If you want greater-seek GREATER

Sunshine’s Reflections

Happy Friday-Eve!!!  The Lord is good and worthy of the praise! 

TFTD: If you want greater-seek GREATER

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

I will step out on a limb and suggest we have all heard the following statements:

• “You are the company you keep”
• “Birds of a feather, flock together”

If you want to measure your success, measure the quality and character of the top 10 people in your closet circle.  If you hang around a bunch of complainers and whiners than don’t be surprised when people call you the same thing.  If you hang around a bunch of people who are under achievers  than don’t be shocked that you never reach your full potential.  If you hang around a bunch of successful people you will be successful.  You will begin taking on the mannerisms, belief systems, and attitudes of the people who are in your closet circle.

So, if you want greater-seek Greater!  It’s time to seek God first and make sure He is on the top of our list.  When we seek Him first, we won’t have to worry about anything.  God will take care of us.  God will lead us and direct us.  God will provide and sustain us.  God will provide the increase when we decrease and allow Him to be God.  He has greater for you, but you must surround yourself with a GREAT GOD!!!  Then watch Him lead you to great people who will assist you on your journey to greatness!

Take a moment to evaluate your current situation and your future desires.  Then look at the people in your closet circle.  Is it time to remove some people from your space?  Are you hindering your progress because of the company you keep?  Is it time to seek Greater? 

I encourage you to surround yourself with like-minded people.  Seek God first and allow Him to direct your path.  Don’t be like the eagle who was raised with the chickens and desired to soar and fly, but never stretched it’s wings out because it looked around and saw all the chickens pecking at the ground.  So it continued to mimic the company it kept instead of embracing its destiny.

Spread your wings and fly!!!  Have a blessed day!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

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 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

New Mercies

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Thank you Lord for another day!

TFTD: New Mercies

Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJV)

²² Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”

Mercy is when God alleviates distress from us by showing us compassion, kindness, and forgiveness.  God is so merciful that He spares us from the punishment we do deserve and replaces our punishment with love.  I am so grateful for the new mercies that show up every single morning. 

It is such an awesome feeling to know that we don’t have to be consumed by the worries of this life because God’s mercy will continue to carry us through.  There is peace in knowing that His compassion for us never fails.  Aren’t you glad to know you can wake up each morning to new mercies?  We can literally experience the feeling of Christmas every morning.  God hand packages new mercies for you and for me.  Isn’t that great news?!?!

We are currently living in uncertain times, but one thing that is certain is that God will give us new mercies every single morning.  If you can’t look forward to anything else, you can look forward to that!  Great is His faithfulness, Great is His faithfulness, Great is His faithfulness!  Thank you Lord for your new mercies!

Have a blessed day!   

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

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 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Can’t we all just get along?

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Give God praise for a glorious Tuesday.  He woke you up this morning, clothed you, put food on your table, placed a roof over your head, gave you a sound mind, and these are only a few reasons why today is so glorious.  Remember to rejoice in all things.  God is truly in the blessing business.  We just have to open our eyes, minds, and hearts to see all of the blessings that sit before us.

TFTD: Can’t we all just get along?

Romans 15:5-6(NIV)

⁵ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, ⁶ so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Why is there so much tension and dissension in the church, in our homes, in the schools, on our jobs, and in our community?  Is it because we are all creatures born in sin?  Maybe it’s because of all of our different personalities.  No matter what the reason is, as believers of Christ, we need to make it our business to get along with everybody.  I know that seems like a tough task, but it is possible.  If Jesus did it, then surely we can do it with His Spirit dwelling in us.

“Can’t we all just get along?”  I mean seriously, can we intentionally work  towards following Christ’s example and love one another?  The Word of God tells us to treat each other the way Christ treats us so that we can operate as one.   I took the below scripture and replaced the word “love” or the word “it” with your name in order to paint a picture.  Since God is love and He dwells within us then we should take on the characteristics of God in order to get along with others.  Read the scripture below and insert your name in the appropriate places. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

⁴ (Insert Your Name) is patient, (Insert Your Name) is kind. (I) do not envy, (I) do not boast, (I am) not proud. ⁵ (I) do not dishonor others, (I am) not self-seeking, (I am) not easily angered, (I) keep no record of wrongs. ⁶ (Insert Your Name) does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷  (I) always protect, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Wow!  When I read this I see I have a lot of work to do.  Christ is the greatest example of how to love and how to get along with others.  We need to look at  every area of in our life that we are lacking and earnestly seek Christ for direction.  Don’t try to conquer everything at once.  Ask God to help you tackle one area at a time.  Re-read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and begin allowing God to change the “bad” areas in your life so that you can accurately shine His light. 

If we all spent more time focusing on our imperfections instead of everyone elses then we could really get along! 

I am committed to allowing God to purge me of my self-righteousness so that I can better serve His people and get along with EVERYONE!  How about you? 

Can’t we all just get along! 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

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 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Who is your master?

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Monday to you all.  I pray you had a beautiful weekend.

TFTD: Who is your master?

Genesis 1:26-28 (NKJV)

²⁶ Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all^[a] the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” ²⁷ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ²⁸ Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

When God created us, He created us in His image.  We were given dominion over all of the animals in the air, in the sea, and on earth.  If we were given dominion over all of the animals, why is it that so many people are prisoners to food?  Who is your master?  Do you serve God or do you serve the animals that sit on your plate?

Obesity is running wild and claiming people of all ages.  Child-hood obesity is increasing at an alarming rate.  Parents are allowing food to raise their children and slowly watching this epidemic claim their lives.  The average life expectancy for adults is declining all because so many people are living unhealthy lifestyles.  So many people are prisoners to the food they eat.  Now is the time to take back the power God gave us.  It’s time to rule the animals instead of allowing the animals to rule us.  Who is your master?

For years, I allowed food to hold me captive, but I’ve decided to take back the power God has given me.  God is my master and the ruler of my life.  He is the only One who can set me free from captivity.  First, I had to admit I had a problem and then surrender to God.  We have to stop walking around in denial pretending we have control over unhealthy eating and give it God.  The moment I surrendered to God was the moment He unlocked the keys of bondage.  God is the only One who can set you free from bondage.  Remember obesity is a sin!  Stop being a slave to food and become a servant to the Lord.  Tap into the power God gave you before you were even formed in your mother’s womb and walk in authority.

Ask yourself, “Who is my Master?”

Have a blessed day reclaiming your life back! 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

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 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

He is All You Need

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning.  Happy Friday!  I pray you have a wonderful Friday and a blessed weekend.

TFTD: He is All You Need

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)

¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Life is composed of moments-good, bad, happy, sad, victories, loses, and more.  It’s a journey that will take you through a range of emotions and challenge your belief system.  Life is not easy and God never promised that it would be, however, He did promise to supply ALL of your needs according to His riches in glory.  Christ is All you need!

You can call off the search team because you will never find a man or woman who can or will supply all of your needs.  People are incapable of doing this, but there is One who can give you All you need and that is Jesus.

Jesus is:

• Jehovah Rophe- Our Lord who heals (Exodus 15:26)
• Jehovah Tsidkenu- The Lord our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)
• Jehovah Shalom- The Lord our Peace (Judges 6:24)
• Jehovah Nissi- The Lord our Banner (Exodus 17:15)
• Jehovah Jireh- The Lord will Provide (Genesis 22:14)
• Jehovah Rohi- The Lord is my Shepherd (Psalms 23:1)

Jesus is all of these and so much more.  Jesus can be your doctor, your lawyer, your peace, your protector, your EVERYTHING!  Stop spending so much energy and time seeking things in the world to supply your needs and begin nurturing a healthy and intimate relationship with the One who can and will supply all of your needs.  Jesus is All you need and so much more.  Look no further, accept Christ today.  Romans 10:9 says, ^“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

God is all you need, will you embrace the source of all you needs today?

Have a blessed weekend in Jesus name!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

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 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Your sufferings don’t even compare…

Sunshine’s Reflections

Happy Friday-Eve to you all!

TFTD: Your sufferings don’t even compare

Romans 8:18 (NIV)

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Believers of the most High God, please allow me a moment to remove the misconception that if you are saved you will not suffer.  You are not exempt from trials.  I don’t know where you got that from.   As believers, you will suffer, but the difference is you are connected to the Source of strength, hope, and power to get you through each and everything you will face.

I’ve been through so much in my life, but nothing compares to the glory that God will reveal in me.  Hallelujah!  I don’t care what you are going through.  God has given us the blessed assurance that He is always with us.  We are more than conquerors in Him.  And no matter what you have faced, are facing, or will face tomorrow, it doesn’t even come close to what God is going to reveal in you.  I don’t know about you, but this scripture makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.  I get a tingle up my spine just thinking about the goodness of God.

Consider this, if God had to hide Moses in a cleft of a rock to protect him from seeing the glory of God because it was too powerful for Moses to see face-to-face, imagine how awesome it will be when God reveals His glory in us.  Ohhhh weee!  My sufferings don’t even compare to that imagery.  Can you even fathom what God is going to reveal in us?  I can’t even begin to speculate, but I do know by believing in God’s word, I can obtain strength for my journey and my perspective can now change when I look at my trials and tribulations.

No matter what I go through it doesn’t even compare to the glory that will be revealed in me.  No matter what you are going through, it doesn’t even compare to the glory that will be revealed in you. 

Chew on that this morning.  God is a wonder! 

Have a blessed day! 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

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 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

My Life is Not My Own

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Wednesday to you all!

TFTD: My Life is Not My Own

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

During my journey to grow closer to Christ, I discovered I wasn’t honoring God with my body.  I was overeating, not getting adequate rest, I was stressing and the list goes on.  I totally mistreated my body and didn’t realize it.  It wasn’t until I desperately sought God that I saw the plank in my eye.  He reminded me that my life is not my own and I was brought at a price.  How dare I walk around mistreating the temple in which Christ dwells?  How effective can I be in the kingdom if I am out of breath, struggling with emotional eating, serving food as a “mini” god, bringing on health issues that I can control and more.  I had to do better.  We have to do better.

Children of God, obesity is a sin.  We have to stop being held hostage by food and our emotions.  We are slowly killing ourselves with food and the only One who can save us is God.  How are you honoring God with your body?  Do you fill it with alcohol, do you over indulge in food, do you satisfy your lust or do you contaminate it with lies?  We have to remember our life is not our own.  I am determined to life a life that is pleasing to Christ.

Living a healthy spiritual life means we have to get our physical and emotional life in order as well.  Don’t try to do it on your own.  Seek God first and watch Him show you how to honor Him with your body.  Do you love God enough to take care of His dwelling place?  The moment I sought God to increase my spiritual well-being is the moment He began transforming my physical, mental and emotional well-being.  My life is not my own and I will use my body to serve and honor God!

What will you do to honor God with your body?

Have a blessed day!  Enjoy your day! 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

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 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Stop Comparing Your Walk with Others

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Tuesday to you all!  This is the day the Lord has made and I’m going to rejoice and rejoice and be glad in every moment God blesses me with.

TFTD: Stop Comparing Your Walk with Others

2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)

¹² We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Children of God, stop comparing your walk with others.  God did not create you to compete with others.  He created you to worship Him.  God is the source of your strength and your gifts and talents.  If it weren’t for Him you would not be able to do the things you do. 

Don’t allow people’s opinions about your spiritual walk cause you to conform to their ways.  There are “church folks” who will look at your life and deem you less than holy because you are not operating they way they are.  We’ll God didn’t create you to mimic them, He created you to mimic HIM!  We all have unique gifts and talents that add to the body of Christ.  Our diversity of gifts allows us to be effective in the kingdom.  Stop comparing your walk with others because it breeds competition, envy, jealousy, and bitterness. 

I want to encourage you to spend more time in God’s word and focus on His example and His instructions for your life.  He needs you to focus on the assignments He has set before you and you can’t do that if you are comparing yourself to others.  God wants to do a new thing in you.  If He wanted us to all be the same He would have created us that way.  Embrace your differences.  Focus on glorifying God and not competing with others.

God is ready to use you for His glory.  Are you ready to embrace your differences?

Have a blessed day! 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

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 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Poetry Corner “Self-denial”

Poetry Corner

Happy Monday to you all!  I pray you had a blessed weekend.  Happy President’s day to everyone who has the holiday off.  I’ll be at work smiling and praising God for employment while celebrating everyone who gets to rest today!  Make the best of your day no matter where you are!

Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life^[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Self-denial

by: Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

I was born into this world many years ago

Where life would lead me nobody knows

Although I was alive and moving around

Without Christ, I was ultimately hell bound

I didn’t start living until I accepted Christ

Once He became my Savior, my life started going right

However, there was one more thing required of me

I had to deny-myself and follow Thee

I had to deny myself of my fleshly desires

I had to take up my cross in order to go higher

Higher in Christ is where I want to be

But I can’t get there if I focus on pleasing the flesh within me

Self-denial-Sacrificing my personal pleasures

It’s a necessary means to reach my spiritual endeavors

I’d rather forgo things that will please my flesh

And feed my spirit so God can get the best

The best of me including a sincere heart

It’s time for me and my flesh to part

~What are you willing to sacrifice in order to grow closer to Christ?  Would you rather feed your flesh or feed your spirit?  Take time to examine your life and see if you are willing to deny yourself in order to gain the things of God. 

Have a blessed day!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

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 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You can do All things…Do you believe that?

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Friday to you all!

TFTD: You can do All things…Do you believe that?

Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

How many times have you quoted Philippians 4:13?  I quote this scripture a lot when I’m in a difficult situation or when taking on a new task.  It’s something about this scripture that boost my self-esteem and confidence.  But I wonder how many believers, truly believe in this scripture?  Do you really believe that you can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you or is it just lip service you are performing?

Sometimes we will face challenges that may appear bigger than our natural abilities, but when we tap into the strength of Christ we are able to conquer them.  It’s not enough to just quote the scripture, we must believe that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  It amazes me how people can walk around confident in their own ability, when in reality they aren’t really do anything, but refuse to embrace the power of Christ.  When you believe in the power of Christ that dwells within you, you can speak to sickness and be healed, you can declare and decree peace in the atmosphere and chaos will cease, you can obtain a job that you don’t qualify for on paper, you can change your life and help others in the process when you believe.

It’s important as believers that we tap into this power that lives within us.  We don’t have to live in fear or walk around defeated if we truly believe we can do ALL things through Christ.  Imagine what would happen in the kingdom if every believer would believe in this power and then operate in this belief?  We could conquer the world.  Our children would go to school defeating peer pressure and low self-esteem because they would believe they could do anything.  Competition within the church would die because all believers would believe in their unique ability to serve Christ instead of trying to out-do the other.  We would conquer the world instead of trying to cater to it all because we would believe we could do so much more than the world could offer us.

God has placed a vision on your heart, but you have been hesitant because of disbelief.  I challenge you to tap into the power of Jesus and truly believe you can do ALL things through Him.  God is the one who gives you strength.  You don’t have to worry about your ability because once Christ adds His super to your natural you will be unstoppable.

I pray you have a blessed day and remember you are a powerful creature in Christ!  God bless!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

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 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.