Daily Devotional – 10/22/12 “Eulogize your past in order to live in your present!”

Yea, you have to eulogize your past in order to appreciate your present. See, if you keep allowing the past to hold you hostage, you’ll never be free to enjoy the life that you’re supposed to have. No, I am not saying you have to go out and purchase a casket, print obituaries, pick a color for the family to wear or even plan a program but what I am saying is; you need to bury the past and leave it there. You’re constantly comparing your current husband/wife to your ex which in due time will make them your ex too so stop with all that. Obviously whatever you had with the past one wasn’t what you needed or wanted because they became your ex otherwise they would still be here. Stop constantly bringing up the bad things you used to do because if you don’t do them anymore then they shouldn’t matter. Now let me make this clear – there is a big difference in sharing your testimony and moaning about your test (you’ll get that in a minute). See, sharing your testimony is telling about all the things you’ve been through by rejoicing in the place you are now but moaning about your test is having a pity party every time you think about some of the things you got yourself in. Sharing your testimony is showing the scars you have after going through some things by praising God for your deliverance and healing but moaning about your test is when you still cry each time you see the scar on your body. Sharing your testimony is not being afraid to let folk know that you used to be a drug addict but now you’re addicted to God and His word. Sharing your testimony is when you aren’t afraid to let folk know you used to be an alcoholic but now you’re a worship-aholic, a shout-aholic, a dance-aholic and a rejoice-aholic and willing to walk on for God. Sharing your testimony is when you are aren’t ashamed for folks to know that you used to walk the streets but now you walk for God with your head held high. Sharing your testimony is when you don’t answer to what you used to be called, you don’t allow what others to say to change your mood, you don’t let how you used to look to decide how you look now and when you don’t folks talking about you because it means you’re on their mind.

Yes ma’am, yes sir; you’ve got to eulogize your past because if you’re still holding on to it then it’s burying you. If you used to be in an abusive relationship and you got out; stand and look at yourself in the mirror and bury it so that it will no longer haunt your present. If you used to steal, then stand up and look at yourself in the mirror and bury it so that it is no longer hanging on your back. If you used to be a miserable mean person raining on everybody’s parade, stand up and look at yourself in the mirror and bury it so that it is no longer hanging over your head. Baby, the only way for you to let go of the past is simply by letting go. You can’t keep visiting it every chance you want to have a pity party because then you’ll bring up all the past emotions that came along with it. If you keep visiting the place you buried the fact the person you thought was your “boo thang” did you wrong, you’ll keep bringing up the hurt you had when you found out they weren’t all that and a bag of chips. If you keep visiting the place you buried the things you used to do and the person you used to be, then you’ll keep bringing up the way folks used to make you feel, the hurt you had when folks did you wrong and the betrayal you felt when folks turned their backs on you; so stop going. This is why the bible says in Isaiah 43:18, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.”

Don’t you know that God has brought you through all of the old things you’ve been through for a reason? If He wanted you to die in your past then you wouldn’t be living now. If God wanted the drugs you used to do to kill you then you would have overdosed a long time ago instead of having a chance to overcome it. If God wanted the cancer to take you out, then He wouldn’t have allowed you to be 1, 3, 5 or even 10 year cancer free. If God was meaning to kill you in your past then He wouldn’t have allowed that bullet to miss your heart by mere inches or that car to stop just at the time it should have hit you head on. If God wanted you to die at the hands of that man or woman who found joy being an abuser, He wouldn’t have allowed you the chance to get away that night they almost beat you to death. See, God has a purpose for your life and He has a purpose for the things we go through and He doesn’t allow those things to dictate who we are meant to be. Oh, you don’t have to believe me but believe His word because the bible says in Acts 3:19 “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away,” Isaiah 44:22 that says, “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free,” and Isaiah 43:19 which says, “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Still not enough, read Ezekiel 36:26 which says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Don’t you get it yet? God doesn’t care about your pasts because it is not your past that defines you which is why Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now; let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” If God only chose folk who had a clean past then He wouldn’t have anybody on His side. If God only blessed folks who did no wrong, we’d all be tore up from the floor up. If God only called folks who never do wrong, then where would we be? So, if God can forgive and forget, then why do you allow folks to keep bringing up the things of your past? You need to tell folks who can’t seem to see your change – “Yea, I know I used to do this but I don’t anymore. Yea, I used to go there but I don’t anymore. Yes, I used to be that but I’m not anymore so stop acting like it and stop bringing it up and if you keep calling me by my old name, my old self and my past I will no longer answer. Get to know the new me that is now and you’ll find that you’ll like me better and if you can’t, then put one foot in front of the other and keep walking!

Daily Devotional – 10/20/12 Day 7 “Prayer for the weary”

Our Father,

As I come petitioning your throne on Day 7 of our prayer fast, I’ve got to thank you once again. I’m thanking you for giving me a regulated mind that is stayed on you. God, I thank you because my storm has become harder during this fasting of prayer but you never let me down so my faith, in you, never wavered. God, thank you for never taking your hands off of me and for always being a whisper away. Now, God I ask you to send a special blessing to the person reading this because they’re coming to you for a specific thing today, so God have your way in their life now. Grant them the request they’ve been crying out for. God, if its healing send it now because I know that you’re capable of doing surgery without cutting open the flesh; I know you’re able to heal a broken heart without doing a triple bypass and I know you’re able to regulate blood pressure without medicine. God, if its a financial blessing that they stand in need of now, send it like only you can because I know that you’re able to given them an increase in their bank account without them applying for a loan; you’re able to zero out balances without making a payment and able to release debt without a second thought. God, I know you’re able to do it now. Father, for the person whose burying a loved one, for the one making funeral arrangements, for the one searching for a loved one and for the one whose loved one is consumed by an addiction; comfort them today. God, send hope to the person whose hope is slowly leaving, send joy to the person whose allowed the world to take theirs away, send love to the person whose only felt hurt from others and guide the person whose taken the wrong turn on their journey. God, somebody wants to know you but they’re too concerned about what others say, somebody wants to come back to you but they are too scared to let the world go and someone is fighting the calling you’ve placed over their life but I know that you’re able to deliver them on today. God someone is fighting a battle that’s not theirs to fight, strengthen them on today. Someone is about to give up because they can’t seem to stop drowning but I know you’re a life jacket in the time of need. Someone is about to give in because they feel like they can’t hold on to the cliff they’ve fallen over but I know you to be a cushion when they fall. Someone is about to let go of their rope because its breaking but I know you’re able to give them the strength they need to reach beyond the break. God someone’s legs is buckling under the pressures of the burdens that are on their shoulders but I know you’re able to help them carry them even without them knowing it. God, I ask you to do it now because I’m claiming victory! Yes sir, I’m claiming that we shall not be defeated in this round because you are patiently waiting to be tagged in. Yes, I’m claiming that we shall not be moved while in our storm because you’re the best raincoat that we can have. Yes, I am claiming victory during our sickness, our financial troubles, our heartaches, situations, circumstances, trials and tribulations because there isn’t anyone who can do us better than you! God, I thank you now and I’m still believing this things and I’m still claiming these things and I’m still speaking these things because you’ve given me the power too! Do it God! Do it God! Do it God! These things I ask in your name, in Jesus name and in the name of the Holy Ghost. Amen

Daily Devotional – 10/19/12 “Daily Prayer – Day 6 “Finances”

Our Father in Heaven,

As our petition your throne today I thank you for all you’ve done for me and God I even thank you for those things you haven’t done because they weren’t meant for me. God I thank you for my family, my friends and even my enemies because they make me stronger. God, I come today praying for the financial situation of your people. Somebody is struggling to pay their bills and no matter how hard they work they just can’t seem to push their way through, God do it for them now. Somebody got paid today and their checking account is still negative but I know that you’re able to turn it around to positive, so I ask you to do it if it’s in your will. God, somebody needs their medicine, somebody needs to see the doctor, somebody needs a lawyer and somebody is hungry and they can’t afford it; provide for them today like only you can. God, somebody has money in their pocket but steals from others; deliver them now. Deliver the mother who is drinking and the dad who is smoking away their children’s future. Deliver the one who finds it easy to steal from their grandma/momma. God I know that you can do it. Father, somebody is sitting now trying to figure out how to pay their rent that is late, make a way for them now. Someone is crying because they have to go to court with no money and no lawyer, make a way for them now. Someone needs money for surgery, chemo, dialysis, high blood pressure medicine or insulin; God make a way for them now. Yea God! I’m petitioning today for all the prayer requests that need to be heard today. God I come asking you to make this a fruitful Friday. God turn negatives into positives, turn the no on yesterday to a yes on today and increase balances and decrease debt. God, I know you can and I believe you will because you said ask and it shall be given. God, I am asking you to bless the person whose been praying for a job. God someone has been trying to get their mortgage or car loan refinanced, do it for them. Someone has been trying to get a loan to restore their credit or pay off bills, do it God! Somebody filed bankruptcy and still can’t get ahead but I know that you’re able to wipe out debt and clear credit reports so I ask that you do it now. God I claim victory and I declare victory and payoffs over high mortgages/rent, high light bills, check advances, title loans, personal loans, credit card debts, overdrawn accounts and short checks. God I know that we get ourselves in debt by spending when we shouldn’t and going when we really couldn’t and wanting instead of needing but God I’m asking for help on today. Show us how to be lenders and not borrowers and how to first instead of last. God show us how to not beg but how to save. God show us how to multiply what we have so that we won’t be in debt any more. God do it now! Father, I ask you to bless the business of your child that’s on the verge of closing because I know that you can change it. Bless the business of your child who has just opened it in your name; make it profitable if it’s your will. Oh, God I ask you now to bless my testimony that is my book, blog and eBook so that it is fruitful and that it touches the lives of all those who need to read your word. God I ask these things because I believe that it is already done. God, thank you now for the blessing you’re getting ready to send. God I thank you for the finances you’re getting ready to increase and for the debts you’re about to write off. God I’m thanking you for my financial increase and my debt that you’re going to erase even before it’s done because I believe that is shall be! God move in the lives of your people now like I know you can and will! Do it God. Deliver God! Increase oh God! And bless your people now. And God, I pray a special prayer now for comfort and for strength for the family and friends of Karen Thomas whose life was taken so senselessly. God, guide the hearts of the family so that they may forgive the one whose hands have caused this pain. Then God cover and protect her children who are now motherless. I know you can. Oh God, I submit this prayer to you and I believe it to be done. Amen!

Daily Devotional – 10/18/12 “Daily Prayer – Day 5 “Children” “

Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven. God, it is once again that I petition your throne this day; first to thank you for all the blessings that I’ve already received that are too numerous to count. Then God I must thank you because you woke me up this morning, regulated my mind, gave me full use of my limbs, allowed all my senses to work the way they are supposed to, gave me an appetite and then food to eat, you blessed me with a car to drive and then money to put gas in it, you blessed me with a job and then strength to go to it and you gave me joy that this mean world can’t take away. God, I thank you. Now, Father I come this morning standing in the gap praying for our children because they need you more than ever before. Gangs are growing and education is slowing; violence is greater and common sense is being pushed off until later; disobedience is more and respectfulness is out the door, parents aren’t parenting and kids aren’t listening; God, we need you here. God, I am asking you to bind peer pressure, bullying, teenage pregnancy, STDs, HIV, gang violence, disobedient attitudes and disrespectful tongues. Release the grip that social networking has placed around the necks of our children and remove the desire to steal, rob, kill, lying and cheating from their hearts and minds. Remove the taste of cigarettes, alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and ecstasy and prescription drugs from their mouths. God protect the child who has to go home to an abusive father/mother, the one who goes home with no food to eat, no lights to see how to do their homework, no warm water to bathe in, no warm house to sleep in, no clean clothes and decent shoes to wear. God protect the daughter who has to sell her body in order to eat and protect the son who has to steal to provide for his younger brothers/sisters. God comfort the children whose mother has died and now they are left without a home. Wipe the tears of the child who has never known their daddy yet they are longing too. Heal the child that is fighting cancer, juvenile diabetes, lupus, arthritis, sickle cell and strengthen their bodies to be able to handle the treatments that seem to be taking a toll on them daily and give their parents the necessary blessings they need to endure these trials with them. Father, some child somewhere is contemplating suicide because of social networking; bind that spirit. Father, some child has already taken their life because of the meanness of others; strengthen the family they’ve left behind. Father, some girl is pregnant and has yet to seek medical attention because she is afraid, guide her now. Some young man is thinking about joining a gang because he doesn’t have the love at home like the streets give but God, show him that you are love and you’ll be all that he needs. Some child is being sexually molested by someone who is supposed to love them, oh God, shine the light on this dark situation so that he/she may get help and that monster put in jail. For the child who is struggling in school and thinking about dropping out, send someone into their lives to help them today. For the child who is homeless, send help for them now. For the child who has no one to talk too, send them someone that can teach them about you. God, a child now is dealing with the sickness of grandma when she has been all they’ve known; strengthen them. God I ask you now to bind the hands and minds of those who choose to harm our children. Touch that teacher who goes above and beyond for her students to ensure they survive in this mean world, give them the blessings to continue to be a blessing. Fill the gap for the child missing their mom or dad and even the one who feels like they are all alone. For the young adult who is in college, strengthen their minds with knowledge so that they continue even when the going seems to be getting harder. For the young adult who is working, touch their minds to save instead of always spending. For the young adult whose heart has been broken by someone they thought loved them, show them that healing is only a heartbeat away. God, I again today, stand in the gap for our children claiming victory over their lives because they shall not lose; they shall not be defeated because I claim defeat over the enemy who seems to distract them so easy. I am claiming victory over their lives so that they get to know you in the midst of their sins. God, I am asking you now to do these things for our children. Bless the babies that are being born into this mean world so that their days may be happy, healthy and blessed. Bless now, heal now, cover and protect now, sustain their minds and guide their walk while lighting their path. Do these things like I know you’re able to do because I am asking like they’ve already been done. This prayer I submit to you. Amen

Daily Devotional – 10/17/12 “Daily Prayer – Day 4 Marriage”

Our Father in Heaven,

It is me once again petitioning your throne with praise in my heart and thanksgiving on my lips. God, I come to you humble because you didn’t have to let my eyes open to see this new day but you did. You didn’t have to allow me a mind to want to pray for others but you have, so I’ve got to thank you. You didn’t have to bless me with your anointing but you did, so I must thank you. God somebody is wishing for this gift I have, yet you deemed me worthy of it, so I shall not stop using it because if you continue to use me, Father, I will continue to be used until the day you close my eyes to open no more, my hands to work no more, stop my feet from moving, my heart from beating and my brain from functioning. God, I must work for you because you work for me. Now, oh God, I come to you in prayer today on behalf of marriages because many have forgotten the terms of the contract they’ve entered into. God, divorce rates are up because there aren’t enough of us down on our knees so we need you more than ever because husbands are no longer providing and wives are barely surviving. Husbands don’t love like they should and wives don’t support like they could. Husbands are supposed to be the head yet they are standing in the back because they’re scared of the nagging wife who is too stubborn to learn what her role really is. Oh, God we’re on a downward spiral and we need your guidance. Deliver the minds of the husbands and wives who find it easier to walk away instead of growing stronger in their storms, deliver the husband who has turned to alcohol instead of his wife after losing his job, deliver the wife who has turned to prescription drugs instead of her husband after the diagnosis of breast cancer, deliver the mind of the husband who finds joy belittling the wife that God has blessed him with and the wife who finds joy in beating her husband down with her negative attitude instead of helping him back up. God, deliver the mind of the husband who is too stubborn and mean because his wife makes more money than him and deliver the mind of the wife who finds it easy to spend all the money simply because it is there without even thinking of the household. God, heal the marriages that are on the verge of divorce, if it is in your plan. Heal the pain that has been caused by adultery, lying and stealing. Heal the hate that has been caused by past relationships that are now causing hell in the new relationships. God, strength every husband who believes in you so that his Christian life is stronger, so that he can be the head of his household, so that he can pray over his family without being ashamed, praise in the midst of his storms without caring about whose looking, so that he can admire/compliment his wife without harsh criticism, make her smile when he walks into a room and make her feel like a million bucks even though she is dressed in Wal-Mart clothes, so that he can raise sons who wants to follow in his footsteps and so that he can continue to work for you. God strength every wife who believes in you so that her Christian life is stronger, so that she won’t be ashamed to stand behind her husband who is the head, so that her prayer life is stronger in order to pray over her family, so that she can rejoice in the midst of their storm no matter who is looking, so that she can shout even when times are good, so that she can teach her daughters how to be a helpmate instead of always being hellish, so that she can pick up the pieces when her spouse needs helps, take care of her family during sickness, feed her family with just a few morsels of food, make her husband feel like he is a King on a poor man’s salary, who isn’t ashamed to shop at Goodwill to clothe her family or the Foodbank to feed her family and who isn’t scared to stand with her husband when the world is telling her to leave. God I am claiming victory over divorces because we shall not be defeated. God, I’m claiming victory over physical, mental and emotional abuse from those who find it so easy to give it out. God, you’ve given me the power so I claim victory right now to erase debt, past due notices, overdrawn bank accounts, cutoff notices, title loans, check advances, student loans, overpriced mortgages/rent and car loans and hospital bills. I am asking you to bless those who have stepped out on faith and started a business; allow them to means to make it fruitful so they have a legacy to leave their children and grandchildren. I am asking that you grant the requests of those who have applied for a loan they so desperately need right now because I know that you have the ultimate authority to stamp approve even when man wants to say no. Do it now God. Somebody is standing at the bedside of their spouse, over their casket or even at their gravesite right now but I know that you are able to give them the strength they stand in the need of now. Comfort those who need to feel your arms around them, give hope to those who feel theirs slipping away and wipe the tears of those who can’t seem to stop theirs from flowing. God do it now because I know that you can and I believe that you will. God I am claiming these things as if it is already done. Husbands will not be defeated! Wives will not be defeated! Marriages will not be defeated because I am speaking all these things as though they are. Yea, you might not have money in the bank and all your bills are due but you will not be defeated. You may be sick and tired of going through but you shall not lose. Your body may even be filled with pain but you will not die. I am speaking deliverance over your life, your marriage, your situation and your battle RIGHT NOW! You will not die but you shall live! You will not be hungry but you shall eat! You will not be broke but you shall prosper! You shall live! You shall overcome! You shall reap from a harvest that is plentiful and never ends IF YOU BELIEVE. Oh God I thank you for prayer and now I submit this too because it shall be so; in your name God. Amen