Lakisha, the Author

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?

Daily Devotional – 1/16/17 “It’s time!”

Here it is, the third week of the New Year and you’ve been doing almost everything right. You’ve been to church all three Sundays, bible study once and you’ve even been faithful to the church’s fast. You thought about the gym but you aren’t there yet. But no matter what you do your life still feels like it’s in a downward spiral. You’re emotionally drained because it never seems like you’re doing enough. Bills still behind, children still acting crazy, spouse looking at you funny and the job; well that’s an entire different story. You’ve been praying, a lot, and nothing has manifested. You’ve been to the altar and still nothing. Turned over a new leaf in your life and still nothing. Well beloved, maybe it’s because you’ve yet to really let go and let God. Yea, you’ve said it but if you take a ‘for real’ good look you may just see you haven’t made a clean break like you say you have. Go on, check your phone. Do you still have the old text messages you occasionally go through? Do you still answer the inboxes? Are you still liking the Instagram pictures although you’re not friends on Facebook? Still checking to see who they’re dating this week? Body still tingling from the thoughts of him or her? Still dreaming about them? Do you still, sometime, look through the old pictures? Go on and look but this time look for real. Do you see it? Do you see the attachment you still have to your past? Do you see that you’re still holding on to the stuff you told God you were letting go of? See it? You don’t have to lie to me, I don’t have a man in this fight but when are you going to be honest with yourself?

You do know the heart never lies, right? You do know that staying connected to emotional stuff can drain you spiritually, right? Why do you think you can’t move on to any other relationship? Why do you think you’re suffering spiritually at the new church? You do understand that trying to build a new relationship when you still have access to the old is like a recovering alcoholic owning a bar; it won’t work. At some point and time you’ve got to surrender, for real. At some place in your life you’ve got to let go, for real. You’ve got to give up all rights and privileges to the past. You’ve got to sever the ties because if you don’t you’ll find yourself being pulled back into that direction. This is why one of the steps to overcoming an addiction is staying clear of your triggers. Throw out the old shirt that has their smell, erase the voicemail and texts, remove them from your social media accounts, stop showing up just to support and cut the ties that bind. Forgive them and move on. Or if need be, apologize but move on. And this time when you pray, pray humbly asking God to remove all your shortcomings and He will. It’s time to say a final goodbye, write the eulogy, have the funeral and perform the burial.

James 4:7-10 (The Message Bible) says, “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”

Daily Devotional – 1/13/17 “God chose you!”

“Hey, I got into some trouble and need you now. Hey, can you hook me up with a job, car or house? Hey, I don’t feel good and need you to come and see about me. Hey, I got into some financial help and I need to borrow some money. Or I promise if you do it this time, I won’t ask again.”

Does this sound familiar? Well, this is how we sound to God when we come before him begging and bargaining instead of beholding and believing. See, many times we selfishly reach for the blessing with no regard for the one doing the blessing. Our mouth gets so used to asking that it no longer likes the taste of thankfulness. We even have the audacity to want use of the sacrifice without acknowledging the suffering. We want the anointing but not the anguish. We want the purpose just not the pain. We want the elevation but not the enduring. We want the crown but don’t want to carry the cross. We want the remodeled look but not the pain of being cut on, spiritually. We want the victory but not the victimizing at the hands of our captives. We want the win but don’t want to fight the rounds to get it. We want the finish line just without running the race. We want the breakthrough just without the breaking. We want the testimony of restoration just not the test of being broken. We want the freedom but not at the cost of being bound and the healing but not the sickness.

Well beloved, we all have a part in carrying the cup of suffering. Will it sometimes get heavy? Yes. And it’ll come with days of wanting to give it back but God chose you. From amongst millions, He chose you. From the rocks He could make cry out, He chose you. From the past that could have shut your eyes and mouth, He chose you. From your bed of sin, He chose you. Out of all He could have used, He chose you! So at some point in your life, you have to tell the Lord, “Use me until you use me up!” Get to a place where you say like Jesus’ words of Matthew 26:42, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”