When U Pray

Unconditional love is known as affection without any limitations. It can be also love without conditions. 

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. (‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭32‬ NIV)

What is love?! Well according to the Strong’s dictionary: With the believer, 25 /agapáō (“to love”) means actively doing what the Lord prefers, with Him (by His power and direction).

I met my best friend in 9th grade. We were inseparable. Anytime you seen one you saw the other. Until we fell out. She hurt me so bad I was unable to function. We didn’t talk for months. She apologized but we never really got back to the way we’re. She started hanging with different people and I didn’t care for them so I didn’t hang with her. Well one day she called me and we talked for hours!! We laughed and talked our issues through and things were back on track. That was the last day I talked to her… She died the next day!!!!
Wait what!!!!! I thought it was a dream. I felt like I had been hit by a brick to my face!! Lord if I would have been with her this wouldn’t have happened!! I wasted so much time being angry now I’ll never get to talk to her again!! What could I have done to change this outcome?! I went through a depression stage. I gave up on my friend because I was angry and bitter!!

I believe in my heart that God allowed us to talk that day because he knew what was to come. It’s so easy to love people when they are doing everything that you want them to do. But what about when they piss you off. Do something that you don’t agree with. Do you give up on them?
Well in my case I gave up on my friend and almost didn’t get the chance to make it right. You still have a chance. If you truly love someone you will make it right with them. Think about if God treated us the way we treat people. Because we ALL fall short. We piss people off. We do things that people don’t agree with and I’m know we don’t want anyone to turn their back on us. Especially not God!! So I challenge you to go the extra mile today and reach out to your friends or family!! Let them know you love them!! Life is short!! You never know it could be the last conversation you have.❤️

Psalms 143:1-2 ERV
Lord, hear my prayer. Listen to my call for help and answer my prayer. Show me how good and loyal you are.   Don’t judge me, your servant. No one alive could be judged innocent by your standards.

I was reading the many post on Whenupray where my daughter has openly shared her journey through her faith walk. Many of her posts have me in tears because she is open and honest about the path she took to Christ. her openness took my mind on a faith journey. I was reminded that every step along her walk I was there. I often tell people the hardest thing I have ever had to do is be the parent to an adult women. So many times I want to try and solve her problems, Heal her broken heart, make her dreams come true and slay anything that gets in her way. Oh I tried it and I remember crying out to God, begging him to help my child, begging, pleading and fasting for him to show her his glory. Well, if you know God you know he answered my prayers but not the way you think. Oh no, God is an original so he answered me clearly on this, I woke up shaking. I could hear him in my head saying “I will be her God if you get out of my way”. I was part of the problem. Why would she trust God, lean on him and depend on his guidance when I was there playing God in her life? Throwing money at her problems, assisting her in her drama while thinking I was doing the right thing. I never realized that my faith was for me,  she had to learn to trust God for herself. So I prayed, cried, fasted and let go! I never stopped loving her, cheering for her, praying for her and trusting that the God of my salvation was God enough for her too.
Parents, it’s ok to let go and watch God work.

Sheveze

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (‭Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭2‬ NIV)

So I’m singing “For your Glory” by Tasha Cobbs and I get to the part where she says “for your glory I will do Anything” and I paused. Because it immediately brought to my mind Abraham. God told him to go sacrifice his ONLY SON as an offering and he went to do it. I really want you to think about that for a second. God told him to go kill his child and he was on his way to do it because GOD said so!!! I was trying to imagine putting myself in his shoes and of course my flesh was like heck no I wouldn’t be able to kill my child!! But the thing is, it was only a test to see if Abraham was really down for him.(my own words not the bible)

Can you imagine how many test we have failed? Think about all the things God have told us to do. The simple things, Like spend time with him. Love your neighbor. Respect your parents. Leave that toxic relationship. Fix your horrible attitude. Leave the job that has you miserable. Start a business. Go out in the community and help someone that can’t help themselves. And we won’t even move our feet. How crazy are we?!?

The place where Abraham was to sacrifice his Son was called “The Lord Will Provide” meaning because he did what God told him to do he was blessed!!! Now I don’t know what’s going on in your life but what I can say is, it’s time to be obedient. Make whatever sacrifice is needed to do Gods will. Whatever he is telling you to do, do it. Will it be easy heck no. But log off the computer, iPhone, and everything else and get in tune with God, he has a plan for your life!! It is so worth it!!! I promise 💓

So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?” (‭Exodus‬ ‭17‬:‭2‬ NIV)

I think I was around 19 or 20. I was dating this drug dealer. We lived together and was doing alright(so I thought) money was great, got anything I wanted etc. Until one night we came home and some people kicked our door in. I fell to the floor and a guy came and snatched me up by my hair and put a gun to my head that was taller than me. The guy that loved me and wanted to marry me ran out and left me with his problems. So now I’m alone with 4/5 men with guns asking me where all the drugs and money at. And in my heart I knew they came to kill because they didn’t have anything over their faces. I was so numb but through it all I had a sense of peace. It’s like God was telling me I got you covered.

Now I didn’t have any relationship with God at that time. I went to church because I felt like I had too. I was living my life doing my own thing. I honestly felt like I had time to get around to that church stuff. I thought church people were boring and didn’t have fun. Let me tell you, I was all wrong!!! Church people (most of them) are fun to be around and they know how to have fun just like anybody else.

I don’t know who this message is for but it has been haunting me. I vowed to never speak on that day again because it was HORRIBLE and talking about it is almost like reliving it. But please know that God will protect you no matter where you are in life. He has no stipulations on his love for you!! Yes we are sinful, yes we are broken at times, yes we do things we know we shouldn’t, but guess what?! God is always waiting on us with open arms. So to whoever that may be reading this I don’t care what your situation look like. God loves you and he will rebuild you. Take all your cares to him and allow him to work on you. Today!!!! We always think we have tomorrow but we may not!!! So today!! ❤️

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ NIV)

Have you noticed that we can make time for everything that we WANT to do. Seriously someone literally just woke up, rolled over and checked social media(guilty). Someone turned on their favorite music to get their morning started. Someone woke up extra early to get a morning workout in. Someone going into work early. You get my point though. We make time for what’s important to us.
I was laying in the bed and in my spirit jumped Convenient worshippers. I’m like what the heck. Because I literally was thinking about what snack I was gone have before I went to sleep(fixitJesus). Anywho I’m like what does this mean?! I worship, I sing, I dance, I write inspirational post. What are you saying to me.

And it hit me. I do all those things when it’s convenient for ME. After work, after the kids are in bed, after I watch my favorite show, if I don’t fall asleep.
It was like God was telling me I don’t want your convenient Worship!! I want you to want me like you want everything else. I want to be a priority in your life. Schedule me like you schedule your dinner dates, your hair appointments, your meetings, etc. Why am I on the back burner when I’m the first line of defense when you have a problem….

So what does this mean you ask? It mean that our relationship with God is more important than anything else. It mean you may have to walk away from something’s and people that you hold dear to you. It mean that you may need to prioritize your life better. Cut the TV off, shut your phone off, cut the crazy music off and spend time with God! He does not want your leftover time. Spend time with God because you want too. I promise you, it’s the best relationship you can have!! No more lazy Worship!! ❤️

“Each year on February 14th, many people exchange cards, candy, gifts or flowers with their special “valentine.” The day of romance we call Valentine’s Day is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5thcentury, but has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia”(via the history channel)

Per our Calendars today is the day for romance, love or whatever. People will be out shopping and buying things to “show” their Love. People will feel unloved because they are single and not receiving “things” from a special someone. Women will use their sons as a scapegoat stating he is all she need(bullcrap). Don’t even put that kind of pressure on your child.

Listen, do not allow a day on the calendar to tell you what Love is!!! According to ‭(1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ NIV) “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins”. Wait! So God loved you so much he gave up his son for you. I’m gone let that sink in for a minute……..think about your child… now imagine giving them up for a stranger!!! You can’t even fathom it… I know I wouldn’t!!!! Can I tell you there is NOTHING a Man or Woman can do to top that!!!!! So don’t be sad or depressed.

You have AGAPE(unconditional) love. The Love that says no matter what you have done in the past. No matter who you are. No matter how you look. No matter how much money you have. No matter what kind of car you drive. No matter what body type you have. No matter your skin tone. God still love you and he gave up his only son to prove it!!!!! How dope is that!!!!

So if you’re single or married!! Enjoy today like you do every other day. Material things do not equal love. You are alive so everything is well!!! ❤️😍😘

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭36-39‬ NIV)

Wait!! So you’re telling me Jesus said above all things to LOVE?!?!? That’s interesting because it seem like people do everything but that. Women hating on other women because they “seem” to have it all together. Men hating other men due to materialistic things. Kids hating each other for whatever reason they can think of.
People reaching a certain status and feel they can’t deal with certain people anymore. People thinking they are better than others because they have more “things”. It’s crazy to me. No where in the bible does God say because you have all things you are granted access to the Kingdom. But LISTEN, he does say; For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. (‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬ NIV)
What am I getting at?! It’s simple. Be humble in everything that you do. Stop hating people for status and materialistic things. Stop raising hating kids. They see you hating everybody, guess what they gone do… HATE. Love your brothers and sisters. Nobody has it all together. Everybody lack in some area. So guess what?! No need to be jealous! God said before you were formed in your mothers womb he had a plan for you. So seek him and trust that he will help you in the areas that you lack. And as Jesus stated, LOVE one another. Don’t hate!! No seriously,don’t do it, don’t even entertain the thoughts. It’s really simple. ❤️

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. ” (‭Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭19-20‬ NIV)

Faith is kind of easy when someone else is going through. It’s easy to tell someone I’ll pray for you when they lost a loved one. I’ll keep your family lifted in prayer. I understand what you’re going through. But what about when that thing hit home? When you’re looking at your loved one on their death bed. When your check just isn’t enough to cover all the bills that you have. When you are ready to knock your kids out because they acting crazy. When you are feeling depressed, lonely or insecure Is your faith still on 1000.

I’m sure in most cases it’s not. It’s not as easy when it’s you right? But I’m here to tell you that no matter what you are going through. No matter what your situation look like. You have to remain faithful. You have to trust God with every ounce of your being. Knowing, no matter what the outcome may be he got it under control.

Dear father,
I come before you this day asking for forgiveness of my sins. Asking that you forgive me for all the times I have doubted you. All the times I depended on someone or something else instead of you. Father I pray for whomever may be reading this. Father I pray you increase their faith. I pray you show them that you are the only way. Father God allow them to stand before you boldly knowing that no matter the situation you will handle it. Father remove all doubt and frustration from them. According to (‭2 Samuel‬ ‭22‬:‭33‬ NIV) “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” We know that you will give us the strength to withstand whatever. We are standing on your word with everything that we have. Trusting and knowing that it will not come back void. We love you and we adore!!! In Jesus mighty name I pray and ask it all. Amen

Don’t let this be you!! Keep your relationship and communication with God open. It’s the most important relationship in your life. He is not a Genie to call upon when you need more “stuff” he is your life line.. Happy Tuesday!!! Love you mucho💓

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬ NIV)

It’s so easy to think that because you are doing your “thing” whatever that may be, that you can’t have a relationship with God. You may think that he don’t want to hear from you or think that he won’t bless you. You may even think that he won’t help you overcome that “thing”. But let me be the first to tell you that all of those are lies.

God loves you no matter what. He will meet you wherever you are. All you have to do is turn your focus to him. When you seek a relationship with him, it will make you want to turn from those things that YOU think are important. Trust me I know!! I use to love sex. And that was the first thing stripped from me. I’m like God wait a minute. Nobody will want to be in a relationship with me if I’m not giving it up… He basically showed me the wrong man will not want to be with me but the man that HE has for me will understand and know that sex should come after marriage. Was it easy? Heck no. But I did it!! I am now married and my husband waited!! (Insert a high praise👏)

Now, that may not be your story or your thing. But trust me when I tell you whatever it is, it’s not worth a relationship with God. We think we have all the time in the world to get it right when in actuality time is super short. We are burying more young people than ever before. I’m not a preacher and I’m definitely not trying to preach to you. I just want you to understand if a person like me that was a complete mess (still a little crazy) can be changed by God, you can too!! Nothing that you are doing or going through is too big for God!!! He will get you together!!!💓

Good morning my loves
1 Peter 4:11 ERV
If your gift is speaking, your words should be like words from God. If your gift is serving, you should serve with the strength that God gives. Then it is God who will be praised in everything through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.

This weekend I had the great Joy to participate in a women’s conference designed to help women make up their mind about things in their lives. I am mentally exhausted, the spirit of God filled the sanctuary and women who came in broken, broke down and hurting let us into their lives to help. The words that came forth from the speakers were powerful, meaningful and relevant to the issues we are dealing with.
The one thing I love about being in the presence of the Holy Spirit is that you are FOREVER CHANGED. Sometimes the change is mind blowing and your life course is altered and sometimes your life is changed in little tiny increments that are so subtle  you don’t realize the change until you look back and realize that THING, has no more power over you.
I’m so grateful to the women who had the courage to walk out of their own pain and into the Love of God.
Titus 3:4-6 ERV
But then the kindness and love of God our Savior was made known. He saved us because of his mercy, not because of any good things we did. He saved us through the washing that made us new people. He saved us by making us new through the Holy Spirit. God poured out to us that Holy Spirit fully through Jesus Christ our Savior.

If you’re called by the spirit to hug someone, hug them.
If you’re called to give them words of encouragement, say the words.
If you’re
called to stand next to someone or sit by them, do it.
We don’t know what God is using us to do but I can tell you, your life will be better for doing it.

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭30‬ NIV)

Your father was absent from your life. Your mother was strung out on drugs. You lost a mother or father at a young age. Your mother had whore-ish ways. Your father sold drugs. Are these some of the excuses you use to be content with the dysfunction in your life? Are these some of the reasons you decided to be mediocre? Are these some of the reasons you think your foolishness is ok?!

Well let me tell you it’s not!!! Yeah your mom was promiscuous but that doesn’t mean you have to be. Just because your father wasn’t there does not mean you need to lean on different men to satisfy the neglect you may feel. Men it’s definitely not an excuse for you to be sorry. Just because your parents was this or that does not give you the right to be crazy, to lack or to live in dysfunction ourselves.

Listen God said I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. He didn’t say anything about your momma,your grandma or your daddy!! He said YOU. So let’s drop every excuse that may be used to be content with the way we are living. God has a plan for your life and you can’t be lazy or focused on the life your parents or whoever may have lived. So Get yo life!! Literally!!🙌

My relatives have gone away; my closest friends have forgotten me. (‭Job‬ ‭19‬:‭14‬ NIV)

Does friendship mean I’m only your friend when you’re doing what I want you to?! Does it mean when I make you angry we not friends anymore?! Does it mean when I’m hanging with this group of people you don’t want to deal with me?! See friendship is used so loosely these days. Most of the time the person is nothing more than an associate. Somebody to laugh and joke with or even hangout with from time to time.
True friendship is almost like a marriage. When you sign up to be someone friend you’re saying I love you no matter what. I’m here for you. I will pray for you and your family. I will not sleep with your spouse. I will not talk about you behind your back. When you fall I’m there to pick you up.
I had to learn the hard way about friendship. Being an only child I tend to be a lover. I wanted everybody to be my friend. Buttttt you know it don’t work like that. I’ve dealt with “friends” sleeping with my boyfriend, talking behind back, etc. I mean I’m sure we all have dealt with something along those lines right? When I decided to change my life and start living right is honestly when I felt the loneliest. I remember crying out to God(I told y’all I cried for like 2 years straight) like why am I this lonely trying to live for you?!? He simply stated he was stripping me of the things I was dependent on. Straight checked me! I don’t know if you’ve ever been checked by God but it’s not pretty!!! I went from my phone jumping to wondering if AT&T cut me off. God is a selfish God and trust me when I tell you that he will remove everything in the way of your relationship with him.
During your darkest moments is when you will see who your true friends are. The real ones will be there rooting you on and the conditional ones will be hanging with the next set of people that’s doing what they want them to do. God will send you the people you need for every season of your life. Everybody don’t get to go with you as you progress. Some people want you stuck right there doing nothing with them.. Keep pressing forward. God placed something in your heart and you need to fulfill that task. So don’t be mad when someone walk out your life!!! Don’t chase them, don’t call them. Let them go!!! ✌️

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ NIV)

You’ve tried it YOUR way. Now, where has that gotten you? You’ve tried it the way your friends did it. Have that gotten you anywhere? I’m sure it hasn’t.. I thought I had it all figured out myself. I was sleeping with guys looking for love in all the wrong the places. Getting drunk waking up wondering how I got home. Shopping putting myself in debt to make myself feel better. Allowing my child to see things she should not have seen. But hey I figured it was my life, I do what I want to do.. Let me tell you were that left me. I was broken. Still lonely even after giving myself to different guys. Body tore up from all the drinking. Bank account on E trying to stay fly. My child was calling people cuss words. I was all jacked up!! See God has a way of totally wrecking you. He allows you to see that you can’t do things on your own. I went crawling to God with all my brokenness. I swear I cried for like 2 years straight!!! But I promise you it was the best decision I have ever made. I said all that to say. It’s time!!!! Throw in your white flag and surrender. God is waiting for you with open arms. He want to rebuild you and show you a love that you can’t find anywhere else!! It won’t be easy but I promise it’s worth it. You’ve tried everything else. Now try God!!!

Most gracious father,
I come before you today as humble as I know how to be. Asking for forgiveness for all the sins I have committed knowing and unknowingly. I ask on this day father that you allow people to see you and not me because I don’t have what it takes. Father I ask that you remove anything that may be getting in the way of you and whomever may be reading this. Allow them to see that you are the only way. Father God give them the Faith to step away from anything that may be destroying them. Give them the security in knowing that you handle any situation they may be going through. Father God be the strength that they need to remove individuals from their life that’s toxic. Love on them father like never before!!! Through it all we will give you all the honor and all the praise!!! Hallelujah anyhow Lord!!! In Jesus mighty name I pray and ask it all… Amen!!!