Busy, Happy Woman LLC

Entering a new year often prompts people to make resolutions, usually about some behavior that they will change, or take on, in the upcoming year. The definition of "resolution" is "a firm decision to do or not to do something" (online dictionary). Another word is very similar to "resolution." That word is "vow." The definition of "vow" is "solemnly promise to do a specified thing" (online dictionary). So, if someone makes a firm decision and solemnly promises to abide by that decision, that person is making a vow.  As believers, we must remember that God is listening to every word that we say and to every promise that we make. The bible teaches us to be careful with what comes out of our mouths: "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speec...

Biblical scholars agree that no one knows the exact date Jesus was born. Many years ago, for a variety of reasons, December 25th was chosen to celebrate the birth of Christ. Determining the exact date of Jesus' birth is not necessary. The main focus must be that He was born. His birth was a deliberate plan of God for the redemption of mankind: for all who would believe in the Son of God, repent from sin, and accept Jesus as Lord over their life.   Isaiah prophesied of the birth of Christ. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The might God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)." MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Whatever work we are doing, we should consider it to be "Kingdom Work." God owns it all.  On the job, in business, in volunteering, in ministry: all are opportunities to allow our actions to demonstrate the God we serve. Romans 12:11 (NLT) says "Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically." In God's Kingdom, productivity is encouraged, expected, and ultimately rewarded. God does not look at anything as menial when it is done to honor Him. In fact, Jesus said that if you give a cup of cold water to a child in His Name, you will be rewarded (Matthew 10:42). The theme is repeated in Colossians 3:23 "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the lord and not unto men (KJV)." "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here li...

Joshua had been chosen by God to take over after Moses' death: Joshua would lead Israel into the promised land. God gave Joshua instruction that would assure Joshua's successful leadership. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" Joshua 1:8 KJV. Success was going to be founded on Joshua focusing on the Word that God had given to guide the actions of His people. Joshua was to keep the Word at the forefront of his mind and heart, AND make certain his behavior lined up with the Word. "Mayest observe to do" was God's command that Joshua apply the WORD to every decision he was to make personally, and as a leader .  God's command to Joshua applies to believers today. True success and prosperity comes when we focus on God's Word as the...

God will never let his people be ashamed. What is "ashamed?" The Oxford online dictionary says "ashamed" means that one is "reluctant to do something through fear of embarrassment or humiliation." As believers, our faith in God, and who He is, allows us to walk in confidence in His ability...not our own! Ephesians 6:16 describes faith as a shield. This does not mean nothing happens to believers. What it means is that our faith prevents us from crumbling under the pressures of life.  Psalm 34:4 reads "I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Freedom from fear is a wonderful benefit that comes from putting our faith in God. Blessings and peace!

I truly hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. I was thankful then, and I am thankful now. In fact, I am thankful every single day. It is true that life can bring some challenges, but I am fully persuaded that even during the storms of life, there is still plenty to be thankful for.  I am thankful that I don't look like what I have been through! I am thankful for God's presence in my life; a husband and family that love me; my church family; friends that have stuck by me throughout the years; life; health; strength...the list goes on and on. The fact that people read what I write makes me thankful! "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name (Psalm 100:4 KJV)." Blessings and peace to you!  

God is working on me, with my cooperation. I had been praying a while about the stress and fatigue that I was experiencing. I did not like the effect that both were having on me, and I knew God had the solution to my situation.  The answer to my prayer came as I was reading about Moses in the book of Numbers. Moses was leading the people of Israel to the promised land. The people were threatening Moses and planning to go back to Egypt because of a lack of water. Moses prayed to God for answers, and God told Moses to speak to a rock and the water would flow from the rock. Instead of following God's command, Moses allowed anger and doubt to enter his heart. He hit the rock with his staff instead of speaking to it. This act of disobedience resulted in Moses not being allowed to enter into the land that God had promised.  As I read, I realized the stress and tiredness were greatly related to me taking on God's responsibility: I was frustrated because working harder and longer was ...