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.
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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.
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. 🖊️
Celebrate in the Hallway Before the Door Opens!
If many of us reflect on 2024, it was a whopper of a year! Transitional periods are often a myriad of ebbs and flows. They test our ability to be able to reset and recalibrate. In the midst of a challenging year, what did we learn? What can never be taken from you? What are lessons that are helping to shape you for what is to come?
There are times that we want to get out of something so badly, that we do not focus on what it is building in us. Just as one embarking on a fitness journey. The pain and sacrifice in the beginning can blind us from focusing in on the progression. Transition can bring about a greater appreciation or deeper resentment for what is not accomplished.
This year was very sobering in so many ways. It was the realization of some of my new normals, from losing my grandmother; to pivots in my business; to dying more to self! I had very earnest moments of saying how I was choosing to come out of my challenges! I made a concerted effort to not allow life’s circumstances to force my hands down. There was a Vow I made to God and I intended to keep it! My hands would remain lifted! God never failed me, because there is no failure in Him. I vowed to give Him what is due to Him!
You see, God is not just good on the mountain, His goodness deeply expressed in our values! There are moments that He lovingly speaks to us through His Word. There are other times when His presence is so intense, that there are no words spoken, just His beauty and care on display.
Give yourself permission to not always have to get through the Open Door to Celebrate. The Hallway can be a great dress rehearsal! It is the place where we wait in anticipation. It is the location where the Love of God is embraced as you ponder on how faithful He remains.
He is not only through the Open Door. He promised to never leave us; nor forsake us. Therefore, as we wait in the Hallway of 2024 ready to go into the Door of 2025, pull out the Sparkling Cider & Party Favors!
2024 was certainly full of challenges:
Yes, you were broken in 2024!
Yes, tears flooded your pillowcase!
Yes, it was beyond what you could handle!
Yes, friendships ended!
Yes, the relationship did not withstand!
Oh, but what 2024 also did…
It strengthened your trust in God!
It caused you to put your whole weight on God and experience Him in a way that had never been imagined.
It left you with your hands raised in praise!
Transitions are one of the Most Maturing Agents and it will cause one to truly evaluate not only our decisions, but how we treat God in the midst. Every Hallway Occurrence also has Witnesses. No Hater Talk here.
There are people in that hallway with you that have seen your life up close and personal and the way that you have navigated and triumphed has not only encouraged them, but caused them to lean in all the more to God! This is a part of why the Hallway should also be a Praise Fest! There is nothing like being hit with trials and tribulations and your whole squad have their hands lifted in praise because at the end of the day- God has done it again!!! Kept you; Protected you; and Implanted His Love so deeply in you that it has changed your Spiritual DNA!
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in your journal what you are grateful your trials and tribulations produced in you in 2024 that you get the privilege to take into 2025!
Pray:
Oh God, how excellent is your Name in all the earth. When I think about how you have kept me and matured me, my heart cries out…gratefulness! Grateful for how you have allowed life to not triumph over me, but through you- produce a resiliency that brags on you. You have allowed me to come out better and not bitter. You have turned my mourning into dancing. You deserve the glory and honor. Life is worth living because of You. Thank you for the ability to praise you at all times! May 2025 find me crucifying my flesh more for the Hallway Witnesses to see You and 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. 🖊️
What Do the “Missing You” Do for Christmas?
It is the time of season where there are an influx of feelings for many. Decorations and planning are in full force. Stores are packed with people looking for the perfect Christmas gifts, as well as fulfilling the long wish list from the little Gifts from God aka Our Children- the Little Withdrawal Makers. In all seriousness, a day that is supposed to acknowledge the birth of Jesus Christ can be met with heart-wrenching sorrow.
A time of togetherness can be eclipsed by loved ones no longer being present to share the laughs and family time. It seems like everything reminds you of them. Things that were a tradition quickly become a painful reminder of their absence.
It is interesting because one of the first celebrations for me after my grandmother transitioned was my birthday. Honestly, I did not know how the first “Without her” moment would be. I chose to get away and spent it in New York. A friend who lives there did an exceptional job in making sure I took the time to celebrate life!
That trip was such a great lesson for me. It drove away the guilt of smiling again; of being able to celebrate without her. My grandmother was such a vibrant Spirit. There are so many memories that I hold dear. Her life left me with far greater than her death took from me!
Friend, you can enjoy the holiday season, and honor your loved ones in how you navigate through life. Everyday is a precious gift from God. Take a moment (Activity Insert), inhale and then exhale. Those were literally two gifts from God. We should not have to have a ventilator experience to recognize all of our many blessings connected to just breathing.
Remember the “Why” for Christmas. Jesus is and should be the Reason for the Season. After all, His Name begins the holiday- CHRISTmas. There are so many Special Ways to incorporate past traditions and create new ones. Allow your memories of loved ones to bring smiles as you make a conscious effort in having their fingerprint throughout your festivities.
Here’s some ideas to have a Merry & Christ-centered holiday that will be enriching to family and friends:
🎁 Share the Story of Christ’s Birth
🎁 Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus
🎁 Adopt a Family and provide a meal
🎁 Adopt a Child and provide a gift
🎁 Visit a Senior Center or Nursing Home
🎁 Have everyone pitch in for the dinner planning
🎁 Mix it up, who says it has to be a dinner, and who says the menu has to be traditional?
🎁 Play Family Games
🎁 Create a Gathering Theme
🎁 Take lots of pictures and videos
❤️ Make sure the entire family eats together and create a Family Tradition that allows the Adults and Children to interact
Friend, you will always have moments of missing them, but it does not mean new moments cannot be created to honor them. We can actually choose to laugh, again as we reflect on them and what they would be doing &/or saying during this holiday season. Remember, Jesus Christ’s birthday should be a time of rejoicing. He is the Greatest Gift, and we have been given the Gift of Life!
What do the “Missing You” do for Christmas? They remember who deserves to be celebrated in all Seasons of their lives! They choose the Joy of the Lord over sorrow. They function from a grateful place and make the effort to move beyond their varying emotions. They realize how they honor their loved ones by living a life poured out and remaining thankful!
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in your journal what you are grateful for and include things taught to you by your loved ones who have transitioned.
Pray:
Oh Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your Name in all the earth. You are worthy to be celebrated daily. During this Christmas season, help us to be mindful of our honor towards You. There will never be another gift greater than You. In a season, where the pain of loss grips some, use us as vessels to reach out and spread cheer. Thank you for being so present and continuing to show that we are never alone. Thank You for the time that you have given to us with our loved ones, may their lives be honored by how we live our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.
The Gift of God’s Healing Builds Us to Walk into Unimaginable Places!
Healing is not only an Act of Wholeness in God, it is also a gift that allows us to experience the dunamis power of the Father. It is a miracle bestowed upon us to keep the most powerful thing- the first thing. It will never share position with what hurt you; betrayed you; nor broke your Spirit! Too often, we think about the ability to do acts simply from our human being status. However, as Spirit beings, there are characteristics that align with who God is and what we are able to carry out through Him.
Let’s look more at the Gift of Healing that was given to us. Do we really delve into the thought of God giving you a Gift? Do we take the time to understand that there is No Lack in anything that God gives us. Take it off the shelf with anything else. There is no tragedy or injustice that trumps being able to experience complete healing!
The perspective that God gives us concerning healing goes beyond a fleshly understanding. Every time that we hold on to hurt, we allow ourselves to be re-injured. It is like voluntarily signing up to fight a heavy weight champion, with no protective measures. The Healing of God, it protects our heart. Not from a place of never being hurt again; rather it does not allow the offense or trial to take permanent residence in our hearts!
Saints, we continue to miss our shout! Matthew 15 speaks of a Canaanite woman who petitions Jesus to heal her daughter of her demons. Many will harp on the initial response of Jesus, but if we remain mindful of there being no unfairness or ill-will in Him, like the Canaanite woman did. We will be able to keep the first thing first- the healing of her daughter, not a possible offense. Going for broke in faith and how we approach God can truly cause Him to take notice. Her posture of humility as she knelt and her desperation as she asked in spite of…is really a great example on what we often forfeit by holding on to what attributed to our hearts being broken.
I would be remiss, if a light was not also shed on Healing from Loss. There are 5 Stages to the Grieving Process: Denial , Anger, Bargaining , Depression, and Acceptance. I share them not to expound on them, as much as they are written today to say that it does not end there. The Healing of God will help us to triumphantly get through each stage. We try to do so such in our own strength. When it is really the joy of the Lord that is our strength. If Grief is given an unending status, it robs God of the Glory and the potency that His Word has over our lives. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” It then goes on to say in verse 4, “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” God does not intend for us to stay in Seasons indefinitely. The Master orchestrates a plan for us to be able to move through the ebbs and flows of life with grace and obedience.
I bring this power of the pen moment to a close talking about pivots that Believers must be prepared to make through this Journey. David and Joab have a powerful exchange in 2 Samuel 19, after being told that David’s son, Absalom is no longer with them. David was reminded of his responsibility in the midst of mourning his son. The natural inclination is to think, that it would be insensitive of Joab to belt out such a statement, but spiritually, when souls continue to be on the line- God can and will require acts of us beyond our human ability. I propose to you the thought of God knowing just how encompassing His Healing is; our Sovereign God knows the Work of His Wholeness. From the View of God, nothing shall be impossible for us to carry out when it comes to His Will being manifested!
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in your journal some areas you feel like have not been healed, because you are still holding on to hurt & loss. Identify areas that God has healed you in and what the process took for you to get to that place in Him.
Pray:
Father God, to the One who is able to rescue; set free; and make me entirely over. Thank you for allowing healing to be my portion. It is a feast that continues to give substance and life. Your healing allows us to remain laser beam focused on what You are doing in the earth realm. Keep us mindful of the responsibility and accountability to have Your ear. I remain in awe of Your care, love, & provision. You have healed wounds that once bled out on others. Oh, but now…we get to share that there is a Balm in Gilead! In Your Matchless Name, I pray. 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. 🖊️
Girls Trip Gone Right- We are Stronger Together!
Recently, I was invited to join a dear Sister/Friend for her milestone birthday out of the country, with her friends. I do not typically take Girl Trips with people I do not know. However, a welcomed exception was made for this jewel of a woman! I do not remember ever inviting her to anything that she has not made arrangements to support.
Where did the original trepidation come from, you may ask? Well, if anyone has gone on a Girls Trip with people whom you know and it was met with challenges, envision being around people you have never met and wondering if your personalities would gel. It really got me to pondering on how much we could miss out on, because we have allowed a past experience to be cemented in our hearts in a permanent marker instead of written in pencil, so that it can be replaced by a better one.
The Honoree implemented some wonderful means for us to transition into a trip that will go down in the history books as, “A great time was had!”
Here are some Transitional Tools for a great Trip:
•Create a Group Thread
•Host a Virtual Meet up before the Trip
•Share Travel Arrangements for Travelers to arrive and depart together
•Increase the excitement by sharing an Itinerary
•Share Videos concerning the Travel Destination
•Create some Theme Days for Attire & Unity
The Honoree came out of her own comfort zone to pull off her Birthday Excursion. She had sister/friends in mind for who she would invite, but she did not know if their schedules would permit, or even if they would agree to go out of the country. There is something so beautiful about God placing things on your heart and through obedience, not only you, but the ones who participate get a chance to experience the wonderful and rich fruit of that decision!
Each day built up an exceptional encounter with eight women! The early morning risings to get dressed; the late night chats and laugh ‘til you cry moments; and even the first time activities that were planned to get us to authentically experience the island.
This Girls Trip dispelled and debunked the thoughts that many have about women getting together. Not one day of cattiness or offense. Each guest made a concerted effort to be mindful of the group dynamics and respecting each other. Our love for the Honoree took front and center.
I believe what was birthed out of that trip were hearts that were open to the possibilities outside of our comfort zones. I was compelled to write a blog on the experience, because often times, what makes the headlines are the Drama-filled, Housewives Reality television trips! Phenomenal Girls Trips should not only be shared, but also more actively planned and pursued!
Some of the phenomenal decisions made concerning the trip:
•Selecting an Air BNB option to have less restrictions concerning your stay
•Water Excursion w/ a Tour Guide
•Photoshoot at various landmarks
•Bonfire
•Restaurants on the Marina
•Experiencing the native food
Finally, to those who may still have some reservations, here are some tips specifically for you to have a most enjoyable time:
•Be open to change
•If you want to sit out for one of the outings, respectfully share and refrain from complaining about it being too much to do. *Remember, everyone is experiencing different things all in the same space
•Make an effort to socialize and get to know one another
•Be intentional about decreasing the stress level of the Guest of Honor
•Be respectful of the time share- from communal space to even conversations
I end this Blog, giving a Huge Bouquet of Thanks to the fabulous Guest of Honor, Reebs for pulling off a magnetic and exhilarating Girls Trip! You showed the beauty in women getting together and celebrating one another! Reebs, you did that!
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in your journal some challenges you have had with Girls Trips and how it has impacted your view on them. If you have never experienced one, are you inspired to do one? If so, jot down some names and get to dialing.
Pray:
Father God, there are so many things that we can learn about your growth process by availing ourselves. May past experiences not hinder us from the beauty of new ones. Your Word tells us to “fight to keep the unity of the brethren.” Your Living Word also tells us that, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly…” Thank you for the opportunity afforded to us to be our Sisters’ Keepers. We are stronger together. May connections that are rich in love, favor, wisdom, and understanding be our portion. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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What’s in a Conviction?
Conviction is a gift! Hear me out- we will always divinely go places with the conversation. The Word of God says, “He chastens those whom He loves.” -Hebrews 12:6 It is the love of God to correct His Own. Conviction is a safety measure and Act of Love for the Believer back to the Father. He left us with the Holy Spirit to lead us in all Truth.
We do not fully consider how much of a blessing has been bestowed upon us. Fathom the thought of life before Christ. Not all of our actions were thought to be sinful or missing the mark.
At times, we felt our actions were justified. The blessing is in Him making us over and being able to walk in the awareness of what truly pleases God. Conviction may not feel good, but it is a barometer gauge to share when we veer from the narrow path.
Years ago, I remember being met with the term “narrow-minded” from a place of honor and not a term denoting a negative connotation. The Word of God speaks of us remaining on the narrow path, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” -Matthew7:13-14 It started me to thinking, there has to be a mindset to keep one on a narrow path. Thoughts and actions that speak to keeping one on a path that is less traveled. Narrow-minded thinking is aligning with the ways of God.
A Conviction should be met with great circumspection, instead of only seeing it punitively. The Word says, “He chastens those whom He loves.” As a Good Father, He allows us to experience His displeasure when we are one of His children. Before someone reaches a reprobate mind, they have received grave warnings to not only refrain from the act, but also turn to God. He has endowed us with a strength that allows a righteous life to be our portion.
What’s in a Conviction? A hope to do an about face to please the Father and remain on a narrow road that will lead to Him. Remember, ultimately Conviction is a Gift of Grace and Mercy!
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in your journal how you feel when convicted. Are you finding that your level of conviction is not as potent as it once was, in the past? How is your relationship with God impacted when you veer from the narrow path?
Pray:
Father God, your love for us goes beyond what we deserve. Thank you for chastening those whom you love. Our mission is not to continually break your heart. You have empowered us to please you. Our hope is found in you. You have entirely changed our appetite. May your righteousness engulf us and settle our Spirit to live a life that keeps us on the narrow path. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
When God Hides You in Plain Sight!
Attention, Attention…Calling all Single Saints to the floor! Have you ever considered why God would shut down access to you? Have you ever thought about the Greatest Matchmaker of all time hiding you in plain sight? Have you questioned the length of time since your last “get acquainted” season? These can be some of the most sobering and pondering moments.
God is strategic and timely. He can have the two of you live in different countries; know nothing about one another; one misses a flight and ends up having lunch in the same restaurant that you were awaiting your flight! He bumps into you by accident and the rest is his & her story.
It is more than a fairytale or cinematic encounter. Take the limits off of God for how that first meeting will unfold. There is a misnomer that often brings about an anxiousness with Believers, because people comment about them never being able to find anyone because they are always in church! That statement is waited with carnality and unbelief.
I believe a question should be introduced to this conversation of feeling the need to “put yourself out there.” Do you believe that God is involved with two meeting and eventually saying, “I Do” or is it left up entirely to the two individuals? Does His assignment for your life also factor in who you become One with?
The Bible has extraordinary examples of the triumphant and debasing connections between interested parties. Abigail had the wherewithal to run out to David to plead for the life of her husband Nabal, to spare his life. Joseph protected Mary from public shame concerning her being with child, prior to them being wedded. We also see the consequences of wrong connections! Samson’s eyes were captured by Delilah and the very same eyes were gouged out by him connected with whom God did not intend for him to be with!
One of my most treasured stories to continually glean from is the life of Esther! The story far exceeds her title as Queen! There are profound Truths in Esther that speaks to her making for the assignment. JJ Hairston has a song entitled, “Bigger.” The thought is often to believe that Bigger will involve material things, but I challenge you to expand your scope of what Bigger is in God!
Esther faced the loss of both parents, but God is Bigger! Esther is uprooted and placed in a new place to start over, but God is Bigger! Esther finds herself in a year long purification and beautification journey with many others before one would be chosen by King Xerxes, but God is Bigger! Mordecai has a talk with Esther that abruptly brings to the forefront her Assignment! An Assignment that had her by-pass what was customary and could have endangered her life, but God is Bigger!
One of the Hebrew meanings for “Esther” is to be hidden or concealed. Beloved, God hid you… for such a time as this! He hid you because He was purifying and preparing you. He placed you two in incognito-mode, as He refined you both for the Assignment. God’s Time is far beyond any calendar; far beyond any perceived time-sensitive expectation. What an amazing visual of seeing two become one and take on an Assignment from God that Saves a Nation! God’s Plan is so much Bigger than we can ever imagine! Just as Esther was hidden in plain sight, there is a day coming where you will no longer be hidden! God will say, “Look up, it is time!”
Divine Design Work & Pray:
Work:
If you know, Jot down in your journal the Assignment God has shown you concerning your life.
Pray:
Say a prayer concerning God’s Plan in relation to the Assignment. If God is showing you marriage, take the time to pray for him/her in advance. Pray beyond your desire to be One. Pray for their soul and their strength to accomplish what God has intended for them.
If You have Found Yourself Far from God…Remember, He is Not the One who Moved!
Self Assessment is a Gift that is given to soberly place our lives under a microscope. It allows us to truly identify structural layers, when done right. It aides in placing an emphasis on our accessibility to hear the instructions of God. Does our location coincide with the coordinates of our last encounter with the Father or have we moved into a rural area that has made it difficult to hear Him?
Let’s go back to that place that represented you experiencing your 1st Love. When you first gave your life to Christ, it was this, “I cannot not wait to be with Him!”It got even better when He said in Hebrews 13:5, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Check out how the Amplified penned it, “Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you[nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”
The greatest promise we will ever get is from Our 1st Love, it is wrapped in love and sealed with an unfailing ability to carry out what He said! You see Beloved, God is where we left Him. He cannot follow us to places that do not represent Him. It is impossible to pursue God with your whole heart and get tired of the relationship! It should solidify something in our hearts to know that He will never get tired of us wanting to be in His Presence and wanting more of Him!
If you are in a space where He appears distant and not in reach, do an about face. Repent and take your trek back to the One who has not left you. One of the most underrated occurrences is the fact that Billions can worship Him at the same time and not one will feel neglected or short changed! God’s love goes beyond our wildest dreams, and it reaches places that no one could touch, even in their greatest attempt to love you!
With everything in you, build on your relationship with God. Do the maintenance and put in the work. Just as a husband and wife would make sure that quality time is spent; it is also paramount in our relationship with God! This week, take the time to make the deposits in your relationship with your 1st Love, as He reminds you of that beautiful reminder of never leaving or forsaking you!
Divine Work & Pray:
Work: Jot down in your journal what the experience was like when you first said Yes to the Lord and the impact it had on you getting to know the One you surrendered your life to.
Prayer: To the Lover of our Soul. The One who is bountiful in love, goodness, grace, and mercy. Thank you for loving me so much, that it moved me to no longer wanting to break your heart in my actions. You sent your Son while I was yet a Sinner, and through His Life, redemption came to mine. Thank you for your promises and your ability to never fail. May you get glory out of my life. May our locations forever be synced! In Jesus Name, Amen.