Daily Devotional – 2/11/20 “Keep the same energy, playa!”

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas are imprisoned after casting out a demon from a young girl, people were using to make money. Bible shares she was filled with a spirit of divination (the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means). Afterwards, Paul and Silas dragged before the authorities who ordered that Paul and Silas be stripped, beaten and thrown into prison. You may know the end of the story but while Paul and Silas were in prison, they prayed and sung songs to God. It didn’t matter their current location, their heart and sound still belonged to God.

Some of y’all are in a place you don’t deserve to be in and neither have you done wrong. Maybe you’re in a dark place because of you; either way, stop being angry at God. Instead, ask Him for forgiveness and change your sound. Instead of pity, pray. Instead of focusing on your suffering, sing. Your heart and sound should still belong to God, no matter your location or situation.

Anyway, while they sung and prayed, God sent an earthquake that shook the foundation of the prison, opened the doors and the chains. Paul then converts the jailer, goes home with him and his entire household. The next morning, the magistrates sends an order to “release those men.” The jailer tells Paul and Silas, but Paul tells them, “They beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison, even though we are Roman citizens. And now do they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out (Acts 16:37)!”

In other words, keep the same energy playa. These men, in authority, had no right to strip, beat or imprison Paul and Silas; but they did. In front of a crowd yet they want to release them silently. Nawl baby. You restrained me publicly, keep the same energy and release me, publicly. Look, I know vengeance belongs to God, He’ll fight for us and He’ll handle our enemies; I’m not taking away from God’s power. Neither am I telling you not to forgive, love your enemies and pray for those who spitefully misuse you.

However, there are some folk, in your life, who keeps apologizing privately but will blatantly antagonize you publicly. Tell them, keep the same energy. Those who only show up when there’s a benefit for them and not to authentically support you; tell them, keep the same energy. Aw, you had the audacity to tag me in a post when you’re in your feelings but now that you’ve found out your folk lied, you want to apologize in messenger. No boo, keep the same energy, playa and tag me in the apology too. Stop giving passes to folk because they’re familiar, y’all grew up together, you respect them, they’re in authority and you don’t want to hurt their feelings. You don’t have to be mean about it, but you need to mean it.

This year we’re getting out of our own way, we’re stepping into all God has for us and we’re letting go of those who mean us no good. That begins by reevaluating our circle of relationships. Stop putting your good energy into folk and situations who got good energy but won’t give it to you. Depleting your energy dims your light.

In four days …

In four days, I’m stepping out on faith and out of my comfort zone to do something God gave me last year. I’m hosting my very first ministerial event called Surviving Me. If you follow me on social media then you’ve seen the posts, but I wanted to share it here, for two reasons. One, so you’ll know and two, to encourage somebody to trust God and do it. Yes, it may be scary but if He gave you the plans; He’ll also provide the people, place, provisions, protection and peace.

See, I never had intentions of doing this because Surviving Me was only a scene in my book Broken but then I started getting messages about it and God wouldn’t leave me alone. I wrote it on a sticky note and pinned it to the wall in my Prayer Room and left it. God was still tugging at my heart, so I told Him, if this is meant, you make the way. Be careful what you tell God (LOL).

A little about Surviving Me. God and I are calling this, A Night of Worship: Divorce Edition because it’s designed almost like a divorce trial where we, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, prayer, song and God’s word; will divorce everything that causes us to abandon or abort our purpose. It is our prayer, that through this service, we divorce flesh and marry spirit. We divorce anger, bitterness, low self-esteem etc. to become who God has called us to be. Because let’s face it, sometimes, we’re our own worst enemy.

For this night, there is no cost and no registration fee; only a night of worship. There will be three speakers. Rev. LoTarsha Dillard, Arbeny Hunter and myself. There will also be prayer, praise and worship, a welcome and solo. I’ve scheduled two hours but fully intending to allow God to have total control.

Am I nervous? Yes, but not fearful because God gave me the vision and I trust Him enough to go forth, believing He’s going to see it through. I believe He’s going to prick the hearts of those who need to be in attendance and even those who He’ll send to sow into it. In other words, I’M BELIEVING and TRUSTING GOD. Y’all, I never want to be in the spotlight, but I know this event is not about me. It’s for some young lady who will be in the midst. It’s for somebody’s sister who is on the verge of giving up, but they won’t because their sister will come home telling them about #SurvivingMe. It’s for a mother, pastor, preacher, first lady, teacher, CEO, educator, guidance counselor, therapist, janitorial worker, warehouse worker, forklift driver, business owner, author, nurse, doctor, fire fighter, EMT, pilot, manager, etc. who feels hopeless, lost and their faith is falling.

Together, we’re SURVIVING ME!

If you’re in Memphis or surrounding areas, join us. If you are unable to attend, please send your prayers and if you would like to sow a seed, you may do so via cashapp ($RevKisha) or paypal.me/authorlakisha. If you’d like to order a Surviving Me Journal, click here or for any questions, you may reach me at authorlakisha@gmail.com.

Trust God. I did and in four days …

Luke 1:45, “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

Daily Devotional – 2/4/2020 “In four days …”

In four days, I’m stepping out on faith and out of my comfort zone to do something God gave me last year. I’m hosting my very first ministerial event called Surviving Me. If you follow me on social media then you’ve seen the posts, but I wanted to share it here, on the blog for two reasons. One, so you’ll know and two, to encourage somebody to trust God and do it. Yes, it may be scary but if He gave you the plans; He’ll also provide the people, place, provisions, protection and peace.

See, I never had intentions of doing this because Surviving Me was only a scene in my book Broken but then I started getting messages about it and God wouldn’t leave me alone. I wrote it on a sticky note and pinned it to the wall in my Prayer Room and left it. God was still tugging at my heart, so I told Him, if this is meant, you make the way. Be careful what you tell God (LOL).

A little about Surviving Me. God and I are calling this, A Night of Worship: Divorce Edition because it’s designed almost like a divorce trial where we, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, prayer, song and God’s word; will divorce everything that causes us to abandon or abort our purpose. It is our prayer, that through this service, we divorce flesh and marry spirit. We divorce anger, bitterness, low self-esteem etc. to become who God has called us to be. Because let’s face it, sometimes, we’re our own worst enemy.

For this night, there is no cost and no registration fee; only a night of worship. There will be three speakers. Rev. LoTarsha Dillard, Arbeny Hunter and myself. There will also be prayer, praise and worship, a welcome and solo. I’ve scheduled two hours but fully intending to allow God to have total control.

Am I nervous? Yes, but not fearful because God gave me the vision and I trust Him enough to go forth, believing He’s going to see it through. I believe He’s going to prick the hearts of those who need to be in attendance and even those who He’ll send to sow into it. In other words, I’M BELIEVING and TRUSTING GOD. Y’all, I never want to be in the spotlight, but I know this event is not about me. It’s for some young lady who will be in the midst. It’s for somebody’s sister who is on the verge of giving up, but they won’t because their sister will come home telling them about #SurvivingMe. It’s for a mother, pastor, preacher, first lady, teacher, CEO, educator, guidance counselor, therapist, janitorial worker, warehouse worker, forklift driver, business owner, author, nurse, doctor, fire fighter, EMT, pilot, manager, etc. who feels hopeless, lost and their faith is falling.

Together, we’re SURVIVING ME!

If you’re in Memphis or surrounding areas, join us. If you are unable to attend, please send your prayers and if you would like to sow a seed, you may do so via cashapp ($RevKisha) or paypal.me/authorlakisha. If you’d like to order a Surviving Me Journal, click here or for any questions, you may reach me at authorlakisha@gmail.com.

Trust God. I did and in four days …

Luke 1:45, “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

Daily Devotional – January 27, 2020 “What’s the answer?”

When tragedy happens, it is during this time we tend to question things. It’s a natural reaction when we don’t understand why certain things happen. One moment you’re celebrating birth and the next, death. One moment you’re happy and the next, tears won’t stop. One moment you’re going about your day and the next, sickness shifts what you know to be normal. One minute you’re driving to work and the next, your car is being slammed by somebody who ran the light. One moment you’re making plans for tomorrow and the next, funeral arrangements. One moment you’re in a helicopter headed about your normal business and the next, you’re gone.

Why do things happen?

I wish I had the answer but here’s what I know, sometimes things happen. Sometimes, the test will be positive for cancer. Sometimes, your womb will be shut. Sometimes, the pain won’t stop. Sometimes, your heart will be broken. Sometimes, the business will fail. Sometimes, you might lose your job. Sometimes, your organs may not function well. Sometimes, family will get sick. Sometimes, the house will be foreclosed, or car repossessed. Sometimes, the accident couldn’t have been prevented. Sometimes, death will darken your door. Sometimes, it looks like evil is winning.

And although we may never understand, bible shares in James 5:13, “Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.” What’s the answer? PRAYER. Even in the hardest, darkest and toughest moments that cannot be explained; PRAY. Even in the moments when tears won’t stop, and words escape you, allow God to hear your heart. When it feels as though you won’t survive the pain, pray. When confusion is invading your thoughts, pray. When you’re angry, pray. “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere (Ephesians 6:18.)

Dear God,
We may not understand why things happen, but we won’t lose hope. God, the pain feels unbearable, the questions seem never ending and confusion is present; but we call out to you. Help us, God that we don’t perish by misunderstanding, yet we hold tightly to hope. Help us, God that we do not sin in the midst of pain. Help us, God that we do not turn from you, in the moments of anger. Help us, God to pray. Send God, people who can pray for those who can’t pray for themselves. Surround those who are fighting sickness, temptations, grief and confusion with intercessors who will cry loud. Help right now that we don’t lose our way. We need you, God and we’ll trust you. Amen.

Daily Devotional – January 22, 2020 “Prayer”

Our Father,

God, as I come petitioning your throne, I first thank you. Thank you, God, for another day, for keeping grace and sustaining mercy, for forgiveness and repentance and for protection and provision. Now Father, I need your ear to attend to the cries of our land and your hand to rest upon your children. God, I feel like Solomon when he prayed at the dedication of the temple. For he said in Second Chronicles 6:19, “Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you.” Here am I, oh God, pleading for you to hear my prayer and plea. I may not be outside or within a temple but hear me from where I am because we need you.

When innocent babies are being gunned down in our city, we need you. When homicide rates are on the rise, we need you. When uplifting each other is being replaced with bullying, we need you. When worship places are no longer following your word, we need you. When prophets, prophetess, intercessors and healers are quiet; we need you. When your people are being led astray because they won’t study and pray, we need you. When we complain more than we cry loud, we need you. When abuse, anger, bitterness, selfish actions, suicidal thoughts and sin are overshadowing our thoughts and service, we need you.

Father forgive us. Forgive us of our sins. Forgive us for taking you for granted and hear our pleas. Forgive us, oh God and don’t allow your wrath to burn against us. Forgive us and heal the land. I know things happen, evil is present, and we sometimes must endure but your word says, if I pray and ask in faith, it shall be. God, comfort the brokenhearted and the grieving families. God be a present help for those who are sick. God, rescue those who are lost. God, protect those who are in the cold without shelter. God, stop the senseless murders, protect our children and bring swift judgment to those responsible.

Father, my list of asks could go on and on, like that of Solomon but you know the cry of my heart and mouth. So, all I’ll ask is for you to read the prayer within the beats of my heart and tears that I shed. We need you, God to let the manifestation of your power be seen. Raise up a people who will lay down on their face for an entire nation. Raise up a people who will fast to see your glory touch their city. Raise up a people who aren’t ashamed to pray, even in hostile environments knowing you’ll show up. Start with me, God. Use me, in thy service for I’m willing and I believe.

By faith,
Amen.