Nothing’s Changed

We read in Isaiah 55:10-12 for as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watererth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

How many times have you received a word from the Lord, but when things seemed to go contrary to what He has said you get that sinking feeling in your stomach and begin to lose hope?

After receiving not so favorable news I started getting that sinking feeling in my stomach. As I readied myself for my pity party The Lord quickly reminded me “nothing’s changed.” The word that He had previously spoken to me remained steadfast. It could not and would not change.

How often we are swayed by the thoughts that go through our mind, but they are simply that…thoughts! There is no validity. Our carnal senses have persuaded that what we think might happen is reality when truly it is not. Our mind, based on what we have heard or what we have seen has come to a conclusion on its own, but where are the facts?

The fact is if God has spoken, as we have just read, His word shall not return unto Him void, but will accomplish what He pleases. The fact is as Christians we are to exercise our faith. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for…things hoped for. The things that we hope for are things that prosper us, things that have a good ending, things that bring peace, joy and comfort. If the thoughts that are going through your mind are contrary to the things that you are hoping for then they are not rooted in faith.

While our mind is wandering, conjuring up the worst thing we can imagine our spirit fights back reminding us of what God has said in His word. We read in 2Corintians 10:5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

As Christians we have the authority to call those things which be not as though they were. Take a stand. Refuse to believe the thoughts the enemy tries to shoot through your mind that are contrary to what you know is Gods truth. Stand firm. Don’t give in to worry, stress, anxiety or fear. When has worry, stress, anxiety or fear ever caused something to turn in your favor?

What God was telling me and what I am telling you is that it doesn’t matter what you’re facing, or what anyone says or does. When God speaks He already knows what you are going to face in the future. When your future becomes your right now His word is still valid. It has not changed. Whatever His word to you was, it still is. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for. Faith if for now. Faith is for the time that you want to give up, cave in and quit. Faith is for the time things look like they are not going to change. Faith is for this moment. The moment that you receive bad news, the moment you think you can’t go on.

God is saying nothing’s changed, so don’t you change. He hasn’t changed his mind about what He has said He is going to do, so don’t you change your expectation.

Secret Thoughts - Things We Are Afraid To Say Out Loud



What are your Secret Thoughts?

 

What are you afraid to say out loud?

 

Lean how to release your secret thoughts without fear of embarrassment, ridicule, envy or jealousy, and become empowered to speak out loud.

 

Join me at Medu Bookstore

Saturday November 8th from 2-5

 

Greenbriar Mall

2841 Greenbriar Parkway

Atlanta, GA 30331

 

 

 

 

 

Be Excited But Don’t Be Anxious

As I was praying one day, seeking the Lord concerning His Plan for my life He began to reveal things to me. As He spoke to me he said “It’s okay to be excited but don’t be anxious.” 

Sometimes during our journey, especially when we know we have heard from God we may have a tendency to become anxious. We have a vision and we are ready for it to manifest. In our eagerness to see our desired end we may become discouraged. 

We may lose sight of why we are doing what we are doing. We become focused on what we have defined as success, when success is each step we take towards our goal.  

We place undue pressure on ourselves. Instead of resting in God and His ability, we try to accomplish His Goals within our strength. When you think about it, what sense does this make? We must have faith and believe, but our belief must be in Him and His ability to work through us. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief Hebrews 4:11-12. Our labor should be to trust in Gods ability rather than in ours, and as you are aware it does take labor to believe when things all around you are causing you not to believe.  

We think we are running out of time. If things don’t happen the way we expect them to happen when we expect them to happen we begin to second guess ourselves, but we are actually second guessing God.  We think we may have missed our time. What we must remember as we read in 2 Peter 3:8 but, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. Be Patient. He will bring everything He has placed in you to fruition in His time. 

Paul said in Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Learn to be content wherever you are in your journey. Every step that you make takes you closed to your destination. What may appear to be a step back may be a step that is required to ensure your foundation is firm. Have you ever taken a step forward as you were walking, felt as though you were losing your balance and quickly took a step back? God wants us to stand on that firm foundation, the Rock that the gates of hell shall not prevail against.  

You will experience trials and tribulation during your journey my friend, but be of good cheer. Be excited, but not anxious for the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Give Thanks

 



We read in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. As we move through the month of October I would be remiss if I did not mention how grateful I am to be a breast cancer survivor.

In February 2004 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am celebrating 11 years of life this year. As I thank God for my health I also remember those that fought but did not survive. I pray for Gods healing hand on those that are currently in battle fighting to concur this attack which no man nor woman should have to endure.

I can’t say for sure why I was attacked by breast cancer. The doctors attribute it to genetics as my mother, now deceased but not from breast cancer and my sister both survived this monster. My sister was tested and was told she did not have the genetic marker for breast cancer.

What I can tell you is that I was forewarned as I prayed in November 2013. I heard The Spirit of the Lord say to me “you are going to get breast cancer but you are not going to die”.

When told of my diagnosis was I shocked? Of course I was even though I’d already been told what was going to happen.  I cried, but what I didn’t do was allow this enemy of life to steal my peace. I underwent chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy as I was told the cancer in my left breast could reoccur in my right breast. I had a tram flap and received implants.

Today I still feel the side effects of the chemotherapy. I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy. I recall as I was interviewing for jobs when I prepared to return to the work place I was wearing new shoes that were too small but I couldn’t tell initially because my toes were numb due to the neuropathy. I laugh at this now and am thankful I kept my joy even during the times I was nauseous, tired, bald, and could barely open my mouth.

I have many things for which to be thankful including life itself but life on earth cannot compare to eternal life with my Lord and Savior.

Whether your battle is with cancer, or some other sickness or disease. If your struggle is an addiction, affliction or vice. Whether you are seeking emotional, physical, financial or spiritual healing God is always there. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is waiting for you. If you have not already done so make a decision today to give your life to Christ. Accept Him as your Lord and Savior and allow Him to fight your battles, heal your heart and deliver out of the clutches of the enemy.

Be Blessed,

A thankful survivor

 

 

 

Are There Toxins in Your Life?

A toxin is defined as poison.  Poison can be defined as something harmful or pernicious, as to happiness or well-being. It is a substance with an inherent property that tends to destroy life or impair health.

What toxins are there in your life? What, or who is causing you harm emotionally, physically, financially or spiritually? What or who is ruining or destroying your life? What or who is standing between you and Gods divine purpose for your life?

When I ask myself these questions I think about relationships that are not productive or are not life enhancing. I think about time used for activities which are not aligned with one’s character which could be allocated elsewhere.  I think about people and things that drain ones energy causing a person to be depleted of the strength needed to persevere.

In all these things, these toxins or poisons that threaten our ability to move forward, I also think about the role we play in allowing these toxins or poisons to have power or a place of existence in our lives. As Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 9:11…time and chance happen to us all. There are some things that will just happen in our lives. Please understand God does not cause bad things to happen in our lives, but He does allow certain things to occur. Also remember we read in Romans 8:28 and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

When I think about my own life I know that there are decisions that I have made that led to less than favorable outcomes. If it were possible would I change some of the choices I have made, of course I would. I also know however that the choices that I have made have molded me into the person that I am today. Whether our choices are good or bad that are still part of the fabric of which we are woven.

As we read the account of Samson and Delilah we read of Delilah nagging Samson to the point that he grew so sick and tired of her nagging that he gave in to her request to know the source of his power. Samson lost his power, his eyes were gouged out and he was taunted. Samson sought God to avenge him. His power was restored and he slew more Philistines, those that sought to kill him, at his death than he did during his life.

Samson’s relationship with Delilah was toxic. It fits the description of poison as it ultimately led to his death. I pray that you are not in a relationship or behaviors that are poisonous. Are there however relationships or behaviors that you need to change or end? Perhaps they are not literally threatening your life, but they may be preventing you from moving forward.

Take a self-assessment. Ask yourself the following questions:

·         Do my relationships enhance or hinder?

·         Do my behaviors energize or are they weighing me down?

·         Do I allow myself to become engaged in activities that are counterproductive?

·         Am I pursuing Gods purpose for my life or allowing myself or others to sabotage my journey?

If your responses to these questions lead you to believe you are involved in toxic or unhealthy behaviors or relationships I strongly encourage you to take the necessary steps to make changes and healthy life choices.

It’s not always easy to end relationships or change behaviors. There may be times that you revert to your old behaviors and contemplate returning to old relationships. I am joining with you in prayer that God will give you the strength that you need to move away from the things that are hindering you and preventing you from pressing forward.

No matter how far you may have gone to the left or to the right God is more than able to help you get back on track. As we read in Philippians 11:6 being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

 

 

Learn How to Share Your Secret Thoughts

Foreclosure, repossession, emotional, financial and verbal abuse…

Who do you tell?  Who can you trust?  Are you too embarrassed to tell anyone?

 

A child is imprisoned.  The pain feels unbearable.  How do you cope?

A business relationship results in adultery.  How do you end the affair?

A special occasion shared with acquaintances, because you don’t have family with which to share your good fortune.

A Secret Thought may be good, but it remains a secret because you don’t have anyone you feel you can share it with, that will be as excited about your Secret Thought as you are.

A Secret Thought may also be hurtful, causing pain, destroying relationships; adversely affecting ones emotional and physical wellbeing.

What are your Secret Thoughts?  When and with whom do you share them? Or do you share them?

Within the pages of my book you will read about the Secret Thoughts of different individuals, as well as how they learned to release their thoughts, and became empowered to speak out loud.

This practical yet powerful guide serves as a tool to provide the reader with guidance on sharing thoughts that may cause pain, stress, discomfort, or joy without fear of judgment, repercussion, retaliation or envy.

 

 

 

 

Join me at Nubian Bookstore

Friday October 3, 2014

4pm-7pm

2445 Southlake Mall

Morrow, GA 30260

Call (678) 422-6120      

 

 

 

Stay the Course

And when Sarai dealt hardly with her (Hagar), she fled from her face.

If you are not familiar with this portion of scripture it is taken from Genesis 16:6. Sarai, the wife of Abram was barren. She was too old to conceive and decided to take matters into her own hands. She literally gave her maid Hagar to her husband for the purpose of conceiving a child which she would raise as her own.

Well just like many plans that we concoct, Sarai’s plan blew up in her face. Hagar despised Sarai after she became pregnant. Sarai retaliated by treating Hagar harshly; Hagar fled.

Sometimes when we feel we are treated harshly, are subjected to adverse circumstances by no fault of our own, or become so sick and tired of certain situations we too may feel like Hagar and want to flee.

We want to leave whatever we feel may be causing our pain. We desire a change. We may feel like we have done everything within our power to improve our situation. If our circumstances involve someone we are trying to help we may even start to lose hope that the person we are trying to help will ever change.

We may be forging ahead as hard as we can to accomplish a goal, follow our passion, or reach our destiny but feel like we are falling short.

Regardless of what brings us to the point that we want to flee or give up we must reconcile ourselves with our situation.

When Hagar fled an angel of the Lord came to her and told her to return to the circumstance which she fled. He comforted her by saying her cries had been heard and she would give birth to a son whose seed would be multiplied. Even though Hagar’s pregnancy was not her plan it was still part of her destiny.

On our journey to reach our destiny we may find ourselves in situations which are unfavorable, paths we would not have selected ourselves, or perhaps the paths we are on are our own choice, but are not the best choice. What do we do? Do we flee as Hagar did? We see that even though she fled, she was told to return to her situation because that was where she was supposed to be.

When times are difficult our natural instinct may be to flee, but if God has allowed us to be in certain situations, He may want us to dig our heels in, stand firm, gather our strength and move forward in what He has predestined for our lives.

We read in Luke 12:48 …for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Don’t think it peculiar or strange if you find yourself in trying, difficult or what may even feel like unbearable situations. As a matter of fact we should count it all joy as we are encouraged to do by James, when we fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of our faith worketh patience.

Oftentimes when we are close to our breakthrough, the goal that we have been working so hard to reach, able to see a flicker at the end of the tunnel the enemy brings out the big guns trying to get us to give up, cave in and quit.

Well, I am here to tell you that you are almost there. Don’t flee. Don’t allow the enemy to rob you of what God has told you is yours. Stay the course. You will find that everything you have endured will help you to be a blessing to someone else as you revel in God’s grace and glory.