They Watching

Great Day Gentel Readers!

So, today’s blog is brought you by the words “they are watching you”.

Over the the 4th of July holiday I ran into a person I went to college with. In our conversations I learned so much about him that I did not know. I was honored that he shared a personal testimony with me. During our exchange I told him about my own testimony. When I told him, his response was…. “Man, girl you spoke that thing into existence “. Now, I’m trying not to look shock as he hug me to congratulate me on the manifestation of the testimony.

I know you wondering, why were you shocked? Well, it is because I never knew he was watching me. I never knew he saw my struggles, the tears, the faith, and my desperation to trust the GOD process. It really blew my mind! I hold him in high regards. (I do not think he knows that). He was so sweet to me as a freshman and always made an effort to speak to me on campus no matter how big he got or who was around him.

As we part ways he asked me to keep him in my prayers (which I do) and told me how excited he was.

Meditating on that moment made me realize that their are people watching me. They are encouraged by the process of my testimony and truly will root for me when I share my wins.

I wonder how times how you missed the opportunity to encourage someone else because you think your testimony has no purpose, power, or value beyond you.

Today, I encourage you to consult with the Holy Spirit, and ask him to reveal to you who you need to share you testimony with.

Prayer: Daddy thank you for reminding us that the process and finish work of our testimony is not only for us, but for those watching us. Daddy continues to work in favor of those wondering is the process worth the work. Encourage those losing hope, desiring to give up, and overwhelmed by the discomfort of blind obedience. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

And This Happened

Great Day Readers! I hope that your Holy Week truly started the way for you to grow in your relationship with Daddy, be aware of the revelation of the cross, and create moments of closeness and manifestation of the presence of the Trinity. 

This morning doing my quiet time I came across this scripture. “Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Then every plan you make will succeed”. Proverbs 16:3 TPT That scripture hit me like a ton of bricks. Because it tells me the step I need to overcome the fear of failure, grow my faith, create guaranteed success, and how to continue to grow. The step is so simple it’s scary. The step is to TRUST TOTALLY IN GOD! I know what you are saying… Shawndrika dull! However, that one step is hard because it comes with three uncomfortable actions we must take: 1) surrender 2) lose control 3) obedience to the unknown (faith). I don’t know about you, but, I struggle in all three, especially when I need results like yesterday. Not only do I struggle with these three, but these things, are also inconsistent. When storms come, when issues arise, when things seem not to be working in your favor we must go back to the actions we must take which are the three steps listed above.  My prayer for us today is to trust Daddy at a level that those three things become easy in all areas of our life and not just the areas we are comfortable with doing them in.

 Prayer:  Daddy, thank you for giving us the step to guaranteed success. Help us to be able to do our part when it comes to trusting You. Let us be able to do these actions no matter if we are comfortable or uncomfortable in the situation, issue, or circumstance that we are trusting You in. In Jesus’ Name. AMEN!

The Power of the Roar

Great Day Readers!

I am so excited about the revelation of today’s blog.  Sunday, we had a guest pastor come in and minister to us.  He came from the topic: Is There a Cause? I love how he used the story of David to demonstrate the cause to ignore the doubters and be reminded of the promises and covenant of GOD. But, what got me was the knowledge he gave about the roar of a lion. He stated that the roar of a lion could be heard five miles from the place where the lion roared. He stated that the lion’s roar is so powerful and loud that it paralyzes his prey, making it easy for him to kill. OOOOOOOOO!!!

Can we take that concept and apply it to the supernatural world? More importantly to the enemy’s effect on our life… Look, 1Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” ASV

Can we examine that scripture a little more and apply it to the fact I stated at the begin about the lion’s roar?  It says the devil is as a roaring lion. (Pause) I don’t think you saw what I did. It says he is LIKE A ROARING LION… Ok here is the revelation I need you to grasp. If he is like a roaring lion, that means his roar really doesn’t carry the power, weight, and authority of a real lion. See it may sound like it’s paralyzing and that there is no way of escape, but the reality is… It’s just the roar of a lion come from the mouth of a kitten. (Had to give you a visual) That’s why fear can feel seem so real. The enemy is a great imitator but not an originator. He has smokes and mirrors that create the perfect atmosphere to paralyze you in fear, insecurity, doubt, depression, disappointment, frustration, and negative thinking. See, here is the thing about the enemy, he’s good at his job and perfects it daily. Where we go wrong is being caught up in his perfection. We forget that our Daddy is the creator of all things and that we have the authority over the enemy. His roar can’t paralyze something that was meant to hunt him. He is the prey we are the predators. He can’t paralyze us!!! But, we forget our position, our place, purpose, and title, and this is how we become paralyzed and become his prey. 

I know you are wondering… How do I get over the enemy’s roar? How do I stop being the prey and become the predator? Simple, focus on the right roar. Oh yes, there is another lion whose roar is greater than the enemy. He’s called the lion of Judah. Revelation 5:5 says, “But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

The Moral of this blog is simple: Stop listening to the roar of the enemy and focus on the roar of Judah. It is the roar of Judah that causes you to be victorious in all things, including the attacks and roars of the enemy.

Prayer: Daddy right now we thank you that we are no longer paralyzed by the roar of the enemy. We are so focused on the roar of you through the lion of Judah. We thank you that we are paralyzed in your blessings, overflow, love, peace, joy, and grace and mercy. We seek to be the lions that roar to the enemy your word, promises, and will causing him to paralyzed. In Jesus Name! AMEN!!!

Birthday Behavior

Hello Readers!!!

I know, I know!!! I haven’t posted in two weeks!! But, can I be honest I haven’t had the energy and know how to post, what you need in order to be in encouraged. So, I had to get my life and pray about what I needed to share with you.

So, today is a special day. I didn’t want to release this blog on Tuesday as usual because I wanted you to be a part of my birthday celebration. Yes, today is my birthday and I am super excited about it. Every year for the last 6 years I have always been in a funk when it is time for my birthday countdown. I would find myself comparing where I should be to where I am. I would think about all that I lost. My areas of lack. My areas of fear and frustration. Anything negative, I thought about it as my birthday approached. But, this year was different I don’t know what happened or when it happened. (That’s usually how Daddy works. He will shift you and transition into your next without you  being fully aware of the shift or the transition).

Today is not your usual blog.  It is a blog filled with revelation and insight. One to encourage you to enjoy life in spite of! This blog is to bring you more aware of what is going on with you. What Daddy wants to do through you. How you can live the abundant life that Jesus talks about in John 10:10

Let’s get started!!!

As I prepared for today I decided to do three things. 1. Reflect. Not on what I wanted and needed. Not on what I did not have. But, reflect on the fact that I did not look like what I had been through. I start to look at pictures from the last 6 years. I saw how I lost and gain weight. I saw how my mask sometimes showed, but no one confronted me about it. I saw how I pushed through despite feeling like life was not even worth living. 2. Realize. I came to the realization that who I am will never be who everyone needed me to be. I will not be able to please everyone, fit there mode, or even be accepted by everyone. Last 3. Revelation. I got the revelation that I have not lived up to my full potential. That I have allowed myself to become complacent, fearful, and doubtful. I found myself comparing myself to people I thought I wanted to be, instead of asking Daddy what He needed me to be.

 

Through these decisions, five things were birth out of me. 1. Concentration. I realize that I need to focus on what is in front of me. Learn from what is behind me. Prepare for what is ahead of me.  By doing these things I will be able to be productive. 2. Consistent. When you create a routine that works keep working it. Keep building on it. Having foundation is the key to success and consistency is the cornerstone. Daddy is consistent, and because we are made in His image we must be the same. 3. Courage. You must be bold enough to think outside your box. To be in a position where you are willing to say “Yes,” in spite of the test. Your “Yes”, can’t be compromised due to your discomfort. Which brings me to the fourth thing…4. Comfort. You must become comfortable being uncomfortable. See the more you get used to being uncomfortable the more you get shifted and transited into your next. Last but not least 5. Completion. This one is hard because I am so goal oriented that I felt like this referred to my assignment and not me as a person. But, this completion is about being whole. It’s about realizing that what you thought you needed was not what you really needed. It’s about being ok with you despite your flaws. It’s the summary of everything I have discussed with you so far.

So, I am sure you are wondering how can all this information help you out. What can you do with this information? Simple. Use it. Look and see what you need to work on in the three decisions. What decisions do you need to make that you haven’t made? What decisions do you need to re-evaluate? The five things birth out of me… Well, those or my tools, revelations, elements of life. They are the things that I need for this next chapter. They can be some or all that you need in your current journey.

Today, I challenge you to use my birthday to create a new year for you. No, not a new you, a new year. We are always waiting for January 1 for us to start all over. But, the reality is, our new year starts every time we open our eyes and breathe the breath of life.

Prayer: Daddy, we thank you for this moment. The moment to breathe, your breath of life. The moment to really get somethings straight in our lives. We thank you for the ability to point out the things we need to deal with. The thing that we need to evaluate and make decisions about in our lives. We realize we do not have time to waste, and we must stay in tune with you. Thank you for your guidance through your Holy Spirit. This moment could not be productive without your Holy Spirit. In JESUS name! AMEN!Birthday 2018

An Excused Yes!

Today’s blog is about to challenge your YES!

This past Sunday my pastor talked about Moses and the excuses he made when he said yes to Daddy.  Let me give you a summarization of this story so you can be brought up to speed for those that aren’t familiar with the story.  Ok, so Moses was saved by his mother during a time where the Pharaoh was trying to kill all the Israelite boys. He grew up in the house of Pharaoh, killed a man, ran away, and met his real family, and this is where our story picks up. Moses is with his people minding his own business when Daddy tells him that he will be the one that approaches Pharaoh. Daddy tells him that he will tell Pharaoh  ” to let His people go”. Well, Moses response to this prestige opportunity is one I think most of us do when Daddy tells us we are going to do something great in the earth…The of  (drum roll please)… The excuse. Yep, that’s right the excuse.
We will give Daddy a, yes, but somehow, someway we end up finding an excuse on why we aren’t capable. In Moses’ case, his was the inability to speak with clarity. He said in Exodus 4:10-14:
 

10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”14 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you.  (NIV)

10 Moses raised another objection to God: “Master, please, I don’t talk well. I’ve never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer.”11-12 God said, “And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn’t it I, God? So, get going. I’ll be right there with you—with your mouth! I’ll be right there to teach you what to say.”13 He said, “Oh, Master, please! Send somebody else!”14-17 God got angry with Moses: “Don’t you have a brother, Aaron the Levite? He’s good with words, I know he is. He speaks very well. In fact, at this very moment, he’s on his way to meet you. When he sees you he’s going to be glad. You’ll speak to him and tell him what to say. I’ll be right there with you as you speak and with him as he speaks, teaching you to step by step. He will speak to the people for you. He’ll act as your mouth, but you’ll decide what comes out of it. Now take this staff in your hand; you’ll use it to do the signs.” (Message)

So in both versions of this scripture, we see five things that happen when it comes to Moses’ excused yes. 1. Moses questions Daddy. He even goes to the point where he begs Daddy not to give him the assignment. Now, Moses’ begging confused me. Because in Chapter 3 (Read it for yourself) he had an intimate encourage with Daddy that literally caused a shift in his life. But, now at this moment, he is questioning the assignment. Is that not how some of us are. We have an awesome encounter with Daddy. I mean it is a life-changing moment. Yet here we are moments later, questioning Daddy’s request of us saying yes to the assignment that He called us to. 2. Moses was quick to point out his unequipped ways. He reminded GOD that he was not able to complete the assignment, due to the fact that he did not have the equipment to do so. But, I love Daddy’s response… He told Moses that He would go with him. He reminded Moses how was the creator of all things and the same thing that made Moses unequipped He would equip. But, just like some of us Moses told Daddy that was good enough. Let me take a sidebar here and say this... There is nothing Daddy can’t offer that is not good enough. Daddy’s presence is more than enough!! If we become comfortable with Him, then, we can become comfortable with the things that He calls us to. Back to the points. 3. We see the grace of Daddy. Daddy got mad that Moses clearly told Him that His presence was not good enough for him to complete the assignment. Daddy is so great to us! Because even in his anger He graces us with His love and comfort. Which brings me to point 4. Daddy did not agree with Moses excuse, but he did understand that he needed comfort. Instead of giving him a way of escape He equipped Moses with another tool…his brother Aaron. Another sidebar: Daddy will make sure that you have no excuses to completing the assignment. You can tell him what you lack and He will create the equipment to meet the need. 5. I love how Daddy still told Moses, (summary) “Even though you have your brother to speak for you, he can’t speak unless you open your mouth.” Last sidebar: Even when Daddy provides you with the equipment to complete the assignment it will not work until you do your part.

 So, what’s the moral of this blog? No matter how many excuses you give Daddy, He will always equip you to complete the assignment. But, He will make sure you work so you can see the potential that is in you. He will make sure that you conquer that which was once an excuse. Daddy will make your excuse your GOD testimony

Prayer: Daddy, thank you that no matter how unequipped we feel, you are waiting and able to provide us with the tools we need to complete the assignments.  Daddy, help us to understand that what we see as an excuse is actually an opportunity for you to get the glory. Thank you that where we are weak your strength will make us strong. In JESUS name! Amen

The Perfect Goodbye

Today Daddy is kinda hard but easy at the same time. Today I say goodbye to 2017 and welcome 2018 with open arms! Today I come to you, asking your help, in helping me create the perfect goodbye. I feel like 2017 was the roller coaster ride that everyone talked about, but did not expect to be so bad. I mean I started the year with a positive attitude, embracing all changes, taking in all the blessings, and then it hit me. The truth of the year hit me and I realize that this roller coaster ride was not for me. But no matter how much I scream to get off it seemed like it started getting longer and longer to the point I just rode it out. I see that 2017 did not meet my expectations. It created moments where I did not see the reality of your love for me. I even got to the point where I just wanted it all to end. I mean what was 2017 really suppose to be about? Was it suppose to cause me to doubt you, limit my love for you, cause me to feel this moment of selflessness???? Was it suppose to make me cry to the point that my tears became dry? Was it suppose to disappointment this much? What was 2017 supposed to do for me?

Daughter 2017 was the year I gave you to trust me the most. This year was not about success, favor, or even the blessings. This year was about us, our relationship, and who I am to you in the truth of your reality. I understand that you weren’t prepared for all of the consequences of 2017. Whoever is? Who is ever prepared for what they do not know about? Who is ever prepared for the imperfections of my perfect moments? Who is ever prepared for my perfected timing when you are expecting a different box or presentation? Daddy, no one. Right so daughter I will help you with your perfect goodbye because my ways are always perfect and my thoughts towards you are always good. I will help you say goodbye, but before we leave can I help you embrace the hellos of 2017. Ok, Daddy. Say hello to your boldness, your strength, your new faith, your hope, and courage to come out of your comfort zone. Say hello to the leadership, the pruning, the gains, the love, and the letting go. Say hello to the things you said yes to and the things that got you the moments you were hoping for. Say hello to the new level of my presence and the growth you got to experience. Daddy, I never saw it like that. Well, daughter, it is hard to see my vision out of flesh eyes, but know that there is nothing in 2017 that I created just to make your life a question mark. I created every to bring you to this moment of goodbye. So let’s say goodbye to looking back, lacking wisdom, not trusting me, and your broken vision. Let’s say goodbye to the insane decisions, the people that left you empty, and the disappointments of your own decisions. Let’s say goodbye to what they say, expect, or even wanted from you. Let’s say goodbye to the old you! This is my perfect goodbye for you.   Daddy what a perfect goodbye it is.  Daughter, I leave you with this…  Become new in my son, and watch the old things pass away. (2Cor.5:17)

Prayer: Daddy help us to say goodbye to the things that we should not carry into 2018. Help us to embrace the tools produced in 2017, and let go of those things that we have held on for so long from the past years up until now. Let us not get caught in the resolutions of 2018 or the declarations that come with the new year, but let us get caught in your presence and wisdom. Let us grab hold to your word and make it part of our heart.  Let us not get caught up in the process but stand firm in the promises of you. We live this life to please you and hold fast to the things you have called us to. Let us embrace the stretching,  fall in love with your will, enjoy your love, hold on to your peace, and share your joy. Help us to remember we are made new in you through your son Christ Jesus, and that in him we can move forward. In Jesus Name. AMEN!

Soul Passion

Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my GOD.

It’s amazes me every time I read that verse how it bring about fresh revelation. As soul commanders we must realize that the true pursuit of seeking GOD, is seeking him beyond our own strength. The word pant in this verse means to breath with short, quick breaths.  So let me put this definition to use with this verse. As a deer that breathes with short, quick breaths for streams of water, so my soul will press with short, quick steps towards you GOD. Hum that is really deep.  This scripture is telling us that we have to command our souls to go beyond its strength to press towards the presence of GOD. WOW that means we cannot give up even when we feel like life is taking our breath away.

Life Application: Ask yourself this question: am I to a place or point where I am willing to press towards GOD, even when life seems to be taking my breath away? If you are not in a place where you can see yourself pressing towards GOD, to the point you are fighting for your last breath, then there are three things you need command your soul to do: 1. Trust GOD. 2. Let go of doubt and fear. 3. Let go of your own strength.

Prayer: Father we thank you that in you we have breath, because you are the creator of all things. Father we just ask as we press towards you out of breath, feeling like our oxygen is low, and life is sucking us dry, remind us that you breathe breath of life back into us. Father up us to surrender our strength that yours can make us strong. Father we command our souls to submit to you and your will and we command it to obey your plan for the pressing you called us to, just to be in your presence. In Jesus Name! AMEN

Soul Devotion

Psalms 35:9: Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.

I love David, because despite his mood swings he always came back to the place of salvation, the LORD. He always found a way to remind himself of the great things that can be found in  the LORD which was salvation. The same salvation we have access to through Christ Jesus. The same salvation that sets us apart from the words and gives us the eternal promise of everlasting life. The same salvation that allows us the ability to gain new grace and mercy every day. SALVATION, what a powerful word, but most importantly a powerful action. When one thinks about salvation we immediately think the cross, which is truly the access to all the promise of GOD, but David knew nothing about the cross, yet he commanded his soul to rejoice, due to his salvation, found in who…the LORD. Wow!!! David got the revelation of the promise before the promise was even born. What a mighty GOD we serve. That the LORD can give revelation to the ancestor of the one who would save the world, before he was even born.

Life Application: Ask yourself these questions when was the last time I rejoice about being saved? Have I allowed salvation to be limited to words, or have I allowed salvation to become an action that fuels my trust in GOD? Remember salvation is free, the price has been paid, but the things that fuel the action of salvation to remain active in your life, is your ability to rejoice in what Christ did on the cross for you over 2,000 years ago. Never allow your ability to be save by grace, through faith, be something you take for granted. Do like David did and command your Soul to rejoice in the LORD, because he has given you access to salvation with eternal promises.

Prayer: Father, we thank you that through Christ we have access to salvation, which gives us direct access to you. We thank you that in you  we do rejoice, because it’s in you that we find everlasting life, blessings, and the promises of yes and amen. In JESUS name. Amen

Categories

Follow me on Twitter