You have 3 choices

How strong would you consider yourself to be? Where did that strength come from? The truth is you never know your own strength until you have to use that strength to overcome an obstacle or situation. Often times following a crisis you hear someone say "I didn't know my own strength". As the city of Houston recovers from the relentless flooding from Monday night we are now hearing stories of survivors and I can't help but think what I would do in a tough situation. I can only imagine the overwhelming feeling of doubt, fear, and anxiousness overcoming me. At some point in our lives will or already have faced a difficult situation. Perhaps the situation is not a physical obstacle but it is instead mental or emotional so what do you do?

Do you let it define you? Of course not! God created you and with that creation He defined who you are. No situation or label given to you by the world can override the identity that God has already given you even before your parents or this world knew you. The story of your life has already been written and victory is already yours.

Do you let it destroy you? You sure don't! Has your parent ever told you "I brought you in this world and I'll take you out"? That's precisely how God works. God brought you into existence if it is not in His will to remove you from this earth then nothing that comes against you will destroy you. God made you tough enough to be able to weather all storms that will come in your path throughout your journey. And because you have work to do for the kingdom you cannot allow anything to destroy you physically, spiritually, mentally, or emotionally.

Do you let it strengthen you? Absolutely! Everyone knows the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." When using gym equipment for strength training the tension and intensity is often increased to better work your muscles, ultimately strengthening them. Think of the obstacles and situations you face as such.  The higher the intensity and tension the stronger you become. Face your problems with gratitude knowing that it is God giving you to strength to move along the path that He has given you to live out His purpose for you in the Kingdom.

Always remember that there is no rubric that measures success...you define what success is to you. There is no person that has achieved their goals by every door willingly opening for them at the first knock. Actually they may have gotten knocked down just as many times as they knocked for the door to be opened. They probably heard "no" 100 times before they got their first "yes", but they made a choice to keep going not letting rejection define them, not letting fear take over them, and not letting failure destroy them. Instead, they turned those negatives in to positives and gained to strength to push through and succeed. If they can do it so can you and I.

#FearlessFAITH #3Choices #KeepPushing 

The Choice is Yours

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name he may give you."

Life is about choices. Every aspect of our life is based upon the choices we make. We choose our friends, colleges, careers, and so on. The overall point here is that we get to choose how we live our lives (to a certain extent). It may seem like every decision we've made was our own including when we dedicated our lives to Christ. Well, I've got news for you, it wasn't! Every decision you made prior to heading to the alter to dedicate your life to Christ was orchestrated by God. You didn't choose God, God chose you and for that you should be grateful because He could have chosen anyone. True, you may have made some decisions that took you on an alternate route, but God still made sure you got to that place where He could reveal Himself to you along with the purpose He placed within you when He created you. It was through His grace and mercy that the choices you made prior to surrendering to Him didn't take you out. And the reason they didn't take you out is because God's plans are greater than your plans and until you finish the work that He has set out for you that same grace and mercy will keep you.

As many of you all know I live in Houston, TX where we have experienced an unpredictable amount of rain that has caused flooding throughout the inner city as well as some of the main highways claiming the lives of 4 and some others missing. Many of you may also know Houston, TX is the home of the Houston Rockets NBA team that is currently in the Western Conference Finals alongside the Golden State Warriors. Sunday afternoon I petitioned my dear friend to go somewhere to watch the game. I looked at the start time of the game and retracted the thought because it was too late for a work night, she agreed and we both stayed home to watch the game. It was only by God's grace that we both decided to stay home because it was during the game that the bad weather took place leaving many stranded on flooded highways. That could have been us, but our ability to hear and be obedient to God's voice activated God's grace the kept us safe during the storm.

Obedience was the topic for yesterday's Use Your Words #30DaySpeakLifeChallenge (if you're not following this definitely do so) which led me to this blog today. We have to make sure that the choices we make are allowing us to be obedient to God's will and direction for our lives. Obedience is our key to living an abundant life in Christ. It unlocks grace, mercy, the ability to forgive, the ability to love, the ability to lead, the ability to follow, and so much more. In High School my principal would end the morning announcements by saying "May the challenges you face today be faced with success. If not, do not give up do not EVER give up. Make it a great day or not the choice is yours." Although God plays a role in our lives we are still the deciding factor on the lives we live by the choices we make. It can be tempting to take the easy route because of the fears of the unknown, but remember Who chose you and know that you can trust Him to provide for you throughout your entire journey.

#FearlessFAITH #ChooseWisely      

Call Me...Nameless

Call me nameless. I don't need recognition, but when I put in much work it is often desired. You know a kudos or an accolade to be announced on my behalf. Nothing wrong with that, right? Thanking people for what they do is to be expected isn't it? I have worked vigorously in the vineyard and what do they do to show their appreciation? A card. A card with no money! Okay, I left out the card part earlier. I did get a thank you, but I wanted something larger. Where are the balloons? Where is my parade? I mean, I am the ONLY one who can do my job this well. Without me this ministry would go to pieces. I'm the glue! So, where is my gigantic thank you?

Call me nameless. Remember when I said I don't need recognition? Clearly at the time I was lying. It was the "humble" thing to say. However, inwardly I wasn't so humble. God showed me the error of my ways. I wanted to be worshipped not appreciation. People were appreciative, but it wasn't good enough. Did you hear me running my mouth? The nerve to even think I am the only one who can be used by God. He sure told me! Here I am asking for a greater reward when He reminds me there is no greater reward than Heaven. My deeds may be nothing to others, but to God they are everything. Just the simple things(as long as they are pure) are being accounted for in Heaven. So I had a change of heart. Seriously, call me nameless because I'm not working for outward show or public gratification. I work so that His Works in me will touch another soul, true ministry.

#CallMeNameless #FF #TrueMinistry

Get in Tune

1 John 4:14 "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us"

Have you ever prayed for something time and time again for an extended period of time only for it to go unanswered time and time again?  Perhaps your prayers haven't been answered because your antenna isn't aligned "just right" which interferes with your ability to be in tune with God's will for your life. When you are in tune with God your prayers will line up with His purpose for your life. You can pray for something all day long but if it's not in His will for you your prayers will be in vain.  I can remember when I was younger trying to win prizes from the radio station. It was imperative that the antenna was just right in order to pick up the station clearly to get the directions for the contest. Some of the contests required you to listen for a certain song then be the 9th caller or whatever the chosen number was for the day. Others required you to listen to a countdown then call in to list the songs in the order in which they were played for the prize. Either way each contest required you to listen before taking action and if you repeated what you heard correctly then you received the prize. If you missed any part of the countdown you didn't win the prize and most times you couldn't even get through the line. So don't doubt God when your prayers are unanswered instead realign yourself to get in tune with Him so that when it's your turn to list what He has told you you can do so in the way He intended in order for you to claim your prize.

Somewhere along the way we've gotten the idea that we shape the lives that we live and that God is to adjust accordingly which is far from the truth. God is in control whether you allow Him to be or not, you do not call the shots He does! His ways have to become your ways and not vice versa. We can't ask Him for anything that He hasn't already planned to provide for us, our plans have to be aligned and in tune with His plans. Listen carefully so that you don't miss anything. He knows your purpose He's waiting on you to tune in so that you can hear it clearly. Your first prayer should be for Him to enter in and take over your life so that you may see Him in all situations allowing you to think and act more like Him. Get in touch with Him, unlike the radio station the line is never busy and He will always listen.

#FearlessFAITH #FreedomFriday    

Picture This(May'15)

Picture this, you live your whole life hearing about how great someone is amongst different people. Some of your family members know this man and you say, "I'll meet him one day." You go to school and this same man is brought up amongst your peers. Thinking to yourself, you wonder is this dude really that great? Now, you are at church. Everything is great, but wait. There goes sister Sally again bringing up the same man. At this point it is getting ridiculous. At home you hear about him. You go to school and you hear about him. Now church? But it increases in your adulthood, even in your workplace a coworker talks about the same man. This man's name even utters out of the mouths of people who don't even know him. Weird, huh? So you think how is he this popular even with people that don't know him? Why does he keep coming up? Why do I sometimes think about him and don't know him? Nevertheless, you still continue to brush it off.

Uh oh. There has been a terrible accident. Someone hits your car and suddenly, you die. You finally meet the man people have been raving about, Jesus. He then tells you of all the opportunities He gave you to personally get to know Him. Jesus reminds you of your grandmother, who shared her faith with you while you denied afterwards. You said, "that was for old people." Then you go to school and realize some of your peers know Me too and you denied again. You said, "you were too cool for Me." So you attend church and watch others in shock when praising Me wondering, "Does it take all of that?" Life progresses on for you and you land a career after school. Your coworker shares The Gospel with you and you reply, "Not in the workplace." Out of all the testimonies you heard and everything I've done for you, why didn't you love Me back? I was on your mind for a reason, but you never responded. I kept calling, waiting, praying, and you never accepted Me. I died for you. I love you, but to enter into these Gates, you must love Me back.

Is this you? Are you rejecting God? Are you making excuses? Do you love Him back? It is clear that God loves us no matter what is going on in the world, His Love never changed. However, have we changed? Are we so caught up in our own desires that we neglect His? Can you picture it? I can! So, God wants to know, do you love Me?

#FF #PictureThis #DoYouLoveMe 

Fighting Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

It's Wednesday!!! Also known as "Hump Day" getting over that hump is arguably the toughest part of any week. At this point during the week you've probably been tempted in more ways than one that is outside of the will of God. Whether it be snap at a co-worker or backslide in some other way you've been faced with something. Perhaps your temptation has been tugging at you all month and you haven't been able to over come it. Don't be discouraged because temptation has played a role in the lives of man since Adam and Eve were in the garden of Eden. None of us are exempt from facing temptation in our everyday lives even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was faced with temptation during his life here on earth. Unlike like Jesus we're more than likely to fall into temptation in some way at some point despite our ability to overcome it through our faith and trust in God.

I know it may seem like your situation is unique to you and no one else has ever had to deal with it or face it, but you're wrong! The scripture above proves it by stating that what you're dealing with is not uncommon; therefore, you shouldn't treat it as though it is. God has provided us with the strength that we need to endure every level of temptation and you have access to it within your relationship with God. Although many of the obstacles that we face are physical your ability to defeat it starts with your mentality. If you believe that you can, you will. If you believe that you can't, you won't. Although we've already won the war we have to finish the fight!

#FearlessFAITH #FightTemptation #YouWon 

Your Plan vs. God's Plan

Isaiah 55: 8-7 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" declares the Lord."As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts your thoughts."

The quote above states that God has a plan for your life and the enemy also has a plan for life, but what it fails to mention is that you also have a plan for your life that may be completely different from both, the enemy and God. That makes two people you have to battle and defeat before you embrace the plan that God has for you. However, the tougher of the battles is the battle against yourself. We often times think we know what is absolute best for our lives when we actually have no clue at all. Quite honestly we can be our own greatest hindrance by continually trying to control every aspect of our lives and being our own worst critic. How can we expect someone else to believe in us when we don't believe in ourselves? We do this unknowingly because we are operating in the physical state of mind more so than the spiritual state of mind. In the physical state of mind we can only understand what it is that we see; however, in the spiritual state of mind faith is the only thing that is needed. We will never fully understand God because He is thinking is light years ahead of the capabilities of our though process. But do know this, you nor anyone else can out-think God. Everything that He has planned for you will come to pass no matter how many people try to get in the way (including you). The best thing for us is to embrace all that God has to offer for our lives confidently knowing that His way is always better than our way. Although the fight has been fixed and you've claimed victory you still have to keep fighting all the way through giving reverence to God no matter where you stand currently on the battlefield.

#FearlessFAITH   

Know Your Role

Romans 12: 6-8 "We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; it is to show mercy; do it cheerfully."

When you get where you're going, where will you be? Do you even know where you're going? Those are questions that many of us may not know the answer to, but those are also questions that we should consider thinking about. We are all in fact individual parts of the body of Christ whose function is dependent upon us knowing our role and sticking to it. Think about the function of your physical body, each part has its own function. What if your feet started trying to function as your hands and your hands tried to function as feet? That would be very awkward and it would definitely alter the progress of accomplishing daily tasks. Just as our body parts have roles in the overall function or our body each of us has a role in the body of Christ. True, each of us have various roles that we play in our daily lives (at work, in our relationships, friendships, and kin-ships), but I'm talking about our main role. The one that God wrote especially for each of us! Think about it...Mary's purpose what to birth the Son of God which gave her the role as Jesus' mother. She not once stepped outside of that role interfering with God's plan for Jesus as much as her flesh wanted to shield her Son from being beaten. Her husband Joseph played the role of being Jesus' earthly "father" and after Jesus was born not much else was mentioned about him as had played his role. It was them staying in character according to the Kingdom that allowed the prophesy of Jesus Christ to be fully fulfilled.

Knowing your role/purpose and living it out is the key to a life of abundance and fulfillment in Christ. However, not knowing the entire answer is okay. In fact, many of us are on a road to nowhere because we simply don't know our purpose thus we are wandering in the wilderness waiting to be found and carried there. Don't be discouraged because it's okay to wander for a little while as long as you're continuously listening to for God's voice for guidance. God's voice is essentially our spiritual GPS guiding us to every turn and recalculating when we make a wrong turn or a road is closed due to construction and even still we'll get to our destination ON TIME. We have to be careful to stay in our own lane's not focusing on those around us but instead focusing on what is in front of us and that's God leading the way. Do what it is that God told YOU to do, go where He told YOU to go, say what He told YOU to say and nothing else matters. Surrender to God and He will bring you out of the wilderness. James 4:7-8 says to resist the devil and he will flee from you, so resist the devil and surrender to God. When you surrender to God you accept the role that He has given for you in the body of Christ which means you are relieved from the role the world has given you and all the expectations that come along with it. Just be you. After all you are who this role was created for! Don't ever think that you are not equipped for the role that God has assigned for you in His kingdom.

#KnowYourRole #StayInYourLane #FearlessFAITH

You Rude, You Lose!

It is #ThankfulThursday yet again. One thing we should wear on our countenance every day is thankfulness. Why? Because we aren't(excuse my grammar) alll dat. Meaning, we have no right to be nothing but thankful. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own "splendor" that we forget Who is actually running the show. You know, God. God, The One, that saved you from yourself, your sins, and your rightful death. Remember Him? Better yet, keep in mind of who you are which is no better than the next man, even the sinner. Yes, even the one who has not yet believe. Yes, even the one who may never believe. Only difference between a believer and a sinner is in the title. Believers simply believe. We believe we are saved by Grace. The Grace that so powerfully keeps us from hell. Oh you thought it was because you stopped fornicating as to why you are saved? No, it was Grace. Pardon me, you thought it was because you stopped clubbing as to why you have a seat in Heaven? No, still Grace people.

Living as God says to live is not how one becomes saved. That is a result of our salvation. A result of our relationship with Christ. For God so loved the world He gave us Jesus, right? So because we accept that being under Grace we show love back by following after Him. See, our "good deeds" don't qualify us. They only exemplify God using us because of His What? Grace. Remember Grace when you are looking down at the drunk on the corner. Remember Grace when you are working with the homosexual. Being under Grace doesn't mean we should be rude to others because we are so excellent and chosen. It is actually quite the contrary. Being under Grace should instill in us a compassion for the many others who need to know Christ as well. So this #ThankfulThursday let's be thankful for Grace! If it had not been for Grace we would be just like the people we think we are better than. If you're honest you were just like them. Show your thankfulness to God by proclaiming His Grace over your life and what that same Grace can do for someone else. Stop being rude and let thankfulness exude! #TT #FF14 #YouRude #YouLose

Celebrate Motherhood

We are celebrating all Mothers! Whether they birthed you or helped nurture you we tip our hats off to you. It is certainly not easy raising and caring for us human beings. We are definitely a handful and we thank God for placing them in our lives! So honor your mom, grandmother, step mother, and most importantly God today as well because He comforts those who are motherless. Also, when mom can't be around to hug us, He is always there! To all of the mom's out there, we appreciate you. Stay encouraged in The Lord and enjoy your day!

Hey Beautiful.

Hey beautiful.
No need to look around. I'm talking to you.
I know you are overlooked because your skin is brown, your lips are plump,
But you are beautiful too. Beauty is you.
Oh, "yeen know?"
From your kinky hair to your golden glow.
Yes, you are beautiful.
Who else can flaunt a natural tan?
It is time for us to take a stand.
Black women been beautiful.
This didn't suddenly just appear.
Our hair never stopped being bomb.
Others are just now catching on.
We go from curly to straight
With a stroke of a hot comb
Our beauty is strong!
People spend thousands of dollars
For our features.
No, we are not animalistic creatures!
Nor are we whores either.
Our beauty shouldn't be sexualized,
But glamorized.
Because we are made versatile.
Being with us is worthwhile.
No sex to feel pretty or wanted.
We were born wanted.
Jesus died to win our hearts.
Any man that comes after us will know that from start.
Hey beautiful.
Your body is not your value.
Your mind should be his camping ground.
Don't hold your head down.
Look around.
Your beauty is worth being proud!


Undeniably be you. Explore and soar ladies. Contrary to popular opinion, black never stopped being beautiful, attractive, stunning, interesting, propelling, and captivating. Hey beautiful. Hey! 

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late!

Ever thought about the movement of your limbs, the clean air you breathe, or the sight you have? What about your ability to think, to drive, or just simply get out of the bed? Those things are some of the many we take for granted. As we generally go about our day, we tend to pray for so much, but how often are we thanking God? How often do we praise Him more than we ask of Him? Maybe just maybe He hasn't answered certain prayers because we aren't truly grateful for what we already have. Even our relationship with Him isn't given the gratefulness it deserves at times. We are too busy worrying about earthly relationships that we neglect the most important one of all. I reiterate our relationship with Jesus very often because it needs to be repeated. Every time I get on social media people, Christians, are constantly talking about how they wish they had a "bae" when God is sitting there like I thought I was enough for you? I'm supposed to come "Before Anyone Else"! Hurtful.

So don't wait until it is too late. Don't wait til God's availability is no longer at your fingertips. Thank Him while His Mercy is upon you. Thank Him while you're in good health. Thank Him while you are in your right mind. Thank Him simply because He deserves our gratitude. We aren't that cool, awesome, or angelic that we can go a second let alone a day without praising and thanking God. Cultivate that relationship more. Spend more time with Him. You will be amazed at how great your day goes and life will be. It's #ThankfulThursday so don't wait until it's too late to Thank God! He's consistently GREAT. So we should be consistently grateFILLED! Yes, I made that up. Be full of gratitude beautiful people! #GrateFILLED #DontWait #Cultivate

No Ordinary Teacher

John 13:13 "You call me "Teacher" and "Lord," and rightly so, for that is what I am" 

This week is "Teacher Appreciation Week" so how about we pay homage to THE Teacher of all teachers, Jesus Christ. Although He isn't a traditional teacher, Jesus taught us things that no one else could teach us in ways no one else could teach. He taught us to trust Him in the storm (Matthew 8:23-27), He taught that He will make a way out of no way (Matthew 14:13-21), and so much more. Jesus' teacher qualifications came straight from Heaven, no four year degree from an Ivy League University could equip Him for the teachings that were placed within Him by God. Teachers are leaders, they not only teach through words but they also teach through actions. Jesus spoke the words in the aforementioned scripture following His washing the feet of his disciples and continued with telling them that they should also do the same for one another.

The teaching here is so important in that it teaches the no one person is greater than the other. The understanding of this scripture is critical in present day as many organizations and individuals are plagued with a superiority complex. We must know that we have to humble ourselves before God (and because He is omnipresent that means EVERYWHERE) so that He may exalt us in His timing. In doing this we realize that we all are the same and have to face the same God on judgement day. How can we not be appreciative of this kind of teaching?

Although we're not all employed with our local school districts, create lesson plans, or administer test we are all still teachers. There is someone in this world who has learned something from you through your life's teachings and if you can't think of a person at this moment then surely there is someone who will learn something from you in the future. While most people equate teaching with words, teaching has a lot to do with actions despite the saying "Do as I say and not as I do". This is why Jesus not only told us what to do He also showed us what to do. Examine your actions to determine what you are teaching others, good things or bad things. Make sure your actions reflect your words.

#FearlessFAITH #JesusAppreciation #WontHeDoITWednesday 

April Showers, May Flowers

Philippians 4:19 "And My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus"

It's a new month, a new week, and a new day! Thank God we made it because so many people were not blessed to do so! I hope you all benefited from last month's challenge "Listening to God and Living in the Moment"! This month's challenge will be "Trusting God and Loving LIKE God". When God moves in our lives we have to stop questioning it because we will never thoroughly understand His ways; therefore, our relationship with Him must encompass complete TRUST! Trust in knowing that His ways are always better than our ways, His strength is greater than our strength, His love is like no other love, and His path will always lead us the right way. Last month we listened this month we have to trust and believe what we heard. If you're anything like me you want full control over your life and sometimes everyone else's around you. That's a no no!!! Allow God to be in control of your life and all of your circumstances.

April Showers bring May Flowers!!!! So, if something didn't work out the way you planned it just know that God has a BETTER plan. If someone walked out of your life just know that God has put someone BETTER on path to walk right into your life. If you lost your job just know that God has a BETTER job lined up for you. Whatever your situation may be seek to find the good in it and that is where you'll also find God in it. This is a concept that we can use to not only find the good in our bad situations, but we can also use this concept to find the good in people who don't readily exhibit good characteristics. That is where the second part of this month's challenge comes into play, love LIKE God. God's love has no conditions. There is not one person in the world that doesn't deserve or need love. So don't stress yourself out this month, this week, or this day! Stop to smell the roses or whatever kind of flowers you like!

#FF14 #MotivationalMONDAY 

Don't Forget!

Deuteronomy 8:18 But you should remember The Lord, your God: for it is He that gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His Covenant which He sware to your fathers, as is this day.

In this text God was telling Israel not to forget Him. They have been on this path of God saving them and them going back to old habits. God saves them again and once again forgets Who delivered them. Sound familiar? I know we look so excellent on Sunday that we wouldn't dare forget God. You can ask the "best" Christian and I'm sure they will concur God has never part from their minds. But what about when life happens? When the bills are due and because we think we are all of a sudden "broke" we categorize God as being broke, but isn't He our Father? You know The Owner of ALL?  Or did you forget? On the flip side, funny how the more money we get the more we seek to spend on ourselves. But didn't Jesus say the poor we will have with us always? Or did you forget? How do we handle relationships? Are we putting others before Him? We so diligitlently pray for a mate only to put that mate before God. Did God not say a person is unfit for the kingdom if they put anyone before Him? Or did that bit of information also exit your memory?

Let's not forget the wondrous things God has said to us and does for us. He gives us power, power! Power to get up. Power to eat. Power to breathe. Power to think. Power to make money. Power! All of those are common powers that even sinners posses, but we being saints have an adopted Power. Yes, beautiful people The Power of The Holy Spirit. Or did you forget? God's Power of Love granted us a chance to get this thing right. All I'm saying is, don't forget! Don't forget God. Satan wants to keep us busy in nothingness, because whatever we do absent of God is nothing. It will not be accounted for once we close these earthly eyes eternally. We should consider Him in everything because He should be our EVERYTHING. Well, unless we forget.

Don't forget God!
He didn't forget you.
Remember, Jesus died and rose?
Keep that in mind it was you He chose.
It would be a horrible thing,
To forget Jesus, our Savior, our KING!