While pain may push us to pursue purpose, and any mess may turn into a message, our foundation must be in JESUS CHRIST and HIM ALONE. In my first book, GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed and Know Your Purpose), the message the Holy Spirit gave me is this: PAIN: Pain aligns us IN NEED of God. It is only God who can save us and make us whole. 

When any of us are stricken with some crushing pain, crisis, hardship, or trial and we don’t know what to do, it is paramount to remember the words of Jeremiah: “I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23). 

The absolute worst thing we can do in times of trouble is to make hasty decisions and to take whatever course of action seems easiest at the time. Remember, God has promised to lead us. 

In 1 Samuel 30, David was in extreme duress and had wept till he had no strength left. All those with him did the same. You can read the story. Even those around him wanted to stone him, but David encouraged himself in the Lord, chose to worship, inquired of God and God gave David specific instructions. David obeyed and recovered all. (*Note: … those with him wanted to stone him and out of all of those men, David was the only one mentioned that turned to the Lord). Time doesn’t heal our wounds; it is in turning to the LORD where we find strength and help in times of trouble. 

We must remember that our life is not our own, and that God has promised to lead us. I don’t know what you are facing, but God does. Turn to Him and He will give you direction. He will direct your steps. If you sense a small unsettling nudge in your heart, don’t ignore it. It may save your life and future. 

You may be seeing injustice all around you and sense God nudging you to step out into a new career to be the change. You may be facing a business decision and need help from God and clarity. You may be deciding which job to take, where to move, or what church to connect with in a new city. One thing I know for sure, God will lead you. He will also connect you will people to help you succeed as a team. 

HIS love and mine,

Deborah 

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)…the miraculous account of God raising my husband from death, healing him from two strokes, and two open-heart surgeries. The story will keep you turning the pages, give you encouragement, and increase your faith to believe God for whatever you are facing.

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)…a must read for all. A great devotional type read…the perfect gift for family, friends, and co-workers. 

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.starministriesinc.com and other distributors.

Contact Deborah at www.starministriesinc.com for speaking and ministry engagements. 

Happy Easter! Jesus is alive. He wants to raise you up to represent Him. You may be having the time of your life today…or you may be sad, lonely, and wondering why you don’t have a husband or wife. You may feel like your heart is broken over the loss of a friend or family member.

When the heart is broken, shattered in pieces, and it feels like no one knows or cares….God is with you. When the bad medical report comes, God is with you. When the call comes that your executive position has been eliminated, God is for you. When we have to wait, God is at work behind the scenes…working on our behalf. 

Most people don’t like to wait at all. We waited at Mercy Hospital for 25 days when God raised my husband from death, healed him from two strokes and healed him through two-open heart surgeries. That was intense waiting. BUT GOD brought life where there was death, healing where there was sickness, and Jesus is alive today. He is seated at the right hand of the Father praying for us that our faith will not fail.

Other times of waiting are for our benefit as well. God does the most amazing things when we pray and wait on Him. We eventually learn that all our help comes from the Lord. 

Several months ago, a friend’s car was leaking oil so she took the car to the dealership. The representative informed her the engine would have to be torn apart to find the problem. She drove a loaner car for several months through all the waiting. As a matter of fact, she also rear-ended a driver in stop and go traffic while driving the loaner car and had to get another rental car at that point. She was very frustrated and when she learned that the manufacturer was not going to replace her car engine, she was highly upset and almost panicked. It had been nearly six months. 

We prayed that God would intervene. She was aggravated because she couldn’t find all of her receipts for the oil changes and the dealership didn’t seem to have a record for two of them. Without the receipts, it appeared she might not have had the oil changed as required…but she knew she had done so. We simply asked God to intervene. 

The next day she heard on the news that her particular make and model of car was being recalled for engine failure. I explained to her that the long time of waiting was so the truth could come out about her particular vehicle and the recall. 

God never ceases to amaze me. She called the manager at the dealership, emailed him the article, and got the call the next day that she would get a new engine at no cost to her. Times of waiting are for our benefit. It doesn’t matter how large your prayer request is, or how severe the attack you may be walking through—Jesus is alive and He answers prayer. 

I recently wrote a blog: THE POWER OF PRAYER CHANGES EVERYTHING, and the very day I shared it I got to experience exactly what I wrote at 3 AM earlier that morning. On the drive into Charlotte, my cell phone fell out of the cupholder onto the floor on the passenger’s side of my car. Not sure how it fell out…I thought maybe an angel knocked it out onto the floor to get my attention. 

I thought I needed my phone but knew that I would have to pull off at the next exit to pick it up…or so I thought. The LORD had different plans. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart to pray in the Spirit and to keep driving. We have direct connect with God at all times…even without a cell phone in hand. That is great news my friends!

I prayed for several miles when I noticed that right in the middle lane of I-77 (during rush hour traffic) cars started slamming on brakes everywhere but no one actually wrecked into the large truck and trailer that was stalled in the center lane with lights flashing.  It was amazing to me that no one wrecked. Cars were all over the place going in wrong directions…stopped…but with no accidents. That was a miracle. It was as if an angel of the Lord was standing in the highway and rerouted and blocked cars from hitting each other. It was totally amazing. 

The power of prayer changes everything. God goes to extreme measures to get our attention. He wants us to pray and use the gifts we have been given to impact nations. His love is amazing. His ways are past finding out. He uses us as vessels to bring His Will to pass here on earth. Nothing is too small or too big to pray about. 

We must choose to heed the warnings to pray immediately. No matter if you feel your heart is ripped out due to abandonment, betrayal, a bad medical report, divorce, emotional baggage, or fear…God wants to help you. You may have been adopted and still feel the pain from rejection. You are accepted in Christ and He is wants to heal you. He is our healer. 

Don’t you dare believe the lies of the enemy—God has the final say! You can triumph over tragedy by turning to God and obeying His Word. God wants to turn the drama to destiny, your pain to purpose, your mess to a message, and your heartache to reaching back for others who are hurting. He wants you to step into divine purpose and to pursue Him with your whole heart. 

Thank God all our help comes from the Lord. Keep praying and keep on believing. God is at work on your behalf. Trust Him in times of waiting. If He will do it to encourage my friend over a car, just think about how much more He cares about matters of the heart. God will change the entire order of an ordinary day for one person. He wants us to focus on Him, do what He tells us to do in excellence, and be a servant leader….one who is more concerned about people than power, prestige, position, or things; one that is focused on “how well” rather than “how much”…. Dare to believe God and know this…..all our help comes from the Lord. He was crucified on the Cross. He rose. He ascended into Heaven and He is coming back again!

Have a blessed Easter Sunday…..He is RISEN! 

PRAYER: 

“Father, I thank you that my life, my children, my business and all that pertains to me is covered by the Blood of the Lamb-Jesus. No weapon that is formed against me will prosper. There is a blood line that the enemy can’t cross over. When we make a mistake, His blood still cries out for mercy. They may have crucified Jesus’ body—but the power is in the blood! He is risen and reigns Lord over all. Jesus defeated Satan and took away the keys to death and hell. I choose life in Jesus!”

Jesus loves you with an everlasting love.

His love and mine,

Deborah Starczewski

“My help comes from the LORD, the Creator of heaven and earth!” (Psalm 121:2 NET). 

BOOKS BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI

GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed And Know Your Purpose)  …move from drama to destiny, pain to purpose, a mess to a message, a trial to triumph.

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)…the miraculous account of God raising my husband from death, healing from two strokes, two open-heart surgeries.

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)..A must read!

SHIFT HAPPENS….sold at events

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.starministriesinc.com and other distributors

Almost every parent would agree that his or her child is the most precious thing in the world, and that is how God views you. God has greater plans for you than you have for yourself. He expects each and every believer to grow up and mature in the things of God. He desires the best for you and wants you to move from drama to destiny, from pain to purpose, from tragedy to triumph, and from trials to testimonies of the goodness of God. 

God expects each of us to show honor and respect. What America must realize is that the enemy uses the same tactics as he did with the Israelites to bring destruction. They grew tired of their leader and made a golden calf to worship. They experienced hunger and thirst in the desert. They grumbled and complained about everything. People fall for the same traps today. Materialism, entertainment, and social distractions are also a part of Satan’s scheme to trap and lure the youth of this generation away from God, away from family, and away from God’s best. 

We must choose honor everyday. This happens when godly order starts in the home. God first, husband, wife, then the children in the home. Real communication, discipline, and training to respect those in authority starts in the home. We must cultivate a place of honor and respect in our homes in order that the next generation will know what it looks like. We must choose to cultivate a heart after God and keep childlike faith in Him. He wants to move heaven and earth to bring answers to prayers. 

The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He seeks to isolate us and make us feel all alone. The sense of excitement that the God of the universe loves us is the only satisfaction that will sustain, overwhelm, and amaze us to the point of propelling us to do greater things with God, in the way of career, and to point others to Jesus. We must keep our hearts and minds turned toward the Lord at all times. God wants us to live with eternity in mind. 

When Jesus is not the focus, He is no longer the influence. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. 

The Holy Spirit reveals ALL hidden truth, and shows us things to come. God will show you things that can’t be seen with the natural eye when you choose to keep your focus on Him and what He is doing in the earth. 

God’s Priceless Treasure is packed full of the Word of God with time tested principles and real testimonies that will encourage you and inspire you to seek God more, and to take time for what matters most in this life. 

(Excerpt from God’s Priceless Treasure, published by Creation House Press..Charisma..2011)

May God bless you beyond your greatest desire!

His love and mine, 

Deborah Starczewski

BOOKS BY 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)… miraculous account of God’s amazing ways and His love. 

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)… a must read for all