Lakisha, the Author

Daily Devotional – 1/24/17 “Promise not punishment!”

Sam was a young man who stayed in trouble. He was disrespectful to his mother and stayed in and out of jail. Every night she’d pray that this wasn’t the night she’d get the phone call to come and identify his body. She knew he was in a downward spiral and no matter what she did, it didn’t seem to work. Then one day Sam got arrested for shoplifting. When he went before the judge, he received a harsh sentence of five years that didn’t seem to fit the crime. He cried, his momma cried and even the district attorney shook his head. But Sam had done the crime. However, when he went into prison he realized it wasn’t punishment but that he was placed there for a purpose. See, while Sam was in prison, all of those boys he hung with either died or ended up in jail for life. Yet while he was there, he got his high school diploma and Associate’s Degree. Upon being released, after 3 ½ years, he walked out a new man. Two years later, as he stood to give the Student’s Address at his college graduation for his Bachelor’s Degree, the tears flowed as he recited his story. He closed by saying, “Sometimes what looks like a punishment is actually the process needed to get to the next level.”

And somebody reading this, you’re upset because you can’t seem to understand why it feels you’re being punished. You applied for a promotion, got turned down. Put in an application for a new apartment, they said no. Ask for a leadership position at church, they said not this time. Tried to start a business, it didn’t work out. Been trying to lose weight, nothing is working. House is in disarray, prayers aren’t manifesting. Marriage is failing, fasting isn’t helping. Constantly going to church, leaving worse than when you showed up. Then death had the audacity to show up, leaving you mourning and depressed. Well beloved, although it looks like punishment, it is part of your process to purpose. Yes, it hurts like you wouldn’t believe but how can your strength be measured or your faith verified if it’s not put to the test? You’ve have what it takes, do the time. You have the strength and faith, don’t buckle under pressure. God doesn’t work by punishment, He works by promise. “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:20-21

Daily Devotional – 1/23/17 “Unsubscribe!”

When I got to work this morning, I was going through my emails and just like any other day, there were numerous ones from companies I’d one time or another associated with. You know how you sign up to get discounts or to stay in the know and now all you get is daily reminders from a place you probably don’t even shop at anymore. You delete them only for more to show up the next day with a new offer you don’t read or need. Well today was one of the days I am tired of going through them so I began unsubscribing. Yea, I unsubscribed from their junk. They’ll still send it but I’ll no longer get it. This made me think of life, naturally and spiritually. See, so many times we associate with people and things not realizing we’re signing up to receive their junk. We get attached and before you know it, you’ll start receiving more and more of their junk and less of the stuff you need. And by the time you recognize it, you’ll be just like me, tired! Well beloved, I have the remedy and it’s called un-subscribing. Yes ma’am and yes sir! It’s time you cut off some stuff that’s no longer beneficial to your way of living.

If you’re trying to save money, unsubscribe from all those stores you once shopped in. If you’re trying to get your spiritual mind together, cut off those friends who only need you when they want company to a party or bar. If you know it’s a temptation for you, cut it off. If you’re trying to stop smoking or drinking, it’s time to unsubscribe from the nicotine companies and liquor stores. If you’re trying to overcome sexual addiction then come out of the chat rooms and porn sites. If you want to stop cheating, cut off the relationships in your inbox. And if you want to get closer to God, remove yourself from the mess that’s blocking your way. Your marriage/relationship won’t work if you stay subscribed to the person who has never been in one. If you want your spiritual relationship to work, stop listening to the person who continually church/pastor hop. Look, I am not telling you to cut off everybody and everything but what I am sharing is this … reevaluate whether the subscription still meets your needs because you may just find that who or what worked last year no longer fits this year.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Daily Devotional – 1/20/17 “I still believe!”

Today, I am inwardly grieving for our nation yet outwardly shouting, “Lord, you’re still in control.” For I am reminded of Daniel 2 when Nebuchadnezzar had a dream nobody could interpret. He became so angry that he called for all wise men to be killed yet there was Daniel who went to his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. (You know them as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) and begged them to go before God. He asked them to plead for mercy concerning the mystery of what Nebuchadnezzar was seeing so that they may not die. And during the night, Daniel was given revelation. And in Daniel 2:20-23, he says, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength.”

So, I thought about the mystery of this presidential election and although we may not understand it neither can we find someone to interpret it, we are yet pleading for God’s mercy to show us. And I believe that He won’t let us down. Why? Because God controls all things. Even if Trump shall remain in office four years, God still controls all things. Even if things get worse, God controls all things. Even if things get better, God controls all things. You don’t have to take me at my word but read Daniel’s interpretation of the dream in Daniel 2:31-45. For then you’ll understand this …When Barrack Obama became president, he did so after the Bush era when everything was in disarray. Had it not been in such a bad shape, Obama wouldn’t have had the chance to come in to help clean up the mess. Some of his accolades are from, fixing what wasn’t working. This is why we’ve got to hold on. We may not understand the mystery behind what’s happening but I believe God is allowing this so that we trust Him AND God is raising up somebody to take over, after Trump that is yet being groomed for the position. All we have to do is still believe and still trust that all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord!

Daily Devotional – 1/19/17 “Unnecessary suffering!”

On my way to work this morning, I got stuck in traffic. The traffic was moving but extremely slow and as we slowly crawled, I realized there was an accident on the right hand side. But get this … The accident wasn’t the reason traffic was jacked up. It was because people were being nosey. And because they were nosey, we all had to suffer by way of being stuck. See, I wasn’t stuck because I’d done something wrong but I was stuck because someone else had the mind to be nosey. I don’t know about you but if I had to get into trouble at work, for being late, I’d want it to be because of my doing and not somebody else. This pricked my spirit because if I am going to suffer for anything, let it be something worthy of suffering for. What do I mean? Well, if I have to suffer for anything, let it be for me being Godly and not a gossiper. If I have to suffer for anything, let it be for being notable and not nosey. If I have to suffer for anything, let it be for being merciful and not a meddler. If I have to suffer for anything, let it be because I am a testimony and not a troublemaker. If I have to suffer, let it be my doing.

And I’ve learned, in my years of spiritual growth that in order to avoid suffering for somebody else sake, I’ll mind my own business. See, it’s a sad day when you can’t grow because you’ve been stunted by somebody else mistake. But the only reason their mistake became your mistake is because you stuck your hand in when you should have minded your business. Yea, you ought to know by now that you can’t get punched unless you jump in the fight. You won’t get burned unless you’re close to the fire. Your name won’t be in the midst of mess if you weren’t in it. This is why the bible says in 1 Thessalonians 4:11, “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.” In 2017, stop commenting on everybody’s stuff, stop putting yourself in fights that don’t affect you, stop calling trying to find out what’s going on with them and stop giving unsolicited advice. It’s not your business! For the bible says in Proverbs 26:17, “Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.” And we all know what can happen when you pull a dog’s ear right? You might get bitten.

Daily Devotional – 1/17/17 “Fill the void!”

Fasting is abstaining from something for a period of time as a way to cleanse your body, mind and spirit. Fasting is also when your prayers should be strong, increased, more reflective and thoughtful. This isn’t a time for those quick, soft, begging prayers because when you fast, the enemy’s attack become more intense because you are leaving a void that has to be filled. See fasting is essentially getting rid of toxins that are harmful to the longevity of your spiritual life. And where there’s emptiness, the enemy sees an invitation. And the more you fast, the more it feel like things are working against you. You try to get rid of the smoking addiction but it not only comes back stronger, it shows up with the desire to smoke, drink, club, lust, cuss, anger and lying. You try to clean up your lazy spirit and you’ve been doing well. You’ve attended church, been on the prayer calls, held to the fast and all. But then all of a sudden, you have this tingling in your spirit that says, “You still ain’t doing enough.” It’s not your fault but you left an empty space so clean that it looked like flashing lights beckoning the enemy to come over. And he didn’t come by himself, he brought worry, unworthiness, fear, second guessing, shame, anxiety and separation.

Beloved it’s not you. The enemy is seeking to fill a void. Matthew 12:43-44, “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order.” How do you fix it? By your worship, your service and humility. You don’t have to trust my word but trust God’s because when Jesus was fasting and being harassed by the enemy, He says in Matthew 4:11, “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.” I know some days gets hard but humble yourself. 1 Peter 5:6, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” And when it gets harder, serve. 1 Samuel 12:24, “Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” These things fill the void and they benefit your mind, body and spirit because what’s the sense of fasting without it paying off for your greater good?