Valerie Baptism at Church of Grace and Peace (youtube.com)

In 2006, while getting out of bed, a thought entered my mind, "I should go on a walk and talk to God.” Psalm 139:4 (NIV) “You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.” After getting myself ready, a sense of excitement came upon me. I had a knowing that Almighty God would help with all that concerns me. Psalm 138:8 (NKJV) “The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever.” 1 Peter 5:12(NKJ) “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Little did I realize this was the start of a whole new life for me, my family, and people every place the souls of my feet would tread. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Deuteronomy 11:24 (NIV) "Every place where you set your foot will be yours: Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean Sea."

As I began to seek God with all my heart, I began to find Him. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”'

My life became more fulfilling and satisfying. Isaiah 45:19 "I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the LORD, speak only what is true and declare only what is right."

God gave me boldness to openly talk to others about Him. Sharing testimonies of what He did and is doing for me, those I have prayed for and am praying for, and those I have prayed with and those I will pray with.
 

As I lifted my requests to God, I knew in my heart that He heard me. 1 John 5:14 (NIV) “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” Our walks together seemed very private; although they were outside in broad daylight, it was just Him    and I.

As our walks increased, my thoughts began to change. It was incredible of what God was doing in and through me before, during, and after our walks and conversations. Colossians 3:2 (AMP) “And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.”

Nothing was impossible and nothing is impossible for Almighty God, who created all that is seen and unseen. Matthew 19:26 (NIV) "Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The best part is that God desires for all people to know Him. Not to know of Him but to KNOW Him personally.  To know His character and to know His Nature. 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

From that moment on, my relationship with God grew. Although I made my plans, He directed and ordered my steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV) A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." He brought divine connections and opportunities for me to grow in the things of Him. The prayers I prayed were basically conversations, revealing the desires of my heart to Him.

Almighty God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows the dark hidden things we hide from ourselves. Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” He knows what we are going to do, say, and think before it happens. He knows the past, present and future all at the same time. He knows the end from the beginning. Our life is written in a book - everything that would happen, every decision we would make, every thought throughout our entire life is written in that book.

In life we learn through lessons and tests which make us stronger, wiser, kinder, patient, and independent to name a few. These lessons, no matter how painful; they make us stronger people. We are victorious and more than conquerors. Romans 8:37 (NKJV) “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

Life is too short. Treat each day as a gift. James 1:17(NIV) "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Use the gift of time wisely.

Life and Death are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." You have the choice in choosing what you speak. Positive words bring life and endorphins are released into your body making it feel energized. Negative words bring death releasing toxins (free radicals) which break down the body and increases the aging process.

Do something nice for someone every day. It will boost your spirits. Do not waste precious energy on gossip, energy drainers, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Invest your energy in the positive precious present moment. Make peace with your past so it will not spoil your present or your future. Comparing robs joy. Be grateful for all that you have.

Material things do not make you the person you are. It is life lessons that you acquired during the course of your life and the lessons you share.