Bring change to your home within three weeks
The youngest of a family has the benefit of watching the older children go through life and see the choices they make and the consequences that come afterward.
Adalis Shuttlesworth
Happy Mother’s Day to all the ladies out there today!
I had the privilege of attending the 2025 Radiance Women’s Conference in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania these last few days and it was an absolute blessing, a wonderful time of refreshing and fellowship. This year’s theme was Transformed, and I have so much to share with you pertaining to the Blood of Jesus so be looking for those posts in the weeks to come!
Today’s Sunday sermon was delivered by Adalis and was titled “My Child, Listen Closely: 10 Pieces of Advice a Mother Would Give Her Children”.
Let’s get into it.
My Child, Listen Closely: 10 Pieces of Advice a Mother Would Give Her Children
- Know your image before the world tries to teach you something contrary
So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27 AMP
You will turn into an animal if you don’t understand the mind of God.
Ephesians 2:10 teaches you are created for good. You are God’s workmanship. We need to be aware of these truths pertaining to our identity. Your identity is your anchor and if it is latched on to anything other than Jesus it will be a rough ride.
You aren’t what you feel or what others say you are
You are what the Word of God says you are. Not every person is perfect, but we are in the process of being made perfect.
God is perfecting you
I am not the same person I once was. I am not as good as I am gonna get, but I am better than I used to be.
You are not a wretched person, you have value! He has a good work for you to do. Claim that as of right now, I anchor my identity in the Word of God.
2. Work hard and be disciplined
The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition],
Proverbs 13:4 AMP
But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.
Do not live in a false reality. You have to put in the effort. The goal is to not look the part, but to play the part. Are you a godly, righteous person?
Every person has great potential and that is why Jesus died for us
Before we were even in our mother’s womb, we were destined for greatness. All you have to do to get to the top is to out work the people around you. God does not bless laziness.
But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service].
1 Corinthians 9:27 AMP
3. Hush up
When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,
Proverbs 10:9 AMP
But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.
Guard your lips
It is not what goes into the body that defiles it, but what comes out of the mouth.
Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];
James 1:19 AMP
4. Chose your friends wisely
He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise,
Proverbs 13:20 AMP
But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm.
Show me your friends, and I will show you your future.
1 Corinthians 15:33 says the moment you introduce yourself to evil company, it will begin to corrupt everything.
Who you walk with shape who you are
You are the average of your five closest friends.
Even Jesus was selective on who He let into His circle. Relationships are not neutral, they are directional. Who you surround yourself with gives you direction.
If you have terrible friends, get rid of them, but do not be over dramatic about it. Let it drop off and fizzle out naturally.
5. Master your emotions
He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier],
Proverbs 16:32 AMP
And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.
Galatians 5:22-23 states you can no longer say after today that you lost control. The way you respond to something reveals your level of maturity.
Power does not panic
Power is peace under pressure.
In the story of Jesus before Pilate found in Mark 15, Jesus did not answer a word despite His life on the line while Pilate cross examined Him.
Life is what you make of it
6. Pray first, decide second.
Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
[a]In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
Prayer should never be a last resort
Prayer is not preparation for the battle; it is the battle.
In 1 Samuel, David inquired of the Lord. That is why he was successful. Prayer will lead you into clarity about your next move.
7. Don’t run from pain, grow through it.
And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; 4 and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation].
Romans 5:3-4 AMP
Cast all of your cares on Him. Don’t run from it, deal with it.
He will turn your mess into a message.
He will turn your test into a testimony.
8. Say what you mean and do what you say
Ecclesiastes 5:5 tells us it is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. Your word is your integrity. You cannot separate God from His Word. It is who He is.
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
Your words are you and they carry weight. Make sure what comes out of your mouth you mean.
Keep your promises, including to yourself.
Say things strategically.
9. Never let the fire die
That is why I remind you to [a]fan into flame the gracious gift of God, [that inner fire—the special endowment] which is in you through the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].
2 Timothy 1:6 AMP
Your passion for God is your responsibility. Stir it up. Your spiritual fire needs to be fed daily. Do not let the flesh come in.
People are gonna people
Stay spiritual and you will see right through people. Jesus knew the same people that yelled “Hosanna” would be shouting “Crucify Him” one week later.
“…. and {we know} you do not care about anyone’s opinion.”
Matthew 22:16b ESV
You are the one that has to feed your fire
Are you putting wood into your fire every day? If you do not, you will suffer burn out. Stay thirsty. If you fire dims out, so does your discernment and when that fades so does your hunger for the spiritual.
Leviticus 6:13 confirms it must burn continually. Not just on Easter and/or Christmas. It must not go out.
The fire of God will bring light into a situation
If there are areas in your life that seem dark, light that fire up and start seeing things the way you should be, through the eyes of God.
10. Come home often
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 ESV
Remember this truth:
Without God you can do nothing
People run from God for many reasons. They have a distorted view of God and that is what the devil wants so they will quit. Never forget your roots and the source of your life.
When you come home to God, everything will clear up. Do not avoid Him but make Him a priority.
Stay attached to the vine. That is your lifeline. When life pulls you in all different directions, you must stay rooted in the Word of God.
Stay intimate with God
He desires fellowship with you because He loves you. Every day.
No matter how high you go, don’t forget your roots. Your growth depends on the connection you make with God. This will help you avoid future heartache.
Instead of reacting to a situation you can respond to it
Understand you have the one up. You can walk above your circumstances. You were created for impact and not to struggle.
Until next time, my friend.
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