It's not just writing, it's ministry
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…
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.
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!
On yesterday, I finally finished the Teen Devotional that I started on a year ago yet I feel like I am missing something. I feel like there is something that I should be doing or something that I am not seeing. My prayer is that God reveals to me whatever it is. I just can’t explain it. Then I went back to a devotional that I wrote on 11/8/11 and here is a part of it. It says, well you’ll see …
“What could I say today that I haven’t said times before? Don’t you already know that God is standing knocking at the door? I’m just a woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister, niece and to some a friend. But what words could I say to keep your life from coming to an end? Can I share with you God’s word that promises relief; will that keep you from taking pills and never waking from your sleep? Then God said, “You are more than just a person, because I’ve chosen you, my child, for this very purpose.” So, I closed my eyes and I prayed again and again. “Lord, what will you have me to say today to help folk through their sin?” Then I heard, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28),” for each of you know, surely, this is only a test. Yes, I know somebody is yawning who couldn’t sleep last night because you were worried about trying to find a place of your own with no job, car or money and no more energy to fight. Somebody paced the floor all night long because their love one is sick but they are not ready to let go but to God’s word they stick. Somebody is drinking tears for water and God’s direction they seek, but Isaiah 40:29 says “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” See, God hears your pleas and He’ll come to see about you if you give it over to him. Stop praying the same prayer over and over because he has heard all of them. He hasn’t answered yet because He is waiting on you to let it go. It’s almost like planting a seed and then watching it grow. Just because you watch, it won’t make it grow fast, but worrying about a problem, you can’t fix, only makes it last. It’s like releasing a balloon and waiting to see it fly, but you can’t see it yet because it hasn’t reached the sky. That’s because you’ve let it go but the string is still tied to your wrist. Cut the string and let it fly, release your problems from your fist.”
See, I had already titled the devotional for today, “What is my purpose,” before I even went back to this devotional and God is still saying, let whatever it is go. Finances, needing a new place to stay, health issues, job; whatever you’re toiling with … let it go! You already know your purpose, you’re just too afraid to step out and get it. You’re already in your purpose, you’re just too afraid to move. You’re already seeing your purpose, you’re just too afraid to grab it. God has everything worked out but now it’s on you to move. What is your purpose? It’s whatever has your heart. I may be talking to myself but this just might be for you too…
I didn’t sleep well again last night and I just don’t know what it is. Maybe it was God’s way of telling me Happy Birthday or maybe it’s His way of stirring in my spirit while everything is quiet. Whatever it is, I am grateful for another year, another blessing. See, when I could have been a statistic, God made me somebody. When I could have been a casualty, God called me. When I should have been a victim, God made me valuable. When I could be sick, He sanctifies me instead. When I could have given up, He governed my gift. When I wanted to throw in the towel, He justified my testimony. When I didn’t think I was worthy, He waited on me. And when I didn’t think I was blessed, He gave me another birthday! Oh, it’s another year, another blessing! And on this day I also share it with my twin sister who could have died from the pain she suffered with for 8 months yet it’s another year, another blessing. When I could be writing RIP on her Facebook page or placing flowers on her grave, it’s another year, another blessing that I get to celebrate with her. Then I get to say Happy Anniversary to my husband who I’ve been joined with for 16 years when we could have been another divorced couple; another year, another blessing!
As I shared with my sister this morning, Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Before God formed me and my sister, He knew our destiny. Before He formed us, He already had our destiny planned. Before He formed you, He had the days AND nights of your life planned and the only reason you have yet to even begin your mountain climb is because you’re climbing the wrong mountain. Yea, you’re still walking the path man made, you’re still trying to cross a valley man created and you’re still swimming in the water your tears filled. When will you trust God to give you another year, another blessing? When will it pique your curiosity to see how God’s side looks? When will you build enough courage to step out on faith and follow God? As for me, it’s simple… I trust God and I am grateful that He chose me; a filthy rag, to use. I’m humble and blessed to have been chosen and if He allows me another year, another blessing; my words won’t change! Oh, it’s another day’s journey and ….
Lakisha, the Author