"Looking At IT.....From A Different Perspective"

Motivations from the Heart of Paula Williams-Gaillard

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are Eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

My husband and I love strawberry mini-bagels, which I, for some odd reason, can only seem to find at Walmart. The other day after I dropped my son's friend home who spent the weekend with him, I figured I'd stop at the Panola Rd Walmart. Well I've never been in that store but I assumed.......you've seen one Walmart you've seen them all right? WRONG!!! I got turned around in the store. Compared to the Gresham Rd and College Park stores, Panola's breads was in the wrong place!

After walking up and down several aisles and from the produce/meat side to the aisle that separates the food from the clothes....I found out the breads were wwwaaayyy in the back across from the diary products! I wondered.....why did I have to walk all the way to the other side to see what I thought I had already seen.....I then heard in my Spirit......you had to look at it from a different perspective!

Many people are faced with challenges and issues that appear to be very, very ugly! Some are in situations they never....ever...never ever...ever thought or dreamed they would be! Situations in which they think it should be this way.....but it turns out.....it's that way! They confess.....by His stripes I'm healed but their body says "I'm hurting, I'm hurting"! They confess my God shall supply all my needs but then baby needs a pair of shoes and they get a light bill....gas bill and cell phone bill too! They confess as for me and my house we will serve The Lord, yet child and/or spouse is acting like they don' fell and bumped their heads! They confess I've got the mind of Christ yet they are walking around depressed and stressed. What's a Child of God to do?

The text Scripture lets us know......in spite of what your circumstances looks like....in spite of what the bank account says or how funny your money or hilarious it might be......in spite of what you're going through...look at "it"....whatever your "it" might be....look at it from a different perspective!

You can look at it this way: what the enemy means for evil, God will turn around for your good! What you think is a set back is actually a set up for you to recieve your Blessings! Look at your situation and circumstances working FOR you and NOT against you!!! One of my favorite Scriptures that I stand on says, ".....ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR YOUR GOOD! (Romans 8:28)

Trust God! Believe His Word and never doubt.....keep your focus on God and let Him see you through.....when you let go and let God....youll begin to see "it" from a whole new perspective!

You are already Blessed so be Encouraged.....
Love ya,
Paula
© Copyright 7/15/09
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P.S.
This just hit me this morning! Every morning I drive through a heavily populated area filled with homeless people. How many times have we, who have a roof over our head....a car...a job....how many times have we complained about we have?????????

"If You Believe You Can Achieve"

Motivations from the Heart of Paula Williams-Gaillard

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" Phillipians 4:13

At the beginning of the school year (6th grade) my son Jaquan made goals; verbally and in Prayer to 1. make A/B Honor Roll and 2. have perfect attendance. Well, today, Jaquan came home and said his main goal had been accomplished, he made A/B Honor Roll ending this school year with an average of 85! He didn't make perfect attendance shy of one day because the poor boy wasn't feeling well and just couldn't make it that one day, however, in my book he gets an "E" for effort!

I've always admired Jaquan's Faith! One day I asked him, "when you Pray do you believe that what you Pray for is going to happen? Straight up he said...YES!!!!

Since I first wrote about it at the age of 6, Jaquan has always maintained his "child-like Faith"! His Faith, unlike some of us adults/seasoned Saints, his Faith is not tainted with doubt, fear and unbelief! All he knows is when he Prays in Faith, God answers! I remember one time when I asked him to Pray, the boy blew my mind! After that, I wanted him to lead the Prayers all the time!

Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) says, "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." All we have to do is exercise our child-like Faith, Faith the size of a mustard seed, and watch God do what His Word says HE will do!

I just wanted to take out this time to say BIG-UP to Jaquan and encourage others: if you believe....you can achieve!

You are already Blessed so be Encouraged,
Love ya,
Paula
©Copyright 5/12/09
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"Let It Work For You"

Motivations from the Heart of Paula Williams-Gaillard


"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4

This morning I heard a song for the first time on the radio that ushered me into Praise & Worship (please don't ask me who sings the song or the title). In the song, the songwriter wrote about the adversities he faced in life. He wrote if he had never gone hungry, or if he had never ran out of money, he would not know God as Jehovah Jireh. If he had not gotten sick, he would not know God is a Healer. If he had never gotten his heart broken, he would not know God as a mender of broken hearts, in other words, the songwriter was thankful....inspite of it all....through it all...because of it all....he was THANKFUL because ALL things worked together for his good!

Last week after game 3 of the Cleveland/Atlanta play-off series, I watched an interview with LeBron James and a sports announcer. During the interview, the announcer asked LeBron how he felt about the adversities his team faced in game 3. LeBron, who's answer inspired me stated (and I'm paraphrasing of course) but he stated he didn't mind the adversities, adversity was a part of the game, but what was important for him and his team was how they reacted to the adversities which made the difference! WOW!

SAINTS.....adversities, afflictions, problems, trials, tests, temptations, and tribulations.....you can rest assure, all these things will come, but what makes the difference is how we react to them!

See....we can either go through adversities with JOY and on God's strength knowing after we cast ALL our cares upon Him, in the end ALL things will work for our good, or we can go through them resentful and ungrateful, thinking the proverbial "S" on our chest makes us invincible like "Superman" then we get mad at God and the world because we find out later the "S" is an acronym for-STUPID!

Our attitude, latitude and gratitude makes the difference! Attitude-do we Praise God in the midst of adversity knowing the battle is not ours, it's The Lord's or do we have a "fuzzy-wuzzy-was-a-bear" pity party hoping everyone will feel sorry for us? Latitude-do we look to God Who is our VERY PRESENT HELP IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE or do we look to Dr. Feel Good to give us answers that can ONLY come from God and finally Gratitude-do we Thank God even in the midst of adversity knowing the trying of our faith worketh patience..... that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing"?

James doesn't say in the text Scripture to mope....grumble....or give up...he said.....COUNT IT ALL JOY!!! Let that thing (that adversity) work on your behalf! Let it build character and endurance....patience in you! Let it work for your good so that in the end, you'll say without a doubt...THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD AND I SHALL NOT WANT.....GLORY...HE IS MY JEHOVAH JIREH!!!! Let it complete you, let it stretch you....let it permeate and resonate in your heart, mind and soul so come what may...no matter what, you can say like Paul "IN HIM I LIVE....MOVE AND HAVE MY BEING"!

I Pray that even in the midst of what you may be facing today, you always remember God is there! The Psalmist says in Psalm 139:7-8 "Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into Heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there." God is here.....there and everywhere! OH HIS ARMS ARE STETCHED OUT WIDE....HE IS WILLING....ABLE AND READY TO CARRY YOU THROUGH!!!!!!

You are already Blessed so be Encouraged,
Love ya,
Paula
©Copyright 5/12/09
All Rights Reserved

"It Ain't Over Just Because You Say It's Over...Quitting Is Not An Option"

Motivations from the Heart of Paula Williams-Gaillard


As a child I couldn't stand to be tickled. It didn't take much, but sometimes I'd try to play hardball and pretend like I could hang, but after a few minutes and a full bladder, I threw in the towel and yelled, "I give, I give"! I gave up!

This weekend my husband and I watched "The Great Debaters", a true story about debaters from a small black college, Wiley College in Texas, who, after winning against Harvard, went on to become National Champions for 10 years. I was so inspired by the young debater's tenacity and will power not to give up or give in! Even in the midst of adversities and racial injustice, giving up was not an option for them!

Pastor Jerome (Victory Outreach) said in his message Sunday, and I believe his exact words were, "don't be blown away when the devil shows up, that's his job"! Pastor made reference to II Corinthians 2:11 which says, "Lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." Pastor Jerome also pointed out 3 oppositions satan brings: 1. opposition to The Word of God. 2. opposition to the Work of God and 3. opposition to God's Divine Design.

According to John 10:10 satan's job description is to "kill, steal and destroy" nevertheless, I Peter 5:8 gives us a heads up and forewarns us to "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour". So why do we start trippin' when satan shows up to his job everyday?

There's a song that says "It ain't over until God says it's over"! People of God, the battle is not ours, it's The Lord's! Giving up is not an option!!!!!

Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." Paul didn't say back down, give in or give up, he said be STEDFAST, UNMOVEABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING!

It is my Prayer today you be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in Christ! Come hell or high water, DON'T GIVE UP! When sorrows like sea billows rolls, DON'T GIVE UP! Though satan should buffet you and your enemies and foes come to eat up your flesh, DON'T GIVE UP! Temptations on every side, DON'T GIVE UP! Though husband or wife can't get right (remember that name from the movie "Life") and your money is funny and super tight, DON'T GIVE UP! Remember "Greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4)! It ain't over just because you say it's over....quitting is not an option!

You are already Blessed so be Encouraged,

Love ya,
Paula
© Copyright 5/3/09
All Rights Reserved

"Didn't I Tell You"

Motivations from the Heart of Paula Williams-Gaillard

I just have to share this with all of you today! My cousin, Minister LaKisha, texts me and others a Scripture, our daily Word every morning. I don't know of too many days when she sent a Scripture and it didn't minister to my need for that day! This morning Kisha sent Isaiah 46:11 which says, "I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it."

Well..........you know how when your Momma or someone had to tell you something twice, just to convince you (or to shut you up) that what he/she said was gon' happen....for example....when my son asks me for something....and I know I've already told that little child of mine what I was going to do but because he doubts what I said or he thinks I've forgotten, or he just thinks I won't do it when he thinks I should, I have to tell him A-GAIN what I told him just minutes or hours before! Please bear with me because right now I'm sssooooo overwhelmed with tears.....but that's how I felt when I got the same text just 1hr and 3minutes after Minister Kisha sent the first one! Minister Kisha that was no coincidence or mistake!

I felt and heard God personally speaking to me telling me....

Paula didn't I tell you what I am going to do in your life....Paula didn't I tell you your dreams will not die....Paula didn't I tell you I'm making rivers in your desert and making your crooked paths straight.....Paula didn't I tell you if you went to Atlanta (your brook), I was going to send the ravens to feed you......Paula didn't I tell you if you trust in ME and lean not to your own understanding...I will direct your path.....Paula didn't I tell you if you meditated on my Word day and night, I will make you prosperous and you will have good success.....DIDN'T I TELL YOU PAULA...DIDN'T I TELL YOU?!!!!!!

My Sisters and Brothers in Christ........God is not just speaking to me but HE wanted me to share with all of you.....DIDN'T I TELL YOU WHAT I SAID I WAS GOING TO DO IN YOUR LIFE?!!!!!!!!!

Numbers 23:19 (NIV) "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?"

My heart is overwhelmed with Joy and Adoration for God our Father! I Thank HIM for loving US so much that HE keeps us on HIS mind and that HIS plans are for us to prosper and be in good health even as our souls prosper! I Thank HIM for sending HIS Son Jesus who died for me! I Thank HIM for Blessing me over and over again...OH HE IS AN AWESOME AND MIGHTY GOD...I LOVE HIM...I LOVE HIM..I LOVE HIM!!!

Thank You Minister Kisha for delivering God's daily Word!

I Love you all....remember...you are already Blessed so be Encouraged,
Paula
© Copyright 4/28/09
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"COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS""

Motivations from the Heart of Paula Williams-Gaillard

TIMBERRRRRRR!!

Trees are falling here, there and everywhere in Georgia! Since a recent rash of storms and heavy rainfall, Georgians are getting hit really hard! Large, humongous trees are uprooting and causing havoc and headaches for thousands.

Today my husband and I came home to find we too were victims of TREEMADAMESSITIS (pronounced tree-made-a-mess-itis), okay I never said I was a comedian . Anyhow, a huge tree fell in our backyard. Thankfully the tree fell backwards or else it would have caused major damage to the "man-cave" and laundry room.

After we cleaned up most of the debris in the yard, my husband came in to watch the news. It was then when I heard an anchorman respond to a field reporter's interview with victims of TREE...you know what , his response was "THEY SHOULD COUNT THEIR BLESSINGS"! I shouted "now that's what I'm talkin' about"! While the victims were talking about trivial matters, in a subtle yet powerful way, the anchorman pointed out to some and reminded others of the AWESOMENESS OF GOD!

As I continued to wash dishes, I started humming an old song we sang back in the day.....

"Count your Blessings. name them one by
one, count your Blessings see what God has
done, count your Blessings name them one
by one....OH...count your many Blessings see
what God has done!"

HALLELUJAH! OH when I think of the goodness of Jesus and all HE'S done for me, my soul cries out HALLELUJAH, I Thank God for saving me!!!! (Let me stop before I start with all the oldies but goodies)! LOL

Pastor Joel Osteen often says instead of looking at the things that are going wrong in your life, focus on what's right, even if it's just one thing! Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

Today it is my Prayer for you to COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!!! Look, things may not be going the way YOU think they should, but count it all JOY! Look where you were 26 years ago.....16 years ago...6 years ago.....6 months ago...awe stop playin'....6 days ago...if HE brought you through then, HE'LL DO IT AGAIN! God brought you through when you didn't know how you were going to make it....when you didn't know how the bills were going to get paid....when you wondered how one body could take so much pain....when you thought you were gon' lose your mind....when you said "if it ain't 2 things it's 3" (thanks Daddy)....when you thought no one would ever love you...but after 31 years HE sent you your BOAZ (this one is for me).....when sin.....sickness and dis-ease...oppression and depression had you bound.......HIS LOVE....HIS GRACE....HIS MERCY LIFTED YOU...OH WHEN YOU THINK OF HIS GOODNESS AND ALL HE'S DONE FOR YOU.....YOU BETTER SHOUT HALLELUJAH AND THANK GOD FOR HIS SON JESUS....WHO DIED & AROSE TO SET YOU FREE!

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS TODAY!!!!

You are already Blessed so be Encouraged,

Love ya,
Paula
© Copyright 4/13/09
All Rights Reserved

"Get The Junk Out Your Drawer"

Motivations from the Heart of Paula Williams-Gaillard


"And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles." Mark 2:2

Time was of the essence for me today, however, I just couldn't leave out this house to meet a couple of visiting New Lifers (from my previous church) for brunch until I reorganized, or should I say, cleaned off the dresser in our bedroom.

Now my husband and I are pretty organized, however we allowed junk mail and papers to accumulate, not to mention my jewerly which were scattered all over the dresser.

Well, after I sifted through the clutter of junk mail, jewerly and other papers, I threw out some things but the majority I kept. The only difference was I moved the junk from one place to another......thus creating yet another junk drawer!

After I finished, I had a few minutes to spare so I peeked on Facebook to see what was going on. I noticed a note from one of my girlfriends to someone else which said "Never live in the past just learn from it". WOW! That tied right into what I heard in my spirit after I cleaned off the dresser....why do we hang on to things (junk) we know we need to get rid of?

What junk are you allowing to accumulate in your heart? What junk or things have you chosen to keep instead of getting rid of? Many of us have stored "things" in our drawer......meaning our hearts we KNOW we really need to get rid of! "Things" can cause us to miss out on our Blessings! "Things" like past hurts, past pains, past failures, past relationships, habits.....these "things" not only block our Blessings but they prevent us from moving forward!

Let me encourage you today to get rid of stinkin' thinkin'! Let go of the past! Stop feeling sorry for yourself because of something you didn't do or did; or something someone did or didn't do 10-20 years ago! Get rid of the "I woulda, I coulda, I shoulda", "ho-hum", why me, "fuzzy wuzzy was a bear" syndrome!

Paul says in Philippians 3:13-14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

The trunk isn't the only place some store junk.....get rid of the junk in your heart......'cause God can't Bless in no mess!

Prayer for you today...create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.....in Jesus Name I Pray ....Amen!

You are already Blessed so be Encouraged,

Love ya,
Paula
© Copyright 4/10/09
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