Lakisha, the Author

Daily Devotional – 9/28/16 “It’s in the book!”

A few weeks ago I attended a training, here at work that I now have test for in order to be certified. The test has about 60 questions and although it’s tedious, I am able to use my book, online articles and notes. Now, I don’t know about you but I sometimes find ‘open book’ tests harder. However, the blessing in it is this … the answers are in the book, I just have to take the time to find them. Isn’t that something? I could bypass this certification and chalk it up to excuses but why when all the answers I need are in the book. I could say forget it but why when the answers are in the book. Do you see where I am going? A lot of us are missing the credentials we need to complete our appointed assignments simply because we won’t open the book. There are some, even, in their assignments that are failing tests week after week and it because they won’t open the book. It doesn’t matter that this book has all the answers, we won’t take the time to find them. We have all the excuses in the world. I can’t understand it. Well get another version. I don’t have time. Well get the audible version. Or asking something foolish like, “What’s the sense when I go to church every Sunday?” Because the bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Oh, you’d know this if you opened the book.

Look beloved, if you’ve yet to study the word of God then it means you don’t have it on the inside of you. And if you don’t, how in the heck can you fight the enemy and win? Don’t you know the bible says in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart?” This means, the word will do the work. This means, I don’t have to fight the imps of the enemy because the word will do it. This also means, I don’t have to put my word on the naysayers because the word of God will cut them deeper than I ever could. See, the word digs into the soul and spirit, whereas my word may simply go in one ear and out the other. So, while this book may be a slow read, baby the answers you need are in this thang! You want to know how to defeat your enemies, open the book. Need to know how to deal with this life’s circumstances? Everything you need is in the book! Need, I say more?

Daily Devotional – 9/27/16 “Conditions of your release!”

Some of you are in bondage and have been for some time. This is why, no matter how you try, you end up back in the same place. This is also why you are unhappy, miserable and always crying and complaining. You’re in bondage. You may not want to believe me but that’s okay. You’ll eventually have to admit your problem in order to get help. See, bondage is defined as the state of being a slave and a slave is a person controlled by something or someone. So, let me ask you this; what’s controlling you? Take your time to answer because you be to honest in order to meet the terms of your release and ultimately be free. Now, you do know that debt, addiction, sickness, anger, generational curses, low self-esteem, bitterness and people can control you, right? Well, if you didn’t, you do now. Oh but there’s good news. God is getting ready to bring you out of bondage but there’s some conditions you have to first meet in order to effectively be free.

1. You have to be committed – Psalm 37:5, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”

2. You have to admit your faults – Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

3. You have to ask for forgiveness – 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

4. You have to forgive – Matthew 6:14, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”

5. You have to cut ties with your captors – Ezra 10:11, “Now honor the LORD, the God of your ancestors, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the people around you and from your foreign wives.”

6. You have to remove the clothes of bondage – 1 Corinthians 5:7, “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch–as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”

7. You have to choose to stay free – Romans 8:5, “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.”

8. You have to press on – Philippians 3:14, “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

9. You have to change your mindset – Ephesians 5:17, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Your release papers are ready but you have a choice to make. Do you want to go free or will you remained enslaved in bondage? The bible says in Romans 6:16, “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.”

 John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Daily Devotional – 9/26/16 “LIVE LIFE HAPPY!”

The bible says in Romans 14:8, “If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” So, my question is, “Why aren’t you living before you die?” We spend so much time on negative things, stressing over stuff that can’t sustain us, fretting over bills, and killing ourselves trying to keep someone who doesn’t want to be kept or mad because somebody said something about you; when does actually living come in? Yes, I know you value the sanctity of marriage but if it’s causing you more harm than good, something needs to change. You can’t sleep for bills, can’t eat because of nerves, can’t enjoy life because you’re too wound up; when does living fit in? If you can’t afford where you’re staying, move somewhere that you can. If you aren’t happy, find the reason why not and fix it. You and your spouse are probably fighting, right now, over finances instead of sitting down like adults and figuring out how to fix them. Get on a budget, file bankruptcy or ask for help. You are probably at home stressing over the folk on the job instead of leaving that mess on the job.

At what point will you actually enjoy the life that God has actually given you? Ecclesiastes 2:24 says, “So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.” This means you can enjoy the fruits of your labor every now and then. If you work, why shouldn’t you have some enjoyment in your life? Baby, life should be enjoyable, your marriage should be enjoyable and your home should be enjoyable because it’s your place of refuge. You shouldn’t come home dreading to be there. Oh but look now, don’t go home giving your spouse a Dear John letter talking about Lakisha told me to do it, that’s not what I said. What I am saying is, life is too short to live each day stressing, losing your hair, getting sick, balance is off, running up doctor bills because your pressure up, can’t get prayers through because your heart is hateful, worship ain’t about nothing because your praise is so full of crap, you can’t smile because all you know is crying, not allowing yourself to be happy because you might enjoy it, can’t be love because you’re so caught up on dude or dudette who broke your heart years ago, selfishly not allowing God in because you’re still holding church hurt from 82; baby LET IT GO! Momma hurt you; she gone. Daddy didn’t love you, he gone. Baby daddy did you wrong, he’s moved on. Baby momma put you on child support, pay it and move on. Cousin didn’t pay you back, forgive and let it go! Job laid you off, find a new one. Whatever it is, LET IT GO! For the bible says in Proverbs 12:25, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” This is my good word for you today … LIVE LIFE HAPPY!

Daily Devotional – 9/23/16 “It takes more than you!”

I had the opportunity to visit the newest craze in town, Memphis Escape Rooms and I must say it was a challenge. You along with several other members of your team are placed inside a room and you have to work together to figure out how to open the door, in less than 60 minutes. Yes, it sounds like it’s easy but it takes some thinking AND team work. And if you cannot work as a team, the chances of figuring out the clues to get out is close to impossible. However, with my team, when one person couldn’t figure it out, they passed it to another person for them to take a look. Not one person took credit for our team winning (and we were the only team) because it was OUR win! Now, this made me ponder the thought of how much greater our worship, fellowship and relationships would be if we all worked together instead of apart. I mean, just think of how much greater things could be if you admitted what you’re doing isn’t working and asked for help. Just imagine how many more lives can be saved if we lost the “I” mentality and change to an “US” ministry. See, pastor can’t do it all no matter how high you’ve placed him/her. The deacons shouldn’t run it all, no matter how long it’s been working. And you can’t have the final say, I don’t care how long you’ve been there. It takes a team. When it comes to the trinity, there’s three … The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit who all works together for our good. So what makes you think you can do it all?

The bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Yes, I understand you’ve always done it your way but look around, is it still working? Yea, you’ve always been by yourself but aren’t you tired of not having someone to lean on? When you’re by yourself, your thoughts sound great but when you have someone there, they can listen and let you know, “Nawl dude, you’re tripping.” When you’re by yourself, you think you look good but having someone else lets you know, “Girl, that lipstick is not right.” Being the head is good but it’s nothing without the body. This is why the bible says in Ephesians 4:16, “He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” We can make this thang work but you’ve got to lose your selfishness because the only way it can work, we have to first link our faith together to ensure it does. A chain without links is just a weak piece of metal however a chain with links is a strong defense mechanism! Which one are you?

Daily Devotional – 9/21/16 “Cry loud!”

I’ve never lost a family member or friend to tragedy. I’ve never received a phone call or a late night/early morning knock on the door notifying me of death. Yet as I watch the news and see the social media posts, my heart breaks. I am sadden by the increase of unarmed black men and women being killed by the hands of those who have sworn to serve and protect. I am dishearten by our police departments. I am sickened at the thought that yesterday it was somebody else brother and today it could be mine. What happened to the days when you got pulled over by police and left the scene alive? Where are those police officers who aren’t afraid of the neighborhood they’re in? Yes, people have said it’s not a black and white issue but I’m not so sure anymore. Because I’ve seen the news reports of supposed terrorists being taken alive but a black man with his arms in the air being shot dead. I’ve read the reports of white men, with guns, making it safely to the police station but an unarmed black woman never making it out. You have to know that I am not turning this devotional blog into a rant and raving post but I just know that God isn’t pleased with the state of this world. As I read my bible, I’m reminded of the things the Israelites did to cause God’s heart to be hardened towards them and I’m just wondering if this doesn’t.

See, I used to be fearful for the black men in my family but now I’m afraid to be pulled over because if I happen to move suddenly, there’s a chance I can get killed. Don’t you see that we are living in a world, now, where police bullets have no respect of person? There was a time when an officer killed a man or woman and it was justified by their crime but now it’s indicative of skin color or if you look suspicious. Why? What happened? When did this become acceptable? And what can we do to fix it? Oh, we can pray but what will we do when we get up? We can march but then what? We can riot but that’ll only leave a ruined city. WHAT. MUST. WE. DO? What can we do as a city, a state and a nation? What must we do to ensure this new normal is demolished? What can we do as blacks and whites to save a dying world? I could plug 2 Chronicles 7:14 here but instead I’ll share Isaiah 58:1 that says, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” It’s time we cry loud and spare not the feelings of those who do nothing. It’s time we cry loud and spare not the looks and the stares. It’s time we cry loud and spare not because we are losing! Don’t wait until trouble attacks your house to cry loud and spare not because while it may not be there today, it could be me or you who becomes a hashtag tomorrow. It’s time to cry loud!