Healing And Encouragement

You Are Important; You Still Matter!

~You might not be as independent as you’d want to be or where you’d want to be right now, but you don’t have to settle, be a doormat or let anyone push you around. You are still important; you matter as an individual; just by being alive! ~ Accomplishments does not entitle you to respect, approval, or acceptance by others. You already are, just by existing! You can speak up/ stand up for yourself; you can say NO without feeling guilty or worry about what others think or how they’ll feel. You don’t have to be fearful. God has your back, and He knows your heart. Say no/ walk away even if it makes people angry, especially if their intentions aren’t good/ pure, but for selfish reasons and their pleasures or convenience. You’re not a pushover! You don’t have to fear what man can do to you or concerning you- Psalm 118:6. You don’t have to be controlled by expectations or the pressures of society. You’ll be able to discern the difference between doing what frees your soul or what pressures you to feel or be obligated to…

You are valuable regardless of your dry and empty seasons; If you’ve hit rock bottom. You are valuable and worthy because you matter to Jesus! He thinks the world of you; he approves of you even when you are empty: your account is dry, you sleep under a bridge, you shack up with people, family member or a friend because you can’t afford a place of your own. Even if you don’t have a degree, a diploma, you can’t construct a sentence without 5 tries. Materials do not define you! A good education or high paying job does not either. Jesus accepts and loves you like crazy when you are with, and when you are without. It’s his love for us that defines us! You still matter! Your thoughts, goals, desires, wants, needs, dreams, hopes, and life are still very much important to him! See yourself through his eyes!

If everyone in the world had no job, no car, no house and we all lived in one house, eating from one hand, how would that make you feel? You’d fit right in, right? You wouldn’t feel inferior, because everyone would be on the same level. Well, the truth is, we are all being fed by one hand! I view the world as being under a dome, that means we all live under one roof, and God is our provider. The ones that “have,” achieved nothing without God’s approval. Unfortunately, some become successful through unjust ways. But overall, no one has anything without it passing through God’s knowledge -1Chron 29:14; Rom 13:1. It’s like a business/hotel; everything that’s needed has to go through the manager/CEO of that company. Documents that needs signatures, shipments that needs approval, monies going out has to be accounted for. The owner is aware of whatever goes on in his/ her company!

You are already a success by breathing! God has a plan for your life, and He promises that it’s good and prosperous; He promises to give you a future and a hope -Jer 29:11. So whatever situation you are in right now, you can hold your head up, you can still be joyful-laugh, smile; you can be confident and bold in Him because He is still working on, in and through you. You too will be fruitful. It just might not be your turn to bloom, glorifying God through works in the eyes of men just yet, but He is doing a hidden work in you. You are a precious soul, defined by Him and what He says and thinks about you. Wherever you are right now, keep seeking His face, His desires, His presence, and His purpose for your life. We are all created to worship and praise God, but we are each assigned a specific job to do for Him that involves building up or edifying each other, and bring glory to His name.

Meditation: John 1:12; Romans 15:7; 1 Pet 2:9; 1 John 4:16; Jer 31:3

A Magnet For Good Things!

If you were to take some quality time and do some self-reflecting, what would it say about your mental and spiritual health? How would you describe what your body is speaking to you? Tense or relaxed? I have experienced that when we are feeling different kinds of emotions, the body responds differently; Negative- anger, frustration, sadness, fear, anxiety, depression, condemn, rage, etc, makes the body tense. Positive emotions like happiness, gratitude, humility, contentment, awe, enthusiasm, hope, amusement, etc, makes the body feel relaxed. Whatever we attract in, or expect out of life are normally what we come in contact with. The way we treat ourselves paves the way for how we will allow others to treat us. Do you believe that you are precious, needed, honored, deeply loved and are open to the best? ( Isa 43:4) Or, has circumstances on the downside of life, be it afflictions or dry seasons have you feeling like you were born to suffer and you’ve accepted that as your destiny? How about your relationships, are you around people that drain or strengthens you? To go a little further, if you see yourself as a sufferer, always suffering, then this becomes your set outlook on life even when things are good. During difficult seasons and, or seasons of waiting, you will become hopeless and throw pity parties instead of pushing through, encouraging yourself or receive encouragements. You will also associate this way with others; seeing the worst in people or expect them to treat you terrible-because that’s how you first see yourself.

So, see yourself daily as a magnet for good things! Expect great things to come your way and they will manifest. Always put this into practice. Take care of yourself! If you respect yourself, you will not allow yourself to be disrespected by speaking up or walking away, while praying for their inner healing. If you value yourself, you will walk away from anyone/ anything that devalues you… And pray for their inner healing. Walk away from anyone that belittles you, but pray for their inner healing. Let us leave no man behind without sending help to them. So you see, it’s a win-win situation, you take care of others while taking care of yourself! If you see the world through a broken mirror, you will see yourself through that same mirror. If you see the good in others, you won’t allow yourself to think negatively, or expect that will mistreat you, you won’t even have that time. You will attract good things that bring you peace, joy, and contentment. And when you are faced with hardships, you will learn to accept, overcome and keep going; and with growth, the murmur and complain while we wait will gradually stop (Phil 2:14). With the body relaxed, the mind calm and spirit/soul pure, we can live a bit longer; when we take care of our mental and spiritual state, the body falls in line and is taken care of… We already know that obedient, and being God’s chosen grants us long life, so think on that! (Exodus 20:12, Isa 65: 13, 19-20.) Start, if you haven’t already- see yourselves as a magnet for good things, (Psalm 81:10) fill your portion of long full life will beautiful things, and pure thoughts- notice how your prayer life will also be amplified with this kind of mindset and your body eliminates tension. Whatever you welcome in your life will stick, whatever you attract follow you! Col 3:2; Phil 4:8.

We CAN Be Healed!!

While reading a magazine one Sunday, I came across a story of a young lady who died at the age of 22. I then went upstairs to get dressed for an outing when I got lead into prayer. The above verse came to mind, but this time, God gave me a new understanding. I used to think it meant if we all (the entire world) humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, he will heal our land. But He revealed that It’s HIS PEOPLE, His chosen ones- the body of Christ, we the church, we who have decided to follow Jesus- His disciples, will humble ourselves, change our ways and pray, He will hear and answer us. If we die to ourselves, draw sincerely closer to Jesus and seek first his kingdom- pray for our nation! He will heal our land. He will heal those who struggle with depression- mental illness. Those who struggle with addiction to alcoholism, materialism, pornography, drugs, will be healed. When we learn to be selfless and put others before ourselves, be the brother that’s always at home with the father, and pray for the prodigal sons and daughters that are lost. Dive a little deeper in our walk knowing God is a good God and faithful to keep his promises to us, provide for and protect us while we are out in the fields working hard to bring home those who have strayed. God said if WE who are called by his name shall give him our worries, and trust him to take care of them/ us then humble ourselves and pray for our land, he will heal it.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the power to change the world, do we realize that?? We have power in our tongue to stop sex trafficking, abductions, mass shootings, divisions, divorce. We have the power to heal our brothers and sisters, mentally and physically. We, the church has the power to stop witchcraft. We can conquer and accomplish so much if we only humble ourselves before God, trust him, be selfless, and open our mouths. When something has been healed, it’s returned to its correct state. Our correct state is a close relationship with God and wholeness. The definition for healed is to restore to original purity: to make free from injury or disease: to make sound or whole: to make well again.

We complain about all that is going on; we cry about it, we say we are tired but are we really? We are so tired that some of us have become angry and rebellious. We have become cold and bitter. We are taking matters into our own hands in seeking revenge. We are so tired that we’ve given up! Believing that ‘this’ must be God’s will! It’s not God’s will for people with a promising future to die at a young age; He promised us long full life! He promised that no longer will people at 100 years be called old- that tells me we can live to be 100! ( Isai 65:20)Can we be tired through humility?? So tired that we go before God waving white flags as a sign that we are surrendering and ready to go to war HIS way. Love, I know this isn’t an easy race, Philippians 2:13 says “For God is at work within us giving us the DESIRE to do what pleases him, then helping us to obey.” So you see, all we have to do is say YES & AMEN! Then the process will begin. We don’t have to fear sending our children to school, going to Walmart or take a vacation because of what’s going on in the world. We can be tired enough to take a stand and pray. I pray that the Spirit moves you to join me at home, at work, in the office or on the floors, in your quiet time, going for a walk, sitting on the bus or driving, wherever you are, in prayer asking God to heal our Land? He says the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective ( Jas 5:16 NIV.) Remember also that 5 of us will chase 100, and 100 of us will chase 10,000 and all our enemies will fall beneath our sword- (which is our word, our prayers (Lev 26:8 NLT.) Gosh, can you imagine the damage..ehem, the healing and reconciliation that can happen if 1 million of us were to die to ourselves, be on one accord and pray for our land???

PRAYER! God, I’ve always chased after my own needs, today I want to set time aside to pray for the healing of our nation and healing for my people. I know it is a concern of yours and I want to make it an interest of mine as well. Please help me daily, to yield any amount of my time to pray your will and desires. I bring myself as your vessel, to take up your easy yoke and light burdens Lord, you promise they will be light. Share your heart with me, and help me to listen attentively as Mary did at your feet. In Jesus Name, I pray, Amen.

We Are No Longer Slaves

Acts 24:27 “After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.”

Instead of doing what is right, we ( especially leaders- Felix was a Judge) seek to be accepted and liked by others. Therefore subjecting ourselves to human and social expectations; and being a slave to always doing what they want so that we can be on their “good side,” even if others suffer, our soul remains unrest, and our relationship with God is affected. Do we not realize that we compromise our freedom and become slaves to others when we seek to gain their approvals? We silence our own soul, our own voice, our own needs, happiness, joy, and our own worth when we work overtime to make others proud! Others who will never be satisfied, so that means we will have to constantly do and give until there’s nothing left to give; eventually we lose ourselves.

We lose a chance to get to know who we are, what makes us tick, what makes us smile, laugh, what our views are; the way we see things, why we chose to see things the way we do. We lose out on opportunities to get to know the people in our lives; the ones we love! The ones God blesses us with! We lose out on opportunities to grow mentally and spiritually! We lose out on knowing our creator. We lose out on a chance to experience a portion of life filled with worship, signs, and miracles like we have never before, while we are on earth, a chance like now, we won’t get again, because Jesus is coming back again, and things will change! We lose out on experiencing a long full life, godly living! We lose out on making a life on our own and filling it with our own beauty and uniqueness when we live only/ mostly for the favor of others. We lose out on fulfilling purposes! How many times has God told you to do something, to say something but because you fear the anger of others, because you may have to lose a friendship or 2, or a relationship and its benefits you abort your assignment? God told you to speak, and you kept your mouth shut because you don’t want others to see you any different or lose interest in you. You don’t want to be labeled “holier than thou” you want to hang with the “cool crowd.” Someone/s could’ve been set free but because you want to remain on the good side of others that person or those persons are still in chains today waiting to be freed, healed, or delivered. How much more assignments are you going to not complete because you care about what others think?! Complete them so you can move up to another level! So you won’t be hindered!

Beloveds, nothing is wrong with being different! Nothing is wrong with being on a road by yourself when everyone else is on another path! I am introverted, and I love it because, during the quiet and alone times, I get to learn and grow so much!!! I get to hear/ live out truths, God’s truths, and that of my inner wisdom!

Get yourselves back! Get your focus back! Take your eyes off seeking approval from other humans that will only judge, criticize, discard, love you today and hate you tomorrow, reject or use you! We are humans; we are not perfect. When one human shatters the heart of another, bitterness is formed, and God created us to love and be loved! So seek God’s face, God’s approval, and let him blow your mind instead of people who will let you lose your mind! God is good on his own leading us! You will feel free, fulfilled, satisfied, FAVORED and at peace; something “the world” can never give.

The truth WILL indeed set us FREE!

As I sat surrounded by these geese, I panicked! Each time I looked up, they got closer and closer. I knew they wouldn’t harm me, but a little part of me wouldn’t comply with what I KNOW to be true. After moments of contemplation and sweaty palms, I realized that by taking my eyes out of my book to pay attention to these birds, my anxiety grew. Finally, I decided to trust what I know, not how I felt! I continued to read and enjoyed the scenery. Within minutes, the geese disappeared to somewhere else.

It came to mind that this is what happens during storms, discomfort, or anything that makes us anxious. We PANIC! The more we take our eyes off Jesus and put them on our situations, the more we worry. A part of us continually struggles to comply with what we know to do, which is to trust God, be still, and allow the storms/ circumstances to pass/ disappear. What are you doing while you are waiting? Are you busy focusing on a situation? Or, are your eyes glued on Jesus; fulfilling purpose and enjoying the process of life? We KNOW that he’s got us! So let us rest in him and focus on what we know. Our situations will not devour us! He tells us that in the world, we will have trouble but rest assured, because He overcame the world! So why are we worrying when we can enjoy life??! Do not allow your troubles to drown you; they are not meant to overwhelm you. Turn them around for good! Use them to draw closer to Jesus, let them be lessons, let them strengthen you, and, or pull you out of your comfort zones! Whichever you choose, be reminded that you are not alone! Let the truth pf his words set us free.

Prayer: Father in heaven I come before you thanking you so very much for your word and that your word has power. Thank you for your promises to be with me always. Thank you for how much you love me, you say I am precious to you and I believe you! Thank you for how you see and think of me! Today God, I ask you to take away any thing that makes me anxious, I excitedly bring it at the feet of the cross, please help remove this burden (these burdens) from my shoulders. I choose to walk away with your peace, strength and joy today because of the truth that you are with me. I choose to acknowledge this day that you have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. No matter what surrounds me I will keep my eyes on you! You are the God who sees me, who fights my battles and the God of my peace. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!

Meditation: John 16:33 ” I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, I have overcome the word.” NLT

Isaiah 43:2 “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up: the flames will not consume you.” NLT

John 4:48 … “Will you never believe in me unless you see MIRACULOUS signs and wonders? Part 2

What if God does not answer your prayers for healing physically? What if He does not restore your marriage as you hoped? What if He does not protect a friend, family member or spouse from a fatal accident? What if you are faithfully serving the Lord, make it to bible study every week, do missionary work often, help the poor, pray for the sick, tithe, be on time for church every week! You Preach, teach, study for hours daily/ weekly. Keep your mouth closed when you want to pop off at someone. Love your enemies even though they torment you! What if you are kind to and patient with that difficult person you see every day. You keep forgiving and accepting. You sit at Jesus’s feet, open to his voice, and listen for instructions daily. You’ve been faithful to God; loving him with all your heart, soul, body, and mind. You live a sacrificial life, entirely devoted to and completely sold out for him but you seem to experience more suffering than you do joy! You have to battle for peace of mind because somehow the enemy is always attacking your mind!

Will you still believe in God? Will your faith still remain? Will you still trust him? Will your heart still be tender towards him, seeing him as a loving God, the lover of your soul! The God who wants the best for you, whose plans are to prosper you. Can you still see him as the God that says to open your mouth and He will fill it with good things, keep asking, knocking, and you will receive! Though you prayed and had faith; worshiped while you waited, but nothing happened! You’re still sick; you got divorced, your child is in the hospital, you lost your job and is about to be evicted.

What do we do in delicate situations like these? Remember beloved, All that we are going through and will go through isn’t in vain! We, however, can be sure that after we’ve suffered for a little while, we will be strengthened and restored! We may never understand why some things happen. Nevertheless, God is good and perfect in all His ways. We are privileged to stand boldly in his presence, even if all we get to do is give, receiving nothing in return. We have already received the best, He gave us a second chance through His only son, Jesus Christ! We now have an opportunity to live eternally with him. Recall that time you said or thought to yourself, “Oh, this is why God allowed that to happen.” You then realize you have grown; you have gotten stronger and closer to him. Your faith and trust got increased.

So, you hold on! You cry when you have to. You share how you feel with the Lord, inviting him in every emotion, every thought. These are the times we tend to pull away when our faith is being tested. Speak the word over yourself, repeat, and believe who God says He is, who you are, and his promises, not how you feel! I know it’s easier said than done, but FAITH is what we got! We can still love and be faithful to God if that one thorn isn’t taken from us! We can trust him again! We can still be on fire for him! Sweet praise and worship can still flow from our spirit to him! We can still stand on his promises and the truth about His everlasting love! Because He is our strength, His spirit lives in us and its Him who we depend on. He promised to never leave us nor forsake us and we can stand on that! Let us not allow our misfortunes to blind us or harden our hearts.

Meditation: John 4:48 Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” I’d like to introduce you to a song-for those who does not know. Even if- MercyMe I pray it will powerfully minister to you and throw you into worship. 🙂

A New And Improved You

Matthew 19:21-22 Jesus told him, “If you want to be PERFECT, go and SELL ALL your POSSESSIONS and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ”But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”

And Jesus is saying… ‘Give up the things that comfort you and follow me. Your train of thoughts, your ideas, your way of doing things, your knowledge, your wisdom, your understanding. The ways you’re hell-bent on following, that makes complete sense to you. Ways you’re comfortable with, how you handle situations and deal with things on your own! Give up the material things you treasure so dearly and is afraid to let go of! Walk away from your comfort zones and follow me. You hold on to, and use these as protection, but you don’t realize you could be shutting me out. I am what you need. I can replace fulfillment you’ve found in these idols. I know letting these go will make you feel completely naked and vulnerable and you know what, that’s where I want you so that I can come in and show you my power, my love, my ways and thoughts that are higher than yours. When you let go, you will be able to hear when I tell you remarkable secrets about things to come. Things that will blow your mind and give you an unfathomable peace. I’ll take you to places where you will be in awe of the kind of rest I’ll give your soul. The kind of joy I’ll fill your heart with and the kind of peace that will flood your mind. Trust me my love and step out of the boat that’s protecting you from sinking. Come and walk on water with me hand in hand. The view is beautiful from up here, will you share it with me?’

This afternoon this verse came to mind and as before, it saddened me a bit, that is until I had a better understanding. I used to be fearful of this verse. I was hesitant about a lot of things because I saw this as Jesus stripping me of everything I loved in a “bad” way. I thought I’d have to give up everything I had prior to becoming a Christian including a husband if I were already married but of course 1 Cor 7:12-17 took care of that. I also thought that if I had money I’d have to give it all up. I saw Christianity as “boring” and demanding. I’ll have to stop wearing this and doing that (funny the judgments we pass when we’re on the outside looking in.) Later in my faith, as I grew closer to Jesus, I realize I was being drawn/ lead to give up a lot of my ways, thoughts, ideas, understanding, attitudes… willingly and joyfully. They no longer served me. My eyes were being opened, and I was craving different things and having new and deep desires for spiritual growth and a healthier mindset. These were/ are beautiful! So, if I have things/ relationships that are no longer good FOR me, though sometimes hard, I happily give them up if it means I’ll be closer to my Savior as he knows what’s best and wants the best for me.

Paul encourages us to come as we are when we are called, whatever state we are in; rich, poor, mentally healthy or unstable, and I believe I’m starting to see why…slowly we are given new desires and are changed into someone our old self won’t even recognize, but will be grateful to be around! God says to put on our new nature and get rid of the old self. We are to be made new in Him- we are new creations in Him!

I think it is so cool to know that being His daughter, I get to be transformed into who He had in mind for me to be before things changed in the garden of Eden. I get to experience a life full of grace, mercy, joy, peace and unfailing-deep love. I get to wake up to days He planned just for me, and have His presence hovering over me! Aaah! Life is so much more beautiful with Him by my side.

Meditation: Matthew 19:21-22 Prov 3:5-6 Jeremiah 33:3

Little Reminders

Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush on Pexels.com

The world see your faults but Jesus sees your strengths… They see your now but Jesus sees your future. They see failure but Jesus sees potential. They say you’re good for nothing, you’re worthless but Jesus has the final say, he chooses what the world throws out, he has a plan for you. You my friend are precious to him! You are so loved!

….it’s where you connect with your heart and speak from your soul. Where you say exactly what your ego and pride doesn’t want you to. Where you let go and be a light. Where you genuinely state how you feel no matter how “they” look at you. Be the authentic you!

Give without expecting to receive. Love even when it’s not reciprocated, when it’s hard to. Serve even when it’s not appreciated. Let go, not being sure of what’s on the other side. Still be grateful in mishaps and trust a God who says “all things work together for the good of them that love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Trust again after being broken, you never know who’s on the side watching your struggles and preparing to approach you with best intentions. Go wherever you are lead. Take big bold leaps of faith, you’ll find that it is so mentally stimulating! Don’t get weary in well doing, you are storing up treasures in Heaven, while receiving rest for your soul.

The truth is… you’ll never get to where you want to go if you keep standing behind the fence watching those ‘ferocious’ animals. Take a step, you might be surprised that you find courage to tear those animals apart with your fierce self. Courage lives within you! Take the step and face what seem difficult and unreachable from behind that fence. Stop stalling, stop running from it and start running towards it. You have Jesus’ hands, the most powerful hands leading, guiding and fighting for you! Greater lives in you! Don’t let FEAR stop you!

Just breath, relax, rest in His perfect peace and enjoy life! Stop beating yourself up, its not that serious! Whenever you feel overwhelmed, take a break- go for a walk, clear your mind and whisper Jesus’ name. He will lead you right where you need to be- He is sooo faithful! 😀

What Is Holding You Back? What Are YOU Allowing To Hold You Back?

If our faithful father were to return tomorrow, would you be ready? Would you still be wondering if God really does exist?

Despite his servants’ pleads to give our lives to Him, are you still waiting on the “right time?” If you are, I’d like to ask you a personal question, when is your right time? Are you sure you will live to see that “right time?” We all know tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone and salvation is available today. I know some of you are growing tired of this ‘normal’ life, how long have you been trying to get a job or start your own business? How long have you been single and waiting for your Boaz to find you, or, your proverbs 31 wife? I know you’re waiting to be healed whether physically, spiritually, emotionally or mentally. I know you yearn for PEACE- peace of mind and heart and rest for your souls. I don’t mean to sound harsh but most of these cannot and will not happen outside of God’s will and even if they do, for how long will they last and how healthy will they be?

Matt 10:5-8 Jesus sent out his 12 apostles and gave them specific instructions NOT to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans, only to the Israelites- God’s lost sheep. He sent them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cure who had deadly illnesses and cast out demons. It’s not that he does not love the gentiles and the Samaritans but the Israelites were chosen to spread the good news about salvation. They know, believe and have faith in God that he will do as promised. They are his people that he cares for, feeds, fights for, comforts, guides etc. (so can you)

Matt 5:45 also says God shines his sun on both the good and evil and sends rain on both just and unjust alike (which proves that he does love us all) but why settle for mediocre when you can be exceptional? Better is calling and reaching out to you, will you answer and accept?

Are you okay with the little blessings or the scraps from the blessings of others you’re receiving? – Matt 15:22-28. They are nothing compared to the rich and permanent blessings found in the family of God through Jesus. What’s the hold up? For some of you the answer is “I don’t know” well to that/ those same persons, answer the call of Jesus and get to know him personally. He has soooo much wonderful things to offer and reveal to you, He promised to! #JesusIsKnocking #JesusIsCalling

Because He Got Up (Resurrection Poem)

Because He got up… chains are broken, hidden voices are found. Life has meaning, to slavery we are no longer bound. Because He got up… sweet whispers of prayers are heard and answered. Silent tears are loud, acknowledged and wiped. Scarred souls are being healed and given rest.
Because He got up… the homeless are sheltered in his arms, the hungry have enough to feed his fellow man, the blind see farther and deeper than he could imagine, the poor sits on riches that can never be taken away.

Because He got up… there’s a reason to live, a reason to press through and help to forgive.
Because He got up… I have found my voice, I found my worth when he became my choice.

I’m so glad he got up, my passions got renewed, I start living out my dreams because by him I’m being used.
We all have our stories, our own testimonies to share, of how we have and will make it… because He is here!