Daily Devotional – 7/31/12 “Sooner or later!”

I know that it looked like your storm was coming to an end and as soon as you stepped out, without your umbrella, the clouds begin to roll in again; but I’m here to tell you that even though you may not have a physical umbrella to cover your head from the rain that’s pouring, you still have a spiritual one that you never have to remember to grab. See, God hasn’t forgotten about you simply because it seems like you’ve been under the storms clouds for a while now, so hold on. Yea, the clouds of depression, having more bills than money, more sick days than well ones, death keeps taking the folks you love, folks on the job acting slick slow and the kids are constantly messing up; BUT GOD! I’ve said this before: The storm you’re in isn’t to punish you; but the rain is simply washing off the dirt that has been thrown on you from haters, it’s washing off the mud that covered you when folk drug your name from here to there, it’s washing off the blood from being stabbed in your back, it’s washing off all of the signs that folk have placed on you calling you this & that and it’s preparing you to enjoy the sun that’ll shine once the storm is over. Don’t you realize that just because you can’t see other folk struggles it doesn’t mean they aren’t going through? If I looked like the things I’m going through I’d be tore up, hair all over my head, shoes raggedy, pants with holes in them and an overall mess. Just because your account is in the negative, your cable might be off, you got a cut-off notice for your lights and your rent is late, you don’t have to look like it. Deuteronomy 31:8 says “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Stop thinking that just because folks are being blessed they don’t have a stormy season because either they’re going through now, about to go through or just coming out of one and if they tell you that all their days are sunny; they’re a lie and the truth isn’t anywhere in them! Stop fretting because baby you shouldn’t look like your problems! Stop worrying about how folks look at you just because you may need food stamp assistance because most of them need them too. Stop being concern if folks will talk about you if you catch the bus because most of them are hiding their car now from the repo man. Stop catering to folks because they surely won’t cater to you! Ok, so you’re in your storm; it’ll end sooner or later. Baby, while you are trying to conform to folks somebody you know, that’s probably close to you, doesn’t even think you deserve the job you got, but look at God. Somebody you know is still trying to figure out how you got approved for the car you got, but look at God working. Somebody is wondering how you made it through cancer with the life you lived when others, they feel are better, died but look at God working this. Somebody is questioning how you manage to still have money left over from paycheck to paycheck when all you do is shop but look at God working this thang! Somebody is even trying to see how God could have picked somebody like you, who used to be on drugs, dancing in night clubs and sleeping with anyone who would lie flat; clean you up and now you’re the minister of music at church but LOOK AT GOD WORKING THIS THANG OUT! See, while they are trying to figure it out, God has already worked it out. While YOU are trying to figure it out, God has already worked it out. While they are counting your blessings, they are simply adding theirs to yours. While they are counting you out, God is simply adding pegs to your footstool and lifting you higher! So go on and tell them to talk about you, lie on you, scandalize your name, try to ruin your relationship, and keep on digging that ditch for you because when it’s all over with God has you covered so all is surely well! Because when I no longer look at what I used to be or how I use to look, I see how I was meant to be. I am who God has made me, so I will pray every day “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word,” Psalm 119:37. Sooner or later God is going to turn this thang around for you! All you have to do is say YES LORD! See, when you give yourself and your problems over to God, he will work it out for you; sooner or later. Not all your days will be sunny but even on your bad days; your rejoicing will still be the same! God has this thang worked out but you have to believe it. You may not be where you want to be and you may not even have what you think you should have but hold on because sooner or later, things will have to get better!

Daily Devotional – 7/27/12 “Rear back and then get back up!”

There’s a story that is often told by ministers that goes;

There was a young man who wanted to win a bear for his girlfriend at a carnival so he went up to this booth to play the game. When he stepped up, the guy running the game said; “Son, the object of this game is to take the ball and throw it at this doll until you knock her down but you only get 3 tries.” The young man was excited because he was a little league pitcher and knew it would be easy, so he took the ball and threw it but when it hit the doll; she simply reared back and then got back up. Not being defeated he tried again and the doll did the exact same thing. By this time an older man walked up and said; “Son, why are you wasting your time and money trying to knock this doll down for a bear you can easily go buy at a store? Don’t you know the maker of that doll put something on the inside of it that when she is hit with anything she simply rears back and then comes back up?”

See, the moral of the story is; your maker, God, has placed something on the inside of you that allows you to overcome any obstacle that’s thrown at you by simply rearing back and then getting back up. Yea, see rearing back means you get knocked over yet you don’t get knocked out. Rearing back means you might wobble but you won’t fall. Rearing back means you may get the wind knocked out of you but you’re still living. Don’t you know you have that capability inside of you? Yea, you have the mechanisms already on the inside of you to be knocked back but not broken! (I’ll give you a second to let that sink in) It’s like when the enemy came in and attacked your body with sickness but now it’s been 5 years and you’re still cancer, high blood pressure or dialysis free. It’s like when man handed you that pink slip 6 months ago yet you haven’t missed a meal or a bill. It’s like when that man or woman who was supposed to love you until death did you part left when times got hard, yet your heart didn’t turn to stone. It’s like when your so-called friend was the one who stabbed you in the back even after the numerous times you bailed them out yet you still trust folks. It’s like when family talked about you because they thought your blessings should be theirs and yet you’re still being favored by God. Humph! Don’t you know that God won’t allow you to be hurt at the hands of your enemy? I know it seems like they’re winning the battle but baby that’s just one round; you got plenty more to go so just hold on. Who cares because they got you breathing hard or your legs shaking, you’re ready for this if you’ve been paying attention to your trainer because Psalm 144:1-2 says, “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.” So why you worried when you have a team mate waiting to be tagged in who has never lost a match? Psalm 18:2 says, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” Yea, they may be laughing at you from the sideline, that’s ok, because you got somebody on your side that doesn’t worry about the naysayers because he can’t be counted out only counted on and he can’t be defeated yet he doesn’t have to boast of his winnings. Stop being concerned about the lengths folks will go through to hurt you because although it’ll sting your flesh, it’ll only last as long as you allow it too. You are destined for trouble because you’re living but don’t allow the trouble to turn you into somebody you’re not. You don’t have to be mean because folk are mean to you, smile in spite of the way your heart is feeling. You don’t have to do folk wrong because they do you wrong, laugh in spite of the tears that are filling your eyes. You don’t have to push folk down because they pushed you when all you have to do is pray while you’re down and then dust yourself off when you get up and keep on moving! When the world seems to be throwing stuff at you to knock you down, simply rear back but then get right back up! Being down doesn’t mean you’re out; it’s just a momentary time out to catch your breath. Now, get up and get back out there because there is work to be done. Rear back, because there will be crap thrown at you, but then get back up!

Daily Devotional – 7/26/12 “Can’t you see that I’m a Christian?”

I thought I’d repost this for those of us (me included) who sometimes need reminding of our purpose!

We often say to God: I am a Christian, can’t you see? I go to church on Sunday even though I get there late, sometimes hung-over with a headache but, at least I’m there for goodness sake! I know I may not wave my hands or give you praise like I could, but at least I’m there giving you all that I think I should. Isn’t that good enough? I might gossip a lot and talk about folk I say are my friends, but that’s alright; you said you’d forgive me, isn’t that right? I sometimes hate on people’s blessing because I feel like I should be getting blessed too, but that’s alright, because I’ll just take a little from them and leave them a little stressed. But, I’ll have time to ask for forgiveness because I’m young and in pretty good shape, so right now I’ll just continue on and change before it gets too late. I sometime take my blessings for granted and disrespect my mother. I even misuse people like; my friends, family, sisters and my brothers. I know that I’m supposed to be my brother’s keeper to be there when they need me and do some good deeds, but I’ll spread their business faster than a gardener planting seeds. Yea, I’m supposed to pick up those that fall, pray for those that are lost; but usually I’m only on “Christian duty” when it is convenient for me and paying a cost. Doesn’t that still make me a Christian, isn’t that ok? Won’t you forgive me for it, isn’t that what the good book say? I know I’m supposed to pay tithes from the job that you’ve blessed me with, but I saw this pair of shoes that I just had to have so and I had to get them quick. (I’ll pay you later, k? God you know my heart!) I saw this man begging and even though I had the extra money, I decided not to give because he should get a job too, doesn’t he know I have a life to live? Humph, you didn’t say be a fool! But I am a Christian, can’t you see that, I got time to get myself right. So just wait God, give me a little more time to work on my Christian light.

God answered: Who are you to choose when it’s ok to do my will? When I am the one that’ll see you through any situation, if you would just keep still! Who are you to choose what Sunday to give me praise; when I was the one that lifted you, your bowed down head I raised? Who are you to be a “fair weather” Christian, a some-timer for me; when I am the one that has kept you, all your problems I solved and I’m just who I said I’ll be? Yea, I’ll forgive you but you have to ask with your own mouth and believe it in your heart, but don’t you think today might be a good day to start? Will you get the opportunity to change before your time on this earth ends, will you be able to apologize to your family, say I love you to your friends? Will you get the chance to show me that you’re walking on the path I chose? I guess you’d better start today to be the Christian I’ve ordained you to be, before the blood in your veins get cold! I’m not trying to scare you, I’m just telling you like it is because you can’t pay the cost at the gate by shedding a few tears. When it’s judgment day, you won’t have a chance to press a button to rewind because no matter how long you’ve lived, you’ve had ample time. To get yourself together and to do my will, but you take it as a joke and choose all the cheap thrills. When you should be reading the bible, keeping my commandments and repenting of your sins but I’m always here for you and I’m standing at your door, just waiting to be invited in. Please don’t get me wrong because Christians can have fun too, just don’t get too “crunk” because even though you can have wine, the sin is getting drunk. If you studied my word more, you’d know these types of things but it looks like you’ve got it all figured out, from what I’ve seen. If you don’t need my help and think you can handle things on your own, then fine, you’ll reap what you sow! But don’t get mad when I don’t come faster when your voice I don’t know. You may want to take a step back to get your life in order before the time gets too late, because death will surely come even though you don’t know the date. I’ve prepared a place for you to come but you have to make the choice, I just pray you have enough time to hear and understand my voice.


Our response: Oh God, why have I wasted so much time trying to live in this world? Trying to keep up with this bad boy or fast tail girl? I will make a change because I want my name on your roll and I want to be in your number, so I can’t allow folks to knock me off my Christian stroll and cause me to stumble. I will become the person that you’ve ordained me to be and I will not be ashamed to tell the world, show the world that I am a Christian, you will see!

Daily Devotional – 7/25/12 “Pray like its Sunday Morning!”

Heavenly Father,

As I petition your throne today, I must first thank you. I thank you for never taking your hands off of me, even when I do wrong, you never leave me. I must thank you for my being in my right mind and for having strength in my body that allows me to use the activity of my limbs. I thank you for giving me back everything I had on yesterday even if I didn’t act like I appreciate it. God, someone is reading this and their heart is troubled and I don’t know why, but I know that you do. God, I ask that you touch them right now and send that deliverance, they so badly need, into their life now. God someone is looking for confirmation to a decision or situation, send it to them now! Someone is dealing with some things that seem hopeless, but Oh God I know that you are able to send calm in the midst of a storm, send it now. God, someone got bad news from a doctor but you can send healing before any medicine is even given, send it now. Someone got fired or laid off from their job, but I know that you, God, are a provider, keep them now. Someone is dealing with the death of a love one, send rest to their weary mind today, oh God, do it right now. I know that I am just a vessel sharing your word but I ask that you touch my head, heart, mind, body & soul, so that I may continue to be a vessel for you. God anoint me with your blood; have your way in my life and whatever path you set before me, I am ready as long as you are the light! God bless the person reading this so that they may share your word with others. Touch now, anoint now, bless now, guide now and heal how! God, I come before you giving you all of me, even the parts that have yet to be cleansed because no one can clean them like you. God, I know that I am yet a sinner but I thank you because even I still make mistakes; yet you forgive me for my sins and I ask that you clean my heart so that I won’t make them again and only learn from them. I am the clay and I’m in your hands, mold me into the person you would have me to be and give me exactly what you would have me so say and guide me to do the things you would have me to do. God, I want my light to shine bright so that I may bring in those who are lost and wandering in the wilderness. I’m not perfect but that means there is still work to be done, so I cry out today WORK ON ME GOD! Work on me Jesus! Thank you for giving me a mind to work for you, for giving me the gifts that you restore to me every day and for giving me the encouragement to go even after folks have knocked me down. Thank you God! Now, I ask that you continue to bless my family, continue to strengthen Grandma to be the woman you’d have her to be and continue to surround us with your protection. Thank you for believing in me even when it is hard to believe in myself. Thank you for giving me all of you even when I don’t give you all of me. I will work for you God until the day you send that chariot of angels to bring me home. Thank you for never taking your hands off of me.

In your name I pray, Amen!

Daily Devotional – 7/23/12 “I’m in awe of God’s awesomeness!”

Even through my grief, strains and struggles; I am still able to see the goodness of God. See, in granddaddy’s passing I’ve seen the goodness of him no longer struggling to live and I’ve seen the peace that grandma now has because she doesn’t have to worry about him anymore. In my struggling and daily strains, I see the goodness of my breakthrough coming, so I have no reason to complain. Even in the midst of being lied on by family, talked about for trying to do what is good and going when I don’t feel like going; I see the goodness of God’s strength holding me together. Yes, I am in awe of the awesomeness of this Man! He can hold without me feeling his arms around me, he can make me feel his presence when I’m lonely without walking into my room, he can wipe my tears without me feeling his hands, he can soothe my fears without me hearing his voice and he can sustain me without even depositing money into my bank account. Oh, when I tell you about this awesomeness; it’s not because I’ve read it on the internet, heard about it on TV, seen about it through someone else’s eyes but it because I am a living witness. No, I won’t say I’ve had moments when I thought suicide was the only way out or days when I’ve turned to drugs, alcohol or men but that doesn’t mean I haven’t had bad days. But I’ve lived long enough (in my 35 years) to know that whatever I’m going through could be 10 times worse. I know that the things we deal with raising teenage children could be worse because we could have buried a child like some parents have. I know that the stress of the job can sometime wear us out but we could be without one which means no steady income or insurance. I know the things we have to deal with when the car won’t start or tire is flat could be worse because we could be walking in 100 degree weather but we’re not. Yes, I am in awe of God’s awesomeness because he doesn’t have to share it with me but he does; he doesn’t have to love me like he do, but he does; he doesn’t have to see about me on my sad days, but he does; he doesn’t have to send the sun when I’m in my storm, but he does and he doesn’t have to give me eyes to see, legs to walk, a mouth that talks and ears that hears but he does! I don’t need advice on how to serve my God, I don’t need inspiration to wave my hand, I don’t need to be pumped and primed to praise Him because if He stops right now sending me blessings; I still couldn’t thank Him enough!

I suggest you take a moment to see the awesomeness of God in your life now, right now. Yea, I know you may be drinking tears for water, you may be missing the way your pillow feel because you can’t sleep, feet are tired from pacing, body is worn out from always working or mind is tired from trying to think of ways to pay Paul when you still need to pay Peter but just stop and look. There is a purpose for everything that we go through. Let me say it again, THERE IS A PURPOSE FOR EVERYTHING WE GO THROUGH. Yea, it’s Monday and folks have called in and left you to handle the work but God knew you could do it which is why he allowed you to get peaceful rest on last night. Yea, I know you only have $20 to hold you until Friday but God can make it where you’ll still have that same $20 bill on Friday when you get paid. Yea, I know you didn’t have the money to pay your tithes on Sunday like you wish you had but God knows. Stop wondering if you’re being punished because it seems like you’ve been in your storm too long; God may just have you hidden under the clouds until all the crap settles that hit the fan. I’ve told you before that when it seems like all Hell has broken loose, it’s just God shaking up the stuff around you and once it all settles down; the things that needs to be left will be there and the things that don’t, won’t be. Take a moment to look around and see the awesomeness of God in your situation because he may have the door open for you to walk through but you won’t see it until you look.