Equipped Ministries

"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be thenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate wih insults when people insult you. Insead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it." For the Scriptures say, "If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:8-12 This scripture is a devotion in and of itself. How often do I ask myself, "What do I have to do, to live in peace? Receive God's blessings? And just be happy?" Well, there it is My answer; all laid out for me.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 Think about the following scenarios and your first response or "gut instinct" Your child spikes a fever? (Call the doctor) The gas and grocery prices just shot up again for the third straight week! (Get the check book out and start making some serious budgets adjustments Unexpected diagnosis from the doctor? (Get on the internet and do some research for yourself) Your day, your children and you are completely "frazzled"? (Get in the medicine cabinet and find the zoloft) Sound familiar? They do for me. I claim them all at one point or another in my life! Do you know what they all have in common? I found very little hope or long-term peace in the doctor, the checkbook, the internet (in fact, this is one place I don't suggest you go looking for peace or answers....) or the Zoloft. I did, however, find the peace and answers in "seeking the Kingdom of

"So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support , and strenghten you, and place you on a firm foundation ." 1 Peter 5:10 Restore- To bring back or to establish again Support - To hold something up in order to keep it from falling Strenthen -The act of building up strenth and power and toughness So after you have suffered a little while, He will bring you back, hold you up and keep you from falling and build up your strength and power..... firm -Strong and solid foundation -A solid structure on which something is built ....and place you on a strong and solid structure.." Could you use a little help right about now? Going through something you never thought you'd have to face? (At least not this soon..) Dealing with a diagnosis, a broken heart, discouraged and disgusted regarding your inability to stick to your weight loss plan (again?) I know a doctor who specializes in all the above. He's been in practice for thousands of years, and s

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love the Lord." Romans 8:28 (emphasis mine.) Everything! Everything! Not just some things, not just a few things, and not just the things we think He will! Everything! The deeper my love relationship with the Lord grows, the more I realize and appreciate this beautiful, merciful fact. It became very clear to me just a few weeks ago, that even deep dark secrets of my past can be used for God's glory. Pain that now, even on a small scale still hurts. I have always been very self-conscious of my weight (even before having a weight problem.) My heightened sense of my weight caused me to do some very irrational and unhealthy things over the years, especially as a teen. I remember often hiding behind coats, make-up and "big hair." Although I will hit a milestone in 2011 (turning 40) I remember vividly the pain of growing up as someone who was inflicted by low self-esteem due

"Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today!" Exodus 14:13 That is a heavy statement for sure. As I sit and type, I ponder about all the ways God could rescue me and so many of my friends and family today. I sit here concerned and hurting for broken relationships of close family members. Concerned for tormented and tortured souls caused by drug and alcohol addiction. My heart even breaks for a Hollywood star so far gone, there is only one way out for him, and by all accounts and ramblings, he has no relationship with the only one who can save him! Concerned for financial burdens of friends and family. Concerned for spiritual walks with God. Concerned, of course for the health, wellness and weight loss of so many beautiful people I am blessed to call friends and meet with every week. And, concerned for my own state of agitation. Agitation once again regarding my busy schedule, direction God has for my life, and future of my own family.