The word intentional speaks of something done on purpose, or having a reason for an action. In other words I am doing this because I am expecting a certain outcome. For 2017 I am committed to be more intentional about what I do, what I say and how I act.  I have also resolved to me more intentional about how I pray.

As believers many time we do not use the authority that has been given to us when we pray. We pray simple prayers of thanksgiving and request without any real focus of what we are asking for, or what we need God to do. Sure we want God to bless us, but what does that really mean? There are some things that we can decree and declare in the name of Jesus. When we pray with the power and authority that we have been given we will see things shifting, not only in our personal lives but in our nation.

The believer has been chosen by God to be the catalyst that brings change to this world. It is through our prayers that we can receive information from the heart of God. At times our prayer request are so far off focus from what God wants to accomplish. Learn to seek the heart of God in your prayer time and then you can pray according to His will. We can stand firm on what His Word says and we can decree it in the earth.

First John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” If we have Jesus, He is greater than he who is in the world. His power is greater than the power of satan. We have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Corinthians 15:57). We can be intentional about how we pray and expect to receive what we ask of the Lord.

Scriptures taken from NIV

The word satan is not capitalized intentionally

Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Taylor

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“If anyone among you seems to be religious and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26)

Have you ever said something and wish you could take it back?  I know I have many times.  Most of us do not realize the power of our words.  The Word of God is very clear on matters of the tongue.  Improper use of the tongue can be very damaging.  The not bridling of the tongue and being ready to speak of the faults of others is a sign of a vain religion. If one claims to be a Christian and does not know how to exercise control when it comes to the matter of speaking this person is delusional.  In other words you are fooling yourself in regards to your walk with God.

James writes that the tongue is a small member but boast great things. “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” (James 3:5).  The word boast speaks of being prideful in the way we talk.  Bragging about what we possess and who we think you are.

It is vital that we who profess the name of Jesus strive to practice self-control regarding our tongue. I like many others have been guilty of speaking out about those things that do not involve me.  Let’s make a declaration this year to pray more and talk less.  After all it is prayer that changes things and not our loose tongues.

The tongue can hurt or it can heal. It can bless or curse. It can speak life or it can speak death. Many underestimate the power of this small member of the body.  “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”(Proverbs 18:21)

James 3:8 “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” While the apostle does say no man can tame the tongue he is not suggesting it is impossible, but it is extremely difficult. In fact I would say without the grace of God we are embarking upon an impossible task. But with the grace of God all things are possible and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.(Philippians 4:13)  (Matthew 19:26) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Don’t let the enemy trick you into speaking when the Holy Spirit is whispering “be quiet.”

Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Taylor

http://www.evelynjtaylor.org

Scripture taken from NIV

Join us for our first webinar of the year on January 7 at 7:00 PM where we will discuss Goal Setting for the New Year.  You can register below and be a part of setting some order in your life for 2017. Learn how to set goals, why goals are important and how to stick with the goals you set.

Register for Webinar

Presenter:  Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Taylor

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Matthew 1:23 The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Many will gather to celebrate with family and friends for the Christmas holiday.  Some will travel long distances,waiting, and delay after delay just to be near the ones you love. Much time and effort will be spent choosing gifts to exchange on Christmas day.  There is no gift that we can give to our family and friends that compares to the gift we have already received.   For God so loved the world that He gave His son. John 3:16. What a precious gift the Father gave to us.

As you gather to delight in each other, please remember that Jesus is the reason for the celebration.  There is no Christmas without Christ. Thank you Father for giving us the gift of your dear Son.

Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Taylor

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Join a life changing webinar on Saturday December 10, 2016 at 7:00 PM EST

For my blog post this week I want to share with you a video I made for my kickstarter campaign. Please take a few minutes to view it and consider pledging to help me complete this project.  Caregivers need support and encouragement.  This book will be a valuable tool to assist those who need it most.

Kickstarter Campaign Video

Funding on Kickstarter is all-or-nothing. No one will be charged for a pledge towards a project unless it reaches its funding goal.

Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Taylor

To learn more about me

These pictures represent 25 years of our lives together but what you don’t see is the journey in between.

I have documented in a manuscript my journey of caring for my husband since June 2008.  This is a project that is dear to my heart.  The purpose of this book is to inspire family caregivers as they care for their loved ones.  Unless a person has been in the position of caregiver one cannot fully understand the magnitude of the assignment.

In this book I share my story and what has been helpful to me, the many struggles and challenges that we as a family have faced as a result of my husband’s illness.  I also share personal conflicts that I have struggled with along the way.

But one thing I know for sure is that, if it had not been for God I never would have made it this far.  I wanted to write this book while I was still in the middle of my journey because many times after the assignment is over we tend to glamorize things.  In some cases, thankfully, one forgets the depth of the struggle.  It is my desire that the reader of this book come away with a realization of the magnitude of the gift they have been given to care for a loved one and to understand that support is available.

In the book, I share what support agencies/systems that have been helpful to me and how to best utilize available support systems.  In an effort to get the project completed, I am sharing with you my Kickstarter campaign information in the hopes that you will pledge and be a part of this amazing project. Click on the link below to pledge your support.

Thank you in advance for your support. I have also included a link for an article done by the local newspaper regarding the support that caregivers need.

Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Taylor

Help me publish this important message

Caregivers need support

November is National Family Caregiver’s Month, the theme this year is Take Care to Give Care.  Reports show that there are 90 million family caregivers.  My story begins over eight years ago.

Excerpt from my book for caregivers

Since June 2008, I have been my husband’s caregiver, and it has not been an easy task.  While his complaints have varied over the years, my role of caregiver has been constant.  The level of care he has needed has changed sometimes more and sometimes less but I am still his caregiver.  

Emotionally conflicted daily, this has been one of the most perplexing journeys of my life.  This experience has been confusing and frustrating, but it has also been gratifying to know that God has granted me the privilege and the grace to minister in this capacity.  

Though I am a registered nurse by profession and worked in the field of nursing for more than fifteen years, I was not prepared for the voyage I was about to embark on as my husband’s caregiver………………………………….

I am soliciting your prayers that my book will be released soon. It is my desire to share my story with you in the hopes of inspiring all of those who care for loved ones.

Evelyn Johnson-Taylor Ph.D.

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2 Corinthians 12:9–But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Grace is the merciful kindness of God, His divine influence in our lives doing for us what we are unable to do for ourselves.  When we have no strength we look to God and He provides the strength that we need.  I am not sure what you are facing today, but the truth is, His grace is enough.  I have  reminded myself of this very truth frequently this week.

What started off as a week of victory quickly turned to a week of unexpected incidences.  But the truth is, even in the midst of the unexpected, I still have the victory because His grace is enough. None of what we face is a surprise to God.  I am glad that He already knows and that He cares about everything that concerns you and me.

We like the Apostle Paul  can boast of who He is even in our weakest moments. Because the truth is when we are weak, He is right there enabling us, giving us the strength that we need to be strong.

We can always make the choice to stand on the truth of the Word of God even when the situations of life show and tell us something different. Remember the truth: His grace is enough.

To learn more about Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Taylor

Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Taylor