Empowered To Prosper!

Spring Into Action

Do you remember the post I wrote the other day about God stirring your nest? Essentially, the point I was making then--and the one I want to make again today--is this: God knows you have awesome potential you haven't tapped into. So, he allows you to become so uncomfortable that you HAVE to spring into action.

In my opinion, extreme discomfort and adversity are among the greatest motivators and catalysts for change. Hard times force us to look long and hard at where we are, and consider what we can do to change our uncomfortable situation.  At some point, once we've had enough, the light bulb goes off and we realize we don't have to live the way we're living.

I wonder; when was the last time you had one of those "enough is enough" moments? I'm not talking about the pity party phase. I'm talking about one of those times when you realize that in order to change your outcome, you have to change your actions.

When times are tough and our backs are against the wall, we have to see that God has given us the wherewithal to change our circumstances. He's poured so much into us and equipped us with the requisite skills, knowledge, and wisdom to positively impact our outcome.

All you have to do is spring into action, trusting God all the way to do what you are incapable of doing.

Whatever you might be facing at this very moment--whether spiritual, financial, emotional, or otherwise, God wants you to know that you have everything it takes to rise above this moment. Could He be challenging you to put your faith into action and make a move?

I know you don't have all the answers; none of us has them all. But you know what? Believe it or not, you have all you need to begin making a positive difference in your life. You know why? Because the Lord is on your side, and He has anointed you to thrive in the middle of  any circumstance.

He's endowed you with power!

Even when things look dark, you don't have to stay stuck in a rut. You don't have to live your life "wishing things were different." No! You have the power to change it. I'm reminded of Moses, when he and the Children of Israel were being chased by Pharaoh's army. (See Exodus 14) Remember that? The Red Sea was in front of them, and their murderous pursuers were behind them. It looked like they were stuck between a rock and a hard place. How terrified they must have been.

Well, the Lord told Moses to use that rod that was already in his hand and stretch it out over the sea. When Moses obeyed, what happened? God made a way out of no way, and the water parted and stood at attention. Then, the Israelites walked across on dry land.

So... what's in your hand that you're not using? Isn't it about time you sprang into action? You can do it... yes you can. Instead of questioning whether or not you can do what God is challenging you to do, begin believing that you can. "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

The question is not IF but HOW... and trust me when I tell you, if you begin walking in faith, the how will manifest sooner than you expect it to.

As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com

Just a Tune?

"I can do the impossible, I can see the invisible because I got faith..." I remember singing those lyrics over and over again with  my Kirk Franklin and Nu Nation CD.  I was so in love with the melody and the tune of the song. But the melody and the tune--despite how much I liked it-- certainly wasn't enough to sustain me when the storms of life came to shake my faith.

Sometimes, we can be guilty of just "singing a tune," while overlooking the core message. We get caught up in catchy hooks, cool clichés, and scripture memorization, without grasping the full context or meaning. Certainly I'm not knocking the enjoyment of a song just for the song's sake; I'm  focusing on a larger issue, that is, our failure to trust God.

You see, He doesn't want our declaration of trust and confidence in Him to be empty rhetoric; He wants faith in His word to be alive and active in us.  He's seeking those who will stand boldly upon His word even when times get rough. He wants someone who will still believe His report when it appears that all hope is lost. God doesn't want us  just singing the tune while missing out on the benefit of application.

We can't just talk the talk, then fail to walk the walk. We can't confess His word with our lips only. We have to live this thing every single day.

Most of us know the scripture well that says, "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17). We'll readily quote Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." We'll even rattle off Hebrews 11:6 which reads, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

But it's not good enough to know the scriptures, or merely sing a tune about faith. We have to stand on our convictions. The Bible says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only..."  (James  1:22a  NKJV). We have to begin applying His word to our daily lives, otherwise, it does us no good. It simply doesn't help us to know the word on a cerebral level and quote it with regularity, if we don't internalize it.

It's imperative that we grab hold to this because, if our faith is contingent upon our circumstances, we're in big trouble. If our hope is not built upon the true and solid foundation, which is Jesus Christ, when the winds of life blow we won't be able to stand. We'll buckle under the intensity of the test. On the other hand, if our hope is built on His word and we remain rooted in Christ alone, during those times when things appear gloomy, we won't be moved by what we see. Rather, we'll trust in God's faithfulness, providence, and provision.

I love the classic hymn that says, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand..."

Where does your trust lie? Is your faith rooted in a firm foundation, or are you being tossed about by blistering winds and raging seas? God wants you to rest in Him. Believe His word. Rest assured that He's going to bring you through whatever you may be facing right now.

I'll leave you with the words of Jesus taken from Matthew 7:24-27: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (NKJV).

As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com

In Limbo...

To be "in limbo," for the purpose of this blog post, means to be in a state of oblivion, confinement, or transition. In your walk with the Lord, whenever you're in such a position--that is, a transitional position of not knowing or understanding what God is up to-- it's always very uncomfortable.  I know that in your heart you earnestly desire to know God's will and plan, but He doesn't always reveal those answers right away.

Instead, He sometimes  allows you to go through an intense time of testing wherein your faith is tried, and you're stretched beyond what you believe you can handle. But He has a plan...albeit undisclosed. So don't fret; He's already mapped out your path toward deliverance.

Let me ask you; how do you think Abraham felt when God challenged him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, up on the mountain? (See Genesis 22) Certainly, Abraham didn't know what God was up to, but still, Abraham didn't lose heart. He believed that God would make a way out of no way.

...and guess what? God did just that.

I want to encourage you today; it doesn't matter where you are or what your circumstance might be. God already has your day of  release and your appointment with destiny set. Although you may feel like you're floating somewhere in oblivion with no answers anywhere in sight, your answers are on the way.

Just remember what Abraham said to Isaac on his way up the mountain: “My son, God will provide..." (Genesis 22:8a NKJV)

As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com

All's Well that Ends Well?

Back in college while working on my undergraduate degree in English, I read one of Shakespeare's more  obscure plays entitled, All's Well that Ends Well.  In the play, the main character, Helena, was a beautiful woman who just so happened to be born into a lower class than the man of her dreams. Consequently, she spent her life scheming in order to win over his love; ultimately she captured his heart and everyone lived happily ever after... at least that's what the reader is to surmise from the way the story ends.

Though things  "ended well" for Helena's character in this play--as they often do in fictitious works of art--we have to be careful not to buy into this same warped mentality. If we're not careful we'll wrongly assume that we can take our destiny into our own hands and do as we please with it. We'll buy into a paradigm that closely reflects the mores of a Godless and secular society, that embraces the notion that our lives are in our own hands.

You see, the world's philosophy says, "Pull yourself up by the bootstraps," and get the ball rolling.

It's easy to begin believing that we should, in fact, take matters into our own hands; we slip into a pattern of thinking that promises better days, if we come up with new and better ideas. But when we allow our faith to deteriorate, we devolve into unhealthy cycles of self-reliance, and self-gratification. But that never ends well; just read the story of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis Chapters 15- 21), so you don't create your own Ishmael, born out of fleshly desires and faithless choices.

Call me old-fashioned, but I don't agree with the philosophy that says, All's well that ends well--if it means doing whatever we think will work without relying on God's leading. No ma'am. That's only a recipe for disaster. Some folks throw around phrases like, "By any means necessary," to somehow validate the twisted logic that further states, "The end justifies the means." But that's simply not true. Doing just any old thing in order to attain  the things you want is unhealthy and it's not God's will for your life.

Those who ascribe to the belief that it's all right to "do what you gotta do," are caught up in a  pattern of thinking that is severely flawed and only serves to exacerbate the problems they're desperately seeking  to solve.

Please hear me today; I don't mean to sound preachy, but this post is important.

God doesn't want us to convince ourselves that branching out on our own, and coming up with schemes to manipulate life's outcomes, is okay... because it's not. Scheming and conniving only leads us down a path of defeat, destruction, and despair. 

I'll leave you with one final thought: Don't get so eager to see God's hand move in your life that you try to force His hand. Instead, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near" (Isaiah 55:6 NIV). Trust Him only, and allow let Him to guide you down the path He wants to take you.

As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com

A Tribute to My Mother

I first published this tribute to my Mother in this month's issue of EEW Magazine--the one woman I admire above any other in this world. She soothes me. There’s no better way to explain it. No matter what I’m going through, or how difficult a time I’m having, my Mom—Annie—always knows just what to say. As I was coming up, I learned more from my mother’s example than I did from her words.For instance, back at home before I got married, I remember barging in her room on several different occasions. “Oops,” I would whisper as I tiptoed backward out of the room, watching carefully as Mom knelt alongside her bed with her hands clenched together, and her eyes squeezed tight.

 In these moments, she taught me prayer.

She would frequently sing her way through chores. Mom’s silky voice floated softly through the atmosphere; she didn’t know how many times I was listening. Amid the clinking sounds of glasses, silverware, and plates being placed in the dish rack, I could her melodic voice ring out from over near the kitchen sink where she washed dishes. She’d belt out one of her favorites: “Walk with me Lord, walk with me. Walk with me Lord, walk with me. While I’m on this, tedious journey, I want Jesus to walk with me…”

 In these moments, she taught to me to sing to the Lord.

While my sisters, brothers and I tore through the house, taunting one another, laughing and making jokes, my Mom would be crouched over in the corner with Dad’s glasses hanging off the tip of her nose. That always made me chuckle. She would be snuggled up at a small table over by the window, leaning in close to read the tiny print from her maroon Thompson Chain King James Reference Bible.

 In these moments, she taught me to study God’s word.

Everyday when my siblings and I came home from school, Mom was there to greet us. Whenever we were sick, she would lovingly nurse us back to health, never ever complaining. When we were hungry, even when we didn’t have much food, she was the only woman I knew who could make a scrumptious meal out of chicken neckbones, rice, onions, and homemade gravy. My, my, my. I vividly recall the day I was dumped by my first knuckle head boyfriend in college, Mom didn’t minimize my sorrow. She peeked inside my room as I sat on the floor crying. “You all right Dianna?” she asked quietly. Then, she listened intently to what I now see as silly, but back then it was the center of my world. Mom was a great consoler.

In these moments, she taught me how to be a good, strong, and caring mother.

As I raise my own four children today—and eagerly anticipate the new one on the way—I remember the lessons I learned from watching her. Annie Dean Brinson, my Mom, is my hero. She taught me to love God first, myself, and others. Happy Mothers Day Mom; you taught me to be not just a good woman, but a Godly woman… and for that, I am eternally grateful.

To all the moms reading this post today... Happy Mother's day from one mom to another :-)

As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com

Act Like You Know

When we get revelation from God, we immediately face a challenging decision; that is, to model behavior that reflects what He spoke to us, rather than what life is showing us. I want you to think about that for a moment, because all-too-often we fail to align our actions with our beliefs.  We walk around defeated when God says we're victorious. We fret over lack when God assures us that the way is already made. We lament our failures when God promises that the setback was just a setup for a comeback.

He's challenging all of us today to start acting like we know what He's spoken to us concerning our purpose and destiny. So what if things haven't fully manifested. That's not what's important anyway. All that matters is the word of the Lord; it always stands despite how circumstances may appear. I don't care who doesn't believe it or how improbable it seems; if God said it, you can take it to the bank! 

I love the scripture in Romans chapter 3 that's so fitting for this post. You see, there was a dispute among many about whether or not one could be justified by grace through faith, without adherence to traditional Jewish customs of circumcision and other important legal practices. This debate went on and on, and all of the skeptics kept trying to find loopholes to contradict the word of God and the grace of God. Listen to what the Bible says about the issue:  "What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar." (vv. 3-4a NKJV).

My, my. In other words, God's principles, laws, and His word stand independently of the views and opinions of others. I tell you all the time; He's sovereign.  Oh bless His name. In light of that, you ought be encouraged today. Stand tall and walk with your head up, even in the face of critics, naysayers, and skeptics.

Begin carrying yourself like you know what God told you. Don't tip-toe around it. Don't doubt it another day. Seize that promise and don't let it go.

When the enemy tells you it's not possible, act like you know it anyway; when doubters speak against what God said, act like you know it anyway; when circumstances look bleak, and the outcome doesn't appear promising, what are you going to do? You got it... act like you know it anyway!

...And I don't mean "acting" in the sense of pretending. No, I mean acting in the sense of coupling actions with your belief, because faith is dead without corresponding action. You can't keep waffling back and forth. Either you're going to believe it or you're not. I need a good amen right there. James 1:8 says, "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."

Listen, God is faithful to perform His word, but you've got to remain firmly fixed in your faith. Even when you feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you,  His word is still a sure foundation. If you stand on it, even when trials come to test you, you won't fall by the wayside.  Oh no you won't... instead, you'll thrive and arrive at your  place of destiny!

As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com

Still On Your Side...

Ever gone through those seasons where you just feel like God has forgotten about you? Everyone won't admit it, but we've all endured seasons when we feel somewhat lost and abandoned.

When difficult circumstances abound, we tend to feel like it's only us going through these intense battles, don't we? Deep down it can seem like we're the only one.

If you can relate to that, this post will help you.

Unfortunately, many of us wrongly assume that because we love God and He loves us, we'll be exempted from many of life's difficulties. But God never promised that the road would be easy all the time. We each go through tough times; none of us can circumvent trouble and tribulation. Yet, this is no cause to doubt God's power and provision in our lives.  He's still on our side, even when we're troubled on every side.

"He's still on our side, even when we're troubled on every side."

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8,9 KJV).

So, if the road has gotten a bit rough, you won't buckle under the pressure, because the Lord is still on your side. We all hit bumps in the road, but when we remain steadfast in our faith, we always come out victoriously. He'll keep you secure even during  the most treacherous storms.

God never said we could avoid suffering and unfortunate incidents. Time and chance happens to us all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) But thanks be to God, we've got a refuge in Him.  "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe" (Proverbs 18:10).

He is our rock and our source. Trust Him only and never doubt.

As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com

No Comparison

I see so many women--and men for that matter--who get discouraged because they feel that their dream or vision is somehow not translating. In other words, they can't seem to gain their footing, or get a real grasp on what God wants to do through them. Then, when they see others who appear to have it all together, they get even more discouraged and down on themselves.

They ask questions like, "God, when will it be my time? When are you going to move in my life like that?" Or they respond out of  frustration with phrases like, "I'm so tired of being stuck in the same rut! Nothing ever works out for me! I can't take this anymore!"

But you have to understand that God has a plan for you that's unique and you can't draw comparisons between your life's purpose and someone else's. What God has for you is for you; and what He has for them is for them. There is no comparison.

When you begin fixating on what someone else is accomplishing, you get distracted from recognizing what God wants to do in you. Don't get caught in that cycle of comparison because it only stirs up envy and strife.

Instead, be the best you God created you to be. Don't worry about what someone else is doing; let God get glory out of your life the way He wants to.

I know this post is helping somebody who struggles with this very issue. Perhaps you see a friend, acquaintance, family member, peer, business colleague, fellow church member, or even a co-work who seems to be thriving in an area where you're struggling. You begin the comparison game and as a result, your self-esteem takes a brutal beating.

But no more.

Stop looking over your shoulder while running your race. It only slows you down; instead, do what the Psalm says: "I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where comes my help" (Psalm 121:1). It goes on to say that my help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Know that He, your Creator and Sustainer, has an awesome plan for your life that far outweighs anything you might have fathomed. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).

All you have to do is walk out the path He's set for you.

As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com

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CeCe Winans one-on-one with EEW Magazine's own, Dianna Hobbs

Be sure to check out EEW Magazine's one-on-one exclusive with Gospel recording superstar, CeCe Winans by clicking here. If you haven't already, subscribe to EEW Magazine,  where black Christian women click first!

Why am I Going Through This?

When times get rough we often ask, "God, Why am I going through this?" We have trouble understanding what He's doing, but have you stopped to think about the message He's trying to get through to you?

You see, it can be easy to make the mistake of dismissing what God says until something forces you to pay attention. Often, God sends messages to us from several different sources. But there's nothing like an unexpected encounter to jolt us, snatch our attention, and bring clarity to our situation.

These "jolting" occurrences aren't always negative, but many times they are. Our world gets turned upside down. Things seem to go crazy. We can't see the rationale behind what we're going through. But that doesn't mean God is punishing us.

So what does it mean?

Well, many times it means that God is pruning us and refining us. He's getting rid of the things, people, habits, and mentalities that hinder us.

So, if you're in the midst of trying times, don't be discouraged. Don't get weary. Have faith in God. Trust His sovereignty and know without a doubt that you're coming out of this thing victoriously.

Even though God allows unpleasant circumstances to manifest in our lives in order to move us forward, in some instances, we assume that He has forsaken us. But that assessment couldn't be any more misguided and wrong.

Granted, it's tough to continue hoping and believing that God has good plans for us when we're in the heat of the battle. During these somber moments we  feel neglected, cast aside, and forgotten... even boxed in, squeezed, and pressured beyond what we're able to stand.

But you'll make it.

You have to remember that the situation you may be confronting at this point in your life is meant to strengthen--not weaken--you. I often say, God isn't some cosmic boogey man, contriving sinister schemes to derail your life. No, that's not the kind of God we serve. He derives no joy or pleasure from seeing you and me suffer.

He's faithful, just, and loving. He doesn't want to see us hurting which, ironically, is the very reason  He allows us to go through things that are painful. God desires to push us out from where we are and into the place He has destined for us to be.

Now, this process doesn't have to be rocky the whole way through. If we would just learn to heed the voice of the Lord and allow Him to order our steps, we'd avoid making the same  pitfalls and mistakes. Sadly, however, we have a tendency not to change unless we're forced to do so by circumstances beyond our control.  If we're honest, we'll readily admit that it takes discomfort and hardship to get us on the right path sometimes.

We all can be stubborn and hard-hearted from time to time. But God, who is rich in mercy, loves us too much to let us remain in a destructive cycle of poor decisions and non-productivity.

Instead of asking God, "Why am I going through this?" ask Him instead to give you the confidence to know that He will indeed bring you through whatever you're going through unscathed. I want you to be encouraged. Know that this is working for your good. 

The Lord is with you and He's on your side.

As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com   

Whatever is Meant to Be

There's an old song we used to sing in church. It said, "Turn it over to Jesus, turn it over to Jesus, turn it over to Jesus, He'll make everything all right." You know, I think we spend too much time trying to force things to happen in our lives. That's why we sometimes end up involved in personal crises.

We seem to think that we are somehow savvy enough to "rig our lives" so that every outcome will be the exact one we want. We come up with all kinds of plans and schemes just so we can get our way. But this is not the answer.

As I've mentioned on several occasions, God has a plan for your life. He has already laid out a path for you. All you need to do is follow Him. Take His lead. Now, of course this does not mean you should be a mere passive observer in life. Not at all. God doesn't want us sitting around, twiddling our thumbs, waiting for Him to do everything for us. For example, if you need a job, one isn't going to fall out of the sky. You have to search and apply until God opens a door.

So, I'm not suggesting that you, in any way, adopt an apathetic approach to life. Having said that, I'm also not asserting that you should keep jumping ahead of God's plans in the name of being proactive. You can't do His job for Him.

As difficult as it can be to trust Him, you have no other options. Only He knows what your outcome will be. That's why, you have to learn patience. Condition your mind to rest in His promises, knowing that whatever is meant to be will be. Whatever God has spoken, He will perform.

As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com