“That clinches it – help’s coming.  An answer’s on the way.  Everything’s going to work out.”  ~Psalm 20:6  (The Message Bible)

Years ago, there was a very popular song entitled “The Anchor Holds” sung by Ray Boltz.  This song, which became one of Ray’s biggest hits, was written by one of his friends who had lost a child. 

I thank God today that I don’t know the agony of losing a child!   But I understand the challenges of going through difficult situations.  Many of us have never had such tragedy as losing a child; but have walked through situations where we didn’t know how we were going to “get to the other side” or at times, how we would even get out of bed to face another day.

Fear, depression, anxiety, doubt, and even unbelief can creep in unexpectedly if we don’t “stay on our guard”.  The enemy begins whispering in our ears, telling us one lie after another. 

When we allow him to create a “crack” in our faith, he won’t stop there.  He’ll keep applying pressure on the crack until it becomes a huge “sink hole” (something we Floridians are very familiar with).

As we’ve walked through our own battles, the Lord directed me to the scripture noted above.  I love The Message interpretation!  He also reminded of that old song, “The Anchor Holds”.  I want to share those words with you:

The Anchor Hold
I have journeyed
Through the long, dark night
Out on the open sea
By faith alone
Sight unknown
And yet His eyes were watching me

The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn
I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm.

I’ve had visions
I’ve had dreams
I’ve even held them in my hand
But I never knew
They would slip right through
Like they were only grains of sand

I have been young
But I am older now
And there has been beauty
That these eyes have seen
But it was in the night
Through the storms of my life
Oh, thats where God proved
His love to me

If you’ve going through the storms of life, hold on to Psalm 20 and allow the words of this beautiful song to be your testimony today.   Allow them to bring hope and determination in your life. 

 DON’T GIVE UP! Everything’s going to work out!

   “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit”.  ~Romans 8:1

For many years, I struggled with the fear of disappointing others and the possibility of losing relationships.  What’s funny is that I had no idea that this issue was so powerful in my life until I found myself at the ER, having an extreme anxiety attack.

Because of this experience and years of battling to overcome this issue in my life, my heart’s desire is to see people set free of “people pleasing addiction”.  So ask yourself these questions:

1. Am I in constant fear of what others think about me or my decisions?
2. Do I make decisions based upon what I believe God calls me to?  Or do I make decisions based upon what others expect of me?
3. Am I willing to change?

There are two major influences in people’s lives which cause them to become “people pleasers”.  One is Fear.  The other is Insecurity.

Fear has many facets…..fear of other’s being angry because of your decision; fear of disappointing others; fear of rejection; fear of loss; fear of failure.

Insecurity is based in fear but presents itself when our sense of security and self-worth is based upon what others think of us, our social status, our job/career, and even our marriage.

We have to make a conscious choice to overcome “people pleasing addiction”.  I believe God creates EVERY person with a special purpose and plan.  We are created with value – a free gift from God.  It is not determined by people.

To overcome in this area of our lives, we must:

•  
  • Decide to CHANGE our way of thinking
  • Have POSITIVE self-talk (Speak outloud – positive things about ourselves)
  • Choose to LEARN from the past, but REFUSE to allow the past to determine the future (Let go of the guilt and/or unforgiveness)
  • FACE your fears – Joyce Meyer writes, “We are held in bondage by what we refuse to face and deal with.”
  • Strive for BALANCE

YOU CAN DO IT!

Let today be the day you decide to move into your destiny by focusing more on pleasing God and less on pleasing others!

Three books I highly recommend:

“Approval Addiction” by Joyce Meyer, “Breaking Intimidation” by John Bevere, and “Failing Forward” by John Maxwell.

Join me tomorrow, January 7th, at 9:00 am on the Dottie Coffman Radio Show.

www.bigstickradio.com or  WIMO Radio 1300 AM

Topic:  People Pleasing Addiction

Are you a people pleaser?  If so, you won’t want to miss this time together!  Be sure to tune in and learn how you can be an overcomer!!

   “The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice.  He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice.” ~John 10:3-4

Over the years, there have been times when I honestly believe I heard to voice of the Lord telling me to do or not to do something.  For some, this may seem difficult to believe that the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords would speak to an individual.  However, I believe that it’s scriptural and that God desires to speak to each one of His children.

Maybe you’ve never experienced this type of relationship with God.  Or maybe you’ve had a close relationship with God in the past but have drifted away because of hurts, doubts, or disappointments.

God wants to be your closest, most trusted Friend.  He wants you to talk to Him; and yes, He wants to talk to you, as well.  How?  It’s simple:

First, return to Him.  Isaiah 30:15, 19 says, “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.  Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me….Cry for help and you’ll find it’s grace and more grace.  The moment He hears, He’ll answer.”   

Second, let go of distractions.  I find this the most difficult in my own life.  I often say “yes” to too many things, then find myself frustrated with life. 

Take an honest look at your life….

Let go of what is not God’s will for you.  Don’t settle for what’s “good” when you can have God’s best!

Third, spend time with Him.  As John 10:3-4 says, the sheep follow the shepherd because they know his voice.  We can only become familiar with the voice of God when we spend time listening.

Many times, we come to God with our list of wants and desires.  But when we come to Him with “listening ears”, He will share HIS wants and desires for our lives. 

When we submit to His will and obey, His anointing and blessings will flow in our lives.

We must “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matt. 5:6).  It’s time for God’s people to seek Him and desire Him above all things.  It’s time for each one of us to walk in honesty and integrity.  And, yes, it’s time for us to put aside our selfishness and move into what He has for our lives.

I encourage you today, learn what His voice sounds like.  Once you know His voice, you can safely move from the “good” to His “best”!

“Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over….”

We are still in need of 60 blankets and non-perishable foods for Thanksgiving Baskets.  If you can help, please contact our office at 863-294-1130.

If you would like to give a monitary donation, please go to our Mission page and issue a donation via PayPal OR mail a check payable to BWM to PO Box 2232, Winter Haven, FL  33883-2232.

All donations are tax deductible.

Blessings to you and your family!

    WE NEED YOUR HELP!

On NOVEMBER 21st, we will be holding an Outreach to the Homeless Community in our area.  We will be giving away bagged lunches, drinks, blankets, and Bibles.

On NOVEMBER 25th, we will be going into a local community and giving away Thanksgiving Baskets to families in need.

Please pray about giving a donation to help us accomplish these outreaches.

All donations are tax deductible.

To make a donation, go to the “Mission Page” and scroll down to PayPay or mail a check or money order to BWM, PO Box 2232, Winter Haven, FL  33883.

Thank you, in advance, for “planting seed in fertile ground”.

Many Blessings!

    “You were once darkness, but now you are the light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”  ~Ephesians 5:8-10

Have you ever sat on the beach and watched the sunrise?  Reflect back for a moment…..Do you remember the peace you felt?  The excitement?  The awe?  The amazement?  Watching something so beautiful take place, as darkness fades and light enters, is an experience you never forget.

If you’ve ever watched a sunrise, you understand the awesomeness of it’s beauty!  Darkness turns to light in seconds when the Hand of the Father “reaches down and lifts the sun” over the horizon.

Our walk with Christ is much the same.  Before Christ enters our hearts, we are filled with darkness.  But in that moment when we invite Him in, His glorious light begins to shine.   He wants us to have more, be more, and do more than we’ve ever had, been, or done before.  He wants us to begin to “walk in the light”.  I’ve heard it said that we should “live in a glass house”.  Think about that….living in a glass house means complete transparency in our daily walk.

I’ve often said, “If you’re afraid someone’s going to find our what you’re doing, it’s being done in darkness not light”.  Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Do I tell the truth – even when I’m in difficult situations – or do I lie?
• Do I operate in integrity in all of my personal and business dealings or does the “end” jusify the “means”?
• Do I embellish my “story” to make me look better than someone else?
• Am I motivated by selfishness and greed?  Or do I put the needs of others before my own?
• Do I think I’m better than, smarter than, or more anointed than someone else?  Or am I willing to recognize that God created every person with giftings and talents?
• What do I do when no one’s looking?  Would I be embarrassed for somone find out?
• What or who do I worship?  Money?  My spouse?  TV?  My job/carrer?    My accomplishments?

These are all tough questions but ones that we all need to be honest with ourselves and God about.  You see, God expects us to walk in the light.  He expects us to put HIM and HIS WILL for our lives before anything and anyone else.  It’s not OK to live our lives anyway we want and rely on His mercy to forgive our lack of self-control.

Does God forgive?  Yes! 

However, I believe that He desires for His children to walk in truth.  The Word says,  “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”.  That TRUTH is the LIGHT of God and His Word.

I encourage you today…..Take time every day to “self-evaluate”.  Allow God to make the changes that need to be made in your life.  Afterall, it’s HIS NAME that gets tarnished when we don’t “walk in the light”.

Donations: 

We are praying for 50 people who will commit to give $10 per month for one year to Step By Step. 

This money will be used to help us complete a HUGE OUTREACH PROJECT that we’re working on.  All donations are tax deductible.  To make a donation, go to the “Mission and Ministry” tab and scroll down.

Featured Author

In her book, “Elephants and Angels”, Marcia Miles Ramsey writes:

“Elephants and Angels” describes the emotional spectrum of our time together.    It symbolizes the mix of earth and Heaven we experienced during Dana’s seven and a half years; times when all was well and our spirits soared with laughter; times when death came near, pressing us into the depths of grief.  It represents the mystery of Dana; the things I knew; the things I missed.  As you read her story, I pray you will feel God’s love even though the way was dark, frightening and often isolated.  To those who are living where we onced lived, I wish I could tell you this book will answer your heart’s cry, “Why God?”, but it will not.  The road you are on is not an easy road.  It has not been; it will not be.  What I can promise is, “Jesus walks beside you to brighten the journey…to lighten every load that you bear.“

Experience this family’s journey through the difficulties, blessings, heartaches, and triumphs of having been trusted with a child who was born with “challenges”.

Your life will never be the same again!

To order this book or connect with other parents of children who’ve been born with special challenges, visit:  http://www.marciaramsey.com.

Blessings,

Brigette

Click the link to make a donation to Step by Step Ministries http://www.brigettewagner.com, “Mission and Ministry Tab”.  All donations are tax deductible.

     “Special Blessings”

For the past 12 years, Step by Step Ministries has sponsored two children who live in Uganda in a home supported by Watoto Ministries.  They have become a special part of our lives.  We always look forward to receiving pictures and letters from our two children, James and Stella.   

Several years ago, James and Stella began signing their letters as “love your son” and “love your daughter”.  The first time I received letters signed in that manner, I cried and thanked God for giving us the opportunity to bless them and “plant seed” in their lives.  I also thanked God for the blessing these children have been in our lives…..receiving their letters, watching them grow, seeing their writing skills improve,  hearing about exciting things that happen in their lives, etc. 

I received a letter from James this week and thought you might enjoy sharing in our joy….

“How are you doing?  I hope you are very fine.  Thank you so much for sponsoring me.  I pray that the Lord may bless you.  I am in grade five and I hope in 2010 I will be in grade six.  My family and I are doing well.  We are going towards the end of the 2nd term.  We are going to have camp in this holiday on the 16th of August 2009.  The camp is going to end at the 23rd of August 2009.  I hope I will enjoy the camp.  I am so happy to be in Watoto because they are training me to be a future leader.  Let me tell you a very beautiful place and we have the best pineapples and bananas in the whole world.  We also have two seasons in Uganda.  We have the wet and dry season.  Send my greetings to every one.  May God bless you!  Love Your Son, James”

Please keep our kids in your prayers! 

Donations:

If you would like to make a donation to Step By Step Ministries, please click on the “Mission & Ministry Page” and scroll to the bottom for a PayPal link or mail a check payable to: Step by Step Ministries, PO Box 2232, Winter Haven, FL  33883.      

*All donations are tax deductible*

Brigette Wagner will be ministering through preaching and singing at New Hope Fellowship in Auburndale, FL, on Sunday, August 30th at 10:30am.  The church is located across from Gateway A/G, off of Berkely Rd.