Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us his own glory and goodness. 

Through these, he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control; perseverance and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, [sisterly] kindness; and to [sisterly] kindness, love. 

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our God. But if anyone does not have them, [she] is short-sighted and blind, and has forgotten that [she] has been cleansed from [her] past

sins. Therefore, my [sisters], be all the more eager to make our calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall. 

~2 Peter 1: 2-10 

An Attitude Adjustment

It’s been said time and time again, “Attitude is everything” -’tis true, ’tis true. Our thoughts affect our actions. Our actions definitely invite reaction positive or negative. According to God, we get to choose life or death, blessings or curses, every day. Our actions reveal our choices, and I choices reveal where we really live in our hearts. 

Therefore, we need to deal with the root of our heart condition in order to implement positive change and get the results we want in every area of our lives. I don’t know about you, but I am tired of life as usual. I’m tired of crawling over the edges of circumstances, or resigning myself to the thought, “Well, that’s just the way things are” or “That’s just the way I am.” Neither statement is true if we agree with God that we have choices. It’s all in the choices we make, ladies. We are the sum total of our attitudes and decisions.

Whew! There, I said it. It’s out there now. Can’t take it back. Can’t blame someone else for where I am. As my good friend Andy Andrews says and one of my favorite reads The Traveler’s Gift, the buck stops here. It’s called being responsible for life. Say that out loud with me right now: I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY LIFE. Now breathe out. We’ll never get through this if you don’t keep breathing. I have a confession to make- this devotional was hard for me. Hard because the teacher always becomes the student. So for every question I ask you, I have to answer it myself. Ouch! To be perfectly honest, some things I didn’t want to think about or answer.

Some things have to be rearranged. It is time for a spiritual recalibration… so to speak. Our lives are only as transformed as we allow our minds to be renewed. It’s time to take a look in the mirror and own some stuff-and discard some stuff while we’re at it, so we can move forward and get on with the business of living victoriously. We are to have life and have it more abundantly, according ot to Jesus. We should have life, life should not have us. Who is running whom here? That is the question, and it’s high time you were able to give the right answer. You’ve got way more dominion over your life than you are exercising. Victory begins in you mind. 

Do you have life or does life have you? This is the question you must answer. it is God’s intention that you exercise authority over the situations in your life, yet many of us find ourselves overwhelmed and failing under the circumstances.

Losing our grip or feeling out of control, we conclude that it is all too much for us to handle! Has anybody been there? Well, my sister, it is time to get a handle on life because that is the correct diva posture.

Let’s assess the property before we build the house by taking stock of what we’ve got to work with. Please be honest this is all about you and for you. I am giving you permission to focus on yourself, without guilt, so you can be a blessing to many. Are you ready? Go for it girl!

Attitude Check Part 1

1. If you ask God one thing about your life, what would it be?

2. What do you love about your life?

3. What don’t you like about your life?

4. What is your greatest area of need? Struggle?

5. What areas have you felt most certain of? Uncertain?

6. What area of your life has given you the greatest sense of significance?

7. In what area could you use more growth?

Diva Confessions: Today is a new day. The past no longer counts as I create a new presentation by giving my future to God and agreeing with His divine plan for me. I will begin by ________________________.

Diva Devotions: Dear Heavenly Father, I now confess to You that I have been trying to run my life on my own strength. I have grown so weary from the struggle- a struggle You never intended for me to experience. I choose to rest in Your love, allowing You to pry anything from muy grasp that is not my assignment. I now say “yes” to Your will for my life without reservation. Help me to begin again as I place my hand in Yours. Lead me onto the path of Your plan so that I might find the fulfillment I long for in the midst of Your purpose for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Welcome to the rest of your life. The most liberating fact about life is this: You don’t own anything, not even yourself. As God’s creation, you have been made an administrator, a CEO, a managing partner of this business called “Your Life.”This is the question you must answer. it is God’s intention that you exercise authority over the situations in your life, yet many of us find ourselves overwhelmed and failing under the circumstances. In order to be successful, every business must have a plan. The owners must know why it was created- its purpose, what it has to offer, its target market, and how it will accomplish serving others-to achieve its goals. The prophet Habakkuk wrote that we should write down the vision and make it plain in order to be able to run with it (Habakkuk 2:2). This is called focus. Focus helps you recognize diversions and distractions. It helps you rule out anything that is not conducive to reaching your desired destination, which in this case, would be the fulfillment of your destiny. Therefore, the first order of business is to set your priorities and lay the foundation for prospering in every area of your life by choosing to live purposefully. Don’t just think it. Take the time to write it, internalize it, confess it, and live by it.

1. In your personal opinion, what determines how successful you are in life?

2. Why are these things significant to you? Are they significant to God? Why or why not?

3. What things would make you happy even if you did not have a lot of money?

4. What could you live without?

5. What could you not live without?

My Mission Statement: I was created to (do) ______ in order to give (what) _____ to (whom) ______

Attitude Check Part 2 

Spiritually: _________.  In order to do this, I must _____________.

Relationship(s): _________.  In order to do this, I must _____________.

Physically: _________.  In order to do this, I must _____________.

Professionally: _________.  In order to do this, I must ___________

Financially: _________.  In order to do this, I must _____________.

My first priority is ________________ because _________________.

My greatest motivation is _________________________________.

My greatest reward will be ___________________

A man’s [woman’s] own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord. ~Proverbs 19:3

Diva Confessions: I can go forth in the assurance that God’s plans for my life are certain and true- they will come to pass as I walk in cooperation with Him. In order to receive all that He has for me, I will open my hands and let go of ____________________ in order to focus on fulfilling what God has created me for and called me to do. 

Diva Devotions: Dear Heavenly Father, please give me divine focus that not only sees my earthly course but extends to embrace your kingdom’s vision. Thank you for granting me the privilege of being a part of Your amazing plan to bless others as I answer Your call and You meet all my needs. Guide my feet, O God, and steer my heart into the center of Your will for my life, In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Aside from the wife part, how about just who can find a virtuous woman? That virtue word in this famous text that causes consternation in many a woman can be translated as capable. Excellent. In the Hebrew, chokmah.

That’s right. A diva has got to have chokmah. She must master the art of skillful living. You see, some skill is required to live this thing called life. That is… if you want to do it right.

Let’s evaluate some things before we begin. On a scale of one to ten, with one being “needs improvement,” and ten being “I’ve got this one mastered,” how skillfully have you handled the following in your life? This will help you prioritize where you need to concentrate your efforts.

Attitude Check Part 3 

___ Spiritual Growth

___ Relationships

___ Health

___ Household

___ Career

___ Finances

Now prioritize the above in the order of their importance to you and give the reasons for their placements.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Make a list of what is missing from each of the above-mentioned areas of your life. 

Consider the failures as well as the victories you have had in these areas. Based on these prior experiences, write a realistic plan of action for improving each area. Give yourself three steps for each area.

Diva Confessions: I will look at the entire scope of my life and approach each level of my spirit with the dedication it deserves. I will choose to honor God by being a complete picture of how He created me to function. In order to do this, I will apply myself to ________________________ in order to ____________________.

Diva Devotions: Dear Heavenly Father, I long to be whole, complete, and entire in You. Show me the areas I have ignored and overlooked in my life. Show me how to nurture my spirit and every part of my being so I may be fit to serve and glorify You. Teach me how to live a balanced life that reflects You in Your entirety and brings honor to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• What is the realistic cost of the things you want to do in your life?

• What are you willing to pay to birth your dreams?

• How much time, resources, and commitment are you willing to sacrifice?

• What projects have you started before and not finished? Why not? 

• What realistic goals can you set today to get on the right track?

• Make a 5-day plan. A 30-day plan. A 6-month plan.