Daily Devotional – 5/12/14 “Stop running!”

Today is one of those days when I’m feeling some type of way. I really think it’s the devil trying to block my progress because this spiritual thing is getting real. I mean, it’s always been real but it’s getting really real. Now, if you’ve never toiled with your spirituality or your gift then you wouldn’t understand but it’s like the deeper I get rooted, the harder my trials and it’s hard to understand, to comprehend and to wrap my mind around it. Oh, please believe me when I tell you; I’m not giving up, I’m not wavering in what I’ve been called to do, I’m not having second thoughts about my spiritual work but I’m just letting you know that my tests are getting harder. Yea, the more I ground myself in God’s work the more the enemy grinds into me. The more I study, the more obstacles I seem to stumble over. The more I write, the more the enemy tries to get me to weep. The more I encourage the more the enemy enters my personal space. The more I pray the more the enemy preys. Oh, but that’s alright, that’s ok because I’ll stand face to face with the enemy any day.

See, here I am writing this thang for me this morning but it might just be for you too so let me make this plain. Stop running from the enemy! Yea, God has given us everything we need to defeat whatever it is that is formed against us because our bible tells us in Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper.” Now, usually this is where this scripture, when anyone refers to it, stops but it actually continues on to say, “And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.” So you see we ain’t got any worries for Ephesians 6:10-17, The Message Bible says, “And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” So, we got this because God has already prepped us for this fight! Hold on!

Daily Devotional – 5/9/14 “Govern your own mouth!”

Proverbs 13:3 says, “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. Let me start this thang off biblically because the way this world is set up, every word you use is scrutinize now days. However let me make this plain, be careful what you say, who you say it to and at what time because what you say yesterday may just be taken the wrong way today. Govern your own mouth! Now, I say this because of all the news reports lately about people being secretly recorded and then their lives being turned upside down. Yes, I have an issue with racist but every racist no matter what color your skin is but I also have an issue with blacks who get mad at others using the N word when they use it so loosely every day. If you have a problem with others saying it, you shouldn’t use it either, period! It doesn’t matter about the color of your skin because if that word brings negativity when it’s said, then no one should be able to say it. Ephesians 5:4 says, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”

The real issue happening now is that the trust between folks will be null and void. With people secretly recording and videoing conversations, there will be no more relationships among people which mean business and personal relationships will suffer even more. And with the world today, we need all the trust we can get. I mean, if you can’t find trust in your own home or place of business, you’re in for a world of trouble. What is going on? We’ve got to get it together people. Words hurt more than any illness, cut or scrape because bodily injuries can heal yet words said can’t be taken back. It’s time now for a change. Teach what is right to say at all times for Romans 14:19 say, “So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another.” You, as a Christian, have a duty to not cause your brother/sister to stumble for the bible says in Romans 14:10-12 “But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.” So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” AND you also have a duty to govern your own mouth! Govern your mouth and let God do the rest.

#YOLO – Teen and Young Adult Devotional

Good Morning All! Just dropping by to share that my Teen and Young Adult Devotional is finally on Amazon!

#YOLO You Only Live Once! It’s only $2.99 for Kindle and $10 for paperback! I am so excited as I started on this over a year ago after finishing Doses of Devotion.

Let me know what you think…

Kindle Version can be purchased here.

Paperback version can be purchased here.

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Daily Devotional – 5/8/14 “Appreciation!”

We all know what appreciation means but another definition describes appreciation as a full understanding of the meaning and importance of something and another says to value something highly. Now, in Lakisha’s logic its simply understanding that what you have has value and then caring enough about it to appreciate it. See, I’ve found that when you appreciate people or things you’ll take care of them. When you value people or things, you’ll make sure they are alright. And even when you’re grateful for people or things you’ll show it. Yea, when you’re appreciative of God, it’ll show in your day to day life. When you truly understand the meaning behind what you’ve been called and chosen to do, you’ll value it more. When you understand that your life is a gift, you’ll live it better. When you appreciate the blessings you’ve been given your gratefulness will show. When you appreciate the money you make on the job you work hard at, you won’t throw it away on meaningless mess. When you appreciate the car you bust your butt to pay for, you’ll take care of it. When you value that house you’ve got to pay the mortgage on for 30 years, it’ll show in how you maintain it. When you appreciate the relationship that has been built over the years you’ve shared, it’ll show in its longevity. When you appreciate your journey, you’ll value the road taken. When you appreciate the tests you’ve been through, you’ll value your testimony. When you appreciate the problems you’ve overcome, you’ll value your praise.

All I’m saying is… Appreciate the mistakes you made but don’t dwell on them. Appreciate the obstacles you’ve stumbled over but don’t stay there. Appreciate the valleys you’ve had to get through but don’t tarry there. That sickness, addiction and abuse was allowed to raise your value because now you’re worth more. That hell you’ve been through was simply your proclamation of praise so appreciate it, value it and be grateful because you’ve been chosen for this and your purpose outweighs any problem.

Daily Devotional – 5/7/14 “Stand on what you believe in!”

Why is it so easy for us to lay our beliefs down? I mean, we are quick to “preach” on Facebook but as soon as someone’s feelings get hurt, we back pedal and apologize. You stand up in worship service on Sunday agreeing with the word of God but as soon as a friend’s feelings get hurt because you don’t believe in what they believe in, your words change. Why is that? I heard on the radio this morning that Porsha from Atlanta Housewives called herself an Evangelist 3 years ago and used to preach in a church there yet as soon as a recording she did came out she started apologizing to people for the things she said. Oh, but they were right 3 years ago. What happened to standing on God’s word? Why is it so easy for use to forget what the bible says? Listen, let me make something perfectly clear … I don’t judge anybody nor do I condemn you for the life you decide to live; whatever it maybe, however don’t try to push your beliefs on me and I’ll return the favor yet I won’t apologize for my love of God and what His words say. I’m not going to stand and argue with you over what’s right and what’s wrong because if I follow the scripture, it’ll win every time.

Yes, it is my Christian duty to share God’s word with you but I won’t beat you over the head with it. Yes, it’s my Christian duty to tell you what is considered right and wrong but I won’t burn you at the stake because you have to learn from your own mistakes. It’s my Christian duty to teach God’s word but I won’t drown you in it because the bible says that YOU should study for yourself. All I’m saying is don’t dip in God’s word when it’s convenient for you and then shake it off because someone is looking. If you’re a man or woman of God (this is for anyone who is a baptized believer) then you should stand on His word at all times. Don’t apologize for not going club hopping, for not smoking, for not drinking and for not sleeping around; stand on what you believe in. Don’t apologize for going to worship service, bible study, prayer meeting and choir rehearsal; stand on what you believe in. Don’t apologize for loving God first; stand on what you believe in. If I lose a few friends, then goodbye because I’d rather surround myself with likeminded friends who won’t cast me away when I fall but they’ll pray for me while picking me up. If my phone stop ringing for calls to go out, that’s ok because I’d rather answer the calls of those who need me instead. I’m standing on what I believe in because my bibles tells me in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” I am not ashamed of what I believe in and for that I will stand on God’s word every time!