Daily Devotional – 10/13/16 “I’m not there anymore!”

You may not be where you want to be but I can almost guarantee that if you were to stop and take a look over your life, you’re better than you used to be. Just take a moment and reflect because more than likely you’ll see that you aren’t there anymore. That’s my testimony because often times, lately, when I step on the scale; I get discouraged. But then Facebook shows me some memories from years ago or I think back on my life and I realize, I’m not where I used to be. See, I used to wear a size 20, 22 and some 24 size pants and when I can gladly slide on a size 14/16; I know I’m not where I used to be. Look, I could be ashamed but why now? If the truth shall be told, I should have been more ashamed back then but I wasn’t. Yet it took me looking at pictures, from a vacation, to know I needed to do something better. And I did. I started watching what I was eating and I got in the gym. It was hard but it was worth it. No, I’m not at my ideal weight but it could be worse. Why am I sharing this? Number one, for somebody who is ashamed of where they are now. Beloved, even if you happen to be in a low place right now, you’re better than you were. Plus, there’s hope because whether you realize this or not; you are worth saving. If you weren’t, God would have closed your mouth and stopped you heart but He hasn’t.

Number two, I’m sharing this because you also have a testimony and it needs to be heard. Stop hiding behind what you think folk would say. Stop hindering your victory because you’re afraid of how folk will receive it. Chile, do your dance. Dance because you’re free. Dance because you’re not what, where or how you used to be. And dance because you can. Stop being ashamed of your testimony. Don’t you understand that when you allow fear to hold you hostage, you can’t move forward? No matter how you try, you’ll only get as far as the rope will allow you to go. Why do you think you keep being pulled back to the same kinds of people, doing the same kinds of things and getting the same results? Baby, it’s time now for you to cut the rope and move forward. Ok, the process is slow but you’re getting somewhere. And I’d rather have slow moving than no moving at all. Look at where you are, even if it happens to be a place with no furniture, a job with less pay or even a worship place inside a store front/community center, you aren’t where you used to be. Because you used to be an unclean, raggedy, good for nothing sinner but God answered when you called, He cleaned you up and deemed you worthy of the new title, Saint! So, tell yourself, I’m not there anymore and then shout!

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Everyone has an opinion …

As an author, it’s always nerve wrecking to release new books because you never know how someone will feel about it. However, I’ve learned that a 1 star review can sell a book the same way a 5 star can.

I’ve also learned that people’s opinions are based on their feelings so I can’t be mad at you for how you feel (good or bad) because you’re entitled to it. I can, on the other hand, control how I react to it.

My reaction … I keep living and I keep writing!

Be blessed and keep reading.

— Lakisha

live-life-happily

Daily Devotional – 10/12/16 “Stay there!”

I told you on yesterday about my flat tire and how my help (my husband) was on the way. Now, the only way I could receive the help, he was coming to give, I had to be where I said I was. See, moving would have delayed my help. Had I not been in place, I quite possibly could have missed what I needed. And had I tried to do it myself, I probably would have messed some stuff up. Yet I waited and because I did, I got the help I needed to be on my way. And for somebody today, you can’t get the help you need because you aren’t where you’re supposed to be. Yes, your help is on the way but why delay receiving it by being out of place. Yea, you can try to do it on your own but you might just mess some stuff up. So just wait. Ok, it’s hard waiting but what has running got you? You may not like where you are but aren’t you tired of starting over only to get the same results? You have a hard time depending on someone but aren’t you tired of trying to figure everything out on your own? Chile, stand still! For you church hoppers who run every time your feelings get hurt, for you who throw in the towel when it gets too hard and for you who thinks it’ll be easier if you do it yourself – stop! Your help is coming but can’t get it if you’re out of place.

In Luke 24, after Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to the disciples and says in Luke 24:49, “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” See, Jesus left them with instructions on the work they were to do but they couldn’t do the will of God until they had been clothed with the Holy Spirit by God. And in order for them to get this power, they had to stay where Jesus told them. This is why, child of God, you’ve got to quit running. Yes, your help is on the way but you’ve got to be where He told you to be. Even if it looks like it won’t show up, it will but you have to be in place to receive it. Even if the waiting gets to be too much, wait some more until help comes because you ought to know that God is no short of His word. The bible says in Psalm 46:7-10, “The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

stay-there

God, what a word!

On Sunday, I had the privilege of preaching a women’s day program. And the Holy Spirit walked through that place. 

Here is a little of the message entitled “You are worth saving.”

Daily Devotional – 10/11/16 “Help is on the way!”

On my way to work this morning, I got a flat tire. Now, I could have gotten upset about it but my anger couldn’t change the tire. I couldn’t blame the enemy, because although we often find it easy too, it wasn’t his fault. The fact of the matter is, the tire had a hole in it. It wasn’t something I did or didn’t do, it just happened. A gentleman stopped to help me but he couldn’t do it and that didn’t bother me because help was on the way by way of my husband who showed up and fixed it within ten minutes. Here’s the crazy part … I had no idea why I was even telling you this until just now. See, the gentleman who stopped couldn’t help me but I didn’t worry because help was on the way. The man who stopped was nice but he couldn’t help me in my time of need but help was on the way. The man, he tried but he couldn’t do it but my help was on the way. (My God!!) The man, got out of his car, got the spare tire out of my car and couldn’t do it because … here’s the shout, he didn’t have the tools necessary to help me. Oh but help was on the way.

Many times we get upset when ‘they’ can’t do it but baby, they were never meant to because your help is on the way. Stop getting mad when man can’t do what you need when your help is on the way. Don’t get in your feelings when ‘they’ can’t help you in your time of need, they couldn’t anyway but trust in knowing, help is on the way. See, what you need to realize is, they may not have the tools to help you. They may not have the necessary training to assist you. They may not be able to find the words to comfort you. Or it could be, they aren’t who you need. But don’t fret my brother, my sister; help is on the way. You don’t have to believe me but God’s word says in Isaiah 65:24, “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isn’t that great news? Doesn’t it make you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside to know that no matter what it looks like, help is on the way? So hang on, you who are suffering, your help is on the way.

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