It's not just writing, it's ministry
I don’t know who this is for but … “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14)
Hold your peace, brother.
Hold your peace, sister.
Peace, (ḥāraš) means to be silent or keep quiet. It also means be dumb, be speechless, or be deaf.
In other words, let them tell the story, let them come against you, let them try while you play dumb, and be quiet because God has this AND you!
Sit this one out!
Have you ever taken vows, only to realize you and your spouse weren’t on the same page? No? Well, Sydney did and things went left, quickly.
Sydney Garcia is an unmarried 37-year-old, whose mother won’t let her forget it. Each day she’s reminded of the fact, “You’re not getting any younger, hija.”
But Sydney has had her fair share of failed relationships and isn’t willing to settle. So, when she reluctantly attends her 20th class reunion and meets Raymond Richardson, she takes a chance on falling in love again.
Things move quickly even after a temporary snag.
At the altar, they vow, “to have and to hold.” Until the day after their first wedding anniversary when Sydney finds out Raymond’s meaning of the vow is nothing like she imagined.
In Book 1 of the What Did You Vow Mini-Series, find out how Sydney’s life changes and if it’ll end with her keeping the vow… to death do us part.
Happy Reading 💚
I re-share this every year because I simply need to encourage somebody today. You who’s looking at your situation and the enemy is wanting you to believe you made the wrong choice. You’re staring at the current condition of your life and the enemy is beckoning you to throw in the towel. You’re facing a hardship and the enemy is tricking you into believing God doesn’t care about you. LIES … STAND YOUR GROUND!
Maybe you’ve faced a loss, the enemy is attacking everything, started a new job and your car broke down, your account is in the negative and just got paid, more sick days than well, more tears than you thought you could cry, more bills than money or maybe you’re at the edge of giving up and it’s looking tempting. No baby, don’t you dare move. STAND YOUR GROUND!
You can even be good financially, healthy, and wise, and your family doing alright and the enemy is still messing with you. Depression, you thought was managed, hit you in the gut. Brokenness, you thought was gone, came back with a vengeance. Self-doubt and fear, which you thought was under control has you crying in the car.
Beloved, STAND YOUR GROUND!
What does this mean? You have the RIGHT to defend yourself and your ground with lethal force if need be. See, the enemy is after your ground because if you have no ground, you have nowhere to plant and nowhere to plant = no harvest. And, if he takes your land, he’ll come after your life next.
Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8-10, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness, God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. (Here’s where you shout –>) So after you have suffered a little while, He (God) will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He (God) will place you on a firm foundation.”
Mane, you ain’t giving up. Naw, get up, pray then eat because you’re going to need your strength to recover, stand, fight, and win.
I love you, for real 💚
If you follow me on social media then you’ve seen the announcement.
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 6:30 PM, we will have In-Person Bible Study. If you’re in the Memphis or surrounding areas, meet us at The Southaven Library. We’re beginning our series, “Rethinking what we’ve been taught.”
Then, if that isn’t blessing enough … A couple of weeks ago, at 2:30 AM, God said to create this journal. Out of obedience, I listened to every detail and complied. Thus birthing the first of a 3 part journal series — My Bible Study Journal.
Yes, this is another journal. Yes, it’s another notebook with lined pages awaiting your pen. Yes, you could bypass it, but I hope you won’t because My Bible Study Journal was created with you in mind.
Is it going to magically erase your struggle with studying the Bible? Is it going to stop the sleepiness or distractions that show up when you begin to read your Bible? Is it an answer to all you struggle with spiritually?
The short answer is no. This journal wasn’t created as a know-it-all method to solve every dilemma on your spiritual journey. Yet, it was crafted out of obedience to God to give you a starting point.
It is my prayer that with this journal, prayer, a deep desire to study God’s word, and your determination, you’re able to design a Biblical study method, that works for you. Use this journal to jot down scriptures, questions, prayers, and notes. Use it as a guide to create a closer relationship with God through His word. Use it for whatever your heart desires concerning God’s will for your life. As long as you use it.
All I’m doing is giving you the push, it’s up to you to take the plunge.
399 pages | 8×10 | $18
Includes what you’ll need, how to break down a scripture and word meanings, and prompts to get you started.
I pray it blesses you. 💚
Click HERE to purchase your copy of My Bible Study Journal then prepare to join us on 7/20/23.
I haven’t shared a devotional, in a while, but it doesn’t mean I’m not praying for you. Today though, I was up early on a Saturday to get my haircut and I started this devotional. Then I stopped. Yet, I feel led to share this for someone who is carrying the weight of trying to be what and who everybody expects. For those who are afraid to let down the wall. For those who’ve yet to figure out who you are or what you want because you don’t want to let anyone down.
Isn’t it tiring, always smiling because you’re afraid to admit you’re not okay? Doesn’t it get overwhelming trying to keep the makeup from smearing or your clothes from being out of place? Isn’t it draining always being the one everyone comes to because you never say no? Are you not fed up trying to keep up with who folks say your life should be?
Social media has you out here thinking your life is a failure because you aren’t married with a baby, a big house, a foreign car, expensive wigs or standing barbershop appointment, designer clothes and shoes, and the 6 figure job. But the reality is … if you’re happily single working at Amazon with your hookah or cigars, or you stay with your momma, 2 roommates, or a cat; do you. If you have to put water in your radiator, every day just to make it to work and home, it’s yours. If you’re like me and will rock a $7.50 jumper from Family Dollar, wear it. If you don’t want to follow in momma or daddy’s footsteps, but rather blaze your own trail, do it.
What I’m saying is … Do you! Be you! Love you! Laugh at you! Challenge you! Encourage you! Embrace you! Comfort you! CHOOSE YOU!
Lakisha, the Author