Day 48

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ~ “¹Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven: ²a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time pull out what was planted, ³a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build up ⁴a time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance ⁵a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,^[a] a time to hug and a time to stop hugging, ⁶a time to start looking and a time to stop looking, a time to keep and a time to throw away, ⁷a time to tear apart and a time to sew together, a time to keep quiet and a time to speak out, ⁸a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (GNT)

We’ve been through a lot this year. We’ve had some victories, and we’ve had some failures; God has seen us through it all. I would like to remind you today, during the time when we reflect on our past the most, that EVERYTHING that has happened to you in the past 12 months happened because it was time. Good or bad, happy or sad; it’s all a part of the wonderful, perfect and flawless plan He has for our lives!

Day 47

1 John 2:6 ~ “Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.” (Amplified Bible)

Several years ago, I was fortunate enough to talk with a woman who had been in church her whole life, she was in her 80s. I was amazed at the fact that she had grown up knowing the Lord, since I hadn’t met Him until I was already an adult. I expected to get good old Godly wisdom from her, but instead, she told me all sorts of things about people of the church. Who was sleeping with who, who was stealing from who, she seemed to know everyone’s business…and she wasn’t afraid to tell it. Being new to the church myself, I was floored. These were “church people”; surely these things couldn’t be true! Unfortunately, the longer I stayed at that church, the more truth was revealed. I often wondered, “If this is how the people of God act, in His house nonetheless, what is the benefit of living this life”? I realized that being brought up in church means nothing if you’re not willing to change your ways to that of Christ. I want to remind you today that as Christians, we are set apart. We are born again creatures, not of this world and therefore we can not act as the rest of the world acts. What kind of example are we setting for the Kingdom if we do the things unbelievers do? How will we draw someone away from their sinful ways if we’re committing the sins with them? Did Jesus gossip? Did He curse, get drunk, lie, cheat, or steal? Of course not! We are representatives of the Most High God; let us always conduct ourselves as such!

Day 46

Psalm 119:105 ~ “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” (GWT)

As we prepare to enter 2012, we reflect on the things that have happened (or didn’t happen) this past year and we begin to make our resolutions. We review our mistakes and vow to never make them again. We plan to eat right, exercise more, spend more time with family members, live more, and laugh often. It’s a new year for the new you. While you’re preparing for your transformation, I want to remind not to forget your guide.  We can’t effectively change without God’s help. The more time you spend reading and studying His Word, the easier the transition will be. The Word will give you wisdom to make the right choices; you won’t make the same mistakes you did in the past. It will give you power to look past the unfavorable circumstances and see that you are victorious. It will give you the strength to endure and the faith to move whatever mountain stands in your way. Every answer to every problem is in the bible, there isn’t a thing under the sun that it can’t solve. When you travel the road of life, with His word as your guide, you’ll never get lost!

Day 45

1 Corinthians 2:9 ~ “But as Scripture says: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” (GWT)

I dream a lot. I think about the days that are coming when things are better, I wonder what it’s going to be like when I get to the “place called there”. There are so many things I want to be, things I want to do, places I want to go. It’s hard to imagine the possibility of those things now; the current situation is so thick it’s hard to see through it. This verse gives me comfort and reminds me (and hopefully you!) of how BIG God really is. He has prepared things for us that have never been seen or heard of. If you think about it, He’s already given us a clue that He has something huge in store for us. He’s going to “open up the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing we won’t have room to receive”…now, that’s major! God loves you, He has something amazing lined up for you; don’t get discouraged about what things look like today. Peace that surpasses all understanding, unspeakable joy, an overabundance of blessings, are all headed in your direction…imagine that!

Day 44

1 Samuel 16:7 ~ “But the LORD told him, "Samuel, don't think Eliab is the one just because he's tall and handsome. He isn't the one I've chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts." (CEV)

I’ve always had low self esteem, it’s not as bad now as it was when I was younger, but there are still times when I don’t feel like I’m good enough. There’s a little corner in my mind where inadequacy sits and wait for situations to arise so it can tell me all kinds of negative things about myself. I don’t measure up to a lot of people, I haven‘t been to college, don’t have a lot money. Given the choice between myself and someone more educated, I would assume I would not be chosen. The standards that people set are high and it’s hard to try and live up to them, but I want to remind you today that God is not like man. He’s not interested in how you dress, what you drive or where you live. He is only concerned with what’s in your heart. Just because you don’t have a college degree doesn’t mean He won’t make you the owner a thriving business. You have favor because He loves you, not because of the clothes you wear. The car you drive does not determine the amount of peace He gives. All of the things that man would use to elevate your status in the world mean nothing to Him. His judgment comes from what's inside. Just think of His reward when He searches your heart and finds Himself there!

Day 43

Matthew 9:23-24 ~ “Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen." No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, "Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!" (MSG)

Have you ever prayed and wanted to ask God for something and you said, “God, if you can”? I know I have. As if to imply that The One who created the heavens and the earth wouldn’t be able to comply with my feeble request for finances to pay my mortgage. Hello? He owns the cattle on a thousand hills; surely He can afford my mortgage! Why do we doubt God? He’s never failed us, He always keeps His promises. Sure, He may not do things when and how we would like them done, but He always come through. Why does He have to keep proving Himself to us? I want to remind you today that there are no “ifs” with God, He CAN do it! If you are in line with His will, then whatever you ask for in Jesus’ name will be given to you. That goes for anything; I’m not just talking monetary items. If doubt tries to creep in, and it will because we are human, shake it off and ask God to help you to believe even more. Think back over the things He’s brought you through. The God who delivered you the last time, is The One who will deliver you EVERY time!

Day 42

Isaiah 55:8 ~ "My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways,” declares the Lord."

I have heard people question God many times, “why me Lord”? It’s been asked, “If God is so good, why does He allow bad things to happen to good people?” The answer I always give is, "God lets it rain on the just and the unjust, He is no respect of persons." It may not seem fair, it may not make sense, but it’s all a part of His plan. Instead of trying to rationalize God and the reason for the things He allows, I want to remind you today that we are not like Him. We don't think like Him, we don't know what He knows. Instead of trying to "figure Him out" the best thing for us to do is just trust Him. He created this earth and everything in it. He had our lives planned out before we were even thought of. Every thing that happens is a necessary part of your life and because He loves you, He’s already given you what you need to survive it. Things may not go the way YOU plan, but you should take comfort in the fact that you’re a part of HIS plan…..and His plans never fall through!

Day 41

Matthew 6:34 ~ “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (MSG)

I’ve always like the phrase “carpe diem” (seize the day), it’s just so empowering! From the moment you open your eyes in the morning, endless opportunities await you. Goodness and mercy are waiting for you to get out of bed so they can follow you around all day. You can see, you can hear, and you can breathe. God has given you another chance, seize it! Instead of wasting the day worrying, which by the way changes NOTHING, I want to remind you to focus on all of the good around you. No matter how jacked up the situation is, if you look hard enough, you can see God in it. God is awesome, He’s amazing, and He’s magnificent. He is doing some wonderful things in your life right now; if you’re not careful, you’ll get distracted and miss them. I want to challenge you to purposely have a great day. Cast your cares on Him and be free today. Don’t worry about the bills, the kids, or anything else. God has the solution to every problem…seize it!

Day 40

Psalm 40:1 ~ “I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry for help.” (GNT)

I’ve never been a fan of things that take a long time to happen, especially spiritually, I like instant gratification. I don’t want long drawn out trials and tribulations. When things come up, I want to be able to pray about it and have it fixed when I wake up the next day. I don’t want to be struggling for years and praying the same old prayers. Lord, please just deliver me now and get it over with! If not, I might get weary, I might doubt. Anxiety may set in; my hope may begin to fade. I’ll start to think, “Does He hear me? Does He see this mess I’m in?” Then the temptation comes for me to try and fix it myself, which only exacerbates the situation. Now that I’ve made the hole bigger, my hands go up in disgust…I’ve had it! Why keep going if things aren’t changing? I want to remind you today that whatever it is you’re going through in your life, as hard as it may be to deal with, don’t give up. God is preparing your deliverance at this very moment, be patient. He’s making a way out for you, be patient. He’s restoring your relationships, be patient. He’s opening up the windows of heaven to pour out a blessing that you won’t have room to receive, be patient. It may seem like it’s taking forever for God to come to your aid, but be patient…your help is on the way!

Day 39

John 16:33 ~ “I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world." (MSG)

Have you ever had “one of those days”? It just seems like it’s always something. You get over one issue and here comes another one. God told us that He gives us both good days and bad, (Ecclesiastes 7:14) so we know that it’s not always going to be sweet and rosy, but when does it end? It would be so nice to wake up in the morning and have everything in order, but instead you wake up to the same problems you went to sleep on. I would like to remind you today that because we live in this world, trials are inevitable. BUT, God has already conquered the world so we need not be discouraged. I know it’s hard to remember this when it seems the world around you in shambles. The bills keep coming, the kids keep acting out, and your job gets on your nerves. Take heart, trouble don’t last always! Don’t allow the enemy to convince you that God has forgotten you or that He won’t come through, you know better than that! Stand firm and trust God. Be steadfast and unmovable for this too shall pass!

Day 38

Matthew 16:25 ~ “Then Jesus went to work on his disciples.”Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how.” (MSG)

My sisters (and my bff) call my bossy, I beg to differ, my ideas are simply better. I like to be in control of things. I’m organized, I’m timely, and I’m responsible. When things need to get done, I find a way to make it happen. Who wouldn’t want me to be in charge?  I’ll tell you who, God! One of the most important lessons I’ve learned since I’ve been a Christian is that I am not in control. God calls the shots, not me. I want to remind you all today that if we are to be and do all that God has for us, we must surrender to Him…completely! He is in the driver’s seat; He knows the route so you don’t have to help with directions. He’s already been where you’re going and He knows how long it will take. You don’t have to try to find short cuts along the way. Trust God, and trust Him for real. Let Him lead you, even if you come to a less than favorable situation, follow Him. He will take you along the safest roads, the ones that lead to victory!

Day 37

Matthew 4:4 ~ "Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God".

I love food, especially fried chicken. There’s nothing like a two piece spicy chicken with cajun rice and a biscuit from Popeye’s, I used to eat it every Tuesday. Pizza, chocolate cake, ice cream, all things I ate on a weekly basis. I would say, “you gotta eat to live” when people would question the things I ate. The truth in the matter is that I was living to eat. I was so focused on feeding my body, but my soul was starving. I used to have my meals planned out for the next day, but I wouldn’t plan time to read God’s word. I want to remind you all today that spiritual food is just as, if not more, important that physical food. The only way we will survive this world is if we are filled with His word. The solution to every problem we have is in the bible, but if we never go look for it, we’ll always lose. Yes, we have to nourish our bodies to live, but to live as God has intended, we have to stuff ourselves full of the Truth. When you don’t ingest enough of the Word, your soul becomes malnourished and weak. You become vulnerable for an attack from the enemy.  But blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled! (Matthew 5:6) Make sure that you take the time to “pig out” on the word of God; I guarantee you it’s the best meal you’ll ever eat!

Day 36

James 1:19-20 ~ “Remember this, my dear friends! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Human anger does not achieve God's righteous purpose.” (GNT)

Anger is dangerous. It isolates you; it lies to you, tries to justify its existence. Anger distorts, it confuses. It takes you out of character, makes you forget who you are. It will blind you, make you say and do things that you will regret. Anger is vicious and malicious and means only to do harm. It knows you, knows what things will set you off and it searches for opportunities to rise up within you. Anger wants to keep you as far away from the purpose God has for you as possible. I want to remind you today that you can not achieve what God has planned for you to do with a quick temper. When you’re in a situation and someone upsets you, there are no laws that say you HAVE to respond. Don’t allow anger to take you out of character and away from God. He is love, He is peace, He is joy. If we are made in His likeness and in His image, we dare not allow anything make us look any different!

Day 35

Psalm 35:28 ~ “Then I will shout all day, "Praise the LORD God! He did what was right." (CEV)

I went through a lot when I was younger. I grew up with a stepdad who hated me, and he made it no secret. I dealt with mental, physical, and sexual abuse for 10 of the most crucial and impressionable years of my life. During my teenage years, I tried to commit suicide several times. I took a bottle of sleeping pills one night, laid down and prayed to die. I’ve been beaten up, almost shot, and had a couple of other near death experiences. There were so many times when I shouldn’t have made it, but I’m still here. As I sit here with tears in my eyes, reflecting on all that I’ve been through, I want to remind you today that regardless of what has happened in your life; God still deserves your praise! He did right by what He has allowed you to go through, it was to develop you into the person you are now. Nobody knows like you know how good God has been; praise Him for being alive to tell the story. Praise Him because you made it through it. Praise Him for loving you enough to save you from the hands of evil. There is an awesome worship song that goes, “For every mountain, you’ve brought me over. For every trial, you’ve seen me through. For every blessing, hallelujah. For this I give you praise!” We must praise Him at all times and in EVERY circumstance; He deserves it!

Day 34

Lamentations 3:22-24 ~ “God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.” (MSG)

Friends leave. Family disappoints. Relationships end. Finances run out. One minute you’re living high on the hog, the next day you’re planning a funeral. Today you celebrate your wedding, five years down the line, your divorce is final. You’ve been at your job 25 years and you’ve just heard that the first round of layoffs begin next week. All things, us included, in this world are temporary. With so much uncertainty in our lives, I want to remind you today to stick with God, He’s a for sure thing. He is unchanging, you can bet on Him. His mercy endures and His love is everlasting, it won’t ever run out. He is faithful to see us through the temporary setbacks we encounter on this journey called life. He is everything that we need, and the only thing that will last throughout eternity. No matter how dark it gets, stick with Him, His love will ALWAYS come shining through!

Day 33

James 1:2-3 ~ “My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure.” (GNT)

I used to wonder why Christians go through so much. It’s as if the minute you decide to live your life for Him, you’re immediately put under fire. Trials and tribulations appear to be at every turn. Why would such a sovereign God keep us in such peril? We love Him, we serve Him, shouldn’t we have special privileges over those who don’t know Him? Must we suffer the same fate? I want to remind you today that reason behind all of the “madness” is that God loves you. He has a wonderful plan for your life, but He can’t fulfill those plans in the state you‘re currently in. He has to take you through some things so that when you’re in your purpose later on down the road, you’ll be better equipped to handle it. Everything you’re going through is a part of the process that God has set in place for you to become the person He destined you to be. It’s not a punishment. Quite the contrary, you should consider yourself blessed! He could just let you exist until He came back, living life as ordinary as the rest, but He wants you to have life in abundance! Peace, love, good health, happiness, wealth, every good and perfect gift is what He plans for you to have. Are you willing to pay the price to receive it?

Day 32

Matthew 5:5 ~ “You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.” (MSG)

There have been times when I’ve caught myself being envious of others. Before I lost weight, I was envious of ladies who were thinner than I was. Before I decided to wear my hair natural, seeing my sister flat iron her hair, I would wish that I had been the one with the “good hair”. Because of my family’s current financial situation, we’re not able to do a lot of things like shop, eat out, or take trips. I have to admit that I do envy those who are financially stable, at times. Today’s reminder is one I have to revisit often, blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Sure, the finances aren’t where you would like them to be, but you’re managing with what you have. You may not look the way other people look or have what they have, but you’re blessed! Be content with the fact that you are God’s child; don’t waste another minute thinking about how you don’t measure up. He has promised that we are the head and not the tail, lenders and not borrowers. Be happy with where you are on your journey right now, for you are merely passing through. Once you stop worrying about what you don’t have, and focus on WHO you do have, you will have peace that no amount of money can buy!

Day 31

Philippians 4:4 ~ “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (NIV)

Yesterday, two of my friends lost someone very close to them. Another person lost their job, while yet another didn’t get the job she was hoping for. One man received unfavorable test results, the other an eviction notice. This week there have been overdrawn bank accounts, family members fighting, inability to provide medical care for a child, and countless other issues. The people I know have been going through a lot. I want to remind you all today that no matter what the situation is, God is still good! He’s good when your loved ones die. He’s good when you lose your job. He’s good when you and your spouse aren’t getting along. He’s good when you’re living paycheck to paycheck. He’s good when you have cancer. God is good! Yes, the situation may be bad, but if you take a moment to look around you, you’ll see that there is also some good. God never said it would be easy, but we can rejoice in the fact that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, Rejoice. The best is yet to come!

Day 30

Matthew 5:44 ~ “But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you.” (CEV)

I have what my Pastor calls a “cut off spirit”. When people mistreat me, my first instinct is to cut them off and cut them out of my life. This defense mechanism, if you will, has been in place since I was young, a result of how poorly I was treated as a child. After being hurt over and over again, this became my way of escaping the pain; remove you from my life and pretend you don't exist. This is harsh I admit, but it’s how I deal, and I’m working daily to fix that. I’ve gotten better as I’ve grown in my Christianity, but I do not claim to have arrived, I am still pressing forward toward the mark! Today’s reminder is a big pill to swallow, but a necessary one. God wants us to love and pray for those who have mistreated us.  He wants us to love them through the misunderstandings. He wants us to pray for them when they hurt our feelings. He wants us to love them when they hate us. He wants us to pray for them when they plot against us. No matter what has been done, no matter who did it, we have to be obedient to God’s word.  Don’t withhold your goodness, even if you feel they don’t deserve it. Remember, blessed are those who are merciful, for they shall receive mercy! (Matthew 5:7) 

Day 29

Psalm 34:18 ~ “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (NIV)

I love this time of year, it’s just something about November and December that bring about a change in the atmosphere. All of the parties, the family gatherings, gift exchanges, it’s just awesome. Just as exciting as it is for some, this is equally as hard a time for others. A friend of mine whose mother passed away shared with me that her mother made some of the best sweet potato pie you ever tasted. She would bake them for Thanksgiving and Christmas every year. But, this year, she won’t get them. She, as well as countless others, is having a hard time with this holiday season, missing those who God chose to take home. I want to take a moment today to remind everyone that although it hurts, the Lord is near. He can mend your broken heart; He’ll renew a right spirit within you. Take comfort in the fact that the Holy Spirit has His arms wrapped tightly around you. He understands your hurt, and He’ll be right by your side to see you through it!

Day 28

Hebrews 11:6 ~ “It’s impossible to please God without faith because the one who draws near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards people who try to find him.” (Common English Bible)

Why is it that we can quote all of the biblical clichés, yet when we’re faced with trials, we struggle with unbelief? We say that “God owns the cattle on a thousand hills”, but we worry when our bills are more than our paycheck. We say, “I’m the head and not the tail”, yet we won’t apply for the position because we feel we’re not qualified.  We’re quick to say, “By His stripes I’m healed”, but when bad news comes from the doctor we lose hope. I want to remind you today that it is impossible to please God without faith. We must believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He is God. We must believe that He is able to provide all of our needs.  We have to believe that He will add ALL things unto us when we seek His face, His kingdom and His righteousness. We have to believe in Him! Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. (Heb 11:1)  Believe you’re financially stable although we’re in a recession. Believe you’re healed when your test results are unfavorable. Believe in yes when the world says no. He's not asking for much.....all it takes is a mustard seed to please Him!

Day 27

Matthew 16:15-16 ~ “He said to them, But who do you [yourselves] say that I am? Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Amplified Bible)

Jehovah Jireh, your Provider. He gives you everything you need according to His riches in glory. Jehovah Nissi, your Banner. To be waved in victory in the face of your enemies. Jehovah Rophe, your Healer. He is the ultimate physician. Jehovah Shalom, your Prince of Peace. He is able to quiet any storm with a mere wave of His hand. Jehovah Sali, your Rock. A strong tower providing a solid foundation on which we stand. Jehovah Uzzi, your Strength. He gives you the power to conquer whatever may come your way. There many names for Him, and today I want to remind you that He is whoever you say He is. Jesus Christ, He is EVERYTHING we need in every situation we encounter. There hasn’t been a problem yet created that He doesn’t already have a remedy for. He’s Holy, Righteous, Mighty, Omnipotent, Marvelous, Glorious, Kind, Faithful…He’s all that and then some!

Day 26

Proverbs 19:21 ~ “Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.” (Amplified Bible)

I’ve always known that I would be an entrepreneur, and since I love the medical field, I set my sights on a business in that healthcare that would allow me to work for yours truly. When I was around 18 or so, I was certain I wanted to be a nurse’s aid, my plan was to become a private duty nurse. When I found out what they actually did, I knew I had made a mistake! After that failure, I literally went from one thing to the next; medical billing and coding, medical transcriptionist, I couldn’t understand what the problem was. I knew in my heart that I was destined to own a thriving business, and I couldn’t understand why God wasn’t working with me. The problem was that I was doing what I wanted to do; I never asked God what HE wanted me to do. I want to remind us today that it’s easy to get caught up in the plans we’ve made, but if they don’t coincide with the plans God has for us, we’re just spinning our wheels. The moment I made my first cake seven years ago, I knew that I was purposed to own Kesha’s Kakery. That’s how He operates. Once we say yes to God, to His will and His way, that’s when things begin to fall into place!

Day 25

Psalm 118:24 ~ “This is the day the Lord has made. Let’s rejoice and be glad today!” (GWT)

Praise God we’ve made it to another day! We may not be in the best situations right now; life’s circumstances may have us in a place where it’s hard to find joy in anything. But, I want to remind you today that THIS day, you should be rejoicing, jumping for joy even. Why? Because God made it! If you know anything about God, you know He doesn’t make anything bad. Go back to Genesis chapter one and see that EVERYTHING He made was good! Not only did He make this day, He specifically chose US to be in it. He could have let us be in the number of persons who passed away yesterday, but He didn’t. There’s a reason you’re here, He obviously has something great planned for you. So, again I say, rejoice! Today is not a day for sadness, depression, anger, resentment or anything else that is not of God. It’s a blessing to be alive, to see, to hear, to feel, to breathe. Why not use the gift you’ve been given today to exalt The One who gave it to you? He certainly deserves it!

Day 24

Romans 8:31 ~ “So what are we going to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”

We have opposition in our lives daily, things that are sometimes contrary to what God has promised us. He tells us we’re lenders and not borrowers, and yet we struggle financially. He tells us by His stripes we are healed, but we suffer through illnesses. He tells us that we’re more than conquerors, while seemingly losing the fight. I want to remind you today that if God is for you, who, what, when or where can be against you?? Don’t worry about being behind on your bills, God is for you, He’ll supply every need. If you’re sick, be of good cheer, God is for you, Jehovah Rapha is the ultimate healer. If it seems likes everyone or everything is against you, God is FOR you. He loves you, He believes in you. He wants to see you blessed. He’s standing in your corner cheering you on; He’s got a t-shirt with your name on it. No matter what the circumstances are, you win! There is NOTHING you can’t accomplish as long as He’s by your side. He…is…for…you!!

Day 23

Hebrews 8:12 ~ “I will forgive their sins and will no longer remember their wrongs.” (GNT)

It amazes me how God knows everything about us and still chooses to bless us. I mean, if you sit back and think on the things you’ve done, even within the past week, you’d be hard pressed to try and prove you’re worthy. We sin against God; we sin against ourselves and our neighbors. But, the moment we ask for forgiveness, the slate is wiped clean. I want to remind you today that God not only forgives our sins, He forgets them as well. We come to Him with our head hung low, apologetic and remorseful. We’re embarrassed because we’ve let Him down. We promised to never do it again, and yet here we are, standing with broken promises in hand.  He extends His hand, lifts up our chin and says, “It’s ok, I forgive you.” And just like that, it’s gone. He loves us so much that He is willing to look beyond our faults and see us for who we really are….heirs to the kingdom of heaven.

Day 22

Philippians 3:13 ~ “I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.” (MSG)

Sometimes I get the feeling that people expect Christians to be without sin, like the moment you accept Christ you’re immediately removed from all human emotion and reaction. That’s not the case. Sure enough, we’re striving daily to be more like Christ, but the fact of the matter is we ALL fall short. I recently found out some things about a person I know. On the surface, this person seemed to really have it all together, faithful in the church, always positive, quoting scripture, just a genuine good person. I was really thrown for a loop when I found out that this same person, who in my mind surely had a seat very close to God in heaven, wasn’t who I thought they were. I felt let down. How could it be possible for someone like this to do the things they did, and still claim to be a child of God? In the midst of me passing judgment, God reminded me of this verse. I have to admit that am just like this person. I love God; I try to live my life for Him. I pray, I study His word, I attend church and I serve in ministry. But, I am not perfect. I make mistakes, I say things I shouldn’t say, do things I shouldn’t do. All I can do, all any of us can do, is repent and keep moving forward. No, we have not made it yet, but with each day that passes, we get closer and closer!

Day 21

1 Corinthians 14:33a ~ “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” (NIV)

The enemy does not want you to have peace. He is not pleased with the fact that you are trying to live your life right, so he tries to stir up confusion. He wants there to be division within your family, so he’ll try to turn them against you. He wants there to be discord in your friendships, so rumors and lies are told about you. He wants there to be strife on your job, so he’ll cause a co-worker to do the one thing that will set you off. He wants you to be caught up in as much confusion as possible. I want to remind you today that God is not the author of confusion; He wants you to have peace. The devil, however, wants the exact opposite and the closer you get to God, the harder the enemy will work. All you have to do when confusion arises is pray and seek God. Keep doing what He wants you to do and He will turn things around in your favor. When man’s ways please the Lord, He will make even his enemies be at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7)

Day 20

Psalm 91:14-15 ~ “Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you because you know my name. When you call to me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in trouble. I will save you and honor you.” (GWT)

My son used to be so afraid to go to bed at night. He had a nightly ritual of lining up every stuffed animal he had along side the bed for “protection”. I thought it was cute at first, but once I realized how terrified he really was, I decided to give him something better than the stuffed animals. I had him memorize this verse. I shared with him that because He is God’s child, and he loved Him that God will rescue him if the sharks attacked him in his dreams. And because he knows the Lord and acknowledges Him, when he calls on God, He would answer. When the dreams got too scary, he didn’t have to worry because God was right there with him. And no matter how many sharks there were, God would save him and honor him. Today, I want to remind you of the same thing. He will rescue you, He’ll protect you, He’ll be with you, and He’ll save you. There's no need to worry, no need to fear...God has your back!

Day 19

Deuteronomy 31:6b “The LORD your God will always be at your side, and he will never abandon you.” (CEV)

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like you just can’t take it anymore? If one more thing happens, if one more person says something to you, you’re gonna snap? There’s just a thin layer of skin holding back a floodgate of tears; the longer you sit and think, the more upset you become? You wonder where God is and why isn't He helping you? You know you should pray, but the hurt you feel only allows you to muster up a, “Lord, help me”?  I want to remind you today that although you may not feel His presence, God is with you and He promises to never leave you.  It may seem like your world is upside down, you open your eyes and all you can see is despair…..but, He won’t forsake you. God loves you so much, that He gave His son just so you could spend eternity with Him. He wouldn’t have done that if He didn’t intend to see you through. You are His child, destined for greatness; He walks with you hand in hand. So, don’t give up. It may be tough right now, but as we all know, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”. (Psalm 30:5)

Day 18

John 14:27 ~ “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid." (GNT)

There are times when my mind is so full of….stuff. Not having enough money to pay the bills. Going to a job everyday knowing that’s not my purpose, but going anyway because we need to money. Trying to be the best wife and mother that I can be, and still coming up short at times. Wanting and trying to be everything that God has called me to be and still maintain a reasonable portion of sanity.  It’s so chaotic, a whirlwind of “what ifs” and “if only”. Just as I was about to go down the road that leads to the party for people who pity themselves, God allowed me to come across this verse. Today I want to remind you, AND me, that God has given us peace, HIS peace. It’s not like anything in this world, it’s perfect. And, He will keep us in His perfect peace, as long as we keep our minds on Him. (Isaiah 26:3) The minute we look away, that’s when doubt, worry and fear creep in. Let’s stop focusing on the “stuff” so much and allow the peace of God to fill us while He works miracles on our behalf!

Day17

Ecclesiastes 7:14 ~ “When things are going well for you, be glad, and when trouble comes, just remember: God sends both happiness and trouble; you never know what is going to happen next.” (GNT)

One of the good things about God is His honesty. He lets you know up front, through His word, what you can expect out of life. Christianity does not offer a trouble free existence, it’s not “all good, all the time”. Take a moment to consider your personal relationship with God. Your conversation with Him is different on your bad days, isn’t it? You pray more when you’re going through. You gain strength on those days, your faith increases, you grow up in Christ with every trial you have. What if we never had a bad day? Would we be able to thank Him for delivering us? If we never got sick, how would we know Him as our healer? If we never wanted for anything, how would He prove Himself to be a provider? This verse is to remind us that there will be good days, and there will be bad days. We need both to have balance in our lives. His plan is perfect, there’s no need to question it. Don’t ask, “why me?” Just know that ALL things are working together for the good of them who love the Lord, for them who are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)

Day 16

1 Samuel 15:22 ~ “Then Samuel said, Is the Lord as delighted with burnt offerings and sacrifices as he would be with your obedience? To follow instructions is better than to sacrifice. To obey is better than sacrificing the fat of rams.” (GWT)

When we give our children instructions, we expect them to be obedient and do what we’ve asked them to do. Let’s say you have some errands to run. You tell your child, “I’ll be leaving for a couple of hours, be sure to have your room cleaned when I get back.” When you get home, you happen to pass by their room and it’s not done. Obviously upset by the blatant disobedience, you ask your child, “Why didn’t you clean your room like I asked you to do?” The child replies, “Well I was going to clean the room, but I noticed that the kitchen floor needed to be swept and mopped, so I did that instead. That way you wouldn’t have to do it when you came home.” Sure, the kitchen floor needed to be cleaned, but that’s not what you told them to do. They did a good thing, but because that wasn’t what the instructions were, it still counts as disobedience. Today I want to remind you that it is far better to obey God, than to try and circumvent the system and do what YOU think you should do. If God has told you to do something, do it, EXACTLY the way He said to do it. Disobedience, even in the slightest, may be the door that’s between you and your blessing. Obedience is that key that will open that door. So, do what He said. It may not make sense, you may not want to do it, but as they say over at Nike, “Just Do It”!

Day 15

Job 13:15a ~ “Because even if He killed me, I’d keep on hoping” (MSG)

Ever since I got married, over twelve years ago, I’ve had one medical issue after another. There isn’t a single day that goes by where I don’t experience some sort of pain in my body. I get migraines. I have arthritis in my lower back, a result of me being born with the base of my spine open. I have bad knees; I get this stabbing pain in my left ear at night. I occasionally have chest pains that take my breath away, and the newly developed shoulder pain that’s piggy backed off of the heart issues. Sure, it’s discouraging. Sometimes I don’t quite understand why it has to be so much pain, and so often. Lord, can I get just a little break? But, you know what? Even if I’m in pain everyday for the rest of my life, I still trust Him. He is more to me than this pain and if He chose to allow it for me, then I will bear it. I want to remind you today that no matter what you may be going through…trust Him. His goodness far exceeds any circumstance you’re currently in. His track record is impeccable; He’s never lost a battle. He sees you and He hasn't forgotten you. Keep trusting Him, keep loving Him, keep serving Him through your situation and watch Him restore you!

Day 14

Habakkuk 2:3 ~ “At the time I have decided, my words will come true. You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time, but keep on waiting – it will happen!” (CEV)

I like instant gratification. If someone tells me they’re going to give me something, I want it right then, I’m not a lay-away kind of girl. The same thing goes for my prayers. I want to pray about it today, and wake tomorrow with the blessing in hand. God promised me that Kesha’s Kakery would be internationally known; He even showed me the shop in Paris in a dream two years ago. When I saw that I was ecstatic, hopeful, anticipating some extraordinary financial overflow to come rushing through so I could begin to pursue this dream. I was expecting to quit my job and start baking full time. But, it didn’t happen like that, it still hasn’t happened. Does that mean I should give up on my dream of going to Paris to set up my shop? Of course not! Today’s verse reminds us that whatever God has promised us, whatever we’ve been praying for, it will come to pass! When HE has decided, not us, is when the blessing will manifest in your life. Just because it hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean you should give up. Don’t stop praying, don’t stop hoping, don’t stop dreaming the dreams He’s given you. Remember, God is not like man, He has no reason to lie. He keeps His promises. He wouldn’t have said it, if He didn’t intend to see it through. At my old church there was a song we used to sing, a portion of it says, “If the Lord said it, you can count on it. He will do just what He said. It is so, yes, it is so. He will do just what He said!”

Day 13

Ephesians 4:29 ~ “Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.” (GNT)

We all grew up hearing, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” I have to say I disagree with this statement. Words hurt, and the damage is sometimes irreparable. When I was five, my stepdad would tell me daily that I was ugly and that I would never be anything in life. To be sure I understood what he had said; he would make me repeat it back to him, I mean, he really drilled it in. Soooo, guess what I grew up believing?! Before I found Christ and realized the truth, I was being just what my stepdad said I was, ugly and nobody! I want to remind you today, that words are powerful! Be kind with your speech, even if you don’t get kind words back. Say things out of love and compassion for others, not out of spite. Take a moment to compliment someone; it may be the only good thing they hear today. If you know someone who’s going through a rough time, they may need to hear from you that they can make it. Speak things that will change someone’s life for the better, not make it worse. The power of life or death is in your tongue...which one will you choose?

Day 12

Psalm 34:19 ~ “The Lord’s people may suffer a lot, but He will always bring them safely through.” (GNT)

Before I was a saved, I was under the assumption that Christians had the “upper hand” in life. Being God’s chosen people certainly must come with all sorts of perks. Imagine my surprise when I finally did accept Christ, seems to me like I started to have MORE problems!  We go through so much; it’s hard not to question God. Especially when we see those who don’t know Him living what we assume to be the good life. This verse reminds us of two things. Storms will come, it’s inevitable, and we will go through some tough times. BUT, He promises to bring us through it….SAFELY! It may seem like you can’t make it or it’s just too much to bear, but trust me, you’re stronger than you think. He knows what He’s put in you, that is everything you need to be able to withstand the pressures of life. Take comfort in the fact that no matter how bad it gets He’s there to carry you through. He won’t leave you, He won’t forsake you!

Day 11

Hebrews 12:3 ~ “Think of what He went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.” (GNT)

I just learned that some people I considered my friends have been gossiping about me behind my back. I was angry and hurt. I mean, I am human after all. I was trying to figure out why they would do something like that. I’ve prayed with and for them, spent time with them, shared meals with them. To hear the things that were said about me was very disheartening. I thought about cutting them off, not praying for them anymore, not encouraging them, not loving them…but that obviously is not the answer. Today’s verse reminds us to consider Jesus, the one who was without sin. He was talked about, lied on, ridiculed…but he still went through and fulfilled His purpose. We must do the same. When we are “hated on”, we should use that as the fuel to propel us forward. We are not above being lied on and talked about; we can pretty much expect it when we’re doing what God has called us to do. Take it as a sign that you’re on the right path…and keep it moving!

Day 10

Matthew 6:12 ~ “Forgive us the wrongs we’ve done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us.” (GNT)

Imagine this. While sitting in Heaven, God has decided to go to your blessing storage and send you down one of the things He has stored for you. He takes a moment looking through all of the goodness there and chooses just the thing you need for that day. He’s so excited! You’ve been praying and now it’s time for Him to let you have it. He picks up the blessing and just as He’s about to walk out of the room, something in your heart catches His eye. He leans in a little closer to see what it is…it’s forgiveness that’s waiting to be given, you’ve been holding on to it...harboring ill feelings towards someone.  His heart sinks. Disappointed, He turns and puts the blessing back on the shelf. He really wanted to bless you, but because you haven’t forgiven the person who wronged you, your blessing is being withheld. Forgiveness is not ours to hold hostage. We don’t deserve it, yet God gives it to us freely AND He forgets what we did! If God can do it for us, knowing ALL that’s we’ve done, surely we can extend the same for someone else!  

Day 9

Romans 8:1 ~ “There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus.” (GNT)

Have you ever sinned, confessed that sin to God, only to allow the guilt of what you did condemn you? It seems you just keep replaying it over and over in your head, and each time you feel worse. When I was in my teens I made a LOT of mistakes, lots of bad choices. One of the choices I made was to terminate a pregnancy. Although I prayed and asked God to forgive me (several times!) every time I thought about it I felt guilty, as if I needed to ask for forgiveness again. I’m sure God thought I was crazy because He had already forgiven me and moved on, I was the one who kept bringing it up! Today’s verse is a reminder that there is NO condemnation for those who live in union with Christ. He loves us and offers His forgiveness freely; it’s not ours to take back. Whatever it is you may be holding on to, I encourage you to let it go……God has!

Day 8

Matthew 21:22 ~ “If you have faith, you will receive whatever you pray for.” (CEB)

My son came to me and said, “Mommy, I would ask you something, but you’re gonna say no so, nevermind.” My response to him was, “Well, if you already think I’m going to say no, then the answer is no”. It made me mad that he would automatically assume that I wouldn’t give him what he was asking for, but it made me think. This is how we do God sometimes. We want to ask Him for something, a promotion at work, a new car or home, maybe a financial increase, but we don’t because we don’t think He’ll grant the request. We are reminded in this verse that ALL we need to have is faith, and we’ll get what we’ve been praying for. It’s ours for the asking! God is willing to grant us whatever our hearts desire, but if we don’t have the faith to believe He’ll do it, why would He even bother? He is not a man that He would lie. Pray believing…don’t doubt…and you’ll receive it!

Day 7

Philippians 4:8 ~ “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” (CEV)

God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life. Plans to prosper you, plans to heal you, plans to deliver you. He longs for you to live as He intended from the very beginning, in no lack. He wants you to be happy, to have joy and peace that surpasses all understanding. The enemy knows this, and he will try to distract you in any way he can. It may be through a co-worker, it may through your spouse or children, maybe even through your finances. Today I want to remind you to keep your mind “stayed on Jesus”. Look past the negative and see that God is about to bless your socks off! If you can think on the things in this verse, I mean really focus on all of the good that God has to offer, you won’t have time to entertain anything else that may come your way!

Day 6

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 ~ “Always be joyful and never stop praying” (CEV)

Trials and tribulations are inevitable, as Christians we can expect them at some point in our lives. It may seem as if every time you turn around, something else goes wrong. Financial troubles, kids acting up, relationships out of whack. Today God wants to remind you, even though you’re in the middle of a tough situation, be joyful. There’s no need to be upset about anything. God is omnipresent, everywhere at all times, He knows where you are and He hasn’t forgotten about you. Keep praying! When you keep the lines of communication open between you and God, you get stronger. Prayer gives you power over whatever the enemy may try to bring against you. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning! (Psalm 30:5)

Day 5

Psalm 46:10a ~ “Be still and know that I am God” (NIV)

We live in a busy time, everybody has something to do. We go to work, we go to school, we have families to take care of...there is always something to do. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, and if you’re not careful, you’ll start to feel overwhelmed. You begin worry as you see your “to do list” get longer and longer. You get stressed out trying to be everything and do everything. And then, in the middle of all of that, you still have trials and tribulations! You know that God won’t put more on you than you can bear, and yet, here comes something else? What gives? Today’s reminder is a simple one. Be still! He is God. He’s bigger and stronger than any situation you could possible face. AND, He’s already put in you what you need to conquer whatever comes your way. The peace that comes with knowing that God has your back is like none other. All you have to do is…be still!

Day 4

Psalm 27:1 ~ “The Lord is my light and my salvation; I will fear no one. The Lord protects me from all danger; I will never be afraid” (GNT)

Everyone knows Romans 8:15 “God didn’t give us a spirit of fear”, yet there are still times when we’re fearful. The economy, fatal illnesses, our children’s safety, unemployment…life brings with it many challenges, hills to climb, hurdles to jump over. Trying to go at it alone will cause you to see things through YOUR eyes, instead of allowing God to lead you and see it through HIS eyes. His light will guide you in the right direction, the path has been laid before you, don’t be afraid. His salvation provides you security, no matter what happens you’re safe with Him, don’t be afraid. He will protect you in times of struggle; all you have to do is call on Him, don’t be afraid. No weapon (mental or physical) formed against you shall prosper, DON’T…BE…AFRAID!!

Day 3

1 Peter 4:14 ~ If you are mocked because of Christ’s name, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory—indeed, the Spirit of God—rests on you. (CEB, Common English Bible)

As much as we hate to admit it, it hurts to hear that someone has been bad mouthing you behind your back. Even more so, if that person is someone you care about. Our first instinct may be to confront that person; naturally we want to know why they did what they did. We may want to “get them back” for hurting us. But, instead of getting angry or lashing out at that person, think back on this verse. When you’re trying to live right, really seeking God and doing what He called you to do, you can expect to be persecuted. If you’re being lied on, talked about, judged and criticized, you should rejoice! Every negative word that is spoken against you, God is taking that and turning it into a major blessing for you. He is “preparing a table before you in the presence of your enemies”. So, let ‘em talk, the more they do, the higher you rise!

Day 2

John 15:13 ~ “The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.” (CEV)

Take a moment to think of your closest friend. The one who’s been through thick and thin, ups and downs, twists and turns with you. Now ask yourself this question, “would that person die for me”?  We would like to think the answer would be yes, but the reality of the situation is, the answer more than likely will be no. But, what about The One who did die for you? He is the greatest friend you have. He’s a shoulder to cry on, a confidant, an encourager, a healer, a deliverer. He knew who you would be and the things you would do and He STILL chose you to be His friend.  He loved you so much that He paid the ultimate price for your friendship.  He died…for you…because you're His friend!

Day 1

James 1:6-8 ~ “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does.”

With all that we know about God, and all that He’s done for us, why do we still doubt Him? Is it because we think what we’re asking for is too big of a request? If you have asked God for something, and it is in line with His will, then you can rest assured that you will receive it. But, if you spend time trying to figure out if (or when) He’ll come through, then you may as well not have asked in the first place. You can’t believe Him one day and doubt Him the next. You don’t want God to think you’re unstable do you? I mean, seriously, would YOU trust an unstable person? Of course not! Trust Him. Believe Him. Don’t doubt Him, even for a millisecond, and see won’t He come through!

And so it begins.....

This blog is entitled, "In Case You Forgot" because sometimes we do just that, we forget! We forget how good God really is. We forget that He sent His son to die for us. We forget that we're made in His image and His likeness. We forget that we're the heirs to the kingdom of Heaven. We simply...forget. With all the things we have going on in our lives, sometimes we need someone to tap us on the shoulder and say, "Hey! Don't forget!" With the help of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, I plan to do just that.

I will be posting a daily devotional, or "reminder" if you will, to encourage you as you continue on your life's journey. It is my prayer that each day you will be blessed beyond measure and that your faith will be strengthened so that you can go forth and do all of the wonderful things that God has called you to do!  

Be Blessed!!