JQ Lee 4/23/25 JQ Lee 4/23/25

The Woman at the Well: From Outcast to Evangelist

There is something so captivating by how Love [Jesus] waited at Jacob’s Well for a Woman who Society did not think was Worth the Wait! The Life of an Outcast is riddled with isolation. It is an opportunity for the Enemy to bombard one’s thoughts with accusations and shame. Her personal actions were not absent of culpability; yet her public show up led her to a Man that caused her to not only drop her pot, but also the label of being “thirsty” both Spiritually & Relationally!

An Outcast can come with a host of beginnings. The Woman with the Issue of Blood even lived with the stigma of not being healed after spending all that she had. In spite of her reality, the Truth of who was coming through her town propelled her press. So much so, that virtue left Jesus, as she touched the hem of His garment. I can envision her telling many that the issue that she battled with for 12 years is no more and her giving the Lord Glory for her healing! She was instructed to go in peace. No longer bound by her issue. No longer subjected to the whispers of the community who once knew the dilemma that made her an outcast.

Let’s head back to our previous Evangelist. The woman who was known to have had five husbands and the sixth man whom she lived with was not her husband. A natural inclination is to gasp at the numbers. However, we never fully think about how normal no boundaries are when we have not surrendered to Christ! That is why scripture brings to our remembrance, "What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death." -Romans 6:21

God knows, we have so much to be thankful for! He could have left us there! He could have left us in the shame. He could have allowed our decisions to swallow us up. His Greater Love was showcased in the most profound way! She Met A Man who told her what she needed to hear concerning her past and what He had for her future. There are so many gifts in this exchange! She did not spend time talking about the Men, because in that moment, it was not about them. It was about what God was going to do in her by giving her New Life for her to now bear fruit concerning her exchange with the men.

Just as miraculous as her interaction with Christ was in Him meeting her thirst; The Woman at the Well was able to return to men not as an Outcast, but an Evangelist. I can only imagine her countenance. No more looks of lust and self-indulgence; rather filled with the wonderment of a void being filled by Jesus! It is a work so encompassing that she could not keep it to herself- to go from death to life!

It says so much about her being an outcast, but not injured enough to ration the Good News! Here we go again with another Shout. Can we have enough appreciation for God saving us that we are eager to share with friend and foe? The Woman at the Well was not on this offended tip by what the Messiah said. She recognized who was now before her and what was being given to her that no Man before Jesus could offer.

When God gives you a Name Change, anything prior pales in comparison. It becomes part of the testimony to show His ability to make you over, and it will never again be the Main Attraction! Her coming there with a pot that was left truly speaks to her receiving the needful thing! Going from Shame to Sister Evangelist was the day that she found the true reason why she was born. Her life was intended to live for Christ and influence others to do the same!

Divine Work & Prayer:

Work:

Jot down in your journal your thoughts concerning some of your decisions from the past and how they have affected you. List the intentions of Jesus saving us and His plan concerning snatching others out of the fire.

Prayer:

Father God, a makeover in you has eternity embossed on it! Thank you for your complete work that will be manifested over my life. When I think about the exchange, I know it leaves me indebted to you. It is a cost that my soul is grateful to pay. Your loving kindness is truly more than life. May you endowment forever keep me mindful and accountability. May my life join in unison with the Woman at the Well of beseeching others to, “Come see a Man.” In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

To fully embrace the DD Blog Experience, Head over to Amazon for the Divine Design by JQ Journal, to accompany your Power of the Pen Moment. 🖊️

JQ Lee 4/15/25 JQ Lee 4/15/25

Are you the Cup or the Saucer?

This blog comes after posing this question to a group of ladies. Their answers were so incredibly full and transparent. The cup/saucer relationship can be seen from so many vantage points! Let’s look at some scenarios.

Which do you identify with?

-Cup & Saucer-

The Pourer: I am usually the one pouring into others

The Supporter: I am usually the one to support others to help carry what they have

The Combo: I am often supporting, but also take the time to be supported.

There are so many ways to go with the Cup & Saucer discussion. Are you pouring and being poured into? Do you feel guilty about people pouring into you? Do you feel like you should be the one always pouring? Is it taking a toll on you either pouring or being supportive? How do you balance pouring and supporting, as well as being supported?

This post comes with a host of questions. They are designed for you to do a thorough assessment of where you are concerning the totality of the various scenarios concerning the Cup & Saucer.

Supporting people can be both positive and negative. We can become enablers in our efforts to help others. We can get in the way of what God is doing to process them. Have you become a crutch for someone and impeding their Walk with God?

Do you pray before rolling up your sleeves to “help” or do you go full throttle in, because in your mind, it’s “Saucer Support Time?” What does your Circle of Friends expect from you? Can you say, “No” and the relationship not be affected by you not showing up for that moment?

This by far is a very sober blog. It will address not only why we do what we do, but the feelings that are often felt in not measuring up to what people see as the Cup & Saucer’s role. If your friendship cannot sustain a No, it will be fueled by Acts that are not free flowing; rather they become connections of fear and bondage. Fear of saying No and the impact it will have, therefore you agree to things that go contrary to what you really feel concerning the matter.

People who truly care for you and love you should be able to say, “No” to you. It is our maturity level that is on the line often times, Do we really acknowledge the level of work that a friendship or relationship of any kind really requires?

I end with an area that is often abused and violated. Does everyone know all of your Saucer Support Moves? Are you a place of confidentiality and security or are you only a temporary holder of it, until either you want to share with people what you have done for someone else or until you are no longer friends?

Breaches are serious offenses. They are not to be taken lightly. We must bring back integrity, wise counsel, and trustworthiness. Someone thought enough of you to share. Think enough of them to remain honest and faithful in covering with love and understanding.

As you ponder on these series of questions, think about the Season that you are in and how either the Cup or Saucer is being played out in your life. If you are a Pourer, assess to what extent that you do it. Is it to a default that Heaven has not signed off on or do you need to avail yourself more in your pour?

Divine Work & Pray:

Work:

Jot down in your Divine Design Journal which category you most identify with at this time. Are you the Cup or the Saucer? Also, are you finding yourself pouring out more or being poured into?

Pray:

Father God, Thank you both for the opportunity to pour out and be poured into so that others will see you. Help me to be sensitive enough in the Spirit to know how much involvement that I should have in a matter. There are times that I may need to be supportive and other times, that support may require backing up for you to have your way concerning those whom I am connected with, in any given season. Thank you for your faithfulness and guidance. It allows us to have relationships that ultimately glorify you! In Jesus’ Name. Amen,

To fully embrace the DD Blog Experience, Head over to Amazon for the Divine Design by JQ Journal, to accompany your Power of the Pen Moment. 🖊️

JQ Lee 3/30/25 JQ Lee 3/30/25

The Fight is Fixed: It was Fair when God Spoke it!

The AI Overview of the “Fight is Fixed” states a contest where the outcome is predetermined and manipulated, often through bribery or other illegal means, rather than determined by the natural competition. Deuteronomy 20:4 says, “For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” There is nothing illegal or hidden when God speaks.

The Enemy is not going for the fall because of a fixed fight, he is banking on us not holding on to what God said! How do you enter the Ring of Life? Are you fighting from a place of victory or defeat? When attacked or persecuted, do you go to remember God’s spoken Word over your life? Is His Word resounding in your heart when Life gives you an upper cut?

How do your corner men and women speak when the round has ended? Are they reminding you what God said or telling you to throw in the towel? People do not always come right out and say that you cannot win. Sometimes that looks like, “How are you going to manage all that?” “Where are you going to get the money from, that is beyond what you make?” It is essential that you know what God told and showed you. It is not always from a malicious place that people speak with apprehension and uncertainty. Sometimes they try to project their limited faith on to you. They were not there when He spoke to you. They were not present when He began to share the blueprint for your life.

When you got in the Ring of Life, it spoke to being able to place your whole weight on the training that God has supplied you with to endure and triumph. Walking in Faith requires a discipline and fortitude to see what is to come before its arrival. The pain that you experienced in the making will never ever compare to what God said to you.

One of the greatest flexes for a Believer is to continue to show up in life. There will be so many detours placed before you not to get in the ring. Those detours can range from fear to the uncertainty of going down a road less traveled, to even the weight of winning! Let’s park there for a moment. Have you ever really factored the pressure associated with victory? It can also come with blows long after the match is over and you are declared the Winner. You can go from years of obscurity to the spotlight within a moment. We must be equipped to also handle His Word coming to fruition. It is both a humbling and accountable place.

Take that “W” with grace and gratefulness. Allow it to be an amazing talking point of the faithfulness of God. The move that God made concerning you to be victorious has a host of others watching your life from the stands. They are encouraged by you not only getting in the Ring of Life, but also operating from the place of victory that God set in motion for your life. The “Fight is Fixed”…NEVER! You have been training for this Victory and through your “Yes Lord” you get to reap the benefits of that sacrifice and obedience! And the Belt goes to….(insert your name).

Divine Work & Pray:

Work:

Jot down in your journal what areas you are struggling in and identify passages of scripture that coincide with what God’s Word says concerning your prevailing and what you need to do to maintain your victory.

Pray:

Father God, I thank you for the Victory I find in you. You have never lost a battle and you never will. You are triumphant and true and you have an amazing plan for my life to bring Glory to Your Name. May my joy remain intact as I enter the Ring of Life. May I always be reminded of the Victory of the Cross, through your only begotten Son. The Cost of the Victory is beyond what I could ever repay, but may my life show my appreciation for a fight that will forever be a “W” in You! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

To fully embrace the DD Blog Experience, Head over to Amazon for the Divine Design by JQ Journal, to accompany your Power of the Pen Moment. 🖊️

JQ Lee 3/28/25 JQ Lee 3/28/25

When $50K is offered, but Your Soul longs for Heaven’s Currency.”

The visual of the gentleman, who said his family sold all that they had and traveled 7 days to get to a Church for the Word will forever be etched in my heart bank.We are guilty of doing somersaults over pews when people get cars and checks, but when was the last time we back flipped off of someone giving their lives to Christ or returning from a backslidden condition?

We are witnessing a pant for God go viral, like “the deer panteth for the water, so does my soul long for thee.” It was not the $50,000, nor was it a job, or even a position. It was a press to get to the Word of God! That deserves its own moment. God is doing some remarkable acts to remind us that He is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle. There will be those found in faith when He returns!

Just as Mary sat at His feet for the needful thing, so shall we. You did not endure what you did to simply give God your best praise over material things. Being grateful for His many blessings should lead us to a pursuit for Him that makes everything else pale in comparison.

Allow me to propose an assessment in what we consider to be “Blessed by God.” If this family came to the church; shared their testimony; the people cheered; and they provided them with a meal at the church before they headed back to their car to go to try to find a hotel that they could afford- Would you still consider them blessed? If they came back the following week and heard a Word to stand on for the upcoming week, as they prepare to go out to try to find employment not knowing if they would be hired or be able to pay their hotel- Would you still consider them to be blessed? If they did not obtain employment within a month and was in jeopardy of losing their hotel, but they faithfully attended Church and was growing in their faith- Would you still consider them to be blessed?

We must settle the essentials in our hearts. Being faced with adversity and lack is not the most tragic. It is standing with all the possessions one can hold and yet Spiritually Bankrupt! God allowed the world to see a family travel seven days with everything that they owned; not knowing what God was going to do next, but they knew they had to get to the Word! That should encourage and edify the Body!

We must have a resolve that makes obeying God the greatest act. Not only complying if there is a pot of gold at the end of the road for our obedience. It goes without saying, there are an influx of emotions in following God. May our next Shout be off of obeying God with no ulterior motive in sight. Whatever you lead us to God will never be greater than You! The Currency of Heaven will forever leave us in a surplus!

Divine Work & Pray:

Work:

Jot down in your Divine Design Journal what is wealthy Spiritually in your life that has nothing to do with material things.

Pray:

Most Gracious and Heavenly Father, Thank you for the image that many of us saw through a family that chose to obey You over their status quo to pursue the unknown. You continue to show yourself mighty. Prepare our hearts to trust you even when the ending does not always go as we desire. Great is your faithfulness Lord. Your loving kindness is better than life to me, my lips shall praise You! In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

To fully embrace the DD Blog Experience, Head over to Amazon for the Divine Design by JQ Journal, to accompany your Power of the Pen Moment. 🖊️

JQ Lee 3/20/25 JQ Lee 3/20/25

High Value Man in God Has Eternity Stamped to the Title!

One of the buzz terms in Relationship Land is “High Value Man.” It is used to coin a male who leads with intentionality and execution. Often times, this individual will rise early; exercise feverishly to show control over their body; and read books or listen to podcasts to discipline their minds for success. They usually have a discipline that is above average and fuels their self image.

Spirituality may also be an area that the High Value Man may go into, but let’s talk about what the roots of that looks like for some. People can exercise abstaining from a host of things, but never meet the heart of God in purity. A High Value Man can refuse to eat foods that are harmful to his body; get up early and have productivity 365 consecutive days; and topically read his Bible to find scriptures to align with his goals, and yet those practices never produce the Fruit of God!

What if he got the career, the car, and the woman, but destitute in his relationship with God? A High Value Man can actually be a man who does not have the Value that gets the attention of Heaven. How would you see his value if he never fully made the decision to have every area that he works on to ultimately give God Glory.

Oh but, let a High Value Man, who keeps Heaven in view, walk on the scene! It is altogether unique and peculiar wrapped in one. His temple maintenance goes far beyond physique. He feeds himself with the Word of God. He builds himself by obeying God and loving the ways of God. His spiritual pursuit is not just about a temporary surrender to attain goals. It is a daily dying process that the High Value Man with eternity in mind goes to, in order for not only his actions to be pure, but his motives too.

Ladies, you will be able to tell which High Value Man is before you by the fruit that they produce. One will seek perfection in many areas, but not in the area that is most important- his soul! The other will be so forthcoming to you concerning what God is instructing him to do and how you fit in the Plan of God. He will not see you as expendable. Nor, will he handle your heart without care.

Proverbs 24:3-6 says,

“Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.”

A High Value Man in God builds differently. He knows what is required for the house to stand. He builds on the precepts of God, not the practices of a Success-driven man who will do anything to get to the top! A Heavenly High Value Man chooses the longer route to make sure he does not skip steps that will involve his ability to not only walk through the door, but also be able to stay there!

Just like you are worth it Sis, so will he be. Stay the course and enjoy the route that God has you on. In the end, the High Value represents the Standard of God. That is to be cherished, protected, and respected. Settling is not your inheritance. It will be like God shaped Eve for Adam. The Price for God to make you for him goes beyond anything the world could offer through casual dating and hooking up. That is beneath the essence of what God created you to be.

Divine Work & Pray:

Work:

Jot down in your Divine Design Journal your views on how you see a High Value Man. Sober Truth Moment: Where did Strong in His Faith come on your list, at first thought?

Pray:

Father God, Thank You for a mind to see how you make a man to honor you in his everyday practices. He does not shy away from your perspective. He leads earnestly, because he has surrendered for you to lead triumphantly in his life. Your hand is upon him and his value is found in you. Help me to honor him as a gift from you. May you get glory out of both of our lives! In Jesus Name, Amen.

To fully embrace the DD Blog Experience, Head over to Amazon for the Divine Design by JQ Journal, to accompany your Power of the Pen Moment. 🖊️

JQ Lee 3/14/25 JQ Lee 3/14/25

“Get Back Up!”

In life, we are faced with many opportunities to build resilience. There will always be Glass half full- half empty assessments. We will go through life feeling a gamut of emotions, but what we implant at the core of who we are will help us with being able to not just live optimistically, but to triumph, even in adversity.

There will always be Life Exams. Moments to either pass or fail. As a little girl, I remember going horse back riding with my Dad. I was excited and yet anxious to ride a horse for the first time. Even with some trepidation, I got on because my Dad was there encouraging me to do it.

As we embarked on the ride, I begin to take in the feeling of accomplishment, as I conquering my fear. In the midst of that, something spooked the horse and he went straight up in the air and I ended up falling off the horse. I was not physically hurt, but my expectation and excitement were gravely injured! All that I built my first horseback riding experience to be was tanked in one unfortunate incident.

My Dad being who he is did not allow me to wallow in what happened to me! As tears streamed and as a profound fear set in- he demanded I get back on the horse. I began to cry uncontrollably and wished that my Mom was there to be an advocate for me in that moment. The people who were also with us tried to talk some reason into him about not pressuring me to get back on, if I did not want to ride anymore. My Dad tuned everyone out. He looked me in the face, beyond the tears streaming and said, “Yes, you will get back on, because I do not want you to be scared of horses.” As much as I loathed that moment of him making me get back on, I would not trade it. In the same day of a fear being developed; a fear was conquered. I got back up on the horse and had such a phenomenal ride for the remainder of the trip. It was like the horse showed me some mercy and went extra slow until I got my nerves up again enjoy the experience.

My Dad had a very unorthodox parenting style. Being the only child, I guess I was his daughter and son. Seriously speaking, I believe he thought he was preparing me for life to always “Get Back Up” no matter what!

Another incident I remember as a child, which is probably why I swim like a fish. My Dad, in his effort to teach me how to swim bypass the introductory period to the water experience and threw me in. It was sink or swim! I think I stop talking to him for at least 24 hours. I would not recommend that type of swimming lesson, but in some interesting ways; it also built an uncanny resolve in me to take a licking from life, but always “Get Back Up!”

Rocky Balboa said, “Nobody is going to hit as hard as life, but it isn’t about how hard you’re hit, it’s about how hard you can get it…and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. You gotta be willing to take the hits.” There are so many facets to Getting Back Up! We can get up bitter and accusatory. God does not intend for us to go through obstacles and not grow, spiritually-mentally-emotionally. The Fruit of the Spirit is a beautiful bowl of ripe and life nourishing abilities that God gives for us to Get Back Up with the right countenance and resolve. Life does not as much happen to you; as it does happen for you. Life is a Gift from God that perfects us in carrying out His image, here in the earth realm.

Think about all that you have been able to experience- from failures to victories. Assess what they have produced in you. Now, think about what it took for you to Get Back Up. If you are currently in a place that has taken your breath and you find yourself struggling to Get Back Up, here are some tools for your Triumph in Him Life Box. Prayer is an essential to getting back up. Pray for strength and healing for your heart to rid you of bitterness and victimization. Take moments to get in a still posture to hear from God. Surround yourself with others who do not wallow in defeat. Choose a God-fearing Prayer and Accountability Partner, who will assist you in navigating through life. Develop a consistent life of Praise & Worship. The last one can be an amazing weapon! There is something quite rewarding in remembering who God is on your worst day! May we be found not only in faith, but with our hands up when He turns our situation around. Do these as a wash & repeat for the remainder of your days!

May your Get Back Up be so overflowing that it impacts all who are around you. May it give you this eternal talking point of the faithfulness of God and His ability to keep you. It is in your Spiritual DNA to Rise!

Divine Work & Pray:

Work:

Jot down in your journal what “Getting Back Up” looks like in God. What does it produce in you? How does it impact those around you? What are you committing to do to continuously “Get Back Up” in life?

Pray:

Father God, there are moments in life that are overwhelming; yet in the midst of fear, anxiousness, and uncertainty, You still shine bright as The Answer. I have the ability to always Get Back Up because of You. Your loving kindness is more than life to me. You have never allowed testing to come my way without equipping me to pass. In moments of failure, it was often because I took my eyes off of you or went in my own strength. I have great need of You and this beautiful reminder is understanding the life that You intended for me. I am forever indebted to You. Thank You for Victory!

To fully embrace the DD Blog Experience, Head over to Amazon for the Divine Design by JQ Journal, to accompany your Power of the Pen Moment. 🖊️

JQ Lee 3/7/25 JQ Lee 3/7/25

“Thank you, God, BUT…!”

What if we went through life with a Heart continually penning gratitude with a comma and not period?

“God, Thank you for this job (,) but…!”

“God, Thank you for my spouse (,) but…!”

“God, Thank you for this house (,) but…!”

“God, Thank you for my child (,) but…!”

The comma robs God of the Glory that is truly due to Him. People often talk about the entitlement seen in this generation of children, but where do we think they got it from? Our children’s decisions today are a reflection of what was set into motion on yesterday year.

In the world, it is such a common occurrence depicted in our everyday life to actually keep your eyes affixed on the next. We are in a time where novelties wear off rapidly. The latest shoe comes out- You purchase it and when the next drops, that becomes the got to have. Couples can go from praying for a child, and once they are blessed with the addition, the next child is on their minds.

As Believers, “What if’s…” are life lines for the heart when embraced correctly. If God does not do it, He is still abundantly deserving of our adoration and love. The “What if’s…” allow us to bypass manipulative prayers. We can think we are praying down fire and reaching the 3rd Heaven, but if we do not leave room for “What if’s…” our hope and expectation could be compromised.

It is also paramount that we do not go to the other extreme. That we lose our wonderment and expectation because of fear of our prayers not coming to pass. There is nothing more beautiful than to have our hope in tact and trusting God with the Authorship of our lives. Ephesians 3:17-20 so vividly shares, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

It is impossible to truly grasp the depths of God’s love for us and not move to the (.) over the (,) as we look to settle in our hearts His Plan. When Christ said, “It is finished.” There was nothing that needed to be added after that life-giving statement. Everything needed was in those three words.

So let’s try this again…

“God, Thank you for this job (.)”

“God, Thank you for my spouse (.)”

“God, Thank you for this house (.)”

“God, Thank you for my child (.)”

Graduating to the (.) over the (,) is a place of maturity that the Enemy cannot take away from us. True gratitude encompasses a heartfelt appreciation for the fact that God did not leave you there. He did not leave you in a victimized mentality, nor were you riddled with pessimism. That change of perspective set your Thankfulness on a trajectory to even bless those whom are around you! How we grow through life is a gift that continually gives to those who eat upon the fruit of our lives.

Divine Work & Pray:

Work:

Jot down in your journal a continuation of the aforementioned Thank You Statements to God and add on why you are thankful. All may not apply to you; therefore include some more.

Pray:

Father God as you said to Abraham, “Now I know…” May I too have those same words acclaimed to my life concerning You. May I live a life full of thanksgiving. May a grateful heart be my mission. Teach me what it means to carry a heart like Christ for others. Thank you for continuing to show yourself strong and mighty. It is our reasonable service to be a living sacrifice. May the (.)’s in our lives show how deeply content and grateful that we are in You! In Jesus Name. Amen.

To fully embrace the DD Blog Experience, Head over to Amazon for the Divine Design by JQ Journal, to accompany your Power of the Pen Moment. 🖊️

JQ Lee 2/27/25 JQ Lee 2/27/25

The World is Going Haywire…Got Peace, Joy, & Temperance?

This Divine Design Blog is heavy on self-introspection. In the midst of adversity and uncertainty, what are you and I made of? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Do you find it becoming increasingly more difficult to stand or is your footing steadied by the peace given to you by the Father?

Ponder for a moment what comes behind God giving you anything!

What does it mean for God to give you PEACE?

It means…

“…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:7

Peace from God will go beyond your ability to comprehend why you have not succumb to what is before you. It is a testament to the abundance attributed to God. The fruit of God never spoil or lack substance. There is an overflow to His essence. He does not give us peace to barely make it out of something, He gifts us with peace to far expand our minds beyondthe impact of anything that counteracts His Word!

What does it mean for God to give you JOY?

It means…

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” -Psalm 16:11

God filling us up automatically means beyond capacity. There becomes no room for anything else that does not align with His Truth. I do not say this from a heart of wishful thinking; rather it comes from a well that was once dry, that has experienced God give beyond the droughts of disappointment, unmet desires, and chaos to running over with gratefulness and new reached desires that mirrored His desires!

What does it mean for God to give you TEMPERANCE?

It means…

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” -Titus 2:11-12

The ability to remain in control and upright in this hour is a rare commodity. This Age is in desperate need of people who are able to control themselves and bring the heart of God to the forefront. The framework of His fingerprint on matters is paramount. Temperance speaks to a maturity level that learns when to diffuse and ignite. Both are needed, but the heart of God to navigate between them is required.

In the midst of the world going haywire, as a Believer, you must settle your heart to the instructions of God. Taking the time to meditate on His Word will allow you to endlessly partake of His Fruit and develop the heart that would not dare keep it all to yourself? When this World serves you chaos, may you be like the Hebrew Boys and choose to feast off a different menu!

Divine Work & Pray:

Work:

Jot down in your journal examples of what Peace, Joy, & Temperance can or has produced in your life.

Pray:

Father God, I stand in amazement of who you truly are and how you allow me to experience your greatness. Anything that you have ever given me has been absent of insufficiency. You are so overflowing in all of your attributes. I am forever in awe of all that You so freely give for us to know the intimate parts of who You are. May Your greatness be on display in my life and may You get all the Glory! In Jesus Name, Amen.

To fully embrace the DD Blog Experience, Head over to Amazon for the Divine Design by JQ Journal, to accompany your Power of the Pen Moment. 🖊️

JQ Lee 2/20/25 JQ Lee 2/20/25

Cheap Grace: Thrifty & Expendable!

The Grace of God is a Gift extended to us that we do not always see in its full splendor. It has a substantive; yet undeserving label attached to it. Not fully understanding the depth of Grace can cause us to hold it haphazardly. There is a weight to Grace that should be understood and humbly embraced.

The Greek word connected to Grace is Charis, it also speaks to favor, kindness, and life. Let’s trek to Mary, Jesus’ mother for a moment to water a point. In Luke 1:30, Mary finds a level of favor with God that allows her to birth the Savior of the World! The Grace to rear and guide the One she too would surrender to and follow. The Grace to be misunderstood and yet remain committed for prophecy to be fulfilled.

“So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,”which is translated, “God with us.” -Matthew 1:22-23

You see, there is nothing cheap about the Grace bestowed upon us. Grace extended will always Cost the Giver more than the recipient. However, the recipient should forever keep in mind the Price Paid by the Giver!

Examples usually have to park at our front door before we truly get the point conveyed. If you saved two years earnings and you decided to gift your neighbor an item that was purchased through sweat and tears, and they either never opened it or chose to leave it by the trash pile, you would be certain that they did not take into consideration the cost, nor the sacrifice. Your mind would go to an ungratefulness as it relates to them.

It is important that we know the back story that fuels Grace. The Grace of God is not bought with Expectation Dollars. It is a Gift with a price tag that is paid by the posture of our hearts. The interesting reality about the Look of God’s Grace is that the wealth of it can be found in a manger instead of a palace!

Cheap Grace devalues the essence of God gifting us with the empowerment to fulfill His Will. The onus will be on us to maintain a weighty cost to what we have not earned. The Favor of God will forever be an opportunity for us to remain humble and grateful.

Thrifty and expendable is not the view that the Sons & Daughters of God take concerning Grace. Domino Effects happen when we see Grace as Cheap and can have long term ramifications. Oh, but when we see Grace as God intends for us to see it- What was torn down like the Walls in Jerusalem, Nehemiah and the men built in record time and impacted and protected a nation!

The right view of Charis…Grace / Favor / Kindness / Life can have one do a lot in 52 days! Allow the appreciation for the Grace of God to not only have you rebuild, but reinforce the gaps that were made be cheapening Grace, just as they did with the Walls in Jerusalem!

Divine Work & Pray:

Work:

Jot down in your journal what God has allowed you to overcome and grow through by empowering you with His Grace.

Pray:

To the Most High God, the One who has gifted me with life. Thank you for allowing me to truly count the cost. There is nothing thrifty or expendable about You. You gave your only begotten Son that we may have life and have it more abundantly! There is nothing cheap about the sacrificial offering of the Savior! Thank you for allowing us to experience the weight of your Glory. As you continue to make us ready, prepare our hearts to always show up and pay the full price. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

To fully embrace the DD Blog Experience, Head over to Amazon for the Divine Design by JQ Journal, to accompany your Power of the Pen Moment. 🖊️

JQ Lee 2/12/25 JQ Lee 2/12/25

Valentine’s Message with Much Love: When God said to me, “Before He Cheated on You, You Cheated on Me!”

As we prepare for Valentine’s Day- A day that is supposed to be full of Acts of Love and Kindness. There is a heartfelt message that will shed a profound light on how you can truly enjoy the day to the fullest! Have no fear. This Blog is actually not intended to focus on the bashing of February 14th; rather the intent is to magnify the makings of interactions that give God Glory.

I can remember the heart-wrenching words from my First Love, as if it happened 24 hours ago! I had just rededicated my life to the Lord. I made a vow that I did not believe would be broken concerning abstaining from sexual immorality. I felt like I was Wonder Woman with the decision I made to honor the Lord with my body. I went into the relationship telling the one I was dating about the vow I made to the Lord, and how there would be No Relations without a Name Change!

That declaration was pretty strong for about 365 days and then the Wonder from the Super Power began to wonder what it would be like to be with him intimately. After all, he was not constantly pressuring me. However, the Standard began to shift. From stay overs to compromising time spent that was making it increasingly more difficult to maintain the vow!

I went from Wonder Woman to the Woman who Wandered into Sin! I took the bait! Not from him, but from Satan, by putting confidence in my flesh. The vow was trampled on and then broken!

After the vow was broken, I went into the clean it up and make it fit mode. We were going into year two and spending a lot of time together. Surely, our relationship would lead to marriage. Surely, this would be the last man that I would be with. Surely, this would not lead with an ending that had me in a fetal position, when it was all said and done!

Sin has an uncanny way of making the strongest one break and the Prideful Fall! I was the Sister-friend who listened to her friends talk about their heartbreak. I was the one bandaging my Sisters back to finding their self-esteem and healing their hearts. Painfully transparent truth, in my heart of hearts, I believed I would never experience what many of them had experienced! UNTIL! Until the Love Story became a Nightmare! What I once thought was built on love because of all the connecting, laughs, trips, and support, in the first 365 days became a Horror Story of Lust and betrayal!

It would be impossible for me to bash the Ex, because my first relationship was with God. The decisions that I made for that earthly relationship began to eclipse what I had with the One who kept me and transformed my life!

While being in that fetal position and crying out to God saying, “HE CHEATED ON ME!” In the most loving Voice, I have ever heard in my life, God said, “Before he cheated on you, you cheated on Me!” There was no amount of words that I could muster up to express the pain I felt concerning that response from God. It was the catalyst to the journey of turning over my desires and my thoughts of thinking I could keep myself.

That Season of my life involved repentance, humility, redirection, accountability, and gratefulness. Out of that pain, God gave me another chance and even allowed me to be restored in an area that left a huge hole in my heart. God has a way to make you over where you even long to be placed in an opportunity for God to shine through you, in an area that you once failed in!

I leave you with this. If you are in a relationship, let February 14th be about 3 instead of 2. Allow God to be glorified through your courtship. There is nothing like learning about one another and loving on each other through the eyes of God. When that foundation is built correctly, not even the sky will be the limit for how much God will bless your relationship!

Enjoy all of your festivities, from Valentine’s to Galentine’s! Here’s to waking up the next day…Guilt-free❣️

Divine Work & Pray:

Work:

Jot down in your journal a love letter to the Lord!

Pray:

Father God, Thank You for the opportunity to love others here on earth. May you be glorified in my Courtship Season. May you be involved from the start to the finish. You would never bless me with the gift of your son to dishonor You. May I love him far beyond the heart to the protecting of his soul! Thank you, God for an ability to walk out purity. Thank you for empowering me in a time where sin is glossed over instead of abhorred! Thank you for teaching me how to hate what you hate and LOVE WHAT YOU LOVE! You absolutely love Relationships done Righteously! Bless your Holy Name! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

To fully embrace the DD Blog Experience, Head over to Amazon for the Divine Design by JQ Journal, to accompany your Power of the Pen Moment. 🖊️

JQ Lee 2/7/25 JQ Lee 2/7/25

A Bridge Must be Built Before You Cross It: There is Safety in Process!

“London bridges falling down, falling down. London bridges falling down, my fair lady.” This old nursery rhyme has much speculation concerning its origin. Some stories acclaim that the song’s depiction is related to years of structural damage and dilapidation of the London Bridge over the years and yet there being a desire to repair it.

BigRentz, a leader in Construction Rental Equipment talks about the 5 Steps in Building a Bridge:

•Site Inspection and Planning

•Setting the Foundation

•Installing Piers and Bridge Supports

•Completing the Superstructure

•Final Quality and Safety Inspections

In the Site Inspection and Planning Stage, the surrounding soil is examined for “strength, depth, land layout and other elements to ensure the safety and durability of the final structure.” Way before crossing the bridge, the surroundings are assessed.