WE are living in some turbulent times. We are running from an unseen enemy who is bent on tearing our lives apart. But I need you to know that COVID isn't the first unseen enemy you've had to hide from or deal with. Ever since you've accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, there has been an unseen enemy on your trail. Sometimes, you can see him brewing. And sometimes, he'll sneak upon you, disguise himself as a part of your tribe, and slowly plot to take you down. His bite is just as vicious as COVID, but his aim comes in a three-fold harmony: kill, steal, and destroy. Just as this deadly disease we've been faced with, the Lord has shown me that in the face of this present evil, we've been losing too many folks because they've come into close contact, have been sleeping with, or have allowed the enemy a passageway into their homes (bodies). Well, how do we fight an enemy we cannot see? How on earth do we protect ourselves? I'm glad you've asked because with everything in me, I know it's deeper than the masks and gloves. Those who have survived have been covered by the blood of Jesus; and have unfinished work to be done. And those who have seemingly succumbed, work was completed (on earth). We, who remain, still have a complete understanding that it is by the grace of God that we are still alive and remain. Now, there are three things I want you to get from this thought. 1. The enemy is not going to stop moving just because you are tired. 2. If you let your guards down, it's no one fault but your own. 3. Everyone and anyone close to you, could very well be the enemy's ticket in. 4. The only way the enemy can get into your home, is if you let him in. (I can build a entire message on this one.)And 5. You have to maintain your stance and never leave home without the Blood of JESUS. Danyelle, it's not like I have His blood in a bottle. I get that, me neither. But you do have it in your heart and have the power with your tongue to plead the blood over you, your family, and friends. Now, I know your mouths been running in this season, but I pray after today, you'll add a much needed dose of confession to your conversation that reads like this... I'm covered by the Blood of Jesus. My spouse is covered by the Blood of Jesus. My children are covered by the Blood of Jesus. My parents and siblings are covered by the Blood of Jesus. My friends are covered by the Blood of Jesus. Even, My enemies are covered by the Blood of Jesus. (I need these dudes to stay alive because they keep me on my knees and from thinking I have all the God-attributes and spiritual fruit I need.) Excerpt from Extravagant Love and you can grab this book here: https://amzn.to/2HFcjBv or on #KindleUnlimited.
Lydianne could feel herself getting sleepy. When she wasn’t hurting, she was fatigued. She decided to close her eyes and just have a conversation with the Lord. Father who am I to think that sickness is not supposed to stop at my door, but I will be less of Your daughter to not believe You are able to heal anything. So, I give me to You. Help me to get the courage to share with my family the text that is before me. Condition their minds and spirit to believe and trust in You. I thank You for all things. You would have never allowed the enemy to look my way unless You have given me all I need to endure. I thank You for enduring power, faith elevation, trial worthiness, and Your mercy and sufficiency of grace, in Jesus’ name. Amen. Lydianne drifted into a deep sleep. The Voice: Run Lydianne, run. He’s after you. Don’t stop. Lydianne: I won’t I’m pushing the leaves just help me. Please, just guide me through it. The Voice: You’re getting ready to come to the waterfall. Lydianne: What do I do? He’s still after me. The Voice: Do you trust me? Lydianne: How can I trust you and I can’t see you? The Voice: Do you trust me? Lydianne: I don’t know. The Voice: Well, do you hear me Lydianne? Hearing me is far better than seeing me? Lydianne: I hear you. I hear you. The Voice: You are about twenty feet from the waterfall. Lydianne: What do I do when I get there? The Voice: Lydianne, you fall. Lydianne: I just fall. Won’t the fall kill me? The Voice: If you fall Lydianne, I will always catch you. Do you believe I will catch you? Tell me! Do you believe I will catch you? Lydianne: I believe you will catch me. I’m willing to fall. I’ll fall because I trust you. Yes! Yes! I hear you, I trust you, I’ll fall… “Lydianne, Lydianne.” “Yes! Yes! I hear you. I’ll fall.” “Lydianne! Baby wake up. Wake up.” “Joseph,” she called his name pulling herself from a deep sleep. “Honey you scared me. You were dreaming about falling. What’s going on? Talk to me Lydianne. Talk to me, Baby. If you fall, I fall. If you are willing to fall, so am I. I’m falling with you baby.” “Oh, Joseph Jourdain. I love you,” she spoke still sounding raspy. “Listen, I love you Lydianne. And whatever it is. God’s got us. Baby when we fall, we fall on grace. And mercy, mercy will keep us from hitting rock bottom.” “Hallelujah!” She responded as tears now flooded her eyes and strolled down her cheeks. Joseph hated to see her cry. As for years he’d been the cause of her tears, but had promised himself to never make her cry again. Especially, from hurtful words or feeling neglected. He didn’t know what to do but when all else seemed cloudy, he did the best thing he knew to do. Prayed. “Hallelujah! Awesome God that You are. Lord, You are worthy and able to do anything except fail. You told us to cast our cares on You because You care for us. God whatever is before us, we know that You are able and we give it to You. God if You have found us worthy to go through trials, persecution, or even sickness, we trust You through it all. Have Your way dear Master and use us for Your glory alone,” Joseph prayed. Lydianne adjusted her body slightly and added, “I trust You, Lord, I trust You.” And though she whispered, her coming into agreement meant so much to Joseph. Joseph kissed his wife on the forehead and decided to give her some time to regroup, but also himself time to sort through his feelings. He was angry. Knowing she hadn’t trusted him enough to tell him something important. But what he felt didn’t matter. Hearing her scream out in the dream, caused his heart to sink. In just that moment, Joseph knew something was going on with Lydianne that was greater than he’d imagine. Just hearing her scream out she’s going to fall and then to see the reaction she had when he finally woke her from the dream, he knew it was big. Whatever it was, had the capability to make her fall. But if he heard right within his spirit, God had the power to pick her up. Now, he had to give her a moment to calm down and then find out what was going on with his wife. He retrieved a towel from the bathroom cabinet, turned on the facet, and stood there gazing but deep in thought. Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/2HFcjBv! We all create these lists. List of our dreams, goals, and aspirations. Lists of what we want in a man or woman. Lists of the type of house and cars we want. Lists, for this and that, but what happens when God gives us somethings or someone, but they just don’t match the list? Do we turn our face towards heaven and say, "God, I know you sent this but I'm sending it back because you didn't check my list right." Or, do we say, "God I'm going to keep this until You send me exactly what I asked you for." Sounds selfish right; But can you admit you've been selfish and self-centered when it comes to your good pleasure? I promise, I have been there before. As a matter of fact, still there. I’m at a place where what I want doesn’t align with what God is willing to give. I have enough sense not to be selfish because God could take everything away. So, How do I handle it? I’m glad you asked. I allow God to do His great work and I practice the art of being still and reminding myself that He is God. I've also mastered the art of being content. Wow! That’s something right there. We can always see infractions in what we have, and adjust through prayer. But it's a mess getting something new thinking the infractions will be few, but instead they are magnified. Make this plain Danyelle. The grass may look greener on the other side, but the grass may just be fake. Bless God for what He has given, and look at what you have through your spiritual eyes. I’m sure that when we pray for His will to be done in heaven and on earth, that includes in our lives. And whether you believe it or not, God’s will is always what’s best for our lives. So during this season, enjoy what He has for you. Get rid of the old lists because most are made based upon emotions, past hurts, and vain desires. Pray and ask God to ignite your faith to believe what He has for you, is what you desire for yourself. Then determine His will and way will make your life more than complete. I promise, this train of thought will take some of that stress out of your lives. Excerpt from Destiny's Decision. Book can be read here https://amzn.to/39NdTel or on #KindleUnlimited.
Sheila regretted telling Jake he could see Ziyan. She knew how important it was for a boy to be with his father and no matter how horrible Jake had been to her; he was still Ziyan’s father. Sheila believed he deserved to be in their sons’ life whether she wanted him to or not. Nevertheless, she had better sense than to allow Jake to visit at her house so she arranged for him to meet them after church at her mother’s house. When she turned the corner, she could see his red car from down the street. Jake was there waiting and on time. She knew her being late probably had him boiling like a pot of gumbo. There was a time when she would have been scared but ever since she’d divorced Jake, she’d been carrying a twenty-two safely tucked in her purse. She kept it where Ziyan would never go and she was not afraid to use it on Jake if she had too. When she bought the gun, she couldn’t help but be afraid of it. She had never thought she would need a gun, especially for the man she loved. As she approached the driveway, she could see the frustration in his eyes. Hurt mixed with anger and remorse was all over his face. Jake had been a good man whenever he wasn’t drinking but he seemed to have been drinking every chance he got. There was something about alcohol that had him hooked. He didn’t drink much when they dated but the stress of law school had been his excuse for his excessive drunkenness. She prayed many days for things to go back like they were. The memories of how things had been after the night they met were forever etched in her mind. |
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