“Pull us through, God!”
The making of this 67th Blog came through surprise, astonishment, trepidation, questions, and many tears! The kind of tears that start off silent and roll down your face in a unsynchronized manner. They then turn to the avalanche of tears that go to you being unable to be heard because your speech is being overtaken by weeping! If you have been riding with the Divine Design Blog, you already know, I love you too much to leave you there, because God has never ever left me there!
Overall, I am a private person concerning certain things. In a season of writing, the Lord also expressed that I would be sharing more and He was going to get to why I was private. His uprooting has been met with both growth pains and understanding. My Method of Operation has always been to make sure I was in a position to be there for others and not need it to be regularly reciprocated, because I was going to be alright.
I will never ever forget in 2009 when I was hospitalized for a blood clot, and the nurse said I was being admitted because they found a Deep Vein Thrombosis in my leg, the news of the long words was not what got me, it was her saying I would have to be hospitalized! I looked over to my Mom and said as I cried, “I don’t go to the hospital, I go to see people in the hospital!” Between the pride and disbelief came a huge sobering moment that turned to a great place of reflection! You see, I was not in right standings with God during that time! I was heavily into a worldly relationship and was not honoring God with my body! And here God goes, PULLING ME THROUGH!
There were people before me who were diagnosed with blood clots and were not discharged from the hospital! Even being home, God showed me how much mercy He had given me! My home health Nurse would have to take my specimens to the lab immediately after coming to my home because my blood was clotting so quickly! And here God goes, PULLING ME THROUGH!
Fast forwarding the story to the most recent of the Lord once again pulling me through! My loved one had to have a surgery that unbeknownst to me was a lot more serious than what was conveyed! I walked in to news that shook my core, but did not dissolve my knowledge base of who God is and continues to be in my life!
I remember going to the car, after giving my mom a hug and kiss, and the Anesthesiologist saying I would have to leave as they prepared to take her to surgery! I went to the car, because we had such an early start. I turned on the satellite station in the car to Gospel of course; reclined the chair and dozed off. Only to be awakened by the song, “Pull Us Through.” It was beyond interesting because the radio had been playing, but I vividly remember being brought out of my sleep by the words, “Somebody’s crying Lord, wipe the tears from their eyes. If we ever needed you before…God, we need you right now…PULL US THROUGH!” It literally caused me to sit up, because it was such an amplified sound with the words! What was this song saying to my Spirit? I will later share the totality of the Gift of the phrase, PULL US THOUGH, LORD!
My Mom successfully made it through the surgery! I Praise God with my whole heart concerning the outcome! However, I do not bring you this statement, “Pull us through, Lord” from that vantage point! As I sat outside because I could no longer bear being in the Waiting Room hearing them call families that came in with us at 5:30 AM being called to see their loved ones and hearing Code Blues on the intercom, with tears streaming and thoughts forming, I had to go sit outside of the hospital! Literally, watching families get in their cars and leave, who had also had surgery! I began to dwell on words spoken over my life; scriptures that helped to suture up the gaping holes that were forming in my heart, and becoming a Gospel Disc Jockey curbside at Cleveland Hospital! With tears streaming, I still knew God had been present and He had not left me without ammo, as mind weapons were forming!
You see, PULL US THROUGH, LORD works for all occasions! If the hospital had called me in to tell me that my loved one did not make it, God would not have left me in a state not to be able to be pulled through tragedy, setbacks, &/or disappointments! He is still on the Throne and still doing a complete work! God pulling us through has to be bigger than any news we can ever get because it is what keeps Him on the Throne and having authority over our lives!
The running joke is how much of a cry baby that I am! No lies detected, but those tears will not hinder me from ultimately placing my eyes on Him! When I loss my dad, being a daddy’s girl, and when I loss my grandma, ‘shonuf’ being a grandma girlie, there was a Vow that I made to God, because in both those moments, as my heart was shattering into millions of pieces; He did not allow it to bleed out! And for that alone…I owe Him!
Whatever is before you, Divine Design Blog Family, cement it in your heart that He will Pull you through! He will eventually wipe the tears from your eyes! There is a worship that comes out of you that is produced not by everything you praying being the outcome, but by keeping a Sovereign God in His rightful place in your heart! He will even send people to lock arms with you in prayer, so that when it is all said and done…Your hands will be extended because He pulled you through it all! Jesus!!!
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in your Divine Design Journal what God has already pulled you through. The Enemy wants you to forget all the Acts of God keeping you!
Pray:
Father God, there are so many glorious moments with you. Not just when prayers are answered in the way that we want, but also when we see you lovingly hold us through the revealing of your Will. Life has so many ebbs and flows, but your consistency in our lives is unparalleled! The essence of your care is magnified by how you make us well and whole. You are our Burden Bearer, Heavy Load Sharer, and Secret Place. We will put our hearts in remembrance of your faithfulness! Forever grateful for how You pull us through! 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. 🖊️
Fire & Brimstone Messages: Warnings Abhorred by some in the Church but Appreciated Everywhere Else—From Planes to Amusement Rides to Surgery.
Let’s take a look at the urgency expressed through the Word of God concerning the phrase, “fire and brimstone.” Here are just a few scriptures referencing the hot phrase. It was the burning of sulfur that emitted a very offensive odor. These passages of scripture reference the wrath and judgement of God concerning sin and how sin smells to His nostrils. The Bible is His Love Letter to prevent us from being eternally separated from Him! It would seem like there would be a great appreciation for the Warning, since it speaks to being given another chance.
Genesis 19:24 (KJV)
“Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven.”
Psalm 11:6 (KJV)
“Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.”
Revelation 21:8 (KJV)
“...the fearful, and unbelieving... shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
From the Early Church with leaders like Tertullian and Augustine, to the Reformation Era with Martin Luther to what was termed as the “Great Awakening” during the 1700’s with Jonathan Edwards, men have been used to warn the Church of divine judgment and eternal punishment. Edwards preached a sermon entitled, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Where he said, "The bow of God’s wrath is bent... and justice bends the arrow at your heart." There was such a conviction in the hearts of these men to warn the Believers in Christ about the ensuing end of sin!
Then here comes the Modern Era (late 20th–21st centuries) shifting towards grace, love, and therapeutic messages, and avoiding judgment sermons. What was it about a Message that made us mindful of eternity, now becoming an abhorrent one? What has made many go to church conferences to see Motivational Speakers over those who rightly divide Word of Truth; exegete scripture; and prepare pilgrims for their permanent residence?
People are leaving church with a Pep Rally experience over a Soldier enlisting into the Army of the Lord encounter! The danger associated with our Walk is just as important as the Blessings we love to receive and talk about! The Cost of the Yes is important so that we will not stand before Him hearing the Ultimate “No!” Hearing God say “Depart from me for I never knew you” Goes far greater in its weight than anything anyone can attribute to a “fire and brimstone” Message!
Where are Warnings embraced? Glad you asked. Aircraft Staff have never pulled back their messages on the fact that in case of the aircraft going down, what the necessary steps are to try to maintain life after crashing. It does not matter if a person flies 365 days a year, that message will come across the intercom! No one questions it. Whether you tune out the message or not, It still goes forward! So, why are Pastors changing their Messages and omitting the needed reality of the judgment sin brings to our lives?
Let’s look at the Amusement Park. Even with a ride full of laughter and thrill, signs are posted and warnings are shared to convey the behavior needed to truly enjoy the ride. God’s Warnings convey what is required to thoroughly enjoy our New Life in Him! It speaks to boundaries that keep us from harm and danger. The decisions that could impede us from experiencing great joy on the journey! So, why are Pastors changing their Messages and omitting the needed reality of the judgment sin brings to our lives?
And lastly, going through the surgery process. The emphasis is not placed on how the hearer will take the information. It is more about the hearer being aware of what they are about to embark upon. Some doctor’s bedside manner may be more palatable than others, but they will all ultimately share the same Warning. Doctors realize that what you do not know, could actually kill you. Therefore, they do not choose to take on the liability of withholding life-threatening information from a patient.So, I ask for the final time…Why are Pastors changing their Messages and omitting the needed reality of the judgment sin brings to our lives?
If your palate over time has changed from hearing the Word in its entirety, it is essential to go back to loving the Basics. I leave you with this…
Matthew 24:44-51
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in your journal your thoughts when you hear “Fire & Brimstone?” Do you automatically associate it to a harsh and negative message.
Pray:
Father God, your love for Man is truly beyond comprehension. The provision you have made to bring us back to you through your Son, Jesus Christ is beyond what we will ever really understand. May the Truth of all of your Word continue to lead us to obey and worship you in the very Truth that has Saved us! Oh God, may the urgency of your coming be at the forefront of our minds. May I be ready when you return, Lord. 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. 🖊️
If Church is not what it used to be, What are you doing to make it what it used to be?
Church is and will always be that place! It is that place where many of us heard a Message that changed our trajectory forever. It is that place where we often times feel most safe. It is that place where we signed up for our toes to be crushed; yet still grateful for the chastening because that represents His love for us.
Church has become underrated and ridiculed over the years for a number of reasons. How ironic, it is still the place that we expect to answer when a loved one transitions or we want to have our nuptials. It is the place that is often neglected; yet is expected to be open for our needs. Go figure, for the very place that the Believers in Acts pooled their resources together to make sure the Church remained that beacon of light; we either no longer attend or are cavalier about its care.
A popular argument is the egregious mishandling that we see in the churches today and why once upon a time Believers have chosen to take their praise elsewhere, often times their homes have become a decision for many. I get the argument, but I cannot co-sign it. Not only by personal experience of the role the Church has played in my life, but also by the importance that the Word of God places on the essence of the Church, to the Believer. Its potency should not be overcast to the point of extinction for the Believer, at no time!
I pay homage to my beloved grandmother with this blog topic. I remember as a young adult, she did not care what my Saturday plans were- do not have her late for church! I chuckle because even in high school, she had me sitting with her and the Mothers of the church. It makes me mindful and grateful all at the same time. Church meant something to them. They made sure the doors of the Church remained open!
There was an honor and reverence for God. From being there before Service started to not allowing everything to be done in the church. Even at a young age, the children were reared to have an understanding of what they could and could not do in the church. Anyone could correct a child and it was not frowned upon.
We grimace about the church not being what it used to be, but what are we doing to maintain the honor and reverence? What are we doing to make sure we are coming as participators instead of spectators? What role do we play in not only acknowledging the old landmarks, but maintaining their upkeep? I am speaking beyond a building, but a place and space that represents as the song says, “When the saints get on one accord and begin to bless the Lord, then the King who is strong and mighty, Oh, the King who is mighty in battle yeah, the King of glory shall come in.”
His Glory is still in need of our pursuit. The thought of Him “coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle” should be a shout for us! That means that Church will remain present and functioning at the level that He intended! God will forever have a remnant. We will get a chance to see how He cares for His Bride, the Church, on earth! And that precious gift deserves a response of gratitude and fight to make sure the Church is represented righteously.
I challenge you, Divine Design Reader to assess what role you are playing to make sure the Church remains a vital staple in your community. What acts have you put in place that twins with the Book of Acts concerning the Church? The pandemic showed a sober truth as to whether we saw the needs of the church as priority or the lowest on the totem pole of stewardship and care.
It is truly a blessing to know that our koinonia experience is brought to us through the Church. Making the decision to go on, is often made in that seat that is provided by the Church. Breaking and molding us is in a location that is afforded by the Church. It will forever be worth us fighting for and representing. May we be found yelling from the raptors…”For I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the Lord.”
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in your Divine Design Journal the blessings that the Church has been in your life. If you have not been a part of a local church or experienced a traumatic event in a church that has drove you away, write out a prayer concerning God leading you to a truth-centered Church.
Pray:
Father God, Thank you for the provision you have made here for Believers to commune and fellowship. It is something so beautiful and divine when the Saints get together. Thank you for the opportunities you have provided for us to not only be poured into, but also to pour into our Sisters and Brothers. May the Church you are returning for remain affixed on what you have said is possible. May we see the great need for a local ecclesia. There is so much given there. May we show our gratitude to You by making sure what it used to be not only remains, but is significantly expressive of who you are! 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. 🖊️
How Many Will the Draft of Heaven Draw?
Recently, millions tuned in to see the 2025 NFL Draft. The 2nd largest since the 2020 Draft, which was virtual due to the pandemic. A viewership of 7.5 Million watched the three day coverage. Young men from all over the nation put in the work for years to be chosen. Even their childhood showed discipline. Some were in organized sports since primary school.
Many of these players have experienced brokenness, from physical injury to mental defeat. However, that did not end their pursuit. As a matter of fact, for many, it became a fuel to keep their passion in Go! The trials have become a part of their story to tell of their resilience and commitment to never give up. It makes for good footage for their reels and documentaries,
On this level of their pursuit to be drafted, obstacles are automatically seen as building blocks to conquer; rather than stumbling blocks to abort. For many of these players, it has never been about dream deferred, it has been about dream attained by any means necessary.
The discipline of a student athlete is so telling of the Will to accomplish one’s heart’s desire. From classroom to field to family to balancing it all. It is very rarely seen as unfair, nor do players spend much time complaining about the level of pressure on them to perform at a high level in multiple areas. It all simply becomes part of for the course and a required means to an end.
Check in time as we prepare for an altitude change. What does the Draft of Heaven look like? How many will tune in to see young men give their lives to Christ at a young age. Run daily through infested streets of sin just to be able to reach the church to learn more about the One who gave them eternal life?
What would their feels look like, who have decided to put it all out there in being an Ambassador for Christ? How would their boldness for the Lord be interpreted? Would it inspire the viewership or would they say it does not take all that- keep it to yourself?
A Draft from Heaven is a most interesting phenomenon! It too creates Victors. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” However, these Victorious Vessels ultimately shine to bring God Glory.
The Talent and Gifting is so spiritually charged people are drawn to the conclusion that you must have been with Him. Testify for the people Brother Stephen. His commitment and dedication allowed him to experience a life that spoke to him having resolve in God that even in a horrific death- triumph still spoke louder. Stephen’s performance at his Final Combine was so massive, that he was even able to ask for mercy concerning those who questioned who he was and his ability!
I ask again, How many will tune in to View Heaven’s Draft? Will it keep you up all night? Will your cheer be loud? Will it send you into prayer mode for those who are coming into the Big League? Will you start clearing your Sundays or will it be the regularly scheduled program?
A Draft from Heaven should be the one we are all preparing for! It is worth every scratch, burn, & brokenness that we have ever faced. To have our name called will be like no previous euphoric moment! For this Draft is Eternal. He is not looking to trade or replace you! Whosoever will can be on this team! This Draft is not just in April. The Invitation has already been sent out. Keep putting your hand to the plow and do not look back. Oh, to hear your name being called! It does not get more epic than that!
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in your journal your preparation in hearing your name called for Heaven’s Draft.
Prayer:
Father God to be and stay on your team is my heart’s desire. From infancy in you to maturing in you, I Thank You that you promised to never leave me. Thank you for placing a resolve to finish strong in you. Thank you for the brethren who I get a chance to suit up with, as we navigate through life. Keep me with a sense of urgency and empathy. May the light that illuminates within forever point onlookers to you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
AI may duplicate many things, but things Eternal will not be duplicated.
Artificial Intelligence absolutely has its place and much advanced progress may arise from A.I., from educational and technological advancements to automation and innovation. There will be massive strides in medicine. Cures will be found and the list goes on and on.
I remember the pandemonium around going from 1999 to 2000. It was a time of uncertainty for many. Would the world end? Would we have a world-wide web crash? We spend so much time anticipating the worst instead of preparing to show our work. “What work”, you may ask? It is the work that shows that we heard God and trust Him. It is the work that conveys we were paying attention to His instructions. It is the work that shows our intentions were to pass the test.
There will always be moments of advancement that are met with deplorable practices that cause many to frown on technology. Incidents like identity theft and plagiarism reverberate in the debates concerning A.I. People worry about the mark A.I. will have on society.
Anything can be abused or misused. It is the Beholder who determines its use. The mind of Man has been able to create and discover many things that have been an asset to society.
One thing that will never be duplicated by A.I. are the immeasurable blessings we get from saying, “Yes Lord.” We do not spend enough time talking about the advancement that changes our Spiritual DNA forever! We are able to go from hate to love; out of control to temperance; harlots to holy. There is a lot that can be said about a God who changes you on a spiritual level, so much so that it is like Him giving Believers His fingerprint- only one of one.
People are often times spellbound by technology and new inventions, but not as much concerning what is given to us that can never be taken away. Mary sat for the needful thing and that decision will far exceeded the ability of A.I. There is an eternal furtherance of our soul by what the Almighty I Am that I am has done in our lives!
The advancement of A.I. comes with a degree of error; yet we serve a God who is infallible. Have we truly embraced what comes with being a fruit bearer? Being given the Fruit of the Spirit when we were once spoil rotten, is a massive reminder of being more amazed by God than what this world offers.
Go in the confidence of knowing that the Anointing of God is not cheap; nor can it be duplicated. Your being set apart and consecrated cost blood shed of the Savior, and no engineering team will be able to remanufacture what was not made by human hands.
Keep the conversation growing. When you hear about the latest A.I. discovery, make sure you share or show through your poured out life- the Greatest Creator known to Man! There is no counterfeit in Him. The Life that God affords us through Christ Jesus both embraces the Unchanging of His Ways & the Newness of His Advancement by Making Us Over in Him!
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in your Divine Design Journal advancements that have happened in your life since you gave your life to Christ.
Pray:
Jot down a prayer to the Lord concerning His advancement in your life. What are you grateful for concerning Him making you over?
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. 🖊️
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. 🖊️
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. 🖊️
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. 🖊️
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. 🖊️
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. 🖊️
“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. 🖊️
“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. 🖊️
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. 🖊️
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. 🖊️
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. 🖊️
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.
The Bridge to the Cross:
Examining the surrounding people, places, and things will allow us to see if they can withstand the Weight of the Cross. Will the Weight of His Glory be in the forefront when developing? Is the Cost considered or is there a haste to cross more than there is to build it according to His specifications like [they] did concerning the Temple?
In Setting the Foundation, piers are structurally planted to ensure the sustainability of the weight that is to come. The selection of the materials is essential to the structure remaining.
The Bridge to the Cross:
Our foundation as Believers, will determine truly what we are made of. The Bible is our material that we meditate on to sustain our structure. Our very being depends on us interpreting the Word and living thereby. The Bible is what allows our foundation to be unshakable and able to withstand any element.
In the Stage of Installing Piers and Bridge Supports, going down deep enough with the piers now allows them to build supporting structures to sustain the bridge.
The Bridge to the Cross:
In this Stage of a Believer’s Life, it is vitally important to have supporting individuals who play a part in your sustainability and ability to be used by God. Godly Counsel is not just good; it is likened to the air that we breathe. Being around those whom co-sign our carnality can cause much injury to one’s daily use by God!
In the Completing the Superstructure Stage, there is a focus on the area that will directly receive the load. It has a huge focus on withstanding elements like the wind and erosion. Materials are especially carefully selected as they will determine the level of safety connected to the bridge.
The Bridge to the Cross:
The Process of being built in one’s faith is not a light act. Nor, is it something that should be seen as a 100 yard dash. The intentionality and careful planning through the Word of God prepares us for the cross over. This also involves Heart Work. It is a protection that prevents a stony heart and creates one that is plausible and penetrating for God’s love to flow through.
In the Final Quality and Safety Inspections, several Safety Tests are implemented to ensure that the bridge will be able to stand and remain in a functioning state.
The Bridge to the Cross:
Just as in the natural, the bridge goes through a series of tests; the Believer will also be tested. God allows occurrences to take place for us to examine if our anchor holds. Have we planted in good soil? Have we considered the people, places, and things around us? Have we gone down deep enough with the piers of the Word?Crossing over the bridge was never intended for one person. It was developed for many lives to travel across it. It is not the road less traveled in regards to usage. It is the very structure that allows one to cross what at one point and time was not possible.
I end with a very popular phrase, “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.” As off-putting as that may sound, it is also presumptuous in nature to think that showing up in the moment to address something and absent of the preparation to meet it will give you the power to cross it. I heard someone mention the work that an Olympic runner put in to cross over the finish line- Over 10 years to run 10 seconds!
Remember, there is Great Safety in Process! Preparation and Planning Matter! Having deep roots BiblicallyMatter! Being mindful of the number of people Crossing Matter! Hearing Well Done because you withstood and weathered the Storms of Life will Forever Matter!
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down what you feel you have put into the building process of crossing the Bridges in your life.
Pray:
Father God, you are the ultimate Engineer of my life. Thank you for the time that you spend in building me in You. Your loving kindness continues to empower me to cross over. Keep me sensitive to my crossing over always involving others. You are the difference Maker in my life. May my decisions bring Glory to You, as I continue to cross the Bridges in 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. 🖊️
Prayer: A Lowly & Faithful Posture, Not just a Panic Petition.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer, this communion and continual exchange with God. It is the Ultimate Dialogue. It is this first priority; rather than last resort act. One may read the aforementioned passage of scripture and wonder how it would be possible to pray without ceasing. Your mind may immediately go to all that is done in the course of a day and the responsibility that is placed on you. Do we take the time to acknowledge that the One who gives us the strength to get through the days riddled with “Must Do Lists” desires and deserves time with us?
We often look for outs to say why something may not be able to be done; therefore seeing “praying without ceasing” as an impossible task will cause us to miss being able to look for the beautiful ins that praying gives us with the Lord! Praying without ceasing comforts, redirects, settles, and guides. It is a posture to seek the ways and Will of the Father.
I think my life took a great shift when I really understood that Prayer is a dialogue; not this petition of monologues of me simply bringing to God what I want. Intimacy with God brings about this level of access that ushers in a Heart Speech that even when the Speech is a Hard Word, because of that relationship and what has been invested, it is still received.
Being able to go to God in our time of trouble is greatly appreciated. However, in a human relationship, what would your view be of someone who says they love you, but only wants to see you when they are downtrodden? God really wants to have an intimate and growing relationship with us. He desires for us to have the opportunity to learn more of Him through prayer and fellowship.
The lowliness of prayer keeps us in right standings. We must approach Him with a mindful heart of His sovereignty and honor. We are not to go to Him commanding, nor should we petition Him in a way that assumes that His Will will always align with our desires. While we are still putting the luggage in the car, His Thoughts are already at the destination.
A faithful posture of prayer places the onus on us to believe. God has already shown His trustworthiness and ability to carry out what He has purposed. In your time of prayer do not rush the moment of adoration unto Him. We are going before the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords!” The One who is “I am that I am.” The One who has never lost a battle! That Truth deserves the correct posture and response. Just as we trusted our natural fathers not to drop us- How much more, Our Heavenly Father?
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in your journal some of the challenges that you have experienced in your prayer life. What has been hindrances in you having a beautiful dialogue with God?
Pray:
Father God, so much is found in having a relationship with you. Your presence is more than life to me. The vastness of your love and tender care settles my thoughts and aligns my heart with your Will. I will continue to humble myself under your mighty hand. Father God, be glorified even in my prayer life. May I remain confident in your Will and not my own. May this alabaster pour forever be poured with the cost in mind of what Your Son has paid. Thank you for capturing my heart, mind, and soul. 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. 🖊️
Courtship Goals: Your Light Allows Me to Flourish!
In the navigation of being interested in someone today, the GPS can most certainly lead to dead ends, if we are not mindful. There is a reason why people often prefer to travel to an unknown place by day, as opposed to night. The condition of light allows one to see more. The landmarks are more prevalent. The surrounding edifices and structures are more pronounced. Just as the S-U-N brings about a vivid visibility; the S-O-N floods us with an amazing visual of clarity.
God is too good to have us clueless when it comes to courtship. You will not find God going silent when it comes to whom He will connect you with for His Glory. As a child, instructions were given to Samson on whom he was to marry. As a Nazarene, a life was designed for him to bring Glory to God. He forgot the Lord God in his selection of a mate. Not adhering to continuing to navigate in light caused Samson to ultimately connect with a woman, who was a part of his demise.
Unfortunately, Relationships are often a Decision of Autonomy. It is the desire that God is asked to stop the car to change positions for one to become the driver. It is interesting how much the wrong connection will drive one into either roads of loops or dead ends. They can either keep you in loops of repeat-mode of unfruitful relationships or it will bring one to abrupt dead ends impeding the progression that God intended for your life.
The engagement of courtship is this beautiful scenic route of the journey of God knitting two together. It is not casual in nature; nor is it cavalier in intentions. It will touch one’s ability to sacrifice and think of one more than yourself. Not from a place of idol worship, but from wanting with everything in you to protect that individual’s soul.
There is something so euphoric about crossing paths with someone whose pursuit for God is so massive that it lights up a stadium. That light illuminates to the point of allowing someone in the upper level, who is 100 to 200 feet away from the field to witness every play! The same light allows the players to perform in their intended roles. Their skillset is not showcased in darkness, the most intricate details of the game winning acts are seen by there being light. Fans actually get to benefit off of the work of the players because of the function of the light.
How much more in a courtship will you flourish by connecting with someone whose light is like a lighthouse? One that cannot be hidden, even if they tried. The goodness of God exudes through their very being. Once again, we miss the Shout Moment by not celebrating the greatness of a Godly Connect. It will be one of the gifts given by the Father for you to flourish. May you thrive in practices that honor God. May the Wait be Worth it. May God exceed your Courtship Goals by 10 football field lengths!
Divine Work & Pray:
WORK:
Jot down in your journal the practices of someone who is involved in a courtship that allows for one to flourish and give God Glory through the connect.
PRAY:
Father God, the thought of how you Match Make is beyond our comprehension. Thank You for being intentional with every area of our lives. Your pursuit allowed me to pursue Your heart. You are purposeful and all encompassing in placing Your character in us. May the fruit of our Courtships cause you to stand. May our practices grasp even the attention of this Lost World. You have made us a peculiar people to avoid being tainted by this World System. Thank you for taking us the long way! There are No Dead Ends in You. Eternally grateful to see Your Divine Plan come to fruition. 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. 🖊️
“Just Try Him” Really has No Place in the Life of a Christ Follower!
What we lead with is just as important as what we put our anchor in to ultimately reach our desired destination in God! Words are essential to the life of a Believer. We can have truly the best intentions, and miss the mark by a landslide. Through the course of this blog, think about what Jesus did and how His life pleased the Father, even when Jesus navigated through hardship.
“Just try Him” resonates as a statement that gives a comparable option. When we know that there is nothing or no one who will fulfill us like the Lord. Garments and jewelry are tried on, but never Jesus! The statement wreaks of the inability of the flesh to truly know who Jesus is and the role He plays in our lives! It is the Spirit Man who understands what is birthed by Him making us over.
“Just try Him” can have someone walk away from the Savior because after the try, everything they prayed for did not happen, as a matter of fact- the bottom literally fell out! The fallacy of “Just try Him” is a misrepresentation, because Jesus does not speak from Plan B’s. He is absolute in His delivery and our need for Him! Matthew 19:29 is not a try, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother [a]or children or farms for My name’s sake will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.” It is a mandate for what is required to be with Him for all eternity.
Accepting Christ has never been about a temporary fix. We need Him like the air that we breathe. We cheapen the desperation of our heart for a Savior by painting Jesus as One to be tried. He is not a last resort. He is the One our soul longs for. Our existence prior to Christ speaks to this barren land; an emptiness and unfulfillment not simply because things did not work out. It is our detector of the void that only Christ can fulfill.
“Just try Him” has people enter the only relationship that has eternity stamped on it like they will be met with something better. Witness to people “Just Jesus”- not Jesus & Prosperity; not Jesus & Therapy; not Jesus & A Test Drive! Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek ye’ first the kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all these things shall be added.” The latter part of Matthew Chapter 6 speaks to the anxiousness to worry when He clothes the grass of the fields, how much more will He clothe you?
Beloved, Jesus will never be a try on and off. He is a penetrator of the heart. His character changes our Spiritual DNA and exudes his sweet aroma through our pores. He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” That is Staying Power Talk, Not Try on!
Divine Work & Pray:
WORK: Jot down in your journal your current image of Christ in your life. Have you been treating Him like He is one of your options or your only option? What are ways that you can strengthen your decision to be a follower of Christ?
PRAY: Father God, Thank you for fulfilling the void in my life for a Savior. The need for You has made my heart long to please You. Thank you for this beautiful image of spending eternity with You. You deserve a full surrender. Strengthen my heart to choose your path no matter what comes. May my heart and mind be in sync to Your heartbeat and plan. 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. 🖊️
When We Pray: Does Devastation Draw Us Nearer to the Cross?
The New Year has come in with heart-wrenching events! A world plagued with wars, terrorist acts, and environmental devastation! We usually bombard January with external goals that we hope will bring about internal gratification. We fill up the gyms; stock up on the newest fad of healthy fiddles; and pursue our career path with vigor. There is the burst of energy to accomplish what is met with daily urgency that often seems to fade before the quarter ends.
We are often asked to pray when devastation happens; as we should. However, how expansive are those prayers? How in depth do we go to see the needful thing? In the most unusual and uncanny way, we have made the Salvation Talk insensitive in the time of chaos! How is that possible? If someone loses everything on earth and has their breath- cry out to God and repent and be accepted into the Body as His own- Would that not be everything?
Earth is not any of our homes. We will either find Heaven or Hell as our Eternity Address when it is said and done. Feeding, clothing, sheltering, and aiding people in their time of loss will always be an admiral act, but may Believers never be guilty of not giving them the true needful thing! For after we have fed, clothed, sheltered, and aided them- have we made the Ultimate Introduction; which is to Christ?
My heart goes out to Believers all over the world who actually find themselves battling whether they will come off as insensitive to witness during times of devastation. 2 Timothy 2:4 says, “No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him.” We do not know the heart of God if we see this as an insensitive statement! In the natural, there is no way a soldier would be able to truly perform his or her duty if their focus is on every trial and tribulation they left at home. God has endowed us with a power to witness the most devastating events and still be able to witness!
I believe it is a strategic plan from the Enemy to impact our focus and ability to compartmentalize, even devastation. Whenever God sends us to do a work, He has already factored in calamity. He knows perilous times are ahead and they will call for us to remain sober-minded and sensitive to His leading.
After devastation, We need to pray prayers that bring us closer to the Cross. Prayers that have us respond like Jesus. Petitions that suit us up in the whole armor to be able to withstand the fiery darts. Lord. Put us in remembrance of how much we owe you to be first responders for Heaven!
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in your journal what the series of events you are witnessing is doing to your heart; is it affecting your faith and prayer life?
Prayer for Believers on the Frontline during Devastation:
Brothers and Sisters, who are first responders, God has equipped you to do the work both in the natural and Spirit. With earnest prayers, we pray your strength to reach Souls in despair. We pray that you do not faint, but remain steadfast and on your assigned post. Your “Yes” to God comes with the arsenal to withstand. There is a great work before us. “The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” Remember your promise to God. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. Lord, with hearts sometimes heavy, may we never eclipse the need for You to be glorified in our lives! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.