Lord, Thank You For My Life

If you're my Facebook friend, then you may have noticed a song I posted on my wall today.  The song is "Dear God" by Smokie Norful, and it is one my absolute favorites.  For me, the song is a testimony, and perfectly expresses how grateful I am for my life.  When I listen to the words, I feel like they were taken right from the pages of my journal, and tears flow from my eyes and my heart is moved to worship the Lord.

I've had Dear God on repeat for the past few hours, and the gratefulness that has flooded my heart is completely inexplicable.  My spirit is filled to the brim, and at this very moment my cup is running over.

I wish I could explain it, but all I can say is that I'm SO thankful for my life...

Today, I just want to share the lyrics to this heart-gripping song with you, and encourage you to give the Lord thanks and praise for YOUR life. 

It may not be what you envisioned it to be.

It may be tough, and filled with trials.

It may be full of hurt and pain.

It may not seem to make much sense.

But you know what? It could be worse.  And no matter what your life has been, or is right now, the Lord has always been with you...keeping you from being consumed, giving up, and going crazy. And He will continue to do so, and carry you to your place of purpose and destiny.

For that alone, you should be thankful for your life.

Take a listen to the song, and let the words posted below penetrate your heart.

It feels so good to make it this far

And I didn't think I could take it so long

There were days I wanted to quit

I said surely this is it

But I held on

And I watched as so called friends turned and walk away

It hurt so much I didn't have words to say

But even when my day turns to night and nothin seems just right

Lord I thank You for, for my life

For my life, Lord I thank You

For every victory in You I've seen

And all the moments I know it was You who kept me

So I thank You for, for my life

And I watched you take my family from there to here

And when times where a little rough God I know You were near

And the moments I thought I'd fail I was reminded of your nails

So I held on

And if I never live to see another day

There is nothing I would change or take away

I've had so many ups

That they far out way my downs

Lord I thank You for my life

I realized some didn't make it...

I could've been one of the ones who lost my way

And there was times Lord I know I almost went crazy

But I'm still here, with my life

It may not be all that I hoped for

And every dream has not yet been realized

And to see your face one day God

I know it's all gonna be worth it

So I thank You

Thank You for every mountain, every valley,  God every thing You brought me through

Thank You!

I know I know it was You

Just wanna take the time to say thank You Jesus for my life

Embrace Your Uniqueness

A few days ago, I spoke with a young lady who struggles with constantly comparing herself to others.  Because she feels that her life isn’t what society tells her it should be at her age, she looks at the life of her peers who appear to have it all together and are doing well, and it causes her to believe that her life doesn’t hold a candle next to theirs.  Based on what she sees in other women around her, and in mainstream media, she doesn’t think she’s pretty, smart, accomplished, fashionable, or gifted enough to say that there’s anything special about her life.

My heart ached as I listened to my acquaintance criticize herself. I wanted to reach through the phone and shake her until all of those self-demeaning thoughts flew out of her head, so I could bag them up and send them to the trash pile.  Instead, I extended my heart, hugged her compassionately with words from the Lord, and encouraged her by sharing that I knew exactly how she felt.

I once walked in her shoes, feeling inadequate and inferior.  I compared myself to every woman I believed had a better life than mine, and in my eyes, everything about me enormously paled in comparison to those around me.

Read the rest here.

God Is Faithful

"Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me..."

This morning during my Jesus Moment - what I call my daily time of prayer and meditation - I asked the Lord to speak to my heart and show me how I could be a blessing to His people today.  Once I stilled myself in His presence, He gently whispered "Remind my people of my faithfulness."  I knew it was the Lord, because thoughts of God's faithfulness have flooded my heart this week.

Over the past few days, my mind has drifted back to those times when I found myself stuck between a rock and a hard place...those times when pain and trouble were so deep I couldn't see a way out.  I reminisced on the seasons when it seemed God had completely forgotten about me, and I had reached the end of my rope. My thoughts took me back to that place where I had prayed and cried,  and worried and stressed, trying to figure out how situations would work out in my life.

As I sat reflecting over my trying times, I realized something - God came through for me. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Without fail, He came to my rescue, met me at my point of need, and held true to His promises to me in His Word.  Whether the situation was great or small, something I'd brought upon myself or occurred from being tried in the fire, even when I'd been faithless, the Lord has always been faithful to be and do all that I have needed.

Worry is a natural reaction when situations grow beyond your ability to solve them.  When what you see, or feel, shows you that the thing you're dealing with is bigger than you, it's easy to panic and believe that there's no solution to your problem.  And sometimes, no matter how much you pray, because your problem seems so enormous, you forget that God is all-powerful and there is absolutely nothing He can't handle or fix. Once you have tried everything you know to do - that didn't help - you feel like there's nothing else that can be done to bring the resolve you need.

But wait, don't give up just yet.

Before you stress yourself another day, think about this:  Has God ever failed to come to your rescue? Has His mercy and grace ever failed to cover you?  Has His hand of provision ever failed to meet your need?  Has He ever failed to keep a promise?  Has He ever failed to answer your call?  Has He ever left you alone?

If you answer truthfully, you will see that God has always been faithful to you...and He forever will be.  There's no need in worrying when the God you serve has a track record that lacks any ounce of inconsistency.  Even if it's at the ninth hour, God will always prove Himself to be faithful.  He is totally incapable of letting you down.

God is reliable. God is trustworthy. God is consistent. You need only trust him.

In your marriage...

In your health...

In your pain...

In your struggle...

In your finances...

In your ministry...

In the call upon your life...

In every single thing that concerns you...

Great is the faithfulness of our infallible God.

Here are a few scriptures to remind you of the Lord's great faithfulness:

"Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." 1 Thessalonians 5:24, NASB

"God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."  1 Corinthians 1:9, NLT

"For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them." Deuteronomy 4:31, NASB

"Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands." Deuteronomy 7:9, NLT


"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

"For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you." Isaiah 54:10, NLT

"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Corinthians 1:20, KJV

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23, NKJV

Today, may you be reminded that God is faithful.

Thanks for reading!

God's Help Is Not Limited...

A few months ago, someone really close to me was pressed upon my heart. Though I clearly heard the Lord telling me to call and check on my friend, because I wasn't feeling very well, I decided that I'd just say a prayer for her and make contact the following morning.

Within a matter of seconds after praying for her, I noticed the indicator light blinking on my phone.  I had a text message.  When I opened it, my heart sank.  It was a message from my friend saying that she wanted her life to be over, and was struggling with harming herself, and worse, taking her own life.  She had been in a vicious fight for a really long time, and felt that the pain and torment in her mind was too much to handle.  She was having a hard time believing that her life would ever be more than it was at that moment.

I immediately began to go into spiritual warfare for my friend, and did all I could to convince her to hold on.  Thankfully, she did not succomb to the demons in her mind, and made it through a very difficult moment. 

God is a keeper.

There are so many people out there like my friend, who are so overwhelmed by life's problems that they feel they may be better off dead.  That's a lie from the enemy.  God desires that you live, and abundantly so. (John 10:10)

A while ago, I wrote an article in EEW Magazine about how our problems are not meant to be the death of us, and how we must declare that we will not die, but live. (Psalm 118:17)

But what do you do when the pain is too much?  When the demons in your mind are so loud?  When the more you pray the worse you feel?  When the tears won't stop, and nothing seems to help? When you want to cut yourself to relieve the pain?  When you struggle with commiting suicide? When you want to drink the hurt away? When you want to go to sleep and never wake up? When there's so much anger bottled up inside of you that you want to hurt someone else?  What do you do?

You know, as Christians, we're taught to "take your burdens to the Lord, and leave them there." We're taught to pray about our problems, our struggles, our issues, and just trust the Lord to heal, deliver, and set free. Although Jesus is indeed our "Balm in Gilead", and is well capable of healing any and every manner of sickness and disease (Physically or Psychologically), I believe there are times when He extends His grace through tangible sources. There are Doctors, Counselors, Psychiatrists, and Psychologists that He anoints to aid us in working through our problems.

I firmly believe in the power of prayer, because I've seen it work in my life.  But you know what, although I never sought "professional help" to help me work through my issues, the Lord definitely led me to people that I could talk to, and were ordained by Him to assist me in tackling my demons.

By ALL means, pray and trust God. But, there is help beyond the pulpit; beyond the altar; beyond your prayer closet.  And if you find that the things that torment you are extremely overwhelming, and you struggle with thoughts of suicide, or abuse to yourself or others, it's perfectly okay to seek help. God is such a big God, and He's not limited in the ways He helps us. 

Christians struggle.  Christians are self-harming.  Christians are abusing others.  Christians are commiting suicide.  But there's hope, and there's help.  Don't be ashamed or afraid to ask for it.

If you need help, pray and ask the Lord to lead you to a Christian professional who will be beneficial in helping you to work through whatever your problem(s) may be. 

I don't know who this is for, but this was so pressed upon my heart today.  I don't know who you are, where you are, or how tough your struggle is, but God does. Know that your life is so valuable to Him, and He loves you deeply.

Lord, today I pray for those dealing with issues that seem too much for them to handle, and are struggling with harming themselves or others, or commiting suicide. I pray that you'd give them peace in their minds, and help them find healthy ways of coping with the demons that consume their thoughts.  Lord, help them to see their value in you, and assure them that there is no pain you are incapable of healing.  Comfort them, and wrap them in your loving arms.  I bind the spirit of death that hovers over them, and I declare that according to Psalm 118:17, they shall live and not die. Help them to find strength in Romans 8:37, which declares that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us. If they need help beyond their prayers and faith, I ask that you'd lead them to kind-hearted, compassionate, God-loving professionals that will act as your mouthpiece, and help to bring healing in their lives.  I thank you in advance for preserving their lives, and leading them along the path to victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

~May you live in His love.~

Inspiration & Video Blog

Lately, I’ve found myself in a bit of a battle with the enemy.  He has been trying to reclaim a space that he no longer has possession of – my mind.  I evicted him a couple of years ago, and for some reason he thinks he can just come back and set up homestead again. 

It seems that the more I submit myself to the Lord and the plans He has for my life, here comes that old raggedy devil trying to throw a monkey wrench into the works.  Well I’m not having it.

Our relationship is over, and the space he once occupied in my mind has been filled with soundness.  I’m free, and I intend to remain that way.  

Read the rest here.

Watch the video below for a quick message from me. 

I Believe I'll Testify...

I have a few special days coming up next week. Sunday is Mother's Day; Monday is my 30th birthday; and Friday my husband and I will celebrate 6 years of marriage.  I love the month of May!

I am so excited about my week of celebrations, but more than the exuberance I feel on the inside, my heart is overflowing with gratitude.  You see, I've been reflecting over the last decade of my life for the past few weeks, and if I never knew that God's hand and favor were upon my life, I definitely know now.  During my twenties, life hit me extremely hard and I believed that I wouldn't make it through.  Without God...let's just say I would not be typing this post today. Oh, but God!!

Over the past 10 years I have been challenged in every area that I'm preparing to celebrate next week. I believe I'll testify...

In motherhood, I was challenged when my oldest son was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus as an infant.  For the first two years of his life, the hospital had basically become our home.  I thought I'd lose my son, but God has completely healed him.  I was further challenged when, after three years of hoping to conceive, my husband and I had no success.  Just when I'd given up on having more children, the Lord opened my womb and has since blessed us with two sons.

Marriage has definitely had its challenges.  Just two years ago, my husband and I were contemplating divorce.  We came so close to calling it quits.  But God restored our relationship, and did not allow us to go asunder.  Now we're stronger than ever, and committed to continuously grow in love.

If you follow the blog or my column in EEW Magazine, then you know about some of the challenges I've faced.  Life for me has not at all been a crystal stair.  I've battled deep depression, loss of identity, suicidal thoughts, sexual immorality, addictions, insecurity, low self-esteem, brokenness, hopelessness...and the list could go on, and on, and on.  But you know what?  God has delivered me; healed me; set me free; restored me; validated me; given me new identity and purpose...and again, the list could go on, and on.

Nothing but the grace of God...

My heart is so full right now, because I know what could have been, and what probably should have been...but God.  He's so merciful; He's so loving; He's so faithful.

When it looked like my life would fall to pieces, God said No, my child; I will hold you up with my right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

When it seemed that the enemy would destroy me with everything that came against me, God said No, my child; these weapons won't prosper against you. (Isaiah 54:17)

When all my strength had gone, and I thought I'd faint, God said No, my child. My strength is perfect in your weakness; my grace is all you need. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

When I thought I'd die in my sorrow, God said, No, my child.  You will not die, but live and proclaim what I have done. (Psalm 118:17)

When I believed that my marriage would fail, God said, No, my child; nothing will separate what I have put together. (Mark 10:9)

When I thought my son's sickness would overtake him, God said, No, my child; with Jesus' stripes, he is healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

When I was convinced that nothing good was meant for my life, God said, No, my child; I have good plans for you. (Jeremiah 29:11)

For every negative, God gave me a positive affirmation through His word.  Oh, how I love Him!  He took the worst of my life, and turned it into something beautiful.  I am so grateful for all that He's done, and I'm even more thankful for the fact that He's going to continue to perfect everything that concerns me...and you.  (Psalm 138:8)

Just as He has shown Himself strong and mighty in my life, He will show Himself strong and mighty in your life.  I don't care how bad it seems, God, the All-Powerful One, is able to make it better.  I am a living witness!  So don't you dare be discouraged.  Lift up your head; lift up your praise; lift up your prayers; lift up your worship; and the King of glory will come in.  He will come in, and heal; He will come in, and restore; He will come in, and deliver; He will come in, and make all things new.

That's reason enough to celebrate. Glory to God!

A Word For You...

This morning while cleaning the kitchen I had my praise & worship mix going, having myself a grand time with the Lord.  Those moments are the best, aren't they?  Well, in the midst of my worship I heard the voice of God so clearly.  It was so clear that I looked around to see if someone else had magically appeared in the kitchen with me.  He imparted a word in my spirit, and I believe in my heart that it's specifically for someone reading this blog today.

The Lord says:

"Your pain has not been in vain. The things you have endured in life were so that I could strengthen and mature you. The people who have hurt you, and are not/have not been in your life are incapable of understanding who I have destined you to be, and are therefore an unnecessary component to you reaching your full potential in Christ. Let them go. Let go of your pain, shame, guilt, and disappointments of yesterday, for they are only hindrances used by the enemy to keep you shackled in your mind. Declare today, 'I have the mind and spirit of Christ, and in Him I am free...free to live, free to love, free to launch into my destiny.' Your best days are ahead, but you'll never see them if you keep looking back, or continue to allow yourself to be stuck where you are. If you take my hand and fully give me your heart, your worries, your cares, your fears, your insecurities...I will give you peace, joy, grace, and life more abundantly." 

Whoever you are, I pray that this word from the Lord connects with your spirit, and empowers and encourages you today.

Blessings!

~May you live in His love.~