Beautiful. Worthy. His.
Becoming Healthy & Whole
February 13, 2024
After seeing so many of her loved ones suffer from chronic illnesses, Latrice Curtis knew it was time for a change. She is a licensed practical nurse (LPN) with a passion for health and nutrition.
Read her journey of how she overcame unhealthy eating habits, became more intentional about her food choices, and began to feel good about herself from the inside out.
Discover how making small changes in our thinking can make the biggest difference when it comes to eating healthier and getting fit.
“The body achieves what the mind believes.”
Guest Post by Latrice Curtis | February 13, 2024
A year ago, I mentioned to someone that my house was the “house of discipline.” Here’s why.
On the fitness and health journey, there are so many fitness influences and paths to take that it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. I knew whichever path I committed to, it would require of me consistency, discipline, and faith. These keys are essential to achieving success.
All the knowledge in the world on healthy eating would be useless without them. I needed to put into practice what I learned and be consistent on the days I didn’t feel like eating healthier.
As a woman of faith, I also needed to rely on God’s grace and strength to help me break unhealthy eating habits.
My Biggest Enemy: Distractions!
I struggled with my fluctuating weight for years. I even once saw a diet doctor to help me kick my bad eating habits. The visit was good, but I didn’t stick with the prescribed plan. I was back to square one.
When Monae Black surrendered her life to Jesus, she experienced a new beginning and a new hope. Discover the beauty in her personal story of how surrendering her pains and hurts to Jesus allowed Him to restore and heal her wounded soul.
Finding Strength in Surrender
Guest Post by Monae Black | February 2024
I remember getting invited to attend a church service on September 17. I had just gone through a terrible breakup with a man I was dating, I had only $10 in my pocket - with no job, and only a few items of clothing. My heart was broken, and my emotions were shattered.
I felt overwhelmed, afraid, and defeated. As I walked through the Church doors, I was searching for hope and a new beginning.
During the service, I listened as the pastor talked about having faith in God and trusting His plans for our lives. As he ministered, my heart longed for a fresh start. During the offering, I gave away five of my ten dollars. Next, I responded to an altar call to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
A Prayer for Forgiveness | February 13, 2024
“Father God, Your Word says that if someone sins against me seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to me and says, “I repent,” then I am to forgive him or her. (Luke 17:4) I desire to be obedient to You, Empower me, Lord.” (Praying God’s Word by Beth Moore)
Forgiveness Is for You
Patty Spaeth has facilitated women’s Bible studies for over 15 years in Michigan. She has taught on topics of forgiveness, God’s love, and marriage. Read her story today and learn about the power of forgiveness and why we must practice it daily to live the good life God has for us.
Guest Post by Patty Spaeth
Jesus says, “It is inevitable that offenses will come, but woe to the one from whom they come,” Luke 17:1. So, you will be offended, maybe even daily.
Why would Father God give us a gift of forgiveness?
Because He wants His children free to fulfill their God-given potential. He wants you to know peace and joy and be empowered to do mighty works! When you forgive someone, you perform spiritual surgery within your soul, cutting away the wrong done to you, so you can see through God’s eyes and release your offender, like a child opens her hand to release a butterfly.
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message Bible
Keep Trusting, Keep Praying
Is there a promise or dream you are waiting for God to fulfill in your life? For most of us, the answer is, 'yes."
By Yvette Lanier | January 4, 2024
For many of us, we are faithfully waiting for a promise from God to come to pass in our lives.
But can I be completely honest with you: waiting is tough.
It is uncomfortable.
It can lead to feelings of uncertainty and thoughts of discouragement.
Waiting can cause you to loosen your grip on the promise that you once held so dearly.
But in the waiting, God is working. He wants us to tighten our grip on His promises, no matter how long the wait seems. He is working everything together for our good and we can trust Him to fulfill that promise.
The Lord promises to give us the desires of our hearts (when they are connected to His precious Word). He promises that all things are possible for those who trust Him.
Right now, you may be questioning whether the promise you’re standing on God will fulfill in your life. Let me encourage you, He will.
Keep your head up and your confidence in Him, friend. God watches over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).
In the waiting, draw near to Him.
In the waiting, worship Him.
In the waiting, seek His wisdom, and dive deeper into learning His character and His incredible love for you.
In the waiting, continue to prepare your heart for what’s to come.
Allow God to renew your strength, renew your hope, and renew your vision.
Remind yourself of the prayers answered in the last 24 hours, 7 days, 12 months, or even 24 months. There is a saying that goes, “Count your blessings one by one.” Gratitude releases hope and faith in the One who never fails.
Will you trust Him?
God is working all things together for your good.
I believe it. I hope you will too.
published January 4, 2024.
You were created for a special purpose!
Let nothing or no one stop you from going after your God-given dreams. God loves you and He is rooting for you. Don’t quit, keep pushing forward.
“For you are God’s masterpiece. He has created you anew in Christ Jesus, so you can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT).
You are a winner in God’s eyes.
Believe In Yourself
By Yvette Lanier
Jamaican-American Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross shares precious wisdom in her book, “Run with Me.”
Here are nine powerful words her father spoke to her when she was in grade school that forever changed her life.
Sanya writes:
“ ‘You’re going to be the best in the world.”
Those were my dad’s words to me when I was still in grade school. Eventually, I believed him. . .. I wrote in a school assignment that I would be an Olympic champion.”
Today, she is the second American woman to win the 400 meters at the Olympic games.
The Bible says life and death are in the power of our tongues. I want to encourage you to choose to speak positive, life-affirming words over yourself, and over your future.
Discover the power of believing in yourself and realizing you are capable of fulfilling your God-given dreams! You are capable of achieving so much more.
Be Your Own Beautiful
Guest Post
by Latrice Curtis
A loved one once asked what I thought about when I thought of God.
My answer was "myself" because I am created in God's image and likeness.
Seeing beauty in yourself can be difficult in a world where societal standards of beauty are perceived by superficial norms, such as being thin or having a big butt, long hair, nice teeth, and a small nose, just to name a few. God created us in His image, and everything He made is good.
The psalmist David shared, "Lord, I thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
We are beautiful in God's eyes, and He created us in His incredible image.
Everyone Has Imperfections
We live in a world where beauty standards are distorted by influencers who demand that women and teenagers transform themselves into a "perfect image." Many ladies, young and old, make unrealistic changes to themselves to fit into another person's image of what is perceived to be beautiful.
The truth is that nobody is perfect. We all have flaws and imperfections. The one or two things we don't like about ourselves shouldn't determine our self-worth. We build our value in Christ and in what God says about us.
I became a victim of societal "standards of beauty" in middle school. I was bullied for having big lips and a prominent forehead, something I had no control over. But I was made in God's image and that is how He created me. Knowing that you are wonderfully made by God can play a role in being secure in yourself.
Allowing yourself to be influenced by people's opinions only develops insecurity. It's a toxic action that will infect your spirit. And if it's not caught early, it will lead you to seek validation from others and cause you to pick yourself apart trying to be perfect.
Although I began comparing myself to others at a young age, thankfully, I learned about being whole. You see, life is about perception. Situations can easily blur our vision of ourselves. But if we clean our lenses and take a good look in the mirror, we will see our true beauty and that we are created in God's image and likeness.
God's beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. We must not conform to the unreachable standards of the world characterized by what is popular now. When we do, it will strip us of the ability God has given us to "image" Him.
To me, there is "no standard" for beauty. We are all "beautiful" in our own beautiful way. I see beauty from a different angle these days, and it's so much more than a physical "outer" appearance. I see beauty from an internal standpoint.
A person's heart and personality are what make true beauty to me. God's image, right? I like to call it being your own beautiful.
I would like to encourage and challenge all women, young and old, to:
•"Know Thyself," so no one can tell YOU about YOU.
• Become rooted in God's truth about you and not in what others think.
• Be a friend to yourself.
• Reject negative, unworthy thoughts about yourself and replace them with God's truth.
• Feed yourself positive affirmations because thoughts become reality, so choose good ones.
• Shift your perspective. Reflect on who or what you are allowing to define who you are.
• Don't speak badly about yourself.
· Remember, you are valuable. You are loved. You are worthy. You are beautiful in God's eyes, and His opinion is enough.
“God’s beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors.”
“Remember, you are beautiful in God’s eyes, and His opinion is enough.”
About the Author
Latrice is a mother of four beautiful daughters, and she lives in Michigan. She loves to encourage women to love and value themselves as God does. She also enjoys inspiring others to live their best life.
“You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” Isaiah 62:3 (NIV)
You Are Made To Sparkle