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Hi Daily Cup readers! My blog is undergoing construction today. So, if things look a little goofy and out of sorts, the blog is being worked on.   Should be done in a day or so... thanks for your patience.

Dianna

My Lesson from A DVD

 Guys, I relapsed.

About a month ago,  I purchased a few items from Marshall's Department Store and while I was in the checkout line, I noticed a DVD with Billy Blanks' face on it.

Taebo Flex.

"Ooh, I don't have this one," I thought to myself, gawking.

 I've been a fan of Taebo workouts for several years. After all, Billy's DVD's helped whip me into shape after I gained a little over 40 pounds while pregnant with my second daughter, Kaiah.

Now, some of you who have been reading this blog for a while already know that I'm recovering from my addiction to purchasing new exercise programs needlessly.  On this particular Saturday, standing in that checkout line, my addiction won out.

 When I flipped the DVD over and saw that the sticker price was only $4.99, I was sold.

So, I stuck it in my shopping cart and purchased it when my time came to check out. The whole time, I convinced myself that this was a "sweet deal" and besides, I figured it would come in handy in light of my new commitment to working out.

I failed to mention that this new commitment was fueled only by my need to justify that purchase. Well, I'd love to be able to report that this DVD really helped me bump up my fitness levels, but uh, it hasn't. I guess it's because I would need to remove the shrink rap and actually open it first, in order to benefit from it.

It's sitting right here next to me in the shiny plastic as I type this post.

What's my lesson from a DVD?  "Anything we remain dedicated and committed to, will stem from an inward conviction, not an outward stimulus."

Our convictions are lasting, but our compulsions are fleeting. When we give into the latter, we tend to frivolously invest in things to no avail, because our heart isn't in it.

I wonder. When's the last time you pursued a specific course of action, not because it was in your heart, but because you were pushed in that direction? It might have been a sales pitch... or a sale...that got you; the coercion of friends and family; the patterns of the mainstream majority; or public opinion that swayed you.

But I can attest to the fact that, if it doesn't begin on the inside, it won't make any lasting change on the outside. No matter how we try to convince ourselves otherwise, real change comes from within.

Of course, purchasing a five dollar DVD isn't the end of the world, but when it comes to our destiny and pursuit of purpose, we cannot afford to be so easily moved. God has a plan for our lives, but it's the enemy's job to keep us off course, because as long as we main distracted and out of balance, we'll never fulfill God's will for our lives.

Your adversary knows that greatness lives inside of you. God wants to be glorified through your  life. But if you remain sidetracked, frustrated and off course, you'll never see the manifestation of all He has in store for you.

I don't know about you, but I want everything God has for me.

Today, as I look at this DVD, I'm reminded that we cannot "flex,"  bend, fluctuate, or detour from God's set plan. We cannot afford to waste our time, resources, thoughts, or energy chasing after something that didn't emanate from within. If the Holy Spirit didn't birth it, it's gonna be stillborn and we won't reap a harvest from it.

But if we're led by the Spirit, He'll take us by the hand and lead us to our set place, all in His set time.

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Change Your Picture

OK, so I put a new picture up on Facebook yesterday... I got it taken a couple of months back, after utilizing the same picture since 2004. Yep, the picture on the header of this site was taken 5 years ago...actually, going on 6 years now. But, I still use that picture for everything.

I've told you plenty of times before that, I don't like change at all. 

When I get comfortable with something, I tend to hold onto it for a while. So, when I  got my new pictures taken for some projects I was working on a couple of months ago, I didn't want to post them. I wasn't even sure I liked them.

I guess it's because the photographs are new and well, different... a lot different from what I'm used to. But recently, I had a moment where I realized, I have to be more willing to allow change to take place in my life. It's healthy, normal and necessary. 

So, finally, I changed my picture... after all these years and that's a real breakthrough for me. A great BIG one. It's the same breakthrough that someone reading this blog post needs to have in a different area of your life. God is trying to advance you and move you forward, but change is uncomfortable and you, like me with my picture, don't want to abandon your comfort zone. So, you stay perpetually stuck in the same place, but God is saying, it's time to move on.

That's why you and I have to remain open to the will of the Father, even when we'd much rather remain tied and connected to what we're used to. You see, just because something is familiar and comfortable, doesn't mean it's the best and most beneficial thing for us. Often, what feels good to us, isn't good for us.

I'm reminded of a 1950's experiment I learned about back in college, where two brain researchers, James Olds and Peter Milner, stumbled across a discovery of the brain's "pleasure center" while working with lab rats. Initially, they were trying to see if the rats would experience some kind of discomfort if electrical stimulation was sent to specific areas of their brain, causing them to run away from a certain area in the cage as a result of the discomfort. Well, the researchers got quite the opposite reaction.

Turns out that, the lab rats came right back after the initial stimulation, because it caused pleasure instead of discomfort.  In later experiments, when they allowed the rats to press the stimulation lever themselves,  the rodents would press it as many as seven-hundred times per hour. In fact, the rats would choose pleasure over food and water, and eventually died from exhaustion.

We can be like that sometimes. We'll choose what we "like" over what we "need," to our own detriment. But, God doesn't want us to be that way. He knows that change, growth and development is necessary, even if it's not comfortable.

That's why we've got to stop being overly concerned with our "pleasure center" and get in the "center" of God's will. We've got to draw close to Him and accept the changes He desires to make in our lives.

Whether we're comfortable with it or not, as we say yes to God's way, we automatically evolve. Our desires change,  our mentality changes and our "picture" of ourselves changes.

It's no longer the same picture we had back in...2004.

You know why? Because we've developed, matured and advanced since that time. So then, that old picture or image, no longer reflects the person we are today. It's because our walk with the Lord has and continues to renew us and ultimately, redefine who we are. 

So today, I admonish you not to be afraid to change your picture. See yourself differently. Adopt God's perspective and view yourself through His eyes. Now, let me warn you. When the redefinition of who you are takes place, you'll no longer be satisfied with the same things.

Your company will change. Your conversation will be transformed and your thought process will too. But as I said before, change is a good thing and as you open your heart to accept and embrace it, God will change your picture of yourself inwardly first, so His glory will be made manifest outwardly.

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Worn but Working

I vividly remember when my old laptop computer broke...for good. I'd had it for almost five years and I was pretty attached to it.   Although the power chord kept slipping out of  the the side of the computer because it was so warped, I didn't let that stop me from finding ways to rig it. I twisted the chord every way I could, because the laptop battery was so bad, it would immediately die without being plugged in. Not to mention, my space bar was gone, but I had figured out how to tap right on top of that little small dot with precision. A few keys were missing too, but still, that didn't stop me from working with it.

I've always been that way ever since I can remember. I came from a large family and we had to make things work. So naturally, I became pretty handy and creative when it came to problem-solving. But with  my old computer,  eventually,  I couldn't fix what was wrong with it. All my ingenuity, creative techniques and desperate attempts to save that laptop failed.

Dell finally conked out and died about a year ago.

RIP Dell 700M Inspiron.

You know what's sad? I still haven't gotten rid of that old thing yet. I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but I took my Dell out of the closet about a week ago and tried to revive it to no avail.

I really need to let it go.

Funny thing is, I have another much bigger and more modern Dell laptop, but still, I miss my old one. Anyone that knows me very well will tell you, change isn't my favorite thing. It doesn't matter if something is worn out; if I can make it work, I will.

Worn but working, works for me.

You see, I find that, in life we have to develop a contentment with where we are. Now, that doesn't mean you should be complacent and never hold greater aspirations. Not at all. We each should strive to be all God calls us to be, but as we go through day-to-day life, we have to be willing to accept the challenges that face us and  work through them.

Sometimes that takes creativity and a little bit of thinking outside the box, but you can do it. You just need to be a  bit more flexible, open-minded and relaxed. No matter what situation you may be going through, don't fret. It's not the end of the world. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Instead, just thank God for what you do have going for you. Although it might seem like something is "on its last leg," that's alright... as long as it's working. It could be worse.  So today, I want you to make a decision to be thankful right in the midst of your personal storm, no matter what it is.

Of course, you know that God is able to bring you out. But until He does, make up in your mind that you'll praise Him and be joyful in the meantime. No moping, complaining, or giving up... just praising and believing God to give you the strength and ability to come through this season in tact.

Even though I wasn't too thrilled when my old computer finally did give out on me, I do realize now that, I needed a new one. It was time to move on.

And your time to move on from where you are, will come also.  In the meantime, trust God to give you the creativity and inner-fortitude you need to survive any season. Even when YOU get worn. By His power, you too, can keep on working.

By the way, the new issue of EEW Magazine that I and my team have been working so hard on for you, is finally live. Please read the new issue online today featuring PJ Morton (Son of Bishop Paul Morton) as he makes his case for singing about love. I think you'll enjoy the entitre issue at www.eewmagazine.com.

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

We Have to Do It

Last night, while combing my oldest daughter Kyla's hair before bed, she and I began chatting randomly as we often do. I like to hear what she's thinking about, what her dreams are... all that good stuff. Well, at ten years old, Kyla is already certain that her main aspiration is to be a fiction writer.  So, shortly after we began our basic discussion about trivial things, the conversation moved from being general to being very specifically focused on one thing: Book publishing.

Kyla wanted to know everything, from the pros and cons of self publishing, to what it takes to successfully pitch publishers. She asked about writing techniques, how she could improve her  ability to create themes in her stories, how to sell her books and all sorts of things. It was a very intriguing conversation coming from a ten year old.

But Kyla has always been inquisitive. So, she turned to me and asked, "Mom, do all authors like to promote their books?"

"No honey," I responded. "They don't."

"Well, what happens if they don't promote their book then?" she asked.

"If they don't tell anyone their book exists, they don't sell any copies," I explained. "That's why it's important for them to promote the book, even if they don't want to." I could see her frowning and pondering what I said. 

"Mommy..."

"Yes?" I answered while braiding her hair.

"Is book promoting hard work?"

"Yep, sure is," I said. "But a little hard work never killed anyone." I smiled and kissed her on the forehead. I guess her curiosity was satisfied, since she didn't ask me anything else after that.

Now, I shared that conversation because it contains a very important lesson I think we each can draw from, which is, we won't always feel like doing the things we must do in order to fulfill destiny in our lives. You may not be an author, but there's something you've been tasked with doing, that requires you to put in work that you don't necessarily enjoy.

You see, even though God bestows blessings upon us, there's still work involved on our parts. Though God is able to do anything, He won't always "rain down manna from heaven." (Exodus 16:14-15) Rather, there will be seasons when He chooses to use our hands to plant the seeds, nurture them and then, reap a harvest from the seeds we have sown once the fullness of time has come.

But if we are unwilling to put in the work, we will find that we are unable to reap a harvest. This applies to every area of our lives: Relationships, ministry goals, business and career aspirations, our spiritual walk with the Lord... it all requires that we exercise discipline, diligence, and determination. There's no way around it. Do you remember in the book of Nehemiah when the Israelites were working to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem? It didn't get done by osmosis or a supernatural turn of events, did it? No, it was good old fashioned hard work. Even the Bible confirms this in Nehemiah 4:16. It says, "So built we the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work." (NKJV)

I cannot stress enough that, work is the key. That means lots of sacrifice and perseverance; that is, if we want to live our lives in accordance with the will of the Father and experience the abundant life He came to give us.

Will it be smooth sailing always? Absolutely not.

But, if we don't learn how to take the bad with the good; the bitter with the sweet; the hard with the easy; and the rocky with the smooth, we can't fulfill our destiny. It's impossible. After all, we can't wear a crown if we're not willing to bear a cross first.

Jesus knew this well. But, what if He had said "I quit" when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane? (Matthew 26:36-45) What if He had told His Father, I don't want to go through all of that pain? What if He decided that He didn't want to sacrifice Himself, because it would be too unpleasant?

We would all be lost, wouldn't we?

Listen; everyday won't be easy and sometimes, we'll feel weary from the uphill climb. Yet and still, we can't give up. We have to keep pressing forward.

We have to do it. We might have to cry sometimes, but after we get finished crying, we've gotta keep on moving forward, knowing full well that there will be peaks and valleys. In light of this truth, aren't you thankful that, when we go through the valley, God is right there with us? He'll walk with us right through our wilderness and never once leave us alone.

That's a good reason to praise Him right there.

Again, it might be hard some days. But that's alright. Know that the Lord is on your side. Just be encouraged my friend and  do what the Word of God says:  "Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3 KJV).

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Why Thoughtful Thursdays? Installment #15

As I was preparing to post this blog, a thought came to mind: Many people want to talk to you or about you when you're going through something, but not enough people talk to God on your behalf during these times. That's why Thoughtful Thursdays is so important to me. It takes us out of the realm of being mere spectators or onlookers, gazing at the misfortune and struggles of others.  Through prayer, we become active participants in helping that person recover from whatever ails them.

Please know that, I thank God you're connected to this blog ministry. I don't ever want the Daily Cup readers to become numb and desensitized to the needs of others, which is why I'm so deeply grateful for the praying women who read these daily posts. As you stand with me in prayer, I know we're truly changing lives together. Remember, if you ever need prayer for anything, please don't hesitate to send your request to dailycup@eewmagazine.com. I'm always honored to "touch and agree" with you by faith.

 Here are this weeks prayer requests:

1. A woman named Crystal and her husband have been trying to conceive for years. They even had three In Vitro Fertilization procedures and just  found out they're pregnant. Crystal is beside herself with joy, but also full of anxiety about the possibility of losing this baby. She is requesting prayer for a healthy pregnancy. We're asking God to give Crystal's mind rest, so that she will trust Him to carry her through this pregnancy successfully.

2. Someone whose name will remain anonymous is requesting prayer for their father who is in critical condition in the hospital right now. He's suffering from Liver Cirrhosis, as a result of chronic liver disease. Pray that God would stretch out His hand of healing and that, the Lord's divine will be done.

3. Please pray for Shae Johnson and family. Shae's cousin from Chicago, was sick with swine flu and died in the doctor's office. She was just 43 years old. Join me in asking God to give peace to the family and strength during this difficult time.

4. A blog reader named Morgan feels the call of God to pursue a vision, but is going through a season where nothing seems to be opening up. Morgan is feeling discouraged and ready to give up, but we know that God is able to give clarity and infuse new life into her divinely inspired dreams. Let's pray for her that she will draw even closer to God during this dry season, so that He can manifest Himself to Morgan in new and deeper ways. 

5. A good friend of mine, Elder Jonathan Boyd, lost his father. Please say a prayer for the Boyd family that the peace of God would be with them as they go through the healing process.

Thank you again for taking time to pray.

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Time for a Self-Evaluation

I was busy doing some writing and editing last night, while eating leftover birthday cake, when all of a sudden, it hit me. "We're already into November!" I thought to myself. "Before we know it, we'll be entering into 2010."

For a moment, I sat there just really pondering how quickly time has gone by. Then, I took a bit of time to do a real self-evaluation. I asked myself, "Have I done or am I doing what God instructed me to do in this season?"

You know, I think you should join me in asking yourself the same thing, because time is out for just living life. It's about living a life that's built around our divine purpose, which is ultimately rooted in God's perfect will.

Now,  when you do your "self-evaluation," it's not designed to get you frustrated with where you are, or to make you begin brooding over all you had "hoped" would have happened by now. No, no, not at all. Rather, the self-evaluative look, is designed to help you get really honest about whether you're doing what you know God said do. Keep in mind that we're focusing on areas where we have clarity and understanding. That's the key.

I made that distinction because, I believe there are some things God plants in our spirits that we don't have complete revelation about. Our understanding has not been enlightened and although we know He's leading us down a path, the details are still sketchy and ambiguous at best. In these cases, we need to simply pray, trust God and be still, while continuing to remain open to whatever He's saying or doing.

But then, there are those other moments when we know exactly what God is saying; when He's given us clear instructions. But yet, something inside of us still wrestles. We find ourselves still resisting the Father's leading for a number of reasons: Fear, insecurity, lack of motivation, or even, unwillingness to get out there and try. In these cases, we need to move on what God has spoken, so we won't miss out on what He wants to do.

Right now, I don't believe you're reading this by accident. There's purpose on your life and it's time to do a self-evaluation. Have you made those changes God placed on your heart to make? If not, it's not too late, so don't dare let this year go out without doing it.

As  I said earlier, if you don't have clarity on something, then don't worry about it. But if you've been sensing that it's time to do something specifically and you can clearly identify what it is, as well as how to get it done, then it's time to move.

Don't let another day go by without taking action. All you need to be is willing and obedient. "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land" (Isaiah 1:19 KJV).

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

The Little Things

Yesterday was my birthday and I had such a wonderful time hanging out at home with my husband and the kids. Well, after my "party" was over and we'd all eaten our homemade cake and some ice cream, it was time to check out the creative little birthday greetings the children put together for me. So, Kedar walked over to me grinning widely and handed me a card (the one pictured at the top of this post). I smiled as I looked at the little blue man on the front with "Happy Birhday" written on the card missing the letter "T"... priceless. When I took the card from him, it felt heavy, but I didn't know why.

When I opened it up, I saw that he had glued a small piece of paper inside and made a little pouch. In that small compartment, Kedar had placed some money for me. I didn't realize it at first, until I heard some change fall onto the floor: A nickel and a penny.

My baby gave me six cents for my birthday, but it felt like a million bucks. It wasn't much, but I genuinely appreciated it. I hugged Kedar so tightly and thanked him for my card he had labored over. He was so proud and it was just the sweetest thing.

But, I want you to imagine for a moment, if I had picked up the money off the floor and said, "All you could muster up is six cents?!" That would be unthinkable right? I don't know anyone who would think that kind of deplorable behavior was acceptable. Why then, do we behave that way with God? Why do we scoff at His provision and say, "Is this all you can give me God?"

We complain about the size of our paychecks, houses, cars and bank accounts; but we fail to realize that our ungratefulness is an insult to God. I often say, some folks would do anything to have what you're complaining about. That's why we all have to be careful not to be perpetual grumblers like the children of Israel were. Instead of seeing how God took care of them, all they focused on was the fact that they were sick and tired of being in the wilderness.

Sound familiar?

Eventually, all of their complaining made God so angry that He prevented those who were 20 years or older, that had murmured against Him, from entering into the promised land. (See Numbers 14:26-31)

It's so important that we develop an attitude of gratitude in our lives and learn to be thankful for the little things.  Consider how much more joy and peace we would all have if we'd learn how to maintain a thankful heart everyday.

Today, I want you to begin praising God for what He's done in your life. Everything may not be perfect, but God has still been good to you and me. Let us  not to take the goodness and grace of God for granted, because without the Lord on our side, where would we be?

I want to leave you with one of my favorite passages of scripture, as a reminder of the unending mercy and faithfulness of the Father toward you and me.

"Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.   The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, Therefore I hope in Him!”  (Lamentations 3:22-24 NKJV).

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Turn on the Night Light

My two sons, Kedar (6) and Kaleb (3) do pretty much everything together. They share a room, where they can be heard giggling and laughing at night when they should be sleeping. They play matchbox cars, "church" and hand puppets together for hours at a time. They also get quite a kick out of nearly snapping their necks doing headstands, coming up with schemes to replace dinner with candy and snacks, performing life-threatening back flips, and anything that remotely resembles something that might scare their  poor mother half to death. 

What is it with boys? They seem to have no fear when they're together.

Well, last evening, Kedar wasn't feeling so great. He said he had a headache and wanted to lie down. Now, all of this happened well before Kaleb and Kedar's usual bedtime, but, as I said, they tend to do most everything together.  So, little Kaleb decided that he would join his "partner in crime" and turn in early for the evening. But, not even 10 minutes after retiring to their room, Kaleb re-emerged with a distressed look on his face.

"I too scee-owed (scared)," he said with his brows furrowed, as he made his cutest pouty face. That gets me every time.

"What is Mommy's baby scared of?" I asked.

"It too dowk (dark)," he said shooting a sad look at me with those dark brown eyes. Since Kedar wasn't feeling so great, he didn't have anyone to keep him company. "Tan I stay wit you Mommy?"

I felt my heart melting within me, but I knew that if I validated that fear and allowed him to stay with me in that moment, I wouldn't be helping him at all. In fact, I would be nurturing Kaleb's fear and stifling his ability to develop independence. 

Of course, I'm not made of stone, so I made sure to turn his night light on to make him feel more comfortable,  but staying in Mommy's room, was absolutely out of the question. Soon after he returned to his room, I heard silence. Kaleb had fallen asleep.

This is a great lesson that's applicable to both you and me.

God knows that, when we give into fear and allow it to control us, we develop unhealthy dependency upon people and things, which ultimately limits our growth. So, He allows us to go through situations that challenge and stretch us, with just a "night light." He lights our path through the dark seasons, knowing that His word is enough to sustain us. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm119:105 KJV).

That's why, sometimes, we have to go through a season of pruning and stripping away. We lose some things we perceive as very valuable that we've grown to rely heavily on. Although this can be an extremely painful process, the good news is that, through losing those comforts that keep us dependent on temporal things, we in turn, gain something much more valuable.

We gain the revelation that all we really need already lies within us... not outside of us. This only happens, however, when we go through a separation from all the noise and extraneous things that keep us occupied. Bottom line is, we have to lose what's dispensable, so we can gain what's invaluable. Often, we think those non-essential people and things are essential, so it's not until we lose them, that we realize we never needed them in the first place.

While losing is typically associated with pain, gaining intimacy with God heals any emotional injury we might sustain, through deeper levels of communion with the Holy Spirit, fuller joy and abiding peace.

But I must reiterate this point; we can never benefit from the power of God's word and time spent in His presence, if we always fill our void with everything but Him. All too often, we find ourselves seeking after temporary comforts when what we really need is a word from the Lord. (See Matthew 4:4)

If we would just turn on our night light--that is, open up our word and seek God's face, then our fear, emptiness, uncertainty and anxiety would dissipate and we would indeed find rest for our souls. Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Isn't it about time you got some rest?

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Don't Get Restless

Back in January of 1998, almost 12 years ago now, when my husband and I first got married, I remember how excited we were to be getting our own place together. Well, about a month before the wedding, we went apartment hunting out in the suburbs. We wanted a luxury apartment with at least 2 bedrooms. So, with that criteria in mind, we set out on our search. We were quite pleased with ourselves when we found something we really liked relatively quickly.

We filled out the application and got approved. When I tell you we were beside ourselves with joy, I really mean it. Kenya and I were just giddy about the whole thing. But, what we didn't recognize  is that, we had overlooked one small detail. The rent was waaaay too high for us to handle!

In our youthful zeal and immaturity, we didn't understand something fundamental which is, when you have decent credit, getting approved for something isn't that hard. But there's a huge difference between getting something and being able to keep it.  Have I got a witness?

We hadn't counted up the cost. Consequently, as the months wore on, we were always playing catch up, trying to find ways to foot the bill.

Stay with me... I'm going somewhere with this.

He would pick up extra hours at work. I'd work seasonal jobs at department stores and go to school full time. I remember working at Kaufmann's in Buffalo (now Macy's) as a Sales Associate to help us get caught up on some bills. I liked my job, but I would get restless pretty fast. The desire to resume life as normal would rapidly overpower my fondness of my part-time gig. 

Thus, a cycle ensued.  Whenever we got caught up on the bills, I'd quit my job. As a result, we'd end up right back in the same predicament. Around and around in circles we went. For some reason, I didn't recognize the correlation, so we continued to struggle financially because I wouldn't keep my job. I was blinded to the fact that I needed to stay on my job, or downgrade our living situation, so we could afford to live off of one salary.

Now, here's my point.

Sometimes, we get restless with things, people and situations God is using to help us. But when we get antsy, we cut off those things we need to remain connected to, in order to make our lives easier. When we miss this fundamental truth, we end up breaking ties and suffering as a result of it.

We become serial quitters, perpetual starters and stoppers, which causes us to spin our wheels and yet, make no progress. Trust me, I know how frustrating it can be.

But, before you can break a cycle like that, you have to first see that pattern in your life. You have to honestly ask yourself, "Am I a serial quitter? Do I give up on things too quickly? Do I just throw my hands up and move on, without first consulting my Heavenly Father about which path and direction I should take?"

I wonder; are you quitting when you need to stick it out? Are you disconnecting from things God wants you to be connected to? Are you restless with the situation God has placed you in for such a time as this?  Have you convinced yourself that it's time to move on from a specific place in your life, when in reality, God has you there for a reason? Are you abandoning your "Kaufmann's" prematurely, when it's the very place you need to be right now?

To be clear, this post is not about getting and/or keeping a job, although that might be what someone needs to take away from it. Rather, it's designed to encourage you to dig deep and pull out some of that stick-to-it-iveness in the specific area that applies to you. Whether you're a stay-at-home mom, career woman, entrepreneur, 0r ministry worker, know that, as long as you're in God's divine will, you're right where you need to be.  Don't get restless. Decide, instead, to rest. The Bible says,  "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him..." (Psalm 37:7a).

Again, don't get restless. God has a plan for your life. You won't always remain in the place where you are today, but for now, give God thanks for where you are and trust Him to move you when the time is right. 

You never know why God has you where you are, but know this: Whenever the Lord places you in a certain position, He has you on a special mission. Your placement is NOT without purpose. Even when you can't see it, you have to trust God's plan and His timing.

Whatever your station is in life at this moment, rejoice in it, because the Lord is with you, sustaining you; directing you; favoring you; developing you; strengthening you; maturing you and positioning you, through it all!

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Thoughtful Thursdays: Installment #14

I'm calling on my praying women today. I need you to join in with me; take some time today to intercede with me on behalf of other Daily Cup readers. We've got some really pressing needs to carry to the Lord in prayer!

You and I don't know when we just might need to be on this Thoughtful Thursdays list requesting someone to stand with us in faith, amen? As I've mentioned quite recently, I didn't expect to have to deal with some sudden storms that blew through my life. Thank God for the power of prayer. It works.

With that being said, here are the prayer requests for today:

1. There's a young woman who was recently raped by a college peer she believed to be her friend.  One evening, he stopped by her house as he's done in the past. But he had something else on his mind. He restrained her and took advantage of her. The betrayal and the pain he inflicted upon her has devastated this woman and she needs our prayers. Although she wishes to remain anonymous, God knows her name. Please take a moment and say a prayer. 

2. We're seeking God on behalf of a woman named Tina Brown who just lost her mother and her father has been officially diagnosed with dementia. The loss is very difficult for her and she's also concerned for her 4 year old son, who adores his grandparents. Let's ask the Father to give Tina supernatural comfort, peace and  strength as she goes through this transition. 

3. We're also holding up Annetta Williams and her family in prayer. Her parents were caught in a deadly fire that tragically claimed some lives. Annetta's father was injured and presently, is not doing well. Let us stand in faith with Annetta and believe God for her father's recovery. 

4. We're also going to God on behalf of a young woman who has a void in her heart, because she has never met, known or seen her biological father. Recently, this wife and mother has been feeling an urging to search for her him, but fear and resentment has crippled her efforts in the past.  Let us pray that the will of God be done in this situation and that he will favor her, give her courage and guide her steps, as she seeks out her dad.

5. We're praying for a Daily Cup reader who is doing her best to put her oldest daughter through college, but recently, she received news that her daughter is not eligible to receive the financial assistance she needs for school. I believe God can make a way. Join me in petitioning the Lord to show Himself strong and work the situation out. 

Request Prayer: If you or someone you know, have a special need, please don't hesitate to send your "prayer mail" to dailycup@eewmagazine.com, so that I and the readers of The Daily Cup of Inspiration, can hold you up in prayer. If you wish to remain anonymous, simply indicate that when you write in.

It is my honor to stand with you in prayer.

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

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com