Let’s Work Together and Get Something Done!

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Diana | Permalink 1

I taught a bible study in Indiana last week and God gave me a great illustration of how the different parts of the body work together to function efficiently.  The idea was this.  If you have an itch way down in the inside of your ear you don’t try to scratch it with your thumb.  Your thumb just doesn’t fit down far enough in your ear canal.  You can try the forefinger, the middle finger and the ring finger but you’re just not going get that itch sufficiently scratched with any one of those fingers.  That itch is a job for the little finger.  Your little finger is sized just perfectly to get that itch scratched.  And when you do scratch that itch…OOhhhhhhhh…it feels so much better!!!

Now, this may seem gross to you but just think about this.  Every person in the body of Christ has a purpose.  You have a talent and gifting that no one else has.  You have the ability to scratch the spiritual itch of someone that no one else in the world can!

It’s the same with the church as a whole.  Each church has something to offer the world that other churches just can’t offer.  Where one church really gets “it” in one area they may be lacking in another.

I’m a “Word” part of the Body. If you’re Baptist, you have the “Grace” part down great.  If you’re from the Christian church you understand fully the importance of communion. If you’re Holiness you have knowledge of sanctification that others may not.  I really know how to use my faith but I fall sorely short when it comes to having a full revelation of the Grace of God!! Do you see what I mean here?

Unfortunately, instead of coming together to gain strength from one another in the areas we’re lacking, we are looking down on each other because of those very differences.
Religious beliefs separate us, denominational barriers keep us apart.  The enemy has used us against each other, to fight each other, to finger-point and dishonor one another to
the point that we can’t accomplish anything because man has taken our differences and made rules and regulations that keep a chasm between us.  It’s called RELIGION and God can’t be pleased with the inefficiency of that.

God’s intention is that we work together.  Just think about that little finger.  Without that little finger my itch doesn’t get scratched.  Without the knee your leg doesn’t bend.  Without your big toe you can’t walk with perfect balance.  Your head might sit on your shoulders but it sure does help if you have a neck to hold it up and it makes you look better too!  See, when each individual part is working together the Body is strong, fully functioning and effective.

STOP THE RELIGIOUS HOOHAA!
Let’s stop dancing around our differences and embrace them.  Let’s stop shying away from each other and come together to get something done for the Kingdom of God.  Let’s stop looking down our noses of religion and affect our communities for Christ.

 

Diana Nuchols    Feb. 2012          www.girls2friends.com     www.empoweredtosucceed.com

Evangelism , ,

O Ye of Little Faith

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Diana | Permalink 0

If you speak to the storm one minute and shrink back in fear the next you are one Jesus called “…of little faith.”  Here’s this week’s video devotion to encourage you to have constant faith!

http://www.girls2friends.com/o-ye-of-little-faith/

Living in Victory

Linsanity Sweeps the Nation…Seize YOUR Window of Opportunity

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Diana | Permalink 0

Back a few weeks ago I wrote an article on Tebowing.  I told you then to be watching for God to raise up more and more of His own, give them platforms for the worlds’ attention and make Himself famous to the world through them.

Well, it’s happening.  Watch for it to happen more frequently to people just like you and
me.  People like us who have been waiting patiently for our own “such a time as this” and watch for it to happen suddenly, overnight.  Get ready for one day turn-arounds!  Get ready for miracles in your life that will instantly dissolve all the road-blocks.  Get ready for God to clear out everything that has hindered or held you back from doing what you’re called to do.  Watch for doors to miraculously open to you even when you don’t have the education, experience, finances, or come from the right family.

I’ve had my eye on this whole Jeremy Lin thing; “Linsanity” as they call it.  I wanted to write an article about Jeremy Lin but as I was doing research on him and his amazing story I went to his website and I had to stop right there.  As I read page after page of Jeremy Lin’s website I realized I could not write one thing about Jeremy Lin that would be any better than his own story, in his own words.

Talk about a literal “suddenly,” a one-day-turn-around!  For those of you who have been waiting, for those of you who are about to give up, for those of you who have lost hope that
God WILL do it for you; this will give you the encouragement you need to forge through to your destiny!!  I personally haven’t been this encouraged in a long time.  If God will take a kid that no one knew and no one really wanted and in an instant give him the attention of the world He’ll do it for you and me as well!  He’s no respecter of persons

Now, there are many LIFE LESSONS in all this…there always is!  Mine was not only that God WILL do it for the people who are considered by others as less than valuable, but more importantly, that we must be prepared and always ready to be called up at a moment’s notice!

In my life I can recall moments that I recognized as windows of opportunity.  One thing I’ve learned from experience is there is an expiration date on those windows and the time
frame usually isn’t very long.  After reading Jeremy Lin’s story I am aware more than ever that in this season of the “one-day-turn-around” the opportunity within the window MUST be seized before the window slams shut and you are left standing on the outside looking in.

When God says do it, and you feel an urgency to get something done for the Kingdom that urgency won’t last long.  It’s urgent for a reason.  I think Andy & I missed one of those
opportunities in the recent past and as a result of not seizing the moment we were left feeling confused, disappointed and, if I’m to be honest, a little hurt.  And ignoring the urgency only put us on a fast track to another “40 year trip around the mountain.”

When God gives urgency don’t put it off!  Don’t piddle around waiting for the finances,
people, resources, material support, etc.  Just step out on faith and do what you know to do now.  Don’t keep your eyes on what you don’t have, use what you have.  As you take that
first step in faith God will supply the next step.

When the Knicks coach gave the nod toward Jeremy Lin to go into the game Jeremy didn’t question his coach’s decision to put him in the game; he just got out there and did what he knew to do! And what resulted was the birthing of a ministry to the world!

If you miss it it’s okay.  Repent with a sincere heart and be ready to seize the next opportunity God gives you without hesitance.  I believe the opportunity Andy & I missed was presented to someone else who would act immediately according to the urgency given by God.  Praise God He has plenty of willing people who will act in obedience to get His Work accomplished and I’ll tell you one thing for sure…I won’t miss the next one!

Here’s the link to Jeremy’s website and a link to Wikipedia in case you’ve been under a rock the past 3 weeks and don’t know who Jeremy Lin is.  I hope you will go to his site and
spend some time.  You will be encouraged by a humble kid who loves Jesus, aspires to be a Pastor, and whom God has put in a position to catch the attention of the world…for His Glory!

Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Lin

Jeremy Lin’s website:
http://www.jlin7.com/

 

Diana Nuchols
February 2012     www.girls2friends.com    www.empoweredtosucceed.com

Personal Growth , , ,

Naysayers? Dream Squashers? Or Both?

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Diana | Permalink 0

While watching the TV sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, Raymond’s brother, Robert, tells Deborah (Raymond’s wife) that he comes from a “Family of Dream Squashers.” Robert said, “Every dream that I’ve ever had they just squish them.”

Did you know that God called Abraham out from among his own family in Genesis 12:1? The Bible doesn’t say for sure but could it be that he lived with a bunch of dream squashers?  They were probably just like a lot of families…they were Naysayers.

You know, they are the ones that can never be in agreement with you for anything let alone believe that God has actually put something really big in your heart.  They can’t see the greatness in you because you are just the sister, the aunt, the mom, or the brother.  They see you with all your faults, know what you’ve done in the past and they can’t look past your short-comings to see that you are Called, Appointed and Anointed by God Himself!!!

It even happened to Jesus!  Read Matthew 13:53-58.  The bible says that Jesus himself couldn’t perform many miracles in his own hometown.  Why?  He was just “Joseph and Mary’s son” to them.  He was just “little Jesus” in the eyes of the hometown folk.  And because of their unbelief the miracles were hindered.

Now, I want to say that most times these naysayers are well meaning.  Generally they  do really care about you but their words can stop you in your tracks IF you listen to what they say.  They are called naysayers for a reason and their vote of “nay” against you can become your dream squashers if you allow them.

Today I suggest that you move out from among the dream squashers.  Move from among the ones who vote nay concerning your destiny.  If you’re hanging out with people who don’t believe in your dreams from God then you need to get new friends.  Get with people who can encourage you to pursue your dreams.  Hang out with people who know the Word of God and can see the Call of God on your life.  Make friends with people who believe that ANYTHING is possible with God and be with people who won’t contaminate your mind with their votes of no concerning your destiny.

The best friends you can have are the ones that will tell you the TRUTH and not just what you want to hear.  They are the ones who will tell you who you are in Christ when you’re having a day where you’re unsure of whom you are in Him.  On the day that you are struggling to stay on the path toward your destiny because it’s getting a little too hard;
these friends will remind you of the Word of the Lord concerning your purpose for His Kingdom.  And when you get tired they will pray the prayer of faith with you and bind their prayers with yours in the prayer of agreement according to the Word.

Don’t waste one more day with the naysayers.  Don’t let the dream squashers keep you from the destiny God has purposed for you.  Believe Jeremiah 29:11 that says God’s plan for you is great and it’s to prosper you and not harm you.

Now, go on out there and pursue your dreams…we all took a vote and concerning you we voted Yea…not Nay!!

 

 

Diana Nuchols    February 2012   www.girls2friends.com    www.empoweredtosucceed.com

 

 

 

Personal Growth , ,

Run to Your Secret Place

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Diana | Permalink 0

Our lives are so busy these days.  There’s just so much to do.  We all work too much play too much and spend way too much time doing meaningless things.  When was the last time you got in your secret place and truly spent time just listening for the voice of God?

I don’t mean going into your prayer closet and giving God  the laundry list of things  He needs to  take care of for you.  I’m talking about getting in that place where the static of our lives is blocked out.  That place where you can go to get away from  past-due bills, dirty and piled-up  laundry, meeting the demands of a hectic schedule, and the stress and pressure of work.  You know…the place where you can exhale.  The place where the peace that passes all understanding comes on you and you begin to feel the presence of your Heavenly Father.  In that place you have a knowing that all is well.

My Grandma Crawford used to say, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.”　 There is so much truth in that isn’t there?  The busier we get sometimes the less time we spend doing the things that really matter.  We tend to get behind in reading the Word, praying, and going to church.  We justify it by the fact that we’re soooooooooooo busy and we just don’t have time.  But there is time.  And you have  the choice of  how you use it.

In the Bible there was a woman named Martha.  Jesus went to her house and visited with Martha and her sister, Mary.  Martha was being the “hostess with the most-est” while her sister sat at the feet of Jesus hanging on every word He said.

Luke 10:39-42 (New Living Translation)

Martha complained, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?  Tell her to come and help me.”  But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about.  Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha had the Son of God right there in her living room and she’s stressed, overwhelmed, distracted,　and down-right miserable with all that had to be done.  That’s when Jesus let her know that her priorities were out of order.  All the important things that Martha was hustling around doing were not as important as sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to what He had to say.

See, it’s at the feet of Jesus, in your secret place, that you’ll find the peace that you need, the strength that you need, your destiny (or the next step toward your destiny,) solutions to your problems, the way out of trouble, restoration in your relationships, joy, healing, creative ideas, and inventions, direction, wisdom, and guidance.  Everything you’ll ever need is there in your secret place.

We are in a place in time where we desperately need personal time with Jesus.  It is crucial that we have the perspective and the POWER that only comes from sitting at the feet of the Son of God.  Run!  RUN!! to your secret place.  Jesus will be there to meet you!!

Diana Nuchols      January 2012-RP

 

Personal Growth ,

A Better You

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Diana | Permalink 1

Just wanted to say thank you to the Lighthouse Christian Bookstore in Bedford, Indiana for sponsoring an awesome Ladies Retreat this past weekend.

I was honored to have been one of the speakers at the “A Better You” conference on Saturday.  It was an awesome time in the Lord with 120+ of some of the nicest women EVER!  Your hunger for God is amazing and your zeal to take what He’s shown you in the Word of God is to be commended.

Thank you all for your emails and little notes of encouragement to me.  I praise God that He’s allowing me to spread His Word to His mighty women for this crucial time in history.

Now, take what He’s showing you and run with it!  You are mighty in Christ, you are important for the Revival of the Ages and you are anointed to spread the contagion!!

Remember…He KNOWS the plan, He put it there, and He will see it to completion.  WOW!  It’s a good one too!  (Jeremiah 29:11)

One shoe can change your life…Cinderella!! Your shoe is just for  for you and is a perfect fit!  No one else can wear it like you! It was made specifically for you, with only you in mind!!

Now, go out and change your sphere of influence for the Kingdom of God!!!

 

Diana Nuchols      January 2012

Living in Victory

To Tebow? or Not to Tebow?…John 3:16

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Diana | Permalink 2

I think the attention Tim Tebow is getting with this whole “Tebowing” thing is amazing!  And I dare to say watch out…you’re going to be seeing more and more of this type of thing; God using anything and everything to get the attention of the world!  Don’t you know the world is just scratching their heads at this whole phenomenon?

 

I was watching the Bronco’s playoff game and it was a mess.  Tebow’s team didn’t play their best game to say the least.  They were beaten badly that day.  BUT, there was a SUPER BIG bright spot…a commercial!

Now, most of my professional training is in media marketing.  I know a great opportunity to maximize and capitalize on one thing to promote another.   It’s a common marketing strategy.  Apparently someone in marketing with the Focus on the Family organization recognized this opportunity as well!

To the shock (and horror I’m sure) of many there was a GENIOUS commercial simply titled “John 3:16.”  ABSOLUTELY GENIOUS!!!  Simple, to the point, question answering, and pure; this commercial gets more than 2 thumbs up for this media gal.

Thank you Focus on the Family for riding the wave of the attention the media and the world is giving Tim  Tebow.  I’m sure this is EXACTLY what God intended.  And today there are many more wondering what this whole John 3:16 thing is really all about.  They are Googling and Yahooing John 3:16 like crazy!  Thank you Tim Tebow for not being ashamed of who you are and accepting the Call of God on your life to be a witness for Him and for creating a platform for which many to come can build!!

In case you missed it here is the link to the commercial.  Be prepared…it will bring tears to your eyes and your spirit man will leap with recognition of the Word of God and a really great GOD IDEA!!!  Glory to God!!

http://youtu.be/5beoRa_HR8o

Not only does Tim Tebow wear 3:16 under his eyes to deflect light, here’s some interesting stats on his previous game:

  • Tim Tebow threw a record – breaking 316 yards, which was the best of his career.
  • 31.6% of the entire television viewing audience was watching the game.
  • And to top it off Tebow averaged 31.6 yards per completed pass.

Hello John 3:16!!!!

In case you have been under a rock somewhere…”Tebowing” is defined as “dropping onto one knee in prayer even when everyone else is doing something else.”  Here’s a cute website that has photos of different people “Tebowing.”   http://tebowing.com/

 

Diana Nuchols  January 2012  www.Girls2Friends.com   www.EmpoweredToSucceed.com

Personal Growth , , ,

The Silent Killer

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Diana | Permalink 2

Fear is an evil thing and comes straight from the pit of Hell.   Fear is a killer and a destroyer.  Fear is a debilitator.  Fear can stop you in your tracks.  Fear can keep you from accomplishing all that God has planned for your life.  Fear can shut you down in a snap if you let it.

I’ve had some decisions to make recently that, I’ll be honest with you, could shake me to the core with fear.  It’s not making the decision that gets me.  It’s the repercussions of the decision that hooks me.  What if I miss it and make the wrong decision?  What will happen to this or that?   You know, the who, what, when, where, and why’s!!  And the fear of the unknown, well that alone makes me want to roll up in a ball in the fetal position!  You may have fear from something other than making a wrong decision.  Your fear may be something like fear of the dark or it may be way more intense, coming from some really deep seeded things.

I’ll admit, when I get to thinking about it I get really embarrassed.  “Why in the world would I be afraid of that?”  It’s silly to be afraid and I know it…THAT’S THE POINT!  Your enemy, satan, wants to mame you and cripple you with a false sense of what is real.  I may have concerns in making my decisions but fear should not factor into it.  And even if I have concerns the Holy Spirit will help me address them in a proper manner so that fear can’t sneak in on me ever again.

II Timothy 1:7
“God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”

No matter what you’re facing today, if there is fear anywhere near kick that sucker to the curb!  It has no place near you.  Use the authority and power given to you through Christ Jesus and lose your ole buddy fear.  Seek the Lord to help you do it.

Psalm 34:4
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

Now, put your faith into action, use the power and authority you’ve been given by God, and seek the Lord’s peace and wisdom.  And that decision you need to make… piece of cake!

Psalm 27:1 
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Make your motto for the new year…No Fear Here!!

Personal Growth ,

2012. This WILL be the year!!

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Diana | Permalink 0

This time of year puts everyone in a state of anticipation.  Usually we’re ready for the new perspective that a new year brings.  A new year brings hope that change can and will take place.

If I’m to be honest I will tell you this time of year always makes me hopeful but secretly skeptical.  I hear the prophetic word that the new year will be a year of “this” and a year of “that” yet I get to the end of said year and I’m disappointed that it wasn’t the year I’d hoped for. I’m disappointed that it was a year of “this” and “that” for some but not for me.

In 2011 God showed Andy and me some new things about waiting and about His timing.  We learned some lessons about taking action when He directs and about heeding the urgency that He gives.   We’ve learned that God has to be our only source.  We’ve learned how to stand through tough times and we learned how strong we really are in Him.  2011 was a difficult year all the way around.  I’m grateful for the lessons learned in 2011, the growth that has taken place in 2011, but happy that 2011 is on its way out.

2012 seems different to me.  I have a certain knowing that what God has declared to me WILL come to pass.  Maybe I’ve changed my perspective from “hope” to “faith” or maybe I’m just taking the things God has been showing us and putting them to work; either way I am experiencing something that I haven’t before and I don’t even have words to describe it.

Recently I watched a video of Kenneth Copeland giving the Word of the Lord concerning 2012 and my spirit came alive.  For so long we’ve been tithers and we’ve given beyond the tithe.  We’ve been faithful and obedient and still really haven’t experienced the Fullness of God in our lives.

When I watched this video it all came full circle.  When I watched this video I suddenly knew that all the giving and all the serving and remaining faithful to Him was going
to be worth it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kkb94XRFhc&feature=youtu.be

I’m not regretful about 2011, there was much learning and many great blessings but I know there is more and I know that I’ve yet to see all the great things that God has for me.
Time is short.  I know there is a lot of work to do for Jesus, lots of people to reach for the Kingdom of God.  That is why I know that my destiny is about to come to pass.  The greatest move of God in history is about to happen and God is going to need me to help do the work!  He is going to need me to be who He purposed and destined me to be.

As you wrap up the last few days of 2011, be reflective and thankful for what God did in you in 2011 to prepare you for the Goodness of 2012.  I truly believe that 2012 will be
the year we look back and say, “What a turnaround!  Look what God has done.  What a great year. How Great is our God!!!?”

Diana Nuchols    December 2011

Personal Growth , ,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Diana | Permalink 0

Dear Friend of EmpoweredToSucceed.com and Girls2Friends,

Since June you have made us part of your life; allowing us to share our hearts with you every week for the past 6 months.  You’ve heard our successes and even some of our flops but always you’ve heard that God is Good, He has an amazing plan for you and He wants to bless you and prosper you in every area of your life.  And…Jesus loves you.

It’s just a few days before Christmas and we want to take this opportunity to thank you for permitting us to speak into your life and thank you for opening your heart to receive from God through our ministry.  We trust that God has ministered to you greatly.

In 2012 you will continue to see our ministries grow and expand.  We hope to offer more educational resources, utilize video ministry in a greater capacity and develop our Girls2Friends women’s ministry even more!  It will be an exciting year and as we grow we know you will be growing in the Lord too!

Merry Christmas friend and God bless you and yours.  We look forward to walking this walk with you into the New Year!

Diana Nuchols & Kim Powell

December 2011

Living in Victory