The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it! 1 Thess 5:24 MSG

Many times other people see our greatness before we do. Parents in particular recognize their children’s strengths and place them in a position to sharpen their gifts. God, being our heavenly Father knows our greatness because he placed it inside of each of us. The enemy consistently fights us with negative defeating thoughts. His goal is to make us feel hopeless and lose faith in God. We must fight for our destiny knowing we already have the victory and claim it by what we think, say and do. We have to be tenacious not passive and look the enemy in the eye and declare, I WIN! No matter where I am right now, I WIN, regardless of the circumstance, I WIN, if anyone hasn’t told you let me have the pleasure of telling you, YOU WIN, WIN, WIN!! Jesus won the fight for us. It’s our responsibility to focus on the Word of God that transforms us to move into our God given purpose.

Prayer

Lord, everyday allow me to see myself through your eyes so that I may walk in your glory.

 Where Are the Answers?

Today I forced myself to go to Church and worship God but I have to admit it was very difficult, there was and still is a heaviness I can not seem to shake. Not just over the incidents over the past three days but what I've experienced and witnessed being a black female in a racist world and feeling hopeless. There is nothing worst than feeling like there is not much you can do. And don't judge me I trust God, I pray, and I am willing to get in the trenches to try but the heaviness is still there. I am a single mother of a 23 year old son, and a 17 year old daughter where I have witnessed first hand the fear and prejudices on strangers faces when we walk in the room. The demeaning comments working in corporate America and never being good enough based on their standards all wear and pull on your spirit and soul.  Let me repeat again I am emphatically unapologetically a Christian and have a personal relationship with God but I am also human, and it's still a daily fight. I won't pretend to know the answers to the problems of the world and no one else does either that's why we have to all join together if we will ever see a definite change which is ultimately in the minds of people. How do you change mindsets and attitudes that are so deeply ingrained? Each time my Son leaves the house, or I don't hear from him my mind gets the best of me and I pray he is safe and alright. No parent should have to live with that or the senseless lost of their child, husband, father, or mother. Maybe the best thing we can do right now is to pray and help each other and seek God for the answers so we can get this thing right. There is an answer to these issues but I don't think we should rely on government officials for the antidote. Only God can give clear direction in a time such as this.

Seek His face...

Anointed For The Fight

After David killed Goliath Saul took David in as one of his Sons. But after David's success of winning many battles Saul became jealous of David and sought to kill him. So not only did David have to deal with his enemies while fighting battles he also carried the emotional torment and fear of knowing that Saul was trying to kill him. Can you imagine? One of the lessons I learn from David's experience is that jealousy, hatred or opposition cannot abort the call on your life. You are anointed for the fight that you are in right now and the ones to come. Your assignment is so great the enemy strategically designs a battle specifically for you but you have been divinely anointed to win even when it appears as if the situation is not turning in your favor because “all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord.” (Romans 8:28) God is for you and not against you stand your ground and never give up hope.

God’s Promise to You

For I know what I have planned for you,' says the LORD. 'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. (Jerm 29:11 NET Bible)

The Constant Fight for Your Mind

But I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (Romans 7:23 ESV)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. (Ephesians 6:12 AMP)

The mind is so powerful it can make you feel defeated, sick, and hopeless when you are blessed, healed and have favor chasing you down. It's important to recognize this because what you think or believe will ultimately shape your future. Somehow the enemy is aware of this and started his attack from the day you were born, his ultimate goal is to discourage you to the point where you stop believing and hoping in the Word of God. Satan purposefully fights you over the good seeds that God has deposited in you. We have a decision we can choose life or death. Life means you will have to dispel any thought that is not in line with the Word of God every day. I have had experiences where negative thoughts were so heavy on me all I could say is "Satan I command the blood of Jesus over my mind." It's a spiritual battle and you must fight with spiritual warfare to win. Don't allow the enemy to flood you with what you are not, or what you cannot become, tell him who you belong to and he has no place in any area of your life. Fight! Fight! Fight! God has given you the power of his Holy Spirit through his blood to do so.

Prayer

Lord help us to recognize there is a spiritual battle in heavenly places taking place to destroy your people but you have provided us with everything we need and we declare victory over our lives. Flood us with your love and thoughts towards us, give us the diligence to seek you constantly for  the individual fight that is set before us, we declare: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the destruction of strong holds), casting down reasoning's and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and leading captive every thought into the obedience of the Christ and having a readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

(2 Cor 10:4-6 Jubilee Bible 2000)

Amen!!!

You Are Already Approved

Your approval means nothing to me, because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. (John 5:41 -42 NLT)

How often have you hinged your decision-making or matters of the heart on the approvals or opinions of others? Many times we just want the reassurance that we are going down the right path. However living for the approval or validation of others is where we get into trouble. When Jewish leaders scrutinized Jesus for healing a lame man on the Sabbath he read them their track record and kindly declined their opinion and dissatisfaction toward Him. They were the cream of the crop as it relates to knowing the scriptures but they missed Jesus as the Messiah because he didn’t follow tradition. Jesus never does things in a traditional way he always operates outside the box; you know color outside the lines. And as a Child of God your creativity and ideas will look foolish to the world. We all yearn the approval of others its our nature but ultimately the only approval we need was provided over 2,000 years ago. Tap into your heavenly Fathers love and approval and begin the work that is destined for you in this time and season.

“But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong.” (I Cor 1:27 NET Bible).

…and He has also set His seal upon us, and has put His Spirit into our hearts as a pledge and foretaste of future blessing. (2 Cor 1:22 Weymouth NT)

Run Your Own Race

Since we are surrounded by so many examples [of faith], we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up. Hebrews 12:1

Usually when we are in a physical race it begins with racers at the starting line in his or her own lane. As the race continues each individual will run at their level of physical capacity until they reach the finish line. I think its interesting that God uses the metaphor of a race to describe our spiritual journey and also makes a point to stress that we each have our own race meaning its personalized just for us. I am not sure who came up with the quote “stay in your own lane” but it’s clearly the same direction Jesus provided to us. We have to know who we are, recognized our own gifts and talents and work them for the glory of God. And when it gets hard because it will (its just life) know that we have thousands cheering us on in heaven. I can imagine them saying, “its ok you fell but get back up…keep going…I know its hard but it will be worth it…push forward.” Remember it’s a race not a sprint and the lane is winding, it has hills and valleys but its attainable because its already been predestined for greatness and success by Jesus Christ.

Remember the only thing that can stop you is you.

A Prayer of Surrender

Lord today I acknowledge you in every area of my life, I give up the propensity to control and know all things, I let go of WHY a circumstance has happened and remember your words, “that all things work for the good of them that love the Lord.” I surrender guilt and shame for the things I had control over in my life, and thank you that my forgiveness was provided for over 2000 years ago. I allow forgiveness to flow in my life freely and daily not only to others but also towards myself so I am released from the situation but will use it to better my life and the lives of others. I surrender to the things that only you know about and realize I do not have to be fearful or ashamed of those things that I can be vulnerable and open about them because they have formed and developed the wonderful person you have made me to be on this day. I even surrender future mistakes to you because I realize I am an imperfect vessel with a perfect God living inside of me. I realize that I do not have to earn or work for your love and acceptance, because of Christ you see and acknowledge me as a perfect vessel in your sight. I freely give my love to you with no apology to others and live my life as your Word and Holy Spirit guides. I break the curse of people pleasing and declare I am a God pleaser and bless those who have not come into the knowledge of knowing that anything placed before God is an offense and idolatry.  Thank you that your love for us is so great that you cherish every single relationship with each of your children. We turn it all over to you Lord admitting that we stumble through the life that you died for us to have. God continue to guide us so that we may use the preciousness of this life for your Glory.