Word for the day “Gratitude is a game changer”
Psalm 42:11 (NLT) Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!
Beloved leaders,
Living in gratitude in good and tough seasons is profitable to your life. In this Thanksgiving season just look back over your life and see where the Lord has brought you from.
WE ALL MUST PASS THROUGH THE SEASON OF LEARNING.
Consider with me today this short summary of my life, the life of one man who knows the importance of a thankful heart: In November 2012, I prayed and felt compelled to begin a Ministry. I started out with people aligning with me and saying they were with me to do some Kingdom business. I started having services at my New Jersey home in 2013. In 2014, many of the people who aligned with me in 2012 decided to move on, in 2014 there was a special remnant left with me as I endeavored to do Kingdom work for God through the conduit of Ministry.
Keep reading family: As the ministry continued and we served God and people through 2017. After a few months in prayer, in 2017 I pivoted from doing Kingdom Ministry for the Lord. After pastoring the church for 5 years of my life, my season was up and this became apparent to me. I then retired from corporate America, retired from the pastorate, and I moved to North Carolina. In 2020 and 2021 my personal life was hit in very painful ways.
As of today, 2022, I’m still doing kingdom ministry in various ways none of which I had ever considered. I authored my first book in 2019, doing leadership coaching, working with educational facilities, involved in the kingdom in marketplace initiatives, kingdom teaching seminars, etc. Although I am not doing Ministry in the conventional manner: A Church building. I’m thankful my commitment to God has not wavered, and my commitment to serving people is just as fervent or even more passionate as we near the close of the year 2022.
How about you and your life? Do you have an In-spite of situations?
WE WILL COME TO THE SEASON OF EARNING IF WE CONTINUE.
In-spite of my plans, and differences with some people (Even losing some relationships along the way), and things not working out according to my initial goals in my professional and personal life. In this season of thanksgiving, I am incredibly grateful for what the Lord is doing in my life, family, and my Kingdom efforts. Whoever you are today reading this message don’t allow your thought of failings, your sorrows, your depression, your disappointments, to cause you to remain discouraged.
When you commit your life to God, the Lord gives you the power to triumph over it all (Psalm 41:11). My life has continued to amaze me in how the Lord has ordered my steps. In fact, I believe the Lord has ordered your steps as well (Psalm 37:23).
Are you ready to pivot or are you comfortable where you are?
Today’s message is to remind you that as God’s people we either win or we learn. I’ve learned some amazing things and have earned the right to encourage you today. Let’s go and be thankful and see what the Lord has in store for your life now.
POINT TO PONDER
Chose to express gratitude to God and lead a nation to do the same. Notice I said “A Nation”, because when you commit to God, It’s always greater than you! I am a living witness to this end. What’s your “In-spite of in this season of your life?”
It doesn’t matter what it is: hurt, pain, sorrow, depression, loss, disappointments, or anything else. You can choose to have a thankful spirit. Please know I Love you all in this Thanksgiving season and remember these next days at the close of this year are really important to your life in God.
Special thanks!
James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of November 2022, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st-century season: Special thanks to Ms. Annette Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Jeanette Grant, Ms. Angela Battle, Ms. Cynthia Artis-Waiters, Ms. Michelle Winder Branch, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson, Mrs. Shakeema Lowe, Mr. Calvin Griffith, Mrs. Angela Harrison, Mr. Kevin Byfield, Ms. Shawna Chester, Ms. Jennifer Sanchez, Mr. William Wilson, Mr. William Buchanan, and Ms. Gertrude Scott.
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Kingdom Blessings,