Daily Devotional – 9/12/17 “It is well!”

I shared this last year and I felt led to give part of it again because somebody, somewhere is still trying to rationalize why you are still stuck where you are. Somebody is still making excuses as to why you will not move on, why you will not sign the papers, why you will not move out or why you will not let go. You know it is painful being where you are but you are comfortable. You know it isn’t doing you any good but you cannot let go. You are tired of crying but what else is there to do? Every time you walk in the door, you start to feel defeated. Every time you see his/her name, your attitude changes. Every time you think you’re getting ahead, you take a few steps back. Well beloved, sometimes you just have to cut your losses. Sometimes you have to be okay with taking the L just to keep your mind. Sometimes, you have to walk away without anything but an “It is well,” praise on your lips! I know ‘they said,’ “After you’ve done all you can do, just stand,” but then what? Yes, you should stand on God’s word but what I love about God, He allows you to take His word with you. This means, you no longer have to stand still in places and with people who have yet to yield anything positive for you.

Ma’am/sir, sometimes you have to release folk and places and while you’re packing say, ‘it is well.’ While you’re pulling out the driveway, say it is well. While you’re looking at your negative checking account, declare, “It is well.” While trying to figure out what’s next, shout, “It is well.” Letting go of those you thought would be there until you really needed them – it is well. Moving on from those places where you’ve given all of you and got nothing in return – it is well. Walking away from those things you helped build with your tears but only caused you pain – it is well. Closing the door on the person you didn’t think you could live without – it is well. Yielding to the YES God, even when it doesn’t look like it makes sense – it is well. Walking into destiny although the way is still dark – it is well. Listening to you slander my name – it is well. Watching you reject me because you cannot explain me – it is well. Knowing you lied on me because it was the best you could do – it is well. No matter what my circumstances – it is well with my soul. For my soul waits on God. He is my refuge and strength. So you go on, it is well with me.

Daily Devotional – 9/11/17 “Check yourself Monday!”

We, often times, find ourselves questioning God. “God, where are you?” “God, are you listening?” “God, when will it be my time?” But have you ever stopped to really hear God’s response? Have you ever stopped to answer the questions God has of you? Which, if you haven’t noticed are the same as the ones you ask Him. He’s asking, “Where are you?” Especially when the harvest is ripe yet no laborers willing to pick. He’s asking, “Child, when will it be my time?” Especially when you’ve been spending time with everybody but Him. God is even asking, “Are you listening?” Especially when it’s your spiritual ears that are clogged with all things natural. So, let’s call today what it is, Check Yourself Monday. Because if I shall tell the truth, a lot of us need to be checked. And instead of acting as if God has left you, think back and see if you are the one who actually left Him. Check you boo. What are you really doing? Are you praying like you say you are? Are you as holy as you portray to be? Are you as faithful as your social media looks? I get it, some days, the weight seems heavier than you remember. Sometimes it hurts to smile. Sometimes it is a struggle to get out of bed. Sometimes you can’t put the pills, drugs and alcohol down as easily as you thought. Sometimes, you will find yourself answering a call you said you would not. Sometimes, you will find yourself standing outside of a place you said you weren’t going anymore. And sometimes you don’t know what else to do. Well, today I challenge you to check yourself. Check who you are hanging with. Check what you are listening too. Check where you are going. Check what you are doing? And check the limits you have placed on God. Yes, God is listening but are you?

Daily Devotional – 9/8/17 “Pray more when it is good!”

Pray, even in your hard place but pray more when you’re in a good space. Pray, when you don’t have a dollar to your name but pray in abundance, when you have money in the bank. Pray when you are sick but prayer harder when you’re well. Pray when it looks like your marriage will not survive but pray, even more, when everything is working. Pray when there is no one calling for your voice but pray extra when your calendar is booked. Pray when the car quits but prayer more when it is running. Pray when you are sad but beloved, pray greater when you are happy.

I know you are asking, “Why should I pray harder in the good?” Because this is when the devil is busier than ever. See, when you’re sick, you are weak. When you are going through, you are already thrown off. When death shows up, you are consumed with grief. When the bills are behind, you wallow in self-made pits. When you are depressed, you think bad thoughts. The devil has no reason to bother you AS MUCH then. Admit it. It is during these times you run to the church. It is these times you really pray. It is these times you call on God’s name. Oh but when things are great and you are smiling, when things are going good and you got a little money in your pocket and when things are starting to look like they may work in your favor; this is the time the enemy convinces you not to go to worship. This is when he works overtime to get you to go to margarita Wednesday instead of bible study. This is when he will have you going home late. And this is the time you should be praying harder. The bible says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” The devil doesn’t look for who he already has access too because he knows you’ll be home later. he is looking for fresh faces with smiles and new homes with laughter; you know, those that are void of prayer and praise. This is why you have to pray when it is bad but pray more when it is good.

Daily Devotional – 9/7/17 “Believing Prayer!”

Our Father,

You, whose name is holy. You, who are all-knowing. You, who is the giver and taker of life. You, who are the author and finisher of our faith and you, who is the creator of all. God, we petition your throne asking that your will, for us, be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today, God, the bread of life and living water that it shall sustain us. Forgive us of sins we have committed, do not allow us to fall into temptation and deliver us from those who seek to do evil against us. For God, it is today that we need you to quiet the storms. Not just the spiritual storms but God we also need you to calm the physical storms. Yes, we know this is hurricane season. Yes, we know these things happen. Yes, we know that we have to endure sometimes but your word says if I pray and ask in faith that it shall be. God, calm the winds. God, stop the rains. God, recede the flood waters. God, rescue your people. God, cover those in shelters. God, protect the first, second and third responders. God, let it be no more lives lost by these storms. God, let it be no more devastation. God, pour out blessings that all which has been lost shall be restored. God, give to those who have opened their homes that they shall lack for nothing. God, bless every place of worship that has opened their doors and their wallets. Let the arms of the rescue organizations reach to all those especially the ones without insurance. Let every penny raised go to those in need. Exceed the needs, God. Let the manifestation of your power be seen. I am asking, in faith, God so that the storms should cease. Speak to the storms now God and stop their roar. Speak God and they will obey. We know you can and we believe you will.

By faith,
Amen.

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, IF you have faith (Matthew 21:22).”

Daily Devotional – 9/6/17 “Trust the manufacturer!”

When I was younger, I loved roller coasters (some still today). It was the thrill, speed, twists and even turns that could cause your stomach to drop that were all worth riding this huge ride. Yet, these kinds of rides come with requirements. You have to be a certain height (or accompanied by someone older), you have to be able to hold your head up and have control of your upper body and you have to be mentally prepared. As I thought about this, it reminded me of ministry because whether you want to admit this or not; ministry is not for everybody. Say what you want but not everyone can handle the twists and turns of ministry that can cause your stomach to drop, your feelings to get hurt or your name to be scandalized. You have to be able to hold your head up. You have to have control of your upper body, you know like your mouth and your heart. And you have to be mentally prepared because there are some things you’ll be witnessed to that will leave you wondering what is happening in your life.

And, if I can be honest with you, it’s not just ministry because being a child of God is hard too. For just like ministry, you will find yourself going through the trials of life, fighting to defend what you believe in, stomaching some stuff you wish you could spit back, handling some more stuff your natural heart could not while bandaging wounds that should have been fatal to your flesh. But aren’t you glad that God made you spiritually equipped to handle the roller coaster of this journey? Are you not ecstatic at how well manufactured you are? Yes, there will be some times where you will need to be taken down for service but that is when your contractor is restoring those areas that could potentially wear out. All you have to do is be willing to be put in service. All you have to do is be willing to handle the weight of the load. All you have to do is be willing to go through the dark tunnels, over the hills and around the turns. All you have to do, beloved, is trust the manufacturer and operator because He knows what He is doing. For the bible says in Psalm 100:3, “Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”