Category: DIVAotionals

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Don’t Let Your Dream Die in the Valley

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Ezekiel 37:1

 “The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.”

Sometimes it feels as if you are isolated and in a desolate place. Well, get out of your feelings! You are neither alone nor empty. You are just separated with a purpose. During this separation, there are three things that you should remember. First, the hand of God is upon you. He is protecting you from all harm while providing you with everything that you need.  Second, His Spirit is in you; not only to bring comfort, but to also bring clarity. Third, your separation has an appointed start and end time.

So, what does any of this have to do with my dream? Well, sometimes the dream that God places within us can get trapped in the valley of the dry bones of our past failures.  Here in the valley, it is very easy to give up and place a Do Not Resuscitate order on our dreams. However, we must follow the example of Ezekiel and listen to the voice of God and follow His instructions. Whether your appointed time in the valley was meant to define you (give you clarity and set in motion the pursuit of your dream) or refine you (remove anything that would prevent the pursuit of your dream), one thing is assured.  You will come out of the valley. Just remember to take your dream with you!

~ Prayer ~

God, I thank You for your hand on my life. I thank You for your protection, and I thank You for your provision. I thank You for placing Your Spirit inside me to comfort me and bring me clarity. Lord, give me ears to hear and a mind to follow your instructions. And let the dream live and come to fruition according to your will and for your glory. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

 

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A Dose of Laughter

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Proverbs 17:22

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

Have the situations in your life got you down? Are things not going as well as you would like? Is depression weighing heavily on you? Are you just sick and tired of being sick and tired? Well, there’s a cure for that; it’s called laughter!

When you laugh, not only are you exercising your muscles and bringing much needed oxygen to your body; you are also changing the atmosphere for yourself and those who are around you. Your laughter is infectious! Instead of letting the spirits of depression and sadness pass from you to someone else, why not pass on the spirits of joy and laughter? Laughter can change your perception of your situation, because when you laugh, things don’t seem quite so bad. So the next time you are going through, go through with joy and laughter. This will leave the enemy looking really confused, and that should give you another dose of “medicine” to cure your blues.

~ Prayer ~

Father, I thank You for the gift of laughter. On today let something that I do or say brighten someone else’s day. In turn, let their joy bring laughter to those around them. May what started as a smile or a kind gesture turn into an epidemic of merry hearts, and the resulting laughter ring like musical praises in your ear. Amen.

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God’s Got This!

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2   Corinthians 4:8-9

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” ~KJV

There are often times in our lives when it seems as we are under “Murphy’s Law”; that is to say, “Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.”  There is trouble all around us; at home, on the job or in school, on the roadways, in retail shops, and even in the church. Don’t be distressed. God’s got this!

We may not understand what’s going on, and some things just may not make sense. Don’t worry. God’s got this! People are going to talk. They will say that you did it when you didn’t, and they will say that you didn’t do it when you did. God knows the truth. He hasn’t left you; He’s right there in the midst of the persecution with you. Shake it off. God’s got this!

Traps will be set, and some backs will be turned against you. But just as He did with Job; God has granted the troubles and the troublers, the confusion and the confusion starters, the persecution and the persecutors, an all-access pass to run amuck in the palace of your life. However, their request for permission to destroy you has been denied. They don’t have a high enough security clearance to take your life because God is not finished with you. So, keep your head up, walk tall, and above all, never let them see you sweat. God’s got this!

~ Prayer ~

God, I thank You for Your very presence in my life. No matter what is going on around me; I know that You are in control.  I thank You for showing me how to respond in times of trouble and persecution. Help me to learn the lessons that each trial is designed to teach, and cause my heart to be glad that You have considered me worthy of the test. AMEN.

 

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A TALL ORDER

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Matthew 5:44

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and  pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” ~KJV

There have been times when I have wanted to cause someone bodily harm. I wanted to cause that person great pain and suffering because of what they had done to me. I was expert at being the victim; holding on to grudges long past their expiration date. I was becoming bitter and just plain old mean and hateful. I would lash out at those around me; completely getting on their nerves. To tell the truth, I was even becoming a bit sick of myself.  I wanted peace, but I knew I had to make a change.

Since I had tried other things, to no avail, I decided to pick up the Bible and read. I had no particular passage in mind, but I had heard that God would lead you to your answer if you would just pray and read His Word.  I ended up in the fifth chapter of Matthew. Most of it was in red so I decided that maybe Jesus was talking to me. I started with the “Be” Attitudes and worked my way down through the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” verses. I read past the recap of the Ten Commandments, the admonishments about making, keeping, and breaking vows and promises, and answering law suits, but nothing really spoke to the situation that I was in at the time. And then there it was, Matthew 5:44.

Jesus said quite a few things in that one verse that rubbed me the wrong way. First, I’m supposed to love my enemies, then I’ve got to bless them, particularly the same one that cursed me and did the mean and hateful things, and pray for them after they lied on me and used me up? “Really, Jesus?” That was a tall order to fill. However, as I mentioned above, I had tried other things that clearly had not worked, so I prayed and said, “Lord, you’re gonna have to show me how to do this thing.” And He did.

I was presented with an opportunity where there very one who had done me wrong needed my help in a major way. And again I said, “Really, Jesus?” I kept reading that verse and the ones that followed, and the Lord began to soften my heart.  I decided to apply the word and bless that person. I began to feel lighter, less bitter, more free. After the time of that person’s crisis was over, I got something that I never thought I would receive—an apology. I accepted and went away smiling, not because I had “won”, but because I got just what I needed from the Lord.

~ Prayer ~

Lord Jesus, I just want to thank You for answering my prayer and meeting me at the area of my greatest need. I thank You for Your Word and for providing the solution to every problem. I thank You for loving me, even at times when I am really sick of myself. Most of all I thank You for Your peace that allows me to live peaceably with others, in spite of the circumstances. In Your name I pray, AMEN.

 

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I Choose Joy!

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Psalms 126:2

“We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” ~NLT

It was like a dream when God brought back His exiled children to Jerusalem.  They were laughing, singing, and filled with so much joy that the people around them marveled at the wonderfully amazing things that the Lord had done for them.  The freed exiles were praising God for what He had done. But what if he hasn’t done it yet?  Here’s what I do…

Every morning I look at my vision boards and my inspirational wall, which cover at least a quarter of the wall space in my bedroom. Some of the goals have been accomplished; some are in progress, but my eyes are always drawn to the sticker in the top right corner that bears the declaration, “I Choose Joy!”  and that is exactly what I do. I sing songs of joy; upbeat and uplifting,  and I may even crank up the music and “dance like no one’s watching. Soon my little reservoir of joy has been stirred, and it begins to swell and rise and spill over into my day, all because of what I chose.

Sometimes all it takes for God to turn a situation around is a praise. So, “Don’t wait ‘til the battle is over, shout now! You know in the end, you’re gonna win!” OR, if Jill Scott is more your cup of tea, sing “I’m taking my own freedom, putting it in my song, singing loud and strong, grooving all day long. I’m taking my freedom, putting it in my stroll, I’ll be high-steppin’ y’all, letting the joy unfold. I’m living my life like it’s golden, living my life like it’s golden…” Hey, you can even freestyle. There’s nothing wrong with bursting into a spontaneous song! In other words, on the road to your victory, be filled with laughter. Sing and dance for joy. Your praise just may be the oil on the gears that will shift you from the place of your exile to the place of your promise.

~ Prayer ~

Father, I thank You for being my joy and my strength. Help me to consciously choose joy and intentionally choose happiness. Put a song in my heart and laughter on my lips that will cause the people who know my situation to marvel at my response and say, “Look what God has done!” And, Jesus, I will joyfully give your name the glory, the honor, and the praise. AMEN!

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REAL LOVE

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Romans 12:9

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil: cleave to that which is good.” ~KJV

Let love be real, not fake. It should originate from a sincere heart, and it should have pure motives. In other words, when we love, we should love not because of the great commandment, not because we expect something in return, and not with conditions.  Instead we should love because of the God inside of us. If God is love, and He is, and His Holy Spirit dwells in us, which He should, then we should have the most authentic form of love, Agape love, at our very core.  If we have that real love inside of us, then it will surely come out; not only in our words, but also in our actions.

Hate that which is morally wrong, wicked, harmful, or causes pain and suffering to another person or to God. In other words, stop being shady.  If you know that something is wrong, don’t do it. Stop waiting until you think no one is watching and using that time as an opportunity to do wrong. Remember that His eyes are in every place, and what is done in the dark will come to the light.

Remain faithful to that which is good. Don’t stop doing what is right because those who are doing wrong seem to prosper. Continue to exhibit good character and morals. Continue to walk in integrity and show forth the fruit of the Spirit.  Though “game recognizes game”, and “real recognizes real”, God sees everything, and He “recognizes” the motives behind it all.

~ Prayer ~

God, I thank You for loving me. Help me to love for real; without conditions or ulterior motives. Help me to resist the urge to do things that are evil. Bind the devil out of my mind, and block every thought that is not from You. Lord, help me to remain faithful to doing what is good and what is right in Your sight. It is so, and so it is!

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The End Game

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Matthew 29:39

“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my  Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” ~KJV

Before Jesus came down from Heaven, He knew what His end game would be.

Yes, He came that we might have life and that more abundantly, but ultimately; His end game was that we may be reconciled to the Father and dwell with Him for eternity. However, neither of those things could happen until He suffered the bitterness of the cup and the pain of the cross.  In other words, He went through His nevertheless because he remembered the end game.

Has God ever showed you a great vision or revealed to you your purpose?  Often He allows us to glimpse into the future—peep the end game if you will. We begin to get excited and earnestly work toward that thing that He has purposed us to do, and then, life happens. We are faced with problems at work, at school, at home, and even in the church.  As the stress mounts, the weight of the load we carry causes our knees to buckle and we want to throw in the towel, but we cannot give up!

There are blessings that God has for us that are exceedingly and abundantly above all we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20), but sometimes we can’t get to our exceedingly and abundantly until we get through the bitterness and the pain of our nevertheless. Be encouraged, go through, and remember the end game! But as it is written, Eye hath not see, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, KJV)

~ Prayer ~

Lord, sometimes I get tired, and I want to give up. Thank You for sending your Son, Jesus, to be an example for me. Oh, God, give me that same nevertheless spirit and a willingness to go through as was in Christ Jesus. Be my strength, and never let me lose sight of what you have purposed for me. This is my prayer, Amen.

 

 

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IT IS WELL!

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2 Kings 4:26

“Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband: is it well with the child: And she answered, It is well.” ~KJV

This familiar passage of scripture is a part of the story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman. At this point in the story, the woman is going through every parent’s worst nightmare—the death of her only child. But more important than the death, was the way that she perceived the death and her actions immediately following.

When the woman’s son died in her arms, she immediately took him and laid him upon the prophet’s bed, shut the door, and left him there. She then asked her husband to provide a servant and a donkey so she could go see Elisha. When her husband questioned her about her journey her response was, “It shall be well.” When Elisha saw her approaching from far away he sent his servant to find out what was wrong. Her response to his three questions was, “It is well,” even though her son was still dead.

There are times in our lives when we face dead circumstances.  Sometimes we have dead-end jobs, job loss, the death of relationships, or even the physical death of a loved one. It is at those times that we should follow the example of the Shunammite woman. Regardless of what it looked like, she laid her problem at the altar and sought help. She didn’t waste time lamenting over the death, but rather she spoke life into her situation, and ultimately into the life of her son. She encouraged herself, and her faith increased from “All shall be well” to “It is well.” Speak wellness over your life today!

~ Prayer ~

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Word that comforts and reminds me that it is well.  Let me face each circumstance and every situation knowing as long as I put my trust in You, it is well. No matter what it looks like, it is well, No matter what it feels like, It is Well. No matter what the world says, IT IS WELL! I decree and declare wellness over my life, over my family, and over every situation that I have up before you. And I know, without a doubt, that it is so, and it is well!

 

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Promises Promises

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God is not Slack, Just Patient

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” ~KJV

Most often when I have heard the phrase, “God is not slack concerning His promise,” it is in reference to Him answering a prayer or working something out. I have even applied it to my own life in that way; especially when I needed a little encouragement or motivation. However, when Peter wrote this message, it was issued as a reminder or a warning. He admonished the people to get it together, repent, and live holy while there was still time.

Fast-forward more than two-thousand years, and God’s word is still true. He is not really being slow about bringing the day of judgment to pass, He is just being patient for our sake. It is not His will for us to be destroyed, in fact, He wants the same thing now that He wanted back then; for His people to get it together, repent, and live holy so that we might be saved. So, here are two questions for thought: (1) How long do you expect God to wait for you to “get it together?” (2) Do you really have that much time?

We are anxious, often impatient, when we are waiting for God to bring His promises of abundance, peace, prosperity, and all of the other “good stuff” to pass. When it comes to the “bad stuff,” we’re not in such a hurry. In both cases, He is waiting on His perfect timing because we are not quite ready to receive the good or the bad.

~ Prayer ~

God, I thank You for your perfect timing. I thank you for not giving me things or opportunities before I am ready to handle them. I also thank You for sparing my life and giving me chance after chance to get it right. Forgive me for doing the things that I should not have done and for not doing the things that I should have done. Lord, I don’t want to continue taking advantage of your grace, your mercy, and your patience, so help me to get it right; this time for real. Amen.

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Abundantly Blessed

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Proverbs 11:24-25

“The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” ~MSG

How many times have you heard the words, “You are blessed to be a blessing,” or “If He can get through you, then He can get it to you?” Our thoughts immediately go to financial blessings, and they should. But what if we extended the principle of shared blessings beyond our bank balances? Would the other areas of our lives be abundantly blessed? Think of law of reaping and sowing. In Galations 6:7, this principle was issued as a warning, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” But what if we used these words as a model for our dealings with others? Let me explain.

I’m not a gardener, but I know that if I want mustard greens, I need to plant mustard seeds, if I want tulips, I have to plant tulip bulbs, and if I want tomatoes, I need to set out tomato plants. I also know that I cannot plant beans and get corn. What am I saying? If you see a way to help someone, whether it’s by giving a kind word, a smile, or a testimony, do it. If you are skilled in an area in which you see someone struggling, share your knowledge. If someone is trying to get a new business off the ground, sow into it. If you want to reap love, you must sow love; if you want reap forgiveness, you must sow forgiveness; and if you want to reap peace, stop raising hell, and sow peace. When we learn to think beyond our finances and sow bountifully in all things, then we can be abundantly blessed in every area of our lives.

~ Prayer ~

Father God, thank You for your Word that gives us instructions for our daily lives. Help me to be mindful of the seeds that I sow. Take self out of the way, and show me the ways that I can help and be a blessing to others. Lord, You are the perfect example because You gave all. Help me to be more generous in my giving so that I can live a life that is abundantly blessed. In Your name I pray, Amen.