MyraMeilleure Bits & Pieces Nov. 2024

Bits & Pieces MYRAMEILLEURE

November 2024

Thanksgiving Season

© Copyright 2024

Welcome To The Fall Season 2

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Calming The Mind Calming the voice inside takes practice, as well as knowing who you are. Then you can choose what to cast down because of the knowledge of you in Christ. One of the first steps to calming the voice is knowing the voice is there.

Isn’t it crazy how the negative things stand out and stick to the mind more than the good? Do you ever ask, “Why do negative thoughts have such an impact on the heart and mind? Becoming the biggest distraction, tying the mind up and placing it in a loop. When I went through warfare I had no clue of what was happening and no understanding. I remained stuck because I wanted to keep telling the story to anyone who would listen and understand.

But no one had the answers except that the answers were within me.

As I began to dig into the scriptures and was guided towards different books and content, the Lord began to show me how my focus on things I didn’t want kept bringing it to me, as well as looking for the answers in the wrong places, outside of myself instead of within. I could only focus on what I didn’t have and how I would get what I didn’t have.

It took time for my mind to release all that happened in such a short time. God also led me to study many things one being the bones. Because I began to have problems with my teeth, I could feel a shift in my bones.

I learned how the bitterness of all that had happened, sadness, and anger was getting down in my bones and affecting my bones and health.

All the emotions were beating my body down. God lead me to pray Ezekiel 37:1-14 and I could literally feel the wind come in the room and in my bones and muscles from the four corners of the earth. Filling them with new life and strength.

I kept telling myself I have got to come out of this, not knowing that it was a mindset change and doing the will of God, which is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

The more I sought God, the more understanding I had and the more my mind changed, and the more peace I had. And that took time because I was studying trying to find a way out of the situation but the word kept taking me in, within me that is, so that I could be renewed from within outward. Completely 6 changing the way I think, move, and speak.

Shop Avon With your Representative Myra Skelton 864-745-3128

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Can You Stand the Rain

by Minister Cecily A. Gray, PhD, MPA, CHES® October 24, 2024

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When I received the invitation to write this article, I knew God placed me on Myra’s heart for a specific purpose. And I know He always has the needs of the people on His mind. So, I pondered around what He would have me to say for a few days. As I was pondering, I heard the Lord say, “Be made whole, there is life after the storm.” I contemplated what that statement meant. And I live in the Southeast, so I thought of how Hurricane Helene swept through and even devastated certain areas. Then I thought about the storms and challenges faced by those who may read this article. I also thought about the storm I am now standing in. It is a fact of life that storms will come. Even as I am writing this article, I hear the melody of a popular love ballad 1 singing “Can you stand the rain” in my spirit.

While pondering over the aforementioned song, I pictured the downpouring of heavy rains and water rising. Then I thought about a familiar Biblical scenario, Noah and the Ark 2 . Before sending the flood, the Lord gave Noah specific instructions to build a lifesaver—The Ark. Then the Lord said to Noah, “I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall go into the ark.” When the floods came, the Ark was a refuge and a shelter for Noah, his family, and everything connected to him. The Ark was able to withstand the waters and preserve all those who inhabited it. I perceive some of you are feeling overwhelmed by a storm. It is as if the enemy wants to flood you out, constantly testing and trying your faith. Some of you are wondering if you will ever make it back to safety.

1 James Harris III and Terry Lewis, “Can You Stand the Rain,” on N.E. Heart Break; Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, and Michael Bivins, 1988, MCA, CD. 2 Genesis 6:13-22

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But Isaiah 59:19 says, “When the enemy comes like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” The storm and the flood is no match for God. Just as Noah entered the Ark, God is calling you to enter and take refuge in His presence 3 . In fact, while going through the storm, make His presence your habitation. And while in His presence, He will protect you, provide instructions and guide you back to solid ground. While He is guiding you to solid ground, watch your enemies be permanently crushed in the flood 4 . Just remember, the battle not yours 5 and neither is it against flesh and blood 6 . For now, take comfort in knowing the storm is not allowed to destroy you. He allowed the storm to come and purify you for the next level in Him. From this day forward, let the peace of God exceed your understanding 7 and rest in His finished work 8 . Isaiah 30:15 says, “in returning and rest you shall be saved.”

Know His plans for you are peace, not evil and to bring you to an expected end 9 . God is going to make you whole10. and everything the enemy stole from you

will be restored11 3 Psalms 91:2 4 Exodus 14:15-23 5 2 Chronicles 20:17 6 Ephesians 6:12 7 Philippians 4:7 8 Hebrews 4:3 9 Jeremiah 29:11 10 Luke 8:48 11 Provers 6:31

by Minister Cecily A. Gray, PhD, MPA, CHES® October 24, 2024

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© Copyright 2024

myrameilleure@gmail.com

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Journey to Enough: Embracing Gratitude © Copyright 2024

~Written by Daveda Janine, Creator and host of the radio podcast, The Journey Tip, which Airs every Sunday at 4 pm EST. on WABB 105.1 FM, 1390 AM Spirit Radio, and online at, https://spirit1051.com

I stepped on to my porch one crisp October morning, I felt excitement as the autumn’s cool breeze greeted me.

The sight of the colorful trees and falling leaves made me giddy but then I thought about the upcoming holiday season. There was a time when thoughts of the holiday season brought excitement and anticipation. Now it’s replaced with anxiety and concern as I question will I have enough this holiday season? Will I have enough to cover the cost of preparing Thanksgiving dinner? Will I have enough to buy gifts and meet our basic needs? Will I have enough? I no longer felt the autumn breeze. The beauty of the trees and sounds of autumn faded as I became frustrated with the thought of not having enough again this holiday season.

Standing on my porch, I realized my joy had faded as my responsibilities grew. Inspired by a quote from one of my favorite books, Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts: “Gratitude turns what we have into enough,” I vowed to reject the pressure of commercialized holidays and embrace gratitude so I could enjoy my favorite time of year once again.

Our life’s journey is ever-changing.

Practicing gratitude for what we have instead of chasing what we don’t reveals that we already have enough.

Intentionality and perspective are key. Gratitude helps us find joy in small, ordinary moments, which often surpass those we pay for, consciously or unconsciously.

There’s nothing wrong with giving gifts, but spending beyond our means can lead to debt, quickly stealing our joy and creating anxiety. For example, the Thanksgiving turkey might make the table look pictureperfect, but many people, including myself, don’t even like turkey. We buy it out of tradition, missing out on genuine joy and true gratification. All of the gifts under the Christmas tree look beautiful and show our children how special they are to us—for a few days. A week later, as parents, we left wondering where the joy and thankfulness our children expressed on Christmas day went, as we find those same gifts carelessly scattered around the house.

Traditions are wonderful, but sometimes we need new ones when they become obligations rather than sources of joy.

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By practicing gratitude while creating new traditions, we stay mindful of what truly serves our purpose and highlight moments we may have previously taken for granted.

Do you feel the pressure of the holidays each year, like I do? Does it stop you from enjoying priceless moments like time with family, nature's beauty, laughter, short lines at the grocery store, that perfect cup of coffee or tea, or a kind gesture in traffic? If you can relate, find encouragement in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” When tempted to complain about not having enough, re-evaluate your definition of “enough.” Is it defined by the world” standards or by our creator, God? Staying prayerful aligns our thoughts with God’s, increasing our sensitivity to true gratitude. Thankfulness acknowledges the gifts given to us, regardless of size or cost, while gratitude keeps us consistently aware and appreciative of what we have.

This enables us to adopt a “glass is half full” mentality, revealing that half full is indeed enough.

. Even during difficult times, continue giving thanks through praise and worship to God. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus assures us that God knows our needs before we ask and will provide for us. He tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all our needs will be met. Essentially, Jesus is saying to put God first, trust and obey Him, and let His love lead you. He handles the rest.

In “One Thousand Gifts,” the author found that the more she gave thanks for the little things, the less she complained and worried. Her goal was to write down one thousand gifts—small blessings and moments of grace. By doing the same, we’ll find truth in another one of the book’s quotes: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

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© Copyright 2024

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© Copyright 2024

myrameilleure@gmail.com

The Season of Thanksgiving

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This season is often seen as a time for thanksgiving and coming together with family. However, if we could all take a moment to recognize that every day is a gift, it would make a difference. Waking up every morning is a blessing; having a job is a blessing. All our needs are provided for, and these are gifts from God through Christ Jesus, who is always giving.

Thanksgiving is not just a once-a-year event; it's a daily practice that helps us cultivate a spirit of gratitude. When we focus on what we have rather than what we lack, we begin to see the world in a new light. Simple moments—a warm meal, a comforting word, or the love of friends and family—become profound reminders of the abundance in our lives.

This is why we should give thanks in everything, as it is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. We should enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, giving thanks to Him and blessing His name.

Moreover, embracing a heart of thanksgiving allows us to experience joy and peace, even amidst challenges. After experiencing hardships, I have come to realize that everything I have comes from Him and not from my own efforts.

Recognizing His hand in my life encourages me to share that gratitude with others, reminding them that we’re all part of a larger story of grace and generosity. Let every day be an opportunity to reflect, rejoice, and give thanks for the many blessings we’ve been given.

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Give your life to Jesus Get eternal life with God. Confess your sins and invite the Lord in to be your savior. ● Romans 10:9,10,13 that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved ● Sinners Prayer – Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I repent of each and every one of my sins. Have mercy on me, oh Lord, and save me. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Wash and cleanse me with your blood. And fill me with your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus I pray Amen.

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Genesis 3 Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Gen 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Gen 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

Gen 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Gen 3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Gen 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Gen 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; Gen 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Gen 3:20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

Gen 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Gen 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

Gen 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

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