Daily Devotional – 1/15/14 “Mustard Seed Size Faith!”

It’s Wednesday and somebody is probably weeping from the woes of this world because it seems like every time you peek above the water that seems to have you drowning, you get tangled in some more mess that pulls you down; every time you take a few steps out of debt another bill comes along that knocks you 5 back; every time it feels like you can finally breath again because some weight has been lifted, death shows up and snatches the air from your lungs; every time you think you’ve cried out, the doctor delivers devastating news and now the tears start again and every time you think you’ve done all you could do, been all you could be and gone everywhere you thought you were needed, that enemy shows up with more hell than you bargained for … so what now? Do you wallow in the worry, wander like you’re alone in the wilderness, waste your time weeping, willingly allow your life to wither or do you withdraw from working because you’ve been wounded and wronged? Don’t you know that in order to grow you have to sometimes be pushed down? Well, in order for a seed to grow it has to first be buried under dirt. Do you honestly think an oak tree came to stand as tall as it does without first starting out as a seed?

Then where is the faith, the mustard seed size faith, that God can see you through whatever it is you’re facing? Where is that mustard seed size faith that lets you know that no matter what you’re looking at now, it won’t always last? Where is that mustard seed size faith that allows you to stand in your storm and think about all the things that God has already done which lets you know that no matter how hard the rain falls, it won’t cause you to drown? Where is that mustard seed size faith that allows you to walk into a room of your enemies knowing they can’t do you any harm? Where is that mustard seed size faith that allows you to answer the phone call from the bill collector knowing that it’ll work out in your favor? Where is that mustard seed size faith that allows you to apply for a job that, on paper, you aren’t qualified for but through God, it’s already yours? Where is your faith when Jesus says in Matthew 17:20, “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move? Nothing would be impossible.” All you need is a mustard seed size faith because “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1). All you have to do is try it before you give up!

Daily Devotional – 1/14/13 “No title needed!”

It’s Tuesday and someone is contemplating suicide, grieving over the death of a loved one, heartbroken, being abused, was lied on yesterday, being talked about today, in pain, unemployed, sick, tired, sick and tired, addicted to something, chasing after someone whose running away, using the one good person who actually love you, homeless, wrestling with demons while trying to hide the skeletons in your closet, all in other folk’s business when your porch needs to be cleaned, straddling the fence after you’ve fallen a few times already, sitting at the edge of the cliff because you hear a voice telling you to jump, crying because doors keep being closed, applications keep being denied, no one is calling you back for the job, can’t get promoted, medicine cost rising along with your light bill, car acting up, children are too, checking account closed, check is gone before you even get paid and your credit just won’t get it … And now you have the audacity to question God. Yea, you got the nerve and you’re even bold enough to point your face towards Heaven to ask why me. Well, I have to ask you, why not you? What makes you different from anyone else? Don’t you realize and understand that a little stress is sometimes necessary for you to appreciate the sacrifice you’ve made to succeed? Haven’t you comprehended yet that sometimes you have to go through some ugly stuff to uncover that which is unmovable? Do you not see that sometimes you have to be buried under dirt in order to be developed into your destiny? Yea, sometimes you have to cry but that’s simply cultivating (developing) your calling. Yea, you have to pace but that’s just perfecting your purpose. Yea, you have to stumble, sometimes, but that’s salting (flavoring) your sanctification (blessing).

Oh, I’m going to leave this thang alone but I had to let you know that “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3-5) and if this isn’t enough then know, “the one who endures to the end will be saved, Matthew 24:13.”

First Magazine Feature

I am so excited to share that I, along with my fellow pub mate, Author Johnie Jay, were featured in Six Twelve Magazine.

sixtwelvemag

Check out their website at sixtwelvemag.com where you can purchase a copy of their magazine in print or digital format. You can also check out the digital version by here.

God is doing amazing things!

Daily Devotional – 1/13/14 “Just a thought!”

What shall I write about today that you haven’t already heard? What can I possibly share that you aren’t tired of hearing? I don’t know. I will tell you this, on yesterday on the way to church, I posted this to Facebook, “Headed to worship service to worship! See, I’ve realized that in order to get worship out of worship service I have to first offer my worship. So, here am I Lord, willing and yet able to give you worship for absolutely everything You’ve done, doing and will do! #thatisall,” and when I tell you that we had an absolutely amazing worship experience; it would be an understatement. I told you a few posts back that it felt like I was getting tired of church but then God got all in my spirit to let me know that maybe it was me and it was. Yea, because it finally clicked that I can’t get out what I am not putting in. Oh but then my uncle Pastor preached on “Grow up” from Galatians 6:1-5 and this verse stuck out … “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted (Galatians 6:1).”

Now, this stuck out because there are a lot more “church” folk chastising and criticizing rather than correcting and directing. Yea, “church” folk are quick to tell you about your sins when they were in theirs last night and just didn’t get caught. Yea, “church” folk find it easy to dabble in your business instead of minding their own. Yea, “church” folk! And I put quotation marks around church because I need it to stand out because most of us have forgotten what church really means. Church is us as we are the living word. I don’t have a lot to share today so it won’t be long because all I need you to get out of the devotional today is, help me if I sin but don’t hurt me because you can be tempted as quickly as I can. Romans 15:1 say, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” However, please understand this; I am not trying to give you my burden, I just asked you to help me carry it. I didn’t ask you to pay off my debt, I simply ask you to let me borrow something. I didn’t ask you to heal me, I just asked you to pray for me. I didn’t ask you to lie about me, I asked you to love me. “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).”

Daily Devotional 1/10/13 “You are called!”

A lot of people think the only person that is called by God is a minister but I don’t believe that’s true. Now, this is only Lakisha’s thinking because 2 Timothy 1:9 says, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life–not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” Now, it doesn’t stop there because it then goes on to say in 2 Timothy 1:10-11, “but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.” Get this, a herald is defined as somebody who brings or announces important news; an apostle is a prominent Christian missionary, especially one who is responsible for first converting a people; and a teacher is somebody who teaches, especially as a profession. Ok, so if all these are true and it is our responsibility as Christians to save the unsaved through studying, sharing and teaching of God’s word; doesn’t this mean we are called? 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Again I asked, doesn’t this make us called?

Being a child of the King makes our living called because it is up to us to glorify His word so that those, who are unsaved, can know that God gave His only Son to hang, bleed and die on an piece of wood that had been carved into a cross, just so that we could one day be called to do His will. Yea, He knew this old world would be a jacked up mess yet He also knew that there would be folk He could call to save those capable of being saved. No ma’am, no sir; it isn’t only up to the ministers and preachers to save souls but it’s up to every blood bought believer who has been washed and redeemed and call themselves Holy. It is up to each one of us. How do I know? Well because not every saved person is in a church on Sunday morning, which is why the church is us and not a building. This is also why the bible says in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” This didn’t say to glorify their father but your father because it’s up to us to make sure the unsaved gets to know our Father. So, the next time you choose to put your mouth on a minister who may not be living up to your standard, look in the mirror. You have the responsibility to save souls just like they do so when you think they shouldn’t be drinking, you shouldn’t either. When you think they shouldn’t be in the same place you are, you shouldn’t be either. Oh, I know you think just because someone stands in a pulpit on Sunday they’re sins are greater than yours but it’s not. The unsaved are looking at you the same way they look at a minister and it is every Christian’s charge or obligation to live a life that will make someone who hasn’t accepted Christ want to get to know Him. Therefore, please understand, we are all called when we accept God which is why, 2 Peter 2:10 reminds us, “So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things and you will never fall away.” Yes, you will sin but repent for it, learn from it and move on. God doesn’t cast you away when you do wrong because His word tells me in Romans 11:29, “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.” You are called, how will you answer?