Fresh Brew!

I'M A "KEPT" WOMAN

I Am a 'Kept' Woman? You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind, But GOD kept me sane. (Isa... 26:3) There were times when I thought I could go on no longer, But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15) At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong, But the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Ps. 13) Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough, But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34) When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up. When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30) I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me! I'm blessed to be 'kept.' Are you...or do you know a 'kept' woman ? If so pass it on to her to let her know she is 'Kept' I'm Kept by the Love and Grace of God! I am indeed a 'kept' woman and praise God for it! Hope you can share this with other kept women and Sistah.

March Bible Study: Rev. Debbie Howard

Precious Wealth
Precious wealth and diligence are inter-related.
But what does it mean to be diligent? Can this
skill be learned? How can we make the decisions
which produce precious wealth?
Strong’s Concordance defines diligence as a
strict decision; sharp and cutting. It's also interpreted
trench, moat, ditch. A trench is a long,
deep ditch used by soldiers for protection in a
war. A moat is a wide ditch, originally filled
with water, surrounding a fortified ed place such as
a castle.
Jehoshaphat, in II Kings 3:5-9, made a strict decision
to seek the Lord during a time of great
lack. There was no water. He, along with the
king of Israel and Edom, sought out the counsel
of the Lord through Elisha.
Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley
full of ditches. For thus saith the
LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither
shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall
be fi lled with water, that ye may drink,
both ye, and your cattle, and your
beasts. (II Kings 3:16)
Valleys are low-lying areas between two hills
or mountains. Sometimes the word is used to
define times of depression, discouragement or
when we feel pressed in or overwhelmed.
Jehoshaphat received the counsel of the Lord.
Dig ditches in that valley where there is no provision.
Dig ditches? Could this really be the Word of
the Lord? It may have seemed a bit unusual but
they dug ditches…all over the valley.
Amazing isn’t it?
There was no water, no necessary provision. Yet,
they followed the instructions and dug ditches.
They had nothing to drink…but they dug the
ditches. Their cattle had nothing to drink…but
they dug ditches. Moab was set to attack…but
they dug ditches in obedience to the Word of
the Lord. They made a sharp-cutting decision to
follow the instructions.
The next morning their decision to trust the Lord
and dig those ditches paid off. The ditches (decisions)
were filled with abundant provision.
Make a decision, today, to trust the Lord. Dig
ditches of faith, believing God to fi ll those
decisions with a manifestation of His precious
wealth.
Diligence:
1. Careful and persevering in carry out tasks or
duties 2. carried out with care and perseverance:
a diligent approach to work
Take away: Seek the direction of the Lord
Follow through with the instructions with due
diligence, even if it's as mundane as digging ditches.

Heavenly Father, We come to you today facing a similar
situation as Jehoshaphat. The enemy is fast on our heels as we stand
in a valley with no streams of income and no visible supply. We
choose to follow the Jehoshaphat's example and seek the Word of
the Lord at your mouth. We make a sharp, cutting decision to listen
to your instructions. Send the word that will heal us during this time
of economic crisis and deliver us from the destruction of the enemy
that is planning an attack in the midst of our lack. Empower us with
diligence, care, and perseverance needed to attain Your promise of
Precious Wealth.
Prayer