Courtnaye Richard

www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org

I’m going to kick this post off by asking, do you journal? The phrase journal writing is described as the process of recording personal insights, reflections and questions or personal topics. As Christian women, I would add that it’s a great way to write out your thoughts, ideas, pour out your heart to God, what’s going on in your personal life, and prayers. It’s a just another way to express your thoughts privately between you and Him.

Personally, I LOVE journaling! I make it a point after I brush my teeth in the morning and pour a fresh hot cup of hazelnut Folgers coffee with French vanilla creamer (yum!), to then whip out my journal, pen, Bible, as well as my yellow highlighter and just reflect on the day before, pray, and simply write down Scriptures and thoughts that are rummaging through my head. It is so freeing and refreshing! So, I’ll ask again, do you journal?

It’s something about writing. It’s a release, comforting, relaxing, helpful, and it frees your mind. You can’t always pick up the phone, but you can pick up a pen. Even in the Bible, it’s the written word that changed lives (and it’s still changing us today). The words penned through those mighty and called men were inspired by God. I know that’s going a bit deep. But the Apostle Paul wrote in prison and He wrote under inspiration by the Holy Spirit.

When we write in our journals, sometimes God uses those times to reveal truth through His word. Sometimes those prayers that were written with hot tears flowing from our eyes can be looked upon later to see how the Lord answered them in His own timing. Sometimes those written words can be used for a blog, article, speaking engagement, Bible study, or video series. Sometimes it can be used to share the very words that were written in your quiet time to one day share with your children or friend who can glean from you overcoming a hardship or life experience. It just can help in so many ways.

Honestly, there’s no Bible verse that I can give you that explains journaling (if you find one, let me know). Yet, it exists. Nevertheless, what I can share with you are verses like these, “Cast your cares upon the Lord, because he cares for you.” (Philippians 4:6-7) And Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in time of trouble.” Also, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer…” (1 Peter 3:12)

So journal, sis.

If you don’t have a journal, order one online or go to a nearby grocery or bookstore and purchase one. You can get a simple one-subject notebook or a cute journal that has a Scripture or encouraging quote on the front cover. That can be inspiring within itself (I like those). Once you get it, make it a point to schedule time to write in it.

You can write your thoughts, but you can also write what you’ve learned through a book of the Bible, sermon, video message, or a book that you’ve been reading. You can journal ministry or business ideas. You can write about what you’re dealing with in your relationships or what your kids are experiencing or what you’re experiencing in this season as a woman, wife, mother, minister leader or entrepreneur. You can write out your goals, dreams, aspirations, again your prayers, and vision that God has shown you regarding your purpose.

Whatever it is, write it out. Bare. Before God. Before you…so that you can see things in writing, more clearly. Whatever you’re going through. Whatever you’re dealing with. Whatever you’re aspiring to do. Pray and feel free to journal it, Sister!

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye

QUESTION: Do you have a journal? Do you need to write out what you're dealing with in this season? Or do you need to write out your dreams and aspirations, or goals? Also, if you need prayer, you can email me directly and I will pray for you @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you. 

*Have a women's conference or event, let me know and let's connect on the details! For more information on booking me to speak in 2019, Click here!

Order your copy of IDENTIFIED TODAY!

*Tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!

 

        www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org

I don’t know where you are on this topic, but if you clicked onto it, it’s either because you need someone to tell you to believe what God says or maybe it’s because you want to encourage someone else with this message. In either case, it’s okay. I just felt led by the Holy Spirit to tell you to believe what God says about you and about what He’s called you to do.

Sometimes you just need the reminder or to be uplifted by these words. Maybe it’s because someone told you something mean, discouraging, or against what God’s word says. Maybe it was your mother, father, sister, brother, child, friend, co-worker, church member, boss, leader, boyfriend, or even your husband who told you something that made you question your identity in Christ or what the Lord has predestined you to do. Again, I don’t know why you clicked on or who it is that bothered you in this way, but I’m glad you’re here to receive encouragement.

We all need it. Including me. Sometimes the people who are the closest to us are the ones who hurt us the most. Have you ever heard that before? And they don’t have to be a blood relative. It just has to be someone who is close enough to discourage you, hurt you, or make you feel so low that you suddenly begin to question yourself, who you are, or what you were created to accomplish here.

But don’t do it, sis! Don’t allow it to shake you or keep you down. Don’t let it sap your strength or tenacity to remain strong and steadfast in knowing who you are in Christ or what you’re here to do, because offenses will come.

Go back to God’s word. Go back to His promises. Go back to what the Holy Spirit whispered to you in your quiet time. Go back to the truth. Go back to believing what God says about you. I’m only telling you what I, myself have done and will continue to do.

And don’t get bitter or unforgiving. Ephesians 4:31-32 tells us, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you.” I know this may be easier said than done, but we've gotta do it, sis. Trust me. There is so much release when we do this. And we can’t lose with obedience. ;-)

Also, don’t begin to hold a grudge against the offender. Because that’s exactly what our great enemy, Satan would want you to do. Rather, resist him and release any individuals who have hurt you. In other words, don’t give into the devil’s bait. Unhook yourself and flee the temptation to hold any offense or grudge, and choose prayer and love instead.

Remember what 1 Peter 4:7-8 says, “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” And keep in mind what Proverbs 17:9 says, “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” So, love others by forgiving them and praying for them. Love is HUGE to God and prayer connects us to the One who can change things.

And lastly, know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, sis. You are His masterpiece. You were created for good works. Once you have believed and accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are a child of God. You are identified in Him by the Holy Spirit. So stand firm and believe in the truth of who He says you are, live according to the truth that He has written out to you through His word, and do what He has called you to do.

Be encouraged, my sister. No matter what happens, especially in the dire times that we’re living in, do not be shaken! #believeGod

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye

QUESTION: Has someone told you something that you are not? Has someone discouraged you or hurt you emotionally? If you need prayer, you can email me directly and I will pray for you @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you. 

*Have a women's conference or event, let me know and let's connect on the details! For more information on booking me to speak in 2019, Click here!

Order your copy of IDENTIFIED TODAY!

*Tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!

 

                         www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org

Have you ever felt like you just had too much on your plate? Too many things on the To-Do-List, too many errands to run in one day, too many commitments, too many responsibilities, too many people pulling on you, too many yes(s)? If you have, then I totally get you, sis! Because I have definitely been there. That’s when I had to get to a place in my life where I said, “Some things have got to come off of my plate!”

And the same goes for you…that’s why you’re reading this right now.

So, let’s think about this for a moment. If you did a quick inventory of your life right now, what do you think would need to come off of your plate? What task or idea could be removed? What do you sense God is calling you to surrender? What is DONE, yet you feel the need to keep holding on (especially when you know in your heart that you need to let it go)? Think and pray about it, because whatever is either bringing you undue stress, overwhelm, or dread needs to be evaluated and maybe eliminated.

Now, let me say this. Doing God’s will is NOT always easy. He never eluded that it would be. Going to the cross was far from easy for Jesus. Yet, my point here is that many things have an end date. Every assignment doesn’t go on forever. Remember, before Jesus said, “It is finished,” He walked this earth and healed many, brought the dead back to life, opened blind eyes, and fed over 5,000 people in one place. Each one of those moments had an end time.

Going even further, Noah, Moses, Esther, Jeremiah, and the Apostle Paul all had assignments that lasted for so long and then they were over. They moved on. In other words, we don’t hear about the rest of the things Noah did after building the ark. His life went on and we don’t read about much more. Yet, that particular assignment was completed. He didn’t say, “Maybe I need to build another ark.” That task was done.

So what assignment has ended that you may not have realized was quite over yet, but it is? What is beginning to be too much to handle? What needs to be laid down for a season to return back to later? What needs to come off of the goal list or board for now or forever? What do you sense might not be God’s will? These are the things that I want you to think and pray about in order to do God’s will with His grace, strength, Spirit, and timing.

The whole point of this post is so that you can assess and alleviate undue stress and pressures that don’t need to be present. It was created so that you can stop doing things that God said is over or simply just to find rest from your labor. Psalm 127:2 says, “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” (NLT)

So, examine your plate, sis. Look to see what you can take off of your plate and don’t bite off more than you can chew. Put only on your plate what you can actually eat (just like you would tell a child). Don’t overdo it. Don’t add too many things, otherwise they’re going to topple over and create a mess, because that’s just what it could look like in real life if you do that.

For instance, when we take on too much, our lives and home-life begin to look a mess. Things get out of order. We become more frazzled and frustrated, and then begin dreading the work that we’re doing. So un-plate! (I just made that up). ;-) Take off the stuff that don’t need to be on your plate today or in this season, so that you don’t feel overstuffed.

If you do, trust me. You’re going to feel so much lighter. You’ll feel like you have more room in your life to do things that really need to be done, but also that you enjoy.

So, don’t overcommit, sis. Know when to say no. Recognize when to take a pause, rest, or when an assignment is completed. Also, count the cost before you say another resounding YES! Lastly, don’t worry about what others will think of you. Instead, focus on the tasks that God is really calling you to do at this time. With that being said, I’ll ask you again. What needs to come off of your plate?

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye

QUESTION: What needs to come off your plate, sis? What are you needing to let go of at this time or lay down? Also, if you need prayer, you can email me directly and I will pray for you @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you. 

*Have a women's conference or event, let me know and let's connect on the details! For more information on booking me to speak in 2019, Click here!

Order your copy of IDENTIFIED from Amazon TODAY!

*Tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!