Phrase of the Day- Make it happen.

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Wednesday to you all!  Rejoice in the Lord always!  I don’t care what you are going through never allow your situation or people to keep you from praising the Lord!  He is great all of the time!!!  Thank you Lord for not being like man.

Psalm 119:133 (New King James Version)

 ¹³³ Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Today’s phrase Make it happen

Many of you know that I am a wife and a mother.  When I operate in these roles there are expectations that I have of my husband and of my children.  There are also expectations that they have of me.  There are task that require immediate attention and sometimes we allow procrastination to get us behind.  Quitting is not an option in our household.  So I often say, “Make it happen”. 

As believers we have to have a “Make it happen” attitude.  God has called you to do something and you know what that task is and sometimes circumstances and even people will reach up to hinder the plan that the Lord has for you.  You begin worrying about what people might say or what people might think if you continue with this task.  I just have one question:  Who is directing your steps? 

If the Lord is directing your steps, then MAKE IT HAPPEN!  NO SIN OR TEMPTATION, PERSON, PLACE OR THING WILL HAVE DOMINION OVER YOU UNLESS YOU ALLOW THEM TOO! 

It’s crunch time and a deadline is right around the corner, don’t listen to the people who say you won’t make it.  MAKE IT HAPPEN!  You are new to the area and God called you to join a ministry at church, don’t allow your thoughts about what people might say about you keep you from joining.  MAKE IT HAPPEN!  Your money is looking funny and people tell you to stop tithing, but God honors the sacrifice of a grateful giver.  MAKE IT HAPPEN! 

Giving up on what God placed in you is not an option.  Seek Gods direction, listen and recognize His voice, walk by faith, and MAKE IT HAPPEN!

I pray that you have a blessed day Making things happen for 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.

You are spiritually pregnant…Carry it to term

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Tuesday to you all!  This is truly a day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

TFTD: You are spiritually pregnant…Carry it to term    

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (New King James Version) 

 ² Then the LORD answered me and said:  “ Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. ³ For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.  

Genesis 1:28 a (New King James Version)

  ²⁸ Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; 

There are many believers walking around today “spiritually pregnant”.  Some are in their first trimester and not even aware that they are carrying a vision.  If you know anything about being pregnant the first few months of your pregnancy are very critical. 

You have to begin taking prenatal vitamins, drinking plenty of water, getting plenty of rest, and feeding on the right things.  You have to remove bad behaviors and negative activities from your daily routine.  A new life is forming in your belly.

The same is true for your spiritual pregnancy.  You have to begin exercising in the spirit through prayer.  There is power when you get on your knees or lie prostrate before the Lord.  You have to surround yourself with bible believing and teaching people.  You have to take your spiritual prenatal vitamins daily.  Studying and reading the Word of God contains all of the essential vitamins that you need in order to have your vision come to fruition.   

Now like a physical pregnancy your vision can not be born in the first trimester.  You have to know that your vision is for an appointed time.  Do not try to rush the process.  Allow God to work on His timing.  When God places a vision in your belly only you can carry it to term.  The problem many of us face is that we begin doubting the vision.  We become fearful of becoming spiritual parents. 

Are we equipped to birth this vision?  Will we be able to nurture and take care of this vision when it comes to pass?  Our fear, doubt, and insecurities often cause us to abort the vision before the second trimester.  Let me encourage you that God wants to birth something within you.  No one else can carry it for you.  You have to carry it to term!  Take care of your vision,  feed on the right spiritual things and get ready to birth what God has placed inside of you.  

   

Food for thought: If you are not multiplying then you are dying.  What good does it do to become “spiritually pregnant” over and over again if you are never going to give birth?  Carrying your vision may be uncomfortable and delivery may be painful, but in the end your vision will speak and not lie. 

Carry your “spiritual pregnancy” to term.  There is something amazing that is waiting to be born.  

I pray that you have a blessed day.  Take time to find out if you are “spiritually pregnant”.  Nurture your vision so that it will change the world.   

 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.

Young Entrepreneur Spotlight

I want to take a moment to highlight another young person who is making it happen in a very creative way.

Today’s Spotlight: Crystal Johnson King

 Natural Handmade Soaps 

www.kingsheavenlysoaps.com

When asked why she started this business Crystal had this to say:

I started out doing it as a hobby!  Then when i went natural, (ie cut off my hair) in January I thought maybe this is a perfect time to try other things natural.  Bar soaps can be unhealthy for the skin.  So I started researching healthier ways to make soap naturally and also found how to provide moisture to the skin.  I have been making the soaps for the last six months but it turned into an official business in January 2010. 

All my soaps are oil based and natural with some fragrance and extra moisturizer oil for the skin,like shea butter or sweet almond oil.

Crystal is another fine example of how you can take a practical idea and make it into a business.  You may have a burning desire to go into business for yourself but are unsure about how to get started.  If you need more information contact me and I’ll put you in contact with these young entrepreneurs.

Pictured: Actual products made by Crystal Johnson King

Herbal Essence Purple Soap

 

Fruit punch Soap

 

Goats’ milk honey and oatmeal soap

 

If you are a “young” entrepreneur or know of someone who is send me an email at niklellis@live.com.  They might be the next SPOTLIGHT!

Stop making trouble

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Monday to you all!  I pray that everyone had a blessed weekend.  

TFTD: Stop making trouble 

Job 14:1 (New King James Version)

 ¹ “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble. 

   

 As people; saved or un-saved we are all going to go through difficult times.  As believers our response to difficult times should not be as if we live without hope.  We should have assurance that this too shall pass.  

Now the bible says, that our days on earth are few and full of trouble.  It should not take anybody by surprise that we will encounter some tragedies, some test and trials, some tribulations, some heartache and pain.  I scratch my head because once you discover that your days are short here on earth and full of trouble why do you insist on making trouble? 

Trouble is going to come in all shapes, sizes, and from all different directions.  It’s going to come from people you expect, from people who you would least expect and even come from people who you do not even know.  So why, I repeat why would you insist on making trouble? 

I don’t know who I am speaking to today, but I want to encourage you to “STOP MAKING TROUBLE”.  We are representative of Christ and we should demonstrate and show His love to others.  Jesus was not a trouble maker.  He experienced the troubles of this world, but He never became trouble.  Some of us are walking around causing ourselves unneccessary pain because we are putting our nose and hand in things that do not belong to us.  Some of us are putting our two cents in places where no one even asked for one cent.  Stop making trouble! 

You are going to experience difficult times, but you do not have to be the cause of the trouble.    STOP MAKING TROUBLE!   

Food for thought:  When people hear your name what do they think about you?  Do they think of you as a trouble maker?   

Have a blessed day in the Lord.  Make an effort to stop making trouble.  

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.

Love, laugh, and live

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good  morning!  It’s FRIDAY!!!  Wooo hooo!  I don’t know about you, but I am excited about the weekend.  I pray that you all have a blessed and safe weekend.

TFTD: Love, laugh, and live

Love, laugh, and live

by: Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Life consist of series of emotions

Tears of joy

Tears of pain

To a fault

We allow the negative emotions to move in and take claim

Take claim over our lives and rule our day

They barrel down on our hopes and crush our nights

We give up on happiness and refuse to put up a fight

We allow bitterness to choke the very life out of our heart

Relationships are ruined before they can even start

Spend more time giving away hope

Love with every fiber of your being

And when things get tough tie a knot on the end of your rope

Laugh at everything that you see or even say

Do something special with your children today

Spend more energy living this life

Stop allowing problems to cause you to live in strife 

Life is short and you have so much to give

Love a lot, laugh more, and more importantly LIVE!

Food for thought:  If you really look over your life more good things have happened to you then bad things.  Unfortunately, as people we magnify the negative and miss out on opportunities to enjoy life.  When are you going to stop allowing your pain to rob you of living?

Enjoy your weekend!  LOVE, LAUGH, and LIVE!!! 

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.

Go ahead and love them…

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Today is “I’m almost there Thursday”.  This has been a long week for me, but glory to God I am almost there.  To the weekend that is.  (giggling) 

TFTD: Go ahead and love them

Matthew 5:44-45 (New King James Version)

⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

We all have enemies or people who seem unlovable.  Our flesh tells us to dislike them and in some cases to “hate” them, but God calls us to love them.  WHAT???  Love my enemies, someone who stands up against me, someone who persecutes me, someone who spreads lies about me, someone who seeks out to hurt me?  Are you serious?

YES!  God wants us to love that person.  God wants you to embrace them as He has embraced you.  When you accept the Lord as your personal Savior you take on His characteristics.  You are His children.  He is your Father.  Go ahead and love them, it’s in your new nature. 

It’s not enough just to say “hi” to someone who has done you wrong, even an unsaved person speaks to people they don’t like.  You have to love them.  Pray for them.  Do good towards them.  Encourage them.  Bless them.  Ask God to change your views about them.  Go ahead and love them.  One of the greatest things about God is His love.  God is love and it covers a multitude of sins.  Gods love rains on the good and bad. 

Food for thought: What better way to emulate the Father then by extending His love?  Go ahead and love them, it’s in your new nature.

I pray that you have a blessed day.  Extend love to someone who is not on your “most liked” list and watch God change either them, the people witnessing this, or even 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.

Wait

Sunshine’s Word of the Day

Good morning.  It’s Wednesday and its sunny where I live.  I pray that you have a blessed day.  No matter what the weather may be like this is a beautiful day that the Lord has made.  God bless.

Word of the day: Wait

Psalm 25:5 (New King James Version)

 ⁵ Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.

Wait: to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wait)

I don’t know about you but sometimes I can be impatient.  As believers we pray about things with a sense of urgency but one of the problems is the wait period.  God is so awesome that He can answer a prayer before you even utter an audible word.  Even in His greatness He can cause us to wait.

When you accept Christ your waiting period should look different from that of an unbeliever.  You should wait with expectancy.  You should wait knowing that God will answer your prayers.  It should not matter the time or the manner in which He answers rather you should have assurance that HE will answer. 

Sometimes we are made to wait so that we can appreciate whatever will come our way.  Sometimes we have to wait so that we can become prepared for what will happen.  Sometimes we have to wait so that we will seek God more.  There are many reason we have to wait but when you wait do it with a level of expectancy. 

He may not come when you want Him but He is always RIGHT ON TIME.  Spend time waiting on the Lord.  Wait on Him for the rest of your life!  He will never fail you!  I haven’t found anything more important to wait on, then the LORD!

Have a blessed day!

© 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.

You’re Free

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Tuesday to you all!  God woke you up this morning and started you on your way.  Give Him some praise!

TFTD:  You’re Free

Sunday morning the Gethsemane Baptist Church Praise team blessed my soul with a song called Never be bound again by: Paul Morton. 

Never be bound again

by: Rev. Paul Morton and Full Gospel Baptist

 I will never be

bound again

I got my liberty

I’m finally free

(Repeat as long as you need to)

(Repeat until something happens)

(Repeat until you believe you are free)

 Chains are gone

Got a new song

I’m finally free

(Repeat as long as you need to)

 I will never be

bound again

I got my liberty

I’m finally free

This song is so simple but powerful.  As believers we will never be bound again, but many of us are living like we are in bondage.  We allow the pressure and stresses of this world to keep us in chains.  Some of us walk around as if we are living defeated lives.

My bible says, in 2 Corinthians 5:17 ^“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  We have to stop walking around with the baggage of our old self.  We are new creations.  All of that negativity, bitterness, envy, hatred, backbiting, depression, fear, loneliness, anxiety, slothfulness, complacency, doubt, jealousy, gluttony, promiscuity, alcoholism, drug addiction, lying tongue can no longer keep you bound.  Stop holding on to those chains and embrace your liberty.

You are free!  Chains are gone, got a new song, you’re finally free!  You’re free!  You’re free!  You’re free!  Throw those chains away.  Don’t hold on to them.  Let them Go.  God has not placed chains on you so let them go!  You are FREE… WALK INTO YOUR LIBERTY! 

I feel like shouting I WILL NEVER BE BOUND AGAIN!!!  Hallelujah!  I’m free!!!

I pray that you have a blessed day walking in your liberty! 

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.

Young Entrepreneurs Spotlight

 

What is an entrepreneur?  An entrepreneur is a person who has possession of a new enterprise, venture or idea and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrepreneur)

We have all heard of the cliché “The children are the future”.  This is more than a familiar saying-it is the TRUTH.  We need to encourage our youth to be more and desire more out of their lives. 

I want to take time to spot light some up and coming business men and women in the community.  These individuals have tapped into some unique arenas and they might have something to offer you and your family.

Today’s Spotlight: Christie Larson

 

Crazy Cats Design

www.crazycatsdesign.com

Unique Glass and Mosaic Art

Christie Larson started Crazy Cats designs in 2008.

When asked why she started this business Christie had this to say:

“I started making the artwork because I was doing another project in a glass studio where they had a big bin of “scrap” glass that they had no use for and were going to throw out. I figured this was probably the case with a lot of stained glass artists, and wanted to create a form of artwork that put to use the scrap glass that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Hence, my pieces, which use small scraps of stained glass, was born. I decided to launch it as a full-time business after I received very positive feedback from some of my first art shows.”

Christie Larson has some beautiful artwork that I am a proud owner of.  Please check out her website.  Share it with others.  I have religious pieces, baby pieces, kitchen pieces, and look forward to many more. 

If you are a “young” entrepreneur or know of someone who is send me an email at niklellis@live.com.  They might be the next SPOTLIGHT!

REMEMBER OUR CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE!  Show them that sky is the limit and no idea is a “dumb” idea.  There are great businesses, inventions, programs, organizations and more waiting to be birthed in our young people.  Let’s encourage them!

You have a choice

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Monday to you all!  I pray that everyone had a blessed weekend.

Thought for the day: You have a choice

Mark 8:36 (New King James Version)

³⁶ For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

As believers you have a choice to do right or to do wrong.  You are able to reason with yourself whether or not to follow the will and way of the Lord or to run aimlessly with the world.

Sometimes we allow our flesh to dominate our spirit.  We get caught up in the “glam and the glitz” of the world and begin losing ourselves.  Some of us chase after fame and fortune, others chase hierarchical prestige on our jobs, a few of us seek after a false ideal of love in an effort to escape loneliness, and the list goes on.  Often times we run so far into the darkness that we forget we had a choice in getting there.

We blame the devil, our enemies, strangers, our environment, our community, our spouses, our family members, our church, our jobs, the government, and anything and anybody else except ourselves.  My bible says, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”  Is losing your soul and the promise of eternal life with the Father worth being the big boss on your job if you have to become corrupt in order to fill that position?  Is becoming eternally separated from the Father worth cuddling up with the enemy late at night just so that you can be in the arms of someone?  Is your choice to do wrong worth being disconnected from the Father?

We need to make the choice to allow our spirit to dominate our flesh and insist on its obedience to the Lord.  Nothing on this earth; no amount of money, no amount of pleasure, no accolades or titles are worth compromising or severing a relationship with Christ and the promise of eternal life. 

Food for thought:  Each day you make a choice: YOU DO!  Stop blaming others for the choices that you’ve made.  Are the choices that you make causing you to lose your soul?

Take time reflecting on your personal relationship with the Father.  It’s time to get right with the Lord TODAY!  Tomorrow is not promised.

Have a blessed day. 

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.