Author Archives: Candyce D.

You can’t stop now!!!

Posted in Fruitful living, Purpose Driven life, Spiritual growth, Spreading the Gospel, Uncategorized by

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When God created each of us, He designed us for a purpose. Whatever that purpose is, God’s plan is to bring glory to Him and to serve others. We all have a different story which makes us each unique. Have you ever asked “Why this God?” or “Why me?” I have asked those questions quite a bit and still do at times. When you start to ask those questions, God ALWAYS shows you the answers. As I shared with you guys before, my life was turned upside down in order for my new season purpose that I was designed to live out could be fulfilled. I see how everything that I have gone through has prepared me for this season. Have you felt like giving up or when people try and knock you off track due to their own insecurities/negativity? Cling closer to God so that He can fill you back up when you start to feel empty. Not everyone will understand and appreciate your unique gifts and personalities, but remember it’s not all about them! This season of my life has been the most rewarding season because I have not only grown spiritually but I have seen God’s hand over my life. He has guided me from the path of certainties into the path of uncertainties. For that I am forever grateful. The uncertainty moments in life cause you to become stretched and growing in faith. For some that is not a desired or welcomed location but once you think about it, it is all for the best. God wants us all to grow and we can not stay in our same ol comfort zone. I encourage you to seeks Gods plan for your life and diligently work at your purpose. He does not call us to be negative, selfish with our time, stuck in our ways etc, There is someone out there that needs you to use your purpose!

Now let’s talk about when there is a rejection on our part. That’s when bitterness, complaining, negativity and jealously will start to invade your life. We should be so engaged to God’s purpose for our life that all other things should fall by the wayside. You must first and foremost LOVE GOD WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART ❤️. Don’t forget to keep on your God-ggles to stay focused when people and situations try and knock you off course.

Remember to seek God in all situations and YOU CAN’T GIVE UP NOW!!!! WE NEED YOU TO STAY ON TRACK❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

If I would have stayed knocked down and stuck in my Candyce ways, I would have never met all of the amazing kiddos that God has brought into my life. I have blessed them in ways that I would have never imagined in a million years and vice versa. Continue to watch God happen in your life so that you can live a thriving lifestyle!!! Love y’all 😘

1 Peter 4:10

Each one should use whatever gift He has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

‘TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
♡Posted by Sweet Inspirations by Candyce♡

The race is on! Round & Around we go!

Posted in Blessings, Christians, Devotionals, Faith Walk, Purpose Driven life, Spiritual growth, Spreading the Gospel by

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Philippians 3:13-14

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

This would be a great soul searching point to figure out what you are chasing after. Take some time to consult God to show you your heart ❤️. This will show you what you are truly chasing after in your life.

I will tell you that it’s not an easy pill to swallow IF what you’re chasing after things that are not in God’s will for your life. He will show you that your path is not the designed path that He created you to walk on. Trust me I have been on a path of obtaining everything that I wanted and thought would make me live a successful fulfilled life. Which left little room for God which was when I needed Him to come in a fix the hot mess of my life that I was creating. It wasn’t until I asked Him to show me the plan/path that He designed for me, that I actually felt joy, peace and guidance like no other. God had to completely shake up/detour my plans in order to unveil the once viewed as a road block that was under construction part of my path/life. View it as a new road that is new and less traveled with a mixture of beautiful scenery with some mysterious destinations that will become unveiled once you get to that location on your path. If you find yourself chasing after a career, a spouse, letters behind your name, fame, money etc. and you do not have God anywhere or He’s a very small part of your race, make Him first. I’m not saying that having all of those things is against God’s plan but if you didn’t seek Him first then it will all be in vain. Rememeber the Scripture that says only what we do for Christ will last. Those good works that were done out of self gratification and to show off for others will do us no good in heaven. It’s all about lining our priorities up with God’s priorities and not our own. He will show you your purpose IF you seek Him.

So I ask what are you chasing after in your life? The race was on the second you came into this world. We are all running our own race on different paths that hopefully ultimately lead to the greatest finish line of all times. I say hopefully because I pray that you all have accepted Christ as your personal savior so that you can cross that great finish line into eternity! 🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁

Here are some steps to running a purpose driven race: 🏃👟
1. Seek God first in everything you do at all times Matthew 6:33
2. Pray/talk to God as often as you talk to someone that is close to you.
3. Build your relationship with Him.
4. Ask yourself if what you are chasing after will be a testimony to others to show how wonderful God is.
5. Understand that you will be uncomfortable and there will be a lot of stretching you as a person to become who God created you to be.
6. Stay encouraged through the disappointments.
7. Remind yourself that you will only be on this side of heaven for a short time and only what you do for Christ will last. Heaven is full of blessings and rewards for the faithful believers.

‘TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

♡Posted by Sweet Inspirations by Candyce♡

Are you wearing GOD-GGLES?

Posted in Blessings, Christians, Devotionals, Disciples of Christ, Spiritual growth, Spreading the Gospel by

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Have you ever wondered how it really looks to show love to others? Over the past few years I have discovered how to love everyone like God commands us to. Trust me when I tell you that it is not an easy task. When you look at them through the eyes of God, your whole outlook changes. That is when the compassion steps in and softening of  your heart steps in. Again this is no easy task that you can do on your own, keep God on your mind and practice showing this love to the world. ❤️🌍🌎❤️

Helpful tools and benefits to help with wearing your God-ggles:
1. Remember the love that God has for you.

2. Recall the non loving things that you have done and said to people. Remember how they still love you inspite of your faults.

3. Your outlook on life will be a much lighter and cheerful one.

4. Fun to be around due to your loving nature.

5. Patience level will increase.

6. Discernment will be sole dictator of your existence due to the wisdom that you gain from God.

7. You will truly understand God’s love and be able to show it.

8. You will be able to spot distractions and be able to fight temptations.

These are just some benefits to wearing your God-ggles. You will have better than 20/20 vision!!!

Don’t leave home without your God-ggles each day 👓 🏠 you need them to go along with your full armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against [a]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [b]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 [c]With all prayer and petition [d]pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, [e]be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

‘TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
👓❤👓❤👓❤👓❤👓❤👓❤👓❤👓❤👓❤👓

♡Posted by Sweet Inspirations by Candyce♡

THE. Best. Artist. EVER

Posted in Christians, God's creations by
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I LOVE seeing the sun peeking through the clouds

Taken while flying to Boston for vacation last year

Taken while flying to Boston for vacation last year

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The beautiful clear water at Pensacola Beach, Florida.

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South Shore Harbour Resort League City, Texas

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This was taken by one of the daughters of my dear sister from Church on Monday evening!

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I took this on my way to El Paso, Texas

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Taken Tuesday evening! I was captured by the beautiful colors in the sky. No filter!!!

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El Paso, Texas

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El Paso, Texas

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Landing in Boston

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One of my favorite sea creatures from the New England Aquarium. A polka dot sting ray

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Beautiful fish with vibrant colors

I took all of these pictures but one. God is by far hands down THE BEST ARTIST/CREATOR OF ALL TIMES! I enjoy taking pictures and capturing the beauty that’s all around me!!!! I pray that you take time to thank God for His beautiful artwork.

Psalm 147:8 Who covers the heaven with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow upon the mountains.

‘TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

♡Posted by Sweet Inspirations by Candyce♡

In the presence of God!

Posted in Devotionals, God's word by

1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us.We can trust God to do this. He always does what is right. He will make us clean from all wrong things we have done.

Confessing your sins is the only way that you will be in fellowship with God. When you approach God, you have to be clean from sins. Asking for forgiveness and confessing your sins gives you a pure heart and that’s what God wants from us. Repent of those sins and ask God to remove them from your life. God will give you the strength to do that and to recognize them as soon as it happens in order to give it to God. The desire to get rid of those strongholds in your life must come from a place of wanting to be pure and a spirit of wanting to be all that God has created you to be. He will guide you IF you allow Him to. Once those strongholds are broken, you will be able to see God CLEARLY!

‘TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where is the source of your it is well statement?

Posted in Christians, Disciples of Christ, Guidance, Spiritual growth by

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Some of the struggles that I face as a blogger who’s mission is to share the word of God, is allowing the spirit to guide me with the topics/post that are needed to help others. I have experiences in each of my post and that’s why I make sure I listen to God and how to bring it to you. This past week has been a struggle for me write one that because I truly allow God to lead my blog and that includes waiting on Him to share His wisdom with me in order to break it down to you. In between my post I ask God to reveal what my next post should be and I study the Bible and spend a lot of time with Him. Quite a bit of different topics crossed my mind but nothing pricked my heart like this topic. I’m not sure about you guys but whenever you try and share God’s word, the enemy tries to feed you distractions that are meant to block what is truly needed. When experiencing the closeness to God, that will allow you to hear His voice and trust only what He is saying to you. That is the source of my blog!

In my family I have challenged some (including myself) to really search our hearts and line it up with our speech/actions. For me the real results actually reaffirmed me and the path that I am on NOW. Years ago (not too long ago) my heart and actions were actually on complete opposite sides of each other. My heart was not right which led to a lot of my actions that went against the Word of God. I did not truly understand how much God loved me and what that actually looked like. The feeling that God punishes every time you mess up and no good things will happen when you do those things basically calling you a failure is what I held onto. I didn’t understand that in the midst of your sin, God’s love will never fail and because He loves you… He will never leave you. The enemy wants to keep your sinful identity and call you by your sin which makes you feel like you’re a failure and not worthy of Our Father’s Love. I fell victim to that lie for the longest time and I know that a lot of you are struggling with that as well. Don’t allow others to tell you that God can’t love you because you did XYZ. We all have a redemption story and it is worth sharing to help someone that is truly struggling with guilt, shame, pride and/or depression etc.

It. Is. Well. When you say that where does your confidence if any come from? Does it come from the security of your job making a certain amount of money? Does it come from just repeating it because you love to sing that beautiful song? Does it come from someone else telling you that everything is taken care of? Does it come from just reading it somewhere and able to recite it? OR does it come from in your heart of hearts that God has given you the confidence through Him that reassures you that in the midst of your trials and tribulations that IT. IS. WELL? Does it come from knowing truly what the L❤️VE actually looks and feels like in your life? Living it out and not just SAYING those “Jesus” phrases because that is what Christians should do. That mentality is very dangerous and before you know it, you are blinded by yourself and not understanding the whole word of God. That makes for a surface type of relationship with God which really means no relationship if you are honest with yourself. That ties back into your heart and what you believe about God’s love. That song is actually one of my favorite hymnals to sing and to be transparent and honest with you guys, all of those above questions about what the it is well statement means was my way of thinking and no thought or feelings of God’s love and security in Him was present. I praise God for the transformation of my way of thinking that flows from my heart and the identity and true love that I know exist. So in the midst of your test and trials, is your heart at peace knowing that God’s love for you will never fail? Believing that He has your back and that you can look your trial in the face and with the confidence of God and say IT.IS.WELL!!!

Do a heart ❤️ check and allow God to show you the true source of your IT IS WELL with my soul statement. IS IT FLOWING FROM YOUR HEART OR AN OUTSIDE SOURCE?

I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT YOUR INTERPRETATION OF THE PICTURE IS VIA TEXT, EMAIL OR COMMENTING BELOW!!!       Sweetinspirationsbycandyce@gmail.com

‘TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m going to make an example out of you!

Posted in Devotionals, God's word by

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I know that you have probably heard that ever so haunting phrase “I’m going to make an example out of you”. For a lot of us, that phrase carried a fearful and demeaning tone/message that was associated with it. Whenever you got in trouble or did something that another person that was in authority disagreed with, they felt that a punishment should follow. That punishment would show other people not to make the same mistake or to not disobey their authority. Either way you look at it, there was something to learn.

The Scripture 1 Timothy 4: 11-14 MSG

11-14 Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.

So back to the title. In this sense of “making” an example out of you, God wants to use all of us as examples to this world to show how GREAT & LOVING & ALL POWERFUL He is. So when things occur in our lives no matter what age you are, be certain that He wants to use you as the perfect example of how God forgives and redeems us from our past. Being the perfect example is simply being who God created you to be. No matter what mess ups you have committed, God uses our MESS ups to be apart of our great MESSAGE. So do not be ashamed of them because we are redeemed!!

If you have any comments or questions please leave them in the comments or you can email me at sweetinspirationsbycandyce@gmail.com

Photo credits: CANDYCE D. I TOOK THAT PICTURE A FEW WEEKS AGO OUTSIDE AT THE MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE.

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
‘TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES!!!!!!!!!!

♡Posted by Sweet Inspirations by Candyce♡

Do you want the real deal or a knockoff?

Posted in Christians, Devotionals, Jesus Christ, Loving yourself, Purpose Driven life by

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🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪 Settling for imitations of love are like all of these closed doors. You are dancing in the hallways of “bliss” & “happiness” only to realize that you don’t have the right key 🔑 to open any of those doors. All of those doors represent something different in each of our lives. For example, one door could represent a relationship that you have invested so much time and wasted energy that functions outside of the will of God. Another door could be a job that you have but it’s not stretching or growing you into your purpose. Or a door that was closed by God in order to protect you from what you thought you wanted. Whatever these closed doors represent to you is something that you are going to have to take to God in prayer and ask him to show you why they are closed.

When we settle for knock offs, we are telling God that we don’t deserve His best for us and that we are ok with whatever comes our way. If it doesn’t line up with God’s word then it is an imitation and we should have no part of that. Knowing your true worth and value has nothing to do with monetary values and materialistic views, it comes from knowing that Jesus died to save us from these knock offs that fill our hearts with lies.

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Lies that say you should do whatever you can while you can, you’re only young for a short while so do it, this person really loves you so accept it and love them back even if they are living contrary to God, your biological clock is ticking so hurry up and get a man/woman no matter what his/her view point is of God etc. And the list goes on and on of these imitations. So I’m asking you, do you know what true love is and what does that look like in your life? You have to be careful with those knock offs because they not only will lead to those closed doors everytime but heartache, stress, possible drugs and emptiness just to name a few. Trying to use those knock offs as the real deal will only lead to mediocrity and disappointments. There’s no way the hallway  “bliss” dance will ever supply you with the REAL love that God has for you.

His love will unlock those doors and will never be a knock off! I have been a victim of accepting the knock offs and dancing in the “blissful” hallway thinking that I was really enjoying life and “making things happen”. I had to learn what God’s love really meant and how that looked in my life. Accepting His real love will change your whole approach on life (relationships, attitudes, how you treat people, walking in your purpose, experience joy, eternal gain and kingdom building etc.) Walking through those doors will take you to another level in experiencing God’s love. He will never stop loving us no matter what BUT to understand and feel His love requires the imitations to be thrown out. When you love someone or something you naturally give your best and do not want to mess anything up. Give God your best and share His love to others so they can stop accepting the knock offs.

If you have any comments or questions please leave them in the comments or you can email me at sweetinspirationsbycandyce@gmail.com

Do you know what love means? ❤️

‘TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

♡Posted by Sweet Inspirations by Candyce♡

I wasn’t readyyyyy!!!

Posted in Loving yourself, Spiritual growth by

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One of my favorite comedians is Kevin Hart. He has a lot of funny sayings and this one is one of my faves. Well anyways I thought that it would be perfect with this post because I definitely WAS NOT ready for love and Godly relationships.

Song of Solomon 2:7 (MSG) Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem, by the gazelles, yes, by all the wild deer: Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe-and you’re ready.

As I read this scripture last week for a daily devotional, it hit me like a ton a bricks because I never understood why I would never be fully open and vulnerable while dating and vice versa. There seemed to be a wall up on both sides and an emptiness that would never become filled. My understanding of what true love was ❤️ and how to love was not something that I was really taught in details growing up. It was something that I saw on some occasions and mimicked but did not truly grasp it. I also did not love myself in the manner that God wanted me to and that really led to so many heartaches and disappointments. I got fed up with all of the of the dead end relationships and emptiness. Once I started desiring more of God by studying His word and understanding what love looks like, my heart began to soften up and began to be healed. My heart had to become broken in order for my transformation to begin. This was not a quick fix healing process because I was carrying sooooooo much baggage and didn’t even realize it. It’s taken YEARS to get to the point that I am at now. The thoughts about my past hurts don’t shake my emotions and feelings up like they did before. Understanding and being obedient to God’s word will help you make better decisions and will lead you down the right path.

Here are some tips to become open to God’s L❤️ VE:

SPEND TIME IN PRAYER THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY. ⌛⏰ 🙏

START A JOURNAL AND JUST SHARE YOUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS. 📖✒

SPEND TIME OUTSIDE LOOKING AT ALL OF GOD’S CREATIONS AND HOW HE PROVIDES FOR ALL CREATION. 🌞⛅🌹🌻🐒 🐶

SLOW YOUR LIFE DOWN & BE STILL. 🛀📵

PRAY FOR SIGNS MEANING PRAY THAT GOD WILL SHOW YOU WHAT YOU’VE BEEN PRAYING FOR. 🙏

LISTEN TO OTHERS. GOD USES OTHERS TO HELP US OR SEND COMFIRMATION.👂

TALK TO GOD AND SHARE YOUR HEART ❤️

APPLY WHAT YOU’VE READ AND LIVE IT OUT AND WATCH THE TRANSFORMATION OCCUR IN YOUR LIFE. 👀

SING THE SONG JESUS LOVES ME 🎤🎶🎶🎵🎵

Now back to the title I wasn’t readyyyy, God revealed to me that I was in no shape or fashion to be in a healthy loving Godly relationship before. I thank God for the time that He has given me to get my heart right and so I can have healthy relationships with everyone (friendships, church family, mentee’s, family etc.) I can tell a major difference in all of my relationships all due to God working in my life and changing my heart. As messed up as my “love” life was, God has used it to be able to share it with you guys to help you out whether you’re married or single. If you’re not healing from your past, you will continue to pour your junk into your new relationships. Take my advice and DON’T do it, it hurts the other person in the end and prolongs your healing and growth process! Be encouraged and continue to seek God in all that you do!  God will reveal when you are healed. If you don’t wait on Him more heartache and being outside of His plan for your life will continue to be the driving source of your self destructive life. It’s best to know if you are READYYYY by doing a heart check with God!

GOD TOOK MY 💔 BROKENNESS AND MADE ME 💓 WHOLE!!!

👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑  👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤  ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
‘TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

♡Posted by Sweet Inspirations by Candyce♡

Grabbing the hand of Jesus

Posted in Devotionals, God's word, Jesus Christ by

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I wrote this post last night and sent it out to my message receiving crew and it was such a joyful feeling when I recieved several messages stating:

“I really needed that!” “Amen” “I was just praying and I really needed that”

Let me tell you how God is… If you don’t have a relationship with Him, please get one because He will lead and direct your life to where all you have to do is sit back and kick your feet up👣! I know God is leading my life and I’m being obedient simply by those responses from my crew.I am no where near them and have no idea what’s going on in their lives. But God does and he will use you as a vessel, if you let Him! Let God use you so He can get all of the GLORY 🙌

Mark 4:39 NIV

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

THINK ABOUT HOW YOU RESPOND WHEN STORMS COME IN YOUR LIFE. DO YOU START TO PANIC IMMEDIATELY? DO YOU GO DIRECTLY TO GOD FOR STRENGTH? OR DO YOU TELL GOD TO REMOVE IT RIGHT AWAY? DO SOME SELF REFLECTING AND PRAY 🙏 FOR STRENGTH TO GO THROUGH IT WITH HIM! THERE ARE REASONS FOR STORMS IN OUR LIVES, MAKE SURE YOU GET THE MESSAGE!

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!

‘TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

♡Posted by Sweet Inspirations by Candyce♡