HER STORY: JUDY BROOKS
her |həː, hə| pronoun 1 used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a female person: Her life exemplifies God’s love.
Ladies! Welcome back to Equipped by Faith! It was so good to see all of you again after our summer break—and there was not a better person to kick off our return gathering than my good friend, Judy Brooks.
Judy’s heart is pure gold. She is the Founder and President of Empowering International Ministries and a celebrated author, speaker, life coach, mother, and grandmother. Judy is the former Co-Host of Living on Purpose, was named Arkansas Business Woman of the year in 1987 and was recognized as one of Dallas' Top 10 Unstoppable Women in 2011.
She came to speak at Equipped by Faith years ago when we were first beginning to meet, and I just had to invite her back to share with all of our new attendees. If you missed last night, take some time to read through Judy’s Q&A below. She’s an absolute gem.
Q&A with Judy Brooks
1. What do you think you were put on this earth for? What is your biggest dream?
Philippians 3:10 says, "It is my determined purpose that I may know Him…” It is the purpose above all purposes. My purpose is to empower, equip, train, and ordain leaders—then send them out to fulfill their destiny building the Kingdom, healing the brokenhearted, and setting the captives free.
I love people and I live to empower others through devotionals, conferences, and retreats. My biggest dream would be to write full-time and make a living from books/devotionals published, to continue teaching and equipping men and women in the Empowering Speakers Development Training Impact Levels 1-3, and teach others how to discover their purpose and live their dreams internationally as a sought-after speaker.
2. What are some of the obstacles you have had to go through to get to this point?
Fear has been an obstacle when the Holy Spirit stretches me into the new when it is so much bigger than I am. Everyone is challenged with fear at some point in their life. I recently designed a New Women's Retreat called Conquering Fear in High Heels to address and help women overcome fear. Fear is a liar and we are not slaves to fear! We can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)
3. What motivates or inspires you?
Being an extension cord or conduit that the Holy Spirit flows through and witnessing lives being transformed, healed, and restored before my eyes. Seeing the fruit of what I do is so rewarding. It inspires me to press forward.
4. What do you want to be remembered by?
That I walked in the LOVE of Christ Jesus everywhere I have been and that people felt the true love of Christ when they were around me. Love covers a multitude of sins. I have learned how to love, and that's what I want to be remembered for.
5. What advice would you give other women searching for their purpose, passion, & faith?
Don't look back—you may trip over your future! Pursue what you love, therein lies your passion; both love and passion are connected to your purpose. Where you hurt the most is where God will use you to heal others the best.
He will take your mess and turn it into your Message, He will turn your pain into Purpose, your test into a Testimony, your trial into Triumph, and a victim to a Victor! You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13)
It takes FAITH to be an overcomer and achieve against all odds and it will take faith in Christ to fulfill your purpose.
And I love this quote: "The secret of success is making your vocation your vacation.” - Mark Twain.
6. What has been your greatest achievement in life?
I have been blessed to be on TV, written in books, my story has been published, I have books and manuals being published (Retreat Manual, Conquering Fear in High Heels), I have traveled nationally and internationally sharing the love of Christ, and building the Kingdom of God… but my greatest achievement has been giving birth to my daughter Karen who is now 46. It was a privilege raising Karen and seeing her beauty flourish from the inside out as a godly woman. Now, I love watching her raise two godly children alone as she works hard to put them through college while they are all pursuing their purpose.
7. How does what you do reflect what God placed on your heart to share with the world?
I believe establishing and building relationships is key to building the Kingdom. People need someone to believe in them. Raising spiritual sons and daughters and equipping them for their purpose is so fulfilling.
8. What books are you reading?
The Replenishment Anointing by Patricia King, Decree by Patricia King, All the MEN of the Bible and All the WOMEN of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer, and a devotional by Rick Renner called Sparkling Gems in the Greek.
9. How do you stay encouraged & faith-filled?
I am replenished and encouraged by spending quiet time with God daily in prayer, reading the Bible, and a favorite devotional I'm currently reading is Sparkling Gems in the Greek by Rick Renner. I journal what I receive during that time listening to what the Holy Spirit has to say. I keep my journal with me at all times in case someone says something that hits my spirit and I write it down to meditate on later.
"Come away with Me by yourself to a quiet place and rest.” Mark 6:31
10. Favorite scripture of the moment (or ever)? :)
Proverbs 3:3-6, NLB is the first scripture I memorized and loved… It says, "Never tire of loyalty and kindness. Hold these virtues tightly. Write them deep within your heart. If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”
My favorite verse of the moment is Matthew 4:4 says, "It is written...Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
I also love this quote:
Watch your thoughts for they become your words,
Watch your words for they become your actions,
Watch your actions for they become your habits,
Watch your habits for they become your character,
Watch your character for it becomes your destiny.
I hope you enjoyed these wise words from Judy Brooks! I love you all, and can't wait to see you next month at Equipped by Faith with the beautiful Lauren Robinson Béa!
XO-
Sabrina