Lakisha, the Author

Daily Devotional – 6/9/15 “It’s not your battle!”

Stop trying to fight a battle that God has already fixed. Folk said you can’t, tell them you may think I can’t but God says I can. When folk say you won’t; tell them you may say what I won’t do but God says what I will. When folk say you shouldn’t, tell them you say I shouldn’t but God determines I should. Baby, you have some people camped around who whose main purpose is to see you fail. Yea, they get up every day to check your social media sites to see if you have been defeated by the enemy yet, they are waiting to get the text about your bad news, waiting to pass the gossip around about the mistake you made; so what! They cannot wait to see you and your spouse doing badly. They cannot wait to see you struggling in your ministry. They can’t wait to see you asking somebody for help. It’s their job and they are great at it. Why do you think they pop up every time something happens in your life, it’s their job. Why do you think they text you with, “I was just checking on you,” it’s their job. Yes, they show up at your functions because they want to see if you are all you say you are. Yes, they show up to hear you preach because they are waiting to hear you mispronounce a word. Yes, they are following you on twitter; they are your friend on Facebook and even liking your pictures on Instagram; keep them close!

Keep them close because you need them to see that you are not defeated but you’re devoted in this thang and that means you can take the good and the bad. Keep them close in order for them to see how you come out your storm because you know that in order to be blessed by the Son you have to sometime endure the rain. Keep them close and let them hear your praise during those times you almost didn’t and in the nick of time, you did. Keep them close and when they text reply, I’m making it by the grace of God. Keep them close in the hopes that one day some of your God will rub off on them. Keep them close so that they get firsthand knowledge of your elevation instead of second-hand gossip. Keep them close not because you need fans but because you need them to know the facts that God can and He will! Beloved, the enemy uses regular folk to throw us off our path to destiny; you need to open your eyes. Stop worrying about the folk who are out to get you, God will give you what you need to handle them. Be mindful of His teachings and you’ll conquer them. Let them watch and you work. Let them stand by and gossip while you are granted the gifts of the Holy Spirit. God got you in this and He’ll take care of you but you’ve got to trust Him enough to get you through it. Stop trying to fight; it’s not your battle.

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.” Ephesians 6: 10-19

Daily Devotional – 6/8/15 “Get Up!”

I had a momentary moment this morning when it felt like everything was hitting me all at once. Yea, me; I was having a woe is me moment and God allowed me to get it all out and then He simply whispered, “Get up.” And guess what happened? I got up and when I did, I found that He had already re-strengthened me to go on. He had already renewed me to endure. He had already reignited my flame that was flickering. Oh, I can imagine the enemy standing by rubbing his hands together thinking, if just for a few more minutes, I can get her but he’s a lie! Not today Satan! For when I got up, I had everything I needed to push; that’s pray until shift happens! Awl y’all; somebody at this very moment is sitting at their job feeling defeated, someone is lying on their bed thinking sickness is winning, someone is sitting in their car in the parking lot of the bank feeling like no matter how much you work you still can’t make it enough; someone is reading this on your phone and tired of hearing “hold on”, someone is staring at their computer and can barely read this for the tears streaming down their face, someone is fed up with being angry but you don’t know what to do, someone feels like suicide is the only option, someone is in the stages of grief, someone is about to deal with a terrible storm and don’t even know it yet; there is even a pastor or two who are on the verge of giving up but they don’t have anyone to lean on …. Oh but here I am; I’m just a simple girl who, if you read back; still have moments but I’m here to tell you to GET UP!

I don’t mean you have to physically move but sometimes you have to spiritually get yourself out of the spiritual hell you’re living in. GET UP! You have to decide today that you will no longer be the same as yesterday. GET UP and decide that you will no longer be held captive by the mistakes of yesterday, the anger of last week or the “what ifs” of the past. You have to GET UP and move! For when you get up, your healing is already done. When you get up, the deliverance you need is already taking place. When you get up, the renewing of your mind has already happened. When you get up, you can begin to walk in the newness of your destiny. When you get up, you can see clearer the manifestation of God’s power. When you get up, you can feel the favor of God over your life. When you get up, you can see your shift happening before your eyes. When you GET UP, you Gain Effectual Transformation Unto Purpose! Get up! You may not like what you see but get up because you could look like what you’ve been through. You may not like where you are but get up because it could be worse. Get Up and trust in God, He’ll do what you need.

Books and BBQ Festival – June 6, 2015 (Memphis, TN)

Hey! I know it’s been a minute since I’ve updated but I wanted to invite all of you to an event I will be a part of on tomorrow; Saturday, June 6, 2015. The event is called Books and BBQ and it’s being held at the Agricenter, located at 7777 Walnut Grove Rd. The admission is $3 for persons over 12 and free for anyone under 12.

This is going to be an exciting even and I am even more excited. I hope that each of you who are able, will stop by and see me, buy a book or two, snap a few pictures and eat some BBQ!

Visit their website for more information at www.booksandbbq.com

Daily Devotional – 6/5/15 “Trust God’s plan!”

I am a stern believer in faith and I also believe that if you do right by people that right will be done to you. I’m sticking to that belief. Even after having obstacles placed in my path, I still know there isn’t a man alive that can stop what God has for me. They can try but they cannot succeed and someone reading this post, at this very moment, needs to be reminded of that. Man cannot stop what it meant for you; stop giving them the power to think they can. Stop frowning in the midst of adversity, smile instead and show them you are not defeated. Stop getting angry when you think you’ve been overlooked, it just wasn’t your time. Stop giving up when doors keep closing, God may have stairs He wants you to take instead and you do know they take time to get you to your next level, don’t you. Enjoy the walk up. Stop fussing about the fact that others around you are getting blessed; rejoice with them because your time will come. You know this scripture but I’ll share it again just to remind you that no matter what it looks like – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).” Yea, you’re facing trouble but “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).” Yea, man said you couldn’t but “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans (Proverbs 16:3).” Yea, it may not look like it’s working in your favor now but – “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).” Oh, it doesn’t matter what “they” try because “those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified (Romans 8:30).”

You are right where you are supposed to be! Stop rushing the process and trust God’s plan! Stop worrying about the image man sees, trust God’s instruction! You might not be moving fast enough for your schedule but you’re right on time for God’s.

Daily Devotional – 6/4/15 “Today’s Epidemic: A dying church!”

Isn’t it funny that you can post mess on social media and it’ll go viral but post something encouraging and it’ll get lost, overlooked or it’ll be too long for someone to read? Do you find it interesting that spell check will let you know that you didn’t capitalize the f on Facebook but not the G on God? Is it peculiar to anyone else how folk have more respect for the boss at their job than the man of God? Is it strange to anyone else that folk won’t pay you any mind when you’re reading a book with a half-naked woman or man on the cover but they’ll think you’re crazy when you walk around with a bible? Is it just me? I mean, folk will say you are a Jesus freak when you go to Sunday school, worship service and bible study all in the same week but they won’t bat an eye when you’re turning up at Two for Tuesday, Wild-out Wednesday and Thirsty Thursdays back to back. Something is wrong! When folk find it so easy to disrespect the man or woman of God who has been put into place to lead, something is wrong. When folk now attend church to find out other folk’s business, something is wrong. When worship has become so organized that even the Holy Spirit has to be invited in, something is wrong. When the cemeteries are being filled with our children, something is wrong. When folk can leave church and not remember the message but they can remember the mess, something is wrong. When Christians have the audacity to fight against the Pastor but not fight for him/her, something is wrong.

There’s an epidemic going on and it’s called A DYING CHURCH! I don’t mean the building, I mean the people. We are the church; the church began with us, people, not in a building. We are dying and it’s sad when the cure is within arm’s reach – God! We’ve gotten away from praying for one another but we’ll prey on each other. We don’t help but we will surely hinder. We won’t support but we’ll try to sabotage. We don’t aid but we shoal will aggravate! Isn’t that sad? Folk in the church are in trouble and in need yet they are afraid to come to the church for help out of fear of being talked about. They are too afraid to lean over in church out of fear of not having someone there to catch them. Folk don’t even shout anymore because too many folk are laughing when they should be joining in. You are wondering why you’re still in the shape you’re in, check your praise report! Don’t you know that some things can be loosened with our praise? Those things that have us bound, that hurt, that anger, that depression; baby try shouting it out and see if you don’t feel differently afterwards. This epidemic is rising but there is a cure, all we have to do is get back to being about our Father’s business. For 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” We are in need of healing!