Another Tuesday

Here it is, another Tuesday, in another month, almost at the end of another year and somebody is still tarrying at the table of the tempter. Yeah, you’re being troubled by temptation, yet you will not trust the one on the throne. The toil of tomorrow is already terrifying you because you will not use your tongue to trample against your tormentors. You’re being tortured by your transgressions and you feel trapped.

What now beloved? What are you going to do?

Are you going to die there or will you choose to live? Will you drown where you are or will you come up for air, one more time? Are you willing to give up or will you try again? I’m only asking because while giving up is an option, it shouldn’t be your option. Sure, the enemy is picking on you and your family, folk on the job acting crazy, your spouse is sick, children trying your patience, your car is costing more than it’s worth and on top of that, your sinuses and migraines have come back with a vengeance, dog keeps running off, your lashes won’t stay put, lace front coming up on your wig and your heel just broke on your shoe.

What more Lord?

Here’s what you do. Cry. Yes, just go on and cry because research says crying is good for the soul. South China’s Morning Post says, “Crying is known to have a soothing effect and ‘emotional tears’ can even help rid our bodies of stress hormones. When we cry, our heart rate and breathing slow down a little and we start to calm down. We might even experience a mood boost after a good cry. Crying is useful for helping people release and express their suppressed or repressed emotions.”

Beloved, sometimes you have to cry through your crisis. Because this may be your season of planting and it can very well be the hardest of your life. OR this could be your season of storms and it, too, can be the most pain you’ve ever felt.

DON’T GIVE UP.

Even if you have to cry while you plant, weather the storm, or deal with the pain. DON’T YOU DARE GIVE UP! Why? The Bible tells me, in Psalm 126:5-6, “Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.”

Go on and cry, it’ll do you some good.

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.