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!