Late Night Encouragement

Yes, the death was unexpected. Yes, the test was positive for cancer, lupus, MS, organ failure, etc. Yes, you were served with eviction papers. Yes, the business closed. Yes, you’re working more hours than you’ve had sleep, and check still isn’t enough. I can go on and on.

Yet, what I know for sure. God hasn’t forgotten you. God didn’t forsake you. God isn’t punishing you or your family. Truth is, to everything there is a season. And no matter if you’ve planned or not, the changing of seasons can still hurt.

Here’s what I need you to do … whatever season you’re in, don’t lose hope. No matter what you’re going through, don’t allow the anger of it to destroy your faith. When you’re ready, talk to God. Ask God for understanding. He’ll answer.

Dear God,
Help me to see you in my pain. While I’m going through this dark season of my life, don’t let me lose sight of you. Guard my eyes, ears, heart, and mind against the feelings of my flesh, and let me hope even when I don’t see or understand. God, guard my faith from me so that I don’t mess it up. Amen.

It won’t always be like this, and I’m praying. Until, during, and after your season changes, I’m praying your faith doesn’t fail. 💚

Overcome means victory!

It’s Friday and somebody’s faith is flickering like a bad light bulb. Maybe you’ve faced so much over the past month/year and still haven’t found your footing. Maybe it’s sickness or death that has rocked your life. Maybe it’s the falling membership of the church or a dip in sales for your business. Maybe the assignment God has you in is hurting more than you thought. Maybe it’s depression or anxiety. Maybe it’s fear.

Whatever it is … here’s what I know for fact. TROUBLE DOESN’T LAST ALWAYS, but just like the light bulb, it might be time to change it.

Change what, Pastor Marcy? The way you’ve been seeing things and yourself.

See, you’ve been focused on the pain, the hurt, the things you’ve been forced into experiencing, etc. But what if you saw yourself healed and believed it? What if you see yourself victorious even before the battle is over? What if you see yourself happy, even if it’s still dark in your life right now? What if you saw life beyond where you are and trusted God?

Bible says in John 16:33, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Why is this good news? Because overcome in this scripture means “to get the victory.”

I don’t know what you’re facing or about to go through, but will you fight? Will you try again? Will you get up? Will you trust God and yourself? Will you believe it? Will you see yourself victorious? Because no matter what it is, you will get the victory. Even if it doesn’t look like the win you were expecting.

Louisville Book Festival

Louisville, KY … I’m here! For the next 2 days, I’ll be selling a few of my current book titles at the Louisville Book Festival.

Where is the festival?

Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC) 221 S 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202 on Friday & Saturday (10/27-28) from 10 AM – 6 PM both days.

If you’re in the area, please stop through to buy a book and take a selfie! I’d love to see you.

For more information, visit Louisville Book Festival!

Devotional Nugget …

Somebody is cursing the place you’re currently residing, spiritually. You’re upset because it feels as though you’re alone, nothing is working and nobody seems to have the answer.

But have you stopped to think, maybe God is taking you through a period of confinement while you’re being made over to keep folk from taking credit? Have you stopped for a moment to consider this period of darkness could be developing the very thing needed for the “next” of your assignment? What if God is doing something, in you, that can only be done in solitude?

No, God isn’t doing this for you to see He’s all you need. If God was all we need, He wouldn’t have taken 6 days to create all He did. Yes, God is who we need, but not all. We need air, water, food, people, medicine, prayer, faith, the assembly of other believers, etc.

However, sometimes God will shut us up, sit us down and shift what we know in preparation of purpose finding us. Let’s face it, we can all use a good cleansing every once in a while despite how many scriptures we know and church T-shirts we own.

Trust that God is who He says He is and He has our best interest in mind.

Daily Devotional … Even when it’s dark

I decided to share this again to encourage somebody who is going through a dark time. Maybe its grief, sickness, abandonment, loneliness, financial problems, ministry woes, business failing, you feel like the black sheep of the family, struggling spiritually, tired physically or whatever your woe, here’s what I know … YOU WILL SURVIVE THIS!

You’re probably asking, how can you know? Well, because if you weren’t meant to survive, you wouldn’t. Look, there are dark moments written into each of our journeys, but they are not made to last. It’s like being on a roller coaster. There comes a time when you might have to go through a part that’s dark. It only lasts a few seconds, yet you still experience it. Why? It’s part of the journey and you knew it when you decided to take the ride. You also knew, you couldn’t customize the ride by telling the operator, “I want to skip the dark parts.”

Spoiler alert … Neither can you customize this ride of life.

Sure, there’s going to be some twists and turns, some moments that cause your stomach to drop, sometimes you’ll have to scream out, squeeze your eyes shut and pray for it to end. It comes with the ride. Yet, while you’re riding this roller coaster of life, remember the rules.

  1. Ensure you meet the requirements for the size of the ride you’ve chosen. 2 Timothy 2:15
  2. Keep your eyes forward and head in the upright position to avoid injury. Hebrews 12:2
  3. Stay in your seat until you’ve been instructed to move. James 4:10
  4. Don’t be afraid to ask the operator questions. James 1:5

I don’t know who needs this today but know, even if the darkness never ends, you will survive it. But you must trust in and follow the instructions of the one operating your ride of life. If nothing else believe this … even when you’re in the darkest parts of your journey, God is still God, and His power never fails. As a matter of history, God did His best work in darkness.

God does His best work in darkness!