Refocus!

I woke up this morning in the middle of a spiritual battle. I know this because normally my first words when I open my eyes are, Thank you Jesus! But this morning, I almost muttered ughhhhh I wish I didn’t have to go to work! I wish I could just stay in bed all day! Those thoughts ran through my mind but, I didn’t allow them to come out of my mouth.  Instead, the Holy Spirit checked me!!!!  My whole headspace changed after this.  I thought of all the alternatives.  I could have opened my eyes and had to face another day without a job to go to, another day without shelter, food, or clothing, another day without my freedom (in jail), and I could’ve not opened my eyes at all on this side. 

I haven’t had a journal entry in quite some time but, today I have so much to say and FB can only hold so many characters, so here goes! I hope it blesses you!

EVERYTHING that happens to us has a purpose.   Once you accept this concept your whole perception on how you live your life day to day will change.  Some things we go through are meant to grow our faith and sometimes things happen to simply save us from ourselves.  These test and trials are necessary in order to prepare us for the next level God has for us.  The longer we resist the lesson that is to come out of the test, the longer we delay the blessing. 

I didn’t always see life this way.  It took some Hell and High-water, to get me where I am today in my faith.  I’m not saying I am Peter and can walk on water, but I definitely know where my help comes from!  God recently taught me some valuable lessons about my need to feel in control.  When I don’t think things look like they are going to pan out right, I feel the need to take the wheel and steer.  But God, will allow you to be placed in situations and circumstances that will allow you to be completely out of control to teach you that you aren’t the captain of this ship, HE IS!

As I sit at my desk, at a job I know God gave and created just for me, I can’t help but thank Him! I’m not saying this because I think it’s the right thing to say or it sounds good.  I know he created it for me because it didn’t exist until I got here.  I didn’t interview for it, as a matter of fact I was here a little less than a month doing something TOTALLY different when I started.  I remember praying for it, but wasn’t sure when it would come.  I could never thank Him enough for everything He’s done for me.  I don’t deserve a tenth of what God has blessed me with. But God loves me, adores me, and His grace and mercy are just for me! He gives me new mercies daily to get me through. 

I said all of that to say this, if you are in a storm of life right now, stop and ask God what is it He would have me learn from this?  Ask God to reveal the lesson to you?  He will do it!  Once you’ve mastered this task, the next level you have been praying for is on the way.  One last thing, be mindful of how you react in a storm or during a test, you never know who is watching.  It could be a matter of their life or death!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding! Proverbs 3:5

Do not forget to show kindness to strangers, for by doing so some have shown kindness to angels without knowing it...Hebrews 13:2

Release it...

 If God gave it, its worth fighting 2save it. If God's not in it, you should probably end it before it ends you.

I read this quote today and it spoke to me in so many ways.  God has shown me in the past few months that I needed to let go of a multitude of things.  Some things I was removed from as a result of my own foolish actions and others God simply took from my grasp because He knew it was best.  He also put somethings in place for me to have that aren't going to come easy,  they are going to require me to fight and hang in there to receive.  Is there something you need to let go of?  On the other hand is there something you need to continue fighting for?

Knowing if the "thing" is of God, takes having a relationship.  We place many "things" on God, when in reality, it wasn't of God.  God would never bless you with something only to take it away from you.  However, know that if your heart gets greedy or your ego to proud you could lose that thing as a result of your actions.  You also need to keep in mind, everything doesn't come into your life to stay.  Somethings are only for a season and once that season has ended it is time to release it.

We need to have an open relationship with God.  If we did something and we knew it was wrong, let God know and ask for mercy.  He is a gracious and merciful God, He will forgive you.  Just let God take the lead and you follow.  Stop trying to show God where to go and let Him show you.

On the other hand, when we know something is of God, we can't be afraid to fight for it.  The devil is going to try to step in and block it.  However, if you have the word of God buried deep down inside of you, then you have the whole armor of God on you.  So you are prepared to fight and be victorious.

In Jesus name we come to you today asking that you open our eyes.  We don't want to miss abything you have for us.  So Lord, when it is time for us to let go of something, make it plain so that we know.  We know Lord that if we don't release that thing at the end of its season there may not be room for the next thing you want to do in our lives.  So we declare today that we will not hold on to baggage any longer.  We will release it in the name of Jesus so that our lives can abundantly be blessed.

Have an awesome day!

Do not forget to show kindness to strangers, for by doing so some have shown kindness to angels without knowing it...Hebrews 13:2

Are you ready?

Today's Epiphany is going to carry a different tune from all of the others. If you are a single woman reading this then I know that it will bless you. If you are married, I hope that you can take something away as well.

Recently, I have gone to weddings and heard about so many of my acquaintances becoming engaged. I am so genuinely excited that they have each found love and happiness. My prayer is that this is who God has prepared them to be with for eternity and that their love continues to grow strong as the days and years progress. Love is such a beautiful thing. No matter how many times I am hurt, bruised, knocked down, or kick around by it, I manage to always get up dust myself off and try again. Leaving me to wonder why hasn't the one shown up. I've been diligent in not carrying baggage from one relationship to the next. So what am I doing wrong?

Well I was in the library the other day and I decided to pick up T.D. Jakes book "Before you Do?" Now I am no where near marriage right now, but if you stay ready, you don't have to get ready! So I'm planting those seeds now. I used to the single life (not being in a relationship) as an unfortunate situation until God showed me, you aren't ready yet. At the end of every past relationship, I would chalk them up to experience. My famous line is now I know what I don't want! What I still had not figured out is what I do want.

There was one quote Pastor Jakes used that got me "all the way together". It was, "stop looking for someone to complete you, look for someone to compliment you". If you are truly happy with yourself you are already complete or 100 as they say. "Marriage is not a 50/50, rather two 100's coming together to make a dynamic team". Now all of us have either said or heard someone else say that someone completes them or they are looking for someone to complete them. I don't know how you took the above quotes, but I interpret them as if I am seeking self-completion from another person, I will never master that concept. The thing that makes you attractive and keeps your relationship fresh is your individuality. You have know who you are. What you like or don't like so that you don't have to create a character to hid behind. Which most times, end up tragically. If you put your faith and trust in man, he will always let you down.

Antoher sensitive subject Pastor Jakes talks about, is remaining in control. I usually go with the flow, instead of creating the flow. I am usually chosen not the chooser. I tried to be their savior. So looking back now from the outside instead of the inside of the relationship, no wonder the didn't work out, I was toxic. I didn't know who I was, so I conformed to who I thought they needed or wanted me to be. Now don't get me wrong, I am not placing all the blame on me, but I do deserve some of it. It took me a long time to admit the part I played in the demise of my past relationships. It's so easy to find fault with someone else, but yourself? Whew, that is a true challenge. Truth is I was pretending to be their Jesus. Which was way out of line. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness? If the relationship causes you to negatively compromise yourself, it's not the one for you.

Not only has this book taught me about my relationship with people but, my relationship with God. See when you are in an intimate relationship with someone, you trust them. You have let down your guard and you can just be yourself. Though I have a relationship with God, I hadn't taken the relationship area of my life to Jesus. I have been leaving it truly to happenstance. It was not until I got to a point where I was about to throw up my hands and say Lord, I just give up. I give all that I have and still end up with the short end of the stick, left alone holding the bag. Lord, what am I doing wrong? That's when God said, this is the first time you have consulted me about it. How about we try it my way this time. Matthew 6:31-33 Don’t ever worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’Everyone is concerned about these things, and your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them. But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you. God told me, Stop putting anyone before me. Don't allow a man to seperate you from my will. If I gave you a word, dream, or vision, I need you to move or act on it. Don't allow anyone or anything to cloud your vision or distort your ability to hear my voice. We sing the gospel hymn, I Surrender All. But do we really?

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to you today, surrendering all. All to you Lord, EVERYTHING!!!! We don't want any areas of our lives to be operating outside of your will for our lives. Father, we are seeking you like never before. We are missing something in our lives and we now know that it isn't the companionship of another person, its the companionship of you Lord. So draw closer to us Lord, our desire is to praise and worship you. We want to get to know you as you show us who we are in you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Matthew 6:34 So don’t ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. God is saying stop worrying about when you mate or companion is coming. Just stay close to God and submerged in his word so that you don't miss them when God sends them. Remember if you stay ready, you don't have to get ready.

Happy Friday All! Have a blessed weekend.


Do not forget to show kindness to strangers, for by doing so some have shown kindness to angels without knowing it...Hebrews 13:2

That's not it...

One thing you may noticed about my blog is that I often repeat or remind you of past epiphanies.  Well today will be no different :-)!  In a previous post, I told you all that just because the door is open, you don't have to walk through it.  Well God sent me that test and I almost walked into a "blessing" for somebody else. 

Sometimes God allows things that look like "blessings" to be presented to you to see if you have been paying attention and if indeed you are ready.  If you will know when the devil is trying to deceive or trick you  Well this happened to me two weeks ago.  I described it in my blog that it was single-handily, one of the greatest things that I had ever been blessed with.  Well I did a little research and guess what?  It is indeed an awesome blessing!!!!! Just not for me.  I mean with everything going on in this season of my life, it fit in perfectly, so I thought.  Now I know, God was saying this my child is a test. 

See God wants me to understand that everything that looks good, may indeed be good for someone, just not necessarily for me.  Having a personal relationship with God and asking Him to show you who you really are, provides you with the discernment of knowing if something is really for you.  That's why sometimes when we get things, we shout hallelujah to the top of our lungs and thank God for this blessing.  When it really didn't come from God, it was forced by you.  If it isn't of God, He can't bless it.  If the thing you think is a blessing causes you to have to compromise yourself negatively in anyway, then it can't be of God.  If you are in God, you know who you are and there is no reason for you to be anyone else but you, a child of God.  So let go of it and consider it a lesson learned. 

I heard something in bible study last night that truly blessed me.  Everything good isn't good for YOU!  This is why Proverbs 3:5-6 is so important.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.  God will never lead you astray. 

So I don't know who this word is for, but God is saying to you if you have to struggle that hard to keep it (man, woman, house, car, etc.) then it isn't of me.  Let it go.  Trust me.  Step out on faith and let me show you a real blessing from me.

Dear Lord,
We thank you for your awesome grace and mercy.  We thank you for your power to turn situations and circumstances around.  We pray today that your will be done in our lives.  Less of us Lord and more of you.  We have had enough of suffering the consequences of our own decisions and what we thought best for us.  We are ready Lord and we turn our lives over to you.  We declare and decree victory in our lives.  In Jesus name, Amen.

As I've said before and I don't mind saying again, God prepares you for every test before you take it or go through it.  You just have to make sure you are paying attention.  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.  God said I know what I'm doing so just let me do it.  Don't miss the voice of God today.

I hope today has been blessed.

Do not forget to show kindness to strangers, for by doing so some have shown kindness to angels without knowing it...Hebrews 13:2

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!!!

Good Morning Family!

First allow me to apologize for not posting yesterday.  So today I promise to make up for it :-)!  Here we go hope you are blessed by it.

Many of you that are my facebook friends have noticed the "Under Construction" photo that is currently my profile pic.  Well this morning while listening to the radio, God gave me a word about this phase of my life.  A pastor on the Ricky Smiley Morning show, was giving his daily spiritual vitamin.  He said when something is under construction, in the beginning, the ground has to be broken or dug up in the area where the structure will stand as well as the are that is around it.  As the structure begins to take form, it is without beauty, unrecognizable, and of course incomplete.  Construction sites often have gates up around them (this is where I had a praise break y'all).  The gates say KEEP OUT.  Meaning, If you aren't contributing to the building of this structure, stay away!  As children of God we are the same way.  When God is working on us, He sometimes has to break up things around us, relationship, and distractions to get us prepared to take the form He created us to be.  We in turn should put up "gates and barriers" to keep out any and every thing that is not contributing to making us what God wants us to be.

Now if you have been following me I told you God spoke a word to me to walk away from everything.  Well here is even more confirmation.  He wants me to walk out of my comfort zone and into my purpose.  Philippians 1:6 says being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.  So embrace what God is doing in your life.  Think about it this way.  Some of us are in our groundbreaking stage so it may seem EXTREMELY rough.  Other's are in our construction phase, we can see something beginning to happen.  A few of us are a little further along in construction and it looks like we can see a glimmer of day light.  There is also a phase where the structure is complete and then its time for the details.  This is where Phil 1:6 comes in.  God will always be at work in your life until the day He returns.  First He needs to build the structure to withstand the elements.  Once He's built a sturdy structure, He can begin working on the details.  So once God has prepared you to withstand the traps and snares of the devil, He can begin to make that thing beautiful.  Oh how I love Jesus!

If your groundbreaking seems like it is taking forever, allow me to encourage you.  The bigger and more beautiful the building will be, the longer it takes.  So if I were you, I would be jumping for joy because God is about to show out on your behalf.  Don't lose hope and don't resist God's voice.  John 10:18 states No one takes my life from me. I give my life of my own free will. I have the authority to give my life, and I have the authority to take my life back again. This is what my Father ordered me to do.” When He tells you to move, MOVE!!!!  Don't make Him move you.  Trust me I am a living witness to it, and further more it delays construction.
 
So what has God place on your heart to do?  Habakkuk 2:2-3 states Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. So when God speaks to you write it down.  It may not make sense to you now, but God plans ahead, so it will sooner or later.  Further more, I read this in a devotional, the devil can't come in and steal it off paper.

In Jesus name,

Father we come to you today, giving our lives back to you father.  Whatever you would have us do, whatever you would have us be, do your will Lord.  We ask that you take our hearts, minds, soul, and body's and do what you will with them Lord.  We want to be vessels for you Lord.  Thank you Lord that you have placed a dream and a vision in our hearts.  Lord grant us the strength, wisdom, and resources to make our dreams and visions come to reality.  We praise and thank you Lord for all of you many blessings.  You said in your word Lord if we don't open our mouths to praise you then the rocks will cry out.  So today Lord we shout your praises and we glorify your name because we believe your word is true.  So we will put our visions on paper to remind of the words you have spoken to us.  In Jesus name we pray,
Amen

In conclusion, let me leave you with this.  When we are in the early stages of construction, God will grant little windfalls of blessings as test.  Test don't always come in the form of trouble.  Trust me I know.  So remember this verse, Luke 19:17-27  'Good servant! Great work! Because you've been trustworthy in this small job, I'm making you governor of ten towns...Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag. So why not give God your life and "get more than you ever dreamed of."

Do not forget to show kindness to strangers, for by doing so some have shown kindness to angels without knowing it...Hebrews 13:2

Give your enemies LIFE!

Over the weekend, during my prayer and meditation time I came across this verse.  John 14:18-24 “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me before it hated you. If you had anything in common with the world, the world would love you as one of its own. But you don’t have anything in common with the world. I chose you from the world, and that’s why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant isn’t greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they did what I said, they will also do what you say. Indeed, they will do all this to you because you are committed to me, since they don’t know the one who sent me. If I hadn’t come and spoken to them, they wouldn’t have any sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin.  The person who hates me also hates my Father.  If I hadn’t done among them what no one else has done, they wouldn’t have any sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. In this way what is written in their Scriptures has come true: ‘They hate me for no reason.’  

I don't know about you, but these verses of scripture, opened my eyes to something.  Have you ever had someone seem to dislike or despise you for what seemed to be no reason.  You've even probably said to yourself, they are the devil.  After reading this verse it all makes sense to me now.  People seem to hate or dislike what they don't understand.  It's just a common reaction for the flesh.  That's why it is so important for you to share the word of God with people.  It is your christian duty to spread the Good News.  Share John 3:16 God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.  Let people know that in God there is life and an abundance of it.

Most of us our first reaction to people who seem to show hatred toward us is to become selfish and cold-hearted.  Have you ever heard the saying, kill them with kindness?  It's so true!  The way to trample on the evil spirits in that person, is to remain the God-ordained person you are.  As a matter of fact, be even more kind, patient, and giving to this person.  Eventually, they will break.  You see it's very simple,  they see something in you that they want for themselves but, they aren't sure what it is or how to get it.  It's your job to help them both understand and get IT.

Jesus knew that this would happen.  Before He left to be with the father, He prayed to God.  In John 20:14-16 I have given them your message. But the world has hated them because they don’t belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one. They don’t belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. So you know what that means?  If he already knew, you are already prepared.  So don't do as the world says "shake the haters off".  Welcome the "haters", make them follow you to Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you today for showing us that we are no better than you.  If the world hated you, then because you are in us they will hate us to.  We thank you father for sending us a comforter and a guide.  Thank you Lord for the Holy Spirit who also dwells in us.  Father, help us to be patient with those that don't understand the joy we have.  Help us father to show them what makes us different.  When it seems overwhelming and to much for us to bear, God help us to fall to our knees and pray for the people that aim to harm us.  Your word says no weapon formed against us shall prosper so we are not afraid.  Father we just want you to soften their hearts so that we can witness to them.  Help us Lord to remain in you and not revert back to the world's way when it gets rough.  We know that vengeance belongs to you.  So we will do our part and leave the rest up to you.

In Jesus name, Amen

Allow me to leave you with this scripture. Psalms 91:7 A thousand may fall dead beside you, ten thousand all around you, but you will not be harmed.  So don't allow those who seek to harm you to rattle your spirit.  You are strong and mighty in the lord.

Have an awesome day and a SPECTACULAR WEEK!!!


Do not forget to show kindness to strangers, for by doing so some have shown kindness to angels without knowing it...Hebrews 13:2

Be at Peace!!!! It's only temporary.

Happy Friday All!!!!! I pray that each of you had an awesome week.  I know it started a little rocky  for me, but as always God smoothed it out and I claim this was only the beginning.  I even saw a rainbow to seal the deal, so I know it will be alright.  It reassured me to have peace about my storm.

This morning in my prayer and meditation time, I came across this verse, John 14:27 “I’m leaving you peace. I’m giving you my peace. I don’t give you the kind of peace that the world gives. So don’t be troubled or cowardly.  Does this speak to anyone's heart today?  It sure spoke to mine.  I took this verse personally.  I see this verse saying look Naila, I know how it looks.  However I have taught you to walk by faith and not by sight.  So just chill!  You know you are a child of mine.  So when I work it out, it's done, nothing like the world's solutions which are temporary.  So stop running around talking about it, speaking doubt that is an insult to my power.

Is there something in your life today that God has spoken to you and said "I've got this"?  Well let Him have it.  In an earlier verse in John 14, vs 13-14 I will do anything you ask the Father in my name so that the Father will be given glory because of the Son. If you ask me to do something, I will do it. If He hasn't given you a word about the situtation, have you even presented it to Him?  The verse says He will do anything we ask that will glorify God.  He also said in James 4:2 You don’t have the things you want, because you don’t pray for them.  We have got to learn to open our mouths and ask and yet be willing to receive the answer God gives.  Whatever it is.  Remember His ways are not our ways not or his thoughts our thoughts.  So it may not turn out the way you expected, but trust that God has worked it out in your best interest.  You may not understand it now, but ask God to reveal His plan to you. 

So whatever the situation today, allow me to encourage you.  Take that situation and give it to God! Trust him  God will grant you peace that surpasses all understanding.  I'm telling you something I know.  God can do it.  When He is in control, you have NOTHING to worry about.  Proverbs 16:7 When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 
So if you do your part, God's word said He's got the rest.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to you today with a grateful heart.  Thank you father for leaving us the Holy Spirit, that gives us peace that passes all understanding.  We thank you Lord that the Holy Spirit reminds us that you are with us.  Lord we bind and cast down the spirit of fear and doubt and stand on your word today.  We boldly declare no weapon formed against us shall prosper.  So we speak peace to our homes, finances, jobs, and relationships.  We bow before you and thank you Lord that whatever we ask you will give. We ask that you take complete control of our lives today.  Breakthrough is what we declare, in Jesus name,
Amen.

Allow me to leave you with this verse, Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to oppose you successfully as long as you live. I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will never neglect you or abandon you.  So relax, this is only temporary.  Have an awesome weekend family! 

Do not forget to show kindness to strangers, for by doing so some have shown kindness to angels without knowing it...Hebrews 13:2