I recently watched a beautiful butterfly and was able to capture a great picture. That butterfly has a story of struggle. If someone had tried to help that butterfly out, being moved by compassion or not having patience, to open the cocoon and pull the butterfly out—it would have died. 

We all have struggles…and if God didn’t allow us to walk through some struggle in this life, we would never develop the stamina and strength that is vital to survive in this world. 

God often works through our personal struggles, teaching us things we would not learn otherwise. He also works through “suddenly” moments. 

“Behold, I send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me. And the Lord [the Messiah], Whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger or Angel of the covenant Whom you desire, behold, He shall come, says the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:1).

When Jesus comes back to take us to Himself, we will be changed “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” —-in a “suddenly” moment in time. Until that time, we are called to occupy and live with passion and purpose. 

Don’t believe the lies from the devil…that you will never change; or your circumstances. The Bible teaches us that as we behold the glory of God we….are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

We don’t have to be discouraged in our daily walk with God, no matter what is going on around us or in us. No matter what remains to be done in our personal lives in the transformation of our old man nature into our new man, it will be accomplished suddenly —at the appearing of Jesus in the clouds. 

Until He comes, you can learn to shift from panic to peace, from pain to purpose, from fear to faith, and from drama to destiny.  We are created to live with passion and purpose, and fulfill our God-given destiny. Every person must choose to move through struggles and real life challenges by learning to make a shift— don’t miss this new book, filled with stories that will give you hope in the midst of whatever you are facing. SHIFT HAPPENS

God cares intimately about you. He is involved in the details. Make a shift today by reading how others have overcome that will give you hope to overcome as well. God wants you to be a world changer. 

I am honored to be a part of the amazing group that shared their individual stories. Don’t miss the book. 

Deborah Starczewski 

OTHER BOOKS BY DR. DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI:

God’s Priceless Treasure (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed, And Know Your Purpose)

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days at the Mercy Seat) – a modern day resurrection story that will keep you turning the pages.

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?) – a must read for everyone. 

You can run the enemy out of your mind, out of your home, and out of this nation. It starts with you. You can make a difference. When your mind is filled with competition, complacency, and you are consumed with what others are doing instead of knowing God–you have opened a door to the enemy. Competition is not a kingdom value. You can choose to return to God in repentance and brokenness. 

Chase Jesus and memorize scripture. Scripture memorization is vital to living free indeed. This brings into your mind the Word that not only acts as a sword, but will cut away the adverse strongholds that you have that stand in the way of freedom through Jesus Christ—who wants to bring complete freedom to the heart. Hebrews 4:12 says:

“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (KJV). 

Remember this, the devil cannot stand against the Word of God. Pray the Word of God over yourself, your family, and this nation. 

Great verses to memorize: Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Other great passages to remember: Proverbs 16:3, Matthew 12:34; Proverbs 4:23, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; John 3:16, the Lord’s Prayer of Matthew 6:6-13, the entire first Psalm and Psalm 100. Isaiah 55:11; Isaiah 54:17, Psalm 103:20 and Psalm 129:4 to start. Memorize at least a new verse each week. 

Instead of saying what is happening around you or what you see and hear on the news, pray the Word of God. Use these verses to bring your mind into alignment with God. Fill your mind with Scripture until it fills the very fabric of your being. When you begin to know the Word of God, your heart grows fonder and adores the God of the Word. 

Revere and honor God–in doing so, you will find that you honor others. Fall in love with Jesus all over again. 

Prepare for where God is sending you. That’s what David did in the fields while tending the flocks. He left the home and had to pack his bags for many days journey to find the best pastures for the sheep. He had to manage his time, money, and resources to protect the sheep. God was training David in his father’s business to be chosen as King. This was his time of preparation for promotion. 

God is opening new doors of opportunity. God chose David as a shepherd boy from the fields, and get this; his own family didn’t think he was even a choice as he was in the fields when Samuel came to their home. 

David’s father entrusted a huge part of his business to his son…so he must have known that David was trustworthy and loyal. Sheep and livestock represented great wealth in that culture and time. What David’s brothers may have thought was meaningless, God called training and preparation for promotion…..David became King.

Life was not always easy for David. I wrote this on facebook on October 1, 2013 and it is timely for America today:

When it seemed all life was destroyed for David and his men in 1 Samuel 30, all the people, including David, wept till there was no more strength in them. (They all wept bitterly over what had happened.) What you do after the weeping is vitally important. The people blamed David, but David chose to encourage himself in the Lord, worshipped the Lord, inquired of the Lord and God answered: “Pursue the enemy and without fail, you shall recover all” (1 Samuel 30:8). 

Don’t be like the rest of the world and blame. Encourage yourself in the Lord, worship Him, inquire of Him, and He will give you strategic instructions. Choose to cry out to God in prayer for America, for the leaders to turn to God and repent, and for America as a nation to turn back to God. Choose to pray and stand up to make a difference…starting in your own home…to the marketplace. 

God never called us to trust mankind…He has called us to trust Him. He calls us to honor His Word and to submit to authority…with the exception of when it goes against God’s Holy Word. Learn to surrender and submit to God, and instead of making demands of Him, choose to depend on Him through prayer and obedience. 

As believers in Christ Jesus, we must not allow anyone to drive God out of our nation. Don’t be a bystander any longer…

In ancient Israel, the people turned away from God through their prosperity. They turned to the false god of Baal and did horrific things. God wanted to be the Israelites only ruler, but they wanted a king. 

We are approaching the most pivotal election of all time for America. It is imperative that you hear from God and obey Him. Pray for all people to have wisdom when it comes to voting in the next election. God doesn’t want us to be ignorant of the enemy’s schemes and devices. Satan is the master deceiver. God has a better plan. 

1 Samuel 16:10-12 says:  “Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these. And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautify eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.”….  

God uses people who have a heart that trusts in Him. (See 1 Samuel 16:7)  

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Spiritual resources for growth:

The Midnight Hour (Will America Turn Back To God?)

A Leap of Faith (25 Days at the Mercy Seat)

God’s Priceless Treasure (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed, And Know Your Purpose)….

All available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book Distributors, etc. 

GOD bless you, 

Deborah Starczewski