Sometimes in this life, your journey gets to be too hard to bear. You keep a smile on your face because if you don’t you may just burst into tears. You rather text than call somebody because they may hear the pain in your voice. You keep skipping church because you don’t want anyone to see the hurt in your eyes. You don’t even hang out with your family and friends because you’re trying to hide the fact that you need a few more drinks or a few pills at night to put you to sleep. Yea, I know this thing called life is getting hard and you are tired of hearing, “God will take care of you,” “Hold on until your change come,” “God hasn’t given up on you,” “It’ll be ok in the morning,” “Your storm won’t last always,” because you’re standing in the need of a blessing right now. Sickness is attacking more young folk, cancer is everywhere you turn, death has quit knocking on the door and has started letting himself in, hurt comes from folks you know more than folks you don’t know, hours on the job is going up and pay is going down, violence can be found in the hands of babies, bullying at the hands of so-called friends and even your own family hating. And you’re asking, God, are you listening? See, times have become now that the devil doesn’t even have to work as hard to get Christians on his side because they are becoming devils themselves. They lie when the truth will do, use and hurt folk because they think they can, kill folk because they feel powerful and even steal from folks because it’s easier than working for it. What in the hell is going on? Father, can you hear me? Is this the type of trouble that you promised us, is it supposed to be this hard? Yea, I know you made me in your image but sometimes it feels like I’m made of jelly instead of steel. Yea, I know I am supposed to turn the other cheek but what happens when I’m tired of them both being hit? I know that I shouldn’t seek revenge when folks talk about me but how much more can I take? I don’t know how much longer I can stand with my back up against this wall before I fall. I don’t know how much longer I can stand in this rain without drowning in the water. I don’t know how much longer I can take the sleepless and pacing nights because my body is tired. Father, can you hear me? I’m calling out to you! I need you to come and see about me. I’m trying to be strong, I’m trying to hold on, I’m doing the very best I can but I need to know if you’re listening. Yea, I read my bible and I even memorize a few scriptures but they don’t help pay the light bill. Yea, I go to bible study sometimes but it’s not helping with this broken heart. Yea, I even get into the worship service but it hasn’t stopped my tears from flowing. What am I to doo, now? Father, I’m not giving up but I’m simply giving in to you. I’m not throwing in the towel but I’m waving my white flag. I’m not quitting the race but I’m giving you the baton. I refused to be knocked out in this round so I’m tagging you in. I’m not jumping over this cliff, I’m simply letting go by your command. I’m not going right because you told me to go left. I’m not losing my faith in you because that’s what is getting me through. God, I just needed you to know that I need you and your presence and I need it right now!
Daily Devotional – 1/24/13 “Thanking You in advance!”
So many times we wait for good things to happen to us before we take the opportunity to thank God but on today, I am stopping long enough to thank God, right now, for the things He’s yet to do for me. Yea, I’m choosing this very moment to praise Him in advance for the things I’ve yet to see and receive. Why would I do this? Well, firstly because Ephesians 5:20 says, “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” then 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus,” and then Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Secondly, because even when I was a mess, God favored me; when I thought I was nothing, God made me into somebody; when I was in the midst of my sins, God saved me; when I thought I couldn’t go on; God pushed me harder; when I thought my storm would claim my life, God covered me; when I thought I drown in my sorrows, God pulled me out and cleaned me up; when I thought my grief would consume me; God comforted me and when I thought my nights of pacing would tear me down; God stepped in and gave me rest. Even when I am at my lowest point, God blesses me! When I can’t see my way, God blesses me! When the darkness seems to be getting darker, God blesses me! When it seems like friends are becoming enemies and family is turning into haters, God blesses me! So, you see; if God could bless me through all of this, I can only imagine the greater things He has in store for me in the future, if I just hold on; so I rejoice for them now. If God can take me when I was tore up from the floor up, raggedy, not fitting to live yet not ready to die, snatch me from the pits of hell to clean me up, give me a new heart and spirit, make my hands and feet look new, a new set of eyes and ears, a new mouth, a brand new body that doesn’t show the scars on my legs from being dragged to hell and back, scars on my back from being used by folks who said they would love me, stepped on by folks who said they’d help me and abused by folk who said they had my best interest at heart; surely He has something greater for me. After all, He did choose me for a purpose! Now, if this isn’t for you, then move out my way while I thank Him now for the promotion I’ve yet to receive, the healing that’s on the way, the deliverance that’s right around the corner, the light at the end of my tunnel, the silver lining in my dark clouds, the debt free status I’ll soon claim, for making my enemies my foot stool, for my books to be in bookstores and churches across many states (I’m claiming this thang!), for the increasing of my gifts that will enlarge my territory, for the healing of my family and friends, for the doors that He is about to open in their lives and for the things I’ve yet to even think of! Yea, I’m even thanking God in advance for the things He has yet to do for you. For the healing of your sickness or disease, your new career, your new home, your new car, your spouse, your deliverance, your debt free status, your new heart, your joy that’s on the way back, for your hope bucket that’s about to be filled, for your tears that’s about to stop, for your spirit that’s about to be renewed, for your regulated mind and for your peace. I’m thanking him for making your business successful, for enlarging your territory, for increasing your gift and for the anointing He is about to place over your life! Oh, I’d better leave this thang alone! Yet, I thank you God right now! I praise you God right now because you are worthy!
Daily Devotional – 1/23/13 “Praying for us!”
Our Father, whose name is sweet upon my ears, who comforts me in my lonely hour, who wipes my tears when no one can, who allows His spirit to abide in me when I can’t find words to say, whose hands can heal me and arms can hold me without touching my flesh, who gives me new mercies every day even when I’m not worthy, who puts life back into the body I sometimes take for granted, who gives me strength to stand when I should have fallen down, who gives me joy when I should be sad and depressed, who feeds me when I should be hungry, who protects me when I should be in danger, who uses me when I am just a filthy rag, who guides me even when I don’t follow direction … God; holy is thy name! And as I petition your throne this morning, I’ve got to thank you for being just who you said you would be. I’ve got to thank you for the folks who look to me for encouragement and for the gift of encouragement that you give me daily. God, I must thank you for it all because without you, I am nothing. Oh, God now I need a specific blessing for your people now because somebody is struggling in a battle that’s not even theirs to fight. They are still trying to change somebody who is not willing to change themselves. They are still tied to someone who is unequally yoked to them and it’s killing their spirit. They are holding on to some mess from their past and it’s tormenting their future. They can’t see the doors that you’ve opened for them because they are too concerned with the ones that have closed so God, I need you to deliver them now. Someone has been bound with the chains of depression, suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem, low hope, non-existence joy, overbearing guilt or grief, should haves and would haves; God, I need you to break them now. Someone is looking at what they’ve been through instead of realizing they are no longer there. Someone has tied themselves to the rock of past mistakes, past issues, past sickness, the name they used to be, the person they used to be and the things they used to do so God, I need you to shake the ropes loose. Then God, anoint their head and eyes in order to see and understand the change you’ve made in them. Regulate their mind to accept the change and move on. Anoint their shoulders and the muscles and bones in their body so that they can handle the stress and burdens better. Guide their hands and feet so that they no longer walk and do the same thing. Anoint their tongue so they no longer talk the same. Anoint their heart so they can love better. God, I need to you wash them and make them act and feel brand new so that even though their outer appearance doesn’t change, the change will be evident in their work. Oh, God; do it now. Someone is calling on you to change their situations, their circumstance, to calm their storm, to dry their tears, to remove the hurt from their hurt, to break down the walls they’ve put up that keeps ruining their relationships and to remove the blinders from their eyes so that they can see the evil that has surrounded them. God, do it now. Someone is crying out to you, God, I need you to see about them now. I decree and declare that on today burdens will be made lighter, heartache and broken spirits will be healed, enemies will be made footstools, backbiters will be changed, finances will be made better, debts will be lowered, sicknesses will be healed, paths will be smoother, obstacles lowered to go over, mountains easier to climb, valleys filled to swim across, fake friends will find fake friends, true friends will find true friends, robbers & murderers will be delivered, whoremongers will be changed, liars will be delivered, false prophets will be brought down, molesters and rapists will be found, missing children and adults will be brought home, abusive spouses will be held accountable for their actions, wayward children will act right, depression will cease, bullying will be no more, suicides will stop, soldiers will be brought home and our president will be safe and able to lead. God, I speak these things because you’ve given me the power to do so and I believe that it shall come to pass. Please, God, continue to allow your gift to manifest within me, continue to guide me so that my walk gets better and newer every day, continue to use me God so that my gift open doors to the many that needs to hear and read your word. Thank God for your mercy and for your grace. Amen.
Daily Devotional – 1/22/13 “What’s the point?”
I could complain about the things I don’t have but I won’t. I could scream over all the hell I’m going through but I shall not. I could be angry at the world but what’s the point? I could turn my back on God because it seems like the world would be better but I can’t, He’s been too good. I could turn to alcohol or drugs to drown my sorrows or I could even resort to stealing and robbing but what would be the point? Would it calm my stress, provide the things I need or even make me worry less? I mean, if complaining could stop our storms from raging, a lot of us would have been better off a long time ago; right? So, what’s the point in it? Would it ease your trouble mind, increase the money that’s in the bank or even decrease the bills you have or put gas in the tank? So, what’s the point of acting like the world owes you when you’re going through? Baby, you aren’t the only one having a temporary setback and if you think you are visit the homeless shelters that are filled to their capacity, the Mid-South Food Bank whose shelves are sometimes empty, walk the streets of your city and see the folks begging for food or visit the unemployment office and look at the folks who have been there since 5AM. Yea, I know that it’s getting harder to provide, food is so few that it’s hard to divide, children still begging even though you don’t have it to give and sometimes you think what’s the point if I even live. But if you think that’s bad, visit St. Jude or Lebonheur, the ICU floor in any Methodist or St. Francis Hospitals, stop by a funeral home and listen to the spouse whose burying their spouse of 50+ years, the children burying their only parent, the sister burying her only brother, the brother burying his only sister or the mother burying her only child. Still hasn’t hit home then visit a dialysis or chemo treatment center and see the folks who have to spend the majority of their week there. Yea, you’re having it hard but it could be harder and you’re walking closer to your breakthrough when it could be farther. Yea, you may not have a lot but have you missed a meal? Don’t you know that having some problems were part of the deal? Yea, when you accepted Christ into your life, you signed on for a few troubles; well that’s what Job 14:1 say and it didn’t list the time nor does it gives us the day. However, it says, “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble,” but if you go through with God, He’ll give you back what you lost double!
So, Chile, get out of that pity pit and wipe off that dirt, clean off your pants, wipe off your shirt; put your shoulders back and lift your head up high; point your face toward Heaven and raise your hands to the sky; now tell God thank you for your trials and your tests and ask for forgiveness when you don’t do your best; now lower your hands but stand up tall and get ready to go to war and refuse to fall; because God is your strength and you shall not be defeated, so claim your inheritance, accept your blessing and use your gift before your work on this side of the dirt is completed.
Daily Devotional – 1/21/13 “Be more specific!”
Yea, I know lately it seems like I’ve been all up in my feelings, well that’s because I have. See, I don’t know about you but I’m waiting on my change to come and I need it like yesterday and as I was sitting in church my uncle said that we need to be specific in our prayers and that really caught my attention. Now, I’m thinking how much more specific can I get if I’m crying that I need you Lord, right now? Then it dawned on me that God needs me to break this thang down for Him. Yea, I know you’re saying “but God knows my heart,” and yes why that may be true; He doesn’t understand your request especially when you start mumbling and your words start running together. See, we pray for God to come and see about us and when He comes and look (because we did say see), we start feeling like He isn’t answering our prayers. When we tell God we need some help in our finances, He gives you the strength to work a little overtime because you did say some help. When we tell God we need healing, He allows that headache to go away because you didn’t say what you needed to be healed. When we ask God to remove our enemies, He does just that because we didn’t ask Him to heal their spirit (which just may have made them a great friend). So, on today I am being specific in my prayer.
Our Father in Heaven,
As I petition your throne, I must first thank you. Thank you God for waking me up this morning with a mind that was still the same as it was when I laid down last night. Thank you that my eyes could see, my mouth could speak, my legs & arms worked and all my organs, muscles & veins are working together. Thank you for the warm water I had, the heat that is working in my home, for the food that I have in the refrigerator, for the clothes & shoes I had to choose from, for my car being where I parked it last night, for all of family & friends to be alive and well because I didn’t get a phone call, for my job that I still have because I could have been unemployed and for things being as well as they are. God, I thank you because even though I sometimes forget to thank you, you never forget about me. Now, God I come to you for healing; specific healing of migraine headaches, high blood pressure, heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, strokes, heart attacks, lupus, sickle cell, kidney disease, liver disease, sinus problems, flu, broken hearts, broken spirits and broken self-esteem. God, I come specifically asking for a financial increase and debt forgiveness to pay off student loans, car loans, title loans, check advances, bank loans, mortgages and personal loans. God, I come asking for personal healing for the person who finds joy in being a bully and hurting others with their hands and words. God, I ask that you remove the past mistakes from the heart of that husband who beats his wife and heal his spirit and heart so that he’ll never hit her again. For that wife who belittles her husband for the things he used to do, I ask that you heal her heart so that she can forgive and love again. For that child who was molested, heal their spirit so that they may trust again and then open their eyes to see evil before it reaches them. For that person who is struggling with the addiction to cocaine, heroin, marijuana, prescription pain pills, cigarettes and alcohol; God remove the taste from their tongue so that they never want it again. For that person whose hope is almost gone because they can’t seem to rise above the hell they’ve been in for a while now, God I ask that you refill their hope, right now! For the grieving families, I ask that you comfort them on those nights they are crying themselves to sleep and wipe the tears that fall in the midst of their day. For that young woman or man struggling to provide for their family, God I ask that you send the means they need to provide love, food, shelter and clothes. For me God, I ask that you cease my storm, strengthen my eyes, hands and legs so that I can work harder for you, intensify my gift so it opens doors for me, increase my book sales, erase debts, dry my tears, strengthen my family, heal arthritis and high blood pressure for my husband, remove the obstacles that keep my children from being who they could be, and make me more like you. God I need you to hear the specific pleas of those reading this and do it for them now. Do it like only you can as I humbly submit this prayer to you. Amen.
Lakisha, the Author 