Category: Encouragement

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Because I know Him!

“… but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32b, KJV()

Yesterday my son John and I were in Walmart Supercenter when the phone rang. I looked at the caller ID on my phone and saw that it was my husband, his father. Before answering the call, I said to John, “He is in the store and is calling to ask which aisle we are on.”

Then, I answered the phone and, sure enough, that was what he asked.

When I hung up the phone, John looked at me in wonder and asked, “How did you know?”

My response to him was, “Because I know Him.”

As I sat on my bed this morning, that exchange came back to my mind and the statement, “Because I know Him” hit my spirit followed by a strong desire to really know the Lord God. I thought, “O how I desire to get to that place in God where I can know Him like that; where

  1. I can predict life’s happenings, God’s movements, not because I am “a prophet” or am “prophetic” but Because I know Him.
  2. I can be convinced of the outcome, Because I know Him.
  3. I can truly rest and be at peace, Because I know Him.
  4. I can smile in the midst of the storm (not as a cliché saying or as a façade, but), Because I know Him.

I WANT TO KNOW HIM LIKE THAT! Don’t you?

Dear Holy Spirit, hear the cry of our hearts today and cause us to draw closer to You so we can grow in our relationship with You. May our hearts yearn to know You until we are moved to that place. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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Forgiven

John 8 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusersof yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

We are less than 48 hours away from the end of 2021 and for many this is a time of retrospection and reflection. Many are thinking about what they could have, should have or would have done in 2021 and are hoping for better in 2022. As I reflect on 2021 and relive some of the memories, I hear my spirit pleading, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.”

SIN – to miss the way or the mark; to wander from the way; to err or be mistaken; to violate God’s law.

In 2021, there were many decisions I made and actions I took that caused me to miss the way or the mark, and sometimes to wander from the way. There were times when I thought I heard His voice but was mistaken; I was in error. Although many of these experiences provided valuable learning lessons, my heart is still heavy in having disappointed Him and having delayed progress.

Yet, as I cry, I hear the voice of the Holy Spirit’s response, “Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more.” With that instruction comes the memory of the account of Mary Magdalene and the woman caught in adultery (John 8: 1-11). What do these two women have in common? They both encountered the same dimensions of our Lord God: compassion, mercy, and forgiveness that led to their salvation.

Life circumstances had brought them both to places of bondage, bondage to sin and death. Mary’s bondage was a result of demon possession; her will was no longer her own. She was controlled and harassed by seven evil spirits that had taken up residence within her body (Mark 16:9). The other woman’s bondage was a result of sexual immorality which led her to a place of death(John 8:3-7).

Nevertheless, when they met Jesus, they were released from their bondage. They received deliverance from and victory over that which had them bound, that which prevented them from being who they were created and designed to be. Jesus, when he saw them, did not focus on their sin. He did not meet them with condemnation but with salvation (John 3:16-18). In fact, their sin did not surprise or disgust Him. Their sin was the reason He came. He came to seek and save those that were lost (Luke 19:10). He came to save His people from their sin (Matthew 1:21). He came with power to set them free (John 8:31-32).

Many of us are looking back at 2021 and we see some things that we are not too proud of. We see occasions where we missed the mark, where we wandered away from the guidance of the Lord God and lost our way. We see things worthy of condemnation. But friends, if we focus on those things, we will remain hostages to the power of sin; we will remain in bondage. Instead, we can choose to have an ENCOUNTER with Jesus, to encounter His compassion, His mercy, and His forgiveness that would lead to salvation and receive POWER to “go, and sin no more.”

My encouragement to You as you exit this old year and make preparations to enter the new is to go after a fresh encounter with Jesus. Make Him your focus of pursuit. Become desperate for Him as Mary Magdalene was when she visited his tomb and was desperate to know where they had laid Him (John 20:11-18). If we seek Him, search for Him with all of our heart, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13) and find freedom for our souls, freedom to be who we were designed and created to be, His pleasure.

Dear Lord Jesus, my heart’s cry today is for an encounter with You. I want to so encounter You that my life will never be the same. Like Mary Magdalene, I want my encounter with You to create such a passion for You that my life’s fulfillment will be found in being with You, following You, and ministering to You in life and in death. Thank You for forgiving me and for relieving me of every burden, load and care that has held me in bondage. Thank You for allowing me to know You; may I so know You until I become strong and can execute exploits in and through Your name. AMEN

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It WILL SURVIVE & THRIVE

Yesterday, I received a text message from one of our spiritual children, “We are having the baby! Mrs. has been admitted to the hospital.” Sometime later, another message followed with a host of pictures, “5lbs 10 ounces 18 1/2 inches long.” My heart was overjoyed for this young couple who had recently been launched into church ministry. I responded to them, “A new chapter of your journey begins now. Go WITH God!”

Throughout the evening, my thoughts would drift back to them and settle on their newborn daughter. I was reminded that, with this new birth, a new potential soldier was born into the kingdom, another arrow in the making. I was reminded of the level of warfare that will be surrounding this innocent child and the necessity for vigilance and sobriety on the part of the parents. The knowledge that within each new life, God has hidden a part of His plan for this earth, weighed heavily on my mind and the urgency to, like Joseph with Jesus of old, do what is necessary to keep that child safe. Eventually, I stopped what I was doing and began to pray for that family.

I awoke this morning, and the memory of this new birth came to mind. As I reflected on the time I spent in prayer for this family, I began to think of those of you who may have also recently given birth to something new or are in the process of carrying a vision. In many cases, we plan for the arrival of the new with much joy and anticipation and forget that, for the new to survive and fulfill its purpose within this hostile environment, the optimal atmosphere must be created. Apostle Peter cautions us in 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV), “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Prior to Peter’s epistle, Jesus had taught His disciples, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10, NIV).”

As I write, I am also thinking of those with “children” (visions) that have been birthed some time ago. Some may be thriving on their way to bringing forth fruit of their own. Others may be parched and near death’s door. I pray over all of our children/visions today. I pray that no matter the condition of their physical environment that an atmosphere conducive for growth and development will envelop their lives right now, in Jesus’ name. I call on heaven for angelic assistance to stand guard over and around our children/visions. By the mighty name of Jesus, I rise and disarm every weapon that was fashioned against them and declare, although they have already been formed, they will not succeed in that which they were formed to do (Isaiah 54:17).

That which God has buried within them as hidden treasure to bless this world will come forth, in Jesus’ name. They will execute ALL the will of God in their seasons, in their generation. All that they need to prosper is provided now, in Jesus’ name. May the Holy Spirit breathe fresh life into them and bring them into alignment with that which the Lord is doing in this season. I speak over these children/visions, “Hear ye the word of the Lord. You were sent to earth not to be a failure, not to be a statistic but to accomplish what the Lord has desired and to achieve the purpose for which you were sent” (Isaiah 55: 11, NIV). YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH! YOU WILL PROSPER! You will not only survive but thrive. Go WITH God.

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He Kept His Promise!

Merry Christmas 2020!

With all the gift buying and giving, amidst the laughter and joy of family coming together, I stop to reflect on what Christmas means to me. As I reflect on the Scriptures, my mind lingers on the thought that our Lord God is a PROMISE KEEPER.

I mull over the fact that Christmas is the celebration of the fact that God kept the promise that he made to the serpent, Satan – that old dragon, deceiver, and adversary of God and God’s children. God promised Satan that the seed of the Woman would bruise the head of the serpent and the serpent would only bruise the heel of the woman’s seed. – Genesis 3:15

Christmas is a reminder that “God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?” – Numbers 23:19 (AMPC)

Christmas reminds us that what God promises “awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, [we should] wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)

At Christmas, we celebrate that “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because [we] are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” – Galatians 4: 4-6

Christmas reminds us that, although the Woman was deceived, the Lord God did not cast her off forever, but used women to participate in His plans to bring what He promised to pass. Women like Eve, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathseba – all women with a tainted history – were include as participants just as women like Elisabeth, Mary and Anna – women viewed as pious and God-fearing.

Christmas teaches us that the Lord God used women of all ages and of diverse educational, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds to be involved in His plan. He was inclusive of all of us because, He loves Woman and wanted her to not be excluded from His promise and act of redemption. Finally, Christmas reminds us of God’s love for His creation, His love – “not willing that any should perish, but that all (both male and female) should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

Amidst all of the hustle and bustle this Christmas, I pause to remember that there is nothing that I have done that can separate me from God’s love. His promise still stands. If I would just turn to Him and confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive me and will cleanse me from all unrighteousness – 1 John 1:9 (KJV). If I would just “believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Him, [I] shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life; abundant life – John 3:16; 10:10b (AMPC).

Friends, this Christmas, be encouraged that what the Lord God has promised you WILL come to pass. He has not forgotten you. He is working all things, all circumstances, your joys and sorrows, your pleasures and pain, and your successes and failures to bring about that which He has promised. Lift your eyes to the heavens and lift your voice declaring, Glory to God in the Highest! You do all things well! You are my Promise Keeper and your promises are yea and Amen!

Now go and have a cheerful and lively Christmas 2020!!

DIG DEEPER:
Bible Study – God Keeps His Promises
Prayer Room – Christmas Prayer

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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!!