When Believing is Hard

“Without weakening in his faith, he [Abraham] faced the fact that his body was as good as dead- since he was about a hundred years old- and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he has promised” Romans 4:20,21

Abraham was a perfect example for us to follow when it looks like in the natural what God promised you would never happen. It may look like what God said is dead and has passed you by; but what I loved best about this verse was that Abraham noticed his natural ability had faded away, but it never robbed Him of his faith in what God spoke to him.

Though nearly 10 years of waiting for fulfillment of a seemingly impossible promise, Abraham’s faith, rather than growing weak, grew stronger, while he continued to give glory to God!

Remember, even if you are the only one standing and believing for what God has spoken to you; that is ALL that matters. Paul encouraged the Roman church and I encourage you today, Abraham KNEW God had the POWER to do what He had promised, but Abraham also was FULLY PERSUADED that God would do it!

Out of Reach

I was watching a three year old little boy, Sam, playing one day. He was running back and forth laughing, completely enjoying life! As he was running fast across the room he spotted a bright yellow helium balloon floating in the air that was attached by a long curly string. I watched him stop with eyes bright and look up at the balloon in amazement. It was as if you could read his mind, "this is the most coolest thing, I can't believe it's actually just sitting here and no one else seems to see it, it must have been placed here just for me!" With all his courage raging, he mustard up every bit of strength he could and jumped with all his might; his little hand open to grasp the ribbon and show off what he had found! 
To his amazement, he realized very quickly it was just out of his reach. You could see the shock in his face when he came down and realized the balloon was not in his hand. He frowned his eye brows and looked up at that balloon as if to say, "I can't believe I didn't get you, but I am going to have you" so he jumped and jumped and jumped and failed over and over again. At this point, He began to grunt and get very frustrated. I notice that the string was not very far from his reach, but it was still unreachable. In Sam's mind it seemed miles away. 
He went through many ranges of emotions while trying to reach the balloon. He went from pure elation that here was this balloon that was seemingly put there just for him and his adrenaline rising with excitement and anticipation, to feeling frustrated and angry that after many attempts he just couldn't do it, he began to whimper and cry to get someone's attention to help him. The room was very busy and everyone was doing their own thing and didn't notice what his heart was going through. 
Just when his voice was about to raise at his highest and he was fed up and ready to throw the biggest fit a three year old can give, his big brother, Joshua, walked by and without any difficultly or hesitation pulled the balloon down, which was of no effort in his reach at all and gave it to Sam and just kept walking by. 
Sam, rattled by his experience just stood there for a second, shocked. He actually had the balloon that he so desired and worked so hard to receive and here it was in his hands. He quickly released all his feelings of questioning, frustration, anger and sadness to total elation and with a huge smile on his face as if he had won the best gift of all and took off running across the room with his prize to show all his friends what he had found. 
I sat there and thought to myself, wow, how difficult and how far away it seemed for Sam yet how easy and desirable it was for his big brother to give him. Then immediately I thought in my heart, what a perfect picture of our lives with God. There are many things that we are looking up at and desiring so desperately in our life. Some of us may be like Sam and we have reached and tried with all our might, but because of so many attempts and failures, maybe you have given up, maybe you are just angry and maybe failure has grasped your heart that you have no fight left in you.
I don't know what emotion or stage you are in, in the process of 'life' but God's word says in Isaiah 59:11 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. Just think about how amazing this verse is! God's hand is there for you where yours seems to fall short. What seems so impossible to us and is out of our reach, is completely easy for God and it is in His heart for you. Tell Him today what your desires are, tell Him what you are longing for and He will hear you. I believe that even as you are reading this, the heavenly Father is reaching down and putting your desires in your hands. Once they are fulfilled you will forgot all the memories of the struggles and only rejoice in the victory of fulfillment!

Fundraiser for the Philippines

 

I am going to the Philippines to minister for 2 weeks and created a fundraiser to help cover my airfare! I will be ministering 6 times on my visit, with 2 visits to a children's Feed the Hungry Program!

Your donation will make it possible!  Thank you in advance!

Ministering in the Philippines

January 1st - January 16th 2014

My personal ministry website :www.barbpruitt.com
My churches website: www.fbimaz.com

A team of 5 us will be traveling to Metro Manilla to do mission work. I am very excited that God has opened this door for us. We will be there for 12 days, teaching and ministering.

Our Host will be: Luc Taylor from Feed My Hungry Children and President of Feeding Hungry Children.

http://the3000club.org/os/

We are working with a few ministries in Metro Manilla:
Miracle Life Fellowship International: Bishop David Dario
Miracle Christian Center: Pastor Marinel Agcalao
Word of Victory Outreach:Luc Taylor
*Feeding programs and outreaches to children*

I will be ministering over 6 times while I'm there, teaching at churches, youth conferences and a women's conference. We will have two outreaches.

Any amount you would like to help contribute would be a huge blessing to make this trip so successful! I will keep you posted on all the social networking!

Thank you so much!
Barb Pruitt

God Crazy Freedom Book

God has brought over 20 Freedom stories together in this amazing book "God Crazy Freedom" to be used as a tool to empower women to move beyond the past, into a future awaiting their dreams and purpose. Every chapter features a freedom story and a devotional outlining scriptures, emphasizing the hope God gives us in His word, with a list of freedom action points accompanied by a closing prayer. The hope of the God Crazy team, is that these stories and devotionals will encourage women to move beyond their past and grab onto the freedom He desires us to embrace. There is nothing more powerful than hearing the story of someone who has overcome and is willing to be real and share about it. "I am amazed at how these women care so much about impacting the lives of others, that they are willing to be so vulnerable and open with their hearts." - Michelle Borquez

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Purchase here $15.00 

Where's My Promise God? Did I miss it?

I just love Abraham because he was given such a BIG promise from God even when it seem against all odd. Let's take a peek into a time in his life where the promise of God was being challenged within him and see how you  might just compare to him!

1. You Receive an Amazing Promise from God

Romans 4:17 “A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU”in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. 

There is something so life-giving about having a promise from the Lord!  When you have that promise, it is something that can keep you focused, help you get through the tough days, and gives you the strength you need to keep persevering.  Personally, I have many promises that has been given to me by the Lord, and I have seen many come to pass; but there are many more that have been spoken and are still a live in my heart.

2. You will be challenged with the opportunity to give up hope
18In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” 

I love that line "hope against hope".  Look at what that word hope means.
Hope= An expectation of evil, fear
Hope= A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen


There was a battle going on in Abraham. He compared hope against hope. The feeling of the promise never coming to pass and the feeling of expecting God to do what He said He would do! What did he do? The word says, HE BELIEVED!


3. You will want to look at the circumstances in your life and compare to God's promises
19Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 

Here we find Abraham looking at the natural circumstances and wondering how could this ever be? How can God's promises still stand?   The temptation to look at what you see and compare it to the fulfillment of God's promises is always lurking in your mind.  God doesn't look at what man sees, He is looking at the big picture and He knows the perfect timing for your promises to come in your life!  It's all in God's hands! 

Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV)

⁸ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

BUT...NEVER quit believing or Trusting God
20yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,21and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.
Even though Abraham considered his old age, YET when it came to the Promise of God he did not waver!

Waver=to separate, make a distinction, discriminate, to prefer

Abraham did it for YOU too!
 22Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.23Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him,24but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,25He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.

If God is not a respecter of persons, then just as He Promised Abraham and fulfilled His Promise..HE will do the same for you!

What's Holding You Back?

At the starting Gate!!

I have always wanted to run a 5k, but my fear of not being able to accomplish the goal or worried about coming in last held me back from even entertaining it. I allowed so many "excuses", which I felt were pretty good reason not to run in a race.  Well.... a few months ago, I lost a precious friend of mine to breast cancer and I immediately knew, I had to run for her!! If she could bravely face breast cancer, the surgery's, chemotherapy and all those years of treatment, I could face my fears too!

As I began training and running, I realized that my mind limited me and held me back. Crossing the finish line had to do MORE with a mental victory than a physical handicap.  While running, I would listen to worship music and have great "self talk". I would say, I can do all things through Christ who strengthen's me, Greater is He that's in me than he that's in the world, I am the head and not the tail!!  I would say, "You got this Barb,You can do this Barb, You will run this race and you will cross that finish line. I would say "Thank you Jesus, that you can help me get through this.

The hardest part of running a race is STARTING it and then FINISHING it~

FINISH LINE!

My precious friend Christian!

Whatever obstacle you face inside yourself that is limiting you, GOD is so much bigger in you when you rely on Him and trust Him. You will cross the finish line, you may not be first but what is important is that you don't give up!!

I did an entire teaching on "The Race of Faith" you can listen to it here: http://www.fbimaz.com/#/media I taught it on 12/2/12 and ran the race a month later!

God hears your hearts desires!!

My gold METAL!

I want to introduce you my my precious friend Ilknur Brown, she is one of the most talented and gifted women I know! Crossing the finish line on many obstacles, fears and disasters in her life, she knows who she is in Christ and knows where her Victory comes from.  She truly needs to write a book of her life story,she is a powerful woman of Faith!

Ilknur Brown

She is the designer of the adorable tutu's that Christian and I wore during our race! She has a company called Cookies and Costumes Kids Boutique (click for FACEBOOK page) Her creations are so beautiful and unique!

She will custom design each piece for sizes, colors and styles.  Check out her website on Etsy she created all the designs, dressed her daughters and photographed them.  She designs and creates one of kind outfits for: Weddings, sporting competitions, birthday parties, special occasions or birthdays, photo shoots and so much.  

She is also available to do the photography!  She has an incredible eye! 

Cookies & Costumes Kid's Boutique & Photography

Be sure to check out her website and see all her beautiful work!! Email or call her for a consultation!

email: Ilknurglendale@yahoo.com 

call: 602.575.8608

Fughettabouit

"But forget all about it- there is nothing compared to what I am going to do!

Isaiah 43:18

The greatest enemy in our life is not other people or the "devil",it is ourselves. God is calling you to the next season of your life that is full of all His precious promises, but you have to be willing to let go of the past and "press on to the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13)

If God called us to forgive other's as we have been forgiven, don't you think it's as important that you forgive yourself! Forgiving is not an emotion that you will "feel", forgiving and trusting is a "choice" You have to choose to say, I'm NOT looking back anymore, I'm not going to nurse and rehearse all the things in my life that I regret or hate, my dis-appointment's or failures.

The past does not define who you are, you are created in the image and likeness of God!! 

Isaiah was very strong and encouraging us to DISCERN the time!!

The next verse Isaiah 43:19 says, 

Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now. 

I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.

It's ALREADY happening, God is making way for you!!  You need to say, "This is the DAY that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad it!!"

Job said it well, "the righteous keep moving forward" (Job17:9)

Competition. Good or Bad?

Sometimes there is good, healthy competition that will challenge and inspire you to "step up your game" and help you get out of a rut but, today I am talking about unhealthy competition that hurts you and others. 

Competition is nothing more than being fearful that what you see happening in other people's lives is not going to happen for you. Some people get paralyzed and some lose trust in God and feel like they need to exercise control and do whatever it takes, even at the cost of friendships and the timing of God. 

Once you are responding in fear, you can not operate in love. The word says "there is NO fear in love, because perfect love cast out all fear" So, your motives; whether intentional or not become all about "you" and not considering how other people feel or what the outcome will be. When you are walking in love, it's never about you, love gives preference, thoughtfulness and consideration to others.

Philippians 2:3-4 says, 

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others

If Jesus preferred US over himself, shouldn't we consider the same?

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

Competition can only take place when it's between two people, so when you are operating in the "spirit" of competition, you automatically create a rivalry with others, challenging them, and now there is a division that is trying to take place in your relationships. Which, is harmful for yourself and the kingdom of God.

What do you do when you feel competition gripping your heart?

1. Immediately recognize and discern your own heart.  Other people will feel your competitive heart, but you are the only one that can be truthful with yourself and make the decision to adjust your heart from fear to love.
2. Become OTHERS conscience. When you feel the need to think and do for yourselves, stop and look to see what you can do to help or promote someone else. Remember, it's not about you! 

Leadership 101: What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you. The old golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you"

Remember,there is most likely a person in your life that has dreams and desire's within them and they may be the one is that is parlayed, feeling like it could never happen. Maybe, you are just the one to help! There is no greater joy then helping someone fulfill their dreams, even at the cost of putting your's in the hands of God to do it.

You will never go wrong by walking in love preferring others! 

Don't Quit? Why?

The people who need to hear the words "DON'T QUIT" are the ones who say, "I don't want to hear 'don't quit', one more time", "you don't understand", "I've given it my all, I've trusted all I can trust". 

Maybe you can relate with Elijah who had great faith, but..

Look at 1 Kings 18:41-43

 41Now Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the roar of a heavy shower.”42So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down on the earth and put his face between his knees.43He said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.”

Looking at Elijah's stature at this moment, might tell us, that even though he spoke with great authority to Ahab, the Word and Will of God; he might be concerned with the fulfillment of what God had spoken.  "There was nothing", no manifestation of what God had promised. Where was God, where was His promises, why isn't it happening? Why me God??  Does that sound familiar?

BUT Elijah didn't give UP!  

And he said, “Go back”!!!! seven times. Keep looking, don't give up, My God is faithful! Even though, in his flesh, he may have been afraid it wouldn't happen. He HAD to trust God at His Word.

Promise Fulfilled:
44It came about at the seventh time, that he said, “Behold, a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea!

Seven: being the number of perfection! In GOD's perfect timing, not ours, HE fulfilled His promise!

You are CLOSER now than you have ever been! Keep moving, Keep trusting!!

I love this quote I found:

When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”
- Author Unknown

Creatures of Habit

Two weeks ago, I got the news that I was going to be moving into a new house and I became SO excited about the change that I immediately starting seeing all my stuff in the new house, what I was going to change and how I was going to live!

  So, of course, my administrative OCD kicked in and I had to pack RIGHT NOW!  Forcing myself to downsize, to only my daily essentials, for the next two weeks.  So, I consolidated everything into one drawer until the move.

To my frustration, even though I knew I had emptied all the drawers and put everything into one, I kept going back to the old drawers only to find them empty.  Every day, I kept making the same mistake and found it to be so frustrating!!  WHY couldn't I simply remember that I moved everything? I had created a "habit", so without even thinking about my choices I kept making the wrong one!

 How many areas of our life are going the wrong way because of the "habits" we have formed over the years?  Even though we have given our life to Jesus and we have made the decision to change and live for Him, we still find ourselves doing things we don't want to do!  

Maybe it's have a habit of gossiping, or talking negative or always seeing the glass half full. Maybe you have a habit of getting angry or walking in bitterness or whatever area that has control over your life.  

Don't be discouraged! Look at what the Word says!

Romans 12:2   Amplified Bible (AMP)

² Do not be conformed to this world, [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].   

You can have victory in every area of your life, but the change has to come through the Word of God!  Here are a few steps to renewing your mind.

1. Change the thoughts about yourself: replace your thoughts with God's thoughts (the word of God) The Word of God has the power of transformation! Whenever you begin to renew your mind through the power of the Word of God, you will begin the process of unlearning what you learned in the past.
2. Change your focus. Do not focus on your present situation. God is our ever present help in our time of need. (Psalms 46:1) Instead begin to focus your attention on where you want to be. The most effective way of changing your focal point is to focus your mind on God. God has promised to keep your mind in perfect peace if you keep your mind focused on Him. 
3. Change Your Habits: Through the power of words—God’s Words, the world which we see was called into existence. Through the power of words—the negative words of others, we were shaped or conformed to think unbelief. Through the power of the Word of God you can renew your mind and be transformed into a new creature.

 

 

“There are many great women, but I am the BEST!”
 Bible Proverbs

You need to feel like you are the BEST because you really are! There is no one like you; you are one of a kind. I have always said, “You are the WAY you are because of WHY you are”. It’s your uniqueness: personality, style, ideas, and ways that make you amazing! Your inner beauty will shine when you remember to Love yourself and not worry about what others think.

 You are the most beautiful at being you! Shout this out “Free to be ME!” Love yourself and your inner beauty will shine!

God Thinks about You!

I know it might be hard to believe that an infinite God would think about "you", but He does!

Psalm 8:4 What is man that you are mindful of him.

The word "mindful" means aware. He is aware of you, your desires, your struggles, fears, and joys.

It is so easy to get stuck with the mentality that God is only thinking of the "church worldwide" or thinking of those who we perceive as good or spiritual; maybe those that have the perfect family or lots of money. But He is not a respecter of person. (Romans 2:11) It doesn't matter your life experiences, failures or mistakes, He has thoughts towards you, to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE!

Psalm 137:19 "How precious to me are your thoughts O God, How vast is the sum of them"

The word Vast means: in size, degree and intensity!

God thinks of you and He is intentional with His thoughts towards you~

Remember Today: God LOVES you and THINKS about you!

Girls, need a better outlook?

Okay girls! Have you ever had that feeling like your outlook on life has dropped a little bit? It's not that you are depressed, it's just that life seems blah? Well, there are a few natural supplements you can begin to take that will help with the cognitive function.

I will share the brands I am taking:

Udo's Oil DHA

3/6/9 Blend Omega Fatty Acid

Omega 3/6/9 supports congitive function and eye health. Omega 3 fatty acids are poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Studies show that a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids may help lower triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). Omega 3 fatty acids may also act as an anticoagulant to prevent blood from clotting. Several other studies also suggest that these fatty acids may help lower high blood pressure.

Nature's Life
Vitamin E 1,000 IU
with Tocopherals

Vitamin E has earned itself a reputation - from spicing up your sex life to banning wrinkles and old age. One of the most important functions of this vitamin is its antioxidant properties. Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that includes eight naturally occurring compounds in two classes designated as tocopherols and tocotrienols.

Vitamin E is an effective chain-breaking, lipid-soluble antioxidant in biological membranes, and aids in membrane stability.

Source Naturals
SAM e

Benefits of Sam-E
•Commonly used as to help with mild depression.
•Helps you regain control of your good mood, helping you have brighter days and a restore a healthy balance.
•Beneficial for joint disorders and connective tissue
•May help lower levels of homcysteine, an amino acid associated with cardiovascular disease.
•May help protect the body against cellular damage and slow the aging process.

Supplements are so wonderful because you benefit in so many ways!!

Hope this helps you!!

Greener Grass?

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” ~Epicurus

What a delusion it is when we continue to look at other people’s lives and wish you had what they had! It is so easy with human nature to peek over into the lives of other people that we admire or perceive are living the life we wish we were living. Whether it is a better marriage, children, the house you live in or your status in life.

In 2 Corinthians 10:12 it says, “But, they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise".

This is such a powerful scripture! When we begin to focus on the areas of our life we are unhappy with, we have a tendency to zone in on people who have what you truly desire. The Bible says this is unwise. As you keep looking at someone else, everything in your life will become distorted and you find yourself very unhappy with your life and you cannot see the wonderful blessings you do have, because you are blindsided by what you wish you had! It is important to have desires in your life, but keep your eyes focused on Jesus the "author and finisher of your faith"

Philippians 4:11 says, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”

To be content means to be satisfied. Have you ever heard the saying "I may not be where I want to be, but thank God I'm not where I was" I encourage you today to take off your distorted glasses, stop looking at others lives and begin to look in your own life and see the wonderful blessings that are there. Here is a simple assignment that will really help you!

Number 1: Get a notebook and every day sit down for a few minutes and look into your life and write down the things are Thankful for, the things you can appreciate! It can be from the smallest things to the biggest. As you begin to focus on the good, you will see just how blessed you really are!

In Psalms 100:4 it says “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”

Number 2: Begin to thank God every day! As you have a thankful heart, you will be covered by the anointing and love of God! It will remove the sorrow of your heart and you will begin to see how wonderful God is and how wonderful your life really is!

Number 3: Let others around you know what you are thankful for. Share with your family how blessed you are, how thankful you are! This will be contagious to everyone around you and will create a positive, happy atmosphere in your home!

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” ~ Frederick Keonig

~Barb

Esther's Court Part 2

H3: Health Healing & Hormones

We are very excited to launch our Health Series as a part of Esther's Court. Our heart and passion is for woman to have Beauty from the inside out. We truly believe for woman to be the success they are called to be; they have to experience good health, strength and energy.

We believe woman are to walk in the fullness of who God designed them to be!

May 3rd, 10th & 17th at 7:00 pm FREE CHILDCARE

For more information and to register click HERE!