Own It: Showers’ Blessing Inspires

There was a series of commercials back in the day that was always followed by a tag, “Beatrice” on a red background and the words spoken, “We’re Beatrice”. Unbeknownst to me this was my first awareness of superb branding. The products were as dissimilar as they could be, but the tag is what always grabbed my attention and made me want to know who is this “Beatrice”.

Apparently, those commercials not only sparked an interest in me, but they also sparked an interest in the chairman of the TLC Group Reginald F. Lewis. Several years later after the death of Lewis, I garnered more knowledge about Beatrice, but even more about Lewis when I read his book, “Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun.”

In l987, TLC Group under Lewis’ leadership masterminded one of the largest buyouts when it acquired Beatrice. The part that intrigued me the most was that Reginald F. Lewis was an African-American. Yet, most people I knew then and now have not heard of this man who grew up on the streets of Baltimore and became one of the wealthiest men in the world. Needless to say, he is one of my heroes.

In these times of economic insecurity, you have to reach deep down and realize what you are made of as Lewis did. Although it appears as though things are dismal, this is the time when God performs the best. There are so many out there with ideas and business acumen waiting to be unleashed. These are your passions and your dreams, in essence, your intellectual properties. More than likely, at some point when you were young you tapped into them and you have to tap into them again. Many of you are entrepreneurs.

What are you waiting for? Not God! He has already given you all the necessary wisdom, counsel, understanding, might, and knowledge for you to be successful.

Lewis had many things working against him as a young kid growing up in Baltimore, but he didn’t allow that to stop him. One thing I’ve come to realize is that fear is going to be there and you just have to proceed forward anyway and just do it. FEAR poses three options—Face Everything And Remain, Face Everything And Run, or Face Everything and Rise! I propose you select the latter.

It amazes me when I pose the question, “Who is Reginald Lewis,” the majority of people, young and old, are clueless. Our children need to know that they can do more than sing, dance, and play sports; they have to know that they can own it all as business owners. Not only our children, but we have to know it as well.

You see, the days of working 30 years and receiving your gold watch are gone. In the lifetime of a career, you can expect to have at least five jobs or more before you retire. After having been let go many times because of downsizing, right-sizing, or whatever they wanted to call it, I’ve come to realize that you have to have more than one revenue stream of income. You have to use your God-given skills and talents to amass wealth within the legal framework of our society. Your confidence and loyalty have to be in God and not man.

In celebrating Black History Month, I celebrate those who would never give up. I celebrate those who, against all odds, overcame to excel in arenas that had been closed to African-Americans. Lewis was one of those. We have to teach our children about the Lewis’ of the world. We have to teach them that just because of the color of their skin, or whatever the perceived limitation, they can excel against all odds. We have to teach them to pursue owning their businesses and becoming business owners so they can truly make a difference through influence as an entrepreneur. We have to teach them that true wealth comes from God. He has given each of us the gift of the power to get wealth. Each of us must exercise the gift every day by making money and generating wealth to fulfill our Kingdom assignment—which includes owning our own business.

Are you ready to become an entrepreneur? Do you want to take your business to the next level? Don’t know where to start? Join me for a complimentary coaching session @ The ME Place Mentor Empowerment Institute.

Scriptures

But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deut 8:18 (KJV)

Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts. Prov 24:3-4

Wisdom is better when it’s paired with money, Especially if you get both while you’re still living.
Double protection: wisdom and wealth! Plus this bonus: Wisdom energizes its owner. Eccl 7:11-12 (MSG)

But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead. Eccl 11:2 (NLT)

Plant your seed in the morning, and don’t let your hands rest until evening. You don’t know whether this field or that field will be profitable or whether both of them will {turn out} equally well. Eccl 11:6 (GW)

Prayer

Father, I will no longer be afraid to become the entrepreneur You created me to be, but I will seek Your guidance to lead me down the right path for success. I am tapping into the wealth of resources You have placed inside of me for me to own and operate my own business. I will also encourage young people to realize the greatness within them and teach them that they can become entrepreneurs as we glorify You in the marketplace. Amen.

Your Twelfth Christmas Gift| Showers’ Blessing Inspires

For 12 days, that started on Christmas evening, I have been giving the gift of encouragement. It is my way of saying thank you for your support for The Showers Group Ministries, The ME Place, Showers’ Blessing Inspires, 11:59 A Minute ‘til Midnight Marketplace Bootcamp, Kingdom Marketplace Connection, and your support on all of our social media platforms. It is my prayer and hope that these gifts of inspirations will continue to propel you in 2023 to become all God envisioned so you can experience what God saw, spiritual, abundance wholeness and wealth.

The “True Love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, but it refers to God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every believer. The twelve drummers drumming represent twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:2-3 (KJV)

An Awesome Gift

Over the past couple of decades, we have witnessed an increased effort to eliminate the true reason for the Christmas season. Rather than identify Christmas as such, people feel the politically correct word is “holiday”. What is that all about? Let’s view it as Holy-day in its true reflection of Christ.

We have experienced an escalation of battles waged to not have the nativity scene or the Ten Commandments in public places, or even on private property. Believers are afraid to display or reveal their affiliations at work because of the perceived separation of church and state that is not a part of our Constitution.

Increasingly we find that our society is moving further away from the Word of God in which this country was founded. In its departure we have seen an escalation in crime, divorce, as well as the deterioration of our families, communities, and moral attitudes and actions. Drugs and guns became the substitute when prayer was eliminated from our schools. We have gradually embraced the opacity in discerning what is good and what is not. Our society finds itself exclaiming that evil is good and good is evil and forcefully defending the misconceptions.

During this holiday celebration, I wanted to share that the perceived pagan rituals and symbols that for years we thought were just that, are in fact symbols for us to share our Christian faith. Societal propaganda has hidden and muddied the true meanings of these symbols. From the Christmas tree to the candy cane, to the Twelve Days of Christmas and more we can use them to share our faith to provide hope, healing, and life.

Just like those who created a nonsensical rhythmic song to share their faith hundreds of years ago, we are finding ourselves in a comparable situation. Some of the reason is our lack of knowledge when it comes to our unalienable rights as outlined in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. As a result, it is hard to even help our children understand what their rights are as citizens attending school public schools.

Oh yes, they have the right to practice their religion, to assemble, and the freedom of speech. If we do not educate them, which in many instances we do not because many of us are not aware of our own rights, how can we help them?

One feeble woman orchestrated an effort that took prayer out of our schools. Yet, we who serve a massive God has not been able to get prayer back in; not even through the back door by training our children about their rights in establishing bible study and prayer groups. Our tax dollars ensure our children are provided with a place to assemble on school grounds. Most do not know about that.

When I embarked on this journey 12 days ago, I did so because my family has been committed to singing this song every Christmas. Years ago, my inquisitive nature caused me to research it to find out its true meaning. I just wanted to share with so many that we can never lose sight about why we celebrate this holiday season.

It is more than Black Friday, (for many consumers it’s actually Red Friday). It is more than going into debt buying gifts that you cannot really afford. It has nothing to do with drinking yourself into oblivion. It is more than becoming holiday gluttons when we eat so much, we almost burst open. It is so much more than that.

Rather than get so caught up in religious dogma that we miss opportunities to share Christ and our faith, let’s be open-minded to understand the meaning of these symbols before we simply dismiss them. Let us learn so we can share the gift of life with others.

Give someone the gift of true life! It doesn’t matter whether it is Christmas or not! God gave it to us through the birth, life, and death of His son Jesus. And, what an awesome gift!

It is my prayer that you have enjoyed these 12 days of Christmas. It is my desire that these words of encouragement will propel you further down your path of success. I pray that your appreciation for this nonsensical song helps you to realize it is not so nonsensical but chocked-full of meaning for believers walking in compassionate love in sharing their faith. Every day throughout the year, embrace the greatest two commandments to be your guiding force to live out your purpose in the marketplace. We are marketplace influencers on a Kingdom assignment. Allow God to reveal to you who He created you to be and the assignment that He has for your life as a Kingdom marketplace influencer.

Have a blessed prosperous year.

Enjoy Your Gift!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach

Special thanks to Dennis Bratcher, CRI/Voice, Institute for excerpts. Visit this site for more in-depth information.

Your Eleventh Christmas Gift | Showers’ Blessing Inspires

The “True Love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, but it refers to God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every believer. The eleven pipers piping represent the faithful Apostles: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas bar James. The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. Acts 1:13 (KJV)

Walking on the Water

In August 2001, I received these words of faith, walk on the water. Every week since that first occurrence I hear these words and when I need it the most, I hear them several times a week. These words have and continue to propel me to operate in faith regardless of what is happening.

Without faith you cannot please God because he has given each of us a measure of faith to succeed. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. It is hard to have faith if you do not intimately know God’s Word. It is faith that brings into existence your hopes and desires.

Many don’t understand the process of faith. We know faith is the substance of things hoped for; so, what is the substance of hope? Hope is the trials and tribulations that increase your patience as you experience life’s twists and turns. It is this hope that never disappoints us as we walk in great faith.

Faith is action. Faith is fluid. It is forever moving forward and never moves backward. Faith is the main ingredient to renewing your mind by transforming your thoughts. One positive thought can chase away 1,000 negative thoughts and two positive thoughts can chase away 10,000 negative ones. Transforming your thoughts through positive daily biblically based aspirations will transform your world. Negative thoughts no longer have dominion over your life as you team up with God to unleash unlimited possibilities.

Faith is seeing the unseeable…believing in the unbelievable. It is speaking into existence what the human eye cannot see, but the spiritual eye acutely envisions. Faith breeds miracles. With faith you walk in the realm of miracle-working power every day. It is that same miracle-working power that brought my sister Patricia back from the dead and gave her a second chance. Faith keeps you from attending the pity party, because you always have an invitation at the prosperity party. Faith is the process to manifestation. God provides the vision, but it takes faith to get you to the manifestation of that vision.

Faith is what makes you sit down and take a look at yourself to make sure you are still in His will. Being in His will is all about Him and not about you. Once you realize His thoughts are higher than yours and His ways are higher than yours, then you truly can surrender to Him.

True, He provides glimpses of your future, but only He knows the complete story. Faith is about trusting Him in such a way that you know that He always has your best interest at heart. On yes, there are times when unpleasant situations may come towards you, but it takes speaking and walking in faith that propels you through them.

Faith wards off the fiery darts thrown at you with exceeding joy, peace that passes all understanding and to love those who have waged all manner of evil against you. It takes faith to move forward when devastation hits–rather it is death, joblessness, divorce, strife, confusion, or whatever; faith exclaims, I can do it because God says I can do it! Faith is that overcoming power that propels you to live an abundant prosperous life, not just here but for all of eternity.

1. The more you connect your words in prayer it will escalate your faith. When your faith is propelled into another stratosphere, there is nothing that can prohibit you from operating in the miraculous realm of impossibility.
2. Fear of failure immobilizes your faith and paralyzes you causing you to refuse to dream and prevent you from embracing life.
3. How we maximize the “now” determines our success in fulfilling our potential. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Potential is the unseen that propels us into the manifestation of our hopes and desires. Every day (evidence of things hoped for) is the fulfillment of the potential God envisioned before we were born. It is impossible to please God without faith.
4. Our words frame our world, and they are a representation of the image we want to project. Our daily vernacular either builds us up or tears us down. Faith words bring life and fear-based ones don’t. It is as simple as that.
5. Never underestimate God. When you do, you no longer defy the gravitational pull of fear with great faith, but you succumb to doubt that inevitably will destroy you.
6. Faith begins in your heart. Out of the heart the mouth speaks. Put faith in your heart with the words that you speak because out of it flows the very source of your existence.
7. Words of faith produce a bountiful harvest of increase; words of fear do the exact opposite.
8. Faith principles rooted in prayer culminates in a new perspective and a winning attitude that translates into winning actions.
9. The valley experience is a death experience. You have to die to the fears of captivity to walk on the liberating path of faith.
10. The valley is the battleground of two wills, fear and faith, your decisions and actions will determine which emerges victorious in your life.
11. Fear blinds you to the greatness inside you. Faith enables you to not only see the greatness God saw, but to take bold actions in living the great life God envisioned for you.

I do hope that you enjoy this gift of love on the eleventh day of Christmas. It is my desire that these words of encouragement will propel you further down your path of success.

Enjoy Your Gift!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach

Special thanks to Dennis Bratcher, CRI/Voice, Institute for excerpts. Visit this site for more in-depth information.

Your Tenth Chirstmas Gift | Showers’ Blessing Inspires

The “True Love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, but it refers to God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every believer. The ten lords-a-leaping represent the ten commandments: You shall have no other gods before me; Do not make an idol; Do not take God’s name in vain; Remember the Sabbath Day; Honor your father and mother; Do not murder; Do not commit adultery; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Do not covet. I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. Ex 20:2-17 (KJV)

Begin With the Person in the Mirror

Michael Jackson’s hit single, “Man in The Mirror,” places the responsibility of transformation on each of us, not just for ourselves but our environment as well. The song included the lines, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways. . . If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make a change.” What a powerful message to propel us to look at ourselves and to make a change.

How many people look in the mirror and see our true reflections? I’m not talking about outward blemishes, but inward character flaws. These blemishes require more than over the counter or prescription remedies.

Our looking-glass first and foremost must reflect the Word of God. When you peer into the Word of God, who gazes back at you? Is the acne of lying, jealousy, selfishness, envy, self-centeredness, hatred, and arrogance ruining your spiritual complexion? Have you noticed any discolorations caused by your lackadaisical attitude and inability to trust in God and step out on faith?

Are you practicing a daily cleansing regimen of washing yourself in His Word and exfoliating with prayer, fasting, meditation and consecration? When was the last time you applied the Word of God to cleanse your spiritual pores of all the strongholds that clog them up? Do cakes of makeup prevent you from really getting to know the authentic person created in God’s image? How often do you sift through the looking glass of God’s Word to remedy the issues that causes unwanted wrinkles from worry, fear, and anxiety?

There comes a time when you have to make a change. These changes all begin with you. It begins when you take a critical look at who you are in Christ, and begin to apply the true cleansers, purifiers, and beautifiers only God’s Word can do. It is then that the image in the mirror illuminates with the glowing power of Christ’s image and God’s glory.

Make the change. You’ll be glad you did. The world will definitely be a better place for it.

1. Embracing God’s commandments is the first step towards transformation and changing the reflection that gazes back at you. His commandments always include loving Him, others, and yourself.
2. You’re responsible for your own actions. No one else is responsible but you. The finger always must point inward more than outward.
3. God has given us the mandate to subdue, replenish, increase, and take dominion in creating a better world for those amongst us and those coming behind us. Our lives are linked to each other as well as our success.
4. We are to treat others as we would like to be treated. That means everyone who comes into your sphere of influence.
5. Being on your best behavior is more than just when others see you, it’s even more important when it’s only you. If no one else sees you, God does, and you see yourself. One thing for sure, you cannot escape you.
6. Put forth effort to make a change every day. The only way true transformation takes place is that you must make it a part of your daily routine. You must be committed to change.
7. When you change from the inside out, others will change around you as well.
8. Change is lifelong. It is the constant of life. The more things change the more they stay the same.
9. Change your attitude. Change your world. Improve your circumstances for you and others.
10. Sacrifice and surrender are at the crux of change. The more you sacrifice in a state of surrender, the more you realize that the mandate on your life is bigger than you and exceeds you.

I do hope that you enjoy this gift of love on the eighth day of Christmas. It is my desire that these words of encouragement will propel you further down your path of success.

Enjoy Your Gift!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach

Special thanks to Dennis Bratcher, CRI/Voice, Institute for excerpts. Visit this site for more in-depth information.

Your Ninth Christmas Gift | Showers’ Blessing Inspires

 

The “True Love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, but it refers to God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every believer. The nine ladies dancing represents the nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. _But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law._ Gal 5:22-23 (KJV)

Do You Represent God Well

Talking with a young woman she exclaimed, “God is my source!” I found it quite interesting that she felt the need to make such a declaration. Yet, it conjured up thoughts about people who feel the need to exclaim how God is their source. Interestingly, the conversation was about her negative behavior. Yet she felt the need to declare God as her source.

It didn’t bother me that she made the declaration, but it did make me think, “If God is your source, then do you truly represent Him?”

All too often we want to make all these intimate allegations about our relationship with God. Often, they are tied to what He can do for us more than how our lifestyles represent Him. Even days later the thoughts kept flooding my mind of the number of people who notoriously exclaim what God is to them, yet their behavior is contrary to their words.

The lusts of the flesh are obviously driving their lives more than the fruits of the spirit. Their behavioral witness does not glorify the God they claim to intimately know. What if the declaration was not lip service, but by action and deed?

True actions are propelled by love. It is God’s true love that ignited Him to give us His only begotten son that we would have eternal life. He is a God of action. We should be His witnesses of action as well. Our love for Him should be declared by our lifestyles rooted in the fruit of the spirit. Mere words are not actions; they are just mere words.

Introspectively ask yourself, “Do my lifestyle reflect the God that I love? Do the things I say reflect the God that I serve? Does my behavior reflect His commandments? Does my giving reflect His sacrifice? Does my appearance reflect His glory? Do my thoughts line up with His thoughts? Do I treat others as He commanded? Do I exercise temperance in all that I do? Do I live out the greatest two commandments to love God with all my heart, mind, and soul and to love my neighbor as I love myself?

So, the next time you use profanity, get drunk, dress a little risqué, mumble and grumble, cause dissension, fornicate, commit adultery, lie, smoke marijuana, rebel against leadership, and a host of other things, ask yourself are you being a source of His glory? Then, truthfully answer. If the answer is “no,” then decide to truly represent the God that you so eloquently declare is your source.

I do hope that you enjoy this gift of love on the eighth day of Christmas. It is my desire that these words of encouragement will propel you further down your path of success.

Enjoy Your Gift!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach

Special thanks to Dennis Bratcher, CRI/Voice, Institute for excerpts. Visit this site for more in-depth information.

Your Eighth Christmas Gift | Showers’ Blessing Inspires

The “True Love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, but it refers to God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every believer. The eight maids-a-milking represent the eight Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:3-10 (KJV)

Horizon of Expectancy

In a conversation with my niece she stated, “God is not in everything.” I quickly admonished her and said that everything is all about Him. When you realize that it is all about Him, your life takes on new meaning and your purpose for being becomes even more paramount. The vicissitudes of life cannot jerk you around because you become content in who God created you to be, regardless of your situation.

You see, we can never lose sight of the very fact that God is in control. The enemy is so glib in his antics, as he was with Eve, that before we know it, we have become ensnared into pride, which leads to becoming more consumed with yourself than you ought to be.

Pride is more than arrogance. That is why many of us find ourselves being proud about things that we claim to have done. Yet, we know full well that if God had not provided us the wherewithal to accomplish the feat, we never would have been able to do it.

Then there are those who suffer from the “woe is me syndrome” and every waking thought they are consumed with themselves and their plight. Not until they can envision more than the pain of life are they able to relinquish the pride of their pain.

All God is calling for is a surrendered vessel. It is in this surrender that we not only find Him, but we find ourselves. In finding ourselves, it is not about great exploits of fame or fortune, but it is all about glorifying God.

We do that when we seek Him daily. When you begin to lay down your desires to have just more of Him, it is then that you surrender your life to Him. It is then that you begin to trust Him in such a way that it does not matter what happens, because you know that He has everything under control.

You are no longer the captain of your ship, but you wholeheartedly relinquish the reigns to God to be the commanding force purposefully guiding your life through its many twists and turns. When tyrannical ideas spring forth, you obliterate them with His Word and move confidently into the expectation He has for your life. Then and only then can He truly use you and you are truly His.

You cannot get so enamored with the expectancy of the horizon (good or bad) than you are with the One who created the horizon of expectancy God’s blessings empowers us in every aspect of our life.

God’s blessings empowers us in every aspect of our life as outlined in His Beatitudes below ( Matthew 5:3-10 MSG).

3. You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4. You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5. You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6. You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7. You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8. You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9. You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10. You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

I do hope that you enjoy this gift of love on the eighth day of Christmas. It is my desire that these words of encouragement will propel you further down your path of success.

Enjoy Your Gift!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach

Special thanks to Dennis Bratcher, CRI/Voice, Institute for excerpts. Visit this site for more in-depth information.

Your Seventh Christmas Gift | Showers’ Blessing Inspires

The “True Love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, but it refers to God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every believer. The seven swans-a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion. The evidence of the Spirit’s presence is given to each person for the common good of everyone. The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak with wisdom. The same Spirit gives another person the ability to speak with knowledge. To another person the same Spirit gives {courageous} faith. To another person the same Spirit gives the ability to heal. Another can work miracles. Another can speak what God has revealed. Another can tell the difference between spirits. Another can speak in different kinds of languages. Another can interpret languages. There is only one Spirit who does all these things by giving what God wants to give to each person. 1 Cor 12:7-11 (GW) God in his kindness gave each of us different gifts. If your gift is speaking God’s word, make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith. If your gift is serving, then devote yourself to serving. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. If it is encouraging others, devote yourself to giving encouragement. If it is sharing, be generous. If it is leadership, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping people in need, help them cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8 (GW)

PURPOSE IN THE CROSSES

Riding down the highway enroute to my cousin’s funeral, one of my sisters asked me, “What do the three crosses mean alongside the road?” I hadn’t seen the crosses. After she mentioned it, I started looking for them. Shortly thereafter, I spotted one of them. Immediately, I told her that they represented Christ, His crucifixion, and resurrection. Naturally I had to seek out the true meaning of the crosses and why they existed. When I returned home, I jumped on the Internet to find out more.

I discovered that Rev. Bernard Coffindaffer, a Methodist pastor, and retired coal washing business owner, had started erecting these crosses along the highways in September 1984. After two heart surgeries, Coffindaffer liquidated his business and stopped working. Two years later he received a vision with explicit instructions to plant crosses for the world to see. For the next nine years until his death in 1993, Coffindaffer planted 1,864 clusters of crosses throughout 29 states, the District of Columbia, Zambia, and the Philippines. Coffindaffer felt that the wealth he had amassed over his 35-year career in the coal industry was for him to fulfill the true purpose for his life.

What intrigued me the most is that it wasn’t important to Coffindaffer that he had amassed wealth as a business owner, but that after decades he truly understood his purpose. His wealth was just a conduit to be used to fulfill the mandate on his life.

I do believe that each of us at some time in our lives are given instructions about why we’re created. Some will heed them, and some will not. Those that don’t will leave this world without fulfilling their purpose. Yet, there will be others who will embrace it with passion as Coffindaffer did. That is not to say that they will have fame or fortune, but they will use the gifts and talents God has given them to fulfill their purpose and touch the lives of others.

You see, fulfilling your purpose is more about God than it is about you. Our gifts, talents and resources are used for God’s glory. Along the way, we lose sight of what our sojourn on this earth is all about. It is when you begin to understand that your existence is bigger than you. Each of us will leave a legacy behind. The legacy you leave will be determined by your moral convictions and values. It will also be determined by your relinquishing your will to God’s will and using your gifts and talents for a Kingdom agenda and not your own.

Coffindaffer realized his true meaning for being, even though the dictates of this world defined him as already a success. He moved from this world’s view of success to God’s. The interesting thing about it is that he did not have a huge staff to help him. Daily operations were fulfilled by him and a secretary. The crosses were erected by people who volunteered their sweat, tears, and time. Even in death Coffindaffer’s purpose does not end, because others have picked up the mantle to continue the work he started. Your purpose exceeds your earthly existence.

The next time you are riding down the highway and you see those three crosses, take a moment to reflect on their true meaning. We know that they are to remind us about the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, but they should also make you reflect on your purpose. If you do not know your purpose, it’s time for you to take a moment and ask God, “Why was I created? What are my gifts and talents? Really, you don’t have to wait for the ride up the highway. You can stop and ask Him now.

1. Your purpose comes from God. No one knows your purpose but God, because He is the one that created you.
2. Seek and ask God what your purpose is. He is the purpose giver and the purpose revealer. Sometimes God is trying to tell us our purpose, but we are too afraid to hear, not to mention to walk in it.
3. Your purpose has nothing to do with fame and fortune, but it has all to do with your obedience to God as you pursue it with passion and fervency.
4. Your purposeful assignment is beyond you. Your purpose is always in a particular geographic location, or locations; and it is always connected to people. God didn’t create us to be alone. It is serving your neighbor with your gifts and talents.
5. Your purpose is revealed to you early in life. Every talent and gift that God has given you is entrenched in your purpose. At some point when you were young, God revealed it to you. If you ask Him, He will take you back to the place of the first mention of your purpose.
6. Your purpose has nothing to do with whether or not you can finance it or not. It is who God has created you to be. When you begin to walk in your purpose, God will do what is necessary in propelling you to achieve it.
7. Your purpose outlives you. The legacy that we leave has more to do with making this world a better place. God instructed us to subdue, replenish, increase, and take dominion. Our purpose should expand the Kingdom agenda in sharing the love of God as we live out the greatest two commandments—to love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

I do hope that you enjoy this gift of love on the seventh day of Christmas. It is my desire that these words of encouragement will propel you further down your path of success.

Enjoy Your Gift!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach

Special thanks to Dennis Bratcher, CRI/Voice, Institute for excerpts. Visit this site for more in-depth information.

Your Sixth Christmas Gift | Showers’ Blessing Inspires

The “True Love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, but it refers to God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every believer. The six geese-a-laying represent the six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1). In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Gen 1:1-3 (KJV)

Creative Power of Words

You create your world. Not just for today but for tomorrow as well. If we take our lessons from the Master Creator, Almighty God, we will never go wrong.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. How did this creation take place, through words. God spoke it and it came into existence. There is power in the creative forcefulness of our words. There is life and death in the power of the tongue.

The great civil rights leader Martin Luther King said, “My personal trials have taught me the value of unmerited suffering. As my sufferings mounted, I soon realized that there were two ways that I could respond to my situation: either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force.”

Positive creativity transforms worlds and lives. Positive creativity is not afraid to look at life as it is, envision how it can be, and set out to create a new world.

Each of us has a responsibility that when we take our final breath to have made a positive impact to making this world a better place. That can only come when we tap into the creative energy of our Creator, the Almighty God, in accomplishing the task He has set before us regardless of how impossible it may appear.

God has placed skills and talents in each of us. It is up to us to take those skills and talents and use them for the betterment of our families, churches, schools, communities, societies, and ourselves.

No one can destroy you, but you. No one can create you, but you. God took his words and put them in your mouth and gave us the power to speak into existence those things that be not as though they are. In essence, God provided us with the ability to speak so the invisible can become visible.

Follow the exemplary example of your heavenly Father and say, “I’ll create me a world.” God empowered you to create a better world when He blessed you with the creative gift of words.

1. Listen to the words you speak. If you speak more negative words than positive words, make a conscious decision to transform your speaking habits. Become conscious of only speaking words of life and not words of death.
2. Complement your positive aspirations with the life-transforming power of God’s Word. As you speak each affirmation you double its creative power by coupling it with God’s Word.
3. Create an environment to speak only creative words by putting positive affirmations throughout your house. Don’t just walk by them but speak to them until they become a part of your very existence.
4. Include positive aspirations in your cell phone to keep you motivated throughout the day. Remember to complement them with a scripture. Throughout the day meditate on them and watch how prosperous your life becomes.
5. Be careful of every idle word you say. Refrain from saying things like, “I’m so stupid. I can’t learn that. You make me sick.” It may seem as though you are just merely saying words, but words have power. Transform your thoughts. You transform your heart. You transform your words. Out of the heart the mouth speaks.
6. Always remember that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Allow your words to be a life-generating force that creates a world you never thought imaginable and for others as well.

I do hope that you enjoy this gift of love on the sixth day of Christmas. It is my desire that these words of encouragement will propel you further down your path of success.

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach

Special thanks to Dennis Bratcher, CRI/Voice, Institute for excerpts. Visit this site for more in-depth information.

Your Fifth Christmas Gift | Showers’ Blessing Inspires

The “True Love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, but it refers to God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every believer. The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity’s sinful failure and God’s response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt 5:14-16 (KJV)

Lovelights of the Marketplace

We are the love-lights that have sent to brightly illuminate the marketplace every single day. Most notably, we are sent into our respective workplaces to be those shining lights drawing people to God. A light gives off warmth. It is not dull but brings illumination of the liberating power of God’s Word.

As those love-lights, every dark place we enter the atmosphere is transformed. It is not about being a Bible-thumping zealot, but it is to exhibit compassionate love to all that comes into our sphere of influence. Now more than ever, we must be even more vigilant in spreading love and good cheer in our respective workplaces. People need the Word, and they want it, even though sometimes they act as though they don’t.

Those five golden rings of the Pentateuch begin with Genesis where God creating man in His image and breathed the breath of life in him. God went even further to instruct humankind to subdue, replenish, increase, and take dominion of the earth. Even though man faltered in the process, God had already created a plan to reconnect man back to Him.

In these five books, God outlines in meticulous details every blessing for us to increase in wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge as we give reverence to Him guided by the Holy Spirit. There is nothing that God would not do for us and would not give us. He has placed so much greatness inside of each of us to become everything He envisioned so we could experience what God saw—spiritual, abundance, wholeness, and wealth.

Every day God expects us to tap into the well-spring of skills and talents that He has placed inside each of us. Moving forward on the path to success, below are five golden nuggets I’d like to share with you:

1. Obey God’s commandments. When you obey God’s commandments there are always corresponding blessings chocked-full of opportunities that manifests in your life.
2. Believe in the veracity of God’s Word and use it every day to transform your mindset to overcome a life of limitation and embrace an abundant life of prosperity.
3. Establish a life of prayer and fasting. There is no other way to become more in tuned to what God has for your life. These two disciplines, when coupled together, enable you to overcome negative strongholds and habits that have prevented you from experiencing success.
4. Do not just be a hearer of God’s Word but be a doer as well. Your success is sealed when you augment God’s Word with your corresponding actions. You must do more than just repeat it, but you must live it out every day.
5. Without faith you cannot please God. You should be increasing in faith every day. The only way you can do that is through studying his Word, praying, and fasting as part of your daily and weekly regimen.

I do hope that you enjoy this gift of love on the fifth day of Christmas. It is my desire that these words of encouragement will propel you further down your path of success.

Enjoy Your Gift!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach

Special thanks to Dennis Bratcher, CRI/Voice, Institute for excerpts. Visit this site for more in-depth information.

Your Fourth Christmas Gift | Showers’ Blessing Inspires

The “True Love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, but to God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every believer—that includes you. The four calling birds represents the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which proclaim the Good News of God’s reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:18-19 (KJV)

No Charge

The priceless gift of God’s love when He gave His Son so we could experience life to its fullest and have eternal life is priceless—it is unquantifiable. I believe with all my heart that God wants us to use every talent and gift He placed in each of us to make this world a better place. Jesus stated that He came that we would have life and have it more abundantly. I do believe with all my heart we must tap into the well-spring of talents and gifts that God has given us to succeed.

The four gospels echo of the unending love God bestows on us every single day. It began with His Son’s birth and culminated in His resurrection. It cries of His faith in His Son and His faith in our believing in the liberating possibilities His Son has given from the manger to the cross.

You do not want to squander the priceless gift of your future. Regardless of who you are or your perceived plight, there is so much greatness inside of you to be unleashed.

Do not allow the temporal forces of this world to prevent you from moving forward. All you must do is tap into the wellspring of greatness inside of you and experience the fullness of life God envisioned. He wants you to have a spiritually abundant whole and wealthy life every single day. The beauty is that there is nothing in this world to stop you. Nothing can prevent you from experiencing this gift of love that continues to give even beyond your last breath.

“What does all this cost?” No Charge!

I do hope that you enjoy this gift of love on the fourth day of Christmas. It is my desire that these words of encouragement will propel you further down your path of success.

Enjoy Your Gift!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach

Special thanks to Dennis Bratcher, CRI/Voice, Institute for excerpts. Visit this site for more in-depth information.