November Newspaper...

Our November Newsletter

Happy November and Happy Thanksgiving from God-Driven-Designs! It's time to get the turkey in the oven and get the game on! We've got a lot to be thankful for!

In this month's issue we cover:

Our November Message: I Knock at the Gate, It's Not Your Fault, Restoring Finances, Obey God, Give What You Have, Our November Prayer

Music Spotlight: Crowder: Come as You Are and J. J. Hairston: You Deserve it. My Hallelujah Belongs to You

Need a Word? The Video the Devil Never Wanted You to See

Food Special: Yummy Recipes You've Just Gotta Try

Finance Special: Top Sites for Deals, Saving Money Tips, and Help with Setting Up a Budget

LOL: Something's Up

Get your gobble-gobble on...

I KNOCK AT THE GATE

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revel. 3:20

Do you answer the door when someone knocks? If you're like me, you might start thinking about any deliveries that you are expecting before you even get up. Logically if there are none, you'll assume it's SPAM or Someone Probably Annoying Me. But what about when Jesus knocks at the door? Are you ready to let Him in, or are you so overwhelmed that you're saying "Not now," to anyone?

We shared an awesome video a few years ago about a 13-year-old surfer that saved a man whose boat capsized recently in Jupiter, Florida. You've got to see this video! The boat was flipping from one side to the other and then it finally flipped over. The man on board fell into the water and then tried to reach for the rocks, but the waves were throwing him up against the rocks. And here comes this surfer on his board. He swam alongside the man, then got off his board, and helped the man on as he pulled him back to shore. In the middle of your storm, drama, or mess, is Jesus walking out on the water to meet you in your crisis? Will you accept His help - or who He sends for you?

In the Bible, when Jesus "knocks at the door," sometimes it can be seen as a violent storm in your world, while Jesus is sleeping on board the boat in His. The storm isn't meant to harm us, but to help us see that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and that's what happened to me on the job.

I went to work in an office that was in chaos. People yelled all the time, they were cut-throat, competitive, and hateful. I thought, "God, why did you bring me here?" I would pray and ask God for help, not realizing I was the help. Huh? You see, Jesus shines as a light through you to give you the help you need - and the help others need. As I started praying more for my coworkers and for peace, I started seeing God move on their behalf. That was God shining a light in a dark place and it's why we shouldn't run from the darkness, but ask God help us flood the area with His loving light and peace.

Restoring Finances

Maybe you're facing a situation where like the man on the boat in Jupiter, FL, you're in over your head. Your finances might be askew. You might be in hot water with no way out. That's not the time to give up, but it is the time to call on Jesus. Like the blind man in the Bible, say out loud, "Son of Man, have mercy on me!" All God wants is for us to ask Him for His help so He can show us how He can make the way because He is the way!

When you pray, ask God to restore your finances, and then trust God to bring it to pass. Sometimes -- now hear me -- sometimes when God closes a door or a way that you were receiving money from in the past, it's because He has a new way for you - a hidden path in a different direction. It's also a sign that you might be graduating from one stage of life and going into the next, like a test.

In the Old Testament this was shown where the people were given manna or meat from God, but then as they grew, they were able to find their own food. You went through the same thing when you were a baby. You had milk until you cut teeth, and then you started to eat solid food. As you got used to solid food, you started eating meat.

When God takes one thing from you, it's important that you don't panic but realize that He might be taking you to another level. This is where people "drown in 2-feet of water" because instead of saying, "God's here. He's making a new way," they say, "My well dried up. It's over!" Beloved, it's not over. Ask God where to turn. Ask Jesus where to lower your nets. Invite God in and know that there is peace in your storm. God will bring restoration and Jesus is on that water with us. He is the peace in every storm!

It's Not Your Fault

I had a writing client try to slander me once. I was working on client orders and I heard the Holy Spirit say, "It's not your fault," out of the blue. I realized - and knew from past experience, that because God doesn't work "in time", He can give us a message out of time. He can also give us a "Word" before something happens that goes against it. Sure enough, my client rejected almost all my writing projects. I received complaint after complaint, all negative, and all blatant lies. They asked for items that weren't included in the instructions. They complained about things they never asked for in the past, and I caught myself before I reacted emotionally, "That's the devil."

The devil is the accuser of the brethren. I recognized that I was under attack. Because the Holy Spirit had already spoken, it helped me to walk away first without getting emotional and I then politely defended myself. While the company tried to say that I did everything wrong, I know what the Holy Spirit said, "It's not your fault." I let those words sink in my head, it's... not... your... fault, so I stood up for myself in my replies back to them, walked away, and put a movie on! The devil is a liar! The client tried to reach out to me recently to ask that I work on more of their projects, but the Holy Spirit said to walk away. I have other clients and my gifts will make room for me. I realized God had a new path for me. I didn't have to tolerate their abuse and I could confidently walk away.

What is it that's going on in your life where you are not just being accused, but being hit with false and blatantly wrong accusations? Know Beloved that it's not your fault:

When God allows people to come against you, it's not your fault.
When the work gets harder when it should be getting easier, it's not your fault.
When the devil is accusing you of things you didn't do, it's not your fault.
When all you've done is help and love and you're still rejected, it's not your fault.

Hold fast to God's unchanging Word. Remember, the testing proceeds (is prior to) the blessing. It's not your fault. God is increasing your assignment and God is preparing a table for you. You will see your enemies defeated and under your feet. Let God have His way and He will show you the new path to take! Let Jesus in. He has so much in store for you!

Obey God

A quick note about obedience...

Be sure to do what God says to do and go where God says to go, even if you are inconvenienced. I had to renew my passport and knew I had time, but the Holy Spirit gave me a "date" to have it renewed. I wasn't sure what the big deal was, but I know to be respectful to God we don't treat anything He says "flippantly" so I said, "Yes, Lord, I will go on this date to get my passport renewed." I had so much homework, and so many articles and orders that I was working on, that I didn't have time to make my hair look all fancy for my picture. It didn't matter, I thought. It's about obedience.

Going to the passport center, the wind started blowing and my hair was wildly all over my head. I kept saying, "It doesn't matter. If God is sending me here for a specific reason, I need to pay attention." As the lady went to take my picture she frowned and asked, "Girl, don't you want to fix your hair?" I could see myself stopping to take my mirror out, touch up my make-up, and make myself look nice, but I was trying to stay focused so I said, "No, it's okay." I pressed my hair down neatly and took the picture. I did not want to be distracted. God brought me here for a specific purpose.

As I stood in line waiting for the next agent, a very loud woman stood behind me and started asking a bunch of questions - - distracting -- and I recognized it right away. I thought, "I'm not going to entertain her, because God has me here for some specific reason." Just then, this elderly woman walked past me and the Holy Spirit said, "Tell her to have faith." Boom! There was the reason God sent me, I thought. The distracting lady was talking to her a mile a minute, but I over-talked her and said to the elderly woman, "Excuse me, Miss. You must have faith." While the elderly woman nodded at me, the distracting, loud woman said, "Thanks, I needed to hear that." I immediately thought of the wheat and chaff growing up together, you know, the times we feel like we're being choked because we're trying not to be distracted while we're waiting on God and you literally want to tell someone "Shut-up! I'm trying to hear God!"

I stood in line a few minutes more and the distracting lady was loudly talking, cursing and talking about this injury and that problem, and going on and on. She was nice enough to ask for a chair for the elderly woman as I was called up to the counter. When I turned to leave, I went to the elderly woman who was now sitting down and I reminded her what the Holy Spirit said, (because the distracting devil will try to make the person forget). I whispered to her, "Remember, have faith. God's got you." I stood back and saw a tear coming down the elderly woman's face, but I know some elderly people have issues with loose tear ducts - like if they had a stroke, so I didn't think anything of it. As I turned to leave, still trying to be attentive to the Holy Spirit, I heard Him say, "Pray for her." I turned and went back to the elderly woman who still had the distracting woman standing next to her talking a mile a minute. I quietly asked the elderly woman if I could pray for her and she said yes, so I prayed. I don't remember all I prayed, but it was about God opening doors for her and making the way for her and for God to give her strength as I was trying to pray what God was showing me. As I ended the prayer, I remembered that the woman said she was getting ready for a cruise that her niece was taking her on, hence the reason for her passport visit, so I smiled and said to her, "And get ready for that cruise." When I stood up and looked at her, her entire face was covered with tears. I turned to leave and the loud, distracting woman said, "What was that all about?" The elderly woman said, "She was praying a blessing for me."

Wherever God sends you, do what He says to do. You might have no idea why God tells you to go somewhere, to do something, or to speak to someone, but at this time, in these end times, nothing else matters but to obey God. Someone is waiting on that Word from you. Someone is waiting on that prayer. Someone needs that confirmation and to know that God is right there in the middle of all those distractions!

Give What You Have: Presents and God's Presence

For Thanksgiving and Christmas, be mindful to give to others (and it doesn't always have to be money or something new). Jesus said, "When you give to the least of these, you give to me." Yesterday, I was reminded about something that I gave and had forgotten about. I was chatting with a delivery guy and he said, "Oh thanks again for the Lion King video. My mom loved it. It was one of her favorites." I stood with my mouth open as I thought back to a few years ago.

The man's mother was terminally sick and he said in passing as he was delivering a package to me, "I wish I had the time to get what she wanted. She said her dying wish was to see the Lion King." I thought to myself, "That's no problem! I can get that!" I went online and purchased the video and when it arrived, I wrapped it up and included a few prayer cards with the Prayer of Salvation. I don't know if that young man's mother said that prayer, but I know I was praying, and to see her son smiling now about how happy she was, I know it was a time when Jesus was with her when she needed Him most. She passed away sometime thereafter and I remember praising God that this young man could see his mother filled with joy. Hence, give what you have. Don't regret not taking the time out for others if you hear God calling. He may do it in the middle of when you have a need yourself and sometimes that is the test.

Check out J.J. Hairston's live version of You Deserve My Hallelujah. It belongs to you, Lord!

Our November Prayer

Father God, in the name of Jesus, Lord, we come to you and ask for forgiveness of sins that our prayers will be heard. Lord, we thank you for being a Faithful and Loving Father. Thank you for covering us. Thank you for keeping us and making the way for us, for protecting our babies, our families, our neighbors, friends, and loved ones. Thank you for your peace, Jesus. As we enter into the holiday season, we thank you for all we have. The amount doesn't matter because we have you and you are all we need. We pray for families that are struggling. We also pray for those that don't have families. We pray for the military and those separated from families. We pray for all our police officers, fire fighters and first responders. Please meet their needs and keep them safe, covered and healthy. By Jesus's stripes we are healed.

We pray for those dealing with a sickness or those that have loved ones in the hospital. We rebuke heart attacks, cancers, covid, diabetes and sudden strokes. As the Holy Spirit has stressed strokes, diabetes, and cancers, we pray, Lord, please help those dealing with these issues. Please send healing right away. Help them get to the doctor in time and to cut back on sugar or get on the right medications that they need. We plead the blood of Jesus over them now, in Jesus's name. No weapons formed against us shall prosper. We pray the cooks limit the salt this holiday season and add in a few heart-healthy recipes!

We pray a special prayer for covering and we rebuke "slips and falls." We pray keep people safe as they walk on slippery surfaces and as they climb ladders and chairs cleaning up and preparing for the holidays and putting up Christmas decorations. For those that have prayed special prayers to you, Lord, please give them the answers they seek. Send them signs of confirmation. We also pray for all delivery personnel and food delivery workers, especially over the holidays. Please cover them and keep them. Bless them in their vehicles and protect them from thefts and vandals because these drivers are so vulnerable. Get them to their destinations safely and back home to their families each day. Let people that are waiting on packages order early so they can budget their money, but more importantly, let them not get frustrated with driver delays, weather, or the overwhelming number of packages this year from added Amazon services.

We praise you and love you, Father God and thank you for each and every day, for life, breath, health, the hedge of protection that surrounds us, the Holy Spirit, Jesus, our angels, and heavenly hosts. We rebuke demonic attacks and the demons of sudden attacks. Please keep peace on the streets, bring healing to hearts this holiday season, and we pray against nuclear attacks. I know I heard the Holy Spirit say that what happens will not be in our direction/the direction we think, so we rest in you and thank you for keeping us safe and we know no harm shall come near our dwelling places and no evil shall befall us.

We pray over financial situations and pocketbooks, Lord. There is such a need for income, more wealth, and provision. We praise you, Lord, because we know you provide our every need. We thank you for sowing into our lives as we sow into others. Please send now income and open the supply houses especially for those that need it over the holidays. We know a sudden wealth transfer is coming through for those in need and we praise you for it in advance. "They will have what they need." We pray for all students to finish the semester strong with all "A's" and we pray for anyone that is experiencing doubts, to help them be stronger and have more confidence as they grow in you and we pray for calmness over them and no anxiety or to have to rely on drugs.

Lastly, we pray for some that they "watch their pocketbooks" over the holidays. The market might change with catastrophic news so please help them to protect their investments. We pray against floods and rising flood waters. There are some that are planning to travel - They should ask God for the window/best time to travel, but they need to look at their passports as some countries won't let you travel if your passport will expire in six-months, or they might need a travel visa or a covid passport? Not sure what that is, but Lord, please shine a light and make the way for that person or family member. We also rebuke terrorism, gang violence and sudden attacks. Thank you for answering our prayers and the miracles you provide. We have hearts of thanksgiving for you and we love you, Lord, in Jesus's name, amen.

Anything in bold is something the Holy Spirit may have mentioned or revealed in a dream to pray about.

The Prayer of Salvation

If you haven't said the Prayer of Salvation, now's the perfect time: Father God in the name of Jesus, Lord, I ask forgiveness of my sins. Please come into my heart. I turn my back on sin and I make you my Lord and Savior. I want to follow you for the rest of my life. Please give me eternal life through you in Jesus name, amen.

Re-dedication to Christ Prayer

If you need to rededicate your life to Christ because you feel like you've been sinning or haven't been living right, pray: Father God in the name of Jesus, I ask forgiveness of my sins and I turn my back on sin. Please help me to overcome ---- and I want to lead a better life through you. I decree and declare this day I have overcome ---- and I have the victory in Jesus name, amen.

Stay in God's shadow, stay away from sin and temptation, keep reading your Bible and keep seeking God first.

Be ye doers of the Word... We pray this message blesses you today!

If you need prayer, please call the Bill Winston Prayer Center at (877) 543-9443. You can also check online for K-Love Ministries prayer line. You can reach them at (800) 525-5683 or on their website and they can pray with you. You are more than a conqueror!

Check out Crowder's song, Come As You Are. Lord, thank you for taking us as we are, forgiving us, healing us, and making us whole!

Food Special

If you haven't tried taco cones, no-bake pumpkin cheesecakes, or cheeseburger empanadas, we've got a few fast and favorite recipe ideas for you here. Check them out so you can try a new recipe for your hungry holiday crowd...

Finance Special

Let the holiday festivities and shopping begin...

...but not without a budget plan first!

If you're looking for the best ways to pay down debts, or you want the best money saving tips, and the best ways to make more money, we've checked with the top experts. Check out these helpful tips to save more money now.

LOL: Something's Up...

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