The Lord has pressed on my heart to stop complaining about everything that goes wrong in my life. I have gotten so used to calling my "go to friends" and discussing things that were going wrong in my life, but I wouldn't take those issues to God. I found myself constantly dwelling on the negative things, that I didn't have time for the positive things. I would do everything I could, from reading the Word, to listening to sermons, but I still found myself talking about the wrong things.

        Do you ever do this? It could be something as little as getting angry with someone on the highway for cutting you off, and you fuss about it the rest of the day. Or if a family member or a coworker mistreats you, and you tell anyone who would listen about what happened. I know I do at times, and it can be such a mood killer. I could be having a great day, then something bad happens and my whole day would be ruined. Well, today I have decided that today is the last day. I want to turn all that negative energy into positive energy. And you should too. I'm not saying it will be easy, but if we take it ONE day at a time, we WILL see a change. One of my favorite people to listen to in ministry is Joyce Meyer, and in her book Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind, she teaches how to overcome negative thinking by using scripture. It is a powerful read, I'm actually still working my way through it.

       Proverbs 18:21 states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue. And those who love it will eat it's fruit." Sitting here reading this scripture, I couldn't help but wonder what that last sentence meant. Then it hit me, when I speak death, i.e. complaining, negative talk, then I am eating the fruit of death. Because that is all I will attract. But when I speak life, uplifting and positive speech, then I am eating the fruit of life. You may ask, "How do I keep from speaking negatively over my life?' The answer is this, when a negative thought enters your mind, don't speak it. Instead, thank God for something positive. Even if you can't see it, it will manifest through your faith. By not speaking to negative thoughts, you have defeated the enemy. Being positive has to be intentional. Here is an example, the other day, something happened to me that upset me deeply. I was extremely hurt, but I encouraged myself in the Lord, and reminded myself of His promises. When I got home, I wrote what I was feeling down, and I thanked God for things that I have not yet seen. Then, I burned up the letter. Why? Because I didn't want to keep dwelling on it over and over. I gave it to God, then I let it go. That's the way we have to be about everything. In order to live a positive life, we have to let anything within us that is not like God, go.

       Another scripture that deals with our words is Matthew 12:37 where Jesus tells us "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you are condemned." Using this in the context of negative speaking, if we become offended by someone, and we talk about what that person did to other people, then we become just as guilty as them. And we cause the other people to sin as well. Being justified is taking the matter to God and to that individual, and resolving it peacefully. Again, being positive intentional, because Proverbs 19:11 states, "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. NIV"

     As I am writing this post, I am being made aware of how often I have failed in this area of my life. So as I am helping you, I am helping myself first. Negative thinking and speaking becomes a habit that we develop over the years, but we can break this habit by choosing to be positive. This is a total renewing of the mind. So, before you speak the negative thought that IMMEDIATELY comes to mind in adverse situations, take a beat and say something positive. You will feel so much better. Talk to God about your problems, instead of people. Focus on the good things happening in your life, and if you're in a situation where you're thinking, "There is no good in my life." Start declaring that things will get better. Thank God for life, health, and strength. Thank God that He gave you another chance to live for Him. Speak life into your life. God is able to do everything you need Him to do. Your faith activates His power. As I close, I will leave you with this, Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God; to those who are called according to His purpose." Things will get better. My challenge for myself and you, is that for the next 21 days, we make it our mission to not complain. We won't focus on the negative distractions in our lives, but we will intentionally be positive about every situation. What do you say? Will you join me?

Prayer:

Father God, I thank You for Your faithfulness in my life.

I ask that you give me the strength to take on this

"I won't complain challenge."

I put my faith and trust in You.

In Jesus name.

Amen

 

 

Yours in Christ,

Erica J Hill

© Grace Built This Creations 2015

gracebuiltthis@outlook.com
gracebuiltthiscreations.blogspot.com


*****In the spirit of full disclosure, there is an affiliate link on this post, which means that I may get a commission if you decide to purchase this book from Amazon.com. I only recommend products & systems that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands. 

     There are a lot of people in the world that are hurting because they are looking for love in the wrong places. They don’t recognize that their worth isn’t found in social status, significant others, money, family or friends. I’m going to be a tad transparent for just a few moments. I used to be like this. When I was younger, I would look for validation in other people. I was constantly searching for something to fill this void inside of me that could not be found on this earth. Even today, I look at the social media platform, and I think about how many “likes” I may get to things I post, compared to the “likes” of others who either make inspirational posts or post secular stuff. Sometimes I become discouraged, because I still battle with needing the approval of people. But God dropped a little nugget in my spirit that I am going to share with you. He said that everything you do, do it for applause in Heaven, not for applause from man. If that didn’t set me free, then I don’t know what would. I want to receive a standing ovation when I see the Lord, I don’t want Him to tell me that by trying to please this world, I had already received my reward. How devastating would that be?

     There is someone reading this that is feeling inadequate because of the people around you, but the Lord is telling you that you are more than enough for Him. All He wants is for you to live for Him fully. He wants you to freely choose His love and acceptance. By doing so, you must to give up those things that will keep you bound in sin. I had a conversation with one of my best friends about giving her life totally and completely to Christ, and she was resistant to the idea although she attended church. I asked her why, and she told me that she thought that she would have to be perfect in order to do that. But what she failed to realize is that Christ has already made us perfect. He did the work for us on the Cross. We can still live a fulfilling life outside of sin. The enemy of our souls just want us to think it isn’t possible. This a lie from the pit of hell. It says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God desires for us to live a good life with Him. It goes on to say in verses 12-14, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you” (NIV). How do we seek God with our whole hearts? Hebrews 12:1b-2a says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (NIV)”. Sometimes you have to separate yourself from those things that are causing you to fail in your walk with God. Even if your friends think you are anti-social, let them think it, because a real friend would understand that you are trying to do better for yourself.  The question you have to ask yourself is will this be good for the edification of your soul and others who may be looking at you. When you first start walking with the Lord, the enemy will throw up every obstacle possible to make you feel like it’s too hard. Until you are strong enough to resist the devil, you will have to take a step back and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you. The Holy Spirit perfects us, not our own works, but the faith we have in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Remember, Jesus is the perfecter of our faith. The Lord will gives us the strength to resist. All we have to do is submit our issues and ask for help. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefor to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (KJV)”

Yours in Christ,

Erica J Hill

© Grace Built This Creations 2015

gracebuiltthis@outlook.com

gracebuiltthiscreations.blogspot.com

I am super excited, I attended my first ever Fall Festival and set up my first ever booth!! It was a great for firsts. A big thanks to everyone who supported us on our first milestone!! Looking for many more to come. Praise the Lord!!

I still have some items for sell from the Fall Festival if anyone would like to purchase them. If you are interested, please email me.

This set is $20

This set is $15

This set is $15

This set is $20.

Thank you,

Erica J Hill

             How many of us struggle with self-worth? If we were sitting in a classroom and the teacher asked us that question, who would be brave enough to raise our hand first? It’s not easy to admit that we have flaws, but the first step to overcoming them is to admit that they are there. Look deep within yourself. What are the things you struggle with the most? Those hidden things that no one knows about. I recently began to write a letter to God about how I am struggling with feeling as though my best effort isn’t good enough. That’s a terrible feeling. Living day to day wondering if you’re getting it right, but knowing that you are not. That’s where Jesus steps in. He gave God His best so that we could have a chance to give God our best. Because of Jesus, we have nothing to prove other than that we love God. The thing is, we can’t show God that we love Him through lip service, we show Him by living like we say that we love Him. The Lord calls us to a life of purity, free from the restraints of sin. In order to do that, we must put away our fleshly lusts, and walk in the true way of the Spirit. It is so easy to say that we love God with our mouths, but our lives tell a different story. We give in to this world by following it, but then think that one day of praising God is enough to atone for all our sins committed throughout the week. When do we stop playing church, and starting being the church? When do we allow Jesus to metaphorically wreak havoc upon our hearts, and clean out our temples like He did at the temple in Jerusalem? That’s the only way we’ll truly be clean. Those things that are lurking in the back of our minds, the things that we hide from everyone else, those are the very things that the enemy will use to condemn us, or use to hurt the ones that we love. We must truly, truly confess everything to God, and allow Him to heal us completely.

            When was the last time you had a real talk with God? A talk where you were asking Him what He wanted you to do, and not just what you can get from Him. We all have developed a cycle of seeking God only when it’s convenient for us. How many friends have you lost in the past because you were tired of being used by them. You know, those friends that only called when they needed something. God is tired of us using Him as well. God’s Word has not changed. It clearly tells us to “seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of Heaven and all His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Nowhere does it say to seek these things and His righteousness will be added. We’re all out of order. I heard someone say before, that we are always seeking the hand of God and never His face. We have to break that chain. Tradition is sometimes wrong. Ask the Lord to change your heart, ask Him to change your name. Ask Him to change your identity. To give you a zeal to seek Him and not just His riches. Our self-worth is not found in money, houses, family or even our spouses. Our self-worth is found in God. He thought that we were worth the price of His Son’s blood. How many people do we know that would die for our sins? Jesus is proof enough to know that we are worth more than anything this world could offer us. Start believing that you are more valuable than rubies, Jesus did. Then start living like it. Honor His sacrifice, by honoring His commandments. Jesus paved the way so that you could be saved. Declare over your life that God loves you, then believe it in your heart. I promise you’ll see a change. Remember these words,

  2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold all things are become new.” 

Yours in Christ,
Erica J Hill
 © Grace Built This Creations 2015
gracebuiltthis@outlook.com
gracebuiltthiscreations.blogspot.com

I first developed a love for crafting when I decided to design and create my wedding invitatations. I know, I know, we've all heard this story, but it's true see,

I really enjoyed making and sending out these invivtations.

But I always knew that I had a passion for crafts, because when I was younger, I would make candy vases, gift baskets, and I would crochet. So it was only fitting that I would have a love for making beautiful cards and other gifts to make people smile.

After making the wedding invitations, I had been hit by the bug 😍. And I just wanted to make and make and make some more.

I wanted to share with you all some of my first creations today.

I created a few of these just for fun, but others were created for Coworkers. I hope you enjoyed looking. Thanks again for checking out this blog. If anyone would like to order, you can email me at gracebuiltthis@outlook.com and we'll discuss pricing and shipping of you aren't local.

Yours in Christ 😃
Erica J Hill

Hello everyone. Today I'm posting a project that I did for a Co worker who wanted something for her Pastor and his wife. I named the post "To One Fabulous First Lady" because of what the card says. I just love that expression. It's great to be and feel like a Fabulous Woman of God 😄

For the Pastor's card, I did a step card with a poem honoring him as a Shepherd for the Lord. I think it turned out wonderfully for my first step card. And I'm excited to share with you all. Again, if anyone wants to order this card, then email me at gracebuiltthis@outlook.com  and we'll talk pricing and shipping if you aren't near me. Thanks for looking!!

Yours in Christ 😃
Erica J Hill

My Pastor's wife, Evangelist Geraldine Davis, and my sister, Prophetess Darlene Calhoun hosted separate Women's Conferences back in June and asked me to make some gift bags to give to their speakers. I was very pleased with the outcome of both sets of bags with matching cards and am very thankful for the opportunity to create for them. If anyone would like to place an order, then email me at gracebuiltthis@outlook.com and we'll work discuss pricing, shipping etc. Thanks for looking!!

Yours in Christ ,
Erica J Hill

 ^<This set went to my sister.

 ^<This set went to my Elect Lady.

 Close ups of the different sets.