"CHA-CHING"

Motivations from the Heart of

Paula Williams-Gaillard

I'll try to be as brief as I can because I need to catch the rest of my movie, but I am watching "The Stratton Story" (I love watching old black and white movies). The movie stars James Stewart who portrays a real life baseball player Monty Stratton aka "Country". To make this long story short :)...Monty arrives in California straight from the country (that's how he gets his nickname). As Monty is waiting to get his hair cut he notices a slot machine. (Now let me get this straight....this motivation is not intended to encourage anyone to gamble or gives a reason to go out and play the "one arm bandit")....God chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise!

Now back to the movie....Country is on a date and his date ask him what was making noise in his pocket (and I'm paraphrasing of course) but he said he decided to put quarters in the machine and after he put in his last quarter, he saw fruits and then the machine gave him all those other quarters. CHA-CHING...Country...you hit the jackpot dude!

WOW! After I heard that I went into Spiritual mode...a parellel was made to the slot machine scene and Giving. See....when you Give....(especially when it's your last or when you are in need yourself)...you will produce Fruit....which results in Harvest!

God loves it when we Give! Giving not just our finances, but our time...talent and resources! When was the last time you shared an encouraging word with someone...or a smile? When was the last time you helped someone who was in need? I'm going there....but in the words of Janet Jackson...what have you done for me lately....in other words, what have you done lately for someone other than yourself?

It is my Prayer today that God opens your heart so you can be sensitive to the needs of others....whether it's financially.....giving emotional or Spiritual guidance and support...I Pray that you are willing and obedient to do what Holy Spirit wants you to do!

Luke 6:38 says: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." Can I hear you say....CHA-CHING!!!

You are already Blessed so be Encouraged....
Love ya
Paula
© Copyright 2/28/09

All Rights Reserved

Email: fromtheheartofpaula@gmail.com

"WOW"

Motivations from the Heart of Paula Williams-Gaillard


"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."
Romans 8:28 (New Living Translation)

Last night my girlfriend PamS and I were talking and like times before, she inspired me to write a motivation! Let me ask.....have you said WOW lately?

As PamS and I shared the recent turns of events in our lives......we realized things happened and although they were drastic and sometimes painful....nevertheless....God turned those situations around and we look back at them and say……WOW that’s God!!

Some of you may recall, but a couple of years ago, I purchased a beautiful house! I loved that house! I knew it was our (me and the boys') gift from God but I couldn't understand (at that time) why I lost it. It wasn't until after James and I got married that I understood. See......had I not lost the house......I would have never left Goose Creek, South Carolina (yes, it's called Goose Creek), yet alone move to Atlanta!

I'm serious ya'll! That house was special to me. It was pretty....the dining room and kitchen were in my favorite color (lime green) and the living room was painted salmon. The back yard had a green house (which I knew nothing about maintaining) and the yard...I had a blast cutting my own grass and trimming the hedges! It was our first home...I LOVED it and putting it up for sale was NOT an option…no way Jose! When James and I started seriously discussing marriage and moving, he wasn't thrilled about moving back to South Carolina and I felt even if he did, he wasn't going to be happy there for long!

A couple of weeks ago my real estate agent called me (we had not spoken in almost a year). She couldn't believe I lost the house. I knew she was disappointed, however, when I told her I was married and had moved to Atlanta, Holy Spirit confirmed through her what I knew.....I had to lose the house in order to get where I am today.....WOW!

Last night, PamS and I continued discussing this thing happening and that happening, in the end...every trial...test....heartache....pain...struggle...after all we've gone through....we realized God's Hand was at work.....and all we could say was.....WOW!

Let me encourage you…no matter what....all things work together for the good! It may not look good...it may not feel good…..it may not sound good....but IT'S WORKING FOR YOUR GOOD! It is my Prayer today that you see and know...God causes everything to work together for your good! Trust God and never doubt........HE is working it out for you!!!!!

P.S.
Just as I am typing this motivation a friend sent an email and guess what it's entitled "WOW"...now talk about confirmation!!!!!

You are already Blessed.....so be Encouraged!

Love ya,
Paula
© Copyright 2/19/09
All Rights Reserved
Email: fromtheheartofpaula@gmail.com

"No Greater Love"

Motivations from the Heart of Paula Williams-Gaillard

"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up

His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to,

relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost)

but have eternal (everlasting) life." John 3:16 (Amplified)

Last Sunday as I watched "An Officer and A Gentleman", I got all choked up at the end when my name sake, Paula, is literally swept off her feet by her "knight in shining armour" (or should I say her knight in a white uniform)! As Paula is being whisked away, her girlfriend, who's love life didn't turn out good, hesitates but cheers her on and says, "way to go Paula"! I thought....WOW....that's love......Zack's love for Paula conquered all! Holy Spirit quickly brought me back to reality and reminded me of A GREATER LOVE...and that is, Jesus' Love!

Now, one might ask: what did I do to deserve His Love? The answer my dear....absolutely NOTHING! Romans 5:8 tells us "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jeremiah writes in Chapter 31 v.3 "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."

I rejoice in the Amplified version of I Chronicles 16:34 which says "O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!" People fall in and out of love....but The Love of Jesus endures forever!

As we celebrate Valentine's Day let's remember John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Jesus sacrificed His life so you and I can have Eternal Life....there's NO GREATER LOVE than that!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!!!

You are already Blessed so be Encouraged....
Love ya,
Paula
© Copyright 2/11/09
All Rights Reserved
Email: fromtheheartofpaula@gmail.com

"Lord....Use Me For Your Glory"

Motivations from the Heart of Paula Williams-Gaillard

"If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work".
2 Timothy 2:21

Now...how many (and I'm including myself) but how many of us recall telling God, "Lord use me for Your Glory" and when He tries to, we find excuses or complain about how He does it? Well......let me be the first to admit my guilt! Just yesterday I was a little "bothered" because the coolant in our car spilled out. The coolant reservoir was damaged, therefore we needed to order another one. When I called the auto parts store, they didn't have any in stock but I was told if we waited, they would ship one, next day from their warehouse. I thought, what a bummer because I was ssssoooo used to driving to the train station instead of taking the bus!

Well, this morning when I got on the bus, the first thing the driver mentioned was she had not seen me in awhile. I told her since we have a car now, I drive to the train station. Well, to make a long story short, she and I started talking and it wasn't until then, that I knew why I had to take the bus! It was such a Blessing speaking with her and sharing my testimony which brought confirmation from God to her! (Now I wonder how many other people on the bus, who overheard our convesation, I'm wondering what impact our conversation made on their lives). See, I was only thinking of, in the words of Pastor Creflo Dollar, "the me-man". I was thinking about lil ole' me and how inconvenienced I was by having to take the bus. God wanted me there....at that moment....on that bus.....for a time such as today....to be used for HIS Glory and to HIS Honor!

I love the part in the text Scripture which says: "he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use and prepared unto every good work"! I Corinthians 6:13 tell us: "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." I had to get rid of my Burger King mentality....because I was not having it my way today! I was reminded that my body belongs to God! My hands, my feet....my mouth....everything I have...are...and will ever be....everything belongs to God! It is up to HIM and HIM alone who decides how HE wants to use me...HE decides when HE wants to use me....and with whom HE wants me to be a Blessing to!

Let me encourage you.......when you say "Lord use me", don't limit Him on how He should do it, when He should do it, or to whom He should! I watched Tyler Perry's "The Family That Preys" twice this weekend and both times, I was totally moved by Ms. Alice's kind-heart and Spiritual insight which enabled her to be a Blessing to the homeless man. That man, in turn was a God-sent because he gave her advice that made her a millionaire! You will never know the impact you can and will have on not only others, but for The Kingdom of God, if you are not willing to surrender...and humble yourself in order for God to use you!!!! It is my Prayer today that you let go.......and let God!!!!!

You are already Blessed so be Encouraged....

Love ya,

Paula

© Copyright 2/9/09

All Rights Reserved

Email: fromtheheartofpaula@gmail.com

Lions....And Tigers....And Bears...OH MY!!!

Motivations from the Heart of Paula Williams-Gaillard

"But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." I Samuel 17:34-37 (International)

A couple of Sundays ago one of the Co-Pastors (Pastor Dave) at the Church we are attending (Victory Outreach Atlanta) taught on "repositioning" ourselves and in his message he referred to David's battles with a lion and a bear. The Pastor said something profound, he said that perhaps if David had not fought and conquered the lion and the bear,he may not have been prepared to stand up to Goliath. David spoke with confidence knowing not only the ability of God to deliver Goliath into his hands but he also knew what he was capable of doing! David might have only been a "ruddy youth" in Goliath's eyes but he had backbone and if you read about him, David was no joke!

A few days after hearing that message I woke up one morning laughing to a tune from The Wizard of Oz, lions....and tigers...and bears...oh my! Now, if memory serves me correctly, in that scene, Dorothy and the others are walking along the yellow brick road and as they are traveling along, they talk about facing lions, tigers and bears. They were frightful and skeptical in their journey,however, they somehow mustered up the courage....locked arms and in unison.....began singing and walking .....facing what they feared the most! Before long...they were singing louder and louder....skipping...without fear or trembling......along the yellow brick road!

I ask today, are there lions...and tigers and bears you are facing that are trying to hinder you from getting where God wants you to be or do? Are they holding you captive with doubt....fear......and unbelief? Are you allowing them to get you in shape..... or are you giving up and in to them? I'm reminded of the saying "don't sweat the small stuff"! We shouldn't worry about the little things because perhaps they are the very things that prepare and prep us for the giants that may come our way!

The sport of boxing is a good example (Thank you Holy Ghost)! A boxer, before a main event, works out in the ring with a sparing partner. He gets to beat up on that person....strategizing and building up his strength and endurance so when the main event or the giant comes along, he'll be in shape....and if he's anything like Muhammed Ali was....he'll also build up enough confidence in his own abilities to talk "you know what"!

I look back over my personal experiences and realize now that had I not gone through those things.....I would not have been able to handle what I consider a recent giant in my life! As I faced each challenge.....I relied and trusted more and more and more.....on The Word of God! See, those challenges (the lions, tigers and bears....the small stuff) they were "Faith" builders for me! I grew stronger.......and stronger...and stronger.....because of The Word of God!

When it was time for me to face "the giant", I was not only reminded where God brought me from and how He delivered me, time.....after time.... and after time again, but because I had so much Word in me and around me to stand on, I was like Minister "C" says, "10ft and bullet proof"! I confessed God's Word and slew that ole giant! HALLELUJAH.........I FEEL LIKE SHOUTIN'!!!!

It is my Prayer for you today that you "don't sweat the small stuff"! Allow each challenge, each obstacle, every lion, every tiger....every bear that you face....allow them to build strength and confidence in God's ability to do a "good work" through you and in you! Know no matter what you face.......in the end......you will confess like David....."The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear.....DELIVERED me from the hand of this Philistine."

Remember you are already Blessed........so be Encouraged!
Love ya,
Paula
© Copyright 12/11/2008
All Rights Reserved

Email: fromtheheartofpaula@gmail.com