Tag: Encouragement

Let God Rebuild Your Life!

Posted on by Kristen

Hi sweet sister! I’m here to tell you that it’s not over! Whatever battles you’ve been facing, whatever trials and tribulations you’ve been up against, will not have victory over you. We serve an on time and mighty God, who’s waiting to embrace you with welcoming arms.

“The LORD waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them”

~ Isaiah 30:18

I just had to start with that! I’ve been on a fast for a few days now, and the results have been amazing. We don’t fast for man or religion, we simply and carefully fast for our father. We fast to beat our flesh. We fast for God to expose and uproot the hidden things. We fast to drawer closer to Him. We fast for renewal and growth. We fast for revelation. How often do you fast?

So we fasted and petitioned God about this and he answered our prayers.

~Ezra 8:23

It seems like everywhere I look, many of us are struggling with something. Be it sickness, relationships, finances, and an overall quality of life. But why God? I know many of you wonder, why me? How is it that I serve a mighty God and yet my life sucks and has nothing to show for it?

Well, I had that same mentality not too long ago as I chronicled through my separation, all while trying to start over simultaneously. I thought those very same thoughts until God began to deal with me. First of all, He told me that in life things are going to happen. Trials and testing are going to come, because we reside on an earth where the enemy is constantly seeking to devour. God also told me that in this life as a Christian we are going to suffer. We are automatic targets for the enemy. Lastly, God told me that although these things are true, if we let Him, if we completely surrender, He can rebuild our lives. Sounds good right?

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.

~Joel 2:25

So this is where it gets interesting! Once God revealed these things to me, I instantly knew I was game. However, wanting something and actually going through the process to get it are two completely different things, if you know what I mean? This process of rebuilding is not for the faint of hearts. This process will require a level of strength, energy, commitment, and faith you’ve never had before.

Still interested? When I said yes to God regarding this rebuilding process, the first thing He told me to do was trust Him and then let everything go! (everything God, even my purse collection?) Everything, plus or minus a couple of bags! ( Now I can do that Lord!) but it was uncomfortable and hard, to say the least. Letting go of a life that was so comfortable, yet fruitless, was so hard to do but I did it. After letting go, God told me to undergo deliverance. ( Say some prayers over my family bloodline, denounce any dealings with the occult, any unrepentant sins, close any open doors that would give the enemy access to my life) this process was not instant, but gradual as God slowly dealt with me and dissected the many layers of hurt, guilt, and shame the enemy and others placed over me throughout the years.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

~2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Still there? After saying yes, letting go, and seeking deliverance, my purpose and identity in Christ became the theme as He showed me who I was in Him. He began to place people in front of me, as He molded me and shaped me for this new life and identity. Although I still had a long road ahead of me, I began to see little changes in my life and fruit that was undeniably God.

Work the field girl! After discovering my identity and purpose in Christ, I began to work the field. He told me to go for it. Experiment with a ministry and be a disciple. So I did just that. I started doing videos, I started posting inspirational things on social media, I put together events and I wrote a book on Finding your purpose. Available on Amazon.

Purchase Here! 🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺

Although things were still in progress and I was in a place of transition, I could feel this love and freedom in Christ I had never felt before. I still had many decisions to make at this point, after the releasing of my first book. However, I was hungry for more. As the warfare raged on around me, as friends left my side, and as things required deeper levels of faith, I knew I was almost there.

Finally, after almost three years of this ironing process, God told me the rebuilding was almost done. He told me to hold on and to let Him finish His good work and I did! And just like that, I arrived! The most important work was the inner work. We can’t receive anything from God or from others without proper healing to properly receive it. So after My internal began to Match my external it was finally time to embrace my new life in Christ. When I wake up and I feel the peace within, when I feel the peace of having my own home, a job, a passion and ministry I really love, and being a mom to two lovely children, I can’t help but think about how worth it, the process of rebuilding was.

We only get one life ladies! Your skin will never be as soft as it is today. Your hair will continue to slowly grey. Our kids will get older. Things will happen in life, good and bad. We will have different moments to help others. But regardless, life is short and precious and we will all face God the day of judgment, and be hit with that question of “ what did you do in this life?” What will you say on that day? Will the list that God has for you be long and full of many beautiful stories? Testimonies of how you helped others? Sacrifice? Taking chances? Living your full life, a life that God always wanted? Or will it be the opposite?

The choice is yours. If you let God rebuild you’re life now, and with no limits, and no fighting, I promise you, you won’t regret it! On the day of judgement, your list will be full, full of fruit and God will be smiling at all of your accomplishments and the fact that you took a chance despite all the pain and setbacks you’ve endured. You simply allowed Him to rebuild your life!

Let the rebuilding begin sis!!🌸

God Did Not Create You To Punish You! Abuse Is Never Acceptable!

Posted on by Kristen

Abuse is never acceptable! In many of my past relationships, abuse, whether it was physical, verbal or emotional, played a common theme in them all. Hurt people, hurt people! You’d be surprised at the level of disfunction in some people’s families or relationships. Unfortunately for some it’s the new normal! Causing years of trauma, pain, and delayed dreams and visions. For some, visions and dreams that never make it to see the light of day. Is that you?

For a long time I thought it was alright to be cursed at, or hit on. At one point it became my new normal and suddenly I was hitting back and cursing back. If only I had known what I know now about God’s love and about the gifts of the spirit, my path would look very different.

The Lord tells us to judge them by their fruit. The fruit of the spirit is a sure way of telling the true character and heart of a man.

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Bible gateway)

Many of us women, deal with lots of invisible monsters. Are you dealing with an invisible monster? Something only you can see or give witness to? Abusers. Cheaters. Noncompliant fathers. Financial struggles. All of these, just to name a few. But everyday we get up and we keep it moving! Everyday we wear our ” makeup,” to hide and ” conceal,” our scars, when God is saying enough! He’s saying enough daughter! Let me take that. Lay your burdens down. Let me remove you from that. Let me heal your scars!

See, we can hide our pain from our kids, our friends and our family! But what about our Father in Heaven? He sees all things! When you see failure after another explosive fight, or an ugly reflection looking back at you in the mirror after receiving a black eye, He sees beauty! He sees gold. He sees a daughter living a life of hell that she was never meant to endure!

Let me ask you this—how much do you value yourself? Are you in a relationship that reflects God’s love? Or the gifts of the spirit? Or are you in a situation where you are being abused and treated badly? A situation where you know you deserve more and should have left yesterday?

It’s never too late to start over. I don’t care if it’s been 10 years. You can still pray for God to make a way for you to leave that situation, Job, or friendship! Think about your purpose. Think about your kids. Think about what our father in Heaven would say about this. Would He approve?

In honor of you awesome ladies, and our annual event ” Woman Rise & Evolve,” we want to let you know that we are hear for you and we see you! Come and join us June 15th in Albany 9-12:30pm. Let’s start fresh. Let’s rise up together in the name of Jesus and dance into 2020 launching that businesses, that ministry, and living the life God ordained for us to live!

June announcements!

AWP Fear Not Challenge!

Remember, be fearless and be fierce! 🌸

Xoxoxo AWP Team 👑

Giveaway Alert!

Posted on by Kristen

Hey ladies, it’s giveaway time! Our team loves to give away goodies to our AWP/KDL community! We are giving away my new book, some bath goodies, and a fancy planner! 🌸🌸💪🏽

If you want to participate in this giveaway, all you have to do is provide your email and some details on who you are in the comment section of this article and a winner will be selected at random! Winner will be chosen Thursday 3/21 at 5pm.

The winner could be you!

Also, due to some maintenance for our website, we will not be posting for the rest of this month after Thursday and will be back on April 1st! We have some amazing things in store for you ladies! ☺️

Remember, be fearless and be fierce! 💜💪🏽

Xoxoxo KDL Team

Keep Moving Forward!

Posted on by Kristen

Hey ladies!!

So—the last couple of days have been crazy. You know, the ” I want to pull my hair out type of crazy?” Can you relate? Has life been crazy for you too sis? It seems like everyone on our team has been going through it! From transitioning to one point to the next as a team, to working on big projects that await us, life just seems to be moving, as we continue to chase it.

From a personal standpoint—I sometimes have a hard time finding balance! Sometimes I find myself battling this “ I want to give up” attitude, because so much has been piling up on my plate, and sometimes it doesn’t seem as if things will lighten up any time soon. Although I’m feeling more productive and positive today, when I do go into that state of mind, I begin to feel lazy, and taking care of myself takes a back seat! But the blood of Jesus!

Sometimes, we become so comfortable in our own mess or our state of normalcy, to the point where it can actually hold us back! Are you holding yourself back? Is there a huge step you want to take but are afraid you might fail? If so, you aren’t alone.

When I struggle with this, I remember Philippians 4:13 which says, ” I can do all this through him who gives me strength”. Say this a couple of times and I know you’ll begin to feel better. God is by your side and will help you through it! Even when we don’t want to, we have to keep pushing ourselves. We have to keep pushing forward! It’s ok if we don’t get to accomplish what we wanted to do within the day or hour. Just keep your eye on the prize.

Remember, be fearless and be fierce! 💪🏽💜

Xoxoxo Shanora, Social Media Rep

Monday Moves!

Posted on by Kristen

Happy Monday Ladies!! 🎉

As many of you have read—our AWP team spent the majority of the weekend in Jersey, for a Domestic Violence Conference! Our founder and CEO, Kristen Lory, was invited to share her brave story, and was offered a vendor table as well!

As our team sat at our vendor table, I noticed a lot of different things about the other vendors around us. However, the one thing that stuck out the most to me, was tenacity! True grit and hard work— You could sense that women from all over, either from the area or from hours away, worked hard to establish their business!

I also noticed, that we all shared the same desire to empower each other, support each other, learn each other’s stories, the steps it took to get where we are now, how far we all have come, and where we all are today! that was amazing—

It’s important for us to support each other’s purpose. Whether it’s a ministry, business, or helping each other with our relationship with Christ, empowering each other is essential! So this week, make sure you reach out. Let your friends know that you are rooting for them. Simply, yet gracefully, offer your help and prayers. ☺️

Remember, be fearless and be fierce!🌺💪🏽

Xoxoxo Shanora, Social Media Rep

Christians In The Work Environment!

Posted on by Kristen

When I was working for corporate in the banking industry, I can remember days filled with structure and deadlines. I enjoyed the fast-paced environment as a marketing team member, but some days I just needed a moment to be alone with God.

As Christians, it can be extremely tough trying to balance our beliefs with the culture on the job. Sometimes, you’re blessed enough to have wonderful coworkers, and other times not so much. From cursing, to competing, and sadly, sometimes harassment, the work environment can be hostile!

What do you do when the work environment is toxic? How do you incorporate the Lord during your most difficult times?

(For this exercise, think about your time spent on the job and write down the good, bad, and ugly. How do you add to the environment? Do you pray for your coworkers when they make you mad? How can you be more positive?)

Although they say politics and religion should never be discussed at work, don’t be afraid to take time out to pray and read. Or simply sit in silence as you allow Gods grace to cover you.

Some people are called to ministry and others are called to careers outside the church. God wants to spread His gospel in as many ways as He can. And although we are not to get into such topics at work, you can still be a light on the job by encouraging you coworkers, praying for them, and just maybe becoming friends outside of work, and inviting them to church.

Just know that you can make a difference! Work and be happy! If you feel like your job is too stressful, ask God if it’s the right fit for you! But always be the light! 🌺

Remember, be fearless and be fierce!

Xoxoxo Kristen, Founder & CEO