The Beginning of Great Things

Time and seasons are elements of the earth. They were established by God for our benefit (Genesis 8:22). As a result of their uniqueness, every season serves a different purpose. For instance summer is ridiculously hot while winter is generally freezing cold, especially in certain parts of the world. Likewise, Spring is very different from Autumn and other seasons of the year. They are all different and carry different conditions and benefits.

New seasons are especially welcoming after long periods of difficulties or trials. Think about a battery that constantly operates a television, car, radio or tool. As potent as that battery is to do what it was created for during a certain time, after a while it loses its energy and needs to be recharged or replaced. Although we are more than a lifeless object such as a battery, in a similar manner, God has allowed us the privilege of new seasons to recharge and reset so that we can be more effective in what is next.

Today I want to implore you, regardless of what you have gone through personally and globally as a result of the pandemic and other factors over the past several months, don’t be fearful and don’t be too cautious. Why? Sometimes out of fear and caution, we limit our expectations for having a great year. Caution, while it is somewhat beneficial, can limit our faith and prevent us from taking hold of new opportunities and lessons that the Lord is affording us. Fear will do the same, so it is important that we remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Instead, He has given us power, love and sound mindedness. Let’s run with those and embrace our new beginning!

Expect God’s prosperity and peace in 2022 as you pray and walk in obedience to Him. Regardless of the negative that you see and hear around you, have high expectations in this new year that you will see great things in your personal life, your marriage, your family, your ministry, your career, your children, your finances, your education as well as in your business. Know the Living God who has allowed you to enter into this new time of your life and trust Him to carry you through prosperously. I pray that the Lord will keep you under His pavilion, in the place of spiritual Goshen and allow you to receive all that He has for you in this new and rich season. May He do exceeding abundantly above all that you ask or think for 2022 and beyond. Happy New Year!

Every blessing

Tenneil

Your sister in Christ

Shalom

God Restores His Own!

Hello my friend,

I prepared this word of encouragement with a smile on my face, happy to be able to help lift your spirit today. Be blessed by it.

As I meditated on Acts 9:36-42 concerning the literal restoration of Dorcas, the thought came to me that the legacy of a woman (or any person for that matter) is the story of her life. Dorcas (also named Tabitha) was a disciple of Jesus, a woman of God. She was full of good works and almsdeeds, which means she was a charitable person - a giver. She was also very skillful with her hands. She made coats and garments that formed part of her legacy. Imagine the best fashion designer that you know today- Coco Chanel, Armani, Calvin Klein, Versace, you name them, Dorcas was probably viewed like that among the Hebrew people in her time because of her skills.

We learn of Dorcas’ skills and charity though, in the context of her death. She got sick and died and her body was prepared for viewing. The fact that her body was washed and laid for viewing means that there was no doubt that she was dead. As we would sometimes say, she was ‘dead as nit’. However, God was not done with Dorcas yet. Her legacy was not complete and so God used His servant Peter to bring Dorcas back to life.

Upon hearing of Dorcas' death, Peter went to where her body was laid, knelt down, prayed and commanded the woman of God to arise. She did, and her story allowed many to believe on the Lord.

If you’re reading this, you’re clearly not experiencing physical death like Dorcas did but there may be loss, dead things and situations around you. You may not be hopeful about much. I’ve been at that place before but I now live in the place of God’s restoration and I’m praying, like Peter prayed for Dorcas - that you will arise! Arise out of hurt, brokenness, rejection, sickness, disappointment, worry, out of everything that holds you in a dead place - Arise!! May God restore you and bring to life every dream that you have for yourself, your family, your ministry, your children, your business, your education, your marriage and even your finances. May Jehovah Elyashib (God our restorer) move on your behalf today and bring to life everything that seems dead. May you also stand as Peter did to pray and speak restoration into the life of someone else - yes, you can!

Shout this loud over your life and for the enemy to know - "God is restoring me!!!"

Share with someone that they may also be encouraged.

Every blessing,

Tenneil

Your sister in Christ Jesus

Shalom….

Accept God's Assignment, Not Man's

There are two women in the Bible who fulfilled a seemingly easy yet major assignment that was given to them by God for the ultimate benefit of millions. They are not spoken of very often but their lives are examples of what obedience to God's assignment should look like. I'm referring to Shiphrah and Puah, the two midwives who chose to obey God rather than man in Exodus 1:15-21.

The extraordinary women were tasked by the king of Egypt to kill every son born to a Hebrew woman.

The backstory that led to this predicament for the midwives who were themselves Hebrews, is that after Joseph's death (read Genesis 50:22-26) a new king arose in Egypt who did not know Joseph and who became fearful of the Israelites' might because they were great in number. Consequently, these Hebrews were given heavy burdens to bear while in Egypt; BUT the bible tells us that the more the children of Israel were afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew! That right there should make every believer glad. The more the enemy tries to limit you and afflict your life, believe that God will still allow you to multiply and grow beyond your burdens.

The advancement of the Hebrews inspite of the burdens they encountered, triggered the king of Egypt to kill the son of every Hebrew woman.

It is an ancient attempt of the enemy to kill who and what God has purposed to live. The king of Egypt gave them an assignment to kill but God gave them an assignment to preserve life. They chose God's assignment because they feared God. If they had chosen to obey the king of Egypt instead of God even Moses, the one who led Israel out of Egypt by God's power, would have died. The midwives were blessed because of their obedience to God. The Bible declares that God dealt well with them and gave them houses - in Egypt, the place where the enemy tried to switch their purpose. Can you imagine that? What an awesome God!

God will continue to raise up natural and spiritual midwives to preserve the life of His people and protect their purpose. My question to you is, can you be a midwife for God, to deliver His people and to preserve life? I pray that you will reject the voice of the enemy and accept the assignment of God. Someone is waiting on you.

Every blessing,

Tenneil

Your sister in Christ Jesus

Shalom....