TWI #90

Taking Care

Pamyla Floyd

7/25/2012

I, like others (I’m sure), have said “I will cook beautiful meals for my husband every night”, or “I’m going to spoil my spouse to no end” or something similar. What did I say in English you ask? For example, Proverbs 18:22 says whoso findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord. In other words, we cannot expect to suddenly start doing a thing and continue it with excellence, if we have not already been walking in it. A man usually finds a woman who already exhibits wifely traits. Sure, she may become a ‘wife’ by title after she is married, but he recognized the ‘wife’ in her long before they thought about walking down the aisle.

If I am not taking the time to pamper my own feet, it would be silly for me to think that I will automatically begin to bathe, massage and lotion my husbands’. It sounds even sillier for me to say that I would iron my husband’s clothes before laying them out and sew on any missing buttons, if I am not Taking Care to do the same things for myself. Where we are now and where we are going have to start lining up. Remember, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line! We have to start taking care now.

If where we see ourselves going, does not line up with what we are doing now, there has to be a change. Why not start treating yourself to foot massages and manicures? Why not start experimenting with different dishes or taking train rides or just living the way, which you’ve have seen yourself in your dreams? People are attracted to those who exhibit the same traits or to those who are doing what they would like to do. If you are someone who wants to get married, and time is passing you by, get up, get moving and start changing some things.

If you don’t believe me, then pick up the next homeless man/woman you see. Why not? How do you know that they won’t immediately get cleaned up, get a job and become the person that you have been asking God for? Why does that scenario sound silly? If we aren’t taking care to live life to the fullest and be all that we were called to be, aren’t we in effect behaving like a homeless man/woman? I hope that you get the gist of what I am trying to get across. Ladies we all know that no woman in her right mind would spend years ‘dating’ a man that refused to work, marry him and then expect his whole demeanor to change. He has already shown you who he is.

Life is short and Jesus said that He came to give life and to give it more abundantly. We will never experience it in all its glory, if we won’t begin to take a leap of faith and live it. Are you maximizing your potential? To those we want to attract, we may seem to be standing still, because we refuse to stand out. And that is the way it is in life, people are always watching us, whether we know it or not.

Make a list of everything that you want in a mate. Be specific, God does not half step, and He does answer prayer. Now make sure to put down the character of the man/woman that you are interested in. I went over my list taking careful inventory of the man that I want to come into my life, and I had to ask myself “Self, are you such and such?” I came to realize that I was not ‘Taking Care’. I would have been a burden to the man of God, at that time in my life. There was no reflection of what I wanted to attract living inside of me. I could not have nurtured the relationship, and given it time to grow into something beautiful. I can honestly say that I would have sucked the life out of it and run him away. There was NO way for me to become one with the man of my dreams at that time of my life.

I knew that I needed help. I still had some growing up to do, so I sought out the Holy Spirit and asked Him to teach me how to change, become whole, and be the woman that God called me to be. That is how I came up with the name Claywoman. I’m still growing daily, and I thank God for His Holy Spirit, He is all John 14:26 says He is and more! I suggest that you get to know Him for yourself. So, are you really ready for that man/woman to come into your life? Be sure to take care!

God bless,

Pamyla

The Word Illustrated #64--Thank You!

The Word Illustrated #64
© Pamyla Floyd
11/08/2010

Thank You

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; -- James 1:2

"Wakin' up in the morning seeing the sunrise, because of oyou, I Thank You Lord!" These are words from a song entitled "Be Thankful" by Natalie Cole. I heard it last week, and it has been replaying over and over again in my head. As I meditated on the words I thought about my own life and what Jesus means to me.

You knew that You would be betrayed, yet You expressed love for one another, how to inherit the kingdom of God, and how to live abundant lives in this place, which is not our home.

You wore a crown of thorns, pressed into your skull, and took 39 lashes from whips borne of leather, with sharpened metal and broken pottery woven into them. For miles You carried the cross, to which you would endure unimaginable pain, as nails were driven into your hands and feet. You hung there, in the heat, naked and beaten beyond recognizion. You were spat on, and labored to breathe; yet you still forgave us. You could have called angels to minister to you, but for love you didn't. On the third day, just as you promised, you returned. You hold the keys of hell and of death. The tomb is empty. Our faith is not in vain.

I say Thank You Lord!", triumpumphantly and with a shout that travels from the very depths of my soul. Unhibited, unashamed and with great joy, I'm thankful that I am here another day to start over again. I'm thankful that I have another chance to make things right with failed relationships. I'm thankful that I can read Your word; praise and worship you in total freedom.

It is well with my soul. You are the author and finisher of my faith and I will run this race with patience. Thank you Lord, for all you have done! I know know what real life is. It is because of you that I’m free. When you don’t know what else to say, just say “Thank you!”

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

Colossians 3:15 -- And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful

Matthew 10:28 -- And fear not them which kill the body, but, are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell

Note: The illustration is of the crown of thorns that was placed on our Lord

The Word Illustrated #51--The land of milk and honey

The Word Illustrated #51
© Pamyla Floyd
7/3/2010

The land of milk and honey

That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD – Jeremiah 11:5

God has brought many out from under the bondage of debt, and He will do it for you too. The word works, and the steps are easy, but satan will try to convince you otherwise. he will argue that they are useless, that you are in too deep, or that it only happens to other people. Resolve to not give up nor give in. See yourself living debt free.

What would your life look like? How would you feel? How much more could you help others? What could you sow into God’s kingdom if you weren’t bound by debt? Now, I know that circumstances beyond our control cause financial hardships, but we have to be honest about our part in the matter.

In prayer, be truthful and honest. Repent, and ask the Lord to help you get out of debt. Gather all of your bills into a pile, and call them paid in Jesus name. We must speak to our mountains in faith, without doubt, says Matthew 21:21. Begin with the smallest balance, and formulate a plan to pay if off, Keep going, until all bills are paid in full. See yourself living debt free

Be humbled when speaking with your creditors. This is necessary, and it is pleasing to God. Ephesians 6:11 tells us to put on the whole armor of God so that we may be able to withstand the wiles of the devil. satan tried to tempt Jesus, so don’t fall to pieces when he shows up. You MUST find supportive scriptures to stand on, and mediate on them daily, saying them aloud. What’s in you is what comes out of you. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God AMEN! See yourself living debt free

Be patient. If you are standing in need of something, God through His Holy Spirit will instruct you on what to do. You can’t know His voice if you aren’t spending time alone with Him. Minimize your distractions and allow Him to be your joy. By the time you cross over into the Promised Land, you will have learned how to walk, talk, and think differently, toward all that He has given you charge over. Your relationship with Him will be a beautiful bond more beautiful than you ever imagined!

By tithing ten percent, saving ten percent, and learning to live on less; we will find ourselves living less stressed and more comfortably. By getting out of debt God’s way, we will also be able to leave an inheritance that flows down to our children’s children. There is no joy in dodging phone calls, or being stressed about going to the mail box. Jesus came to give life more abundantly. Isn’t it time we started living in it?

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

Matthew 18:27 – Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt

Romans 4:13 -- For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith

Note: the illustration is a depiction of the promised land, lush and free.

The Word Illustrated #50--The dash in the middle

The Word Illustrated #50
© Pamyla Floyd
6/28/2010

The dash in the middle

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it -- Ecclesiastes 3:20

The span of a man or woman’s life varies. Some people live well into their golden years, still others do not live past the age of 30, yet still others live beyond 100 years of age. When we pass away from this world, the memorial mark for all to see is a tombstone. On it are our birthday and our day of departure from this life.

Inside of thirty days we are forgotton, unless we lead a life to be remembered. No one knows anything about us other than our name which is also on the headstone. But, what about the dash in the middle, it speaks volumes about the life we lived and left behind. How long we reside on this earth does not matter, but what we do while here matters.

The bible says that a good man/woman leaves an inheritance to his/her children's children! WE can begin to lead remarkable lives right now today. We can hold a door for someone, cook a meal, visit those in REhabilitation Centers, hospitals and jails. WE can give away those clothes that we haven't worn in a year. What about the food we throw out every 3 months. Someone could surely use it. We could help a sick neighbor by watching their children.

The list is endless folks. Remember the least that we do to another, we have also done to Christ, so make it good! But I tell you right now there are books that haven't been written, movies that have not been filmed, stories that have not been told, ministies, businesses, ideas that all die when we do, if we don't get up and get moving. Jesus came to give life more abundantly and if we don't use it fo the fullest we are not living abundant lives and our actions affect those around us. Yes, even you Mr/Ms Single. Life is for the living, live it!

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

John 9:4 -- I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work

1Co 15:18 -- Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished

Note: the illustration is of a tombstone in a graveyard. Although the person is gone on, there is still life and beauty left behind