Reflections

By Dr. Rebecca Payne

“Reflections” shares a personal journey and victory towards a loving relationship with God. It is straight from the heart, compelling, and provocative.

“Reflections” explores the notions of who God wants us to be and suggests an interpretation of what He wants us to do. It presents us with a divine opportunity to ponder what we want from life, and it gives us the challenge to reflect the image of Christ Jesus. It is both dynamic and cathartic in life lessons and experiences, and the way we choose to live.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524620776

Dr. Rebecca Payne

Dr. Rebecca Payne’s story is simple, presented for all to contemplate. Dr. Payne asks us to join her in reflecting on life’s struggles as she seeks God’s answers to the purpose of life. Dr. Payne lives in NJ.

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© 2016 Dr. Rebecca Payne. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/02/2022

ISBN: 978-1-5246-2078-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-2077-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016912094

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Website

We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory fading away…But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3.13,16-18

Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

He Reigns

Understanding

The Transforming Life

Working Together

Finances

Guidance

Days of our Lord

I died

A change

Patience

Risen

The Field, the Seed, the Crop

Be content

Trust & Dialogue

Contemplation

Running Away

Time alone with Jesus

Focus

A Crazy Praise

Gifts and Blessings

Be a Co-contributor

You are a Godsend

Between two poles

Contentment

Lessons in Love

Reflections

Made wise in Christ

My Lord God, Jesus

Encouragement

Rejoice

Your opinion matters

Strange Fruit

Final Word

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Acknowledgements

I praise God for His grace and love. I praise Him for taking this journey with me, guiding me each and every step of the way. I praise His holy name!

I would like to thank my father, Stephen, for returning my love with such gentleness and understanding. Thanks to Mom-Norma for being a such a wonderful listener and embracing me as a daughter!

Thank you, Shelia Hill, for being a true sister in Christ, and holding me up when I was faltering!

Thank you, Ruth Harenchar, for guiding me as my mentor and for loving me as your friend!

To the Prayer Warriors of the Vaughan Clan, God provides, God prevails, God grants us victory in all that we do. God bless you all for believing in me, for having faith, and for trusting Creator!

To all my family and friends, thank you for being who you are!

Thank you, Sharon Nelson, for being everything a sister-girlfriend is supposed to be!

To Elkhorn, thank you for being the yin to my yang!

To Rev. Dr. Marvin A. Moss, thank you for your covering, your calm spirit, and your understanding!

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Preface

Faith was given to me through salvation when I believed in Jesus Christ. Unbelief must be minimized in order for faith to work and the promises of God to manifest. Change what you think about; this is the renewal of your mind. Focus on the promise, not the problem. Go to God for all—He provides, he conquers my enemies, blesses everything I do, and fills my storehouses and my cupboards.

God promised many things, these are just a few of the ones that move me: He releases His blessings upon my life; He lives in me; He gives me all I could ever ask for; He gives me renewal and balance. He gives me power and responsibility. He gives me living water. He gives me His rest. He gives me love.

The favor of God is on me, the favor of God surrounds me, and the favor of God goes before me. I have access to the throne of divine favor, and in a time of need, that favor comes my way. Declare the favor of God all day and when you receive it acknowledge it and immediately declare it and thank God.

Reflections is a journey, the continuation of Shine the Light, the route I’ve taken thus far in my quest for deeper relationship with God in Christ. Every word of this book comes from my personal journals, my personal experiences learning who God is. Every word was spoken to me; I am now letting Him talk to you!

I was in a dark place, a place where I could not see God, a place of despair. I had lost my job and my marriage was failing. I lost hope for a while. Then, Holy Spirit shook me out of the pit I had crawled in and gently, then firmly, lifted me up.

Reflections is meant to be the time we spend pondering what life means to us and finding out what God designed our purpose to be. Reflections is also the transformation God takes you through to become more like Christ.

Help us to be who God wants us to be! Walk us through your journey of love and transformation. We’re listening!

Psalm 116

⁷Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. ⁸He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. ⁹And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!

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He Reigns

Note these things are true—man has nothing to do with fulfilling God’s promise for his life. Great things are born outside of the system.

Lose everything in worship—go before God empty handed and give Him everything you are and have. It all came from Him anyway! Whatever was taken from you God will give back.

Change your associations. Walk with people who are blessed, who are prosperous, and who are receiving the favor of God. Everything that happens to you will be directly connected to what you expect. If you expect negativity, that’s what you’ll get. Remember, everyone who follows you does not have your best interests at heart.

Change your thinking. Ask yourself the tough questions—who do I want to be? What do I want to do? What does God want from me?

When I ponder this, I am awed by the majesty of God! I cannot allow myself to comprehend the complexity of creating self-sustaining organisms that form together to create our world. And then I look to myself—He made me! He knew I was coming from the beginning. My birth we preordained. God knows what I am destined to accomplish and sets my sight upon it.

As you make choices, your destiny unfolds. He has given you the tools and the ability to accomplish the tasks He has set before you. Ever since you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, High Priest and King, you’ve been learning how to glorify Him by doing what He wants with what He has given you and will give you. Wow!

As you do, He gives so you can do more. He does, you receive, so you can do more.

The point is you are to do something and to do that much more. It speaks of sustenance and abundance. The more you get, the more you need to give. Do not do so beyond the measure you can afford but, you must understand that where God says give He will replace what was given with more.

So…Today, thank Him for keeping you, for providing for you, for prospering you—not just in money but in favor and grace and with ideas!

Understanding this blessing, it speaks well of what else God is doing in your life, so you need to stop fretting and worrying and wringing your hands about the struggles life has put in front of you. You have to plant the seeds and plow the field, and God will supply the nutrient and the water for the seed to take root and catch hold so the trees may grow.

This Tree of Your Life is watered by being able to make friendships, go to places to relax, and to bring up a person who has lost their way. It has been said that Entrepreneurs who are highly successful eat their own food. How have you utilized the vision, the dreams God has given you to turn those ideas into products or services so that you may eat? It is not enough to work for someone else!

What do you like to do? What do you want to do? What skills do you have to do it? What are you willing to sacrifice to make it happen?

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Understanding

I give my mind and my mouth and all that I am to Christ Jesus for His use. God favors me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that I am able to use these resources in my daily life and prayer. God favors me with resources, prosperity, sustenance (my daily bread) and more so that I may give to others as well as take care of myself.

Learn to let Jesus envelop you in the Spirit and trust in God. Stay on