Just Because

It's a fool who sees no light shining through the clouds, in the day who says there is no sun. Similarly, it is the fool that says in his heart, there's no God. Just because you cannot see it, means it doesn't exist.

The earth is in constant motion and it should be the same with all created things, to be in motion letting God redeem the 'time' in your life.

Just because you don't see the blessing doesn't mean it's not coming.

Just because you haven't seen Jesus doesn't mean he's not the sent son of God.

Just because that spouse isn't praying, worshiping, and seeking in the manner in which you are seeking, doesn't mean that God is not working behind the scenes. His salvation is nigh. It only takes belief which ushers in confident trust for the manifestations of miracles.

Just because the children are acting weird and imprudently does not mean that they aren't the 'blessing' that God gave you.

 The word of God states, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”(Luke 19:10). If, you would only believe that sons and daughters will be saved because God's promises are yes and Amen. In Jesus' name.

Just because...

For today, forget about your just because and trust and believe in your heart that it exists because He (God) created , extended advocates, and ordains that it is so.

Heavenly Father today we lay every 'just because' at your feet, We say that we believe in your word that it is truth and life. Your word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We believe that you are God and God alone and there is none other besides you or before you.

You are the God yesterday today and forever, never changing, always faithful, merciful, gracious and we lay all our 'just because at your feet. We will trust in your word because we have hidden your word in our hearts that we will not sin against thee. Oh Lord, let not your word return to you void but let it accomplish all that which it has been spoken, sent out to accomplish according to your will and your purpose in the earth amen.

Rid us of every 'just because' and imagination that opposes the knowledge of Christ and we bring it all into captivity, now.

In Jesus mighty, and matchless name, Amen.

Vision Board: Can it Become Your Reality

I never created a vision board in my life until 2 years ago. I followed the Holy Spirits leading to begin to create an image of what I desired my life to look like. At the time, my life was the faintest reality of anything beautiful, but it was worth enduring. However, during the course of those trying moments in times all I could feel was pain.

Every day came with its own issues and the peaceful and loving relationship I thought I had slowly faded into something so unfamiliar and unappealing. Before I go any deeper; too quickly into my personal affairs, let me get back to my vision board experience.  

I awoke one morning with the thought impressed upon my heart that this vision board had to be made. The title, image, every aspect of this vision board sired my psyche. It had to be done and I completed it the same morning. 

I entitled it 'First Comes Love' and even as I am writing this I did have to take a glance to refresh my memory of this title. Like I said it was given to me by the Holy Spirit. The things that the Holy Spirit will give to you will be ingrained in your memory as if He had written it on the walls of your heart.

The vision board was a reflection of what my life was not. Every instruction received regarding this visual creation was synchronized by the Holy Spirit Himself. I remembered a pastor, The Eclectic Preacher on Spotify from a church I attended, recently started creating podcasts. I stumble upon one episode called "Write the Vision" the very morning. She gave instructions on how to create a vision board. She stated three things that formed the backbone of what I was about to create. She mentioned that my vision boarded needed to reflect "what I wanted to be, do, and have." 

I crafted the perfect vision for my life at the time, of what I wanted to "be," "do," and "have," though it was not a reflection of my life at the time. There had been chaos, pain, abuse, disrespect, and the inseparable and insatiable passions quickly turned it into an intoxicating reality that wounded the very core of my being.

I wrote the vision, praying that it would soon become my reality. Moreover, there was not the slightest evidence of things becoming better. I was believing with all my heart, as my soul was slowly dying inside. I fasted and prayed, and fasted some more. Daniel fast, Ester fast, 40 days fast, you name it, I did it. My outcome... the burden of stress, anger, and utter resentment.

2020, I created the vision board, and one year later at the end of my strength, I burned the vision board. I expound on 'my' because I was trying to achieve the vision in my strength. I did not literally burn the vision board, I took it off of my wall and put it out of sight where I could no longer see it. I was done, I had given up on the vision board, and angrier that the vision board got my hopes up. In the end, I lost. I told myself vision boards don't work. I was so hurt, despondent and dejected at such a brut outcome. Under mentorship, the group was prompted to create a vision board, and I was not motivated. My bitter outcome showed at the time, "those things don't work." The vision board that is.

Let me shorten this story for you before it exceeds my word limit because I am not certain if there is one. I did not create the new board but used the one I had previously created. I spoke about my vision and dreams with dreaded tears in my eyes, a bleeding heart, and a distraught soul. Hope deferred certainly made my heart sick and boy was it sick.

Five months later, now 2021, I fasted, prayed, was prayed for, received prophecies. God stepped in and spoke to me, and dealt with me in a way He had never dealt with me before. My ears were itching, I sought help in all the unrequired places, and the activation of my vision was delayed, not denied. as a result of my misplaced hope. Was I truly trusting God to accelerate the vision He placed in me? I could not have created that vision board if He hadn't given it to me in the first place.

 Trust is a critical commodity when it comes to dealing with God. He cannot work in your life with a heart that can't trust him. Whole-hearted trust is what will cause the vision to unfold and become the reality you will enjoy in the land of the living. God's promises are true, they are yes, and they are sealed. He wants us to get rid of the dependency and trust in the words of men and put complete trust in his word. If God said it; He will do it. This is not a cliche; it is called clinging to the very word which the God who created Heaven and the earth by His spoken word. Again by His spoken word, He will accomplish His will, purpose, and His vision for your life. The story doesn't have to end because emotions tell you all is lost. The story is just beginning because the author, God is still writing your story.

Today, I am watching my vision board come alive and speak for my life and for my generation to come. God is the one who places the vision in you and will cause it to come to fruition and completeness in your life.

Go ahead write your vision and make it plain and trust God to establish every detail.

After the Rain

Have you ever walked outside after it rained and beheld the beauty of the brilliant green leaves and the effervescent freshness of everything in nature that had been brushed by the water droplets? 

Scientifically speaking, the cumulonimbus clouds release a deluge of water upon the earth. As a result of such outpour of the Heavens, some take it as a blessing and some would clearly state that they don't like the rain. "Cumulonimbus clouds are thunderstorm clouds and are associated with heavy rain, snow, hail, lightning, and sometimes tornadoes."

 Everything God created was created with a purpose for the glory of God to be revealed.

 There are diverse opinions about the rain, some like it and some don't care for it. In God's sovereignty, he knew what we needed before we can even ask. God,  after the six days of creating everything on the earth he saw that it is good. "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31, NIV)

Rain is a result of unstable atmospheres. We see an example of this when the stability of the earth was out of sorts in Noah's day. God sent rain. One of the catastrophes of that day resulted in a flood that created an extinction-level event.

21 "And all flesh ceased to breathe that moved upon the earth–fowls andbirds, [tame] animals, [wild] beasts, all swarming andcreeping things that swarm andcreep upon the land, and all mankind. 22 Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils were the breath andspirit of life died."(Genesis 7:21-22)

 Besides, we see how righteousness will preserve life. Even after the rain life can be preserved. 

Money or Rich'ness

 This past spring break I resorted to taking a week off so that I can spend time with my family. 

The realization that I seemingly work too much quickly sired my thoughts. As I sat and pondered this harsh reality. What choice was I given? I needed to ably provide for my family. Not only that, I work in the field of microbiology which I love and strived to be there.

Sometimes the conditions of life do not leave you with many choices and you pray for the wisdom to govern which you have been given. You choose not to run from this reality but to use every bit of experience it gives to masterfully change the outcome for your next generation.

The point in kind is that you were born into that family, you may have riches you may not have much. What you do have is a seed planted inside of you to birth an abundant life. I do not want the context of the point to be biased because everyone that was created was graced to produce. There is a gift that you have been given regardless of the 'gold spoon' that feeds your life. 

I pondered that there has to be more to life than seeking a career that wearies you while ensuring your bills are paid. Mind you, I understand that if you do not work you do not get paid. The Proverbs warns us of this, 'what happens to the lazy man!" Proverbs 13:4 – “The soul of the lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” The soul is understood to be the seat of the "mind,' the "will," and the "emotions." To be deemed rich is not only defined by your fiscal standing, but according to the Hebrew meaning of rich is to be heavy, to enjoy glory, honor, and to be made abundant. This weight of richness speaks to your ability to not lean on your own understanding (mind), allowing God's perfect His will in you (will), and to allow the Spirit of God to govern your heart (emotion).

Just like some of you, I am a seeker. Always asking, what's next God? According to Matthew 6:11, "Give us this day our daily bread." God will give you the guidance and resources to govern each day that is given to you.

Heed these instructions you seekers, as I do, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33)." The blessing is there to be had but God wants your whole heart, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Luke 12:34).

Realize that all that is of this world is counted as a loss. Does that mean you stop working? No! It means to let all that you do be done unto the glory of God. All that you attain in the world will leave a legacy and a level of comfortability for yourself and your next generation.

Be diligent at whatever it is you do and in everything you do. Keep pressing through and let God increase you.

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God ’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God ! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God ’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this."

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬12 MSG

Planted to Produce is Prosperity

If you have ever questioned what is truth, and how it gives direction to the path you take in life. You must first understand when seeking truth, it is never left to human understanding or scholastic interpretation. 

The truth you seek comes when you are postured before the throne of God. Postured meaning praying. Truth is revealed by the Rhema (a Hebrew word to mean that which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken, word) of the Holy Spirit and not elucidated by the intelligent quotient.

You are the spoken word of God and one can safely categorize you a the Rhema of God. The time day and date at which you were birth was deciphered by a divinely spoken word that brought you into your now. 

The Word of God says in Proverbs 4:7, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." (KJV) To understand God's good and perfect will for your life, you must keep seeking.

I am certain that you have heard the saying, "the road of life never did run smooth". However, some truths help you master the tempest winds of life. Scripture states, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Further, we see where John 17:14-16 states," I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it."(NIV)

The issues you encounter are not a result of your life, socioeconomic status, or the family you have been born into, but as a result of you being a part of this world. Looking at other scripture you find clarity as to why you encounter the things you encounter. In this world, you will have trouble but the God who created you overcame the world and so can you.

You are an overcomer because the God who created you overcame sin, death, and shame to redeem you and to bring you into the inheritance of the kingdom of Heaven.

When you draw near to the Lord He will draw near to you. (James 4:8, ESV)

There is a prerequisite to the divine favor of God. Society has misled the Priestly body to believe that the blessing is in house, the car, the job, off-shore account, and real estate. It is safe to say that the blessing is the relationship between man and God. This relationship was hindered in the Garden of Eden. Therefore the blessing is sealed in a relationship with Christ the Savior of the world. 

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

Your steps, waiting, actions, and premeditations justified through reverent fear of the statues and laws of El hoiem warrants a divine favor to be on your life. You constantly meditate on the word of God day and night. King David expresses, "At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws." Psalm 119:62 (NIV) "The Lord decrees His loving devotion by day, and at night His song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life." (Psalm42:8, BSB)

There are only two paths to take, the path of righteous judgments by living a Godly life or the path of the ungodly. I will not expound upon the ungodly in this discourse.

"That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

  which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

  whatever they do prospers." (Proverbs 1:3)

Jeremiah 2:13 states that God is "the fountain of living water," and once you are planted by the Lord He is your sustenance. You are planted to produce fruit and God gives the discernment to know the times and the season. You are unhindered or affected by the changes in the winds and the wave, the cold and the blight because He is the God that watches over you and His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12). You are unaffected by the seasons of life because your roots in Christ give life to every fruit you will produce in your lifetime. 

Isaiah says it so lovely, "...“So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” 

You will produce in your season, your leaf will not whither. 

[The main function of a leaf is to produce food for the plant by photosynthesis. Chlorophyll, the substance that gives plants their characteristic green color, absorbs light energy. The internal structure of the leaf is protected by the leaf epidermis, which is continuous with the stem epidermis.] (Britannica)

Whatsoever you will prosper. Does that sound like a guarantee? It most certainly does. Anything and everything is governed by the laws of God. Strong's H6743 references the Hebrew word ṣālēaḥ which means to advance, prosper, make progress, succeed, be profitable

"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well (3 John 1:2, NIV).

The law that governs reproduction is you can only produce after your own kind. You are from God. Therefore be unwavering and the blessings will not be hindered.

Faith's Transaction and Trust's Guarantor

In life, we sometimes have a vision of our destination. Yet, we have not the foreknowledge if that is where we will truly end up. Some spend a lifetime in search of purpose, destiny, or even what some might call 'a higher-calling.' Throughout the winds, tides, and storms that you will face in life; one thing cannot be more true that destiny is planted within you. Destiny has been entrusted upon you and it is the Holy Spirit that will bring to fruition all your dreams and aspirations.

Many try in their selfish efforts to arrive at a place they were never summoned to occupy. In addition, so much becomes lost when it is in your own strength that you are consumed. A sold dream on a weak infrastructure. The Lord said to Peter, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).

Everything that exists good and bad, God is the creator of it. A destiny pre-orchestrated is warranted to excel on the basis that God is at the center, and the prince of the earth has been allowed to have the liberty to steal, kill, and devour hearts and souls that hang in the balance.

I feel in this dispensation of time that God has me in a holding pattern. I am certain that many are unsure of what is next, where it is that they need to be. However, if we hold true to the commandments of the Lord, He will make clear our path of Life. 

We tend to question the process when the path does not encompass our dictates or perceptions. Your surety is truly trusting the voice of God amidst the tempest winds. He is the God of the hills and the valleys. (Reference 1 Kings 20:1,23&28)

See Reference 1 Kings 20:1,23&28

1Now Ben-Hadad king of Aram mustered his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he went up and besieged Samaria and attacked it. 2He sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, saying, “This is what Ben-Hadad says: 3‘Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine.’ ”

23 Meanwhile, the officials of the king of Aram advised him, “Their gods are gods of the hills.  

 28The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the Lordsays: ‘Because the Arameans think the Lordis a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”

The enemy will set up ambushments against you in subtle ways which you may not be able to comprehend because of your humanity. These tactics come to weaken and to kill off any semblance of strength. The trust question remains, "What do you do when it seems that all hope is lost?" I will answer these questions for you. First, let us look at King David, His start on his course of life was anything but glamorous. If we are examining his life from the standpoint where he was a mere shepherd boy with a sling and a rock. His family was not wealthy and he was not the favored child. However, purpose spake louder than his present circumstance.

Some might say it is easier to define your position when you're already in a place where you economically set. David was blessed with substance in his Kingship. Moreover, he was given something more valuable and which would also show tangibly in his life, a promise of a lifetime and for his generation to come if he would only submit and faithfully commit.

David faced affliction by the hand of God who gave him the promise. But as scripture writes in Hebrews 12:6-11,

In Psalm 119:67 according to the amplified version of the references King David,

 "Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now Your word do I keep [hearing, receiving, loving and obeying it]."

You may be walking through some form of affliction and you may not understand it. At times our afflictions are s result of our course of action and sometimes it is a result of us being fashioned. Whether through our failures or through fashioning God will work all things together for our good.

To stand in the will of the father despite the odds are stockpiled against you requires consistent trust that the Father's will be done in your life. 

Remain steadfast, immovable, and unwavering by the turbulences. That is just life, a myriad of cascading winds. Sometimes there are calms and seeming more storms, but to hold the truth of God's word will cause you to holdfast hence coming to a pinnacle where you have mastered confident trust in the Almighty God.

God will always fight for you when you obey. Sometimes, it is in the desperate, dire straits, and despondent places that we fail to reflect on God's goodness and His faithfulness that has in the past brought you out.

This brings me back to the question we asked earlier, "What do you do when hope seems lost?" In the midst of desperation, you will make decisions that are perceived to be uncanny (seeming to have a supernatural character or origin) in the midst of the pain. There, lying in wait are those who are ready to pounce and prey upon your emotions and employ transactions that exploit. You seek the wisdom of your fellow counterparts and before long you'll be a buck short insane if your trust is misappropriated. What you must do is wait. Wait in kneeling, asking, knocking, listening for the one voice that truly has your best interest at heart.

God's promises are sure and human understanding will cause you to second guess. If you would only come to that place within where the only condition of our hearts is to trust the God that created you, confidently trust him. Imagine becoming limitless in trusting God without borders. Try trusting God with your whole heart.

Women in Business Features Laura Batson the CEO of Tus' Foods

Deborah's Muse: Hi Laura, I am glad you can join Deborah's Muse today to expound on our feature, Women in Business. Laura will share her experience in the business arena as a woman and how she thrived and circumvented pitfalls.

Deborah's Muse: Can you tell us your name?

Laura: Hello, I am Laura Amanda Batson. Let me first start by saying thank you for having me on your blog and allowing me to dive into more juicy details of my journey to success. This platform is an excellent initiative.

Deborah's Muse: How old are you?

Laura: I am 30 years old. I am the second of five children maternally, we are four sisters, and one brother the product of a twin and I'm the eldest sister of three.

Deborah's Muse: Where did you attend school?

Laura: My school life commenced at the nursery level. I attended the Vergenoegen Nursery School for two years and went on to a six-year stint at the Philadelphia Primary School. After completing the Common Entrance Examination. I concluded my primary years of education by continuing to secondary learning at Leonora Secondary School.

Deborah's Muse: What were you are of study?

Laura:  Technical/Arts stream was my area of interest influenced by a mixture of studies in the science and the business subjects sparked much interest.

Deborah's Muse: What prompted you to get involved in the business arena?

Laura: As I mentioned earlier, I had an interest in both the sciences and business studies. I could say the better one won. However, that would not be true. I went on to tertiary level learning pursuing Nursing, applying the science I spoke of earlier. Although I was an A student, I felt unfulfilled. Upon experiencing these emotions, I quit nursing and migrated for a brief moment. I found employment in the area of child care. Shortly after, I returned home to Guyana less than a year later. I was then employed at a cafe' briefly and assumed a position at the Ministry of Home Affairs doing surveying and data entry. It was not quite luxurious and not fulfilling. All my search came to a screeching halt when I realized that the shoes I have been trying to fit were not tailor-made for me. Moreover, the early rising to get to the office at 8 a.m. It was extremely debilitating. THE WRONG PAIR OF WORKING SHOES🤣🤣🤣🤣is what caused me to get into business. 

Deborah's Muse: How did you know business was your area of purpose?

Laura: I didn't! However, what I learned was that business was always a part of me. Moreover, my spiritual life was on a path to discovery as I sat in a series of teachings on credibility, accountability, and profitability. Also, realizing how to use my gifting and talents as tools; brought me into a place where I was no longer in doubt. Thus deciding to emerge on the business front, and it was where I am determined to stay for the rest of my life!

Deborah's Muse: How would you describe your start, and were you fearful?

Laura:  I remembered starting my business broke. I received what I call a "blessing." I started with 5000 Guyana dollars. I invested that money with the mindset that it couldn't build my dream at the time. However, I believed it could set me on the path of building my brand. In 2013 I started my business. Moreover, through discipline and sacrifice, I decided to pursue and persevere in business, concentrating on the culinary arts. Was I fearful? Yes! Gripped by fear, I felt like it would choke the life out of me when it immerged from the depths of my stomach. I was afraid of not being received. I was scared of failing or not being good enough. I often asked myself if I was crazy and if I knew what I was doing?

Deborah's Muse: Did you count the cost?

Laura: Counting the cost? Hmmmmmm.

I had to be trained, mentored, coached, taught, comforted, bailed out, encouraged, and all of those came at and still comes with a price. However, the highest price I have had to pay in my business life was remaining and sustaining such in the face of being told I wasn't ready, I would fail, and I would become a statistic. Stripped of resources, homelessness, and I lived on the streets, and worst of all, I became bankrupt. The cost cannot ever be defined. However, if you are going to grow in the business arena, you must be determined to survive.

Deborah's Muse: Were you in a position to finance the start?

Laura: I have learned over the years that no one is ever ready for business. It is something that has to be within you. You evaluate the climate and grasp the opportunities it presents. There was a time when I had the money but didn't have the idea. Vice Versa. Then, I realized the I had them both but didn't have the willpower. As I mentioned, I was flat broke and determined that I can use what I have to grow something tangible, and that is what I did!

Deborah's Muse: What is the name of your business?

Laura: My business name is TUS' FOOD fish and chip manufacturing catering and pastry plaza (M.M.W.D). 

Deborah's Muse: How did you coin the name for your business?

Laura: I prayed about every aspect of my business, and when it evolved, I decided that it would not just be business in the traditional sense. I asked God to give me a name that speaks volumes in capturing the essence of my business and making a bold statement. Thus, I arrived at a name the will be long-lived. The name would be a name that crossed language, cultural and societal barriers. Therefore, Tus'( pronounced "toooose") is a Spanish word translated to mean "YOUR" in English and speaks of ownership. Everything I create in my art belongs to you, the people, the clients, the customers, the consumers. The name I gave business, I have never had to question whether the company was titled correctly. It goes on to show the deeper prospects of the meaning of the name.

Deborah's Muse: At what point in endeavoring in your purpose did you start feeling accomplished?

Laure: In 2014, I did a sample distribution and awaited feedback from the markets where I sought patronage. The products were well received. I have never stopped distributing since, and my first client paved the way for all the others. My clientele has grown to date, and I still service my first market even today.