From the Beginning of Time

A phrase that I say often to my children is, “You were born for greatness.” I say it so often in fact that the words “You were born” has barely escaped my lips before they have finished the phrase. Although they roll their eyes and act annoyed when I say this to them I won’t stop because I am instilling in them a vital truth: God knew them and had a vital plan for their lives from the beginning of time.

The same is true for you. God’s plan for your life just didn’t begin when you were born but was formulated from the beginning of time. It is written, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). That said, you should be living like you were predestined for greatness; you should be focused and determined to fulfill your destiny.

Mary, the mother of Jesus the Christ, was a woman who believed that she had been chosen. Although she was but a child (somewhere between the ages of 12-14) when she was visited by the angel Gabriel she believed him when he said, ““Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus” (Luke 1:30-31). Instead of questioning the angel excessively she simply replied, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Now that’s the way one responds when he/she BELIEVES that they have been chosen for greatness!

So I encourage you to start believing God at His word and hold fast to His promises. God chose YOU from the beginning of time to do something amazing and He is equipping you to fulfill an assignment that only you can fill. That, my friend, is reason to rejoice.

If life has you down right now speak life into your situation. Remind yourself that this too shall pass, that weeping only endures for a night, and that you were born for greatness from the beginning of time.

With God all things are possible,
Dr. Celeste

918 books sold, 9,182 to go (For an explanation of these stats please see post One Year – 10000 books)

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Also if you are fasting for Lent and would like to join a community of fasters please consider The 40-Day Surrender Fast. The next structure period of fasting begins February 27.

 

I Triple Dog Dare Ya

Every year for as long as I can remember I’ve watched A Christmas Story which tells the story of a boy named Ralphie and his  pursuit to obtain his dream Christmas gift: the Red Ryder BB Gun. He does eventually gets it but that’s not the point of this blog. I am writing to remind you of one memorable quote that goes, “I triple dog dare ya” which was said by one character who wanted the other to lick an icy pole. It worked so I thought I would say the same quote to you today.

Are there some dreams or situations that you need resolved? Well I triple dog dare you to ask God and believe in faith that it is done. Here are some tips that should encourage you to take the dare:

1. WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. In Matthew 19:26 Jesus said, But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” I don’t care how impossible your situation looks. Stop looking at the situation with your natural eyes and look through the eyes of faith. These were the instructions that Elisha gave his servant who was fearful that they would be consumed by an enemy that was quickly approaching. However, when the servant looked again he saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around ready to fight their battle (2 Kings 6:17). The same is true for you. God will fight your battle and there is nothing too hard for him.
2. GOD WANTS YOU TO ASK. When you are in will He gives you what to pray for. Take Jabez, he cried to the Lord God of Israel a simple prayer that God heard and answered (I Chronicles 4:10). His word also says “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer” (I Peter 3:12).
3. GOD WANTS TO BLESS YOU. In an outrageous way! His word says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). It also says in Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

I am a living witness that God answers prayers. As the old song goes, He has done so much for me that I cannot tell it all. So I dare you to believe, I dare you to step out in faith and put your petition before Him, and I dare you to trust that He will all work together for your good. Now that’s a triple dog dare you can’t refuse!

With God all things are possible,
Dr. Celeste

772 books sold, 9,228 to go (For an explanation of these stats please see post One Year – 10000 books)

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Listen Good the First Time

Does that phrase “If you would have listened good the first time you wouldn’t be in this mess” sound familiar? I remember on one occasion my mother instructed that I not go to bed with gum in my mouth. Of course, not wanting to “waste” my piece of gum, I went to bed with gum in my mouth. And I had to live with the consequence of my disobedience: a good tongue thrashing and a little less hair.

Unfortunately, some things never change. Over the years I have had to learn the hard way that disobeying God’s instructions has consequences.  Now I have finally gotten to the point that I listen good the first time. What about you? Let me assure you that if you want to stay out of adult messes you must listen to God’s instructions and obey.

For the last couple of weeks I have been coaching a friend on a personal matter. Last week she had an A-HA moment and told me specifically what God was instructing her to do. In a nutshell, He told her to stand still and let Him fight her battle.

Although straight forward (God’s commands always are), it wasn’t an easy command for my friend to follow. So after a week she took matters into her own hands and convinced herself that she had heard wrong. Following a very frustrating couple of days we speak again and I say,  “What was God’s first word to you?” She repeated it and now she vows to follow His instructions no matter how challenging the situation becomes.

The message is short and sweet. If you want to stay out of trouble, live in God’s abundance and peace than listen good the first time!

With God all things are possible,
Dr. Celeste

755 books sold, 9,245 to go (For an explanation of these stats please see post One Year – 10000 books)

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The Keys for Overcoming Your Past

Are you ashamed of some things that you have done in the past and/or were done to you? If yes, that is no way to live as being ashamed is a hindrance to living a prosperous, fulfilling life.

Therefore, if want to receive the abundant blessings that God promises you, you will need to move on from regret, shame and other negative emotions that keep you in a pattern of unproductiveness.

God’s word tells us, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Rev. 12:11a, NKJV). In light of that truth, here are two sure-fire ways to win this war of the minds that the enemy has waged on you:

1. Be covered by the blood of the Lamb. If you have accepted Christ as your personal savior, He has you covered. Ps. 91:1 tells us He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. In His presence you are safe and free from judgment. He says as far as the east is from the west so far has He removed your sin from you (see Ps. 103:12). Since He has forgiven you, you need to forgive yourself or other people and find the courage to move on.
2. Share your testimony. Ask God to give you the right times and situations in which you can share a portion of your testimony. The more you are able to appropriately share your story the more comfortable you will become with telling it. The enemy thrives in secrecy, but when you just “let it all hang out” he has nothing to taunt you with.

This process of unpacking the truth and allow God to rid you of the shame will be one of the most challenging things you will ever do. But the rewards will far outweigh your momentary discomfort. Just let God be who He is in your life and He will get you to the point where you can say, “I have overcome by the words of my testimony!”

With God all things are possible,
Dr. Celeste

750 books sold, 9,250 to go (For an explanation of these stats please see post One Year – 10000 books)

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You Didn’t Cause the Pain

A bunch of us are smack-dab in the middle of a movement called Surrender 2012. It is a time of corporate fasting from anything that shares part of our heart with God. During our 40 days of surrender, God has instructed us to daily recite the Jabez prayer recorded in I Chronicles 4:10:

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

Jabez means pain. He was named according to his mother’s first experience with him.  “Because I bore him in pain” she named him Jabez. I can only imagine the “pain” he felt every time he had to introduce himself, “Hello, my name is pain. How are you?”

As I was reading the latter part of Jabez’s prayer to God this morning, “that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” I started to cry as the spirit reminded me of the countless others who unduly carry the burden of believing that the pain that was caused during their childhood was their fault. In my spiritual eye I could see the little boy part of Jabez still hurting for the pain he had not caused. In fact, his mother’s birthing pains were a result of sin (see Genesis 3:16), not him.

Nonetheless the burden he carried must have been great. Can you relate? Were you abused as a child and believe in error that the abuse and the pain that you experienced was your fault? Did you tell an adult and was made to believe the pain that the family experienced was your fault? Well it wasn’t and you were not to blame. What happened to you as a kid was not your fault, just as Jabez’s mother’s pain during child birth was not his fault.

Be encouraged today that God can make you new in Him if you cry out for His truth. The truth is He loves you and wants you to live your best life now. He proved that by sending His son Jesus to bear our sin and pain as He died for us on the cross. Now because of the work that Jesus did, you can live a life free from guilt and condemnation.

If you are burdened by memories of childhood please speak to someone today. Talk to your pastor, a trusted friend, or professional counselor. You might also consider doing The 40-Day Surrender Fast. During your time of surrender God will release you from the stronghold that has kept you bound for many years. Remember, the burden is not yours to carry, you didn’t cause the pain and God wants you to be free so that He can bless you indeed!

With God all things are possible,
Dr. Celeste

710 books sold, 9,290 to go (For an explanation of these stats please see post One Year – 10000 books)

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All Things Considered

I was talking to a friend the other day that had just learned some very troubling news regarding her teen daughter. As she relayed the details, the pain was evident in her voice, there was no denying that she was deeply hurt. But at the end of our conversation she stated, “All things considered, it’s been a good year.”

What an awesome example of how God wants us to summarize our year. He wants us to look back and reflect on His goodness, not concentrate on the things that didn’t go our way. Sure we can all point out the mishaps, but how ready are we to pull ourselves out of the rut of complaining and praise God despite the challenges.

The word tells us to do all things without murmuring and complaining because when we complain, we complain against God (see Philippians 2:14). If you are reflecting on this year and only complaining about every bad thing that has happened to you, you are wrong and you need to stop. Why not honor God by noticing His goodness and praising Him just because.

Truth be told, God has been good to you and the fact that you can sit and read this blog means that things aren’t as bad as they may appear (i.e., you have a computer or smart phone, electricity, eyes that see, a mind that can comprehend what you are reading, etc.) So act like you are blessed!

I dare you to give God the glory. Praising Him will make you feel better and allow you to approach 2012 with a heart of expectancy because God has great things in store for you!

I don’t know about you but I am excited about 2012 and what is to come. If you can grasp onto faith, nothing will be impossible for you.

As I reflect on my year I am thankful that I have shelter, food, family, a thriving ministry, peace, and joy. Not everything has gone the way I wanted and I’ve had to shed some tears, but all things considered, “It’s been a good year!”

With God all things are possible,
Dr. Celeste

It’s still not too late to join us for Surrender 2012 which starts January 2.

672 books sold, 9,328 to go (For an explanation of these stats please see post One Year – 10000 books)

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Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Celeste Owens. All rights reserved.

Windows of Blessings

As I was clearing my bible this morning, of random pieces of paper, I came across a note that made my spirit leap:

______________________

2/24/11 – As I entered the car the song that says, “I see a window over your head and it’s pouring out blessings” was on. 2/25/11 – This morning I turned on the car radio and the same song about the window was     on. Amen, I receive the blessings you have for me. Praise be to God, my Lord  and King!

______________________

Just reading the word “window” immediately brought to mind the scripture, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10 NKJV).

And that is just what God has done for me this year! Not because I am so great, but because God honors His word. The Word tells us that the power of life and death are in the tongue. This year I had made a conscious effort to speak blessings into my life. In addition to writing the note above, I would hum that song all the time. My son and I eventually adopted the song as our “theme” song. Whenever something good happened, he would stop and say, “Mom, I see a window over your head” and we would squeal with delight.

In a nutshell that song became a part of us. And because we believed its message, we started acting like there was nothing too hard for God. Anybody recall a declaration that I (with God) will sell 10,000 books in one year? Well that boldness comes from knowing that nothing is impossible with God.

So it’s your turn. I am encouraging you to start your year off speaking positivity into your situation, over your family, at your job, and where ever you go. Decide to radiate an attitude of expectancy; an attitude that believes God at His word.

I have four simple suggestions to help you succeed at believing God for more:

1. Notice what God is doing and record it. The Dollar Store has plenty of journals. Get one and record what you see, hear, and read.
2. Watch your tongue. Remember that God is recording your good conversations and planning to use your words for good one day soon (see Malachi 3:16-17).
3. Re-read God’s love messages to you. They will re-energize your faith and will encourage your spirit tremendously.

I declare that if you follow those steps you will have a blessed and prosperous 2012.

On another note…are you joining us for Surrender 2012? I hope so because this will be a life-changing 40 days.

Here’s how to join:

1.  Register at the Official Website  or on Facebook.
2. Purchase the book on either site (in fact, “Like” us on FB and receive 20% off) or at Amazon, and Barnes and Noble online. It is also in an ebook.
3.  Start Day 1 of the Surrender Fast on January 2, 2012.

It’s that simply. I look forward to spending the first of the year with you!

Remember with God all things are possible,

Dr. Celeste

633 books sold, 9,367 to go (For an explanation of these stats please see post One Year – 10000 books)

Comments are welcome. Also, please subscribe to have this weekly post sent directly to your Inbox.

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Celeste Owens. All rights reserved.

I Hear the Sound of Victory

If you hadn’t heard, 2011 is the year of victory. This fact has been reiterated by numerous Pastors across the country including my father, Pastor Donald Chisholm of the Latter Rain Cathedral in New York.

All this year I have been looking for and obtaining victory in every area of my life. But I sense there is more to come. For the last two days, I have been humming Maurette Brown Clark’s latest single Victory:

I hear the sound of victory
I know that things are gonna change for me
I make the sound everywhere I go
And I share the sound with everyone I know

In fact, today I wanted to write something on relationships however, I could sense the Spirit saying, “No, someone needs to know they have the victory!”

Victory, according to Free Online Dictionary is:

1. Defeat of an enemy or opponent.
2. Success in a struggle against difficulties or an obstacle.
3. The state of having triumphed.

Don’t you want your testimony to be that you overcame in 2011?! I know its December 9, but it’s not too late. God can do the impossible in a few short days. He just needs for you to believe and receive.

Some of you think this message is for someone else. No, it’s for you. This is not a coincidence that you are reading this post. God intended for you to do so and He wants you to get excited about what He can and will do.

So pray to God, express your need, and start speaking as if it is already done. Proclaim 2011 the year of victory!

Remember with God all things are possible,

Dr. Celeste

590 books sold, 9,410 to go (For an explanation of these stats please see post One Year – 10000 books)

Don’t miss Surrender 2012! Sign-up in 3 easy steps:

1. Register

Website or Facebook.

2. Purchase

“Like” us on Facebook and receive 20% off of entire purchase. Also available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble online and available in every ebook format.)

3. Start

January 2, 2012

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Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Celeste Owens. All rights reserved.

Now or Later: Being In Tune with God’s Timing

Is timing an issue for you? It certainly has been for me.  God speaks a promise to me and like a crazy woman I get to figuring out how I am going to make it happen. But now I’m finally learning to slow down and ask the all important question: Is that a right now word and a foreshadowing of what is to come?

You, too, should be in the regular habit of asking yourself that very important question; as it is critical that you understand God’s timing. As we often forget, God exists outside of time. Therefore for Him when He speaks, it is so. When Moses asked God who he should say sent him, God simply replied tell them, “I AM that I Am” (translated from the Hebrew phrase ehyeh asher ehyeh). Which can also be stated: I was, I am, and I shall always be. See what I mean, outside of time. Therefore exercising wisdom and discerning God’s timing accurately is crucial.

In 2000 I moved to Chicago to complete a year-long predoctoral internship. Right before I moved my friend Sheldon prophesied that he could see me (in his mind’s eye) sitting around a big table with leaders and heads of state. He further stated that he believed one of those people was Oprah Winfrey. Say what?! Oprah? I thought what perfect timing, I am moving to Chicago and Oprah lives in Chicago…what more is there to say? Needless to say Oprah and I never hooked up. I couldn’t even get tickets to be in the studio audience!

So what was that all about? It’s was about me being in rush to make God’s will a reality. In hindsight I can see how unprepared I would have been to interface with such great leaders. Even now God continues to prepare me for such a big assignment. And He continues to use people and His word to remind me of His Jeremiah 29:11 promises to me. Those promises keep me excited about what is to come and motivated to keep being my best in all that I do.

So here are a few tips for discerning whether God’s promises are for now or later:

1. You aren’t prepared. In 7^th grade I heard God speak to my spirit that I would be a psychologist. I was 12. That was definitely not a right now word.
2. You don’t have a clear understanding of the promise. About a year ago woman came to me and said that God told her to tell me, that I was “the replacement.” It took me all of two seconds to deduce that promise to Oprah is retiring her show, I am about to get a talk show. Ha! I crack myself up. Clearly I didn’t understand the meaning behind those words (and still don’t for that matter).  So it would behoove me wait for more clarity.
3. You don’t have the resources or tools. Take Abraham for example. God told him that he would be the father of many nations, yet at the time he didn’t have an heir and Sarah his wife was barren. He clearly wasn’t in the position to fulfill that promise.

Therefore my friend instead of worrying yourself into a frenzy, use today to prepare for tomorrow. Though the vision tarries, it’s only for a while, He will do just what He said. Habakkuk 2:4 reads,

“ 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.

Furthermore, Joshua 21:45 reads, “Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.”

As an aside, this post is not a license for those who are procrastinating to continue to do nothing; you know what God wants you to do. I just have one word for you: Jonah.

For all others, be encouraged. All of God’s good promises will come to pass. If not now than later. But in the meantime prepare, prepare, prepare.

Remember with God all things are possible,
Dr. Celeste

587 books sold, 9,413 to go (For an explanation of these stats please see post One Year – 10000 books)

Comments are welcome. Also, please subscribe to have this weekly post sent directly to your Inbox.

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Celeste Owens. All rights reserved.

The Health Benefits of Positive Thinking

I am melancholy by nature. If there is any negative to be found in a situation, I can find it. For the last couple of years, if not decade, I have diligently submitted to the Holy Spirit’s handy work. Slowly but surely I am being changed.

What about you? Are you naturally inclined to thoughts of optimism or pessimism? If the latter, don’t be discouraged; there is hope for you.

My extended family prays 6am every morning via conference call. Today God reminded us through His Word how to combat the urge to think negatively. Philippians 4:8 reads, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

My mother mentioned that the same scripture had come to mind earlier in the week as she was thinking about some health challenges she was facing that particular day. She recalled that as she thought about what was good (e.g., for the most part she has always been healthy and has no other significant health challenges) she began to feel better and stronger both emotionally and spiritually. And although physically she didn’t feel any different that health challenge became less of a focus for her and in turn she was able to end her day on a positive note.

What she experienced is not simply germane to her situation. Researchers have also come to understand the benefits of positive thinking.  Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Lower levels of distress
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

With those types of benefits, who has time to be negative?

So I challenge you to start thinking about what you are thinking about. Don’t allow negative thoughts to run rampant in your head, but instead challenge these thoughts by redirecting your mind to meditate on what is good. In doing this you will start to train yourself to approach your problems in a more productive way. Furthermore, thinking the best will allow you to focus on what really matters, knowing the all the other things will eventually work out for your good.

Remember with God all things are possible,

Dr. Celeste

352 books sold, 9,648 to go (For an explanation of these stats please see post One Year – 10000 books)

Comments are welcome. Also, please subscribe to have this weekly post sent directly to your Inbox.

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Celeste Owens. All rights reserved.