Worry About Today

24“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

25“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33Seek the Kingdom of God^d above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6

this is one of my favorite scriptures and gives great wisdom into how we can live in victory just by focusing on todays troubles, not yesterdays mistakes or tomorrows worries: today is enough for today. amen!

Make your plans each night for the next day and stick with those plans for your day that will help you make it and to achieve some goals. You can even make you a weekly goal and have weekly plans when it comes to meal planning and cleaning chores: i do but i'm flexible with whatever comes up today that those can easily change. I might have 3 chores to do today but because of a sick or difficult child only get one of those done but I will get that one done and crossed off my list leaving 2 to fit into the schedule on later days and that's okay, no need to stress or overburden yourself with unplanned cirucumstances- those happen in life,especially when you are trying to get yourself a job, or into college, and starting your life over or picking up the pieces but I hope you are getting a new puzzle taht want get you back in trouble and in prison- you might need to find a new place to start over until you can get yourself organized and together and then maybe live back around your family but most friends will need to go or you've found out have already gone that's just life.

This group is for ex-felons my ministry is woman in prison so that's the audience I'm writing to.
Most men are not worth your time. Take that to the cross and pray for God to provide you with a man that loves the Lord and is a God fearing man. If you are a woman after God's heart then this will be the best suitor for you.

So, remember to not worry about tomorrow, today holds enough worries for today.

My Personal Journey Today

From a woman in prison to a woman of God who still has that past it occurred to me that maybe the reason I'm not making any close friends at my last church is they all know my past and that's why every time I smile and try to start a conversation they don't make any effort or show any interest in talking to me or inviting my family to eat lunch or to their children's bday parties outside of church. How many of them even know that we are no longer members there after 2 months. One member didn't know as he said see yall at church on sunday, i didn't clue him in but he clued me in that he didn't notice us; we weren't important to him.

It hurts when you've tried for 5 1/2 years to be apart of a church you were welcomed to as a member and then after several different incidents realize you don't belong there. Me being an ex-prisoner and now a completely changed woman after God's heart makes it extra challenging. You'd think that wouldn't be an issue that they would be excited to see such an amazing testimony but it was more like stay away from my children and they avoided me accept when it was a bump in their ratings for being a supporter of prison ministry yet when not one soul offered to write a letter you begin to wonder. their were some financial sponsors and money never seemed to be an issue just dirty hands and feet willing to serve in the battlefield. I dreamed of a prison ministry division with a room where we'd get together and pray for the prisoners and write letters together, but slowly that dream faded as I realized the only thing i was going to get was some stamps and copies each month. That was appreciated but so much more support could have happened.

I know that I can't back down from my testimony as an ex-inmate it's what makes me special in God's kingdom and a powerful witness to woman in prison today and woman getting out looking to follow God's plans. I am a proud mentor and encourager to them. Thank the Lord I didn't turn my head and forget where I came from. I don't regret my past only the sins but the testimony for personal transformation is rich with God's miracles and love and I'll never stop preaching that Jesus is the key to a beautiful life.

He has the power to change the darkest heart into something warm and filled with His light. Their's a difference in the church today where many only have the religion they don't have the relationship which is warm, joy-filled, and praise worthy. I hope you can experience the energizing relationship with Jesus Christ as Your Saviour as I have and the knowing God is always with you and you can count on Him.

Taking Care of Your Money

Always pray for wisdom and direction from the Lord. Remember if you pray and seek Him He will bless you with many open doors and opportunities to succeed in the world. It's important to keep your priorities straight when it comes to your money.

1. Give God the first portion of your money this is an act of submission to God 10%
2. Pay your bills in order of due date: parole fees, tickets, rent, utilities, car payments, child support, etc.
3. If your job offers a 401K make sure that you invest into learning how to choose the mutual funds for your investment account I'm quiet good at this if you need some help.
4. Take advantage of medical benefits by selecting a PCP primary care physician and scheduling a visit your health is important
5. If your job puts money in a HSA health savings account for your medical bills make sure to take advantage of that
6. Have some goals with your money and save up, put aside money for emergencies into an interest bearing savings account or an envelope if you want to start that way.
7. Steer clear of loans and credit cards unless you are using them to build your credit, don't depend on them to live.
8. Make use of government programs and assistance until you can get on your feet.
9. Take care of your self and beware of schemes. Pray over each purchase, pray for God to anoint you and give you favor on your job -we will go into prayer, it's an important part of succeeding in this world; i wouldn't leave home without it!

After Gatesville

"Pay careful attention to your own works, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct." "So lets not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." Galatians 6:4-5, 9

Practical advice for everyone on the job and in life. You will most likely be getting a job so this scripture fits. Rather your first time out or your 3rd I pray that this will be your last. Here's some important things to do upon release:

1. Meet your parole officer
2. Stay clean and legal
3. Get a job
4. Find a church
5. Go to celebrate recovery, AA, and bible studies to meet others and stay busy
6. work and pray, pray and work to stay busy, focused, and clean
7. make ammends where needed and build relationships that are healthy and rebuild ones that were broken or suffered during your time away

visit this blog often for more tips and helpful advice. if you'd like to reread an article from words of encouragement just click here (the "insiders" edition)