Your Daily Cup of Inspiration!

Just Surrender

Inside of a great devotional book I recently read called Simply Wisdom: Tidbits of Inspiration for your journey, new author, Kennisha Hill, shares a great story about how she had once relentlessly pursued a particular career path she believed was from the Lord. Everything looked like it was going to work out, but then, it didn't. Initially, Kennisha  was crushed and broken, not understanding why the situation didn't work in her favor the way she had hoped it would. 

Later on, however, Kennisha would come to understand that, even though she wanted things to go a different way, in the end, God is sovereign and His ways are best. You know, we all come to a point in our lives when our preferences, desires, and passions don't always line up with God's. We want to dictate when, where, and how things manifest, but that's not the way it works. No matter who you are, there will come a point in time when your plans will be interrupted and you'll be forced to change course... like it or not.

Although this is an inescapable truth, so many people waste time and energy combing over life's minutia, in the hopes of ensuring that all things work together according to their plan and timetable. But that's just not a realistic expectation to have, nor is it one that is consistent with the will and method of God.

God wants us to surrender to His plan and purpose. Unfortunately,  many of us want to be in the driver's seat all the time and leave God relegated to the passenger side of our "vehicle," or worse yet, we stick Him in the back seat. In many cases, we don't want Jesus to take the wheel   until we hit a big bump in the road.

But God wants to be in control of our lives all day, everyday. He wants us to just surrender. In order for that to happen though, we have to say yes, no matter what the cost. Sometimes, we'll want to go left and God will say, nope, go right. On other occasions we'll want to move forward and God will say, not so fast! Back up instead. Now, of course, no one really enjoys giving up their own agenda and adopting one that appears to be the exact opposite of all they want and need. Yet and still, we all come to that place in our lives... that is, if we're true servants of the most high God.

So, let me encourage you today with this. The situation you're facing today that appears to be a setback, may very well be a blessing in disguise. Undoubtedly, you and I naturally believe we know what we need, but we really don't; only God does. He knows that our passions can lead us down the wrong road, and so, He says no, wait, or stop altogether in order to protect us.

That's why it is imperative that we submit to the will of the Father. Despite how much our flesh cries out against it, we must recognize that God already has our lives mapped out. He sees and knows the things we cannot see and know, and it's only when we surrender everything to Him, that we can truly benefit from all He has to give.

Our prayer needs to be the same prayer that Jesus prayed: "...not my will but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). As you embrace His will for your life, you'll simultaneously be embracing your ultimate destiny in Him.

Just surrender. God will do the rest.

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Anoint My Know-How

This past week-end, I went to a special birthday celebration for a friend of mine named Serena Young, at a ministry in Upstate New York. So many people came out to worship and celebrate with her, but there was one thing in particular that stuck out for me. A worship leader named Wynetta Hall-McElveen and her excellent praise team from The Philadelphia Church in Buffalo, NY, ushered the congregation into the presence of the Lord. She began talking to all of us in attendance about the importance of not getting caught up in our our "know-how," but rather, trusting God to anoint what we know in order to empower us to do His work.

After Wynetta made that statement, it just stayed with me, because it's so important. You see, many of us have been given exceptional gifts and talents by God, but, if we're not careful, we'll focus more on cultivating our gifts, instead of nurturing the anointing on our lives through prayer, studying God's word, and living a life that's pleasing in the sight of the Lord.

We'll begin thinking that our level of productivity and effectiveness is determined only by what we know, which will lead us to begin "leaning to our own understanding"--something the Bible clearly warns us not to do. (Proverbs 3:5)

I believe God has given you and me the requisite knowledge we need to move in the direction He's mapped out for us. Notwithstanding,  it takes more than our natural know-how to fulfill our destiny and purpose in the earth.

Without the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us, none of us can accomplish the tasks God has set before us. That's why we all need to pray, "God anoint my know-how. Teach me to depend on you. Help me to realize that it's not me, but it's you working through me."  "...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (Zech. 4:6b KJV).

On our own, we can't do it. No matter how much education, training, experience, or know-how we have, without the Spirit of God, we're missing the key element that brings it all together. We must remember what Jesus said: "...for without me you can do nothing" (St. John 5:15b).

The something that we know means nothing without God. Always remember that. But with God on our side, He'll take that something and do above and beyond everything we might've ever imagined.

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Thoughtful Thursdays

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to give you a few updates today.

1. Simply Wisdom author and EEW Blogger, Kennisha Hill's blood pressure has finally regulated; she and baby Kerissa are doing wonderful, so thanks to all of you for your prayers.

2. I need your prayers as I finish editing final articles and information for the next issue of EEW Magazine scheduled to go live on Monday, July 6, 2009. The workload gets pretty grueling, so call out "Dianna Hobbs" in prayer, and remember to mention something about strength and perseverance :-)

3. New author, Christine Pembleton, has been working hard on the promotion of her new book, "Lord, I'm Ready to Be a Wife." Please support her endeavors and pray that God would favor her. You can also visit Christine online at www.readytobeawife.com.

4. A great friend of mine and one of my Assistants, Geneva Billups, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She's doing great, but she also has her tough days. Please call her name out in prayer and ask God to give her supernatural strength and deliverance.

5. If you have something you want other readers of The Daily Cup of Inspiration to be aware of and pray about, please be sure to email me at: dailycup@eewmagazine.com.  Also, don't forget to read today's other post below this one...guess God put quite a bit on my heart to say.

This has been Dianna Hobbs saying, let's be more thoughtful and mindful of the needs of one another!

God Bless.

What You Have Is Enough

God dropped this post in my spirit early yesterday afternoon and I want to share it with you. I believe it will inspire anyone who's losing hope in a particular area and feeling like they'll never reach their full potential. Here's the thought I want you to take with you today:

"All you have is all you need to be all God has called you to be."

In other words, what you have is enough. What you're working with is sufficient to work the vision God has placed in your heart. But until you begin internalizing and believing this, your self-doubt will always hold you back from being all you can be for God. You see, I think that, too often, we allow the enemy to attack our minds and make us feel inadequate. We see others moving forward and progressing, and in our minds, they have tapped into a secret formula that gives them a special advantage.

But you know what?

That's not true.

There are no secret passageways, shortcuts, and magic formulas. There is only supernatural empowerment by the Holy Spirit--something that every believer possesses. If you're a child of God and His power is dwelling on the inside of you, you've got everything it takes right now. 

That's why I always say, as long as you've been called, chosen and appointed by God, what you have is enough. As the very apt saying goes, "Whomever God calls, He equips for the task at hand." You see, when God in all His Sovereignty, handpicks you to carry out a mission, you must realize that He has already empowered you to do it successfully. He knows that you and I are able. The problem is, we don't know what we're capable of. We don't see ourselves the way God sees us. We get too busy looking over our shoulders and comparing ourselves to others.

Wherever you are and whatever God has called you to do, I want you to be encouraged; know that God has preordained that you walk along this path. No matter what area He's thrusting you into, you can handle it. You can overcome.

I'm speaking to all my writers, entrepreneurs, career women, moms, wives, ministry leaders, and every one of you struggling to believe in the abilities God has given you. I want you to know that you're more than able. You've been endowed with power from on high to live out your destiny and tap into every promise the Lord has spoken over your life.

WHAT you have is enough, because WHO you have on the inside is more than enough... "Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Ephesians 3:20).

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

I Feel Like Going On...

I remember an old Edwin Hawkins song we used to sing in church a long time ago. It said, "I feel like going on. Though trials come, on every hand, I feel like going on." Over and over again, we would sing those words... and if you didn't feel like going on, you most certainly would by the time you finished singing the same chorus 100 times in a row!

I wonder; have you ever gone through a season in your life where you were up against some tough opposition and deep down you felt like waving the white flag of surrender, but instead of giving up, you decided to bless God through it? If so, didn't you feel the Holy Spirit lift that heaviness and replace it with His joy and peace? I know from personal experience that, some of my best moments in God's presence came when I praised and worshiped Him out of the depths of my brokenness.

You see, sometimes, your flesh won't necessarily feel like going on, but when you begin to praise and thank God, you engage your spirit. All of a sudden, something on the inside will get stirred up. Your outlook and your attitude will begin changing, not because your circumstances change right away, but because you change the atmosphere with your praise.

Who am I blogging for today?

Despite how hard it gets, you have to refuse to stay in that slump. You've got to say what David said: "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalm 34:1). Put on the garment of praise to combat that spirit of heaviness. (Isaiah 61:3).

When it gets sho' nuff rough, do what another favorite song of mine by Donald Lawrence says and just, "Speak over yourself; encourage yourself in the Lord." You might not feel encouraged in the beginning, but that's alright. Once you begin acknowledging what the word of God says about you, rather than how you feel about you and your situation, then God can infuse you with  new life, peace, joy and a strengthened resolve to continue moving forward.

So even when you don't feel like it, dig way down deep and pull out a praise. Say to yourself, "Though trials come on every hand, I feel like going on..."

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

It's Working

I can remember when I was first trying to teach my oldest daughter to read and write. We would do all kinds of exercises together. We would go over phonics, handwriting, sight words... you name it, we did it.

Still, there were days when it seemed like all that hard work meant nothing, particularly when I would revisit a concept I thought we had down pat, only to see Kyla glare back at me with that dazed, "deer in headlights" look.

But I didn't give up. I had to learn to be patient.

Well, yesterday, Kyla came into my room with sparkling eyes and  a slightly nervous look. "Mommy, I made a new book," she said softly in her high-pitched voice. "Will you read it?"

"Of course I'll read it," I said perking up and smiling, eager to see what she had chosen to write about this time. So, Kyla handed me the book which consisted of neatly folded green construction paper that served as the front and back cover,  and about 8 or 9 white pages inside. So cute.

 Then, she left the room, as is her custom.

I settled in and began reading, but I didn't expect what I got. Though Kyla is an excellent writer, I had never quite seen her write like this. She used beautiful language and metaphors like: "The sun fell behind the clouds of the darkened sky," and "She sat outside gazing off into the distance under the green pines just thinking about nothing in particular..."

I was floored, because the language she chose was so advanced, yet, eloquently written in the appropriate context. After I was done, I called Kyla back into the room and told her how amazing her book was, and how proud I was of her. Then, she proceeded to explain to me why she was so nervous about letting me see the book. "I don't usually use words like that Mommy," she said. "But I wanted to try new and different ways to say things and see how it would work."

Right then it hit me. This is the same child who, years ago, seemed barely interested in learning vocabulary. She preferred doodling. But today, she's emerging as a very impressive writer.

 "It's working," I thought to myself. The lessons, practice sessions, and learning exercises are not all in vain.

It's working.

Sometimes, as we go through our day-to-day routines, however, it's easy to think that we're just going through the motions in life... particularly when things aren't noticeably progressing. But I want to encourage you today and let you know that what you're doing is worth it and it's working. All you have to do is keep it up.

Don't get antsy and frustrated. Just remain steadfast and consistent.

Whether you're focusing on education, career advancement, entrepreneurship, parenting, ministry, writing, fitness goals... whatever it is, it will work if you work it. It won't happen overnight, but as long as you don't abandon what you believe God has called you to do, it'll all work out. 

One thing that many people don't realize is that, there comes a time in all of our lives when we feel like we've reached a plateau and nothing's happening. It seems that  our attempts aren't really working.  As a result, during these "fruitless" seasons, it's easy to write things off as being ineffective and useless, but don't make that mistake.

Just be patient.

Don't get so preoccupied with seeing things happen quickly that, when they don't move forward at your desired pace, you abandon them altogether. After all, consistency is the key. The race is not given to swift, nor the battle to the strong, but to the one that endures to the end, right?

Then tell yourself that, slow growth isn't the same as no growth, although many people behave as though it is. You'll get to where you're going. Don't give into the "need for speed,"  rather, do what I said earlier. Be patient and consistent. You'll be surprised by how much progress you make when you take things one day at a time.

Before you know it, you'll be somewhere  gazing off into the distance under the green pines just thinking about... how far God has brought you.

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

It's Your Network

I've gotta get a new phone...again. *Deep extended sigh* For some people, this would be a cause for celebration, but not me. I don't enjoy frequent change. I like consistency, predictability, and normalcy. It makes me feel stable.

Anyway, for those of you who have followed this blog for at least three months, you know all about how my last phone conked out on me and I was forced to upgrade. Well, in the process of upgrading, my husband and I changed networks. We transitioned from Sprint to Nextel... which didn't seem like too big a deal, since both networks are essentially handled by the same company.

We absolutely loved Sprint. So we figured, hey, Nextel's right in the family; this shouldn't be a problem, right?

Well... that's where we were wrong. *Deep sigh with an extended grunt on the end through clenched teeth this time*

Apparently, Sprint runs on a digital network, while Nextel runs on analog--a completely different system. As a result, I've been experiencing all kinds of delays when receiving text messages and emails. Calls drop for no apparent reason and sometimes, the calls, texts, voice messages, and emails, never even come through at all.

Finally, after an extended period of haggling and frustration, Kenya and I have decided we've had enough. We're going  right back where we came from... to Sprint. From this ordeal, we've learned that, just because people phones are in the same family, doesn't mean they are the same.

Just as is the case with the phone saga, if we're not careful, we can run into trouble by changing our "network" of relationships, alliances, and connections. You see, oftentimes, in our pursuit of productivity and forward progression, we unwittingly get tied to people and things that are not of God and this causes all kinds of problems. That's why it behooves us to be careful about jumping into things, without being certain about whether or not we really need to move in a particular direction.

We need the Lord to order our steps and guide our choices. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way" (Psalm 37:23 KJV). Ask yourself; are my steps being ordered, or am I ordering my own steps?

I can't speak for anybody else, but I know that some of my most difficult tests and trials have come as a result of launching out into something on my own, without being led by God to do so. From those trying times, I've learned that our lives can quickly be filled with contention, strife and unnecessary drama, if we get connected to the wrong network.

If I was in church I would say, "Look at your neighbor and tell 'em, it's your network..." 

As a result, on occasion, God will challenge us to reconstruct our circle, discontinue some relationships, and redefine key roles.  In such cases, if we obey, we'll experience the blessings of the Lord, including more peace and joy.

Listen; every connection that seems good isn't good and unless we're sure we've heard from God, we need to be careful about who and what we get tied to. I encourage you to allow the Lord to enlighten you and show you which path you need to take. 

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

What's Inside?

I re-connected with an old friend yesterday whom I had not seen in a long time. Before meeting up, she said over the phone, "When you see me, you're gonna get a big surprise..." Trust me when I tell you, after she arrived at my house, I was not at all expecting what I saw.

You see, my friend lost an enormous amount of weight, which completely transformed her look. I stood there on my porch with my mouth hanging open, unable to utter words...at least for a few seconds. It was pretty remarkable and she looks fantastic.

But after the initial shock of the dramatic weight loss passed and we began talking, I realized how much about my dear friend and how we relate to each other, had not changed. Though she looks different outwardly, my old friend I know and love is the same on the inside and we never missed a beat.

It's what's inside of her that draws me to her friendship. It is her pure heart, compassion, and love of life's simple pleasures... the things that really count.

That made me think about something that  I want you to always remember...it is what goes on inside of us that makes us who we are. Our authentic self is not tied to what we wear, where we live, what we drive, what's in our bank account, or the image we put out. Rather, it is the "hidden man of the heart" that determines our make up.

So many times, we focus on the external, but God is more concerned about our internal state of being. What's going on in our hearts and minds? What emotional issues are we struggling with? What hurts have yet to be healed? These are the things that matter most and not all the other stuff we focus on.

Today, I encourage you to allow God to work on your insides. Let Him renew your mind, mend your heart, change your outlook, and shift your focus. Stop being so preoccupied with superficial things, which cause unnecessary anxiety and worry and tap into your true self.  You'll find that as the inward transformation takes place, all the other things will begin lining up for you.

Now, let me warn you. Being more introspective and inward-focused will force you to deal with some issues and come face-to-face with yourself. Although that can be uncomfortable sometimes, it's worth the discomfort. That is, if you really want to know what drives you, motivates you, and makes you unique. I want you to begin to ask God to reveal the whole of who you are and work on those internal rough patches that need repair.

If you ask Him, He'll reveal what's really going on and transform you from the inside out. "The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7 KJV).

So, what's inside? Joy? Peace? Worry? Faith? Doubt? Anger? Bitterness? Goodness? Unforgiveness? Love and compassion?

Ask God what's inside... only He knows and only He can repair those otherwise unreachable areas in need of restoration. 

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

Update: By the way, the anointing of God met us mightily at Covenant of Grace Ministries. Souls were saved and the people of God were refreshed! Thank you all for your prayers.

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Introducing..."Thoughtful Thursdays"

The Lord has been dealing with me about a few things I need to implement through "The Daily Cup of Inspiration"  as I reach out to you each day. Among those "few things" is the beginning of what I'll be calling "Thoughtful Thursdays,"  which is rooted in the scripture found in Romans 12:15 that says:

"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."

I don't know how you feel about it, but we ought be concerned about each other and seek the well-being of others. So, Thoughtful Thursdays will be a time when I'll be sharing relevant news, updates, and information regarding things that are going on in the lives of blog readers, as well as my own life. Though I won't be able to share everything, I'll prayerfully consider what to present to you.

This way, we'll remember to think of each other more often, pray for one another, and be aware of the needs, and also the victories of fellow Daily Cup readers. I'm a firm believer that we draw inspiration from one another and become more compassionate when we share in the ups and downs of others, amen?

We can't live only for ourselves; rather, we must be ever-mindful of the greater good and always strive to esteem others more highly than ourselves. "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4).

So now, let's drink down this week's cup of thoughtfulness:

1. One of our blog readers and contributing editor to EEW Magazine, Kennisha Hill, just had a brand new baby girl, Kerissa, last week! Congratulations to Kennisha. Since delivery, however, she's been having some serious issues with her blood pressure. I ask that all of you call out Kennisha's name in prayer, so that her blood pressure will regulate, resulting in a total and complete recovery. I know God is able.

2. If you missed the announcement last week, my Sister-in-Law, Patrice, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer late last year, just finished up her chemotherapy and radiation, and she's doing wonderful! Thank you for your prayers. Be sure to send Trice an email to let her know you're excited for her. You can reach her by clicking on the link above which will take you to her website.

3. Daily Cup reader, Andrea Griggs, stepped out in faith and launched a brand new internet radio show called, Females with a Mission on Blog Talk Radio where she "encourages women to make their dreams become a reality through better health, wealth, relationships, and business opportunities." Be sure to listen to the show and support Andrea's new effort.

4. Also, I have a speaking engagement tonight in Niagara Falls, NY at Covenant of Grace Ministries. Pray that God will give me what to say and move by His spirit. I fully expect a great time in the Lord! I'll be sure to let you know about it in tomorrow's post...

If there's something you'd like to share with me and the Daily Cup readers, please email: dailycup@eewmagazine.com and I'd be glad to add you to the "Thoughtful Thursdays" list if I'm able. I welcome and appreciate any thoughts &  feedback regarding this new direction.

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

dailycup@eewmagazine.com

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You Have to Be Sure

Have you ever felt  confident and sure that God was leading you in a specific direction and instructing you to do things a certain way, only to have someone else step in and sound equally as confident that you should do just the opposite? If you answered yes to that, then you already know;  if you're easily swayed, differing opinions and dissenting voices can drown out the one voice that matters most... the voice of God. If you allow opposing views to make you  feel torn and inwardly conflicted over which path to take, you can end up veering from the path God has laid out for you.

You don't want to do that.

So, in order to avoid succumbing to the pressure to live in harmony with the expectations of others, you have to be rooted and grounded in God. You have to be sure you have a close enough walk with the Father to hear His voice clearly, and understand when He's speaking to you.

Does this mean you should be close-minded and impervious to someone else's perspective, even when valid? No, absolutely not. I believe we should always remain teachable and open, but not gullible or fickle. You see,  there's a fundamental difference between being open-minded and being double-minded. If God has spoken something to you, follow His leading. If someone comes in and confirms the word and illuminates its meaning, praise God for the enlightenment.

If, on the other hand, they contradict what God has planted in your spirit , remind yourself that God is not the author of confusion. 

Listen. God wants to be the one in control, telling you and me what to think, where to go, and how to handle unique situations. That's why it's important to remain yielded and surrendered to His will everyday; as you draw closer to Him, you'll hear Him more precisely. The more time you spend in His presence, the more you'll know His voice. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27 KJV).

Then, when something is presented to you that goes against what He's shared with you in your intimate time of seeking Him, you'll be sure about exactly what to do.

Remember, only God knows His plan for us. He alone has the blueprint for our lives. It's all mapped out. All we have to do is follow His leading.

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com