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Latest "Faith" Posts

“Home” For The Holidays…

For the past three years around Christmastime, Phil and I gave the gift of “home”… In 2014, we built a home for our 117 “sons” in India (learn more here). In 2015 we built a home for our 47 daughters” in India, in honor of Gabriels birth (learn more here). Thanks to our network marketing business business, it allowed us the freedom and flexibility to not only build these homes, but to travel to spend time with our “children”.

This year we prayed about gifting a home–and the Lord spoke to our hearts about gifting a home to a deserving family in Michigan…

Here’s the story….

Phil and I were young when we got married, and we were financially strapped (we remember having 19 cents in our bank account, and paying bills from our quarter jar). We bought our first apartment in a tougher area of town, and desired to move to a safer neighborhood, and to purchase our first home.

Before the downturn of the economy we got into a really bad (interest only) mortgage. Phil was an entrepreneur; I was a brand new teacher. When the economy took a turn for the worse, so did our situation…home prices started drastically decreasing (especially in our neighborhood), our mortgage was sold to a company in Asia (so we couldn’t even qualify for government refinance programs no matter how many times we tried), people around us were foreclosing, and it seemed there was no end in sight.

Everyone told us to foreclose! But we knew in our hearts that this wasn’t the best thing to do, and that God would order our steps and bless our obedience, so we faithfully paid a really high monthly “interest only” payment on the home. We prayed for answers every day…

Our answers came in a form of a business that has since radically blessed our family (and allowed us to bless many other families too). It allowed us to purchase our current home, which is a miracle and total testimony of God’s goodness in and of itself (see Chapter 7 of my husband Phil Robbins’ book, The Secret Garage to hear the story of our “Jericho”—our miracle home! It will blow your mind!!!)

When we were moving from our old home to our new home, we happened to have had a flood, and had boxes everywhere. Our turnaround from our first home to our miracle home was so fast we didn’t even have our first house up for sale. During the move, a woman happened to drive by and knocked on our door (the house was a mess from the flood and moving,) and she asked us if we’d be willing to rent her our home since they were looking (her husband is ill and she needed to be closeby to work, his treatments, family, etc)! This was a total answer to prayer for both of us!

We knew it wasn’t the season to sell (our house depreciated in value by over 70,000!) So we said yes! We faithfully paid off our first home and current home, and for the past few years this family has rented from us—they’ve gone through so much personally, but they remained faithful to God, and faithful to their commitment in caring for our home.

This December, Phil and I felt a strong stirring in our hearts (individually, and as a couple) to “gift” them the home. So on December 23, we Facetimed our renter to give them the news of God’s faithfulness—that the Lord was blessing them with the home! She cried saying “You won’t believe this. When I walked in the home for the first time, I heard God whisper to my heart… He said ‘this is your home’. I didn’t know how that was going to happen but now I do!” We were all in tears! We talked about how this was a sign from God that he was caring for them in their time of need, and continuing to meet their needs, answer their prayers, and show His faithfulness to them! God is faithful…

Phil and I always say “blessings are tied to our obedience”. We also cannot forget that other people’s blessings are tied to our obedience, as well!

Our life would have looked a lot different for us (and them) if we would have walked out on the home and followed the world’s “wisdom” to foreclose. I am so glad that we followed the leading of the Lord—He ultimately knew that first home belonged to this family, and he has us in our home today for a plan and purpose! (We wouldn’t have qualified for our current home, if we had foreclosed).

I know it’s hard to trust God when things don’t make sense, or we don’t see an end in sight, but I want to encourage you today that there is a God who can make a way when there seems to be no way! He holds the answers to your prayers, if we would just seek Him and listen to Him!

Present your deepest desires to God! Cast your cares upon the Lord! How do you hear from Him? From the time we spend with him in prayer, in giving thanks, and in reading (and speaking) his word. I can’t encourage you enough to read Phil’s book The Secret Garage (to not only hear more of our miracle testimonies, but it teaches you how to pray, and how to hear from God. ) He cares about ALL THINGS concerning you!

As this year comes to a close I want to encourage you to bring your requests to God! He wants to speak to you, and lead you! He is not a deaf or dumb idol–He speaks to us through His word, and He will always lead you with His peace…

If you feel troubled or perplexed, don’t make a decision until you pray for answers and feel led by His peace. When you hear that still small voice, listen and obey! Don’t be distracted by- or led by anyone else’s opinions. Remember: Your blessings—and other’s blessings are tied to your obedience!

To GOD be the glory for the things HE has done! This was our best Christmas yet!

Wishing you and yours a BLESSED 2017! Happy New Year!

#TrustHim #ALLThingsArePossible #HeWantsYOUToBeBLESSEDToBeABlessing

I believe in letting our lights shine so we can encourage others to walk out their God given destiny, to see their reason “why” in action, and to inspire others to do good here during this short time we have on earth.

Matthew 5:16New Living Translation (NLT)

16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

I hope this inspires you to believe for more, encourages you to reach for more, and gives you more hope for YOUR future!

PS- people often ask how we were successful in this business, given our start. The Lord spoke to me to write a book to bless other’s in business, and to teach them exactly how it was done. It is the #1 best-seller on Amazon today! I encourage you to pick it up, learn from it, implement it…so you too can be BLESSED to be a BLESSING! Check out my book here! 

Posted by Sarah Robbins at 9:23 pm   

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We are in the home stretch…counting down the days until we meet our firstborn son, baby Gabriel…

These final days have been filled with so many emotions…excitement and exhaustion–anticipation and anxiety for what is to come.

And as I try as hard as I can to foresee into the future, the Lord continues to remind me to be still in this moment, and to recall his provision, and rest on his promises.

I am thankful. I had a truly supernatural pregnancy. Today was the last of my weekly checkins with my doctor (which by the way, if you are in the metro Detroit area, and need a good one, I have one of the best in the US! He made this pregnancy so peaceful for us, and works with most of our friends and families we trust)…and even our doctor said “you guys this was the closest you could get to a perfect pregnancy!”….it went without a hitch. But that didn’t surprise me–we believed for that. We prayed for that daily. And still my mind skips ahead to the labor/delivery/recovery…

Quickly my type A logical mind tends to stray away from all of the things that went well, and tries to quickly jump ahead to all of the things that “could” happen…”How will labor be?” “How quickly will I heal?” and “How in the world will this child eat every two hours?” and “Will I ever sleep again?” And each time that I tend to sway this way, I am reminded that Christ uses our “unknowns” to create a complete dependency on him, so we may KNOW HIM more.

2 Corinthians 12:9 says: ““My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.”Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.”

When we are weak, He is made strong in us…

Sarah 39 weeks

Sarah 39 Weeks – Pregnant With a Promise

 

One day, as I found myself frantically fearing the unknown (don’t judge…LOL…I was overly exhausted that day, and of course, my 9 month preggo hormones are raging)…I felt the Lord speak to my heart and say “Sarah, have I not provided for you so far? I need you to focus on me. Focus on now. Recall my provision. Stand on my promises. You’ve had the best pregnancy, and I’m not going to abandon you at the finish line.”

He reminded me of the story of the Israelites, who were journeying to their promise–the Promised Land. Although they knew the blessing was at the end of the journey, they would constantly block their blessing when they faced fear and the unknown….yet we see all the way from Exodus through Numbers the times the Lord provided for them, even in the midst of pressure (He parted the red seas, eradicated their greatest fear–the Egyptian army–before their very eyes, the manna that came down from heaven, he made bitter water sweet to drink. He faithfully provided in the midst of pressure. He never left them in their journey). Yet the Israelites always erred toward the fear of the future…forgetful of what the Lord had done up until this point. In fact when they got to the end of their journey, literally bordering the promised land, they sent spies into the land. 10 of 12 came back with a negative report. And instead of recalling God’s provision and standing on His promises, they believed the naysayers and most didn’t make it into the promised land because of their ultimate disobedience and lack of faith in the Lord. I thought “Lord, don’t let me be the Israelites! This child is a promise. You have been on the journey with me this far! You certainly won’t leave me now!” 

Immediately I knew that I had to get in a place of peace. I played worship music. I sat down with a notebook and pen. I began to recall all of the ways God provided for us throughout our lives. I wrote down every answered prayer.Then I wrote down his promises…. I wrote down scriptures I found in God’s word such as:

-He will never leave me nor forsake me.

Deuteronomy 31:6Amplified Bible (AMP)

6 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”

-He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. 

Philippians 1:6Amplified Bible (AMP)

6 I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].

-He has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. 

2 Timothy 1:7Amplified Bible (AMP)

7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

-My sleep will be sweet (and even baby Gabriel will be a sweet sleeper). 

Proverbs 3:24-26Amplified Bible (AMP)
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

-Gabriel will be a blessing, and not a burden (like many moms make motherhood feel for first-timers!)

Psalm 127:3-5Amplified Bible (AMP)

3Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 How blessed [happy and fortunate] is the man whose quiver is filled with them;
They will not be ashamed
When they speak with their enemies [in gatherings] at the [city] gate.

God will continue to exponentially multiply and accelerate our business even while I am taking time to focus on loving my newborn (enlarging our borders, expanding our territory). 

1 Chronicles 4:9-10Amplified Bible (AMP)

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would indeed bless me and enlarge my territory, and that Your hand would be with me, and You would keep me from evil so that it does not hurt me!” And God granted his request.

-We will have a Psalm 91 atmosphere in our home, and in the hospital. 

-We will have a supernatural delivery and recovery (just like our pregnancy)! 

You see, the world wants us focused on FEAR. And the Lord wants us focused on FAITH…complete reliance and dependence on the Lord. He wants us returning to the Word, speaking the Word, and believing the Word, because it will never return to us void. (Isaiah 55:11) He is faithful to watch over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12). If we believe that we were created in His image (which I do), then we must believe our words have creative power and therefore carry forth substance. After all, when He said “let there be light”…didn’t light follow? We MUST be seeking and speaking God’s Word.

What words are you speaking over your situation? Words of FEAR of FAITH? Both require the same amount of energy–belief in what we cannot see.

We all face fear in our life–fear of failure (in my case first time parenting)…fear of the unknown…but God’s perfect love casts out all fear.

Feeling uncertain about the unknown is not necessarily a bad thing (as long as you don’t remain in fear)–it’s simply a reminder that we need to stop being so self-reliant–and instead be completely reliant on God…the “unknowns” keep us seeking God’s peace and getting in His presence. Recalling his provision. Standing on his promises. 

Jesus loves you my friend. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He’s brought you this far, and will not leave you now.

He is THE ONE who will stick closer than a brother. So cast all your cares upon Him, for He truly CARES for YOU!

XO, Sarah

If you know someone who is facing the “unknown”…send them the link to this post for encouragement. Have them write down every way that God has ever answered their prayers or provided for them. Then, have them write down at least one scripture verse to speak / pray about their situation. For example, If they are in need of healing…google “healing scriptures”. Find one that resonates the most and put it on a note card…and any time they face fear, have them speak it aloud. God’s word brings peace…and even better, God’s word is a promise and brings forth provision. It will not return to us void!

~* And if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or know someone who is, I recommend this book. It’s the ONLY thing I read (besides the word) during the past 9 months of pregnancy. It is full of stories of provision (miracles) of many momma’s,  including my pastor’s story. It is also full of promises (scriptures and prayer) to speak over your pregnancy journey.

~* One more thing–I shared how my baby started as a prayer, and how I had the most supernatural pregnancy in this post. ENJOY! XO

Hopefully I’ll be meeting my little “promise” this week! We appreciate your prayers for a safe–speedy–supernatural– delivery and recovery!

September is here! It’s the 9th month of the year…and since we just celebrated Labor Day, I declare that God is birthing something BIG in your life! Although the journey at times is tough, the blessing is worth the birthing pain and process.

Sarah with bible
As a pregnant mom-to-be, I understand this analogy all too well. Sacrificing your body (and sleep) for 10 months as you wait on baby is tough. But the promise of that child makes every ache and pain, up til the final push well worth it!

Jeremiah 29:11 says…
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

We all have great plans for our life, according to God’s promise to us…

So why do some people fall short? Why do some people never enter into their promised land and live a life less than what God intended for them?

I believe the story of Moses & the Israelites is a great illustration for us, of people who were promised great blessing from God—yet they fell short because of their lack of faith and trust in God—and their continuous murmuring and complaining.

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