Refocus that energy!

One of my sisters sent me a text, reminding me of this devotional I shared over five years ago. Reading it, I realized it needed to be shared again. Of course, with some updates, but the same message.

Stop trying to pay people back for what they’ve done to you! Stop being angry when you see people prospering who’ve done you wrong, hurt you, stole from you, lied on you or still owe you. Stop wishing evil on the life of people who made your life hell. Stop being mad at God when it seems like He’s blessing them and not you. Besides, and this may sting a little, but how do you know it’s God who’s blessing them? And, AND, if it is, it still ain’t your business.

Baby, refocus that energy into something productive.

For the word of God says in James 1:20, “For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” If this isn’t enough then read where God says in Deuteronomy 32:35, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay. In time their foot will slip, for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.” Stop praying for God’s hand of anger to strike them and stop trying to do what only God can. Instead speak like Jeremiah 20:11, “But the LORD stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me. They will fail and be thoroughly humiliated. Their dishonor will never be forgotten.” 

Beloved, forgive them, pray for them and wish them well. Take the energy you’re putting into them and refocus it into something that’s beneficial to you. Stop looking at their social media pages, stop re-reading messages, stop going through pictures, stop replaying conversations or situations and stop preying on them. Stop waiting on an apology or a reason as to why they did what they did. It may never come. Instead, release the hold they still have on you by shutting the door.

Refocus your energy, Suga, because we ain’t (I meant what I typed) got time to misuse the time we have being focused on folk who out living their best life. While you’re depressed and angry, still stuck on what happened, they’ve moved on. Now, it’s time you do the same. Refocus that enery because it’s the only way you’ll truly be able to appreciate and enjoy the rest of your life in joy and peace.

But By Prayer and Fasting

When we feel stuck in a place, stagnant in an assignment or unheard by God, flesh begins to speak louder than God’s voice. Flesh will make you believe it was a mistake stepping out on faith. Flesh will have you regretting your choice to trust God, second guessing and doubting what you heard God say.

Get it now on Amazon

However, flesh is untrustworthy, led by emotions, and sometimes wrong. Truth is, it isn’t God. What if God did tell you to step out but you went the wrong way? What if you are making the right decisions, but at the wrong time? What if this period is your waiting season, but you can’t tell the difference between God’s waiting room or you being in the way?

How do you figure it out? YOU CANNOT. Not on your own. This can only be done BUT BY PRAYER and FASTING.

This journal isn’t the answer, but inside we give you a breakdown of what prayer and fasting is, so you can put in the work.

Included within this journal:

  • What is prayer?
  • How should you pray?
  • When should you pray?
  • What is fasting?
  • What fasting isn’t.
  • When should you fast?
  • What should you fast from?
  • What if you mess up?
  • Dream Prayer
  • Prayer Watches

Who needs a copy? Get it now on Amazon.

Get your copy, one for a friend, and a couple for your church group.

Note: The written part of this journal is also available in ebook format for those who may already have a journal and needs a push.

Do it bravely

I shared this last year.

My granddaughter #HaileyB loves #PussinBoots. In the movie, Puss finds himself in another fight for his life. This time it’s against the wolf of fear. The wolf knows as long as Puss is afraid of him, he can take his power. Yet, Puss said something that resonated with me.

He said, (and I’m paraphrasing), “Being brave doesn’t mean you have no fear. It means, you face the thing that scares you and do what needs to be done.”

Beloved, the Bible says God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7), and He hasn’t. Yet, fear is present in our lives. It’s everywhere we turn and because we live in a natural world, in a body of flesh, resides. However, here’s what we do. We face the thing(s) that scare us with bravery, putting our faith in God and believing He’ll give us what we need to overcome every obstacle, distraction, sickness, plot, and plan of the enemy, etc.

I don’t know what you’re fearful of but don’t do it scared. Do it bravely. This means, even if you don’t know what’s waiting, what the outcome will be, or if you’ll succeed, if you’ll be healed, if your marriage will make it, your pregnancy will go full term, the business will flourish, sales will pick up, if anyone will buy the book, if members will join the church or whatever it is … get up, and face it by trying anyway.

Get up, put your shoulders back, and do it bravely. If you don’t, you run the risk of fear taking your power. Do it bravely, because this means your faith isn’t in you, but God.

Bravely, an adverb which means to do something in a way that shows a willingness to face and endure danger or pain; courageously.

Besides, God never said you had to figure it out on your own anyway.

#TrustGodwithYou #DowhatGodsaid #TrustGod #TrustYou #NotFearBravery #DoitBrave #MyfaithisinGod #iTrustGod

Grief is …

Grief is tricky
Grief is hard
Grief is sneaky
Grief is also a tactic the enemy will use.

Hear me … even those of you who are at the angry stage and don’t want to grasp what I’m about to share. (Come back later, it’ll still be here)

Do NOT let grief consume or confuse you! Don’t let grief stifle your life or cause you to sin. Don’t let grief open doors not meant for you.

Your loved ones aren’t visiting you. The Bible tells us, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Who you’re seeing is a familiar spirit the enemy is using to gain access to your life. When he does, he creates a stronghold. A stronghold is a wall/cave used to hide or mask your enemy. Yes, I know you want to see them, but they’re gone. Let them rest so that you can rest and live. As hard as this is, you are very much alive. Don’t allow your life to die with the death of your loved one.

This doesn’t mean you won’t grieve. Baby, I had a moment before typing this. Yet, don’t let grief consume you to the point, you forget how to live.

Also, don’t allow the emotional intoxication of grief to entangle or entrap you into something you wouldn’t agree to when you’re sober. You aren’t thinking clearly and neither will you make the best decisions. Wait! Wait until your thoughts are rational and you aren’t a mess.

Pay attention to your spirituality, as well. Ensure you’re connected to the right spiritual place, people, and leaders who can help you navigate this new normal. Not everybody speaking to you during this time has your best interest. False preachers and prophets are at the ready when you’re emotional, saying things to pull you in like … “Your loved one was praying for you.” “Your loved one covered you.” “You are alive because your deceased loved one protected you.” “Your loved one is watching over you.” LIES!! When the body is dead, it’s dead. There is no more work for them to do because our spirit is then placed into our new, eternal body, made by God.

The Bible says in Second Corinthians 5, “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.”

What lives on is their memory and legacy. Sure, the prayers they prayed for you while alive can still manifest, but that’s because of the seeds they planted coming to pass. It’s not because they’re here. They aren’t.

I know this is a lot of information and it probably triggered something within you, but I come in peace. I want you healthy and sound, spiritually and physically. I want you to grieve properly. I want you to heal. I want you to live.

Grief is hard enough. I don’t want to lose you, too, because you’re angry with God for not giving you a warning or explanation for repossessing who belonged to Him, anyway. You have a right to grieve. Just don’t grieve as if there isn’t still hope.

I love you and I’m praying for you, and us to make it through this.

💚

It’s a celebration!

Blow the whistle and sound the alarm … it’s a celebration!

Today, I have the privilege of celebrating 47 years of life (with my twin sister, Laquisha) and 26 years of marriage to my husbae, Willie.

Life and marriage hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve found it to be worth it. Therefore …

I shall celebrate!

Why? Because there were times I didn’t deserve to live. Times I was so deep in sin, I shouldn’t have made it out. Times when marriage wasn’t pleasing and walking away seemed better.

Somebody say yet. Yet, I’m here, we’re here and we made it. 47 years later, I’m walking in the plans God predestined for my life, and I’m enjoying the blessings of a God fearing man who God placed as the head of this family. Therefore, I’ll shed tears of happiness and no longer take a minute for granted. Instead, I’ll celebrate.

God is faithful, I’m grateful and beyond blessed.

Lakisha