Freedom Friday: You are NOT your Mistakes

 

You are not the mistakes you have made and you certainly are not the mistakes your parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles/sister/brothers/etc. have made. Family curses is something that we often fail to recognize, but there are definitley famailal trends of certain things and if you don't do the history you'll be succombed to it as well. Even still, once you know, do not be defined by and/or confined to those things because God has the power to loose you from everything that is holding you captive. God's power is in His hands your power is in your tongue; therefore, you must pray steadfastly for deliverance. Many of us don't even realize we are under family curses, but it's never too late. No situation is ever so bad that God can't fix it! Trust Him, Confide in Him, Believe in Him and He will move mountains in you and your familiy's lives.

  

The truth is you were freed the Friday that Jesus died on the cross...God has been waiting on you to receive it! So excerise that freedom today! Relish in knowing that every chain can and will be broken!  

 

#FearlessFAITH

 

Worship songs (I was torn between the two)

The Curse is Broken by James Fortune

Break Every Chain by Tasha Cobbs

Thankful Thursday

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" 

For a majority of the people in Mississippi and surrounding states, this week has been eventful. Although we should give thanks to God everyday for His protection from things that we will never know He blocked, we should definitely thank Him for sparing us against the things we saw coming. Words cannot explain how grateful I am for the safety of all those who survived those storms neither can words explain the empathy I feel for those who lost their loved ones in those same storms. 

It is times like these that we have to take a step back to put things into perspective. It is not a time to question God instead we must seek God's hand in it all. This scripture says in EVERYTHING give thanks because everything that happens is the will of God concerning you! Therefore every storm has a purpose and you survived it because you are apart of that purpose!  

Check your prayer log...perhaps it was someone else's prayers that saved you. Even in a storm like that God is in control and He has a plan. No matter what or who was taken away from you in your storm YOU are still here and for that you must be grateful. 

Thank God in the midst of your storm because just as there is an entrance there is an exit.  

#FearlessFAITH 

God's Voice

Some time ago a friend asked me what God's voice sounded like. In that moment I could not find the words to explain it, but I referenced it as a sense of feel more so than a sense of hearing. I can recall saying "you'll know it when you hear it" which as I reflect on the conversation today I realize that I wasn't very helpful. As my relationship with Christ has gone through ups and downs I have had seasons in my life where I didn't hear God's voice as much and/or as clear as I had in prior situations. I wondered why, but who am I to question God. I now know that the ability to hear God's voice and feel His presence is dependent on how focused you are on Him. 

Have you every been in a setting where a lot of things are going on around you and someone is trying to talk to you yet you are so distracted by your surroundings that you can't hear a thing they're saying? I mean, you know they're talking but you're not hearing or LISTENING to anything. Think of God being that person and the world around you being the distraction. It is so easy to become consumed with our jobs, finances, relationships, OTHER PEOPLE'S jobs, finances, and relationships. Some of us even focus on our gifts more than the Giver. When this happens in our lives God's voice is drowned out and we often lose our way. Thankfully, losing your way doesn't stop you from reaching your destiny. Once you've received God He will never depart from you...just like the prodigal son God is always ready to welcome you home (because He already knew you would be coming back). 

The closer you are to God the clearer His voice becomes and the quieter you become the more you are able to hear His voice. When you are focused on God you and Him are on one accord which means you will begin to think like Him versus trying to convince Him to think like you. His thoughts become your thoughts...His plans become your plans...His direction becomes your path. So to answer the question about God's voice...God speaks to us through our hearts. One of my favorite scriptures is Psalms 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart"

That's a powerful scripture in that it shows us that we don't tell God what we want/desire, but as we become one with Him He gives us those desires/wants through our heart. 

So we have to check our surroundings to see who/what is drowning out God's voice. Who/what has you so consumed that you've neglected the One who loves you most and all that He has planned for you? Silence the world and open your heart...I'm sure God has a lot that He wants to say to you. 

#FearlessFAITH   

TESTIMONY TUESDAY: My Truth

I've constantly prayed for God to reveal to me His purpose for my life because it seemed like everything I have set out to do on my own has not prospered. From career paths to friendships to relationships things haven't turned out how I envisioned. This post is my personal testimony on the season I am currently in in my life. As the picture above states I want to inspire people thus the reason I started this blog. It is difficult to encourage others when you're discouraged yourself, but honestly when I read the blogs after "I" have written them I'm like WOW thanks God I needed that.  

Anyone who truly knows me knows I have a giving nature; not of things, but of myself. I go above and beyond myself for the good of others. I'm a selfless person who wants to see those around me be happy. It's not something that is easy and it's definitely a character trait I wish I didn't have because of all the emotions and disappointment that come with sacraficing yourself, but I got it honest as both my parents are exactly the same way.

Testimony Tuesday  

Over the weekend as I was watching Uplifting Entertainment the quote "you get what you put in" was the basis of the movie "Apple Mortgage Cake" and I TOTALLY DISAGREE with that quote!!  Everytime I heard it I got a little more angry. All my life I've given 110% in my work, school, community, friendships, relationships, family, and etc. only to be underappreciated, abused, used, betrayed, overlooked, ignored and etc. FACT God gets the glory for everything that I do; however, I'm still human. If I always gave and never received I'd be empty which is something that I've been struggling with. Last week I didn't post any blogs because I didn't feel like I was in a place to encourage anyone. Sometimes I need encouragement and support too, but that's when people seem to vanish. Shortly after God directed me to start this blog I lost my grandfather, have had family issues (on both sides), and even the love of my life slipped out of the nearest exit door during such vunerable season of my life. No one was there when I needed them although I'd always been there for everyone else. So most days it is VERY difficult for me to be encouraging and inspiring to anyone when it seems the world is crumbling around me. Despite all that is going on around me I will not be moved and John 15:18-27 is the reason why. 

LESSON: Never let the way people treat you and/or what they say to/about you affect your character and how you treat others. Continue to be who you are, treat people how you want to be treated, and love despite of (just like God does). As a christian your goal should be to become more like Christ and less like the people of this world, so with that you'll have to endure some difficult times.

When we had the "Whispers of Faith" group we would always talk about "dying to self daily" to become new in Christ everyday so that's what I had to remind myself.

Romans 12:2 "And be not confromed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

 Everything that is posted on this blog comes directly from God and He has chosen me as a vessel to deliver it. I thank everyone who was concerned about my failure to post last week. Your kind thoughts reminded me that this is not about me at all. My mind has been renewed...I have a purpose...I prayed for it...God gave it to me so I have to follow through even when I'm disappointed, discouraged, hurt, sad, mad, and/or agitated. Because of you all I will not give up and hopefully because of me you won't give up...we are in this together.

#FearlessFAITH     

SHOUTOUT to my Sissy Marissa who stepped in to write a little for me last week. You are a breath of fresh air and I love you so so so much! My cup is now running over...you refilled me with that 2.5hr conversation Saturday night!

Motivational Monday: KEEP GOING

Isaiah 53:5 "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed"

Isaiah 53:5 states that ONE reason that God has given us to keep going! Imagine Jesus on His walk to Calvary, carrying that heavy cross that He would later be nailed to AND die on; being taunted and tortured by those who He lived to save. I think it's safe to say that Jesus had many reasons to quit; for starters, those that He was trying to save were ungrateful, selfish, ruthless, careless, and etc (as we have a tendency to be today at times). But the ONE reason He didn't quit was because of ME. Yes, this is personal...you can say He did it for you too, but I am CERTAIN He did it for me! 

Somewhere, through all that you are going through, there is a blessing specifically for you. That means there is nothing ANYONE can do to stop you from receiving that blessing. Currently you're either walking in your blessing, walking to your blessing, or walking away from your blessing. Which one are you doing? Here's a hint: Your relationship status with God and your obedience to Him will tell you. The scariest part about walking IN your blessing is that sometimes you don't realize it and you'll end up walking right THROUGH it without actually receiving it. STAY FOCUSED!! Walking to your blessing is the most wonderful feeling because it shows that you are on God's path, but you must be careful what you do when you reach your blessing. STAY FOCUSED!! Oh but walking away from your blessing simply means you are completely out of the will of God. GET FOCUSED!! 

Today you may be on your way to calvary (life's journey), carrying your cross (life's burdens) but don't give up...KEEP GOING because when you get there Jesus will already be there. He's already paid the price for you all you have to do is drop those burdens off. Psalm 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved" You're not in this alone. You may be moving a little slower, but at least you're still moving. You may have fallen a few times, but you got back up. You may have a couple of bruises but that's just proof that God heals. By His stripes we are healed! Healed in and through Christ; therefore, nothing can hinder you. No matter what it looks like trust God...Keep going!  

#FearlessFAITH  

Have a good day and a good week! 

Masks

Genesis 3:8-10 8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.

9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

So in the scripture above it talks about Adam & Eve hiding after they committed sin against God. You know eating of the forbidden fruit from the forbidden tree. Kinda relates to today. We ponder what life would of been like if they just obeyed, but I wonder what would of happened if they just came forth with what they did instead of hiding. Just like any other relationship we would rather the person tells us than us finding out that he or she did something wrong, right? Moreover, we STILL hide sin. What were they thinking I wonder? Did they want to appear to still be perfect by just not admitting they've done wrong and God won't notice? Is that what we do? We act like something isn't there in fanciful hopes of it disappearing like magic? Let's replace them eating the forbidden fruit to our own secrets. What are we hiding hoping it would magically vanish? Are there secret addictions, childhood memories we need to let go, failures that are preventing us from spiritual success? I really believe God was more hurt that they did not utilize their relationship with Him by confessing first instead of hiding. I believe He was upset because not only were they disobedient as we all are, but made excuses instead of admitting the truth. He wanted them to engage in the relationship. God knew they were going to mess up, just like He knew Jesus would have to die for the sins of the world. More personally, for you, me, us! For my addictions, your bad habits, our short comings! We never had to hide. Sin makes us shame, but Jesus Blood is justifying! God already made a covenant with Adam in the beginning that's why he did not die even in his faults and the same reason why now believing in Jesus we won't die in ours! Don't hide behind poor decisions, addictions, failures, fear of rejection because God TRULY Loves you! Instead, be real with Him. He already knows anyway so why hide? Let's practice to grow more in our relationship with Christ by allowing Him in and letting Him love us. It is hard to let someone love you when you constantly have a mask on. Show Him who you are so can He sculpt you into who He desires you to be. 

Testimony Tuesday: GRACE

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast"

Do you know how you got over that mountain? GRACE! Do you know why you have everything that you have today? GRACE! Do you know why are are able to read this right now? GRACE! Do you know why that situation didn't kill you? GRACE!!

Don't take God's grace for granted...it is a gift! We should respond to God's grace with constant gratitude through worship. This picture speaks volumes, so much so that I literally can't find the words to express what it means to me. Grace is our way out of no way and our bridge over turbulent waters.

We cannot take credit for anything God has blessed us with for He gets all the glory.
My mother is the leader of the "Vessels of Praise"dance ministry at Traveler's Rest Baptist Church. I have watched this ministry grow tremendously. It is such a blessing to see these young women minster through dance. If you speak to any of them after they have ministered they will all say "to God be the glory". They don't just dance they minister with purpose...through faith and by grace.
I mention them here because the worship song today is one that was ministered by them a couple of years ago that brings me to tears at the very thought of it. I love those girls because they have played a major role in the life of myself and my mother. We have grown spiritually with them and it is all because of God's grace.  

Worship song: For Every Mountain by Kurt Carr