Daily Devotional – 12/11/18 “But what do you believe?”

I saw an episode of #Blackish where Dre (the dad) was serving on a jury that had to decide the fate of a young man, I believe for stealing. While in the jury room, Dre was adamant the young man was innocent but all the others were convinced he was guilty. In fact, they had their mind made up before the door was even closed. Yet Dre fought, every day, being the only not guilty vote. Yet as days went on, he started to believe what the others in the room were saying and on the last day, when they voted, he was the only one who voted guilty. The others finally started to believe what Dre was saying, even if it took it being restated by someone else, however they’d already worn Dre down. Due to this, he’d convinced himself that he had to be wrong. But what do you believe? It doesn’t matter about who’s in the room, what do you believe. When no one else is on your side, what do you believe? If it means losing, what do you believe? In Mark 8, Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do men say I am?” They replied verse 28, “And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.” In which Jesus replies, “But who do you say I am?”

Jesus knew what man thought but He needed to know what those who were with Him daily believed. See, it’s one thing to have those in the world believe something about you but it’s entirely different when it’s those you live with, eat with, sleep with and etc. I can take folk, over there, believing one thing but what do you believe, the one who I see every day. I can accept folk, who may not know me, to believe lies and rumors but you, the one who is with me all the time; you should know my character. I can halfway accept folk talking about me, who only know me through social media but you, the one who really knows me; what do you believe. After you weighed everything, what do you believe? After you’ve viewed the evidence, what do you believe? I know the opinion of pastor, sister, cousin and friend nem but what do you believe and will you stick to your beliefs. I know it may mean you won’t fit in out but what do you believe. You may even be talked about but what do you believe? Will you uphold your beliefs even in a room of unbelievers? Will you stand strong in your faith even if nobody at the table does? Bible shares in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Daily Devotional – 12/6/18 “The right reaction manifests!”

Yesterday, I told you about the issue we encountered trying to get our backup camera repaired. Well, the camera was fixed, that’s wasn’t the issue. The issue was the terminology the service adviser used when talking to the warranty people. He told them, the wires appeared to be cut, leading them to think the wires were deliberately cut thus them denying the claim. Understand something. The box to the camera is down under some stuff, enclosed by insulation and a harness (box); in other words, nobody can just walk up and cut the wires, it would have taken work. So, I call them because it’s clear, by the paperwork, the wires weren’t cut. The young lady said, the service adviser would need to call and explain this. I call the dealership and leave a message for Jeff and after 2 hours, he calls back. I tell him what the issue is and this man says, “I never said they were cut, I said broken/cut.” My reply, “Sir, the only reason they are denying this claim is due to your use of the word cut.” We converse for a few minutes, only hanging up with him saying he’d call and “explain to them again,” in a not really but I’ll say what I have to say tone. Needless to say, he didn’t call. However, my faith was already working. I called the warranty people, a third time and the gentleman says, email us the paperwork and I’ll have a supervisor look at it. A few hours later, Chris, the supervisor, calls back and says, “Mrs. Johnson, this paperwork clearly states your deck harness failed which caused the breakage of wires. I’ve already processed your claim and you’ll have a check in 7 to 10 days.”

Usually, I would have been angry at the entire situation, starting with the initial call, especially after spending $500 for something we know should have been covered and even after the situation looked like it wouldn’t work out in our favor, on paper. But then I realized, it wasn’t me but it was him, the service advisor. I don’t know what his issue was, I’ve never met this man but it seemed like he was intentionally trying to wrong us. This is why I didn’t get angry or upset. I didn’t allow it to affect my mood. I paid the amount, got my keys then went and had dinner with my husband. Why? Because I knew, it was him and not us and whatever intent he had, it wouldn’t prosper. I am sharing this to let somebody know, you don’t have to fight folk, all the time. You don’t have to negatively respond, all the time because sometimes, the situation you find yourself in, is them and not you. And the way you respond, might just be your test. I told you yesterday, the right words matter and let me add, the right reaction manifests. For the bible tells me in Ecclesiastes 10:4, “If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your place, for calmness puts great offenses to rest.” Don’t allow people to talk you out of who are you because bible shares in Stay who you are because the offense against you will not prosper.

Daily Devotional – 12/5/18 “The right words matter!”

The backup camera on my car stopped working. We took it to the dealership for repair and because we have an extended warranty, it’s covered. Well, we get a call saying the warranty company denied the claim because the service agent told them the wires to the camera were cut. So, we pick the car up, after paying out-of-pocket, only to see the notes from the technician that clearly state, the wires were broken. Can you guess who is about to have every penny reimbursed? See, had the service agent used the correct word, there wouldn’t have been a problem but he didn’t and this is a prime example of how much the right words matter. It’s not just in this case but life in general. Using the right words matter because they can mean the difference between life or death and approved or denied. You don’t have to believe me but the wrong words can determine guilt or innocence, ask somebody on trial. You don’t have to believe me but the wrong words can cause chaos or calm, ask a person sitting in a doctor’s office waiting to hear test results or at the bedside of a loved one. You don’t have to believe me but say the wrong thing in an interview or an interrogation and see how it works out for you.

The right words matter because the wrong words in a book can cause a bad review. The wrong words on a business marquee can cause bad business. The wrong words in a contract can cause all kinds of trouble. This is why I’ll share it again, the right words matter and you have to be careful what comes out of your mouth. This is why you have to think before you speak, especially when you are emotional. You have to think before you respond, when you are angry. You have to think before you post because the wrong words, in the wrong place can cause unnecessary havoc. Think before you react because you can tear down, in a moment, what took years to build. Be careful of your words because they can potentially do harm. This is why the Bible shares in Matthew 12:37, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” The right words matter beloved and they have power, you simply have to use sound wisdom to choose the kind of power you want to speak.

Daily Devotional – 12/4/18 “I’ll praise, my way!”

On my way to work this morning, there was a discussion about the backlash #GabrielleUnion received when she posted a picture in a hospital gown, after the birth of her daughter. If you don’t know the story, quick recap. Gabrielle has been battling fertility issues so her and her husband used a surrogate. After the birth, they posted pictures of Gabrielle, in a gown and hospital bed. Here’s what rubbed me the wrong way … Folk were angry because to them, the picture alluded to Gabrielle giving birth, when she didn’t. Folk were really mad because they didn’t get why she had to have a gown on. Here’s the thing, she may never be able to physically give birth so if she wanted to enjoy that moment, with her only daughter, in a hospital gown and bed IT’S HER CHOICE! She received a blessing and that should have been enough but no, folk always nitpicking everything.

Look y’all, you’ve got to stop allowing folk to make you feel bad about your blessing(s). Stop giving people the power to bad mouth what God has granted when they don’t know the hell you’ve had to go through to get it. Truth is, most of the ones mad, aren’t really mad about your blessing but they’re upset because 1. It’s you, 2. You didn’t tell them and 3. It ain’t them. So, here’s what I’m not going to do … give you the time of day! However, here’s what I am going to do. I’m going to post about it, over and over. I’m going to snap pictures and share them, over and over. I’m going to talk about it, over and over. I’m going to shout about it, over and over. I’m going to cry about it (the good, ugly, soul-stirring cry), over and over. I’m going to praise God for it, over and over. Then repeat! And if it happens to bother you, baby bye! And I mean that for real goodbye with the deuces, the head nod and the smile because if you think I’m about to let you ruin my victory, tuh! If you think you’re about to discourage this praise after the many nights I’ve had to spend in pain, the days of crying, the moments of not knowing if I’d survive, the months of trying to keep from drowning, the weeks of depression, the silent nights of suicidal thoughts, the sickness and diseases, the addictions and the anger, the abuse and the hurt and all the losses I’ve had to take; YOU MUST NOT KNOW ME! (Imagine the clap in between each word) And get this, you can call me what you want, I don’t even care because I fought for this favor, I battled for this blessing, I fasted for this type of faith, I struggled for this seed and I endured for this moment and if you think I’m about to let you take the joy out of it, think again. Oh, if you have to take it up with anybody, call God because He did it, not me!

Daily Devotional – 12/3/18 “Would you still?”

What would you do if there was no crowd, no camera phones or video? Would you still preach, speak, give and serve the same? What would you do if nobody knew your name or never supported your gift? Would you still use it? What would you do if nobody ever read your book? Would you still write? What if nobody knew of your doing? Would you still do? I’m only asking because we live in a society where mostly everything is broadcasted and I am wondering if what you’re doing would still be done if nobody else was watching. Yes, we know God is watching but right now, I’m talking about people because reality is, we sometimes seek to please them and not Him. However, if nobody saw you feeding the homeless, would you still do it? If nobody recorded you helping somebody up, would you still do it? Would your giving, your talking, your living and your actions be the same if nobody knew it was you? If you never got the accolades and recognition, would you still? If there was no pastor’s love day, would you still serve the same? What I am sharing is, you don’t need an audience all the time. You don’t have to tell folk when you’re praying, just pray. You don’t have to post every time you sow a seed, just sow. You don’t have to video every act of goodwill, just do it. Every sermon doesn’t have to be recorded, just preach. Just give, just serve and just help because even if you never get paid what you’re worth, get back what you’re due or receive the recognition of man; God has an award ceremony already planned in your honor and it’ll happen when He’s ready.

This is why Bible shares in Matthew 6:1-6, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”