Category Archives: Uncategorized

03.24.24
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Remain Calm. Seek PEACE. Get Refreshed.

The physical CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It can help save a life during cardiac arrest: when the heart stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs. But while we need CPR to revive the body and bring him/her back to life, we need mental, emotional, spiritual CPR to revive our hearts, minds and more.

What areas of your life do you need to perform CPR on? How can you resuscitate your dreams, your relationships, your career, your body, your mind, etc? May God breathe life into you and every area of your life. May He resuscitate you towards hope, redemption, restoration, and peace. This planner helps you to continue your healing journey by exploring where in your life you need CPR (calm, peace, and a refreshing).

Available at Amazon now.

CPR (Remain CALM, Seek PEACE, Get REFRESHED) Planner https://a.co/d/3tbOQ4d

07.14.23
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Darkness-What I Learned About It Last Sunday

Last Sunday, I went to church in person and was so glad I did.

The presence of the Holy Spirit was definitely present from the sermon to the prayers going forth. We also had a moment when we were directed to pray with one other person personally. As I listened and prayed in the Spirit while my prayer partner prayed for me, I also cried as God confirmed through her prayers what He has been sharing with me.

It was a glorious time in the Lord. God is so amazing.

But what I wanted to share here is a few things that stood out to me as Pastor Guice delivered the sermon. Much of these points are summed up and not verbatim, nonetheless a word from the Holy Spirit. The sermon was titled Receiving Spiritual Direction in Perilous Times. And Pastor taught about the effects when darkness invades our lives.

Darkness is basically all that separates us from God. We also know darkness as destruction, hopelessness, chaos, lack of peace, lack of order, absence of light and joy as well as an increase of violence.

  • Darkness will not allow you to move. It makes you feel stuck, lethargic spiritually.
  • Darkness attacks your prayer life. It makes it difficult to stay consistent in prayer, communication with God. It can even make you feel like God is nowhere to be found.
  • God’s blessings are not always a mark of God’s approval.
  • The presence of God is crucial to your life.
  • When you are in darkness, darkness increases in the land.

So, how do we begin to come out of darkness: I believe we must first begin to pray and read God’s Word. And then proceed to the following below.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10‭-‬12 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.10-12.NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.2.NLT

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ch.7.14.NLT

01.30.23
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If I Won The Lottery

What would you do if you won the lottery?

If I won the lottery, I would graciously collect my check, incognito.

Then, I would quickly get my plumbing issues resolved. Our plumbing issues have gotten worse and we cannot keep up. When it rains, it pours. No pun intended.

I would add some of the money to an emergency fund and pay off debt. I would definitely add to my investments as well as my savings of currently $5. And I would let the Holy Spirit lead me into who or what to give to.

Then I would go grocery shopping. I bet you are saying “is that it?” Nope. But that is all I am sharing. Until next prompt,

Have an amazing day!

I may delete this prompt response, lol.

01.04.23
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The Blazing Furnace

Originally Posted September 17, 2015 via FruitfulandFabulous.wordpress.com

There are ten lessons I learned from the account of Daniel’s friends thrown into the large, blazing furnace.

Here are they:

  1. The three young men didn’t do what the masses did. Daniel 3:8-12 says: At this time some astrologers[b] came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” They remained loyal to God even under pressure. Pleasing Him was far more important than what others thought, getting in trouble, or losing their lives. They were truly set apart.
  2. The three young men knew they didn’t have to defend themselves. Daniel 3:16-18 says: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” They believed that if they obeyed God, He would take care of them and the end results. 
  3. They knew God would deliver them. Period. Daniel 3:17 says: If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand.

4. They were willing to obey God no matter the cost. Daniel 3:18 says: But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

5. The world’s attitude of you will change when you disagree or oppose something they think is logical or that feeds their selfish desire. Their love is conditional. Daniel 3:19-20 says: Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seventimes hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

6. There is deliverance in the midst of the fire. Daniel 3:21-25 says: So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire? They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

7. Jesus is right there with you while you’re going through. Daniel 3:25-26 says: He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God,come out! Come here!” They didn’t have to fear because the fourth was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Don’t fear, just trust and believe God’s Word. Know that He will never leave you, nor forsake you.

8. God can bring you out of something and the only evidence you went through will be His glory and your deliverance. Daniel 3:26b-27 says: So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

9. There’s only one God! Well, I knew that already; however, it must be reiterated! Daniel 3:28-29 says: Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” There is none like Him that can save in the ways He can and the Way He has!

10. God was with them and delivered them before they stepped into the blazing furnace. Thank You, God, for that revelation. Daniel 3:22-23 says: The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. It amazed me that the furnace was so hot that it immediately consumed the soldiers but not the Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Surely God gave them the grace to speak up, carry out their obedience despite persecution, and even withstand the heat and flames of an extremely hot furnace. Jesus was right there with those young men and He will be right there with you. 

The M.I.A (Most Important Accessory) that a Christian should have in their possession is Their Trust In God. It is something we don’t hang up or sport from time to time, but something we must wear daily, second by second, minute by minute. Trust God enough to step out on the water of seas, go into the lion’s den, or even in the blazing furnace. And if that is too big for your faith, trust God for the small things, first steps, and the faith to walk out on waters of ponds. And keep saturating in His Word and obeying it till your faith becomes bigger and stronger.

–Tannika 

Have you had some “blazing furnace” experiences?

12.31.22
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Repost: Money $eries Week- Q&A With The Professional

Originally Posted on June 15, 2017

Hey loves,

We sincerely hope you have been enjoying this week’s Money $eries and they have made an impact on you. We have been blessed to share tips, facts, prayers, and the Word of God on such a crucial, favorite topic in this world–money. This evening we are presenting a special Q (Tannika) & A (Shalamaar). Shalamaar Muhammad is a Commercial Banking Professional with JP Morgan and fellow Christian who loves to share financial wisdom with others. Enjoy our Q & A as well as take notes.

Tannika: What is the one mistake people tend to make the most with their finances?

Shalamaar: Live outside their means. People tend to buy things that they don’t need to impress people they don’t like.

Tannika: As a fellow believer, what are some things you want Christians to understand about money.

Shalamaar: As a fellow believer, I would say remember that the love of money is the root of all evil. Money should be looked at and used as a tool to meet your needs and the needs of others. Also give to purpose and not just need all the time. People who repeat the same cycles of bad money management usually have an underlying issue that needs to be addressed and resolved, and if it isn’t, the need will always continue.

Tannika: What are the major areas of finance people should also be concerned with than just paying bills?

Shalamaar: Other than paying bills, use your finances to save (emergency fund, nest egg).

Invest- Earn a return on your money.

Give- Help meet others’ needs as God meets yours.

Tannika: Dave Ramsey, financial guru and Christian, encourages every one to have an emergency fund. Why do we fail at building an emergency fund?

Shalamaar: We fail at building an emergency fund because we don’t want to make the necessary sacrifices to do so. Think about how many restaurant meals, unnecessary shopping trips, vacations and other luxuries we could have given up over a year to build the fund. A year goes by so fast, so cutting back for a while is a minor sacrifice in the grand scheme of life. Letting go of instant gratification can help build up that fund and save you the headache of looking for additional funds at the time of emergency.

Tannika: Explain what it means to invest your money and the best way to do so?

Shalamaar: Investing your money can mean so many things. In the most simple terms, it means to earn a return on your money. It can be a conservative investment such as a simple interest savings or CD or complex such as investment in stocks and bonds. It’s best to speak with a professional such as a Financial Advisor to learn more about what investment best suits you.

Tannika: What is the best financial advice you received growing up?

Shalamaar: The best financial advice I received growing up was not to use credit as extra money. Credit can be helpful but there are also dangers if you are not responsbile, live beyond your means, or do not have self-control.

Dangers of Credit

Overdoing it; borrowing more than you can afford to repay.
If you don’t make your payments on time, you’ll damage your credit record.
Losing money on late fees.
Having to pay additional interest.
Difficulty getting loans or credit in the future.
Once your credit is damaged, it can take years and tons of extra money to restore it.

Wow, thanks to Shalamaar for blessing us with loads of knowledge about emergency funds, investing and debt as well as the dangers of credit!

What are you taking away from today’s post? How will you apply what Shalamaar has shared with us to your new financial journey?

Today’s Scripture:

Jeremiah 17:7‭-‬8 NIV “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord , whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Luke 16:10-12 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your wisdom. Let me seek You and Your wisdom as well as Your Will to be done in my life. Help me to, for here on out, see money the way You do and to use it for Your glory and in Your wisdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Shalamaar Muhammad is a woman of God whose joy can be seen and felt through her beautiful smile, her faith and involvement with her church, her spending time with her family and friends, and her volunteer work. Shalamaar is a Commercial Banking Professional with JP Morgan who also does business planning and personal finance. She has been a consistent volunteer with South Suburban PADS for more than seven years and looks forward to continuing helping others in need.

Picture: Shalamaar Muhammad, JP Morgan Commercial Banking Professional