Giving God Your Time

One week ago, I set out on my book tour with "Carry An Umbrella When There's No Rain in the Forecast: 365 Days of Living by Faith". I have been overwhelmed at the sales. In just over 1 week, almost one-third of the books have sold. Every store keeps selling out. It goes to show that God's people are hungry for more of Him.

Last weekend, I spent on the farm with my family and got to attend my home church, Crowder Baptist Church. The pastor talked about the importance of sharing our talent, treasure and time with God. Now, how many times have I heard this sermon? But I was more convicted this time around than I have ever been.

Malachi 3:8 says, "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings." Then God goes on to say in verse 10, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

As I looked at my own life, I began to see while I've been faithful in sharing my tithes and talents given by God in various ways to all people, I am failing miserably when it comes to the "time" part. Home schooling, speaking across the southeast, my WLBT career along with the book tour, working for American Family Radio, doing hundreds of other things that I won't list here and having a husband and being a mom, my schedule is packed. I'm lucky if I get a few hours of sleep a night. And because of all of this, I'm guilty of verse 8--robbing God---of my time.

Why do we feel like we can offer up a prayer here or there in the busyness of our life and think God is satisfied with that? Our spouse wouldn't be happy with a quick "hello" and perhaps a half-hearted hug as we ran out the door, so why do we think God is? The way circumstances around me are going, I need to be giving God the very BEST of my time--what is first, not what is left. When that happens, God promises to bless you in a was which can only be described as coming from Him.

(Barbie will be signing her books at Edgewood Interiors in McComb December 1 from 11:30am-1pm as well as being the guest speaker at First Baptist Ridgeland's ladies night out that night. On December 2, you can catch her at the Mendenhall Grain & Grocery from 11:30am-1pm. Over the weekend, she'll be in Pearl & Carthage. Check www.barbiebassett.com for specifics.)

A 'Happy Thanksgiving' Message

The book tour kicked off Saturday in Brookhaven and what a day it was! The books sold out in just over an hour with just over 200 books sold. I was honored to meet some fine, sweet people along the way including meeting up with Rebecca Amic who I've gotten to see several times.

My website has been processing orders all weekend for the out-of-staters. And, I was able to personally give one of my editors a signed copy at church Sunday as a thank you.

Now as we gather with our families for Thanksgiving, I am praying that the "eyes of your understanding will be opened so that you would know the hope to which he has called you.." (Ephesians 1:17-22) I believe this scripture encourages us to see what God has already DONE for you and I.

Forget the turkey--I'm thankful for the Lamb!

(Barbie will be signing copies of her new book and her 1st book Tuesday at Josephine's on the square in Kosciusko. She will be signing at Lifeway Christian Store in Jackson this Friday, 10am-Noon and at Lemuria from 1pm-2pm. Both books are now available at www.barbiebassett.com .)

It's Here!

"Carry An Umbrella When There's No Rain in the Forecast: 365 Days of Living by Faith" (retail $14.02) is now available. This daily devotional for college students and men and women of all ages shares how you can continue to have faith in God's provision for you even in the "dry spells" of your spiritual walk.

My first book, "Forecasts & Faith: 5 Keys to Weathering the Storms of Life" has sold almost 6,000 copies in it's final printing. There are limited quantities of "Forecasts & Faith" left.

There are only 3,000 copies my new book, so not everyone who has bought "Forecasts & Faith" will be able to get this one. With the rush of the Christmas season, I can't guarantee there will be ample copies for Mothers Day next year.

In the Jackson area, the book is already available in Lifeway Christian Stores and Lemuria. It is also available to purchase on my website for the out-of-staters.

Thus begins the book signing tour, which kicks off this weekend in Brookhaven! I would enjoy visiting with you and taking pictures with you at any of these locations:

November 19, Book Signing, Expectations from 10am-Noon, Brookhaven
November 22, Book Signing, Josephine's from 10am-Noon, Kosciusko
November 26, Book Signing, Lifeway Christian Store from 10am-Noon, Jackson
November 26, Book Signing, Lemuria Books at Banner Hall from 12:30pm-1:30pm, Jackson

December 1, Book Signing, Edgewood Interiors from 11:30am-1pm, McComb
December 1, Guest Speaker & Book Signing, First Baptist Church Ladies Dinner, Ridgeland
December 2, Book Signing, Mendenhall G & G from 11:30am-1pm, Mendenhall
December 3, Book Signing, Jingle Bell Market from 11am-12:30pm, Pearl
December 3, Book Signing, The Briar Patch, 2pm-3:30pm, Carthage
December 6, Book Signing, Crown To Heels, 11:30am-1pm, Vicksburg
December 8, Book Signing, Raleigh Public Library, 11:30am-1pm, Raliegh
December 10, Book Signing, Essco's, 11am-1pm, Yazoo City

Sometimes You Have To Keep Your Mouth Shut

When the Holy Spirit gives you a word in due season, be careful who you share that with.

Joseph learned the hard way. God gave him two prophetic dreams which excited him. I'm sure he was tired of being mistreated and talked about by his older brothers. So when he had a dream he would be someone important one day and told his brothers, the Bible says in Genesis 37:5, "they hated him all the more". When Joseph told his father Israel (or Jacob) the revelation God shared with him through his dream, his father "kept the matter in mind" (verse 11). Due to Joseph's mouth, he went through years of captivity and slavery. God brought him out of that once he changed his mouth, and you know the rest of the story.

I learned years ago when I'm given prophetic dreams or a word from God concerning myself, there are only certain people I can share that with. Those whom I thought I could share it with are the exact ones who have used it against me. At times, I've told no one and kept it to myself until the appointed time when God manifested it, or brought it to be.

The devil likes to use people who "don't get it" to spoil the word you've been given either through doubt, ridicule or through their ostracizing you. There are some people in your life who will never be happy for you and share the joy of God working in your life. Pray for discernment if God has revealed something specifically to you as to who, if any, you should share that with. Don't allow the devil to steal your joy like he did for Joseph.

(Barbie is the guest speaker tonight at Broadmoor Baptist & will be the guest speaker at First United Methodist in Clinton Tuesday. Her new book is set to arrive later this week which she'll be sharing details on an upcoming blog.)

The Purpose of an Angel

I was honored to be the Mistress of Ceremonies for the Salvation Army's "Evening with the Angels" event last night as they recognized 4 people in the state who have acted as God's hands for others in giving their time, talents and love to other people in need. Completely unexpected, they gave me their "surprise angel" award and my husband offered the most kind tribute to me in his speech. So, I began to think more about the job of angels.

Anytime you see an angel mentioned in the Bible, they are sent with a Word from God. The word "angel" comes from the word anggelos. Angels are essentially ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14). When people in the Bible saw an angel, their typical response was to fall on their face in fear out of reverence and awe. The names of the 2 most notable angels are Michael and Gabriel.

The rest of the unnamed angels in Scripture carry out a variety of tasks for God: worship, praise, revealing, guiding, providing, protecting, delivering, strengthening, encouraging, answering prayer and caring for believers at the moment of death.

In no way am I comparing Christians to angels. However, you never know when God will deputize you to bring an encouraging word, a helping hand, or even use your financial resources no matter the amount to minister to someone else at their appointed time of need.

Always be prepared act as God's messenger when you hear the call.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at Goodwater Baptist in Magee Saturday; Broadmoor Baptist in Madison on Monday & the First United Methodist Church in Clinton Tuesday.)

Try Not To Lose Your Focus

Yesterday afternoon, my husband and I spent the day shooting skeet and targets.

Focusing is key, even with my bad eye sight. If I keep my hand steady and line the sight just so, all the while knowing what I'm shooting at, I'm a pretty accurate shooter.

But after shooting skeet with the shotgun, my shoulder took a beating. My accuracy wasn't the best.

It's still a good "pattern", but I could definitely tell the difference in what being tired and not focused will do for your trigger finger.

Romans 8:5 says, "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."

In other words, when you try so hard at fixing the issues in your life and you don't rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you lose your focus. You begin operating in the flesh instead of operating in the Spirit. The devil knows when you make that conscience choice because you become a threat to him and what he's trying to accomplish.

Don't let your weariness prevent you from focusing on the cross of Christ. Keep your eyes on God's Word and increase in your daily walk with Him and you won't miss the mark!

(Barbie will be the guest speaker tonight at the First United Methodist Church in Brookhaven. She'll also speak at the Salvation Army's Angels event Thursday night & she's the guest speaker at Goodwater Baptist in Magee Saturday morning.)

Gone But Not Forgotten

It's been such a tragic week in central Mississippi this past week with the deaths of children and young people. I talk more about my brother's experience noted here in this video in my 1st book, Forecasts & Faith: 5 Keys to Weather the Storms of Life. Although there isn't much that can be said at a time like this, perhaps this video I did several months ago will bring peace to someone who has lost a loved one and also answer some questions.

http://vimeo.com/17366543

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at Trinity Baptist Church in Vicksburg Saturday morning. She'll also be doing an "Aging With Style" event in Natchez at 1pm.)