Equipped Ministries

                “This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it” Psalms 118:24.   A straightforward verse with pretty simple instructions-God made the day, we should rejoice .   Simple enough until “life” enters the picture. Life that begins like, “This is the day” my children have complained and fought all morning.   “This is the day” my husband lost his job.   “This is the day” I received the cancer diagnosis from my doctor.   Or “This is the day” I received the call that my child was gone. How do I rejoice then?   The bible states that our rejoicing should be a result of the day we are living in, not the circumstances that surround it.   Yet, we’ve all experienced times in life that made us feel as though we wouldn’t make it through the day, much less be able to rejoice in it.   The loss of a loved one, in particular can leave us feeling numb and without direction or hope.   The surrounding questions of “why” and “how” seemingly unanswered. We

In working with hundreds of men and women over the past eight years who have a goal of losing weight and living healthy, the biggest challenge for most to overcome has little to do with knowing what to eat and when to exercise.   Interestingly, the biggest challenge for most is realizing that God wants to be involved in their health and wellness journey and He is capable of having a major impact if He is allowed access. The story about Jonathan and his armor bearer paint a wonderful analogy of what it looks like to realize that God wants what’s best for us and is capable of seeing it through.   1 Samuel 14:6 states, “Perhaps the Lord will work for us.   For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.”   In other words, it doesn't matter who is coming against you or tempting you; with God on your side nothing is impossible.   However, there is a catch.   “Of course there is,” you say, but hear me out.   In order for God to be fighting for you, it is imperative that

That’s How God Operates                 Lately, I’ve been experiencing feelings I couldn’t really explain to others, and assuming it was just a normal way of life for a mother trying to raise three kids, be a good wife, and serve God in this crazy day and age.   But in attending church and bible study over the last few weeks, two bible teachers I greatly admire, spoke on a subject and very colorfully put into words exactly what I was experiencing.                   They both questioned the listening audience asking, “Do you experience a heaviness of heart throughout your day over situations that have not come to pass?   Are you burdened about the ‘what if’s’ of life?   What if my children get sick?   What if my husband loses his job? What if my wife leaves?   Do you feel pressure to perform, wondering if you measure up, or are doing all that you should be doing?” With tears in my eyes, I wanted to scream, “Yes, Yes!”   That’s me.   Interestingly, in both cases these two well respe

  As my children get older, it’s becoming very obvious to me, that there will be (already have been) choices they make regarding friends, behaviors, music etc. that are completely out of my control.   After all, I cannot “police” what they are doing online and follow them around 24/7.   (I know this because I’ve already tried and it’s exhausting.   And even then, I still missed a few things.)   Although I am very grateful and praise God when they make good decisions, my heart has already been wounded by some not so great decisions as well.   It’s just proof positive that we live in a fallen world and we (and our children) are prone to sin and no amount of church attendance or bible reading can completely obliterate it from our lives. Yet what is a parent supposed to do?   Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, worry and anxiety can (and will) run rampant every time our children leave home if we are constantly focused on what they’re doing, who they’re with, what they’re listen

Looking for comfort and peace in the middle of a storm today?  Or just the hustle and bustle of life? "For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness."  Psalms 107:9 "You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." Psalms 145:16 "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19 Those verses have stirred my soul in recent days.  The shear realization that God is ready and waiting to meet and exceed my needs is overwhelming.  If your soul is hungry, God is waiting to fill it with goodness.  If you have desires, He is waiting with an open hand to satisfy and He will supply ALL your needs. May the God I have come to serve and love show you today that He and He alone can FILL your hungry soul, readily satisfy your every desire and supply all your needs according to HIS riches in glory.  Now that's what I call pure satisfaction! In Him, Julie

“O’ Lord, I pray, please let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who desire to fear your name; and let your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”   Nehemiah 1:11                 There will be many challenges for us in 2014.   (Maybe you’ve already had your fair share in January.)   Challenges regarding our finances, future plans, issues in the workplace, church, or neighborhood.   The list is endless.   Challenges can cause us to do many things; act in haste, run away, become discouraged, remain on edge, or “clam up” and freeze.                 We could learn a lot from a certain man in the bible about how to face challenges.    A man by the name of Nehemiah we’re told was, “the king’s cupbearer.”   This meant he acted as bodyguard, advisor and food taster for the king.   (I don’t know about you, but that sounds a lot like the role of a parent to me.)                 Yet when Nehemiah wa