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Distractions, Be Gone!

“Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.” I Peter 5:8 (Contemporary English Version)

Have you ever started a new project, a new regimen, or a new plan that you were excited to start? You stayed the course for a few weeks or a few months and then BOOM-life happened. And in the process, you lost focus on the very thing that you were so happy to begin.

I’ve been there and can honestly admit that I have allowed the cares of life and my own personal feelings to distract me from doing the things that God has placed upon my heart to do. I even attempted to make excuses as to why I wasn’t able to do these things. But as I was praying and crying out to God this past week, He reminded me of the plans He put in my heart and that these plans are not based on how I feel or even my own ability. He reminded me that He has already provided me with everything I need to succeed-I just need to fully trust in Him (Prov. 3:5-6)!

So I challenge you today; if there is something that God has placed on your heart to do-don’t delay! Seek after Him for instructions and timing. Don’t let distractions or the enemy cause you to give up on your assignment!

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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Feeling Empty-Take a Drink From the Well

“But whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. But the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water [satisfying his thirst for God] welling up [continually flowing, bubbling within him] to eternal life.”

John 4: 14 (AMP)

I know this past year has been much different than anyone of us could have ever anticipated. And I’m sure like me you have experienced a range of emotions and feelings regarding what was happening. If we’re not careful, we can allow what’s going on around us to impact how we think, feel, or act. It can also cause us to become disconnected from God which leads to a feeling of emptiness on the inside that can only be filled by Him. Honestly, I’ve been in this place the past few months. I went to church, prayed, read my Word but still felt detached. I couldn’t quite explain it but the Holy Spirit used a situation this weekend to shift me back into alignment.

As I was getting ready for the day, I realized that the shirt I wanted to wear needed to be ironed. While ironing my shirt, I began pressing the steam button to iron out the stubborn wrinkles. I kept pressing the button but no steam. I became frustrated because this was a fairly new iron and it was working properly the last time I used it. I finally checked the water level and realized that the reservoir was completely empty. After refilling the reservoir with water I’m sure you know what happened next-I was able to iron my shirt with steam.

Immediately, the Holy Spirit told me to check my reservoir because it was running on empty. I prayed but not like I should; I went to church-sometimes; I talked to God but not consistently. I realized that I slowly began watching TV more than I was spending time with God. No wonder my tank was running low and I was feeling disconnected, I wasn’t doing much to fill it or stay connected. But I thank God for conviction and that He doesn’t let us get too far away from Him before He begins to prick our hearts. I thank God that He continues to knock on the door of our hearts to remind us that He is waiting on us to acknowledge Him and let Him in (Rev. 3:20). I thank God that He never gives up on us even when we’ve left Him (Ps. 94:14). I thank God that as soon as I call upon His name, He is quick to hear me and fill me (Ps. 145:18).

Friends, I want to remind you that this is not the time to retreat or give up. We’re in a spiritual battle and the enemy is trying his best to keep us detached from the Source. I encourage you to continue the course, stay connected to God and your well will never run dry!

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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He Still Loves Me!

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8: 38-39 (NLT)

As a child who grew up in church and accepted Christ into my life at an early age, I’ve heard numerous messages about how much God loves me and how much He desires the best for me. With child-like faith, I hung onto those very words believing that God’s love was endless and unconditional.

It wasn’t until I became older that I began to struggle with believing that God really and truly loved me. I was what some may consider “a good girl.” I didn’t go out and do the things that people consider the noticeable sins: I didn’t smoke, drink, wasn’t promiscuous, or commit any of the “big sins” — by the way, there is no such thing as a “big sin” or a “little sin”; SIN IS SIN– but I still sinned. And the enemy is so cunning and crafty in that he couldn’t wait to fill my mind and thoughts with negativity as soon as I made a mistake. His assignment is to hold us captive to our sin which causes us to feel guilt, shame, and condemnation (which is not of God). How many of you have experienced the enemy telling you that “God doesn’t love you anymore because of your mistakes”, or that “God doesn’t want a sinner like you”, or that “you’ll never be anything different than who you are right now”, or that “if your mother, father, friend, spouse, or child didn’t love you, then nobody else will?” How many of you internalized those feelings and began to doubt God’s love?

I remember being in my apartment one night and just crying out for God to take this burden away. And He whispered to me that He was there all the time, it wasn’t Him that left, it was me; I closed my heart off, I didn’t allow an opening or any space for Him to enter. As I began to open my heart to the Father, He began to break down every wall, every one of satan’s lies by reassuring me that I belong to Him (Ps. 100:3), that He knows me by name (Is. 43:1), that I am His child (1 John. 3:1), and that I was worth dying for! It was in that moment that I truly realized the depth of God’s love for me. And everytime that enemy tries to tell me that I’m unworthy of God’s love, I tell him that I am covered under the blood, that I no longer have room for his lies, and that greater is He that is in me, then he that in the world (1 John 4:4).

To the one who is struggling with knowing if God loves you; worry no more–His love endures forever (Ps. 136). It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, it doesn’t matter how far you think you’ve fallen, it doesn’t matter how much or how little money you have, it doesn’t what other people have said, it doesn’t matter your ethnicity, it doesn’t matter your gender, it doesn’t matter what type of house you live in or car you drive, it doesn’t matter your education level, it doesn’t matter what size you are, it doesn’t matter if no one else has told you that you are loved, it doesn’t matter if people have told you that you are unloveable, it doesn’t matter what church you attend or if you don’t attend church, GOD LOVES ALL OF YOU–from the top of your head to the soles of your feet! He died on the cross so that you may have access to everlasting life (John 3:16)! Though life may change, the world may change, seasons may change, people may change, you may change but God’s love will never change!

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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You Are Enough!

“I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.”

Psalm 139:14 (AMP)

One of the major hindrances to starting this blog was the inner fear of not knowing if I was capable of writing anything that would encourage people. I was utterly afraid that I would try too hard to be like someone else, or my website wouldn’t be as pretty or professional as someone else’s, or I would focus so much time worrying about what other people would say-good or bad. Let’s be real; how often do we compare ourselves to others? Yes, it happens more often than not. And if you’re not careful, you’ll allow space and opportunity for the enemy to convince you that somebody else is better than you, somebody else is prettier than you, or somebody else is smarter than you. This type of toxic thinking can lead to dissatisfaction and unappreciativeness of the blessings, gifts, and talents God has instilled in you. If those thoughts are not quickly rebuked, you’ll have an “Eve” kind of experience-with an enemy talking you into doing something that is disastrous to your future and destiny.

In order to combat the toxic thoughts, you must declare the word of the Lord over your life; not just once but until it becomes a part of your daily devotions. Repeat the declarations below and meditate on the scriptures until they become ingrained in your mind and spirit:

  • I am a child of the King (Galatians 3:26-29) and that makes me More Than Enough!
  • I was chosen by God before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) and that makes me More Than Enough!
  • I am a royal priesthood, a particular people (I Peter 2:9) and that makes me More Than Enough!
  • I have been redeemed through Christ (Ephesians 1:7) and that makes me More Than Enough!
  • God loved me enough to sacrifice his son for me (John 3:16-17) and that makes me More Than Enough!
  • I was created in the Father’s image (Genesis 1:27) and that makes me More Than Enough!
  • God wants the best for me (III John 1:2) and that makes me More Than Enough!
  • I am a friend of God (John 15:15) and that makes me More Than Enough!

I remember struggling with this issue recently and during my prayer time, the Holy Spirit began to remind me of who I am and He told me to repeat the phrase “I Am Enough.” I admit, I had to repeat it several times but as soon as it settled in my spirit, I felt something shift in my inner being; my whole mindset shifted from my issue to where God wanted me to be-in His presence, standing on His word. Don’t allow the enemy to invade your thoughts with unworthiness any longer. You are set apart and you were born to WIN! Go forth, with your head held high, knowing that “YOU ARE ENOUGH!”

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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Wash Me

“Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 (NLT)

If you’re anything like me, washing my hair is one task that I try to stretch out as long as possible. I know I’m not the only one! It can be a very tedious job, especially if you have longer or thicker hair. Well, a couple of months ago, I knew that it was time–time to wash my hair. My hair was full of hair products, gel, oil, and sweat from working out. However, I kept putting it off by telling myself that I would take care of it later. But instead of immediately washing my hair, I just added more hair products and gel and went about my day. I knew it needed a good cleansing but I hoped and prayed that no one would notice the condition of my hair.

A few days later, I was playing in my hair and noticed that my hands were oily, smelly, and flaky. I grabbed a small portion of my hair to examine the strands and took a sniff. I couldn’t believe that I allowed my hair to reach this horrible state. I immediately jumped in the shower to wash my hair and told myself that I would never allow my hair to get to this state again; especially since I had the solution to solve my problem-shampoo and conditioner.

As I began to wash my hair, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me. How often do we, as Christians, try to cover and hide our sins or problems, praying that no one notices, especially God; praying that no one sees our struggles; praying that no one uncovers our pain; praying that no one discovers our shame; praying that no one notices that we’re just going through the motions? How often do we neglect to carry our burdens to the one that can cleanse us, fill us, comfort us, deliver us? How often do we get comfortable in our “mess” that we continue to carry it around, even though we don’t have to? How often do we try to find our own solutions instead of turning to the “SOLUTION?”

The Word tell us in 1 Peter 5:7 that we are to cast our cares, worries, difficulties, issues, trauma, sin, challenges onto the Lord for only He is able to free us from every situation. Only He is able to cleanse us (Psalm 51:2), only He is able to heal us (Jer. 17:14), and only He is able to restore us (Psalm 23:3). But God can’t fix our situations or cleanse us from unrighteousness (1 John 1:9) if we don’t acknowledge that we need His help and if we don’t surrender our will for His. Don’t continue to carry this weight that is not meant to carried by you. Let God wash you, fill you, change you, and make you whole!

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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Prayer: God, wash us and cleanse us from everything that hinders and distracts us from being with you; that tries to take your place in our heart; that keeps us stuck in never-ending cycles. God, humble us before you so that we will call on you during the good and bad times. Amen!

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When I Come into Your Presence

“Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13 AMP

As Children of God, it’s so important for us to continuously seek after the presence of God. In His presence every problem, every worry, every fear, every trial and tribulation fades away as our focus shifts to Him and less on our problems. And sometimes if we’re not careful, we can allow the cares of this world to distract us from seeking after Him, from pursuing Him, from communing with Him.

If I’m honest, I’ve been in a space where outside forces and my own selfish desires have distracted me from spending intimate time with the Father. I’d allowed other things to come between my relationship with my Savior; the one who shed his blood for me, the one I professed to honor and serve.

I remember coming home from my workout and saying that I would pray and read my Bible after I ate dinner. Well, in the midst of preparing dinner I began to thank God for who He is (Ps. 27), for His faithfulness (1 Chron. 16:34), for His greatness (1 Chron. 16:8), and for His power (2 Sam. 22:3). And before I knew it, I was in full blown worship; speaking in tongues and crying with uplifted hands, a contrite and repentant heart, and a humble spirit. Dinner was forgotten as I reconnected with my Savior, as my spirit was renewed and refreshed, and as my spirit was re-energized.

And looking back, I realize that God didn’t stop being God because I didn’t spend time with Him. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). I alone suffered the consequences of feeling weak, distracted, empty, lost, and joyless. But I thank God for the Holy Spirit! Because He didn’t let me stay there, He didn’t leave me in that condition, and He didn’t let me stray too far from the path. His love reached out and drew me back into order in accordance with Jeremiah 31:3, “The Lord appeared to me (Israel) from ages past, saying,“I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you” (AMP).

I want to leave you with this: when you feel a tug in your spirit or heart to pray, read your Word, or seek the face of the Father, yield to the Holy Spirit as it is a matter of life and death; a matter of staying stuck in your current situation or a matter of growing into your new season!

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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God is Still Able!

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.”Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)

Our world is in serious need of a healing. Looking at the world events, you see so much hurt, pain, anger, confusion, hopelessness, division, disruption, violence, unrest, calamity, and so much more. And honestly, these events have challenged my faith! It’s almost like you want you cry out and ask God “When will end?”–even though you already know the answer.

And it’s so easy to want to give up and give in during times of difficulty and challenges; or when you feel like nothing is working out in your favor; or when you feel like God has forgotten about you. But let me remind you that even in the midst of turmoil, GOD IS STILL ABLE! He’s still able to heal your sickness/heart (Is. 53:5), He’s still able to provide (Phil. 4:19), He’s still able to grant you peace during times of trouble (Is. 26:3), He’s still able to deliver you (Ps. 34:4, Ps. 50:15) , and He’s still able to pour out his Spirit (Acts 2:17)!

No matter what comes your way, you must still believe that GOD IS ABLE. I know it seems difficult to hold on to what you believe during times of trouble, but that’s when you should hold on the hardest, dig deeper in the Word. When David was at his lowest points, He encouraged himself in the Lord. And Psalms 24:4 reminds us of that for he said “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me” (NLT).

I challenge you to keep your focus on who God is and not what’s happening around you; I challenge you to hold on to your praise, to keep thanking God for what He’s done, is doing and will do; I challenge you to decree and declare the Word of God over your life; I challenge you to let the enemy know that He has no hold over you; I challenge you to keep your heart open to receive everything that God has for you because HE’S STILL ABLE!

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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Watch What You Say!

“…For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.” Matthew 12:34 NLT

It so easy to become caught up in what is going on around you–in your home, in your family, in your community, in your country, and in your world. If you are not careful, you can find yourself in conversations that causes fear, doubt, and worry to penetrate into your thoughts and settle in your heart. And it’s so easy to fall into this trap.

However, as children of God, we must put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18) and not allow ourselves to be consumed by the cares of this world. We must stand up for what we know to be true and continue to proclaim the Word of the Lord over our lives and our situations. Do not allow fear to dictate whose report you will believe. Do not allow worry to cause you to waver in your faith. Do not allow others thoughts and perceptions that contradict the Word to become your thoughts and way of living. Do not let the words of the naysayers and unbelievers become louder than the words of the true and living God who dwells inside of you.

Malachi 3:6 says, “For I am the Lord, I change not…” (KJV); He is the same God that was with you 10 years ago, 10 months ago, 10 days ago, and 10 minutes ago. If he brought you out and through every situation before, won’t He do it again?

Make Philippians 4:6-7 a part of your daily confessions-“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life” (The Message).

God is in control and I choose to put my faith and trust in Him!

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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Great Is The Lord!

The past few weeks have been some of the most challenging and taxing times for our country, no world! Panic, terror, uncertainty, worry, stress, doubt, fear-just a few of the feelings and emotions that have plagued this world. And I can honestly say that these past weeks have caused me to pray and seek God like never before. Yes, there were times where I wanted to give in to the pressures of what’s happening around me, but I realized that I serve the God who created everything and is in control of everything, including coronavirus!

As I was praying this past weekend, the Holy Spirit began to minister to my soul and all I kept hearing was “GREAT IS THE LORD!” I began to loudly and boldly declare that HE IS GREAT! Even in the midst of this troubling time, even in the midst of trials and tribulations, even in the midst of disappointments, even in the midst of fear, even in the midst of chaos, even in the midst of adversity, and even in the midst of disappointments and heartache, HE IS GREAT!

And as I began to search for scriptures that included “great is the Lord”, Psalm 145 leaped out at me. As I read through the whole chapter, the words began to replenish my soul and shifted my focus from the problem to the source and solution, God!

I pray that as you decree and declare Psalm 145 over your life, that a mighty praise erupts as you thank God for His goodness, mercy, and greatness!

Psalm 145

I will exalt you, my God and King,
and praise your name forever and ever.
2 I will praise you every day;
yes, I will praise you forever.
3 Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness.
4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let them proclaim your power.
5 I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor
and your wonderful miracles.
6 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness.
7 Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
8 The LORD is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 The LORD is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.
10 All of your works will thank you, LORD,
and your faithful followers will praise you.
11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
they will give examples of your power.
12 They will tell about your mighty deeds
and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.
The LORD always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.[b]
14 The LORD helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
15 The eyes of all look to you in hope;
you give them their food as they need it.
16 When you open your hand,
you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness.
18 The LORD is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He grants the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
20 The LORD protects all those who love him,
but he destroys the wicked.
21 I will praise the LORD,
and may everyone on earth bless his holy name
forever and ever.

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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The Power of Prayer Part 1

“…The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.”

James 5:16 The Message

Prayer is one of the most premier and powerful weapons we have in our spiritual arsenal:

  • It’s an intimate act of worship (1 Tim. 2:8),
  • It’s our ultimate communication language to the Father (I John 5:14-15),
  • It’s the way we offer praise and thanksgiving (Col. 4:2),
  • It’s how we connect and commune with the Father (Eph. 6:18),
  • It’s how we express our love and gratitude (Ps. 86),
  • It’s how we make our requests known, cast our cares, and intercede for ourselves and others (Phil. 4:6), and
  • It’s how we receive answers and/or rebukes and even repent (I John 1:9).

However, it’s oftentime our last resort when dealing with life’s problems or difficult situations. Why is that? Especially since we know He is a prayer answering God and that His word encourages us to pray without ceasing (I Thes. 5:17)? Could it be that we feel like God won’t hear or answer our prayers; could it be that we believe that our prayers are insignificant to God; could it be that we’re too busy trying to work things out on our own; or could it be that we’ve lost our faith?

Well, I’m here to tell you that prayer works. Prayer can shift the atmosphere, call things into alignment/order, destroy the yoke of bondage, break strongholds/chains, cancel the enemy’s assignments, open/close doors, save, protect, and heal the brokenhearted; deliver you from the enemy’s hand, declare your future, speak to your dead situations, transform/change your life, mind, and attitude; prayer can raise the dead, move mountains and obstacles in your life, and give you the strength and grace to handle any situation that comes your way.

Prayer shifts the focus from your situation and problems to the great and mighty God you serve, who is waiting for you to realize that there is nothing too hard for Him and there is nothing that He can’t accomplish. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that, “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams” (The Message Bible).

And when you pray, remember that God’s will and plan for your life supersedes your own wants and desires. It’s important that your heart remains yielded and submitted to the will of the Father; to say “Yes” to His “Yes”, “Yes” to His “No”, and “Yes” to His “Not Yet/Now.” I know that this is not possible on your own strength but can be accomplished when you rely on His strength (Phil. 4:13). Don’t you want all that God has for you? I know I do; and that means that what I want must take a backseat to what God wants to do in and through my life. The road will not always be easy but God can and will equip you with the faith and strength to endure as shared in John 16:33 “…In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world. [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” (AMP).

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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Stay tuned for Part 2 as we focus on the men and women of God in the Bible whose life was changed because of prayer!

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God Said It, I Believe It

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”

Numbers 23:19 (NLT)

Have you ever had someone commit to do something for you or with you and for whatever reason, they decided not to follow through on their commitment? It could of been as simple as meeting for lunch or as complex as helping you move. If you were that person, you may have experienced a wide range of emotions that may or may not have included: frustration, anger, disappointment, and/or even hurt. But what really caused the emotions? Was it because you believed them to be a man or woman of their word; was it because you had faith in them; or was it because you believed they respected and valued your relationship enough to never lie to you? Whatever the case, it stung and is probably something you hope will never happen again.

And if we’re honest, we’ve probably been that person who didn’t keep their commitment. I can admit that I’ve been this person a time or two. We’ve probably also been the person who become frustrated and disappointed when things didn’t happen in our timeline or when situations didn’t go our way. When we rely on our own strength and ability (Prov. 3:5), we’re bound to break promises, make bad decisions, and yield to our flesh.

But I’m so blessed and humbled to know and serve a God who isn’t like man (Jer. 10:6); who doesn’t disappoint, like man; who doesn’t lie, like man; who doesn’t speak one thing but does the opposite, like man; who doesn’t forget; like man; who doesn’t go back on his word, like man; who doesn’t fail, like man; who doesn’t break promises, like man; who doesn’t waver, like man; who doesn’t back down, like man; who doesn’t give up, like man!

If God has ever spoken into your life, if He has every promised you anything, it doesn’t matter if it was 30 years ago or 30 minutes ago, take solace in the fact that God cannot and will not ever LIE or FAIL you (Deut. 31:8, Joshua 1:5)! Everything that He has promised, will come to pass, at the appointed time. Look at Noah, Abraham, Joseph, David, Hannah, the Shunammite Woman, Job, Mary, Peter, or Jesus! The Bible declares in 2 Cor.1:20 that, “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory” (NLT).

I know your promise may feel delayed, you may grow weary, you may begin to worry and doubt, your faith may waver, you may feel like giving up and giving in, you may become tired, you may feel forgotten, you may even feel tormented, angry, and discouraged. But If God said it, believe it (2 Chron. 20:20, Prov. 30:5). If God said it, stand firm on His promise (Phil. 4:19). If God said it, remain faithful to His Word (Luke 11:28, Matt. 4:4). Don’t allow your current situation, circumstances, or naysayers to dictate your faith and stance in God! If God said it, BELIEVE it!

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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All I Want Is You (A Love Letter to the King)

Take everything
I don't want it
I don't need it, God
I just want You

"Just Want You"- Travis Greene

God, first, I just want to thank you for this opportunity to give you glory, honor, and praise just for who you are! God, you are so amazing and I stand in awe of your majestic power. You are so holy and righteous, faithful and loving, mighty and powerful, gracious and merciful, patient and forgiving. You are my source, my redeemer, the lover of my soul, the creator of everything, the Bread of Life, my shelter, my provider, my waymaker, my keeper, my anchor, my strong tower, my deliverer, my friend, my protector, my comforter, my light in the darkness, my strength, my joy, my peace, my promise keeper, and so much more. And I can’t help but bless your name!

I thank you that you sent your son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins; for a debt He didn’t owe! I thank you for your presence that surrounds me and calms my fears; that overwhelms me and brings peace to my storms; that fills me and ministers to my soul. I thank you that it is in you that I live, move, and have my being.

God, I love you because you first loved me. I thank you that your unconditional love never stops drawing me back to you. And I thank you for loving me in spite of me! I thank you for never leaving me or giving up on me, even when I gave up on you or when I want to throw in the towel and walk away. I thank you that when I feel like I’m at my worst, my lowest moment, you are always there with open arms reminding me that I’m never alone. In You is where I find peace, hope, and the faith to endure. God, my love for You extends beyond what words can ever convey.

I thank you for your Holy Spirit that convicts me when I’m wrong, when I’m on the verge of making a mistake, or when I need a gentle reminder to seek your face. Purge me of all unrighteousness and of anything that is not like you. Remove everything in my life that hinders me from seeking you with my whole heart. I submit my body as a living sacrifice; I surrender my mind, heart, will, and desires to you. God, you are my only desire; nothing else can satisfy me, nothing else can fill my heart like you do.

God, above all else, I just want you. More than anything; more than all the money in the world; more than obtaining the biggest house or the flashiest car; more than gaining fame and notoriety; more than being blessed beyond my wildest dreams; more than anything this world can ever offer, I JUST WANT YOU! I thank you that my mind is set on the things above, which is eternal and not on the carnal/temporal things that will soon fade away. God, you mean more to me than anything and all I want is You!

Your humble daughter and servant,

Katrina

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How Deep Is Your Love? Part 2

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”

Ephesians 3:18 (NLT)

Christ’s love transcends all other love. And though his love is freely given, there was a time where I really struggled if Jesus loved me, even as a Christian. I didn’t truly recognize the depth and width of his love. I made the mistake of comparing his love to the love of humans; it’s simply impossible. Even though he was born into this world, he wasn’t of this world and therefore our earthly outlook of love is unworthy to be compared to the love of Jesus.

I remember struggling with some areas in my life, areas that I hadn’t totally surrendered to God and it caused me to feel like Christ’s love was far from me. I felt like I was on this journey alone, in the wilderness, with no safe place to turn, with no comfort, and with no direction. Even moreso, my desire to seek after him waned. I now realize that it was a trick of the enemy to make me feel like God and his everlasting love had abandoned me. But I was comforted by the end of Hebrews 13:5 that says, “…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]” (AMP). I chose to totally surrender my life to Him; the good, the bad, and the ugly! And everytime the enemy tries to take me back to that place, I remind myself that God’s love is constant and never fails!

Believe me when I say “nothing you do will ever separate you from God’s love!” It’s backed up by the word, more specifically in Roman 8:38, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love” (NLT). And when God says something, it is so. Your past, your mistakes, your failures, your weaknesses, your guilt, your shame-it won’t drive you away from God’s love. There’s nothing you can do to earn it and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Start basking in the love that is so freely given and know that He is with you wherever you go!

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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How Deep Is Your Love? Part 1

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”

Ephesians 3:18 (NLT)

Do you remember the first time someone told you that they loved you? It could of been as a child or an adult but do you remember the feelings associated with knowing that someone loved you? Growing up my mom was (and still is) my hero and whenever she told me that she loved me, I felt so protected and warm inside; I knew exactly who to call when I needed help. I believed that she would do anything in the world for me, no matter the cost or the effort. I also knew that her love came without limits and conditions because she loved me when I was obedient, when I was misbehaving, when I excelled, and when I made mistakes. There’s nothing like a parent’s love!

Now envision being loved by someone who loves you far more than your parent, spouse, significant other, child, or friend. Someone who loves you with all your flaws; someone who sees past your mistakes and loves you in spite of them; someone who fiercely fights for you and with you; someone who knew you before you were in your mother’s womb (Jer. 1:5).

Who, you say? Well, I’m so glad you asked! His name is Jesus Christ, the one who knows you better than you know yourself, the one who unselfishly shed his blood on Calvary so that you may have life more abundantly. Yes, Him; the one who woke you up this morning, the one who provides everything you need (Phil. 4:19), the one who has a plan and a purpose for your life (Jer. 29:11). Yes, Him; the one who desires for you to know the extent of His love as referenced in Ephesians 3:19, “and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]” (AMP). The depth of God’s love is endless and incomparable. He loves past mistakes, fear, doubt, anger, jealousy, mistrust, persecution, and anything else you can think of. I pray that you too are able to experience this type of overwhelming and powerful love in Jesus!

Remember that God loves you and so do I!

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Stay tuned for Part 2…

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2020 Vision

“Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain…”

Habakkuk 2:2 (NKJV)

Every year, most people dedicate time to setting new goals and/or creating vision boards that outlines their plans for the upcoming year. I think creating a vision plan allows you to focus on the things that you believe God has in store for you and the things that are important to you. It’s wise to seek God for wisdom and direction before creating your list so that your visions and plans align with God’s vision and plan for your life!

My 2020 Vision (in no particular order):

  • Be more intentional about my relationship with Jesus
  • Become the healthiest version of myself
  • Travel, especially internationally
  • Become debt free
  • Increase my income
  • Increase my savings
  • Increase my seed offerings
  • Increase my charitable contributions
  • Volunteer more
  • Become a better friend and be intentional about making friends
  • Be fearless
  • Meet and/or marry my God-appointed purpose mate 😁😉
  • Grow this blog!

What are some things on your 2020 Vision list? Please let me know by commenting below!

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Get to Stepping

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

Have you ever wanted to do something or go somewhere but after a while you slowly talked yourself out of doing the thing or going somewhere? If you raised your hand or said “that’s me”, don’t feel bad because I raised both of my hands too! I’ve allowed outside influences, my own fears, and my ‘introvertedness’ keep me from doing some of the very things that I really wanted to do like dine in a restaurant by myself, attend an event by myself, start this blog, pray out loud in church, or run around the church in high praise. Whatever it may be, I’ve allowed fear to grip me and hold me hostage. However, I’ve come to realize that fear is not of God and has no place in my life. In fact, I John 4:18 says, ” Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love” (NLT). I decided to lay this issue at the feet of Jesus and leave it there; I decided to leave fear behind and “get to stepping” towards what’s in front of me.

A few Sundays ago, at my family home church, the pastor (hey Apostle Manuel!) asked if I wouldn’t mind sharing a short testimony of how good God’s been to me this year. Now, my first instinct was to say no (I don’t like public speaking and I always get emotional when I speak in front of people at church) but I said yes; I told God that I would not run or retreat when an opportunity arose for me to share His goodness. Yes, I cried (lol) but not only did I share about God’s faithfulness to me but I overcame my fear and “stepped” into this ministry journey.

I think about how fearful Moses must have been when God chose him to lead the children of Israel from captivity. Moses thought of multiple excuses of why he wasn’t the man for the job. How many of us have told God that we aren’t qualified for the tasks and assignments He has commanded us to perform. Take a moment to think about it; how can we (his creations) tell the “King of Kings”, the “I Am that I Am”, the “All-knowing and All-powerful Creator” that He has chosen the wrong person to carry out an assignment. It stings doesn’t it! But Moses took it a step farther by having the audacity to ask God to just send someone else. Can you just imagine God’s facial expression like “how dare you ask me that!” Despite his anger towards Moses, God sent Moses a helper, his brother Aaron, but Moses wasn’t given a reprieve. He had to step out of his comfort zone, step out from all that was familiar to him, step out from his place of safety and go to where God commanded him to go. I’m sure this wasn’t an easy task but He knew that what was ahead of him was far more greater than what was behind him.

It’s time for us, as Children of God, to “get to stepping” into what he has called us to do. YES, it might seem crazy; YES, it might seem challenging; YES, it might seem scary; YES, it might seem too big for you to handle, but God is in control of EVERYTHING! He knows the beginning from the end and we must learn to totally trust and depend on him, just like Moses. God equipped Moses with everything He needed to deliver the children of Israel from captivity. If He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever more (Hebrews 13:8), then won’t He also equip you with everything you need to pursue and complete your assigned tasks!

Don’t allow fear to hold you captive any longer; know that God is with you wherever you go. Give God your “Yes” and watch Him move on your behalf! God loves you and so do I!

What has God called you to “get to stepping” into? Join me by commenting #gettostepping and we’ll take this journey together!

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Welcome to “Konversations with Katrina”

Happy New Year! Can you believe that 2020 is already here? I can’t but I’m excited for this new year and every new opportunity that will arise.

Let me start by introducing myself…my name is Katrina Henry and I am a 35 year-old single woman who loves Jesus with my whole heart, body, and soul; who loves to laugh and have fun; who fiercely loves my family; who loves to help others by being a blessing; and who has decided to go after everything God has in store for me!

I’ve been tossing around the idea of starting a blog for a little while but kept pushing it to the back of my mind. Want to know what really held me back; FEAR! I allowed the fear of starting something new, of the unknown, of not being good enough, of what people will say, of wondering if anybody would read my posts, and so on. But, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I vowed that I would no longer allow fear to hold me back! Instead, I decided to stand on Isaiah 41:10 that says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (NIV).

So here I am, leaving fear behind to start this wonderful faith and life journey where we can grow, share, and learn together. My goal is to post weekly devotionals and/or life updates to not only encourage and motivate myself but to encourage and uplift someone else. I wholeheartedly believe that God has called me to start this blog during this season of my life; and I know that if God is in it, He will lead and guide me all the way! Thank you for joining me on this journey and I pray that you are blessed and that your life is forever changed. Remember that God loves you and so do I!

Here’s to making 2020 the best year yet!

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