More than Enough

Sunshine’s

Reflections

Good morning family and friends,

Happy Monday to you all!  I pray that every one had a blessed holiday weekend. 
 

Thought for the Day (TFTD): “He is more than enough”

2 Corinthians 12:9

⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

 I serve a Mighty God.  As believers we often forget just how mighty He is and if you are a non-believer you haven’t had an opportunity to tap into how Awesome God is and can be in your life.  Let me take a minute to introduce to some and present to others the ONE who is more than enough to me!

Each day He speaks softly to us instructing us to rise from our sleep.  He then blesses us with the ability to move our limbs which allow us to carry out our daily task.  He then creates in us a right mind allowing us to think clearly, being able to form complete sentences and thoughts.  He gives us a voice that is able to articulate the things we need, want, and would like to have and do.  He surrounds us with people who will love and hate us to make us the people we need to be.  He positions us to be able to demonstrate the love that He showers us with on a daily basis, scratch that on a moment to moment basis with others.  I need you to see that Gods love, grace, and mercy is so profound that it carries us from moment to moment.  It is so powerful that the split second you think He is not there He shows you that He never left.  This is just a small taste of how Awesome He is.

With God being all of this and so much more why do we search for something or someone to complete us?  God is more than enough.  His grace is sufficient for you.  There are things that you have in your life right now simply by the grace of God.  Whether you are searching for love, money, happiness, peace, joy, a better house, job, friends, remember that Gods grace is sufficient.  Not your grace, but Gods grace.  Not your neighbors grace, but Gods grace.  Not your co-workers grace, but Gods grace.  Not your spouses grace, but Gods grace.  His grace is sufficient- the question is do you believe it?

 *Food for thought: There is no price tag on Gods grace, but its worth more than we could ever afford.  Gods grace is Free!  You just have to open you hand, heart, and mind and receive it.

Have a blessed day in the Lord and Remember God loves you.

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation. 

 

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Saturday Inspiration

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning family and friends,

Happy Saturday to you all!  I pray that everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving.  Remember to give God thanks daily.

Thought for the Day (TFTD)

2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.When God created us He did not give us the spirit of fear, but many of us have allowed fear (False Evidence Appearing Real) to become a major part of our lives.  We allow insecurities, stereotypes, negative words from close people in our lives, and even the world to hold us prisoner by fear. If something appears too tough we allow fear to paralyze us from trying it. If something appears too complex we allow our insecurities to hold us back. If something appears different we allow skepticism to block us from new experience We allow the world, the media, our neighbors, our families, and the news to fill our minds with so much nonsense that many of us will not do the things we love to do all because someone has a negative opinion about it.  Every time we entertain the negative seeds being implanted in our minds and heart we allow fear to cripple us. You are powerful, full of love, and blessed with a sound mind in order to carry out your destiny.  Stop being afraid and tap into your god given ability.  Walk in your power, love everyone, and use your sound mind wisely.  We are strong.  Look at your situation and say I WILL NOT BE AFRAID!!! What fear are you allowing to keep you from where God wants you to be? *Food for thought:  What if Jesus allowed FEAR to keep Him from the Cross? Have a blessed weekend! Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.

May God continue to bless you and keep you.

May heaven smile upon you.

Take time to reflect on all of the things that you have to be thankful for.  First give God thanks and everything else will come easy.  Tell someone how thankful you are to have them in their lives.  Tell that person that you overlooked thank you for helping you and being in your life.  These two little words will go a long way… “THANK YOU”.

Thank you for supporting this ministry!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS!  God bless you all.

Love,

Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Comfort comes in all shapes and sizes

 

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning family and friends,

Happy Wednesday to you all!  If you are going out-of-town for the holidays I pray that God grants you safe traveling mercies.  I want to wish you all a Happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

Thought for the Day: Comfort comes in all shapes and sizes

Matthew 5:4-Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
 

Someone that was here years ago is not here today.  Someone that was here months ago is not here today.  Someone that was here yesterday is not here today.  Some are gone because of death, some are gone because they chose to walk away, some are gone because they were taken away, some are physically here but emotionally gone due to tough circumstances.  No matter what the case may be we all grieve and we all need comfort at some time in our life.

The beauty in Gods Word is that it is TRUE.  God is not a man that He shall lie.  Gods Word says that we shall be comforted.  If you are mourning someone today, find assurance in knowing that God will comfort you.

Comfort comes in all shapes and sizes: Your family, your friends, your co-workers, your Pastor, a stranger, your kids, your neighbors, the clerk at the store, and even your enemies.  Both young and old, male or female God will provide comfort. 

We have to be willing to accept the comfort that God provides.  Do not discriminate if your comfort comes from someone younger than you.  Do not isolate yourself and fall prey to depression.  This is the time were we need to embrace our comforters and thank God for providing us with people who care about us. 

You are all in my prayers this holiday season.  Allow God to comfort you. 

*Food for thought:  God can manifest His spirit in any of His children to comfort others.   How have you blocked Gods comfort?

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

 

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Looking for a place to worship?

 

Need a place to worship???

We live in a word of mouth society.  We run to tell people about that new restaurant that we ate at, the new movie we saw, where we got our shoes from, and so forth.  How often do we run to tell people where we worship at?

It is important to be linked up to a bible teaching church where you can plant your feet and become involved in ministry.  Let’s help others find a place to worship.  Here are some churches that I’ve attended or visited and can truly say they are about the Lord’s work.

Gethesmane Baptist Church
3509 Chestnut Ave ,
Newport News VA 23607
757-244-8833
Service times: 7:30am and 11:00am
http://gethsemanebaptist.nextmeta.com/

 

New Hope Trinity Baptist Church
3931 Avion Park Ct
Suite C116
Chantilly,Va
Service starts: 11:30am

 

Trinity Baptist Church
currently meeting at Leesylvania Elementary School
15800 Neabsco Road
Woodbridge, VA  22191
www.visit-trinitybaptist.org
Sunday School – 10:00 a.m.
Morning Service – 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study – 7:30 p.m.

Loudoun County Bible Church
meeting at:
Stone Bridge High School
43100 Hay Road
Ashburn,  VA   20147
Service starts at 10:00am
Phone Number:  703.669.LBC0 (5220)
Toll Free:  888.333.LBC0
Fax Number:  703.669.5901
Email:   info@loudounbiblechurch.com

Highview Christian Fellowship
4100 Hunt Road
Fairfax, VA 22032
http://www.highviewcf.org/
Service starts: 11:15am

New Birth Community Baptist Church
meeting at
Metz Middle School
9950 Wellington Road
Manassas, VA 20110
http://www.newbirthcc.com/
Service starts: 10:00am

These are all churches that are lead by awesome men of God.  So if you didn’t have a place to worship, I hope now you do.

Help someone in your area by posting your church info in the comment section!

God bless!

Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Thankful hearts speak with a Thankful Tongue

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning family and friends,

Happy Tuesday to you all! 

Thought for the Day (TFTD): Thankful hearts speak with a Thankful tongue

Psalm 100:4

⁴ Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Thanksgiving Day is always the 4th Thursday of the year.  Its a time that people come together and indulge in their mothers famous sweet potatoe pie, grandmas famous potato salad, aunties infamous macaroni and cheese, “cousin and thems” collards, daddy roasting a turkey, and desserts overflowing the table.  This is a time where families travel across the highways, by ways, and through the airways to spend time with family.  All of this work goes into one day so that people can show that they are thankful.

I am here to say Thanksgiving should be everyday.  Everyone no matter what your situation is right now has something to be thankful for.  The problem with many believers is that we profess to be thankful but refuse to say “thank you”. 

Someone has been a blessing in your life and because your circumstances appear bleak you refuse to part your lips to say thank you.  God has showed up and showed out in your life but because you are struggling right now you refuse to peeled back the bitterness from your mouth and say thank you.  You are surrounded by people who love you and care for you and because you are so puffed up with pride you refuse to say thank you.

Believers we have to stop walking around saying “God knows my heart, He knows that I am thankful.” or “They know me, they know that I am thankful.”  If you truly have a thankful heart than it will cause your tongue to SHOUT “THANK YOU!”  When you enter His gates with thanksgiving in your heart and enter His courts with praise…the thankfulness that overfills your heart comes out of your mouth through praise. 

God wants to hear from you.  Your loved ones want to hear from you.  Your co-workers want to hear from you.  Say thank you today and do not wait until Thanksgiving.  Say thank you everyday and do not wait until Thanksgiving.  Tomorrow is not promised and those small words can go a long way in the kingdom and in life.

What do you have to be thankful for today?  When was the last time you let the Lord know that you are truly thankful?  When was the last time you let anyone know that you are thankful?

Food for thought: Anything worth being thankful for is worth saying Thank you!

Have a blessed day and have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

 

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Hold Your Position

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning family and friends,

Happy Monday to you all!  I pray that everyone had a blessed weekend.  God is truly in the blessing business.  Be sure to take time out of your day to give God praise.  Do not be afraid to praise Him!

Thought for the Day (TFTD): Hold your position

1 Corinthians 15:58 (New King James Version) 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Football season is one of the highlights of the fall.  People come together to watch a sport that consists of men playing several different positions on the field with a goal to score touch downs and win the game.  Much like the Christian life, we all must play several different positions in order to reach our goal. Today, I just want to take a short and sweet approach to encourage someone to “HOLD YOUR POSITION”.  In life you may have to play offense and other times you may have to play defense.  No matter what your position is-HOLD IT!  God knew before this game called “Life” would even begin what position you would be playing.  The problem with many believers is that we try to tell the “Heavenly Head Coach” what position we should be playing at. We try to tell Him what ministry we should serve in, but He already has a position for us.  We try to tell Him what job we are suppose to have, but He already has a position for us.  Many of us are in a position in life right now that we are trying to run away from, but God wants you to hold your position.  You may feel like you are at the end of your rope and the bills are piling up, your family is dysfunctional, you are dealing with depression, you are physically sick, you just lost your job, but don’t run-Hold your position.  God has you in this position for a reason.  There is a lesson that you need to learn, a testimony that you need to share, experience that you need to gain, a relationship that you need to develop, and you can not get to the place that God wants you to be unless you hold your position. Stop trying to play a position that you were not called to be in.  Valuable time is being wasted when you decide to do things your way and you can hurt yourself and others when you play the wrong position.  What would happen to the Quarter back if in the middle of a play his Offensive line decided that they would play Quarter back too?  He would be sacked and possibly hurt because no one offered him protection during the play. When we don’t hold our position-we can hinder ministry from going forth. When we don’t hold our position-we can delay our break through. When we don’t hold our position-we create a domino effect in our lives that could lead to hurt, harm, frustration, disappointment, anxiety, fear, and the list goes on. Hold Your Position-Gods got your back.  When you work and live for the Lord your work will not be in vain, but you must HOLD YOUR POSITION no matter how bleak it may seem.  HOLD IT! *Food for thought: Your position in life can change at any time.  When the “Coach” calls a play are you ready to hold that position or do you fight with the One who knows what’s best for you? Have a blessed day.  Remember God knows best! Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Spiritual Cell Phone Plan-Unlimited Access

 

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning family and friends,

Happy Friday to you all!  I pray that every one had a blessed week and has a wonderful weekend.

Thought for the Day (TFTD):

Matthew 21:22

And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive

 1 Thessalonians 5:17

pray without ceasing, 

 Let’s think of prayer as our spiritual cell phone to God.  Now unlike traditional cell phone providers we do not have to be worried about our minutes, but many of us do.

We have become so consumed with our cell phones and cell phone plans that we take precautions in planning for our needs.  Some people have plans that have unlimited minutes and free nights and weekends because they talk to a lot of people all of the time.  Some people have unlimited data packages to receive emails and send out text messages.  Some people have a family plan where they can connect to their family for free and share their minutes.  Then you have some whose needs are very minimal and they only need a few minutes a month in case of an emergency.

In an effort to keep you with your service provider cell phone companies have stepped out and configured a plan so that you can talk to people with other service providers for free.  You may have a top 5 or a top 10, or it may be called the “A” list.  No matter what service provider you have all you have to do is choose who goes in that list.  Do not let me get started on MOBILE to MOBILE.  The bottom line is we select a cell phone plan that fits our financial and practical needs.

If only we prayed as much as we talk on the cell phone.  Yes, I am speaking to the choir.  We spend more time calculating when we can talk to our friends than planning when we will talk to God.  If only we prepared to talk to God as much as we prepare to select a cell phone plan. 

When was the last time you check out your spiritual cell phone plan?  Our service provider is “Omniscient World Wide”.  When God instructed us to pray without ceasing, He already issued us unlimited access.  And we do not even have to pay the bill because Jesus paid the price way back on Calvary so that a sinner like you and I could talk to the Father at anytime.  Then God was just showing off when He said “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive”.  He provided the service, gave us an unlimited plan, paid the bill, and said we can have what we ask for, but ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TALK TO HIM!

There is no cell phone service plan out there that will connect you to the One who can provide all of your needs and all you have to do is dial Him up through prayer.  When was the last time you tapped into your spiritual cell phone plan? 

God is waiting to hear from you.  Start today!

 *Food for thought: Since your top 20 can’t get you to your destiny, maybe it’s time to focus on the One who sets souls free.  Make a call today, He is waiting!

 
Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

God has no Boundaries- Love has no Boundaries

 

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning family and friends,

Happy Thursday to you all!  What a Mighty God we serve.  Let’s not forget to take time to marvel at His greatness.  He didn’t have to wake you up this morning, but He did.  He didn’t have to send His Son for you, but He did.  Take time to thank Him for He is great!

Thought for the Day (TFTD):

Ephesians 5:1-2

¹ Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Luke 6:27

 ²⁷ “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

 

Have you ever heard the saying, “Love has no color”?  Love is not restricted to one race.  Love is “color blind” and that’s a beautiful thing.  I would like to step out and say “love should have no boundaries”.  What do I mean by that?  I am glad that you asked.

As people we have a hard time loving others.  You may have been used, abused, mistreated, talked about, criticized, beaten, lied on, and the list goes on and on.  Extending love when the world has beaten you down can be a tough pill to swallow.  As a matter a fact, someone is choking on that pill right now.  You see, we get saved and sometimes think that we can write people off in an effort not to love them.  If you are not in my life then I don’t have to love you.  If I don’t see your face then I don’t have to love you.  Sounds familiar?  We take scriptures out of context to justify not loving our neighbors and our enemies.  We seek validation from other hurt people in order to justify why we refuse to extend love.

My bible says in 1 John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”  Since God is love and God has no boundaries I believe it is safe to say that love has no boundaries.  While we were sinners, God loved us.  Love has no boundaries.  When we curse God and turn our back on Him, God still loves us.  Love has no boundaries.  When we fail at the challenges that life throws our way, God still loves us.  Love has no boundaries.  When we stray, forget to pray, offend others, God still loves us.  Love has no boundaries.  If God can love us past our shortcomings shouldn’t we be able to love others?

 Now don’t get me wrong, God is not pleased with our sins.  He doesn’t like when we act ugly, but He still loves us in spite of ourselves.  Be honest for just a second, are you really that easy to love?  Yet God still loves you.  If we are to be imitators of God we have to remove the boundaries that we place on the people in our lives and LOVE THEM!  You can’t just love all the people who are nice to you.  You can’t just love all the people who pray for you.  You can’t just love all of the pretty folks.  You can’t just love the one child when you have four.  You can’t love one sibling and not the others.  Love has no boundaries.  If you are having a difficult time loving others, especially those who have offended you, stop and ask yourself “DOES GOD STILL LOVE ME EVEN THOUGH I’VE OFFENDED HIM?”

 If God can tear down the boundaries than surely you can!  I bless God that His love for me has no boundaries.  Are you willing to tear down the boundaries that you have placed up in your life?

*Food for thought: What boundaries have you placed on the love that you give to others and what if God placed those boundaries on you?

 
Have a blessed day in the Lord and Remember God loves you.

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation. 

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Our Youth Matter!

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Being a child is difficult in this day and age.  Peer pressure is on an all time high, violence is steadily increasing, and our children are being exposed to things that we were never exposed to.  Being a child is tough, but being a Christian child is even harder. 

• What are the concerns of our youth?
• What activities are available for our Christian youth?
• How can we encourage our youth?

It’s time to realize that all of our youth have a voice and their voice is powerful.  We just have to take the time to listen.  Let’s see what’s on their mind, give them alternatives to worldly activities, and encourage them!

Need some suggetions???  Be sure to check out the Blog to see what’s happening in your neck of the woods! Click on the “Youth Matters” Catergory to see updates. 

Our children are the future and it’s time to remind them that they matter!

God bless.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.