Category: Encouragement

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!

May the STRENGTH of God sustain you.
May the COMFORT of God console you.
May the LOVE of God lift you,
And may you experience ALL that YOU NEED Him to be TODAY.

With the magnitude of loss we all are experiencing globally as a result of this pandemic, there are many who might find it difficult to lift their hearts and voices in thanksgiving to God today. The prayer scripted above is a prayer from my heart to you.

On this designated and set aside day to be observed in giving thanks to the Heavenly Source of our earthly [and spiritual] blessings1, may you receive, most of all, the blessing of a grateful heart.

1 From “A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America” – Franklin D. Roosevelt.

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Covered

I pray that the Lord will continue to cover us today. I pray that He will keep us as the apple of His eye and hide us under the shadow of His wings. – Psalms 17:8 (KJV)

Picture a giant bird with wings outstretched, hovering over us as we walk throughout the day. That covering provides protection from the “heat” of the day. It provides us refuge from the wind and rain assaulting us from the “storms” of life and shielding from the flying debris from the disasters around us.

As the bird moves, we move with him understanding that his role is not only to protect but to lead us to our expected end. He cover us with his feathers, and under his wings we trust (Psalms 91:4). As long as we trust him and stay under the shadow of his wings, we will be safe and be where we should be, when we should be there.

However, because our sight is limited to the ground beneath our feet, to just a short distance ahead and to the belly (underside) of that giant bird, we often become fearful not being able to see the way to assure ourselves that it is well.

This limited sight often incite us to voluntarily move away from under the shadow of his wings. So we move, only to find ourselves, not in open space where we can see more, but in a dark place where we can no longer see the traps and snares that have been set for us by our adversary. Unnecessary suffering, pain, and delay then enter our lives and we become discouraged. We have abandoned the shelter of His covering.

As I pray and these thoughts fill my mind, I am reminded of a poem I read when I was a little girl. I am encouraged to take my eyes off of the rough and negatives that I am seeing and keep my trust on His unfailing love for me. I am encouraged to stay under his covering, this place of safety, regardless of what I see.

Read this poem with me and allow it to pour into you like it did me.

My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned. – (Author Unknown)

Heavenly Father, thank You for covering us today and always. Help us to go today knowing that we are covered and, as such, have no need to fear the heat, the wind, the rain, nor the debris of life. May we trust in the shadow of Your wings. AMEN!!

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Sent from God

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. – John 1:6 – 7 (KJV)

More and more, I am learning that my time here on earth is about my assignment – the mission – what I was sent to do. Like John, I am a “man” sent from God, one who has come for a witness, to bear witness of that Light. I am an ambassador provided with various platforms to speak boldly as I ought to speak (Ephesians 6:20). My marriage is a platform. My family is a platform. My career/occupation is a platform. My ministry is a platform.

Father God, I pray that utterance would be given to me, that I might open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the gospel (good news); that I might speak boldly and courageously as I ought to; that through these various platforms I would honor You and cause You to be glorified. Father, please imprint this truth – that I am sent from God – upon my heart and my mind.

Holy Spirit, as I wake and rise help be to be reminded of the fact and declare that “Today, I am here to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work. Today I must shine in my world , so that they can behold Your glory.

That is what God has been teaching me, through His Holy Spirit, during my time of sojourn in the USA. He has taught me that life is not about a ministerial title. It is not about holding a microphone. It is not even about being a part of a particular church. Rather my being here is about fulfilling my assignment – mission. Every breath that I take, every day I am granted on this land of the living, is about my assignment.

Holy Spirit, please energize me. Grant me power to be a witness. Grant me power to fulfill my assignment. And Lord, Grant me focus, steadfastness, and determination to stay the course, Knowing that I am not mine own, but I have been sent from God.

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Prayer of Thanksgiving

It is a new day! A day of thanksgiving and rejoicing. A day when I take my eyes off of who I am, what I have done, my state, AND I lift my eyes to God the Father to gaze at and wonder/ponder on who He is, what He has done, and His changeless state.

Today I am reminded that “His promise still stands; great is His faithfulness. I am still in His hands and this is my confidence.” Today I am reminded that He is “my Promise Keeper. He will never fail. His love is true.“

I am thankful for every time that I was down and He lifted me up. For every time He spoke to the storm – the wind and the waves in my life – and commanded, “Peace, Be still!” – (Mark 4:39)

I am thankful for His choosing me and for giving me power to become His child, a child of God (John 1:12).

I am thankful for His love that He poured on me and in me (Romans 5: 5).

I am thankful for His thinking of me AND for acting on those thoughts, working on my behalf ( Jeremiah 29:11; Psalms 92:5).

I am thankful for every assistance that He has given/sent to my life: angels, people, favor, a hedge, Christ’s intercession, His Holy Spirit – my Master, Teacher and Guide.

I am thankful for the knowledge and understanding that He gives to me daily; for the revelation of His will.

I am thankful for how He designed me and built me AND for the assignment/mission that He has assigned to me here on earth.

I now know that my assignment (my various ministries) is not external of me. It is part and parcel of who I am. As I grow, develop, and mature, so does my assignment within me. As I move, so does my assignment. I am daily living out my assignment. My assignment is not something I am waiting on but, it is already part of who I am.

I was not waiting to be a wife when my husband found me. He found a wife (Proverbs 18:22). I was already a wife. I didn’t become a mother when I gave birth to my first child. I am a woman, mother of all living. Similarly, I was not a teacher when I received certification nor a pastor when I was ordained (1 Samuel 16:1 ). I had/have been carrying these ministries inside of me all along.

Time and growth facilitate the manifestation of what I am carrying inside of me: my assignment, my ministries. Now today – 11/23/2020 – we see and know (who we are) in part but, then – in the process of time – we will see and know, even as we are seen and known by God (1 Corinthians 13:12). Thank you God for this revelation and thank you for being God!

I go forth today with Your love and this knowledge that I am what I am, by the grace of God ( 1 Corinthians 15:10). I am not going to be but, in this moment, I am. With Your grace assisting me, all will see and be blessed by who You have made me to be. May my life honor You by expressing Your will, Your thoughts, Your intentions, and Your ideas to this world. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

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He is ascended!

“Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” – John 20:15 (NIV)

Mary Magdalene walked with Jesus during His time of ministry on earth. She was listed among His travel partners, who went with Him “through towns and villages” witnessing Him preaching and bringing the good news/gospel of the kingdom of God to them. She did not just travel as an observer but was an active participant in his ministry. The writer of the gospel of Luke states that she was one of the women who ministered to and provided for Jesus and His twelve disciples, out of their property and personal belongings (Luke 8: 1-3 AMPC).

In addition, Mary was also a recipient of, a testimony to, his healing and delivering power. She had been delivered from the possession and bondage of 7 demons. (Imagine that! She was a woman of wealth but still bound.) She, who once had no control over her own life but was led by forces of darkness, was now in her right of mind.
– NO MORE cutting of herself!
– NO MORE pain and shame!
– NO MORE being tossed and driven!
She was free; free to make her own choices and, she chose to “serve” the Christ.

Mary knew what bondage felt like and she also knew what freedom felt like. She was grateful for what Jesus had done for her and chose to be one of His disciples. In the time of our key verse, Mary, along with numerous women, had accompanied Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem, ministering to Him. They were witnesses at His crucifixion, looking on from a distance. They observed where the body of Jesus was laid. NOTE: her ministry to Jesus was not confined only to when He was alive, when He was popular, or when He was being mobbed by the crowd.

Even in and after His death, she still desired to minister to Him. Because of the Sabbath, she was not able to minister as she wanted to but, after the Sabbath was passed, she and 2 other women bought sweet smelling spices that they might go and anoint Jesus’ body. The writer of the gospel told us that they left out while it was still dark and came to the tomb but, His body was not there.

Mary became distraught because, like the other disciples. she had not yet understood the Scripture and His teachings about His rising from the dead. (Isn’t it amazing how someone can love the Lord, be devoted to Him, and still lack understanding of the Scriptures, the deep things of God?) So Mary was distressed and upset. After Peter and the other disciples left, she looked into the tomb for herself and was asked by the angels, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus (vs. 13-14).

Then Mary heard that question asked of her a second time, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him (vs. 15).” Unbeknownst to Mary, today was the happiest day of her life, yet she was in despair. She wanted Jesus. She was satisfied with having just the dead body of Jesus to anoint it for the burial. She just wanted to know where they had transferred the body to that she might take it away. She sought Jesus and had found Him but did not recognize Him.

“Woman, why are you crying so? Who is it you are looking for?” Whatever/whomever you are seeking you will not find in the place of the dead. Walk away from this place of the dead, wipe your eyes, and go carry a message to my brothers. Tell them that “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” This was good news that changed Mary’s mindset and her posture. She returned to the others with the news, “He has ascended!”

  1. Because He is ascended, He is now at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for us (Romans 8:34).
  2. Because He is ascended, death no longer has a sting for me, the grave no longer conquers (1 Corinthians 15:55).
  3. Because He is ascended, He has a name that is above every other name; every knee must bow in heaven, in earth, and under the earth He is victor. (Ephesians 1:18-21; Philippians 2:9-11)
  4. Because He ascended, one day I too will ascend (1 Thessalonian 4:16-18).

Friends, Mary learned something that morning that we need to learn as well. There is no need for tears. There is no need to grieve as those who are without hope. Because He has ascended, we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Friends, grab a hold of this message of hope that Jesus gave Mary – “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Why are you weeping so? He has ascended.

Holy Spirit, help this understanding of that message to become truth in my life. Cause me to live a life as one who knows that He has ascended. AMEN!!

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Sela Hammahlekoth

Meanwhile, David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the desert south of Jeshimon. Saul and his men arrived and began their search. When David heard of it, he went south to Rock Mountain, camping out in the wilderness of Maon. Saul heard where he was and set off for the wilderness of Maon in pursuit. Saul was on one side of the mountain, David and his men on the other. David was in full retreat, running, with Saul and his men closing in, about to get him. Just then a messenger came to Saul and said, “Hurry! Come back! The Philistines have just attacked the country!” So Saul called off his pursuit of David and went back to deal with the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth [Rock of Escape; Narrow Escape]. – 1 Samuel 23: 24-28 (MSG, NIV)

No matter how valiant and skillful in war we are, there comes a time in our lives when we find ourselves surrounded, surrounded by our adversaries, and/or surrounded by troubles in life. Not only are we surrounded but we find ourselves at the verge of being overcome. Then, out of no where just in the nick of time, we witness the hand of God as He strategizes our deliverance.

This was David’s situation detailed in 1 Samuel 23. Saul had been pursuing David for some time, with the intent to end his life. It seemed that today Saul’s pursuit would come to an end because, by day’s end, David would be in his grasp. What Saul did not know was that, although there was no visible evidence of it, God was working on David’s behalf. At the last minute, Saul got a message that brought David’s deliverance.

When I read this passage of Scripture and got to the end – That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth [Rock of Escape] – I had to pause and thank God for the many Sela Hammahlekoth moments in my life; moments where I narrowly escaped being extinguished; I narrowly escaped fainting; I narrowly escaped capture by the enemy of my soul. I paused …. I stopped and began writing this prayer in my journal:

Dear Lord, Thank You for being my present help in the time of trouble. Thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning and for Your grace that is available to me in our time of need. Thank You for the sufficiency that lies in Your grace. Thank You for the strength, Your strength, that is available to me through Your grace.

Thank You Lord for every “Sela Hammahlekoth” moment that You have wrought in my life. Thank You for providing a Rock of Escape and also making a way to escape every temptation so that I may be able to bear it. Holy Spirit, please go with me today and cause us to be aware of the traps/snares of the enemy. When the enemy closes in, when he comes in like a flood, Holy Spirit please raise up a standard against him. Command victories for me this day and cause rocks of escape to be positioned in every area of my life. AMEN!!

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Be Encouraged!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

I am sitting at my dining table preparing my notes for the Bible Study teaching tonight. My husband comes downstairs and excitedly exclaims, “Did you see it?”

“See what?”, I asked.

“We are at 102,” he replied.

…I grabbed my phone and texted in the family chat: Good morning. More good news! ezerwatchers has just passed the 100 subscribers mark. As of today, we are at 102 subscribers and counting. Thank you Lord!!!

Later that morning, one of my “daughters” asked, “Are you going to write a celebratory post?….100 is a milestone.” I gave it some thought and while thinking on it, my mind went to one of my journal entries from July 2019. It reads as follows:

I am somewhat disappointed this morning. I am displeased because ezerwatchers.com has not been receiving the responses I had expected or hoped for. I expected that it would be supported by my family and friends, if by no one else. But last week, it only received 1 view total.

However, in my reading this morning, I read Nehemiah 5:16a – “Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall….” This passage spoke about how Nehemiah invested in himself and continued in his assignment. Unlike the other governors before him, he was not going to trust in or rely on the people. Instead he was going to shoulder his burdens and apply himself (that is, devote himself) to the work of the wall.

Like Nehemiah, I need to look away from man’s help, from my expectations from family and friends, and continue to invest in the work that God has assigned me – ezerwatchers. I need to keep at it! Be faithful!

Dear Father, You are my support so, I look to You for support. Help me to keep my eyes focused on the assignment and not look to the arm of flesh. Help me to value Your approval more than the approval of man and above everything else. Lord, help me to remember that as long as I am obeying You, then I am successful and prosperous. I thank you for your encouragement. I will wait on You and be of good courage. Amen!

Friends, that morning I went into prayer with the weight of disappointment weighing me down but, by the time I left my place of prayer, I was encouraged. I want to share that same encouragement with you. I want to encourage you regarding those times when it seems like what God has asked you to do is not bearing any fruit. Do not allow disappointment to pull you apart from your God-assigned task. Know that all God requires of you is faithfulness. It is His responsibility to add as needed. Just as you were a part of making this milestone possible for ezerwatchers, even so God is raising up people to help make your milestone possible.

THANK YOU TO ALL MY SUBSCRIBERS!!

Know that the Lord Your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness  – Deuteronomy 2:7 (NIV).

My love and prayers are with you all!

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For My Grandparents: Lovers of God

Twenty-nine years ago, on this date, I became a mother. I gave birth to a beautiful 8 pound 10 ounce – baby girl whose arrival forever changed the course of our family’s life. I was a teenager, unmarried and backslidden. My family was still grieving the loss of my eldest brother, who went missing two years prior. The entrance of this bright-eyed baby, although bittersweet, filled a gap in my parent’s heart and caused me, like the prodigal son of Luke 15, to return home to my Heavenly Father.

This little girl, who calls herself “my firstborn who opened the matrix of my womb” , has grown into a talented and beautiful young lady who I am proud of in so many ways. In honor of her birthday, I wish to feature one of her writing samples: a tribute that she wrote for her grandparents at their Appreciation Service 2017. May you be blessed and encouraged to know that as you grow through the various stages of life you have a Promise from your Heavenly Father that He will carry you and sustain you.

For My Grandparents: Lovers of God!

Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am He, I am He who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you. – Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)

I hear things change when you get older: your eyes won’t focus, your ears won’t hear, and time keeps speeding up and running faster than your aching legs can handle. Your heart must be tired for keeping a steady beat this long.

But I hear your soul stays the same; I know it’s true because yours have been consistent and stable my whole life. At the core of you, the real definition of the both of you, your souls are lovers of God, friends of God. You’ve yearned for Him all these years, and will yearn for Him until you’re reunited. That won’t change. Of this I am certain.

You’ve loved God with your whole body, and now it’s showing; the wear and tear of your hard work. You love God with your heart, and that is evident in all the sacrifices you’ve made, all the lives you’ve changed, all the ways you’ve both become the people you are today.

You love Him with your soul, that part of you that will reunite with Him when He comes back for you. You’ve held on this long, body, heart and soul and my encouragement is to hold on longer.

No matter how your body changes and stops working the way you’ve known, He will carry you.
When your heartaches from the pain in this world, He will rescue you.
And when your soul cries for Him to come back for this world, to come back for you, He will sustain you.
Love, Sephie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEPHIE!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

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The God Who Sees ME!

Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” – Genesis 16:13

Many times what God promises us does not immediately materialize at the time it is spoken, or even shortly after. More times than not, it takes years, long periods of time, before our eyes can see the materialization of the promise.

As such, it is human tendency to begin to second-guess God, to give our interpretation or “re-interpretation” of what God said rather than just taking Him at His words. When we begin to “re-interpret”, then we make decisions and do things to make our interpretation [come] true.

During the past two weeks, I have been feeling compelled to revisit the story of Hagar and El- Roi, The God Who Sees. As I re-read the chapter where this account is detailed – Genesis 16 – I was struck at the central theme of seeing that was portrayed. These are my reflections that I wrote as I meditated on this account.

It is interesting how chapter 15 of the book of Genesis ends with God promising Abram that he would have descendants and His descendants will inherit the Promised Land, then chapter 16 begins with “Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children.” Sarai’s interpretation of this fact was if “The Lord has kept me from having children” but has promised Abram children, then I am not the channel that God will use to birth these children. There must be another.
BE CAREFUL OF HOW YOU SEE!
YOUR SIGHT/PERSPECTIVE DETERMINES YOUR INTERPRETATION.

vs. 3-5 The narrative continues with Sarai choosing her Egyptian maid, Hagar to be the answer to God’s promise. Hagar was given a role that was not hers to fill and as such could not handle her new position. She became a victim of someone else’s wrong vision and subsequent wrong decision. Consequently, her sight also became affected and Hagar changed from being a humble servant to a haughty servant (vs.9). Her being in a wrong position gave her an incorrect perspective.
BE CAREFUL OF HOW YOU SET OTHERS UP AS A RESULT OF YOUR DECISIONS!
WHEN WE ARE NOT POSITIONED RIGHT, WE CAN’T SEE RIGHT.

vs.6 Abram was seen as a passive character in this chapter. He heard his wife’s analysis of the promise of God and went along with her plan. According to Scripture, he did not waver at the promise of God (Romans 4:18-22). How he saw God did not change AND how he saw his wife did not change. Sarai may have become despised in Hagar’s eyes and in her own eyes, but in his eyes she was still his wife, and Hagar her maid.

vs. 7-14 In all of this God was also seeing. He saw but did not intervene. God did not step in and correct Sarai’s faulty sight/interpretation. He did not step in and correct Abram for following Sarai’s plan. He did not step in when Hagar’s vision also became faulty and her attitude changed toward Sarai. He did not step in when Sarai treated Hagar harshly and, He did not step in when Hagar was contemplating running away. He was seeing it all.

However, He stepped in after Hagar ran away and was in the wilderness on the way to Shur. God comes looking for us when we have exhausted our own efforts and are ready and open to hear and receive a word from Him. We are told that “the angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert...” (vs. 7-12). Her conversation with the Angel of the Lord reveals that God not only heard her affliction but He also saw her – Hagar. He is El-Roi, The God Who Sees.

Hagar was surprised that the Lord God would take notice of a mere Egyptian maid. She was shocked that He came looking for her; that He had thoughts about her and plans for her and her unborn child. He even maned her child and assured his prosperity.

Hagar could identify with the psalmist that wrote Psalms 139:1-6:

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

Friends, the Lord God is that God-Who-Sees-YOU and sees about YOU; the God-Who-Watches-Over-You. Even when your sight becomes blurry/faulty and you lose your way, He will find you and re-route you on your path home. He is the Lord God and He sees YOU!

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A Prayer for the Journey

… For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’ – Isaiah 46: 9-10

This morning I awoke thanking God for being the Author and Finisher of my faith, the God who knows the End from the Beginning. He is the God who have already walked through my life, has returned from the End, met me at the Beginning and is willing to walk with me at my pace to the Expected End.

He walks a little in front of me at times to lead and guide me into all truth. At other times, He carries me when I am unable to walk on my own. This is why I should be able to trust Him because He knows where He is going. He knows the pitfalls, obstacles, and the quick sands ahead. He knows. He knows. If I can just trust Him, I will never stumble or fall.

The difficulty that God has with us is that we don’t truly believe that He knows. We do not truly believe that He knows the End from the Beginning. If we did, we would trust Him unconditionally. Yet, in spite of our doubts and unbelief, He still chooses to walk with us, to be our partner on the journey. When we go astray, He finds us and re-routes us to the path that will lead to our Expected End. Thank You Lord for such mercy and forbearance.

Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the numerous times that I have doubted You and as a result developed clouded vision as to where You were leading me. Forgive me for constantly straying, listening to the voice of another. Forgive me for not truly believing and, as such, hindering myself from trusting You as I should.

I cast off doubts and unbelief. I cast off carnality and living/walking by sight and not by faith. Please sensitize my spirit to the leading and the voice of Your Holy Spirit. Teach me Your ways and lead me in Your paths. Lord, revolutionize my life to reflect total surrender, faith, and trust in You. I give myself to You, all of me, for more of You.

Lord move on my heart like you have never moved before. Change my focus and my perspective. Change my expectations and my resulting speech. Let Your perfect will be done in and through me, for Christ’s sake, AMEN!