Sometimes We Are So Busy Adding Up Our Troubles That We Forget to Count Our Blessings

There are situations in my life that I have allowed to me off course. Sometimes troubles tend to surmount like gushing geysers, and before you realize what has happened, you’ve been swept off your feet and engulfed by the undercurrents of life. Ever had any of those?

The enemy has a way of hyping things up to make them appear more than they really are, but during conflict and hardship, you must remember one thing - STAY FOCUSED! For one moment of a negative thought can swiftly slip you into the plains of despondency. Forgetting about God, faith, and His Word in times like these is NEVER an option.

How do we do this in a practical way, in every day life, walking and talking? There’s a neat little scripture that reads, “Overcome evil with good.” I like to think of it as “replacement theorem.” If a person is so busy focusing on the good, and trying to do good, and to be of good cheer, when do they have to for the evil? Overcome bad thoughts with intently focusing on good thoughts. Overcome bad behavior by doing something good and productive and fruitful. If you are busy being good, the pity parties go away, and and so does the meddling, discord, and disconnects in life; then peace, happiness, and goodness can begin to flow.

Changing your focus is like changing directions when driving. If that road doesn't work, change course. Quit the stinking thinking! Think on whatever is lovely, holy, good, positive, productive … with choice, by practice, on purpose with intent. If a person is busy counting their blessings, they surely not busy counting their miseries and discouraging troubles, right? Spring is a good time for new growth and change in direction and old habits.

We are like actors; we will play either the part of the victim or the victor. Which one are you? When the enemy reminds you of what you are lacking, remind yourself of what you do have. When you are through counting, you will realize how blessed you truly are, and often immeasurably blessed.

Psalms 77:11, 12 says “I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old, I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” Allow the wind of the Holy Spirit and the love of God to raise you above your circumstances.

Tilt your hearts toward the SON!

Narda Goodson

First Lady of Whitewright, Texas

Influence, Inspire, & Infiltrate! 

Official Website: Narda Goodson Ministries

Women's Network: Predestined by God

Teen Network: DIVA Drops©-Damsels in Virtuous Attire™

Government:: First Ladies of the Round Table

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Wishbone or Backbone

How many times have you come across the bullies of life? Well, Joshua knew exactly what it felt to have to deal with such an annoying ogre. While giants were in the land scoffing, mocking, and parading with threatening insults, he learned to place his reliance and hope in God. His unwavering faith against the sadistic threats of the enemy caused him to hear the strategy and plan of God, which plunged him straight into victory and entering the Promised Land.

If you are facing giants like Joshua, though learning to stand still can prove to be a test, it is essential for receiving the heavenly mandate from God. Sometimes an eye for an eye or a foot for a foot sounds a lot simpler but it is only the enemy’s attempt to side track you and take you off course.

When things go wrong, don’t go wrong with them. Stand your ground and be encouraged, for God said he will bless those that bless you and curse those that curse you.

Many a good man has failed because he had his wishbone where his backbone should have been.

Read Joshua 1:9

Tilt your hearts toward the Son!

In His Image

Narda Goodson

First Lady of Whitewright, Texas

Influence, Inspire, & Infiltrate! 

Official Website: Narda Goodson Ministries

Women's Network: Predestined by God

Teen Network: DIVA Drops©-Damsels in Virtuous Attire™

Government:: First Ladies of the Round Table

Blog: http://nardagoodson.blogspot.com/

Facebook: @nardagoodson

Twitter: @nardagoodson

LinkedIn: @nardagoodson

What Fragrance Do You Possess?

Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting several homes for the Annual Rose Tour in Whitewright. I was awestruck by the diversity of each garden as we went from house to house.

I saw backyards filled with roses, irises, birdhouses, ponds, and many other gorgeous bouquets of plant life. The flowers generated an amazing ambiance that perfumed the air with pleasant aromas. I saw and smelled honey suckles for the first time and had the pleasure of tasting one too.

What struck me the most was the diversity of fragrances the floras produced. In one garden, there was an assemblage of multicolored roses displayed in a row, so I decided to smell each group individually. Every colored rose possessed an enjoyable but distinct aroma. I couldn’t believe how they could all be so alike, yet so different, but each was lovely in its own right.

Upon leaving, not far away, sat a cluster of red roses identical to the ones I had recently smelled. I couldn’t help myself, so I decided to take one last whiff. Ironically, they produced no scent. “But aren’t these roses the same as the others?” I thought to myself.

You life is your garden and what you produce will be obvious to others. The Scripture says in I Peter 2:9 that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people; that we should show forth the praises of him who has called us from outer darkness and into His marvelous light.

It is not enough to sit with others we think are like us and expect that this method alone will change us. Going to church doesn’t save you and make you a Christian anymore than sitting among rose bushes will make you a rose. Christianity is not a religion but a lifestyle; it is a daily walk with the Savior, which requires every individual to take personal liability for their own life by picking up their cross to follow Jesus.

We have been set apart for God, and in that separation, there is something we must do. We must continually fill our hearts with His Word so that we can produce good fruit. When we faithfully commit to abiding in the Vine, we become the branches that bring forth the fruit of God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ (St. John 15:5).

What fragrances do you possess and generate? Will you permit the power of God’s Word to cultivate in you the fruit of the Spirit or will you just sit among the roses?

Tilt your heart towards the SON!

Narda Goodson

First Lady of Whitewright, Texas

Influence, Inspire, & Infiltrate! 

Official Website: Narda Goodson Ministries

Women's Network: Predestined by God

Teen Network: DIVA Drops©-Damsels in Virtuous Attire™

Government:: First Ladies of the Round Table

Blog: http://nardagoodson.blogspot.com/

Facebook: @nardagoodson

Twitter: @nardagoodson

LinkedIn: @nardagoodson

Keys to Finding Your Ruth and Boaz: Biblically Waiting Versus a 21st Century Profile

Society has implemented so many ways to finding the woman or man in your life that even Christians have fallen away from the basic fundamentals of finding a spouse the Biblical way. While setting up profiles and posting the prettiest photo of one’s self on a site has become the norm, it sounds more like a human cattle round up if you ask me. We may as well all line up and have an auction.

A wise man will not commit to a relationship with a woman based on shallow and superficial reasoning and emotions. He should do some researching first before making ties with someone he barely knows.

Boaz was a wise man. He knew exactly who Ruth was and had her “checked out” before getting involved with her. There were three important elements that were important to Boaz: 1) spiritual stability, 2) personal loyalty, 3) character. He knew of her faithfulness to God, commitment to her mother in-law Naomi, and of her reputation.

Boaz was a man of integrity. He was a man of what I call the FOUR P’s – He offered Ruth POSITION, PROTECTION, PROVISION, and was a man of PRAYER. And as a result of her connection to Boaz, she began to experience PROSPERITY.

Ruth was selfless and young enough that even after losing her first husband could have returned home and married again. Yet, her fidelity, commitment, and love for her mother in-law, Naomi, was more important than fulfilling her own desires. Ruth was a woman who knew her past, understood her present, and was moving toward her future. She also knew that with God, the world was her playground, but without God, she would just be played.

The inability to wait for God’s best and unwise choices can be a very costly price to pay. One thing I encourage women is to avoid the temptation of fishing for a man. Nothing is less attractive than a woman on the prowl out of desperation; for desperation will cause you to compromise your morals and settle for almost anything. You are more than likely to end up with a shark on your hands rather than a blessing, and for the men, one moment of pleasure may just end you hooked up with an inescapable piranha for the next eighteen years.

Women don’t need to look for Boaz or their knight in shining armor. If you are minding the Father’s business, you’ll be found by him. Let’s learn from Ruth example and how her prudent choices led her to be at the right place at the right time.

Ruth lost herself in the ministry of caring for someone else. Yet, without losing her sense of identity, she was a woman with confidence and had learned a lot from Naomi. In fact, she was Naomi’s spiritual backup when Naomi got a bit off track and began talking crazy.

My “type” is the Father’s best for me. Ladies, be encouraged because the Father knows exactly what thrills and excites us as women and knows just the “type” of man we need and has already made the provisions for it. For the men, let Boaz’s commendable and noble character serve as an example of what men should be.

Tilt your hearts toward the SON!

Narda Goodson

First Lady of Whitewright, Texas

Influence, Inspire, & Infiltrate! 

Official Website: Narda Goodson Ministries

Women's Network: Predestined by God

Teen Network: DIVA Drops©-Damsels in Virtuous Attire™

Government:: First Ladies of the Round Table

Blog: http://nardagoodson.blogspot.com/

Facebook: @nardagoodson

Twitter: @nardagoodson

LinkedIn: @nardagoodson

Don't Put a Question Where God Has Placed a Period

There is no greater feeling than when I have genuinely cast my burden to the Lord. Ahhh . . . what a relief! It almost gives the appearance that I don't have a care in the world.

But why should I overwhelm myself with problems I know I cannot resolve on my own? If I’m going to worry, why pray?  Learning to cast my fears, troubles, anxieties, and anything that can be considered and packaged into a care to the Lord has been a learning process. Over the years, I have resolved to walk in the rest and peace of God instead of musing over the "what if's". As a result, I’ve experienced an inner peace; one that truly passes all understanding.

But this did not come without trial and error. I’ve had my share of insomnia, cried tears to fill up the bathtub, and experienced overwhelming fear and heartache, and the more I focused on the problem, the more it grew like yeast.

However, when I redirected my attention to the Word of God and His promises, although the problems did not vanish away, I found my fears did. Instead of subjecting myself to the oppression, suppression, and depression, which were grimly gazing down at me like a predator ready to pounce on its prey, I became empowered and repositioned by the anointed Word of God.

My shift came because my thinking changed, and as a result, I was able to face my opposition perfectly hearing the instructions, strategy, and plan of God instead of panicking, being afraid, and clueless. No more did I see myself as a victim but a victor armed and dangerous.

The repositioning of our mind can quickly overturn the outcome of the battle. If you know who you are, whose you are, and to whom you belong to, then there is no trial in life that can defeat you.

Think of all that the Lord has brought you through already. This should be enough to bullet you into your next level. He didn't let you drown in the mess nor did He give up on you. He simply open doors, granted favor, or made a way. Sometimes, we just need a gentle reminder - the Lord takes care of His own.

Don't put a question mark where God puts a period. Be encouraged knowing that he who kneels before the Lord can stand before anything.

Psalms 55:22-23

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

But You, O god, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in you.

Tilt your hearts toward the Son!

Narda Goodson

Official Website: Narda Goodson Ministries

Women's Network: Predestined by God

He Who Gossips to You Will Be a Gossip of You

What does the Bible have to say about GOSSIP? Well, let’s first define what gossip means.

Gossip: scandalmonger, tattletale, Nosy Parker, chatter, blather, rumormonger, blabbermouth, bigmouth

There are many people who profess to be Christians. Yet, professing ones fidelity and love to Christ is more than mere words. It should be seen through the light of Christ within us on a daily basis. Don’t be fooled, it doesn’t take an Einstein to figure some things out. People will know us by the fruit hanging on our tree.

Scriptures tell us what is improper for God’s holy people. It admonishes us to keep away from all moral filth and evil. How many people have you heard say “Uh-huh, amen, and preach pastor”, yet, forget all that was taught in the lesson immediately as they walked out the church doors. James 1:22 says that we should not be hearers of the Word only but DOERS.

We live in a world where a corrupt society seeks to influence and defile our godly character and integrity. But a lack of vigilance and wisdom can lead you into the pitfalls of indiscretion and impudence, and before you know it, you are swept away and caught up in the dirt.

Proverbs 20:19 reads “He that goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore meddle not,” in other words, do not interfere, snoop, and gossip, “with him that flatters with his lips”. There is a reason why we should refrain from gossip.

1. Gossip separates and hurts friends (Proverbs 16:38)

2. Gossip causes damage by betraying confidence (Prov. 11:12-13)

3. Gossips are usually half-truths and distorted information

Those who behave in this manner do nothing but stir up trouble and cause dissention and division. That is why the Bible tells us to RUN (emphasis mine) or keep away from people who behave this way. A negative spirit is like poison ivy, it spreads quickly.

Let’s define the word deed: something done, an intentional act; actions. James 1:25 tells us that if we hear and do what is right that our deeds would be blessed. Have you ever wondered why your “deeds” were not successful or prosperous? Is the deed matching up with laying aside all moral filthiness and evil? Or are you operating in a deceitful spirit?

These are personal questions that should cause each of us to take a look inside and allow the light of the Holy Spirit to reveal what is really hidden in our hearts. When the unveiling begins, repent and then allow the grace of God’s forgiveness and faithfulness to cleanse and change you.

Let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds. If we put on the mind of Christ daily, our life will be transformed, our deeds will be blessed, and we will be a blessing to others.

Tilt your hearts toward the Son!

Narda Goodson

First Lady of Whitewright, Texas

Influence, Inspire, & Infiltrate! 

Official Website: Narda Goodson Ministries

Women's Network: Predestined by God

Teen Network: DIVA Drops©-Damsels in Virtuous Attire™

Government:: First Ladies of the Round Table

Blog: http://nardagoodson.blogspot.com/

Facebook: @nardagoodson

Twitter: @nardagoodson

LinkedIn: @nardagoodson