Reconnect and Reset!

8.21.2022 - 8.24.2022 • A "reconnect and reset trip" to the Great Smoky Mountains with my dear friend of 10 years, Susan. We haven't got to visit and see each other in a long while. We talk over the phone some. In 2012, we met while attending the same church, and connected instantly. We've held each other up in prayer, encouraged each other in the Lord, cried and laughed together, and worshipped together, as sisters in Christ should. We belly laughed so much on our vacation until we were hurting and seeing stars. We were planning to rest more, but we decided to pack in the fun while the Lord gave us the opportunity to do so together and memories sure were made. We prayed for God to pave the way and He did. He gave us favor with the traffic, favor with my vehicle, favor in keeping us safe from harm (we know how dangerous it can be for two women to travel alone, but with God you are never alone), favor with His band of Holy Angels all around us, favor from getting sick, favor with the weather, and just the favor of friendship. She and I have both battled a lot,  but we know to hang on and come out on the other side in victory. I had invited other ladies to come with my on this trip, and it just didn't work out because God already knew who was suppose to come with me. He knew how badly sweet Susan needed this time away. As many vkays as I've had in the Smoky Mountains, I got to experience first time fun and blessings with the Ober Gatlinburg Tram ride up and down the mountain to see gorgeous views, Parrot Mountain & Gardens, and the Biblical Times Theater. 

We testified and sung of God's goodness on the drive there and back. Good time of fellowship. Good time of laughter. Good time of prayer & praise. Good time together in the Lord. God flipped the script with this trip, as we were suppose to be in ladies retreat services a couple of nights but we watched it livestream instead. It was just too crowded for our comfort. We were completely okay with it, because we both needed this time of refreshing and reset. I just refuse to waste energy and time getting upset when something doesn't go as planned. That's life! God used that retreat to get us on this vacation together; I know ladies lives were changed during "Stronger", and I'm thankful for that. I know our lives were touched, because there was laughter that came from the pits of both our bellies that we haven't experienced in quite a while! The joy of the Lord is truly your strength; He gave us strength. We laughed in the face of the enemy too. It was a reconnection with Susan, and a reset for me to continue moving forward in the Lord after a tough several months of now useless worry and anxiety. God knows what He's doing, and we had an awesome time with Him in the mountains of Tennesse! Our inside joke phrases will forever be "meet me on the mountain" and "all I see is clouds; look at them clouds". It was sweet peace, drama free, and the Lord knew that's what we both needed. As Susan said over & over, "we had a blast"!♡

The Claw on Your Mind!

"The Claw on Your Mind" • If you're struggling/battling in your mind, I pray this 6:26 minute word encourages you to keep pressing on. He's touched my mind more than once in my life, and He can do the same for you. I'm seriously praying for victory in your mind, as others have done for me. Prayers are never in vain. The enemy has had his claw on your mind long enough, and in Jesus name I pray that it breaks off! What we battle is never in vain! God has purpose behind it. Sometimes it's so when you come out on the other side in victory, you have the word and strength needed to encourage someone else! 🙌❤

The same spirit that attacked Elijah (God's prophet) after fire & rain fell is still at work. This jezebel spirit (God's enemy) uses fear, insecurity, depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts to try to stop God's word and silence witnesses for Christ. Keep fighting! Don’t give up! Stay in the Word and operate in the authority you’ve been given! Let God give you the victory. He wants to use you as He did with Elijah. Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world! 

The link to my YouTube video:

The Claw on Your Mind

Who Can Satisfy!

"Who can satisfy?" • This song has been on my heart for weeks now. The lyrics have brought much comfort to me during the weeks of fully processing and letting go of things that the enemy only strives for me to think on that, in turn, causes emotional stress that leads to sicknesses. I know about anxiety. I know about sleepless nights. I know about depression. I know about sickness. I know about hurt. I know about mistakes. But you want to know what else I know? I know the only One who can truly satisfy my soul and comfort and love me like no other. He has proven Himself time and time again to me. He's forgiven me. Saved me. Cleansed me. Sanctified me. Loved me. Healed me. Delivered me. Strengthened me. Sustained me. Comforted me. Helped me. Over and over. Again and again. He will continue to do so. This week (specifically during Sunday night), I felt Him healing my heart of disappointment and trauma I've experienced from several months ago. But at the end of the day, we have to press forward. We have to leave it behind. We have to learn from it and let things go. So yesterday, in the midst of the struggle, I found myself encouraging others and praying for others at the nursing home and at Sunday night service, and God begin to move. The Holy Spirit brought peace of mind to me. He brought comfort to me, in my time of distress. If we get the focus off of us; things will begin to change.

These precious healing words came to me through someone else's obedience in sharing them: "Get in the secret place until you lose sight of the fear screaming at you from the enemy afraid of you catching him in his games, and the lies and insecurities wanting you to give up and stay in bed. Find God's voice again. Then rise above the battle. Get revived. Then help build His kingdom. There’s no time for the distractions you have been spending your time deflecting, or the slander of your character you have been losing your creativity and energy defending. Leave it behind and build. Don’t apologize anymore. Don't dwell on it anymore (easier said than done sometimes.) Let the shackles and disappointments of the last season fall off. Don’t carry them another day. God told you to walk away and not look back lest you'd turn into a pillar of salt and no longer be able to overcome the situation. You obeyed God. You've remained obedient to God. That's not an easy thing to do. You're human, so you hurt. But the enemy spews guilt and condemnation. It’s time to let them go and give them to Jesus. No more rehearsing what you think you should say, because you don't need to tell you side of the story; time will tell. You were found in peace, and they left you in pieces. But God has helped you while in pieces to lead you back to peace. Lay your worries and burdens down; He will give you rest. Let God's hope fill that empty space. And let hope turn into vision again. And vision into a fresh fire that can’t be contained. It may not come overnight, but it will come. Run to those in your corner. They are there for you with open arms, just as God is. Don't look back to Eygpt, when God's already got you in the Promised Land. Remember your purpose. Remember your calling. Remember your worth. Build His kingdom."

Lyrics to song: 

Verse - "Who can satisfy my soul like You? Who on earth could comfort me and love me like You do? Who could ever be more faithful and true? I will trust in You, I will trust in You, my God. Chorus - There is a fountain, who is a King. Victorious warrior and Lord of everything. My rock, my shelter, my very own. Blessed Redeemer who reigns upon the throne." 🙌❤

{I pray someone else is encouraged by this, because this is a word for someone else too. I feel it in my spirit.} 🙏

Link to the song:

Who Can Satisfy (my soul like You)?

Victory!

I am here to remind you that the VICTORY IS YOURS (you have the power through Jesus Christ to overcome the enemy and his foes). He who is in you (Jesus and the Holy Spirit) is greater than anything in this world. The world (satan) can throw their best weapons at you (those weapons can form, but they will NOT prosper), and they are no match for the Almighty God that is in you. Those weapons of hardship, difficulties, trials, and tribulations will come... BUT GOD will never abandon you nor leave you during these tough times. He protects you day and night. He dosen't sleep nor slumber. He doesn't turn a deaf ear nor a blind eye to your situations. The enemy will try to deceive you by planting doubt and discouragement in your mind. Cast all of those feelings on Jesus because His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Stand firm on the Word of God and in prayer to Him. You will overcome the evil one. Again, the victory is yours! None of us know what we will 100% actually face this week or after that, but we are called to stand firm on His word and promises as children of God, and stay ready for His return. I lay down in peace tonight, confident of the hedge of protection He has on my life. God has me. God already went ahead of me to pave every crooked path straight. When you realize victory is 100% yours, you realize it when you completely surrender the situation(s) to God. Let me tell you, I've moved out of the way today regarding these health issues. I've stepped aside and I've gave it all to the Lord; it's all in His perfect and healing hands. When we get out of the way and let God take complete control... when we take our hands off the situation(s)... that's when God does His best work. I walk in freedom, victory, peace, and assurance as I face this week. I can boldly and confidently say that the Lord is my helper, my strong tower, my strength, and my very present help in time of need. Thank You Lord for saturating me in Your love, peace, comfort, reassurance, and presence today. I pray others who are hurting and in need of a touch can feel You, Lord, in a special way through reading this! VICTORY IS YOURS!

Pathetic not Prophetic!

A few months ago I was discussing with some people about a word that was "prophesied" over them in a church service. Immediately in my spirit, I sensed a red flag and knew that it wasn't from the Lord. I even said out loud, "that word was pathetic not prophetic"!

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." - Matthew 7:15. Listen, the devil can give someone words to say that may sound like it's coming from God, so just be careful what you take in and let marinate in your mind and spirit. There are so many people seeking a word today, yet never open their Bible to see if it lines up with the word of God. Check your spirit and ask yourself, is this really from God? That’s why the devil is so dangerous. Paul tells us this about our adversary, “…for even satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14) 

The devil will always try to deceive us, but there is a secret for uncovering any false voice; it is to know the voice of the Savior intimately and immediately. This is similar to those who examine money for counterfeits; they say that when you truly know the feel of genuine bills, the bogus ones are easier to detect. Of course the way to know the Savior’s voice intimately is to abide in the vine. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser…. Abide in Me, and I in you.” (John 15:1-7) 

As simple as I know how to say it, if "that word" brings you confusion, entertains, or is solely about a person's wants and desires causing them to become puffed up vs. what God desires you to do for Him as He builds you up; I would caution you to quickly rebuke that word and move on. 

How important it is that we pray for discernment and wisdom when it comes to this! If the word of prophecy brings clarity, comfort, edifying, and encouragement to you then you are more likely to accept and know it is from the Lord. Be cautious. Some words are pathetic not prophetic; some come to propheLIE on behalf of the enemy instead of prophesy in the name of the Lord.

Never will a rock cry out in my place!

I keep these rocks in my room always remembering this. Recently both rocks were lost, but were found again. The Lord allowed my mama to find the one on the left. The one on the right just happened to fall on the floor this week, after I had forgotten that I placed it on top of my armoire. I just stared at it in the floor a minute, before picking it up and placing it next to the other one. Myself included, find ourselves in times of struggle, times of health issues, financial battles, fatigued and just going through the motions that we miss out on those needed moments of sweet worship with the Lord. We were made to worship Him, during the week, not just on Sundays or at other church events.

The mention of rocks or stones crying out is found in the context of the triumphal entry, Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem a week before He was killed. Jesus rode on the back of a borrowed donkey’s colt, and multitudes of people praised Him as the “king who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 19:38). When the Pharisees in the crowd heard the people’s worship directed at Jesus, they said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” (verse 39). The Pharisees had to know they were powerless to stop the excitement of the people, so they called on Jesus to stop what they believed to be blasphemy. Jesus replied, “I tell you... if they keep quiet, the stones (or rocks) will cry out” (Luke 19:40). In saying that the stones will cry out, Jesus indicates that the people’s praises should be encouraged, not silenced. The people of Jerusalem are expressing great joy, and that joy is so necessary, that, if they did not express praise, it would be appropriate for inanimate objects to fill the void. 

Colossians 1:16 says that all creation was made for God’s glory. Everything in creation declares His praise. However, humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), so we are the ones who should be praising God. We sing a song at church called, "I came to magnify the Lord". I love the bridge of the song as it says... "He is worthy, worthy of all my praise... never will a rock cry out in my place, He's worthy of all my praise, I just came to magnify, I just came to glorify, I just came to praise the Lord". 🙌  

No matter our struggles, God still deserves our praises, and He even deserves them throughout each day of the week. It doesn't have to be in song; it can just be through acclamations in our prayers such as, "Lord I praise You, because You are holy and true. You are worthy to be praised, because You saved my soul".

I know I always do my best to praise God, yet when that rock just happen to randomly fall in the floor this week, I was reminded of the times in which I have allowed the enemy to steal my praise to God, as he would make me numb in the middle of my struggles and pity parties. In my times of sickness and pain, my times of depression and anxiety when I felt I didn't have the strength to praise God, I would began to succumb to the problems of life and feel swallowed up by them. I can't get those times back when I've sit down on God (on purpose or not on purpose), numb to the pain and ceased to praise Him. However, I can do my best to learn to praise God despite the pain and struggles I go through. God knows the realness of our hearts. There will be times when we are numb to the hurt and pain, and God feels distant, but being truly saved I know He understands and doesn't hold it against us when it isn't an "on purpose" situation. After all, He is the ROCK in which we lean on in times of trouble and tribulation, when we need that shelter and a friend. But, let me do my best best to push through the struggles, even when I'm drained, and praise God for what and Who He is in my life. 

I am reminded of when I have pushed on through and praised God of the difference it's made in my life; my mindset and outlook begins to change in those praise moments. I remember to turn my focus back to the ONE who deserves praise and is in complete control over every situation. So I claim what I wrote on the rock pictured below, "NEVER WILL A ROCK CRY OUT IN MY PLACE". ❤🙌👐🤲👏🙏

Beyond the Sunset!

"Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me to God, the Father, whom I adore. His glorious presence, His words of welcome, will be my portion on that fair shore."

"Beyond the sunset, o glad reunion with our dear loved ones who’ve gone before. In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting; beyond the sunset forevermore."

Hymn lyrics 

Nursing Home Ministry!

No words to fully form what the extended visits and prayers I have with some of the precious residents at the nursing home means to me, especially the last two weeks. We have Sunday school service at 2 pm on Sundays now. Through other volunteers visiting, they are offered Bible studies on Mondays and Wednesdays too. I rotate teaching on Sundays. For about 10 years now, I've been consistently involved with nursing home ministry in some way. It has been a series of singing, playing the piano, just visiting, teaching, and even taking them goodies when I can. I remember when covid hit, and I wasn't sure what to do with myself. It was my heart and purpose. It was 16 months later before I walked back in the nursing home to teach again. We've had lapses in teaching again, due to sicknesses with covid; it's a new normal for us but I'm thankful for every opportunity I get to walk in to teach and visit with them. The precious lady, in the picture, has been with me since day one. Ms. Wilma became my instant buddy about 10 years ago, and we mean so much to each other. Today, I sit in her room watching her go through some of the goodies I took; her face just lit up and she was praising God for how good He was to her through me. She was blessed everytime I come to visit or thought to bring her something. Her face just lights up with the biggest smile and so does mine. It's the same with the others I've grown close with. In this 10 year span so many have gone on to be with the Lord. What's stuck with me, more than anything, was their ability to still praise and talk about the goodness of God despite their situation. Despite not being able to live in their home anymore, not hear or see as well, not walk again, some not able to even get out of bed anymore... they were focusing on the day coming when they'd get their new body. These last 2 weeks we've been talking about praising God, and how He deserves our praises during it all. They will share with me how they pray thoughtout the day or just think of a hymn and the words of it will carry them through. We usually sing a song or 2 together, and they'll be singing right along. Some's mind may be slipping, but they still know and understand the importance of praising God. One resident has lost the ability to move her right side and arm or walk due to a stroke, yet she asked for me to pray for Ukraine and all those even in America who were homeless or in need of food; she was fine. She had a place to sleep and food to eat. She was encouraging me to keep teaching the preschool Sunday school class at my church, because she had done it for 17 years at her church. As we sung together today at the end of the lesson, I stopped to pray with residents in their rooms, and I sit and visited with this precious lady for another hour or so... I thought Lord, if anyone has a right to complain or not feel like praising You it's the people in here... yet, here they are giving You the praise and reverence You're due even in their fragile state. If you think you've got it rough or you're in a struggle, just know God will help you realize just how blessed you are. I just praise God for the heart He gave me for this ministry; my purpose and calling!

Scripture Cross!

I received some scripture cards in the mail, and decided to turn it into an art piece for my bedroom wall. I love my "Scripture Cross"! ♡

Crafting and painting is my therapy, along with doodling or journaling. When your anxiety or stress may be high look for something to distract you from it and put your energy into that. That's how God continues to help me overcome the weight of this world. Plus, I have a beautiful piece full of His wonderful reminders!! 

Too Late to Pray!

Around 1:45am I woke up, and this hymn immediately came to my mind. So I went to my keyboard, picked up my hymn book, and looked for it to share: "Too Late To Pray". Almost 3 hours later, I'm still awake and listening to God. Everyone wants a word of encouragement, but words of warning are needed too. Since Sunday, I've been overwhelmed in my spirit to pray for the Holy Ghost convicting power over hearts and lives that aren't ready to go. I weep for those that it will be too late. Too late to pray. Too late to kneel and pray. We are in a season of God warning His people now, more than ever, to get your house in order. It's a stern warning, but it's a warning of love and care for your soul. You aren't past the point of salvation, God is calling you to come to Him and lay down those sins and pick up His forgiveness and freedom. 

Wisdom says “LISTEN and LIVE”. LISTEN while God’s wisdom is still in your ear, while there is still time, while there’s a moment you can change. And then you will LIVE with peace, with security, with hope for this life and one day experience the fullness of life eternal. The Lord directed me to Proverbs, chapter 1. In verses 23 to 33 wisdom speaks, and wisdom’s words are both God's warnings and promises:

Proverbs 1:23-33 NLT 

23 Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.

24 “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.

25 You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.

26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—

27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you.

28 “When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.

29 For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD .

30 They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them.

31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.

32 For simpletons (the foolish) turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.

33 But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”

Don't wait until it's too late to pray!!

"Standing Room Only" Song/Recitation

"Standing room only, not even room to kneel and pray. Standing room only on the Judgement Day. - Recitation: Last night I had an awful dream that the end of time had come. The trumpet had been sounded and life on earth was done. An angel stood, one foot on land and the other foot on sea. And as I tried to kneel and pray a voice said unto me. There's standing room only it's too late now to pray. There's standing room only, this is the Judgement Day. People filled each church and church yard just as far as I could see. I heard a pitiful cry for mercy, and then I realized it was me. I saw the Saviour did appear as He split the eastern sky. I saw tears of joy on a Christian's face, and I heard the sinners cry. And as I tried to touch His hand with one last people plea. I cried again have mercy, have mercy Lord on me! I saw a tear come to His eye as He turned my soul away. I didn't know Him yesterday, and He knew me not today. The earth was burning all around the world wound up in smoke. And as the flames came off me thank God I awoke! Then I got out of bed and got down on my knees, and you should've heard me pray. For in my dream I witnessed God's great Judgement Day. - Standing room only on God's great Judgement Day."

Writer: Loretta Lynn - "Who Says God is Dead" Gospel Studio Album 1968