Keys and a Mirror: Living Your Life with Purpose
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About this ebook
God’s plan for your life is amazing, unique, it’s perfect!
Step forward and receive from God, learn to tackle the things in front of you and win! Setting standards for your life will change your circumstances and impact the lives of the people around you. Never despise small beginnings; if you stay on course your ending will be great! For many, it takes years or even a lifetime to find out who they really are and what their purpose is in life. Knowing who you are in Christ can produce life changing results for you, your family and the people you’re connected with.
Jennifer Thomas Stewart
Jennifer Thomas Stewart is a native of Saint James, Louisiana; and is a wife, mother, entrepreneur and mentor. She has a Master’s degree in Business Administration and has a passion for serving the community through education, outreach, and economic empowerment. Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, reading and traveling.
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Keys and a Mirror - Jennifer Thomas Stewart
Copyright © 2020 Jennifer Thomas Stewart.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,
graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by
any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author
except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
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views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are
models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
ISBN: 978-1-9736-2160-7 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-0244-3 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-9736-2161-4 (e)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018902452
WestBow Press rev. date: 08/13/2020
Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982
by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New
International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
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registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright ©
1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright
©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright ©
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission
of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture taken from the New Life Version of the Bible
© Christian Literature International.
TO MY MOM, ALBERTA M. MITCHELL (1948–2012)
I am
grateful for my mom, and that she was able to see me grow up
from a little girl to a lady. My mom taught, encouraged, and helped
me. She taught me how to take pride in myself, my work, treat others
with respect and kindness, and be the best I can be. She gave me the
most important thing, and that was love. And now, I am able to share
that same love with my family and those I’m around. She was caring
and patient, she not only loved her family but had a special love for
her community. She knew what my dreams were, and where I was
headed; she believed in me, supported me and sacrificed her time
for me. Her words were words of wisdom and kindness. I think she
talked about my first book just as much as I did, and she encouraged
me to continue to write and complete it. She had confidence in me
and told me that I can do anything I put my mind to and that she had
faith that I could accomplish what I wanted to. She demonstrated
unconditional love, always wore a smile and would lend a hand to
the entire world if she could. I will remember all the moments we
shared together and always treasure what she placed inside of me.
TO MY DAD, WILLIE THOMAS (1950–2015)
I thank God for my dad and the joy that he brought to my life. He
always thought the best of me no matter what. He supported and
believed in me. My dad was not only a hard worker, but there was
never a dull moment when he was around. He demonstrated how
to be happy and laugh no matter the situation. I will cherish every
minute we spent together. Remembering all that he taught me.
CONTENTS
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Purpose
The Key
The Mirror
1 Unlocking the Inner You
2 Be a Good Steward
3 Don’t Let Anyone or Anything Deter You
4 Guard Your Heart
5 Faith and Works
6 Don’t Miss Out on Your Opportunity
7 A Sense of Urgency: The Pressure Is On
8 Clothe Yourself in Righteousness
9 Don’t Make Excuses; Stay on Course
10 Take Care of Yourself in the Process
11 You are Closer than you Think
12 Have a Winning Attitude: Your attitude makes a difference
Bonus
AUTHOR’S NOTE
God expects us to take care of the things he has placed in our hands. What has God given you? Life, good health, family, friends, finances, ministry, a great career? God has your best interests at heart and wants to get glory out of every part of your life. Through Jesus Christ, you have been given the authority and the keys to live successfully. Your faith and actions make it possible for God to work in your life and live victoriously.
The Bible says that it is impossible to please God without faith. If you want God to meet your needs, you must have faith in his existence and believe that your prayer will be answered. It is not enough for you to believe; you must take the necessary actions to receive what you are believing for and want to accomplish.
God wants us to be strong in him and in the power of his might. Putting on the whole armor, so we are well able to stand against the tricks and deception of Satan during those times when he comes to kill, steal, and destroy. We must be prepared at all times. Even though we face obstacles and hardships throughout our lives, no obstacle is so big that it cannot be conquered.
You’re more than a conquer; therefore, whatever your hopes, desires, and dreams are, continue to pursue them. If God has given you a vision, stick to it. Satan will try his best to choke the very life out of you using his tricks and schemes. Look in your spiritual mirror and see all that is in store for you. Allow God to show you your gifts, talents, and abilities. Let him establish your plans, dreams, and visions.
Our love for God motivates us to seek and learn of him. It inspires us to gain wisdom and understanding, and discover his perfect will. God wants a personal relationship with us, and he is all we need. When we live a life that is pleasing to him, we will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and humankind (Proverbs 3:4). When we find God, we find life and obtain favor from him (Proverbs 8:35). God is our rewarder; he will make our way prosperous and show us how to live a fruitful life.
When going through difficult seasons, you must know that breakthrough is near. When you think you can’t continue any longer and feel like you want to give up, don’t give up! God will give you direction through the Holy Spirit, along with wisdom, knowledge, strength, perseverance, patience, hope, and peace to continue. Finish what he has started in you. No matter what the situation, he is right there with you every step of the way, even when things seem unbearable.
You have the power to overcome any obstacle you face, whether it is problems with your family, finances, marriage, addictions, health issues, or anything else. Remember—God has put his Spirit in you!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I thank God, my Father and Creator, for giving me his Spirit, which gives me purpose to do great things in my lifetime and in the lives of his people. I thank God for allowing Keys and a Mirror to be part of his plan for my life. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a blessing. This book has come a long way, having been many years in the making. Its journey has had many prophecies.
I am truly blessed to have such a beautiful family. My love and appreciation to my husband Kevin Sr. and our children Kevin Jr., Jaleel, and Akhari – I cannot express how thankful I am for your support and encouragement. I thank God for each of you, and I am so grateful for the joy we share, for your having given me the love and encouragement that I needed, and for the constant reminder to never give up on my dreams –