Daily Devotional – 4/8/20 “I’m still praying.”

Dear God,

I humbly petition your throne under submission and with your permission, asking that your will be done. God, give us today daily bread that shall fill us. Give us provisions that shall sustain us. Give us power to resist the enemy and he’ll flee. Give us strength to not fall into temptations and deliver us from evil. Give us the words and voice to forgive others so that you forgive us. And God, thank you. Thank you for keeping us, for not taking your hand away, for shielding our mind, for healing what we didn’t even know we were suffering with and for not ignoring our pleas.

Now God, while you’re listening, heal our land. God, go into every city, town and country and heal. Calm anxiety, wipe tears of fear and comfort those who are grieving. God, even during this chaotic time, keep us close to you. While we go through this pandemic of sickness and confusion, God hear and answer prayers. For it’s your word that says in Psalm 91, those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. For we know that even in your shadow, we’re safe.

Because God, you are our refuge and strength and surely, you’ll deliver us from the noose of the hunter and this deadly plague called Covid-19. Surely, you can cover us because your faithfulness is our shield and protection. And we shall not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrows that flies by day, nor the virus that stalks us in darkness and not even the disease that strikes at midday. Though thousands have died, no farther harm shall come near us or our families.

We shall not lack from the limited resources of man because if we stay under your hand, you’ll provide all. God, I pray covering, protection and provision for every first responder and essential employee who must work without the proper safety equipment. God, block every entry point that sickness shall not touch them or their family. I pray, through this pandemic that the world will see your power and believe. I pray we will stop taking your grace for granted.

And I still pray, like before, that no man or woman will succumb to sin, fall into depression, commit suicide, be bound by fear, hunger, thirst, become homeless nor sick. I pray we’ll trust God, seek God, hear God, feel God, taste God, trust God, pray to God, tithe to God and devote ourselves to God. For I declare that when we trust Him with all of us, He’ll be a keeper of His promises. Today God, we submit ourselves to you because we can’t survive this on our own. We’re powerless without you. Have your way, this we pray.

Amen.

This I pray in Jesus name (1)

Faith over Fear

The other night, Tuesday to be exact, I did a short teaching on “how to walk in obedience when it’s embarrassing, uncomfortable and seems to never end.”

I’m posting a link to that video below for someone who may be dealing with this very issue. Listen, I don’t have all the answers but what I do know is this …

Faith — numerator
——
Fear — denominator

With fear as the denominator and FAITH as the numerator … Faith can pull from fear but fear can’t pull from faith.

And the bigger my faith, the smaller my fear.

I pray this blesses you! Join me on next Tuesday, 7 PM CST.

Faith over fear

This I pray in Jesus name

Even while we go through a pandemic of sickness and confusion, God is yet able. While we wait, God is still willing. And right now, I pray God will send a fresh wind of anointing to hit your house that what you’ve been praying for, aligned to His way, will show up. I pray for you who are in your rightful place that you’ll receive a blessing so big it shakes your dwelling like an earthquake.

I pray for those who’ve lost jobs, if you stay under the hand of Almighty God, He’ll provide and you shall not lack. I pray covering for every first responder and essential employee who has to work without the proper safety equipment that sickness shall not touch you or your family.

I pray this world we’ll see God’s power manifested like never before. I pray we’ll trust God and serve Him more. I pray that worship places will not lack and those that remain open are doing so because of God, not rebellion and greed. I pray you do not thirst, succumb to sin, fall into depression, think suicide is the only way out, hunger, become homeless nor sick.

I pray, during this you’ll seek God, hear God, feel God, taste God, trust God, pray to God, tithe to God and devote yourself to God. For I declare that if you trust Him with all of you, this week will not be like last week. No ma’am, no sir. When you try God, you shall not want, He’ll make you lie down in green pastures, He’ll lead you beside the still waters, He’ll restore your soul and He’ll lead you along the path of righteous because of His name. Yes, you may go through the valley of death but you won’t fear because He’ll be there, rescuing you from every trap and protecting you from deadly disease. He will cover us and His faithful promises are our armor and protection. So, don’t be afraid for God is with us.
‭‭
This I pray, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Psalm23 #Psalm91

New Book Alert – Covet

Covet – yearn to possess or have (something) or to wish for earnestly

Karis (pronounced Car-ris) and Darius Toney has been married for seven years. Their marriage isn’t perfect, but they’ve made it work. They’re active members of True Vine MB Church, she’s a photographer and he owns a tire shop. Things are, well, they are good.

Until the day, their life becomes the object of somebody’s obsession. The only downside, they don’t know who it is. This person, in the darkness has a yearning, a desire to possess something Karis and Darius has … they just didn’t know it yet.

Pray and fast, that’ll help when you’re going through a storm, right? Well, they’re doing that, but things are getting worst. Fire, turmoil, secrets and a kidnapping of a spouse. It’s clear, the person responsible hasn’t read Romans 13:9, “For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet…”

Covet, now available in Ebook and Paperback


Excerpt

Karis

At the studio, finishing up some work when my phone dings with a text. Before I can open it, a call comes through. I press answer and put it on speaker.

“This is Karis.”

“Karis, have you been on Facebook?” Victoria, from church ask as the line buzzes with another call.

“No, why? What’s going on?”

“Girl, you need to see what was posted thirty minutes ago to the church’s Facebook page.”

“Vic, girl what is it?”

She pauses.

“Hello,” I say.

“It’s an article about Darius. It says he murdered his first wife.”

I laugh. “That has to be a mistake because Darius hasn’t been married before.”

“I’m only telling you what was posted. You need to go look.”

She hangs up and another call comes through. I decline it, turning my phone face down. Typing in Facebook, on the computer, I go to True Vine’s Facebook page.
My mouth goes dry as I begin to read the post.

“The bible says in First Timothy three, verses eight through ten, these words. “In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.”

I guess True Vine MB Church didn’t read this when they ordained Darius Toney.”

I click on the attachment. It’s an old news story from 2004.

“A family seeks answers as they mourn the loss of their loved one who died on an Army Base in Ansbach, Germany. While the investigation has been closed, in Germany, ruled a suicide; family members say there’s more to the story. Their daughter, Kathrine Toney, married Darius Toney, not even three months ago. They trusted him with her only for her to be shipped home in a casket.”

I slam my computer shut. My phone dings again, this time with a text. I open the app and see a new message in the Unknown Senders tab.

+1 (217) 984-9099: Attachment: 2 images

I click it. I turn my phone to the side and enlarge. Another text comes through.

+1 (217) 984-9099: See someone you know? I guess we all have secrets, huh?

ME: Who is this?

+1 (217) 984-9099: You’ll know soon enough. Oh, he tasted very good. Thank you for keeping him hydrated.

I dial the number, but a message says it’s disconnected.


Covet, now available in Ebook and Paperback