In Rememberance of Me

Have you ever experienced a hurricane or seen the effects of one? Many lost precious items, loved ones, homes, jobs and even themselves. Oddly enough I say themselves because when you are coming out of a storm, or trial, in life it is very difficult to process the image of the sun coming out soon. We've all heard the encouraging words of:

 

 It will get greater later!

God won't give you more than you can bare!

 

 

While going through, I can be honest and say that I truly wasn't in the mood to hear those words because the issues of life stung so bad that I wanted to give up BUT GOD! God did it once again! Once I am completely out of this storm... Hurricane Hughes to be exact! Then I can share the details of the great trials that we have endured that have brought us out shining like the jewels that we are.

 

Proverbs 31:¹⁰ A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

 

I know my worth and I am pleased to be of service to other women and young ladies to assist them in loving themselves again. I realize that in the book, Raising A Proverb 31 Woman, available at www.RaisingAProverb31Woman.com and Amazon.com, it was critical to go back and remember those situations that occurred in our lives to gain the strength needed to endure life's situations. You have a testimony that is available to be a blessing to other. Embrace the process and watch God move!

 

No matter what the name of your storm is remember in Hebrews 4:9 (GW) Therefore, a time of rest and worship exists for God’s people. It is possible to find contentment, rest, peace, and joy in any situation.

 

Remember you are still here through it all.

 

Get yourself in position

Isaiah 42:15-17

 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar path I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do I will not forsake them.

God has a way of making us uncomfortable in order to move us out of our comfortable/set places. Instead many fight what God is trying to do in their lives. As children of God we are not to be locked into a place. God elevates, promotes, increases & much more. God uses our uncomfortable situations to PUSH US INTO SOMETHING GREATER!!

~Virginia Gail Howard

Many of us, like myself, have been called by God to have a larger purpose in life then what is just within the city limits of Minneapolis, MN. My gifts were expanded 2 years ago from Minnesota but I am grateful for the opportunity to leave seeds in Minneapolis that have harvested to the younger generation. There is absolutely no reason why you cannot pass on information, opportunities or blessings to others. Because of this very reason I am honored to introduce you this gifted young man, Brandon Johnson, 21 who has decided to go above and beyond the odds to follow his dreams and aspirations to live out his dreams no matter the distance from the norm. I asked Brandon what was the most difficult part of him following his dreams and he said, "It was leaving his mother, Ne Ne Hollie Jones, siblings and dog."

 Pictured above is Brandon Johnson, Drummer and Artist Kelly Price.

Brandon proudly accepted the position as the new drummer for "Kelly Price" thanks goes all to God ! #Favor

 

As difficult as it was for this talented drummer, Brandon Johnson, deciding to walk out on faith after utilizing everything that he has learned in Minneapolis, MN growing up in church to move to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams and to educate himself further in his skill. Not asking for a hand out nor a door to be open, Brandon positioned himself to be blessed. Being in the right place at the right time and with the right skill set needed to be elevated was key. So many desire to be blessed and to have supernatural doors to be open but don't want to put in the work. Faith without works is dead and this principle has been taught to him since he was born.

Believing in your dreams won't always be easy yet the possibility is always there IF you decide to put God first. Coming from a strong spiritual and natural family, Brandon has always overcome the odds of society to walk out of the plan that God has set for him. Trusting God makes things work out for your good and for His Glory.

A few weeks back Bishop T.D. Jakes had a sermon at the Woman Thou Art Loose conference entitled the P.E.C.K.ing Orders. The key points were to Positioning, Exposure, Courage, and Knowledge. Knowing that this conference was just for women the message remains the same for men as well; I was reminded of this very sermon when I saw the accomplishments of Brandon. He did what was necessary to get into the correct P.E.C.K.ing Order to receive what God had for him.

When you get there (where ever God calls you to go in your purpose and calling) the provision will be made step by step by step. Brandon is a living witness to this opportunity and I thank God that I could be a part of his blessing. Honoring him is my pleasure because he has shown us all that no matter the obstacle that comes up during the task given it is critical to trust God. Throughout the process, things can't always be easy because the outcome won't be appreciated. Continue to work the plan that God has set for you and embrace the process. Just as Brandon has decided to increase his knowledge of his skill, playing the drums, his purpose is far greater than that in life. He has solicited the help of coaches and instructors that have paved the way in the journey of success. Although Brandon has his own path to take, he realizes there is nothing wrong with getting help along the way.

I recommend you doing the same.

For more information about getting the assistance you need to follow your dreams and create the reality please feel free to contact me at www.latraceycopeland.com or comment below. Thank you so much and continue to be blessed on purpose.

© LaTracey Copeland 2012

 

 

 

Birthing Purpose

I was reminded today that last year this time God allowed physical limitation from cervical and ovarian cancer to overtake my body and have me on my back. Dr. announced that I am on strict bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. First, I was uncomfortable about not having the ability to get up and do for myself and my daughters then remembering that last year God spoke so much into me that I was absorbed with the presence of God in a way that separated me from those I thought would be in my corner.

To wait on God and allow Him to direct the path in your life is what is necessary in the growth of any Christian. I can’t imagine where I would be if I didn’t have God to instruct my journey. God is so good to me! I just had to have a praise break for a moment. I look back and realize that after my surgeries the doctors told me that I would never give birth again, but at my 6 month follow up appointment the doctors said that I am cancer free and pregnant. I know I heard God tell me that the SHift is happening now and that I would be birthing purpose but my God who would have thought.

Well, my husband didn’t agree with the blessings that God had in store for this next level and decided to leave our family because of his own fear and selfish reasons BUT GOD! Romans 8:28 states: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. I am grateful that as of today, I am on strict bed rest in the process of birthing purpose. I can only imagine what God has in store for me during this season. JESUS!

While resting today, I was planning for the baby shower which is scheduled for next Saturday and a lady from church called to see if she could bring some things by for us. I graciously accepted until she got here and gave me a stuffed animal that I thought was a sheep. It wasn’t anything less than a lamb for baby Purpose. YES, I decided to name the baby girl, Purpose for several reasons.

Do you know what the importance of the Lamb is? When Jesus is called the Lamb of God in John 1:29 and John 1:36, it is referring to Him as the perfect and ultimate sacrifice for sin. In order to understand who Christ was and what He did, we must begin with the Old Testament, which contains prophecies concerning the coming of Christ as a “guilt offering” (Isaiah 53:10). In fact, the whole sacrificial system established by God in the Old Testament set the stage for the coming of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect sacrifice God would provide as atonement for the sins of His people (Romans 8:3; Hebrews 10).

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that I was not in the will of the Lord when I went with my own emotions to get married only to cover up the sin of pre-marital sex. The sacrifice of lambs played a very important role in the Jewish religious life and sacrificial system. When John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).Trust me when I say that I am grateful that Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice for my sins ahead of time. Even though that wasn’t an excuse to do it but know that God has redeemed me for the sins committed knowingly and unknowingly.

Another important sacrifice involving lambs was the daily sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem. Every morning and evening, a lamb was sacrificed in the temple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29:38-42) these daily sacrifices, like all others, were simply to point people towards the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  Of course, that person was none other than Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God.” 

For my unborn daughter, Purpose, we were blessed with a crib, a changing table, and a huge bag of items that had the lamb on them. To others it’s just a theme, but to me it is truly a way of life that God has granted me for giving him my life. I know that I am not perfect and I cannot continue to beat myself up for the past and present sins that I have committed. I know that God is my savior and forever more He lives in me.

I am so glad that I made the choice to live for Christ, not perfect and sinful nature I am but I am HIS. In making my choice to live for Him, God has allowed me to be the vessel for so many and carry His purpose within me during this season. I appreciate the gifts given for my baby and the lessons that come along with it to share to the world on today.  What choice have you made on today that will impact your life for eternity?