When U Pray

I know it’s rough out here right now, the economy is down and people are out of work. Sickness and disease are running rampant, even Polio is trying to make a comeback. These must be the days that our moms and granny’s meant when they said there would come a day.

There will come a day when you will need to have the Word buried in your heart so that when all hell breaks loose you have an anchor.

There will come a day when you will need the Holy Spirit to intervene on your behalf because you don’t even know the words to pray.

There will come a day .. yes there will come a day when all you have is Jesus and praises be to God that he is all you need.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:24-25‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/jud.1.24-25.KJV

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; Nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold And see the reward of the wicked.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭91:1, 3-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.91.1-8.KJV

“No one who trusts in you will be disappointed. But disappointment will come to those who try to deceive others. They will get nothing. Lord, help me learn your ways. Show me how you want me to live. Guide me and teach me your truths. You are my God, my Savior. You are the one I have been waiting for. Remember to be kind to me, Lord. Show me the tender love that you have always had.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25:3-6‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/psa.25.3-6.ERV

One thing I know for sure is anything used outside of its purpose is abuse.

One of the definitions of abuse reads as below:
noun
/əˈbyo͞os/

1. 1.
   the improper use of something.

If you take a knife and turn a screw you have abused that knife. If you are designed to be a wife and you are settling for being a girlfriend, that is abuse. If you know God has called you to serve him and you use your gift to serve man, that is abuse.

As Christians we are not called to be perfect, that’s impossible and I’m not naive enough to believe that there is a perfect person but I do believe we are called to act out of love and kindness, to act out of peace and joy, to provide the exact same grace we would expect. Sometimes life gets crazy and we get caught up in situations and allow the trials of life to start being our reality when we should seek guidance from God and rest in his peace. Sounds easy huh, it’s the hardest thing you will ever do, trusting something you can’t see, you can’t feel but believing anyway. It’s hard but not impossible.

“Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:1‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Mind your own business, and earn your own living, as we told you before. If you do these things, then those who are not believers will respect the way you live. And you will not have to depend on others for what you need.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:11-12‬ ‭ERV‬‬

Y’all, I spent an entire year being 57 and now the clock turns over into a brand new year for me. Looking back I learned a few things last year, nothing new, but new revelations in old stuff.

1. God has to be your first priority, whatever name you call him, make him a priority.
2. Love yourself first.. even Jesus said love your neighbor as you love yourself. Love yourself so you can love others appropriately.
3. Be kind, you never know what people are going through and I assure you, no one will ever regret you being kind to them. But also be kind to yourself, don’t let negative thoughts about yourself thrive.
4. Forgive easily, why carry other peoples garbage around? Let it go, forgive and forget so that you are able to live free.
5. Save some money, it feels good to have a few dollars in case of emergency.. it doesn’t have to be thousands, do what you can and live in your own tax bracket but save something even if it’s ten dollars a month.
6. Pay your tithes, God’s math is better.. that’s it.. trust me on this one.
7. Don’t get caught up in other peoples drama. If someone wants you to pray for them, do it. You don’t need the details for the prayer to be effective, you only need to know the need.
8. Trust God..
9. Laugh daily
10. Smile often
    That’s it.. nothing new but still meaningful.

I’ve lost some loved ones along the way, I’ve made a few new friends and even lost a few. I’ve seen my church go through a painful rebirth and I’ve even been discouraged at times but through it all, God has been my rock and my salvation.

Thank you to every person who reads the blog, who shares it and follows it.

“You can be sure that anyone who serves the Lord faithfully is special to him. The Lord listens when I pray to him.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4:3‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/psa.4.3.ERV

“My darling, you are beautiful all over. Every part of you is perfect.”
‭‭Song of Songs‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/sng.4.7.ERV

Have you ever had that movement in life where you had to reconcile your ideas and the truth? What an ugly day when you realize you are no longer the person you thought you were in your mind. Here is my AHA moment or event.
I’ve had a few photos taken of myself in the past few years and I kept thinking they were not a clear physical representation of me. Might I dare say , I felt they were awful. Whew , I recently I had a come to Jesus moment and realized those pictures represent me exactly as they see me, the grown up adult version of me.
I realized I had a vision of myself as I looked in my twenties and thirties and I kept seeing an older version of myself but unable to reconcile it because I was in denial. Yup, I was in denial that I was aging. I kept saying “that doesn’t look like me “. Now I can say , yup that’s me. Physically I am no longer in my twenties, thirties nor my forties and I had to realize I would not look the same.
What I realized is that this disconnect also happens in other areas of our life’s and can become discontent If we are not careful.
We begin to have a disconnect between God and our situation. We see our situation in the natural and act like we did when we were unsaved. We look at our current state and treat God like the people who have hurt us. We give God the characteristics of mankind forgetting he is our creator. We are created in his image and in his likeness but his power is bigger than what we can imagine. So I would ask that you reconcile your thoughts back to God. Don’t be caught up in what it looked like in your twenties and thirties before you had a relationship with God, once you give your life to God, he orders your steps. Remember that no matter what happens God is in control and will not allow you to be destroyed. Allow the thoughts of God to rule in your life.

“Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/rom.12.2.ERV

“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-7‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/pro.3.5-7.ERV

“and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.””
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.6.18.ESV

How many of us look at our dad and see a hero? I know I did. I see these men out here being a father to their own children and to some of your children too. They get them dressed, hug them when they need it, discipline them when they need it, show up to sporting events, concerts, Daddy Daughter dances, banquets, they feed and cloth them and more importantly, they LOVE THEM!
Fathers are needed, both biological fathers and situational fathers. Fathers are so important, God made sure Jesus had a physical father while he walked the earth. Situational fathers are those men who show up in situations when they are not the biological father. They may be a stepdad or a coach. They could be a neighbor or a coworker. These situational fathers could be a church deacon or choir leader. This person could be a Pastor or Minister. This person could be a boy/Girl Scout leader or a teacher but they show up and make a difference in the lives of our children.
Today we celebrate these men. Today we celebrate the men who would never touch a child inappropriately but would love them unconditionally.
Today we celebrate the men who realize they may not always get it right but they are willing to try.
Today we celebrate the men who show up and just be there, ready to hug or give advice, ready to do school runs and put in crooked pigtails.
Today we celebrate every day heroes.. not just firemen or policemen but all Men ..
Today we celebrate Love, the love of a Father for his children.

“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/1jn.4.8.ERV

“Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. The people went about and gathered it and ground it in handmills or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with it.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭11:7-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/num.11.7-9.ESV

Man, what an amazing idea that God provided them manna from heaven so they would not starve in the wilderness. The Word tells us it came every morning with the dew. That’s shouting stuff right there.
I bet you are thinking that God only provided manna to the children of Israel, but I would ask you to reconsider that thought.
What does God provided for you when you are in need? What is your manna? Could it be when he sent someone to help you when you were struggling through a problem? Could it be when he sent healing for your body or your mind? Could it be when he answered your prayers concerning your children? Could it be when he gave you a promotion or a position you were not qualified to have? Could it be when he saved your marriage or rescued you from an abusive spouse? Come on now, I would challenge us to remember that we may not get coriander seeds with the dew but we get new mercies every day.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/lam.3.23.ESV

Great is they faithfulness, a hallelujah goes right there. Imagine the steadfast love of the Lord providing for you and your family every day. Don’t get distracted by the world and what they have going on, the Lord we serve is able to provide for you even in your wilderness experiences. I would suggest that we as Christian’s never forget how the Lord serves us daily.
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭18:2-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.18.2-3.ESV

I fell yesterday while outside taking a walk. I was minding my business and my foot slipped on uneven pavement and I began to fall, there was nothing I could do to stop it, it’s like time stood still and I couldn’t believe it.

Walking one minute falling the next. I was laying in the middle of street crying because I hurt my knee and my hand while trying to protect the shoulder where I had rotator cuff surgery a few years ago. I was laying in the street couldn’t move my leg praying no one came around the corner and hit me. I was in so much pain I couldn’t get up on my own. Then a man, I have no idea who, said are you ok? How can I help you? I didn’t know how to answer him, I was stunned, he came over and helped me to my feet. By then my adrenaline kicked in and I knew I could make it. I limped home and cleaned up my scars.

later, I started thinking how this fall reflects many of the things that have happened in my life. I was walking along and then I fell. My falling in life was often bad choices, sin, unintended consequences or just bad luck and trouble. I can remember many times in my life when I looked at where I was in life and asked myself “How did I get here?” Looking back, I don’t always realize how I got there but I know how I got out. Jesus has been steadfast in my life, his grace and mercy has picked me up when I fell, when I was pushed and when I was immobilized by pain, fear or events. When I get worn out I can go to the word of the Lord.

“But I am always with you. You hold my hand. You lead me and give me good advice, and later you will lead me to glory. In heaven, God, I have only you. And if I am with you, what on earth could I want?”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:23-25‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/psa.73.23-25.ERV

“The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety. He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by his power I am saved. He is my hiding place high in the hills.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18:2‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/psa.18.2.ERV

“Trust in the Lord and wait quietly for his help. Don’t be angry when people make evil plans and succeed.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:7‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/psa.37.7.ERV

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.1-3.NIV

And after reading and understanding.. I am reminded that Jesus will always be there to pick me up when I fall.

I realized I have not shared one message since May 1st. I asked myself what is going on? I have started two words of encouragement and the words would not come. My mind is full of ideas but they won’t form into something that makes sense, so I have not published anything.

I had to admit that I was trying to do create the message and not God. I’m not on break I’m waiting on the Lord to give me the words .

In the meantime, I have a favor to ask, would you be willing to share your favorite scripture with me? I believe every once in a while a word from you will help me.

“As one piece of iron sharpens another, so friends keep each other sharp.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:17‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/pro.27.17.ERV

Are you afraid to fail or afraid to succeed?

Have you heard the Quote by R.J. Smith: “Nothing beats a failure but a try.”?

What does that mean to you? To me it means that if I want to succeed, I have to first try.. yeah.. try. Many times we are afraid to try because we are afraid of failure or maybe we are afraid of success?

If you don’t try you can’t fail. That kind of thinking negates the words found in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/php.4.13.KJV

Anything you set your mind to is possible. If God placed it on your heart to do something, do it. God provides for any vision you are given. If you are wondering if this idea is really from God. Yes, It is. I bet he confirmed it to you. Some family member or stranger mentioned something that God had told you, you know you didn’t tell anyone but God so he sent this person as a reminder of his words to you. He sent that stranger to confirm that what he said is for you. It does not matter how many people are selling tacos, if he told you to sell tacos, there is a need in the earth for your tacos. If he told you to print T-shirt’s, there is a need in the earth for what you bring to the game. If he told you to make up a face or bake a cake or create a brand or go back to school, DO IT! There are millions of people on the earth and he will send who you need, not your cousin and nem or your auntie or bestie but who you need.

DO IT! Don’t be afraid, or if you must, be afraid, but do it anyway. God provides. He won’t tell you in advance how he is going to provide for you but trust me, he will. If he told you all of the plans he had for you, or what it’s going to take, you would run screaming lol. I want you to know that you Can Do It! That’s the whole message .. YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

Do not be afraid to succeed ..
“Be strong and brave, all of you who are waiting for the Lord’s help.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31:24‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/psa.31.24.ERV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://joshua.bible/joshua-1-9

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://psalm.bible/psalm-27-14

“So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord YAH you have a place of safety forever.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:4‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/isa.26.4.ERV

“The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, the one who was killed on the cross. But he is not here. He has risen from death, as he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:5-6‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/mat.28.6.ERV

I know the devil keeps telling you that you are not good enough. I know he reminds you of every thing you have ever done. I know he would have you believe that you have messed up so bad that God doesn’t love you or want you. I know the enemy has told you that no one cares and it would be easier for everybody if you stay down. Get high, sniff it, shoot it, sex it, spend it. Whatever your it is, he will entice you to use it in excess.

But I want to remind you that the God we serve loved you so much that He sent his only Son to die on a cross and rise again so that you could have the right to the tree of life. So you can be free, free from your past and your pain. Free from condemnation and sin. Free from anything that would try to enslave you. Remind yourself of this scripture ..
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬
Even if it means saying it over and over in your head until your soul catches up. Don’t ever forget that you can do anything because of the Power of the Holy Spirit that lives in you.

Cry out to God, he will give you what you need to get up from your bed of destruction..
“Lord my God, I prayed to you, and you healed me. Lord, you lifted me out of the grave. I was falling into the place of death, but you saved my life. Praise the Lord, you who are loyal to him! Praise his holy name!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭30:2-4‬ ‭ERV‬‬

Then praise his Holy name because he can do it, he can help you get up too.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,”
‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/jud.1.24.KJV

“What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/mat.6.33.ERV

Man this scripture is so true, if you seek God first, any thing you need he will give it to you. If you need your bills paid, Trust God. If you want to be healed.. Trust God. If you want your family healed, Trust God.

I can remember when a friend of mines talked about tithing.. I thought it was a way to manipulate people, I had no time for that convo. Then another friend talked to me about tithing and how she was broke and raising and her kids and God made a way when she trusted him. I still wasn’t ready… but one day, I knew beyond a doubt I needed God.
Let me tell you there was a time in my life when I was losing everything, my marriage, my child, my home my car. And everything. One dark day I gave my life to Jesus. Yup I had tried everything else and I needed something .. I tried Jesus. I would be lying if I said my life got better overnight.. but over time and when I look back, it was only Jesus who got me through.
One day I looked at my bills and my check and the gap was large enough that I decided to use my tithes to cover the gap. Well that appeared to work for the day but really I was jacking up my own progress. It always seems like a good idea to use the money you have, that’s just proving you don’t trust God. Tithing is truly a trust process. The more I trusted God the better I became at tithing and believing that he would supply all my needs.
I am fully persuaded that the 10% that belongs to God, he gone get that. I don’t care what people say I trust God with it. I didn’t say the church or the pastor, that’s not my business.. aht aht that’s God’s business; my job is to trust him. I’m gone pay who I can after I pay God. That is not MY money.

“He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭20:25‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/luk.20.25.ERV

“Figs might not grow on the fig trees, and grapes might not grow on the vines. Olives might not grow on the olive trees, and food might not grow in the fields. There might not be any sheep in the pens or cattle in the barns. But I will still be glad in the Lord and rejoice in God my Savior.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3:17-18‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/hab.3.17-18.ERV

Hallelujah goes right there. Scriptures like that get me excited … I am reminded that all it takes to be complete in the Lord is FAITH.
Faith that what you need, you will have. Faith that all things work together for your good.
Faith that if you could just believe, so it will be.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.11.1.NKJV

The first word is NOW, that means you have it already, just trust God and it will be manifested on the earth for all to see. Speak it into being. Tell people, my God can supply all my needs. Tell people, my God is able. tell people your dreams, and speak Gods word to it.. it SHALL be done.

Hallelujah I get excited… I mean really excited about God.

Nothing is impossible for me, in Christ.. nothing and I mean nothing. Nothing is impossible for you either. But you better believe it with all your heart and soul because he is ABLE.. yes he is.

“But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/jas.1.6.ERV

But I’ll leave you with this word, by faith, so you can be excited too.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://romans.bible/romans-15-13