Ralene Faye Berry's Blog, page 3

Upcoming Book Release March 1, 2014

I cannot begin to explain to you the feeling I have at the release of this book. As God has called me to encourage others through my own personal struggles, testimonies, and life experiences, I am learning daily that God truly can and will do the impossible.  There is no challenge too big or no person too small. He kept lil oh me for a purpose. 
This books objective is to encourage you to be all God designed you to be in spite of circumstances and situations. It shows how you can continue to dance in the storm because there is sunshine tomorrow. Not only do I share parts of me but my goal is to use the work God is doing in my life to encourage all, believers and unbelievers, to never give up. Yes, it looks dark sometime, it even seems too difficult to bear, yet God is building our endurance and making us new creatures in Him. We can't lose hope. 
I invite you to join me for an online book party to celebrate what God is doing! Join the live event for cool giveaways and an opportunity to chat about the book. Sign up at https://m.facebook.com/events/2501996...
Never forget As I Encourage You, I Encourage Myself

Be who God Designed!

These last few days has been phenomenal as I watch the very promises God has for me begin to manifest in my life.  It is almost like an outer body experience watching it happen.  It I was not feeling the physical impact of the work involved, I would say it was happening to someone else. It was only five years ago I was homeless, now in a few weeks I will be releasing my Christian book of encouragement, As I Encourage You, I Encourage Myself. 
As I worked on final edits these last few days, I kept saying to myself how is this happening? As you encourage others to be what God designed them to be what would you tell them? It came down to four simple steps that I have been saying to myself.
1) Stay focused2) Stay prayerful3) Stay obedient to GodFinally, and most importantly, 4) allow God to do the rest!
Its important to note that our strength lies in Him! Have faith that He will do the impossible. By living and walking in the spirit of God which this motto aligns with, I have begun to live the life God designed.
This is an awesome journey that I would never trade. I am deeply encouraged as I encourage you to be who God designed!  Be blessed.
Check out our ministry page at http://facebook.com/ForHimMinistry 

Still Cancer Free!

Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us." (1 Samuel 7:12 NASB)

Today, I recognize the Ebenezer stones reminding me of how far God has brought me.  Each milestone draws me closer and closer to Him and His loving spirit. It was two years ago that I was sitting alone in the doctors office getting the diagnosis that was meant to destroy me but God showed me that my help comes from Him.  My journey may not be the same as other cancer survivors but God chose me for my journey for a purpose and I promised Him I would continue to faithfully serve Him! 
I have become an advocate for Cervival Cancer because it has become the taboo cancer. Women we are more than our tatas. Fight for the proper tests when there appear to be a problem.  Know your own body. Doctors can and will lead you astray in the name of helping you, insurance or not listening. Keep talking. Fight for your body! Your body thanks you! 
To God be the Glory, for my survival and the survival of others!  I pray for those still in the struggle that God comforts, protect, and heal, like only He can. Do not lose hope. God is able. Here is yet another reason why as I encourage you, I encourage myself. Be blessed. -rfwb
Visit our ministry page at www.facebook.com/forhimministry. 

The Dream is for Real!

As we reflect on the birth, life and legacy of Dr. King, we are reminded of his dream which was universal for all men. There are many things we can ask ourselves to honor his memory. First and foremost, are we realizing our own dreams? God has planted in each of us dreams, visions, and aspirations, but we limit ourselves and God by saying we cannot reach our dreams due to lack of finances, or education. Secondly, what role are we playing, today, to love our neighbor as ourselves? Our neighbor is not only the person living next door or the one who looks like us, but our fellow man. Do we make assumptions about individuals because they look, talk, eat, or pray differently than us? If so, Dr. King's dream is in vain. It starts with us.  Finally, are we taking that walk of faith despite seeing the whole staircase? This requires us to know that God is in control and has our best interest at heart! The dream is for all mankind. Realize your dream by keeping them alive inside of you! I am encouraged today as I encourage you. Be blessed! -rfwb

When old Wounds are Reopened

In life, prayerfully we grow, mature, and heal daily especially when we have accepted Christ in our lives and He has begun a work in us. Circumstances beyond our control will happen that it feels like the scabs have been torn off the wounds so carefully covered that we began to question the healing process. Psalm 147:3 shows us, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." We can take solice in knowing that we did not, on our own, heal but God did the healing. Acknowledging this and accepting that everything He does is good, we can rejoice knowing we are healed despite temporary pain. Pain will come causing you to reflect, draw near to Him and build endurance but In His name He has declared healing for the brokenhearted. He did not place a bandage on your wounds, He bound them.  We can rejoice. Experience the momentary pain and lean on God. This too shall pass.  This is a day that I am truly encouraging myself as I encourage you! Pray for me as I pray for you! Be blessed! -rfwb

Reconnecting

Reconnecting with people from my past has always been representative of reliving a painful period in my life. As much as I enjoyed my high school years and the friends I made during those years, I was always reminded of what I missed or what I thought I missed.  My sister died as elementary school was ending and my father past away my first year of Junior high school.  As I persevered through this time, meeting friends from that period often reconnected me to that pain. My mind was more connected to the pain than to the joy of the friends and the love of those lost. 
As I write this, I am reminded of Paul writing to the church at Philippi, "but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead."  Philippians 3:13. Through the healing of Jesus Christ, I have been set free to reconnect with my past with new insight and clarity. Thankfully, I am no longer held in bondage by the fear or pain which kept me from so much love and togetherness.
I also recognize God works all things for His good and have no regrets. Through the media of Facebook, the ability to reconnect has blessed this season of my life. God knew when I needed friendship, love and support therefore saved this season of reconnecting and healing for now.  I rejoice knowing God's plan is greater than ours and so ever thankful of the friendship reconnections harvest I am reaping! 
There is never a day that I encourage you, that I don't encourage myself! Be blessed. -rfwb
Visit our ministry page facebook.com/forhimministry

Season of Restoration

Tearfully, as I reflect over the last 6-7 years, despite my periods of disobedience, God continues to keep His promises to me.  In chapter 33 of the book of Jeremiah He tells us “Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, For the Lord is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting;and of those who bring a thank offering into the house of the Lord. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were at first". 
God continuously shows His lovingkindness in restoring all that I lost physically, mentally, and spiritually  shortly after my divorce.  I recognize that material things are not important as His love, the love of family and friends and peace of mind.  I have learned the difference between pure joy and happiness.  Joy comes from a relationship with God that gives you peace even in the midst of the storm.  Happiness is based upon circumstances, individuals, and things around you which are fleeting. Thankfully, the joy of the Lord is my strength as I see physical and spiritual restoration in my life, I know the world didn't give it and the world can't take it away!
Never forget as I encourage you, I cannot help but encourage myself! Be blessed!  -rfwb
Visit our ministry page at www.Facebook.com/forhimministry

Still Staying in My Lane

This has been an interesting week as I have been challenged to venture into territories that are generally not within my area of responsibility. I welcome new challenges and opportunities but we must be very mindful of things that causes stress as we go outside of our personal boundaries. Scripturally speaking, God tells us that it is ok to say No. James commands us to let your Yes be your Yes and your No your No! In love, we can protect ourselves by staying within our boundaries.  Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understand. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  This week, I was challenged to trust God with all my being. Determining the right thing to do and if I am really in my own lane requires a genuine walk of faith with the Master.  Some things do not require my attention and focus, if it does I must trust God to direct me accordingly.  
My controlling nature of the past has caused this to be difficult but the more I find the ability to Let Go and Let God! Staying in my Lane becomes easier and so does life.  My desire is to encourage you as I encourage myself! Be blessed -rfwb

Visit our ministry page www.facebook.com/forhimministry

Love is in the Air!

[image error] for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.' (Acts17:28 NASB)
Happy New Years! 
As 2014 rang, unlike most, this year I spent the evening home alone.  I have been sick for the last several days recouperating so I was still tired and really wanted to be alone. I spent the evening wring and reflecting on the past year and God's promises.  It is true that for in Him we exist and have our being. As His children we recognize our existence in Him and our need for love and His love.  
I hear Christian women say that the only man they need is Jesus but as I watch they are the same ones seeking for the love of a man.  I believe they are deceiving themselves.  God made each of us to need each pther through the love of Him.  It was God that Adam was not complete and needed woman. Through His love for His children He provides us with each other to love.  Women, we deceive ourselves and men. Also, men need to feel needed! It is how God made them. 
As we have our existence in Christ, know we were created to love and be loved! Love God with all your heart this new year and seek His face while not allowing fear to rob you of loving like you have never loved before. Remember, God is love! You can not really love without knowing Him! 
As I encourage you, I encourage myself! LOVE is in the air! Happy New Years! Be blessed! -rfwb
Visit our ministry page www.facebook.com/forhimministry

Coming Forth as Pure Gold!

"He knows the way that I take, and when his has tried me, I shall come forth as gold"... Job 23:10

Job was tried but yet he persevered and kept pressing forward. Paul, while imprisoned, wrote words of encouragements to the various churches motivating them to keep pressing towards the mark. We too must keep pressing and we shall come forth as gold.

I started this year off fasting and praying as I have the past 5 years, seeking God's face for guidance, direction, and continued protection. Within the last ten years, I often feel like I have been tried through the fire but yet God's magnificent glory shines brighter than the rain from the storm. Following the words of the prophet Habakkuk, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I wrote down the visions that God had given me some twenty years ago but fear kept me from realizing them. Thankfully, God has strategically placed people in my life who have encouraged me, supported me and given me the motivation to start grasping the dreams God had invested in me. Utilizing my spiritual gifts, this year I humbly feel honor in how God has used me for His Glory.

I had three major goals that only God could help me through this year and He has done exceedingly and more abundantly. Through, obedience, much prayer, sacrifice and sheer walk of faith, I initially accepted my call to the ministry by surrendering my life to God and became a licensed minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I learned that God does truly qualify the called, even when we run.  Secondly, I entered theology school and I am very excited knowing that I can almost taste the degree. Only by His grace and mercy. Finally, that book that has been inside of me for more than twenty years has been written. My soul rejoices at the glorious work of our King through me.  It was definitely not by my own doing.

In the spring of 2014, watch for the release of my new book at For Him Ministries

Despite the storm and rain, I thank God He's allowing me to tell His story. All that I do is for His glorification and edification. Never ever forget that, "As I Encourage You, I Encourage Myself!"  Be Blessed

Like Job, we all shall come out like pure Gold!!!!