It’s been a while, but I am back!! And boy have I got a treat for you! Today I’m talking with Angela Thomas of GODsent Greetings. Angela is sharing her testimony with us and telling us how she got started with this beautiful company and the concept behind many of her product details. You won’t want to miss this amazing woman of God’s story. I know it will bless you and encourage you to step out in faith and pursue your God Given Dreams!

In Episode #6 I’m talking with Anthony AKA “Ante” Thompson. Anthony is sharing with us his testimony of how God delivered him out of a life in the streets, of drugs and crime, to being totally SOLD OUT TO JESUS! Anthony has a ministry in Arkansas titled “You Are Not Abandoned Ministries”, he spends his time traveling preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ through music, and writing.

Listen to him tell us how God turned his life around and find out what he is doing now and plans to do in the near future.

Listen Here:

Or check this episode out on iTunes or Google Play Music for Android devices. Simply click below.

Last month was a challenge. I was tired in my body, I was overwhelmed with work, and I was mentally drained! That Thursday, for the first time ever, I wanted to give it all up.

We are starting the production of a new stage play at the studio and I was casting for parts. I always hate audition day because it is long and often we get individuals who have never audition before. The fact that they have never auditioned before doesn’t bother me; it’s that they do not do their research and often come unprepared with no headshot, no resume, no song prepared to sing (for a musical production at that); this leaves a lot of time wasted and after about 10 or so of these, it is nerve-racking! It makes me feel as though we are not being taken seriously as a theater arts organization. On top of a long, exhausting audition day, I had to prepare for our spring break camp the same week. This camp was our first attempt at offering a full day camp for the families in our community. In the past, we’ve only had half day camps from 8 am – 12 noon. My assistant was in a production for the week and would be off, so it was my daughter and myself at the studio all day every day for the entire week. The days were long with early morning having to be there at 7:30 a.m. and late evening leaving between 4:30 -5:00. Thankfully my assistant would come to relieve us when her practices were over at 4:30. In addition to the long days, I became sick with a terrible 24-hour stomach virus on Thursday of that same week, leaving me at home in bed and my daughter handling things at the studio that day (she did a marvelous job). Additionally, the same old nonprofit money problem plague my thoughts daily. I am constantly thinking of creative/ innovative ways to bring in revenue to keep the organization afloat. Worried if we will have enough money to pay our employees, bills, or fully fund our upcoming production!

Thursday, as I lie in bed feeling horrible, I thought things would be so much easier for me if I just gave it all up. No more worrying about bills, payroll etc. I thought how nice it would be to just be free from worry, from stress, fear, anxiety. Oh, the relief of it all! For that moment, I wanted to give it all up. Oh, but God is so awesome! He had to bring me back to myself!

In the same moment that I felt the relief of giving it all up, I also felt the loss, disappointment, and sadness of not having what I’d worked so hard for over the last 13 years. God literally took me back to our production of The Wiz; as I sat in the back of the theater watching our actors perform on stage, I could see the audience members. There were children in the aisles singing and dancing along with the cast and this brought me to tears. For many of them it was their first-time experiencing live theater and I remember thanking God for allowing me to do what I do. God also reminded me of the kids in our after-school programs; most of them dancing, acting, and cooking for the first time in their lives all because of Bearden Productions. I had to thank God again for choosing me for the task. Then I think of my youngest daughter who was so shy, she was too afraid to sing in the church choir because she didn’t want people to look at her, but because of classes at Bearden Productions she is now a social butterfly. She has participated in 4 stage plays and had the lead role in Akeelah and the Bee. Her personality is unique, funny, bold and beautiful!

God also reminded me that He has always made a way out of no way at all, when it came to finances. Last summer alone was the most difficult yet! We had practically no finances to run our business, but somehow God made the resources available for us to service the families in our community. God reminded me that my love for the arts is a gift from Him and that as long as I continue to seek His face and acknowledge Him, He will always be there. He reminded me that I should never worry and that I should know this by now. After all He has done, why do I still worry? He informed me that my only setback is myself!

What would I do without our nonprofit? If I gave it all up? I would be miserable and unfulfilled with a huge void in my life. This is one of my gifts from God; and it is through God’s gifts that we are able to excel. But that does not mean there will never be challenges. I realize that now.

Adversities will come, but through it all it makes me stronger and I can honestly say I am a better leader because of them. After each hardship, I seek ways to avoid repeats, I research, I network, I ask for help. I understand now why the hard times come; and I am so grateful for them. I am better and my organization is better.

The day I wanted to give up my nonprofit was one of the best days of my life, because it opened my eyes to what life would be like without it.

Just like we pray for everything in our personal lives, it is important for us to pray for our business, our customers, our suppliers/ vendors etc. on a daily basis. God desires to be apart of every part of our lives.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to your own understanding, but in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path. – Proverbs 3: 5&6 

The following is an excerpt from Success in Christ: Ministry and Business Devotional:

What is prayer? Prayer is communication with God, petitioning God, its sweet communion with God. There is no possible way you can expect to have success in your business if you do not talk to God on a regular basis. I am a witness! Prayer is the gateway to peace, reassurance, strength and endurance. Every believer should always make time for prayer.

The late Pastor Charles H. Spurgeon said “Whenever God determines to do a great work; He first sets his people to pray.” Don’t you know there is a great work on the inside of you? This happened many times throughout the Bible. I’ll give you two examples:

Nehemiah

Nehemiah saw a need and his first response was to fast and pray for several days. It was in prayer that he talked to the Father and was heard by him. God gave Nehemiah favor when he went before King Artaxerxes, and he was able to perform the great task of completing the walls of Jerusalem.

Jesus

As our Lord and Savior prepared to give his life for us, he went into the garden of Gethsemane to pray. He knew of the great work set before him and he was in agony over it. It was in his prayer time that the Lord sent two angels to strengthen and minister to him.

Your time in prayer for your business allows God to hear your request and it allows you to hear the voice of God. Pray about everything concerning your business:

• Location of your business
• What bank to use
• What your slogan should be
• What your logo should look like
• Who to hire
• Who to fire

Ask God to be at the forefront of EVERYTHING concerning your business. David said in the book of Proverbs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverb 3:5 & 6”

Prayer

Lord I need you to be a part of every facet of this business. I realize that it’s not my business but it is your business. Help me to remember you in every decision making process today. I submit to your will.

When man works, man works. When man prays, God works.

– William Carey

Coming May 2017 Success in Christ 40 Devotional