#theWORD – Deidra Deandra

TV: Divaz Next Door – Be Intentional

Divaz Next Door with Andrea & Alida

Over the past months, I’ve been praying for opportunities to share and influence others using my testimony and life experiences. Today I got to share on a local show in Belize called Divaz Next Door. Divaz Next Door is a live show that discusses various topics targeted at “women and the men who love them.” It airs every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. on Plus Television (based in the Capital City – Belmopan).

It was such a joy to be a guest on today’s show! We talked about being intentional about life, no matter what negatives may have happened to you. I got the opportunity to share a bit of my testimony, something I’ve not done outside of a private group. I touched a bit on life after being in a traffic accident and also discussed the effects of being raised by a single parent. God has really turned my situation around from a life of low self-esteem and a pity-me mindset to living beyond my circumstances and focusing on the legacy I want to leave. I’m ever so thankful for this opportunity to join these two inspirational ladies on Divaz Next Door and I’m excited to join them again later this month. Check out the recording of the show below.

Divaz Next Door Belize - Deidra Deandra

Related Topics: TV: Let’s Talk About “The M Word”

The Stone

Devotion – Resurrection Sunday – April 5, 2015

Mark 16:3-4 says: “On the way they were asking each other, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.”

My encouragement to you as I do my devotion this Resurrection Sunday is not to live a life wondering who is going to help you move the large stones in your life. See things are going to seem impossible, the weight of the stone–the struggle–will be too much for you.

Jesus has gone ahead and rolled those stones aside. We may not see it today, or tomorrow, next week, or the week after, but He has. He has gone ahead and made the way for you, all you need to do is turn to Him. History shows Jesus doing the impossible and He is ready to do it again for you! Go out in faith believing for Him to move the stones to favor you, to bless you!

Happy Resurrection Sunday! Be blessed!

Give Joyfully!

Last week a story on my Facebook feed caught my attention and I’m so glad I took the time to read it. A friend from my church posted a testimony of how God is working in her life and I asked her to share as an encouragement to followers on my blog. She writes…

Give-Joyfully-deidradeandra “So, I have to brag on GOD…
About 8 months ago I found a piece of property out by family/church. I started praying over it every time I drove by and claiming it as mine. Well, a couple months ago, God SUPERNATURALLY provided the money for a down payment (awesome!) and I began the buying process. We agreed on a price and after it was surveyed 3 acres became 4 1/2 at no additional cost to me (super awesome!). I had my closing cost money saved up and ready to go then God told me to give that exact amount to a specific person. I did so joyfully and without hesitation. Today I went to sign paperwork and the seller leans over to the lawyer and says “Ya know what, just waive the closing cost on this one.” !!!!!
I mean, is God not awesome!!! HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FAITHFUL TO ME AND ALWAYS PROVIDED!
Now, I’m just waiting on a buyer for my house and I know His timing is always perfect.‬”

So my friends, I encourage you to be joyful in those times when He tells you to make a sacrifice, give your last, do without… He is always working in the background, your blessing might be right around the corner; so don’t miss out on the blessings God wants to pour out in your life!

Do Something You Don’t Enjoy

I DON’T LIKE AMUSEMENT PARKS

I don’t like roller coasters. I don’t like spinning rides. I don’t like falling rides. This weekend I went to Magic Springs. I don’t like amusement parks.

One of the girls in our youth group invited me and another youth leader to go with her and a group of her friends this weekend to celebrate her 16th birthday. I don’t like amusement parks. Out of my mouth popped an excited “Yes!” but I don’t like amusement parks.

IT WAS SUCH A GREAT TIME! I watched them go on a few and joined in on some of the activities. I don’t like amusement parks, but I sure do love young people. We stood in one line for 2+ hours and it was the greatest time! magic-springs It wasn’t deep Bible talks, but it was real life moments. By the end of the day we were having little one-on-one moments with a few of them and really got the chance to advise them on different situations. Josh Barnett said once as we prepared for a High Point Summer Camp, “If they’re not laughing with you at the beginning of the week, they won’t be crying with you at the end of it.” I watched this play out in just one day. We laughed all day but in them having fun with us, they opened up to us more.

Don’t be waiting around to be a leader at a youth conference, or to catch a young person after a powerful youth group service. Do what they do; be where they’re at! Ezekiel 3:15 says, “I sat where they sat.” I don’t like amusement parks.

Word Over Work

WORK WORK WORK

I woke up early this morning, prayed, rolled over 1 or 2 times, then took a shower. I got dressed and plopped behind my little makeshift desk in my room, ready to get to work. Then my notifications went off reminding me of my various morning devotions. So I let go of the mouse and started to read. I felt immediate guilt.

SNIPPET // Jesus Calling, Sarah Young, August 29:
DEMONSTRATE your trust in Me by sitting quietly in My Presence. PUT ASIDE all that is waiting to be done, and refuse to worry about anything. This sacred TIME TOGETHER strengthens you and prepares you to face whatever the day will bring. The world is so complex and overstimulating that you can easily lose your sense of direction. When you spend time with Me, I restore your sense of direction. As you look to Me for guidance, I enable you to do less but accomplish more.

WAIT

Waiting Before Working – An Act of Faith
I’ve been doing and doing, “working after working” (you know what I mean?) to build Deidra Deandra. That little reminder in my devotion this morning was right on time. It’s not anything I don’t know; I just got caught up in my own strength. I’ve been slacking in my time with Him and had to give myself a check this morning. All the wisdom I need for not only my business, but my life, to write blogs that are real (and not just “another blog”) come from Him and to keep it that way I need to spend more time in His word. Waiting before working and putting Him first in your day is a crucial step to a successful day.

I wrote a piece on plans yesterday filled with Proverbs and today I end with another one, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3).” My message to you: Stop relying on your own wisdom and strength to get things done. FIRST, Commit WHATEVER you do to Him.

We Can Make Our Plans BUT..

We can make our plans..
BUT The Lord gives the RIGHT answer. (Proverbs 16:1)
BUT The Lord determines our STEPS. (Proverbs 16:9)
BUT The Lord’s purpose WILL prevail. (Proverbs 19:20)

I don’t know what He’s doing but I’m about doing what He’s doing. Over the past year I’ve realized that there’s really only so much planning we need to be doing. The first time that reality hit me (Ms. Planner) was like seeing a pig fly before my eyes; it was a LOT to take in. Today however, I have found that He’s really good at it. Go figure! 😉

I don’t need to know every detail (melancholy). I don’t need to make all the plans. “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? (Proverbs 20:24)” I thank Him for bringing me to a place where I find calmness in that scripture when years ago, it would have caused worry not being able to understand what’s next. It’s not easy hearing God say quit your job and GO. Say what? But I did and… I have to save that for another blog. 😀

Tonight as He pushes my plans aside, once again, I recite one of my favorite scriptures: “The Lord says, ‘I WILL GUIDE YOU along the BEST PATHWAY for your life. I will advise you and watch over you (Psalms 32:8).'”

Whatever God is doing in your life today, let Him do it! He wants GREAT for you, so want it bad enough to entrust your life, plans, agenda.. your everything to Him! Leaving my “dream job” was one of the best things He had me do. You never know what He has in store for you. Don’t be the WHAT IF person; give Him the reigns!

Obstacles are but for a MOMENT

Kaina Martinez

Obstacles are but for a MOMENT… Remembering Kaina Martinez
Two years ago, 26 year old, Kaina Martinez made Belize very proud when she placed 2nd in Heat 2 of the Preliminary Rounds of the London 2012 Olympic Games. I can remember the joy for Belizeans when with a time of 11.81, she proceeded to Round 1 of the Women’s 100m. Her photos flashed across my Facebook news feed as Belize cheered her on. One of such posts said, “Always proud to be Belizean… but with the Olympics… I’m positively beaming right now [K. Almendarez]!”

I share this as a little encouragement to remember the victories you’ve had. Problems won’t always be and obstacles are for but a moment. Don’t lose focus on what’s ahead of you! Kaina had to jump many hurdles; however, she kept her focus on the finish line ahead. One of her favorite quotes is,

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God [Corrie Ten Boom].”

It’s all in His hands! We hear it all the time but we must never let ourselves be deafened by our problems and obstacles.