Daily Devotional – 3/4/19 “Molting”

This may be hard for you to read but beloved, it may be time to let go. Let go of what? The people, places and/or things that are keeping you out of God’s will, in bondage and in that messed up shape you’re in. I don’t care how well this person, place or thing has provided for you, it’s keeping you out of purpose. I don’t care how comfortable you are or how much room you have, look around, you’re still a captive. Even prisoners get time on the yard, a phone call and visitors but they still go back to their cell at the end of the day. I get it, you don’t have to work as hard because your needs are met but at what expense. Let’s be truthful with self today because truth is, that comfort is costing you something. He’s making your dreams come true but your life is a nightmare. She’s everything you thought you wanted but turned out to be who your momma warned you about. The place of worship sucked you in when they slayed you in service, then you came down off that high and realized it was just a show. The job keeps you hanging on with promises to give you what you deserve, all the time they’re using your knowledge to train and promote everybody but you. And you’re still holding on. Why? For a status, position, potential and people? But at what cost? I’ll tell you, the cost of your self-esteem, your dignity, your gifts, your sanity and your freedom.

Here’s the reality of your situation … you like the way it feels even though you know it’s temporary. Yea, your ‘situation-ship’ is only giving you a natural orgasm for momentary excitement but nothing long-term. It can make you feel good with your eyes closed but can’t do nothing when you’re standing up and clothed. Don’t misunderstand me, you don’t have to do nothing you don’t want too. If you don’t see anything wrong with it, stay. If you’re okay with it, keep it. If you like the way it feels, keep cuddling with it because it’s your choice and your life. However, if you’re ready to move from your place of bondage, you need to let go. There is a term called molt which means, the periodic shedding of feathers, hairs, horns, nails, shells, and skins – any outer layer. Molt is from the Latin word ‘mutare’ meaning “to change” and some of you, it’s time to ‘molt.” It’s time you changed some things in your life, for your happiness and for room to grow. I don’t know who this is for but baby, you are stagnant where you are because you are still in the same old stuff you used to be in. You’re still wearing the clothes you fought in when you’ve won and the battle is over. You’re still lying in the same bed you sinned in and got the nerve to question why you can’t sleep. You’re still allowing folk to label you by your past and holding on to what your ex did. It’s time for you to molt, beloved. MOLT = Moving Out of Lacking Territories. It’s time to let go, it’s time to shed and it’s time to change.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Daily Devotional – 3/1/19 “Why Girls?”

One of my spiritual sisters and friends, LaShundra Richmond, started a world-wide (yep) campaign perfectly titled #WhyGirls. She empower girls, of all age by teaching three core principles: dreaming, discussing and designing. Now, when I initially started to write this devotional, I was going to open it with “I’m the ish”, but I didn’t want to offend anybody so, instead I’ll tell you #WhyGirls. It’s simple really and Shun answered it … I am the why! See, I’m fly and favored and I don’t need to wait for someone to tell me. I am the bomb and blessed and it’ll still be true, even if you don’t agree. I’m anointed and that won’t change simply because you don’t believe in me. Why girls … I am why! I’m a wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend; while I preach, blog and write bomb books. I’ve managed to stay married twenty years and my marriage is great (my husband is lucky to have me). I work in corporate America, with one company for seventeen years. I co-pastor a bomb church. I’ve published over 18 books with six of them in the top 50 African American Christian Fiction Bestsellers on Amazon. I encourage people, I blog devotionals and I help those who ask. And I occasionally have a date night with the husband, hang with the children, spend time with my girls, attend worship and sleep. Why Girls? I am the why.

I apologize men but I’m speaking to the ladies today. I’m encouraging them to look in the mirror and tell themselves … I AM THE WHY! You want to know how I know? You’re why the little people, in your house, are surviving. You’re why the church’s books are balanced. You’re why your husband clothes are cleaned, his doctor’s appointments booked and he fed. You’re why your boss’ presentation was great. You’re why your students are reading above their grade level. You’re why your children haven’t died of starvation. You’re why giants are being slayed. You’re why generational curses are being broken. You’re why that friend didn’t commit suicide. You’re why ma’am and you’re doggone great at it. Now, raise your head, your crown is slipping. Stand up straight, your robe is crooked. Wipe your eyes, you’re messing up your mascara. Put on your lipstick because there are some things we’ve got to do. Put on your best shoes, we have places to go. And dress comfortably because we have some tables to design and create. The best part, you don’t have to wait on anybody to give you permission to do it. God granted you purpose when He allowed the oil to flow through your loins. Why girls? You are the why. Now, let’s get to work.

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:45

Daily Devotional – 2/28/19 “ This can be your Exodus”

LeAndria Johnson, a well-known gospel singer recently made headlines again when she admitted to being in jail for 30 days after violating probation due to an DUI. Not long after her admission, she went live on Facebook before entering rehab. I commend her and I’ll tell you why. As a child of God, it’s hard to be in the face of people and have flaws. Now add to that, the fact she’s a preacher and gospel singer and it makes it even harder. Yet, she owned her truth. She has a problem with alcohol. Here’s why I’m sharing this. To tell you, STOP HIDING YOUR FLAWS! I don’t care if you are in the public’s eye like LeAndria. I don’t care if you have ten thousand followers. Neither do I care about your platform, how good you look on that conference fliers or how many people log on to catch your live; it matters not, if you’re still bound! To you, that woman or man who barely has friends, you don’t make videos, you rarely post on social media, you don’t have a platform or a million followers … I’m talking to you too. I’m speaking to the woman who had a hard day with the children. I’m talking to the teacher who is suicidal. I’m speaking to the preacher who can slay worship service but not giants.

I’m talking to the deacon who can’t go a day without drinking or smoking. I’m talking to the usher who is lying with man after man because you don’t know your worth. I’m speaking to the CFO, COO, CEO who was molested as a child and you can’t keep yourself from going back to that dark place in your mind. I’m speaking to you … man or woman of God, whose past keep drilling a hole in your present. I’m speaking to the man who has fathered children but can’t be a dad because no one has taught you how. I’m speaking to the woman whose marriage is suffering because nobody taught you how to be a wife. I’m speaking to you who are depressed and find yourself being full from tears and can’t eat. I’m speaking to you who don’t feel good enough. So, you drink. So, you smoke. So, you cut yourself. So, you take pills. So, you sleep around. So, you party. So, you pretend. You smile because if you stop, you’ll burst into tears. You are the life of the party and if you stop, you might just put that gun to your head and pull the trigger. You show up when people call and if you don’t, the silence may swallow you up. Come out beloved and get help. Stop hiding your problems because when you hide them, you can’t get help for them. Stop being ashamed because that shame is what’s keeping you bound. Call the therapist, make the appointment and go this time. Check yourself into rehab and commit this time. Wipe off the makeup and let us see the real you. Roll up your sleeves and show your scars. THEN GET HELP!

Beloved, this can be your exodus, exodus = departure, from what has you imprisoned but you’ve first got to admit your part. “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”” Romans 8:15

This is my Exodus

Daily Devotional – 2/27/19 – Trust God!

It’s been a while since I’ve penned a devotional and I’ve missed you all. I pray every one of you, reading this, is happy, healthy and whole. I pray that, since our last time together, you have been blessed beyond man’s measure, healed, delivered and set free. If by chance, life has thrown you a curve ball, death did what death does and left you grieving, sickness showed up and left you sad or all hell has broken loose … I am praying your faith does not fail. As for me, I’ve been good. Sure, I could list my complaints but they are meaningless. Instead, I’ll tell you that I took a week from social media as a time of consecration to God and it was the best thing I could have done. I plan to do this, more often. I started back at the gym, at 6:30 in the morning and baby, it has been a struggle yet I feel good. See, I’ve realized that although I’m cute in the face, I’m unhealthy in the waist and getting healthy spiritually means nothing if I’m still unhealthy naturally. This is my truth. Oh, I did finish another book, that released yesterday, while working on a few other things God will not allow me to slack on. I’m still carrying the mantle and preaching God’s word and still encouraged to go on.

And while this devotional really isn’t structured with one topic in mind, I simply stopped by to encourage somebody to keep going. Is it hard? Heck yes! Is it easier to give up? Heck, heck yes! But keep going. Let me share with you the verse of the day, I receive from this bible app I use. It says in Psalm 33:4, “For the word of the Lord holds true and we can trust everything He does.” Beloved, I don’t know what you’re going through or getting ready to face but you can trust God because His word holds true. What word? The promise He made to go before you and to never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8). The promise He made to forgive you when you forgive others (Matthew 6:14). The promise He made to give you what you ask in prayer when you believe (Mark 11:24). It may not look like it but God’s word is true. It may not feel like God’s word is true, concerning you. You simply need faith. Faith that will allow you to tell the thing(s) that’s trying to defeat you to crumble and be no more and it will. Faith that will give you the power to speak healing, over yourself, and it manifests. Faith will let you keep going even when there is no more road or fight left. Trust God, with all of you and every part of your life because His word holds true, every time! Will you trust God?

New Book Alert

In The Family that Lies: Merci Restored, we revisit the Alexanders to see how life has treated them. Is Melvin still raising hell? Has Merci and Thomas’ marriage survived? How is Imani Grayce? What happened with Merci’s relationship with Warren?

All the questions we answer but I have to warn you. There will be tragedy, hurt and of course LIES! But what good would a book be without it?

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As always,

Happy Reading.

Lakisha ❤️