is Truth and Trust... First Cousins

Truth defined*: the true or actual state of a matter; fact or reality; verity; indisputable fact, principle, or the like; the state or character of being true; truism; platitude; honesty; integrity; truthfulness.

Trust defined*: reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, of a person or thing; confidence; the obligation or responsibility imposed on a person in whom confidence or authority is placed: a position of trust.

As we embrace the dictionary definitions of truth and trust, they are a direct interpretation of what and who God is. God is "truth" a proven fact. His word, the Bible is truth, what we are governed and commanded to live by. Truth is factual, verified, indisputable and has integrity... all of which are characteristics of God.

Trust is the end result, the reward for truth. Truth and trust have a kinship, they are related as one is the direct result of the other.

In relationships, man/man, woman/woman, man/woman and the like, we put more stock in acquiring, securing and maintaining relationships with man, often excluding God, "the premier authority" of relationships, from the equation. We invest and will literally exhaust ourselves; expose and open up our lives; awarding positions of honor and trust (e.g., marriage, committed relationships) without any basis, without any proven integrity, and we give of ourselves based on the principle that if we share our gifts, they will in turn, retaliate in the same manner.

WRONG!

It's time that we inquire and display patience while enduring the process of learning one another and applying truth to the assessment of who they are, not who we perceive them to be; not who they can potentially be; not based on their position or status, not based on surface qualities, but based on the "content" of their core; their substance. Let's start asking the important questions:
What drives them?
What do they value?
Are they reliable?
Do they keep their word?
What qualities do they exhibit?;
so forth and so on...

We often look at the shell yielding and formulating an opinion about the potential of a person... Potential is good, but what are the facts?

From the sinner man to the saint, honesty, integrity, consistency and the like are valued - trust builders that allow us to lean, rely and depend on one another. I'm sure we've all heard of the saying "honor among thieves".

We often abandon the important principles for the sake of human relationship, yet we look for God to jump through hoops to prove who He is, but just as soon as the relationship we chose falls apart, we then call on God to come to our rescue. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt!

It's time to stop working backward and secure and exhibit trust in the ultimate source of truth; God. Why not put the same effort into securing a relationship with Him? We know that we can trust, lean and depend on God - without question, as a result of the facts; He is solid, consistent, unwavering, honest, the epitome of truth. He warrants; deserves our trust because of His proven track record in our lives and the witnessing of what He's done in the lives of others.

Truth is truth from beginning to end. It is uncompromised. God is truth! He is the Beginning; He is the End, He is the Alpha and the Omega; He is the First and the Last; He is the Author and the Finisher of our fate. As we continue to learn to lean and depend on Him, we should indeed seek Him in all of our relationships, friendships and the like.

I've come to discover that as I continue to build my relationship with God, it has modified and improved how I look at relationships, friendships and partnerships. The basis for good and healthy relationships starts with a foundational relationship with the Master. And through Christ, - the perfect example of truth and trust - we learn to line our expectations of self and others up with God and His word.

Matthew 6:33 states that we should "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Proverbs 3:5-6 states "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."

These scriptures speak to "TRUST" in God, reliance on God, leaning on God, keeping God first. Scripture is "TRUTH", the true and solid word of God. So as we seek relationship with one another, let's start with the foundational, primary basis of all relationships... God!

*source: dictionary.com

Truthfully yours,

~ Deneen
a Woman Assigned

but GOD!

2009-04-07T11:42:00.007-04:00

Hello Everyone . Anyone . Someone.

Today is Tell it Like it Tis Tuesday, and I am again blessed to still be under the will of God in the land of the living.

Today's blog topic is but GOD!

I sat and I asked God, what should I blog about today, and the answer was clear... Let's talk about the statement... but God!

I'm at home recuperating from surgery. This surgery has been scheduled, rescheduled and re-rescheduled and re-re-rescheduled since June of 2008.

Let me back track a bit and provide some history... I've had female issues since the origins of what the elders called "entering womanhood", the menstruating age. Mine began at the age of 12. I've gone to every doctor known to man through my teens and my adult years.

By the time I hit 30, the doctors were already calling for a hysterectomy. I had never been married, I didn't have any children, so I fought to hold on to what was coined "my womanhood".

The joys of womanhood presented more problems over the course of my life. I married at the age of 36 and endured miscarriages and all the pains associated with it, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I dreaded the idea that I would never bear children. Again, another series of doctor visits to work to bring life into the world. It became a laborious process and one that put more strain than joy on my life, so I let it go...

... but God

One day, I realized that while I was spending so much time worrying about what I didn't have and couldn't have, God had already gifted me with a child. My stepson... My son... who I was charged to care for. He was the child I couldn't have. This realization allowed me to give to him, all the love that a mother could give to a child. Although, I didn't bear him from my womb, he was what I needed, and I was what he needed. Having a child of my own became less of the focus and treasuring the gift that God had already blessed me with took on a new meaning and new purpose.

I used to hear the older women in my life say... Man plans but God unplans.

Now fourteen years later, I had the surgery, as holding on to "my womanhood" presented health issues that proved more severe. I often thought about the woman with the issue of blood and how her condition forced her faith to increase... If she could just touch the hem of His garment... played over and over in my head.

I let go of what I thought should be and accepted the will of God in my life. I conceded to the surgery, as the alternate was altering my quality of life.

In the midst of it, the scheduling of the surgery took on a life of its own... but God had it all under control. Not in my time, but in God's time. As I shared with my family, the need to undergo surgery, they began to ask who was going to take care of me... but God already had it under control.

As a business owner, self-employed entrepreneur, I began to think about my livelihood and the fact that I could be out of work for up to 8 weeks. Immediately, my mind turned to the scripture so eloquently written by Paul.

...but God will supply all of my need according to His riches in glory. And of course the psalmist David who said that he was young and is now old, yet he has never seen the righteous forsaken or His seed begging bread.

As I continued to be obedient, I learned more about the various surgical procedures, from the least invasive with quick recovery and the most invasive with 6-8 weeks recovery time. I began to pray and asked others to pray a specific prayer... that my surgery will be the least invasive with the quickest recovery.

My mind went back to my surgery in 2001, where my fibroids were removed. The procedures were similar, but then, I had to be opened up and my healing took 6-8 weeks. I rebuked that idea and held steadfast to my prayer. I already knew that God had the victory and so did I.

Prior to the surgery, I told my doctor that we were going to do this without having to open me up and I'd be back on my feet in two weeks... I know she thought I was crazy, but I meant it, I believed it, I claimed it. I wasn't worried about the surgery, my livelihood, who was going to be there, or anything else.

Well, here's how it played out...

I arrived at the hospital around 6:15 am last Thursday morning. They took my vitals... all was well; even my blood pressure (a problem in the past) was 112/82... best it's been in a long time. I wasn't nervous at all, I was even to my surprise very calm and ready for what was to take place. My doctor (who was also one of the surgeons) came in to go over the procedure, and reassure me. I was already reassured, as I prayed that morning and all while they we're preparing me, I was talking to God.

I met all of the doctors, surgeons, OR nurse, anesthesiologist, etc. I struck up a conversation with the anesthesiologist and we chatted about anesthia and it's effects. I told him that I usually get naseous, and he said that he would take care of it. I gave my friend who accompanied me to the hospital the numbers to call (especially my father), and then it was off to the operating room.

I chatted with the OR nurse, greeted folks as they came into the operating room, said my last little prayer and the anesthesiologist did his job and put me to sleep.

The next thing I remember was that the face of the anesthesiologist. I guessed it was time to wake up. I saw my friend in the hallway, who told me that she called my father. They then took me to my room. I had to go to the bathroom, so I got up to go. My friend panicked and got a nurse because all I knew was that I had to "pee". She later told me that I said that all I wanted to do was pee and sleep.

As the anesthia began to wear off, I realized that I felt pretty good... I was not sick on the stomach, I just kept needing to go to the bathroom. After the second or third trip, I was able to go on my own. I woke up again after nodding out from the anesthia, and felt my stomach... there were NO bandages. I said, Lord did they do the surgery? I felt again, and I felt that my belly button was sore and I had two small sore spots on each side of my belly button, but NO bandages, NO staples.

I looked up to the heavens and thanked God for what He had already done. Dinner time came, and I ate what I could. I was still very sleepy from the anesthia, so I ate and nodded off to sleep, but managed to get through dinner. I had a few visitors.

After visiting hours, I was a little sore and asked for pain meds. The nurse brought me the meds and told me if I felt like walking I should to ward off pneumonia, and relieve the gas. I took another nap and around 9:25 pm, I got up, unplugged my IV unit and walked the hallways for 20 minutes, 5 times up and 5 times back. I returned to my room, watched tv, talked on the phone and slept. The nurses took my vitals interimly, drew blood and reported that all seemed well.

In the morning, one of my doctors came to visit and explained that the procedure went well, that I only had 1 (ONE) stitch and that I was released to go home. I ate breakfast, took a walk, dressed myself, got the IV's removed from my hands and met my ride outside... no wheel chair, and unassisted. I came home Friday morning and God's assigned people checked on me, visited me, helped me and showed sheer acts of kindness toward me.

I didn't know how it was all going to turn out... but God already had a plan. I'm still recovering, but I'm able to feed myself, shower, get around my house, and even work, yes work!

All I can say is... but God!

Blessed and highly favored!
It's MY Time!

A Woman Assigned
~Deneen

Additional reading
But God by Ray C. Stedman

Seasons... My Conversation with a Tree!

2009-03-31T10:51:00.009-04:00

Just last night I shared with a friend how a one-way conversation with a tree helped me to understand God's seasons, so I thought it an appropriate topic for this week's blog.

Before I moved to Indianapolis, I lived in a condo/townhouse development in Jersey City, a placed called Society Hill. I owned a two-bedroom garden level condo, and right outside my door was a tree. It was a small tree, as it was planted when they developed the community, just a little more than 10 years prior.

It was the beginning of spring and we had a rain shower. It was pouring. I stood inside my screen door looking outside and this tree caught my attention. Ironically enough, this tree began to minister to me about the seasons.

Winter was ending and we were on the brink of spring. The tree would bud white flowers in the beginning of spring. I watched them fall from the tree because of the wind and the rain. I became conscious of the fact that I generally paid little attention to the change process of this tree as a result of my hurried life. My last recollection of the tree was that it was bare during the cold of winter.

My thoughts turned to how this tree was now transitioning. It withstood the cold, snow, ice, and bitter winds of the winter months. That year the winter was brutal, yet the tree survived the storms and conditions of that season. I remembered how the cold winds would blow and although the tree would bow, the tree would bend, and at times some of the branches would fall from the tree, it never fell. It was well rooted into the ground and withstood the circumstances of the season.

Now in the midst of the first storms of spring, I began to see the first signs of the beauty beginning to unfold; transitioning from its bare existence to a budding, beautiful creation, knowing that very soon it would be in full bloom and I would witness the white buds turn to pink and then to a rich green by summer. In the fall, the green leaves turn to shades of red and orange and then they would begin to fall from the tree. The fallen leaves had endured another season, but they would never again be a part of the life of the tree and the tree would again enter into another harsh season of winter.

I closed my door and came back into the house with my mind very much on this revelation about a tree. In the midst of my thought process, it was revealed to me that it really wasn't about the tree at all. It was a symbol of how our lives transition and the seasons divinely orchestrated by God.

We experience winters, storms, trials and turbulence... times when we are bare and exposed to the harsh realities of life. Just like the tree we bow, we bend, we lose some of our branches, but when we remain rooted in God and things of God, we are equipped, just like the tree to STAND! Our roots take hold to the foundation, the Christ within us and we hold on and hold out and anticipate the next season, a new season.

Our spring brings about a change and we begin to show signs of new life emitting from our very being. While we endured the winter, God was doing a "new" thing enabling us to grow and live in the fullness of this new season.

Just like a tree, if we continue to live, we'll enter into another fall season, when we will again shed more of our former selves. Our outer shell (just as the trunk of the tree hardens) will toughen up in preparation for another winter.

We will enter into another set of seasons, never to repeat the same. (i.e., they'll always be different... some winters will be more severe than others, some summers will be warmer and more enjoyable than others). One thing's for sure, we will continue to have seasons as they are designed to foster growth and newness...

Just like a tree, as we embrace our seasons, we shed the "old" of the former season and put on the "new" of the next season always anxious to reach summer.

So, let us embrace our seasons as they, over time, will develop us (just like a tree) into beautiful, statuesque, strong, well-rooted creations of God!

To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under the sun.
a time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
a time to kill and a time to heal ...
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance ...
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to lose and a time to seek;
a time to rend and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.
~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Seasonally yours,

~Dee
A Woman Assigned!

G-R-E-A-T-E-R !

2009-03-24T12:12:00.003-04:00

Hello All,

It's "Take Charge" Tuesday... an awesome day that the Lord has made. Let us honor the command to rejoice and be glad in it.

This week's blog topic is G R E A T E R !

G - od

R - equires

E - xcellence

A - nd

T - ruth to

E - levate the

R - ighteous

Simply stated...

Excitedly yours,
~Deneen
A Woman Assigned

Order My Steps...

2009-03-10T13:26:00.012-04:00

Hello all,

It's Terrific Tuesday! In spite of it all, God saw fit to allow us to still remain here in the land of the living! It's another day that He has made and we are commanded to rejoice and be glad in it!

This week's blog topic is "Order My Steps".

The bible states in Psalms 37:23 that "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way. "

Often I find myself seeking direction from the Lord. In my earlier stages of growth, I would seek God when I was in trouble and saw now way out. Now as I meditate on the portion of the Lord's prayer that says "Give us this day, our daily bread"... or as one of our associate minister's Rev. Chase so eloquently put it... "sustainment".

As I am now maturing in my walk, I understand how important it is to seek God's direction in ALL things, and in ALL matters.

God has revealed to me that the challenge ISN'T just in learning the Bible and possessing the ability to quote scripture(s). The REAL challenge is in the WALK, and in LIVING according to what we've learned.

As I walk purposely toward my destiny, God has given me a prayer, and I want to share it, as it may bless someone else. It's part of my morning prayer... my daily morning prayer.

Most gracious, kind, true and everlasting God. I come before You this morning thanking You for yet another day. Thank you Father for mercies renewed at the dawning of this very day and another opportunity to improve upon the me You'll have me to be.

As I begin this new day, I ask Lord that You will go before me and make the crooked places straight; that You will charge Your angels to watch over me throughout the course of this day.

May You order my steps and lead and guide me. Position my feet to fit within the footprints that you have already designed for me; that they may be my guide along the pathways while on this journey destined for that place called PURPOSE.

If by chance, I stray from the path, please reposition me to fall back in line and pick up on the path that you've set for me.

This and all things do I ask and pray in Your Son Jesus' name, Amen!

Stay blessed!

Purposely...
~ Deneen
A Woman Assigned

or a more in-depth reading on this subject matter, visit:
The Steps of a Good Man are Ordered
by Rev. Harold Mauldin

Stand for Something... or Fall for Anything!

2009-03-03T10:51:00.011-05:00

Hello Everyone!

It's Tenacious Tuesday... Don't Be Weary; Stay on the Course!

te⋅na⋅cious [tuh-ney-shuhs]: holding fast; persistent, stubborn, or obstinate, holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough.

This is an appropriate word for this week's topic.
Stand for Something or Fall for Anything.

We are commanded according to Ephesians 6:11 to "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil". Hence, Stand for Something or Fall for Anything...

God's use of "ARMOR" helps us to capture the essence of this scripture in a visual sense. Armor is heavy duty material formerly used in battle to withstand the oncoming attack of the opposition. It shields and protects us from harm. The same is true of the word of God. It's our armor that prepares us for battle. But this war is not one that we can fight physically, it is indeed a spiritual war.

Let's examine the word "STAND". Stand is an action word; a position; a stance; being in a place of readiness. Standing is an alert state, a fixed state; unmovable, non-shifting; committed and convicted.

"WILES" appropriately means deceit and trickery. We know that the enemy's purpose has nothing good attached to it. He is the thief who comes is to steal, kill, and destroy ~ John 10:10; and he is a master of his trade. He entices us through things that are familiar and he takes portions of truth in order to orchestrate his lies and lead us into sin.

Stand for Something or Fall for Anything... is an exact statement.

If you replace for Something with "on the word of God" and Anything with "The wiles of the enemy".

The statement then reads: Stand on the word of God or Fall for the wiles of the enemy!

We are often convicted by and committed to our opinions. Let's stand on the firm, true and unwavering word of God.

Stay blessed!

Committed to Stand!
~Deneen
A Woman Assigned!
It's My Time, It's Your Time; It's Our Time!

For a more in-depth reading on this subject matter, visit:
The Expository Files: The Wiles of the Devil ~ Ephesians 6:11

Ringside... A Full 12 Round Bout: Flesh versus Spirit

2009-02-23T13:56:00.012-05:00

Hello all!

It's Magnificent Monday and we are all blessed to see the onset of another week. We should all be thankful that God saw fit to keep us and allow us to see another day. Mercies were renewed at daybreak and God has so graciously allowed us another opportunity to grow greater and get better in Him.

This weeks topic addresses the ongoing battle of the flesh vs. the spirit.

I find that we are all challenged in the flesh daily and how often we fall short. On this journey, I find there are many tests and trials! The lesson for me is that as I walk with God, I immediately know the difference between right and wrong ~ the Spirit man speaks. But knowing is only half the battle. It's in the doing ~ the Flesh cries out.

Paul states "when I would do good, evil is present" ~ Romans 7:21

If you look at it more closely, the Spirit man is the descerner, and the Flesh is the justifier. Right is right and wrong is wrong, yet as the spirit desires to do right, the flesh will put up a fight (a good one, I might add) and the justifying begins. We are often challenged with the very person, place, thing or combination of all three, with which we find enjoyment or desire.

Our desires may be with good purpose and/or intent, and here comes the flesh with a blow to the head. We will examine every avenue to justify doing that which we know is wrong. No matter how good the debate, the bottom line is clear.

When you do right, in-spite of yourself, you know that your spirit man is alive and well. Don't get cocky, though, because it's a round by round bout and yes, you may stand victorious at the close of round 1. We know that every boxing match consists of a host of smaller bouts (rounds). We become victorious one round at a time.

Remember this walk, this journey is a process and we all deal with matters of the flesh. It's just a clear indication that our human-selves are flawed and we were designed to need God in every area of our lives. So don't be discouraged and don't fret... help is a conversation away.

Galatians 5: 16-17 states: "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."

Stated perfectly, we are all guilty of WANTING TO DO WHAT "WE" WANT TO DO. Stop blaming the devil, because we know the difference. If we create that opening - Oh, trust and believe, the adversary will exploit it. Right now, I am seeking God for the miraculous, and as the righteousness of God, it is our charge to DO WHAT "GOD" HAS INSTRUCTED US TO DO.

God rewards "obedience".

Stay blessed!

Humanly yours,
~Deneen
A Woman Assigned!

For a more in-depth reading on this subject matter, visit:

"THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"
The Flesh Versus The Spirit
url: http://executableoutlines.com/gal/ga5_16.htm

Don't Buy Into the Lie... It's Not a Recession!

2009-02-16T11:21:00.004-05:00

Hello all!

It's Marvelous Monday; another day that the Lord has made. We shall rejoice and be glad in it. We've made it to the start of another week; new things are ahead. Be inspired. Be excited. God is still in the blessing business.

The topic this week is the recession. Is the economy upside down? YES... but I am here to encourage the people of God to set aside your worries and woes. This is a time to celebrate as God's promise is being manifested.

My pastor often reinforces that he has opted out of the recession. We can definitely take his lead.
The bible states in Proverbs 13:22 that "the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the just".

Let's examine that for just a moment. We all have witnessed the acquisition of wealth and means via ill gains. We've been instructed not to fret over such things as they cannot last... they are only temporary.

I just believe that what society has labeled a "recession" is God turning it around so that He can deliver on his promise. So people of God... Let's speak victory over this matter. I choose to refer to this UPSIDE DOWN state of the economy as "GOD TRANSFERRING THE WEALTH".

So as you go about your daily deeds, duties and indulgences, don't be discouraged, keep your eyes stayed on God's promises.

Have a blessed week!
~Deneen
A Woman Assigned...

For additional reading...
Read the online article:
End Time Transfer of Wealth
What Secret Rapture Saith the Lamb of God

Redefine & Rediscover

2009-02-09T12:05:00.005-05:00

Here we are, at the beginning of a new week. On the brink of new discoveries and revelations. What stands out in my mind as I look back over last week is the level of excitement I've been experiencing.

The bible says that God "will restore the years that the locust has eaten and I will bring you out with plenty and you shall be satisfied." ~ Joel 2:25-26

My past robbed me of the opportunity to experience real excitement about my life. I felt there wasn't much to be excited about. My primary focus was on the anxieties around "what bad thing" would happen today...

But TODAY, through God's deliverance, healing and restoration, my life has been redefined. I live expecting "GREAT thing(s)" to happen. I find myself very excited about life and the YETs... I can relate it to the enthusiasm of what we often encounter in our younger years...

I find myself wanting to jump up and down when something awesome takes place in my life. I still feel the old butterflies in the stomach, I daydream, I shout out loud (in private; I'm not trying to get put away) and I'm ecstatic about the smallest of things.

So, I encourage you all to tap into the child in you. Redefine! Rediscover!

Enjoy the journey!

Excitingly yours,

~Deneen

P.S. Interesting reading...
Develop A Restoration Mentality
http://ourgodreigns.net/develop_a_restoration_mentality.htm

Are you a VICTIM or a VICTOR?

2009-01-28T03:03:00.008-05:00

As I seek God for direction and begin to walk in my destiny, God's revelation is birthing a new voice...

For 2009. I am a Woman Assigned!
Here's a word I dare to share...

I selected this piece for my first blog post as I thought it appropriate considering this has been my uphill battle and being very observant of the times we are living in, not many want to explore beyond the surface of the matter or engage in thought provoking communication.

Please chime in and post your thoughts, and comments. Also, please feel free to share your experiences, celebrated victories or words or tokens of encouragement. If by some chance you wish your comments to remain private, please mark it as such and I will not post it to the blog. All comments will be reviewed prior to posting...

Thanks you so much for daring to share, daring to care... BE COURAGEOUS!
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ARE YOU A VICTOR OR A VICTIM?

I am a VICTOR of abuse. This is my personal statement. The phrase of choice is birthed from my day to day dealings with people and the witnessing of behaviors. I refuse to be a VICTIM. I am no longer being abused, so I refuse to attach the past to my current condition. It's time to lose the term VICTIM... We have a choice.

As God brings healing to these wounds and scars, VICTORY is inevitable. It births a testimony to share with others to reinforce the promise of deliverance, healing and restoration.

How can you share joy, if you are still living in pain?

Have you endured abuse and feel as though you deserve special treatment? Are you having your own progressive pity party? Can't trust anybody or anything? Do you make other people jump over hurdles to over prove their trustworthiness?

BE CAREFUL!

VICTIMS of abuse, who treat the past as a part of their current condition, can very easily become ABUSERS.

The word of God states: "... I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." – Psalm 139:14. He knew what we would go through, before it even took place. He pre-equipped us to endure the hardship of abuse, as we are still here, still standing. Our testimony should be used to God's glory and to witness to others.

YOU HAVE A CHOICE! VICTIM or VICTOR?

Choose Life! be a VICTOR!

Deneen ~ a woman assigned!