Daily Devotional … July 1, 2023

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!

Devotional Nugget – When you’re looking at nothing

“I am commanding the nothing into something!! I have a builder’s anointing and it’s going to turn out like God said.” — This is my declaration to God and I thought I’d share it with somebody who needs reminding (like me).

I don’t know what God has told you to do but trust Him. I don’t know what He’s told you to build but trust Him. I don’t know what He told you to plant but trust Him. I don’t know where He told you to move but trust Him.

Sometimes we can get discouraged looking at the nothing while hearing God telling us to step out but trust Him.

The plan, place, people, provisions, protection, AND God’s promise will show up but you’ve got to do the work. Yes, it’s hard and a lot but it’s going to pay off.

TRUST GOD AND YOURSELF!

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” — Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My Faith is in God!

Say this … MY FAITH IS IN GOD, NOT FLESH!

Whoever you are, the devil is a liar.

That sickness or disease, won’t kill you. You’ll live, even with the scars, but you’ve got to believe it.

That grief, won’t always be like this. You’ll smile again without your heart hurting so bad, but I need you to breathe.

This dark place you’re in, it’ll end and you’ll find the light again. However, there are things you’re going to lose in the darkness, but it won’t be you.

Those suicidal thoughts, can’t be your end. Sit up, inhale then exhale. Open your eyes, even with the tears flowing. Do you see that? That? That’s another chance. Take it. Call the therapist. Talk to somebody. Get the help you need for depression. Stop staying in a place that’s speaking negatively to you and your mind. You aren’t a failure. Starting over is okay. We need you.

That disappointment, the mistake, the thing that’s making you feel like a loser. Sit in it, but only for a moment to learn the lesson. Now, get up, hold your head up and get to work. This time use what you learned to do better.

I don’t know what you’re facing at this moment, but speak to it. Speak by the authority given to you by God and come out! You can survive this.

Here’s a prayer from a devotional I read. Pray it.

Lord, I am renewing my mind to the promises of protection You’ve provided. My trust is in You, and I have more faith in Your Word than what I may see with my natural eyes. In the name of Jesus. Amen

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!! From my heart to yours. I pray this Christmas just hits differently for you and your family.

What do I mean? I mean, let this Christmas be the best one yet.

And I’ll answer … By remembering Jesus.

Despite what may have or haven’t happened. Despite what you may have gone through. Regardless of what you could or couldn’t buy, say or do. Enjoy this Christmas. Someone may be asking, how can I do that when loved ones are gone, bills are due, sickness in my body, I’m alone, … (the dots represent all the things you could list).

See, when you take a moment and remember Jesus maybe the worry and anxiety over the number of presents will disappear and you’ll enjoy the presence of those around you (or the memories of those no longer here). Maybe, if you remember Jesus, this holiday and each one after can be about making memories instead of mess. What if we remembered Jesus and simply celebrated His mother’s sacrifice and His birth with family and friends instead of worrying?

Because His birth was more than Christmas trees and presents. It gave us a deliverance we desperately needed. It repaired our relationship with God, freed us from the bondage of sin, took the stain sin would leave, and gave us free access to God. Jesus’ birth was to deliver us from us. This is why and what we celebrate.

So, today, enjoy the merry of Christmas. Everything else can wait.

Pray then go to sleep

Tonight, I’m praying for …

The mother whose tears won’t stop because you feel as though you’re letting your kids and yourself down. The father whose blood pressure is high because he’s worried about taking care of his family. The daughter who’s being molested and feeling as though she has no one to tell. The son who’s failing college because he’s hiding the mental illness that keeps him up most nights.

I’m praying for … the sister who’s trying to keep the family together after momma passed. The brother whose one more overdose away from dying, but can’t find the strength to release it. The cousin whose fighting an eviction with nowhere to go. The pastor who’s trying everything to keep the church doors open. The family who’s grieving an unexpected death. The one sitting by a loved one bedside. The one who’s afraid to go to sleep because of the nightmare your mind keeps replaying. The incarcerated family member that’s missing another holiday. Those searching for a missing family member. The frontline worker who has to continually witness the aftermath of evil and can’t turn off the images. I’m praying.

While I pray, I need you to rest in God, trusting Him as Abba. A Father who will leave you. Yes, I know it’s hard and it hurts. I know you’re scared. I know you feel alone. I know you don’t understand. I know you’ve been abandoned before. I know you’re traumatized by the hurt and abuse of people. I know you don’t trust. I know you’re used to figuring it out on your own. But tonight, pray, “God, I need you. Come into my heart and take control because I can no longer do this without you. I repent of my sins as I put my faith in you. Lead me in the right direction and let me see you in a way I never have before. Amen.”

Now, go to sleep.

💚