Daily Devotional – 11/6/12 “Go through your battle to get your blessing!”

Yea, I know that you are tired of being told that everything will be alright because you are trying to figure out why you are always going through but have you ever stopped to think that maybe you aren’t getting what God is trying to give to you? I mean, obviously, you’re going through but have you stopped long enough to see why? Really, have you? Don’t you know that in order to get a testimony you have to first go through the test? In order to get your healing you have to go through hurt and sickness. In order to get your break through you have to be broken. In order to get up, you’d have to be first down and in order to get out; you had to first be in. Baby, don’t you know that if you had everything you wanted you surely wouldn’t work for what you needed. So, go on through your battle because then you’ll appreciate your blessing.

Still don’t get it? Let me break this thang down for you. God took you through cancer in order for you to appreciate the skin that you’re in. Yea, you went through chemo and you lost your hair, a few pounds and maybe even your breast but after it was all over with you probably got a better grade of NEW hair, a NEW body and some NEW breast, so you got your blessing. Yea, you used to be a drug addict and you’d sell anything to feed your addiction but you’re clean and sober now and in the mist of your deliverance you got a NEW appreciation for your body, a NEW life and maybe even a NEW spouse; so you got your blessing. Yea, you got fired/laid off from the job you gave 15 years too but when all the dust settled you realized that you have the right knowledge and connections and even the right finances to start your own NEW business or to get the NEW career path God had already laid out for you; so you got your blessing. Ok, so your boy/girlfriend left you and you thought your heart would never mend but then one day you met your NEW wife or your NEW husband who treats you like royalty and who made you forget all about the past; so you got your blessing. Yea, your car got repossessed but now you truly appreciate the NEW one you got even if it was used. Yea, you’ve been through this and maybe even that but aren’t you still living to see this NEW day? Then, stop complaining about your battle but go through it in order to get your blessing.

Will it always be hard, no but it won’t always be easy either; this is why God says in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 1 Peter 1:7 says, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold–though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” So, you aren’t being tested because you’re worse than anyone else but you’re being tested because of who you are and whose you are. Stop acting like you’re the only one going through, you’re the only one who has lost somebody or something, that you’re the only one sick or even the only one sick and tired because you’re not. God places us in the fire but we won’t get burned. And if the truth shall be told, we come out better than we were before we went in, so go on through it. Go on through your battle and then get the blessing that God has for you!

Daily Devotional – 11/5/12 “You still got time!”

So much is happening in the world with hurricanes, unemployment, suicides, massive killings, sickness is everywhere you turn, health care cost steady going up and paychecks are going down, saints are hiding and sinners are out in the open, family hating on one another and friends are becoming enemies.. I mean, what is really going on? Folks expect Pastors to fix all the problems and then when they don’t, they run from the church but baby, knowledge and problem solving is your responsibility. Stop acting like the only time you can open up the bible is on Sunday morning inside of a church building because if you study that same bible more, you’d know that the church is in you. Now, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to fellowship with others from time to time because the bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:10, “If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

See, trouble is everywhere and it finds you even when you try not to find it, so stop spending all of your time being mad at the world and the folks in it. Stop listening to all those who are constantly running you from church because while you are at home on Sunday, they are at church. Go to church for yourself and form your own opinion. Stop going off of what happened when you used to go or the thoughts that folk had when you were little. Study God’s word for yourself because you may just find that you enjoy it. All I am saying is; you need to stop playing with God before your time runs out. While you’re spending all your time trying to get yourself together, your time may just be spent before you’re able too. Baby, God doesn’t choose you to do his will because you are perfect but He chooses you with your flaws because those are the things that He can correct. Don’t you know that if God waited on perfect folk to do His will, it would never get done because NONE of us are perfect? Why don’t you allow God to clean you up that way once He does, you’ll have a brand new walk, talk, attitude and plenty of gratitude. The next moment of your life is not guaranteed, so stop waiting! Live YOUR life and stop trying to please everybody.

Daily Devotional – 10/31/12 “Just a thought!”

Yea, I know that today is set aside to celebrate Halloween but while you’re dressing up and getting the kids prepared to trick or treat, you really should stop to Hallow Him. You know the Him I am referring too, right? Well, hallow is defined as to make somebody or something holy or to have great respect or reverence for somebody or something. See, while you are carving your pumpkins, why don’t you reshape your attitude? While you are setting out the bowl of candy, why don’t you set a better example for the folks who look up to you by studying God’s word? While you gathering all the kid’s candy to pick out your favorites, why don’t you gather them together for prayer every now and then? No, I don’t have a problem with Halloween or any other Holiday because they aren’t the issue but the issue really is the amount of time you devote to getting prepared and the amount of money you spend on candy and costumes and then on Sunday, you won’t even get out bed to go and worship with anybody. All I am saying is, while you’re enjoying this Halloween, Hallow God sometimes. (I’m just saying!)

I just thought I’d share that with you this morning. But any who! …

There is a prayer line called, “Prayer with the Girls”, that is held EVERY morning at 6:30AM and when I tell you it has been a blessing to my life; that would be an understatement. See, sometimes even I have a bad day, a moment of weakness to kick in, a time when my storm is raging like a hurricane, when the enemy tries to flood my mind with worry and even times when family don’t act right but who encourages the encourager? How can I look discouraged when you are coming to me for encouragement? How can I look raggedy and tore up when you’re coming to me for hope in your dying situation? How can I tell you to keep going if I keep stopping? How can I lift you up if I’m farther down than you? Well, baby I just stopped by to tell you that I SHALL NOT be defeated in this battle because it’s not mine to fight. Yea, God has given me a gift that has manifested itself into a ministry (a devotional, encouraging, teaching, sharing, believing and receiving ministry) and I will not be defeated simply because the enemy is trying to get me to quit. No ma’am! No sir. This is what I accepted when I accepted the gift that God blessed me with. When He told me to tell you to hold on, I accepted it. When He told me to tell you that your trouble won’t last, I accepted it. When He told me to pray for you, I accepted it. When He tells me to keep going even though I don’t know where I am going, I accept it. When He tells me to reach out and get it even though I don’t see anything, I accept it. Yes, I accept this calling that God has placed over my life; the calling to be your encourager, your walking diary when you need to talk, your friend when you don’t want to be alone, your shoulder when your tears won’t stop, your mattress when you need to use my lap to lay across, your leaning post when the world is trying to beat you down and your midnight prayer partner when I am whispering your name to God without you even asking. So, I won’t grow weary in my doing. I won’t give up or give in. I won’t waver when the enemy punches seem to knock the wind out of me but I shall continue on. I have some strong encouraging folk in my corner, so I will be just fine!

Morning Prayer with the Girls, Conference Call – 312.340.6650 Access Code #2492681
Every Morning at 6:30 sharp! You will be blessed…

Daily Devotional – 10/30/12 “While you’re sneaking …”

Something just might sneak up on you! Are you ready for it? I mean, while you think you are sneaking from God’s sight; He sees it all. While you are shouting on Sunday and then sneaking and creeping on Monday, God sees. While you’re at Bible Study on Monday and then sneaking and stealing on Tuesday, God knows. While you’re at Prayer Meeting on Wednesday praying over folks lives and then sneaking behind folks back with a knife in your hand, God is aware. While you’re the loudest one singing at choir rehearsal on Thursday and then sneaking off with your best friend’s husband on Friday, God is well aware. Don’t keep thinking you’re getting away with it because the bible says in Titus 1:16, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” Yea, see while you’re sneaking around behind your spouse’s back don’t be surprised when you find out they’ve been sneaking, too. While you’re sneaking and hiding and stealing clothes from the store, the enemy is stealing your son or daughter away. While you’re sneaking and gossiping about your friend, she’s being abundantly blessed. While you are sneaking and throwing salt on your sister’s blessings, she’s getting yours. This is why 1 Peter 5:8 say, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” See, if you’re too busy looking over your shoulder to make sure no one is seeing you creeping, you’re missing the signs that the enemy is close by. While you’re so busy creeping, you’re missing the signs that your child is failing school. While you’re so busy sneaking and snitching on your coworkers, you’re missing the warning that your job is the one in jeopardy. While you are so busy speaking hell over folk’s life with your mouth, you don’t even see the hell that is brewing in your own life. But had you been alert then you would have been able to do what 1 Peter 5:9 says, “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.”

See, you creep with the mister because you think that God is punishing you when you’re temporarily out of funds but God, doesn’t work like that and you’d know this if you stop sneaking and start stealing away to read God’s word for yourself. Don’t you realize that when you’re going through that God is simply seeing how strong your faith is? This is why you get the call from your “friend” you haven’t talked to in a while as soon as you need a few extra dollars. As soon as the wife starts nagging at home, your coworkers skirt gets a little shorter. As soon as your body gets sick, you get meaner than a rattle snake to all those around you but this isn’t you being punished for 1 Peter 4:12-13 says, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” Am I saying that you won’t have moments of your flesh talking and even temptations that will make you want to give in? No! But the bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Isn’t this great news? God didn’t say the temptations wouldn’t come but He says He’ll give you a way out from it. However, you must be, you have to be alert enough to see it. It’s like you’re driving and you’re trying to find the street you need to turn on in order to get to your destination but instead of you being watchful and alert of the street signs, you have your head down reading a text; now you’ve passed the street and driven 30 minutes out of your way simply because you weren’t paying attention. And if you didn’t know, it’s easy to get off track when your mind and eyes are on something else! All I’m saying is, while you’re sneaking, something just might sneak up on you! You’d better stop sneaking and start seeking God.

Daily Devotional – 10/29/12 “It’s just the storm passing over!”

Why don’t you stop being mad at Monday because you’ll feel the same way about Tuesday in just a few short hours. You ought to be thankful to be alive! You got eyesight because you’re reading this. Your mind was regulated which means you were aware of your surroundings because you were in control. You had the activity of your limbs because you logged into Facebook. You ought to be happy and yes I know that times may be hard, you may be temporarily out of funds, you may be hungry with no food and you may even be sick with no healing in sight but shouldn’t you still be happy? I mean, why does God have to drop something good in your lap in order for you to show Him the praise He is due? Why can’t you praise Him before your blessing, before your breakthrough, before your healing, before your break out, before your chain releasing party, before your burdens are lifted or before your change comes? Why can’t you praise Him right now in the midst of having an overdrawn bank account, cutoff notice for your lights, past due notice on your rent/mortgage or car insurance, more check advances than checks or more title loans than titles? Why can’t you praise God, right now? I know you’re worried about this, concerned about that, thinking about him and trying to forget her but where is God while you’re thinking, while you’re pacing, while you’re drinking your salty tears and trying to calm your nauseous stomach? He’s right there with you. Will I tell you to stop worrying? Yea, I probably should but it doesn’t mean you will but I will tell you to trust God. I know it’s hard to do on some days but don’t you trust Him when you the going is good then trust Him in the bad. God won’t leave you nor will he forsake you but that doesn’t mean you won’t face a storm or 2 in your life. You will have to deal with death, bills, disrespectful adults and even rude kids but keep living because it’s just your storm passing over. When folks walk out on you, it’s just your storm passing over. When the darkness covers your light, it’s just your storm passing over. When the job downsizes, it’s just your storm passing over. When your spouse acts like a stranger in your home, it’s just your storm passing over. When everything seems to be going wrong, it’s just your storm passing over. When it seems like you’re getting knocked down every time you get up, it’s just your storm passing over. Trust God through your storm because nothing that He does is to take you out and no storm last forever.

So, please stop thinking that you have a dark cloud of thunder and rain following you around when bad luck comes. It’s just your time to go through your storm but know that just like the storm started, it’ll end. Just hold on through the bad luck, the no luck, the storm and through the rain. You’ll soon see the sun but you’ll always have God on your side pulling you through. Ephesians 1:11 says, “Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” I won’t be afraid to walk through the rain because when the SON shines, I’ll be renewed and through my renewal comes restoration and restoration is restoring me to my full potential so now I shine like pure gold!