Faith4Her a Zakar Magazine Issue 1

how to stay at the top of your game how should you use your influence as a woman?

becoming a woman of strength issue 1

VISION

ABOUT Jennifer Keitt and her daughter Morgan Holmes created The Keitt Institute Inc. as a 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization that builds women through the creation of one-ofa-kind, strategic, relevant, and safe event experiences and trainings.

MISSION The Keitt Institute exists to empower, educate, equip, and encourage women to think differently about themselves and their lives. The goal is to help them change their thinking so that they can live brilliantly!

Our vision is to be a global leader in the building and empowering of strong, whole, fulfilled and productive individuals who live confidently in the Core7TM Areas of their lives. We see a generation of women: • Committed to their daily spiritual growth.

• Emotionally stable and developing intellectually.

• Living and engaging in healthy lifestyles.

• Financially empowered, making sound money decisions and expanding their wealth through professional and entrepreneurial endeavors.

• Fully engaged daily in happy, fruitful, whole, productive and love-filled relationships in their homes and lives.

• That is sexually healthy and able to remain true to their values and beliefs.

• That operates in a standard of professional excellence, pursuing their unique purpose and expressing their gifts and talents professionally in the workplace and in all of their career endeavors.

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Editor In Chief Jennifer Keitt Creative Director Morgan Holmes Writers Jennifer Keitt Jametta Barden Lakeisha Dixon

Kathy Horne Felisha Hunter Kim Lawson

Publisher The Keitt Institute Customer Service For 24/7 information and service, please visit our website: www.jenniferkeitt.com | www.keittinstitute.org or write to: Zakar Magazine, T.J. Communications 1720 Mars Hill Rd., Ste. 8-253, Acworth, GA 30101.

Zakar Magazine May 2017 Zakar Magazine is published by The Keitt Institute Inc. (1720 Mars Hill Road Ste. 8-253 Acworth, GA 30101) www.jenniferkeitt.com | www.keittinstitute.org Š 2017, The Keitt Institute Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, the information provided is not meant to replace licensed professionals but is to be used alongside. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A All rights reserved.

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Contents Editor’s Letter Who Makes the Cut? How to Develop Your Personal Growth Plan

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7 10

Becoming a Woman of Strength

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How Should You Use Your Influence As a Woman?

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Guard Your Heart Raising Successful Children

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How to Stay at the Top of Your Game

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God’s Great Plans

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Ladies, it’s time to ignite your passion! The PowerHER Experience will be unlike any other event that you’ve attended. With your help, I will help you energize your success, drive your vision, increase your influence and ignite others in your life. I’m hoping to help you stop living below your capabilities. If you step up and take the RISK and learn how to ignite your passion, I promise you will see . . .

• Rewards, both internally and externally as you come alive with passion.

• Ideas generated and creativity starting to flow as you discover what you want to passionately pursue.

• Satisfaction explode as you connect with others right here today who feel what you’re feeling and want what you want out of life.

• Knowledge increased in your life as you learn what passion is, how it’s generated

and most importantly what you’re truly passionate about in your life.

Too many women don’t live, but they merely exist. Most women lock their passions up in a box, letting only a little bit out when the environment seems safe to do so. Let me let you in on The Keitt Institute’s most powerful secret: the PowerHERTM Experience is the safe environment you’ve been waiting for!

Get ready to ignite and release your passion!

Ladies, don’t stick your head in the proverbial sand by staying comfortable today. Take the opportunities presented here to step out of your comfort zone so that you can ignite your passion. Ready? Great! Let’s get started.

jenniferkeitt.com

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kim lawson

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Don’t hang out with angry people; don’t keep company with hotheads. Bad temper is contagious – don’t get infected. proverbs 22:24-25

devotion Often in life, we are prejudged based of our

Let us define what is an inner circle friend. An

association with others. How many of you

inner circle friend is one who is at arm’s reach

are familiar with the cliché “birds of a feath-

at all times, even when you call upon them

er flock together?” This is why the text warns

at midnight. These friends help to nourish us

us about keeping company with people with

spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, fi-

volatile temperaments. The more we are affil-

nancially and more. People within our inner

iated with people with bad tempers, the more

circle should encourage us to grow and help

we are at risk of becoming just like them. The

us to become a better Christians. Determin-

bible warns us that “Bad company corrupts

ing who is a part of your inner circle requires

good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Many of

special selection and discernment. It is said

us can probably think of at least one friend

that people come into your life for a reason, a

that often has a bad attitude or always in a bad

season, or a lifetime. It is up to us to use best

mood. Sometimes it can be quite entertaining

judgment and categorize those close to us to

being around this controversial person and at

determine which role each person fills in our

other times it can be downright annoying. I

lives.

have a college friend with such a bad attitude and a vulgar tongue that it mentally drains me to be around her and I frequently dodge her telephone calls. What I have realized is that I have outgrown the relationship with my college friend because we are on different walks of life spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. I have simply learned to love my friend from a distance and accept that she is no longer within my inner circle of friends.

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prayer Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your examples of wisdom given to us through your word and your instructions on how to apply them daily. We are grateful for the people you have placed within our inner circle and for those forthcoming. We ask that you continue to bless our nation, families, teachers, leaders, and Pastors. Thank you for your provision over our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

reflection question #1: What are five characteristics a person must have to be a part of your inner circle? question #2: Tell me about a time when you had to remove a person from your inner circle and why?

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lakeisha dixon

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give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to test knowledge. proverbs 23:12

devotion

prayer

I received a text message on the night of Jan-

Heavenly Father, We thank you that you have

uary 11, 2017 from my spiritual mother, tell-

called us to live a disciplined life. We, ask

ing me that the word for me in this season is

you Father to forgive us now for the times we

“Discipline.” I immediately looked up the word

disobeyed your word. Keep us focus on what

disciplined and all I could do was receive

you have called us to do. Allow us to walk

the word that was given to me. Disciplined

boldly in your word and in love. We believe

means, “training to produce a specific charac-

it’s done, In Jesus name. Amen.

ter or pattern of behavior, training to produce moral or mental improvement. Self-control.”

You see ladies, a disciplined life will lift you and give you more stamina to keep up with the direction of where God is taking you. A disciplined life, will shift your mentality to be driven by the word of God. A disciplined life will change the way you think, act, and speak, and

reflection question #1: What are two things you can do today to live a more disciplined life?

a disciplined life will force you into a season of preparation. Discipline, is an action word. We must do something to add value to our lives. It takes 21 days to form a habit but an additional 42 days to create the lifestyle in our mind according to neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf.

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question #2: When you hear “open your ears to test knowledge” what is it saying to you?

jametta barden

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don’t for a minute envy careless reb-

stantly work to make sure He is pleased with

els; soak yourself in the fear-of-god

you and you’re always in awe of Him. You can

— That’s where your future lies. then

do this and all things because God gives you

you won’t be left with an armload of

hope and a future (read Jeremiah 29:11). That

nothing.

future encourages us to keep going despite any disappointments, discouragements, or

proverbs 23:17-18

difficulties so that in the end we will reap our reward. Be like the woman in Proverbs 31:25 (NLT).

She is clothed with strength and dig-

devotion

nity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

You tell yourself that you are going to have

That’s when you know you have become a

all the things that Mary Jane has just as soon

woman of strength!

as your last child graduates from high school.

You say “I would spend $5,000 on that purse too if I didn’t have any kids and had her salary”.

prayer

Yes, I’d have my hair done, nails done, every-

Father, Your Word is so true. It gives us just

thing did…if I had a husband! The scripture is

what we need to live a life of contentment.

telling us that we don’t need to be envious of

Thank You for keeping us from being envious

any of these things. I know you don’t see it as

of the “careless rebels” in our lives. We are

envy but it is. If you have ever said or thought

grateful for the hope and future that You have

“I wish that was me” then you have harbored

for us. We vow to adore You, worship You, and

envy. Be content with who you are and what

submit to You. We will make sure that we don’t

you have. Philippians 4:12-13 NIV says “I know

leave this earth with an armful of nothing but

what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to

have You, which is everything! God, we honor

have plenty. I have learned the secret of be-

You for the divine favor that You bring to our

ing content in any and every situation, wheth-

lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

er well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Focus on God and make the Fear of God your sole (or soul’s) mission.

When you “soak”

yourself in the Fear of God, you adore Him, you submit everything to Him. You will con14

reflection question #1: Name one thing that is a “careless rebel� in your life. For a single person this could be seeing happily married couples interact when you really have a strong desire to get married. Why do you think it causes you to be envious or to passionately desire it? question #2: What does soaking yourself in the Fear of God look like for you? Why?

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kathy horne

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Don’t use your position to crush the weak proverbs 22:22-23

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devotion Who does not love the story of Cinderella? Her stepmother and stepsisters took advantage of her in every way possible. They did not even allow her to go to the ball and have a chance to meet the Prince. Cinderella remained faithful without complaining. God came to her defense and granted Cinderella the very thing she desired, to wear a beautiful dress and attend the party of the century.

In the end, not only did Cinderella attend the ball but she also became the Princess. The life the stepmother and stepsisters planned for themselves was given to Cinderella.

prayer Father we thank You that Your Powerful Word is as sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. We willfully lay aside every weight and sin that so easily entangles us. Thank You for Your forgiveness, Your mercy, Your Grace and most of all Your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen

reflection question #1: How have you recently used your influence to help others? question #2: How is God calling on you now to become even more of an influence to others?

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jennifer keitt

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dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. keep my message in plain view at all times. concentrate! learn it by heart! those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health. keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust. proverbs 4:20 -27 devotion Wow! The Word of God has said a mouthful

what enters our hearts?

in this text! When it says “keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts,” it re-

The text gives us a checklist of things we

minds me of the time when my family and I

must keep from entering our hearts. Let’s go

visited the Smithsonian Museum in Washing-

through the list together and find out if we

ton. The Hope Diamond was on display. The

have any slack in the securing of our heart:

Hope Diamond is 45 carats with an estimated

• Talk out of both sides of our mouths

worth of 200- 250 MILLION dollars! You better

• Careless banter

believe there were guards everywhere and

• White lies

we couldn’t even get close to the display it

• Gossip

was in because the ropes put us at a distance.

• Sideshow distractions

Yet, God’s Word says our very LIFE starts in our

• Evil

hearts and I wonder, how much do we guard

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prayer Oh Lord, help us to see that our hearts are WAY more valuable than the Hope Diamond! Help us guard our hearts from all of the daily things that try to get in. Lord, we want to listen to Your Word.

We want to tune our ears to Your voice. We want Your message to be plain to us! Help us keep vigilant watch over our hearts at all times. Help us not to talk out of both sides of our mouths or tell white lies or gossip. Help us to watch our step. And we promise to give You all of the praise and glory! In Jesus’ name‌.Amen.

reflection question #1: Which one(s) got through to your heart recently? question #2: How can we better guard against these threats?

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FELISHA HUNTER

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Dear child, if you become wise, I’ll be one happy parent. My heart will dance and sing to the tuneful truth you’ll speak. proverbs 22:28-29

devotion In today’s society, children are being influ-

It will set them apart and onto a path of righ-

enced more by external sources than their

teous living and will allow them to experience

parents and have become captivated by the

authentic and long-lasting success. Our chil-

world’s idea of success. As a parent, God has

dren must also see these virtues in our lives

placed an important responsibility upon us to

as well. Simply put, we must model this kind

nurture the souls of our children by instilling

of living for them. We can’t afford to say one

His wisdom in their heart and teaching them

thing and do something totally different; that’s

right from wrong so that they can live out His

called hypocrisy. It is a proven fact that chil-

purpose and experience true success in their

dren digest and pay more attention to our ac-

lives. Scripture tells us that it brings joy to us

tions than our words.

when our children develop a heart of wisdom and speak truth. Honestly, I don’t know many

As a mom, I realized a long time ago that my

parents who wouldn’t find pleasure in seeing

children are my most important ministry and

and witnessing their children demonstrating

they are a direct reflection of their upbringing

God’s character and allowing His wisdom to

and what I’ve modeled for them. Like you, I

lead their lives.

know that there will be a day when my children will depart from my home and they will

If we do indeed desire to raise successful

no longer be sitting directly under my influ-

children then we must be diligent in teach-

ence. It is then that we must fully trust and

ing them God’s Word and showing them the

have faith in God’s Word that has been plant-

benefits of His wisdom saturating their hearts.

ed in their hearts. The bible tells us to direct

We must spend quality time impressing upon

our children onto the right path and when they

them how God’s wisdom will be their best in-

are older, they will not leave it.

structor, protector and navigator through life.

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prayer

reflection

Gracious God, thank You for the assurance of

question #1: What is one piece of wisdom

Your presence and wisdom as a guide for not

that was given to you as a child by your par-

only our lives but for the lives of our children.

ents or guardian that has served you well as

Father, help us to consistently model success

an adult?

Your way in our own lives so that we can have a greater and lasting influence on our children.

question #2: What is something you wish

I pray that You would place Godly friends and

your parents or guardian would have taught

other role-modeling adults in their lives that

or showed you when you were growing up?

will also encourage them to make right choices and live life according to Your purpose for

question #3: Take a moment to pause and

them. Help us to always see our children the

ask the Holy Spirit what area(s) of your life

way You see them and to encourage them to

does He want to grow in order to have a great-

always seek and allow Your wisdom to help

er impact on your children.

them navigate through life. Please guard the hearts of our children and shield them from the evilness of this world. Lavish them with Your wisdom and keep them in the center of Your will. It is in the Holy name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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lakeisha dixon

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devotion Have you ever heard someone say, “We are

complaining.

all winners in Christ”? Yes, that stands true in

We must prepare for where we’re going. It’s

the kingdom but in the real world we must

not good enough to say, “I want to be a pilot”

work to earn a position. I’m not talking about

but refuse to go to get the necessary training.

the average 9-5 rat race. I am talking about

It’s not good enough to say, “I want to be a

W.O.R.K. (Will 2 Win, Overcoming Obstacles,

great mentor” but you have never been men-

Renew Your Thinking, Kill Negative Speaking).

tored. It’s not good enough to say, “I want a

A coach won’t put a player in the game, if that

closer relationship with God” but won’t talk to

player has missed practiced all week long. I

Him throughout the day. Ladies, it’s time for us

love

to step our game up! It’s time to practice one

Lebron James and his name along speaks

on one with the Father in prayer, reading, and

excellence. Any sport fan will tell that he has

worship so He can bring us before kings and

proven himself on the court and because of

queens. In this season, we cannot be afraid to

His work ethics he has earned over $100 Mil-

launch out into the deep. God is calling us to

lion dollars. You don’t earn over $100 million

be bold and courageous to go after what He

dollars by showing up late, being unprepared,

has for us.

having broken focus, and murmuring and

prayer Heavenly Father, We thank you that you have called us to be strong and courageous. We tap into our innate ability on today and we will study to show ourselves approve. We declare that on today will not settle for being average but on today, we will rise up and put our heads back in the game so we can win some victories. We seal this prayer in faith. We believe it’s done, in Jesus’ name Amen

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Don’t stealthily move back the boundary lines staked out long ago by your ancestors. Observe people who are good at their work-skilled workers are always proverbs 22:28-29 in demand and admired; they don’t take a backseat to anyone.

reflection question #1: What additional training or skill set do you need to stay relevant in your line of work/ business? question #2: Has there ever been a time in your life when you were not prepared because you failed to practice?

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jametta barden

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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. proverbs 23:9

devotion Let’s break this down. God is speaking to His

all your heart. This was reassurance to His

people and He says “I KNOW…”. I can hear a

people who were in exile and should reassure

preacher somewhere saying to the reader

us as well. He will keep His promises!

“stop right there”! I want you to think about those two words (I know) whenever you face

Jeremiah 29:11 is and has been my favorite

something challenging or feel mistreated, an-

scripture for many years. It has saved me so

gry, hurt, left out, inadequate, prideful, broke,

much headache, heartache, and eliminated

sick, or just don’t know what to do next. Those

time spent worrying. It is pretty simple. Just

two words alone can be comforting because

execute the plan. Here is how:

they say “I understand”. They can also reduce anxiety because they say “I have everything

You: Call on God. Psalm 116:2

under control”.

You: Come (humble yourself) and pray to God. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Not only does the Lord know, He tells us that

God: Listens to you. Psalm 8: 4 -8

no matter how it feels right now He knows

You: Seek God with all your heart. Deuteron-

what He is doing and has our best interest at

omy 4:29 – 30

heart. In fact, the outcome will be a wonder-

You: Find God. Proverbs 8:17

ful future full of hope! Doesn’t that just make

God: Shows Himself to You. Matthew 7:7

your heart sing? Oh, and it doesn’t stop there!

You: Have faith. Hebrews 11:1

Continue to read verses 12 and 13. They give

God: Gives you a hopeful future! Jeremiah

us the additional promises and the steps that

29:11

we need to take to execute the plan. The NIV reads “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with 31

prayer Lord, we want to thank You for Your promises.

Lord, we trust you and we know that You have it under control. We believe that our difficult situations are not to harm us. We look forward to the hope and the future that You have planned for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

reflection question #1: The Israelites were in exile when the Lord spoke this promise to them.

Tell us about a situation where you used or could have used this scripture to help you get through it. question #2: We now know how to execute the plan; call on God, pray to God, seek God, find God, and have faith. How would you explain how to execute these steps to someone who is in a challenging situation right now?

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The Faith4HerTM Experience is a women’s empowerment experience for women of faith. Keitt Institute Co-Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer, Jennifer Keitt makes sure you’ve got God’s plan for your life. In this unique faith-based experience, Jennifer speaks directly to women of faith, who want answers, hope, encouragement and practical teaching to help improve and empower their lives!