“For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time; it hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, Because it will certainly come; it will not delay,” Habakkuk 2:3, AMP. Hello family, I have missed you all. I’ve been quiet recently because I only write when God gives me something to say. I was also resting mentally; all this writing has worn me out! Well, as you can see, the book is finally published, and that’s amazing. But what is really amazing is the journey that I had to take to get to this point. I want to encourage you on your journey with God. I want you to know that he will finish the work that he has begun in you, and even through you. In 1991, I heard God say to me as I sat at my desk at work, “You’re going to write a book.” As I mentioned before, I had no clue how to write a book, or what to write about. In 1995, God told me, and I wasn’t pleased with the topic, because the topic was my life. However, in obedience, I began the long journey of writing, and re-writing, and re-writing to get to the final product that is now available to enjoy. About two weeks ago, as I was lying in bed, I had just opened my eyes and was preparing to go into prayer when it hit me: it’s been 30 years since God spoke to me about writing this book. Thirty years!!! In sorrow for feeling like a failure, I questioned, “Lord, it took me thirty years to write that book?” He responded encouragingly, “No, it only took you two years to write the book, and two years to edit the book; the rest of the time I spent developing you to minister the message within the book. And then I had to align you with your first publisher, and your second publisher, you.” That was an eye-opening statement, and it was absolutely true. When my writing journey began, I knew nothing of what I know now, or even how to do any of it. I didn’t even know how I was going to publish the book; God surprised me with that answer. I wanted to go with a traditional publisher, but he chose a different publisher and publishing route. When I had exhausted all of my publishing possibilities and was very discouraged, he told me, “Sow a seed into another author.” The problem was that I didn’t know any other author personally. Then he told me to do something that really shocked me. He said, “Call the publishing house that you were not able to sign with because you couldn’t afford it and ask if you can sow into one of their authors.” With much trepidation, I obeyed, and the publishing representative was also shocked at my request. However, he took the request back to his superiors, and they agreed to let me sow into one of their current authors. This happened around March-April 2019. After I realized that I had done all I knew to do with the book, I turned it back over to God. Some years ago, he encouraged me when I was worried about getting the book finished and sold. He tenderly reminded me, “Don’t you worry about it; I know about books. I have the best-selling book of all time.” God is so funny!!! And he is so right!!! With that statement, I relaxed and just kept writing until I had nothing more to say. Then I knew I had finished my course. After a few days had passed, I received a call giving me the green-light to sow into one of the other publisher’s authors. After a few weeks had passed, I received an email with the author’s name and a thank-you reply. Then I left the rest to God. In October 2019, I opened my mailbox to find a letter from a publisher. Why are they contacting me? I thought. The letter announced they had found my manuscript in the Library of Congress (I had copyrighted it for protection before I sent it out to agents) and somehow a representative from the company had found it. They notified me they were interested in publishing my manuscript. This was so intriguing to me because early in my writing process, I had submitted the first part of what I thought was the finished manuscript for review, and that company wanted to publish it in 2006. At the time, I couldn’t afford the publishing fees, and I didn’t know how I was going to afford them this time, either. I told my publishing representative that the first contract amount was too high for me, and she went back for renegotiation. The second amount was something that I instinctively knew I could afford, but I really didn’t know how I would afford it. Something in my spirit just felt right about it. So, I began my publishing journey. I asked God to confirm that I was in the right place, with the right people, at the right time. My publishing representative stated, “I like you and I really like your name; my mother has the same first name as you.” I replied, “Guess what? You have the same first name as my mother. Thank you for the confirmation.” ​ My first draft of the original book was published in 2021. However, I noticed some corrections that needed to be made after I had begun a writing mentorship with Christian Book Academy. "Oh, no! Lord, I have to go back into the book to make the corrections," I announced disheartened. "No, you don't. You republish it!" he demanded. "What? Lord, are you serious?" He explained that although I didn't have the money to pay for editing with the other company; I had the skills to edit and republish the book myself as an indie author. In 2025, I republished the work that I am proud of, even through grief over the death of my only child, my daughter. And through having to raise her three minor children. Honestly, I still feel like a novice because I am still learning, but I am growing. However, I now have the creative freedom to write and publish the other books in the series, and beyond. ​ Authoring is a lot of work. And it requires a lot of dedication. I just want you to be encouraged on your journey with the Lord, whether you are authoring a book, building a ministry, or entering your assigned calling. Just know that the timing is not ours, nor is the outcome. I don’t know what shall become of my book; I only know that I fulfilled my obligation to write it the way God led me to write. My obedience to the ministry is my responsibility, but the success of the ministry is God’s responsibility. I take my rest in trusting him with the rest. I urge you to do the same. Don’t stress about it; rest. He knows what to do with you and your ministry responsibilities. He only needs you to stay the course and not give up! Pray, Listen, and Persevere!!! P.S. That picture is my actual book cover that I designed and created per God's instruction to do so.

Sometimes in our lives there will be times when God asks us to do what seems impossible. For me, one of those impossible things was getting my driver’s license at the tender age of 58. I was sick most of my teen years and into my thirties, which made me lose out on the privilege of learning to drive. In 2018, God brought up learning how to drive in my spirit. He put the desire in me when a dear sister at church volunteered to teach my granddaughter to drive. When we returned home, I heard the Lord say, "Ask if she will teach you also?" I asked, and she agreed to teach me how to drive. I was already familiar with a car when I took my first 30-hour driver's education class 12 years earlier. However, when the drive-time practice came, I could not do it after the first day because of vision problems, and I had no one in my family to help me practice. I gave up, thinking it would never happen. But God did not, so I began my practice time with the sister and my granddaughter, then COVID hit! Again, my practice time was over, and I thought the process was over until the Lord told me to sign up to take another 30-hour driver's education class to begin the licensing process. "But how will I get there?" I queried. God was ready with the answer when he sent me to a driving school that was giving the class virtually. I took the class and passed it, but still had no one to help me practice. I had asked a close relative if she would help me; she agreed to help me, but she did not. So, I sat wondering if all of this was just my imagination. One day, while having a conversation at work, a young woman whom I had met only three years prior had just purchased a new car after not having one for eight years. She inquired about how my driving practice was going. My head hung low as I told her, it wasn't going at all. "I will take you out for practice," she offered with a smile on her face. "Are you serious?" I shouted in utter shock. She was serious and was loyally devoted to helping me, despite her own family trials and tribulations. After nine months of intermittent practice, she and I went together in her vehicle, for me to take my driving test. It was pouring rain, and I did everything perfect even backing into the parking spot, until I tapped the cone. I failed! When I returned home, my grandchildren were excited, but I was so discouraged and embarrassed when I had to I them the bad news. As I shut myself in my room disappointed, the Lord spoke to me encouraging, "Don't be dismayed; you have a knowledge advantage. You now know the layout of the test course, and you know exactly what to expect." Encouraged, she and I went back a few days later, and again, I failed! This time the Lord spoke, "You know, you forgot to ask me to assist you." Then it hit me. I forgot to pray before the test both times. "Sorry, Lord," I apologized and repented. Two weeks later, on the afternoon of May 16, 2022, the Lord asked, "Are you wearing that blouse?" I looked over at my work blouse, responding puzzled at the question, "Yes." He chided, "Do you want that blouse on your driver's license?" "No, Lord," I responded after I looked at it again. "Dress for your license," he counseled. Immediately, I ran over to my closet and grabbed a more appropriate blouse and jewelry. The next morning, at the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), on May 17, 2022, I prayed, and I passed the test. Then I took the photo for my new driver's license, and God and I were both pleased with the picture. This was the year of manifestation. Mine came as a long-overdue desire being fulfilled. Whatever your dream or God's dream is for you, just know that it will come to pass. All you need to do is believe, let him guide you, persevere in the work of your hands, and then watch God manifest his miracles for you. And I encourage you not to give in and give up on your dreams, just press in and stay the course. Remember, we don’t become anything great until we do the work that requires greatness. Press into your purpose, one-small-step-at-a-time. Each step puts you closer to your dreams and God’s purpose in your life being fulfilled. YOU CAN DO IT! GOD WILL HELP YOU! AND I AM CHEERING FOR YOU! NOW GO AFTER IT!!! As long as you persevere, you will not fail. But if you give up, you have already failed to fulfill your purpose. God is with you! And God never fails! Hallelujah!!!

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT) When I first started these devotions, I asked a question: What kind of family member are you? I admitted that when God asked me that question, I couldn’t or wouldn’t answer it. I figured I might want to think about it for a minute before I give an answer. Well, I have thought about it, and I still don’t have an answer. When I brought the subject back up to God, I asked, “How do I answer that question?” He replied, “You don’t have to.” I asked, “Really?” He replied, “Really.” Then I thought, okay then why did you bring it up? I said, I thought it; I never said it out loud. Although I know God knows our thoughts afar off. He knew I would think that before I did. He told me that, “He asked so that I would be mindful to think about what kind of family member I am.” Immediately the word “awareness” came to mind. Then I realized that I am not always aware of the kind of family member I am. I try to be, but too often, I just go about it mindlessly. I wake up in the morning and begin interacting with various people, including my family. Some days I would much rather interact with strangers than to intermingle with my family. When I thought about that, it made me think, why? For me, the reason is that I don’t always know how to be the kind of family member that they may need me to be that day. For instance, there was a day when my mother was not feeling well and needed me to walk the dog. I wanted to walk the dog; and I probably should have walked the dog, but I was hurting and not feeling well myself. So, I didn’t walk the dog. As bad as I felt physically, I felt worse spiritually, because I felt like I should’ve pressed through my pain and helped her walk her dog; which is something I did daily until he passed away a few years ago. She called me back a few minutes later and told me she had walked the dog and that she was okay. While I was beating myself up, she had done what she needed to do. I learned a valuable lesson that day. I learned that being a member in good standing doesn’t always mean you have to be a member who jumps at the needs of other family members. And it doesn’t even mean that you can’t say no when necessary. Her need was great, but the need for me not to hurt myself trying to meet her need was just as important. She is retired, but I was simply tired and in pain. Too often we think we must give, give, give of ourselves to be a good family member. Or that we must be without flaws and imperfections. Or that we can never say no because it would not be the loving thing to do. But it’s just the opposite; all we need to be a member in good standing is to be authentic, loving, compassionate, merciful, and helpful when possible. A long time ago, I learned that authenticity is critical for good relationships. Remembering a time when I asked a family member for help and they agreed, until the day I needed the help, then they backed out. I found out later that they never wanted to help me in the first place; they only agreed because they didn’t know how to say no. At first, my feelings were hurt, but then I understood; it wasn’t so much the desire to say no that hurt me the most; it was because they said yes, when their heart meant no. Then, when they finally did say no, I was left scrambling for help at the last minute. It affected our relationship for a while because I lost trust in that person. Eventually, after God taught me the lesson, I was able to forgive the person and move beyond it. Now when I ask for help, I let them know: if you can’t help me, it’s okay to say no; God will send someone else. To be a member in good standing, we need to be mindful that our every decision affects the other family members. We can’t be single-minded and family-oriented. A family is a unified body of members serving each other with a common goal, love. We need to be patient and forgiving when relating to each other. And we need to understand that even if we can’t meet each other’s needs; we are still a family, and somehow God will work it out. We can’t take advantage of each other in the name of family, and we can’t neglect each other in the name of family. Every member must be a contributing member to the body called family. If we all keep this in mind, then even when we fall short some days, we’ll still be able to love each other unconditionally and be members in good standing. First Corinthians 13: 4-7 (KJV) reminds us that, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Prayer: Father, thank you for my family. And thank you for my life. Help me in love to say yes when I need to. But also to have the courage and truthfulness to say no when I need to. And help me know the difference because I want to be available when it is absolutely necessary and loving to do so. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

“…But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.” (John 7:29, NLT) There are times in our lives when we need assistance. During a health crisis is one of those times that you are thankful you built loving relationships. You would think that because we are the highest form of life that we have all the right tools for life and relational success. But that’s not always true. We may have the tools, but we may be lacking the understanding of how to use them. During the fall of 1995, I was fighting for my life. I had been really sick since July 1993 when I went out on disability. As I grew worse and weaker, I cried out to God for help. “Jesus, save me!” was my plea. On Thanksgiving Day 1995, God sent one of my uncles with a book of herbal remedies. I was very sick and could barely breathe, but God told me, “Whatever that book tells you to do, do it!” I mustered the strength to study the book. Afterward, I knew God had sent me my answer of deliverance. I tell this story in detail in my book (Suitable Singles: Every Single Decision Matters). However, the point that I am trying to make here is that the answer is sometimes right in front of us, but we lack the understanding of how to access it. The funny part about what God did to heal me was that he had sent the same uncle in 1993, one month after I had gone out on disability. That time he sent him to gift me with a full bag of herbal teas. However, I didn’t take any of them because I didn’t know how to use them, but especially because I didn’t trust the messenger. Eventually, I threw them away, never knowing I was tossing my healing in the trash can. I looked at the messenger with suspicion, rather than asking him how to use the herbal teas. I neglected to gain an understanding of the value of the teas simply because I had learned not to value the messenger. He and I never got along back then. He was very critical and condescending toward me, and I knew some things about his questionable lifestyle that made me question his wisdom in this area. But God also knew about him and his lifestyle, and yet, he still sent him to me twice, with the same answer in a different form. Looking back, I think about the fact that my uncle could’ve just left me suffering and not obeyed God’s leading to come back to me with the answer. Neither he nor I was born again at that time. But it’s because God used him to heal me that one year later I gave my life to Christ and was born again on Thanksgiving Day 1996. No, it wasn’t planned, but it was desperately needed and much appreciated. I have learned not to question the answer of God, just because the messenger may not be who or what I expected. If I had rejected my uncle the second time, I might not be here today. I might have forfeited God’s grace to heal me his way. That season of my life changed my life and the way I see the people in my life. We may not all be perfect, but we are all usable by God. Prayer: Father, please help me see the value in my life, especially in the people surrounding me. Let me not forfeit your grace through any of them that you may be using to assist me. And when it’s time for you to make me a messenger of change or healing for someone, please help me bring forth the message in love, humility, and obedience. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I was working on a book when God asked me to use a lesson that he taught me years ago to illustrate the value of building a secure home. It was the lesson of the “bird's nest.” At first, I thought; how is that going to help us with building a strong, holy family? Then I remembered the lesson that I had learned from the “bird's nest.” During a rough time in my life, when everything was such a struggle—family, friends, work, school, and my health—I learned about the wisdom of the “bird's nest.” On my way to college one day, I was riding the bus, which gave me the freedom to enjoy the scenery, when I noticed high atop a tree, a “bird's nest”. I had traveled that way every day and had never noticed the nest before. As the bus passed the trees, I kept my eyes focused on the tree-lines along the road, and every couple of trees I would notice more “bird's nests.” The fact that there were so many of them surprised me, but what really caught my attention was that they were so high in the trees. Another day, I got a special treat along that same stretch of road; when I noticed an eagle’s nest, sitting high atop a utility pole. It was huge. I thought; “Wow, now that's a nest!” God whispered, “Have you ever noticed that the birds and eagles don’t build their nests low in the trees? They are always near the middle or near the top?” Before he asked, I hadn’t noticed. But now it made me think. Hum, I wonder why? I rationalized it would only make sense to build them low to the ground instead of way up in the treetop. Then God interjected and explained, “It would make sense to you as a human, but as a bird or an eagle; it makes sense to build far away from other predators that could invade the nest. Building low to the ground would compromise the safety of the nest and the birds that dwell in them.” I had never thought about it that way. But then I asked more questions about the nest, and God revealed some wonderful answers. During the lesson about the bird's nest, he taught me about building a safe nest, which represents a home. He explained that by his wisdom the birds have the ability to build nests, and it’s innate within them. They simply follow the wisdom of God. And that’s exactly what we should do when building our families and homes. Birds and eagles do not use hammers, nails, or a blueprint; all they have and all they need are their beaks, twigs, leaves, God’s wisdom, and a stable tree. With these resources, they construct some of the most intricate structures in nature. It’s amazing when you think about it. Another day, while I was riding the bus, I looked up; as I do regularly now, to see a “bird's nest” hanging from a tree. My first inclination was to become sad, but God showed me that, even though the nest was hanging from the tree; it was still in the tree. He taught me that a nest is a secure structure when built according to the specifications of God’s wisdom. The only thing that will demolish or interfere with that structure is a manmade or natural disaster. It is structured to withstand high winds, torrential rain, and even snow. From the lesson of the "bird's nest," I've learned that without proper guidance from God, we will never have stable, secure homes and families. It takes God’s wisdom to help us see that a home worth living in is a home not built with human hands. The Word and wisdom of God must set its foundation. He has the blueprint for our lives, and only he can instruct us in how to build (establish) secure families and homes. Can you imagine the wisdom and the time it takes for a bird to build a “bird's nest”? From the gathering of twigs and leaves to the intricate details that must go into laying every twig and leaf in exactly the right way. And for them to intertwine them for stability; so that the nest will be comfortable and sturdy enough not to be blown away. But if they didn't care, they could simply get a bunch of twigs, drop them wherever, and think nothing else about it until the storm comes and the winds blow. But at that point it will be too late, and they won’t survive the storm. I have found out that Love (God) is in the details. He has made sure that those little birds would have a safe place to dwell. He didn’t stop with them; he’s done the same for every creature in nature; especially the ones he dearly loves—us. Because Love (God) is in the details, we need to mind the details. Sometimes we create families and homes with all the wrong kinds of people for all the wrong motives. Then we find ourselves suffering in our own homes, when our homes should be our place of rest and a shelter from the storms of life. Proverbs 4: 5-9 (NIV) reminds, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.” Proverbs 14:1 (NIV) reads, “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) speaks of the foolish man who built his house on an unstable foundation. “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” We need to be sure that we are building secure houses, not destroying them. For my single brothers and sisters, this means choosing a suitable mate. Give thought to the right man/woman who God desires for you to establish (build) a secure nest (home) with. And respect your wives/husbands and raise your children in the knowledge and love of the Lord. In this way, you will strengthen your family and secure the family nest (home). Just as God has provided the birds with a safe and enjoyable home, he wants us to have even more. Be mindful of how you are building your nest (home), so the storms of life won't destroy it. Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, I submit my heart, my mind, and my family to your will. Teach me to choose wisely when making the second most important decision in my life. Help me remain calm and not to rush into any relationship that is not approved by you. You know your plans for my life, and who fits ideally within those plans. Lead me in love, so that I won't be misled by lust. Establish my household in your righteousness. I yield myself over to your wisdom, to lead and guide me, and I will wait on you. Amen.

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands." (Psalms 90:17, NIV) The favor of God just astounds me. It's one of his most precious gifts to us. I think of it as “the gift of gifts.” For me, God's favor has provided for me in ways I still can't understand, and through people in ways that made no sense to me. One of those seasons of favor happened when I was twelve years old. We had just lost our home because of my adoptive father's gambling habit. Mom, my sister, and I moved in with my mother's brother and his family. My sister and I had just begun attending church services with our best friends. It was during that season that I sought solace in gospel music. I spent the entire summer in the basement listening to gospel albums my aunt had given me. Because of her religious denomination, she could no longer listen to them. I sat every day, enjoying the praise and worship songs, and singing along as if I were a member of the choir. It was my happy place, away from everyone else: the bullies, the part-time friends, and my male cousins with whom we lived. God's favor began when my mother came home from work one day with a financial gift from one of her coworkers. Her name was Mrs. D. Mom handed me a ten-dollar bill touting, "This is from Mrs. D." I gladly took the gift, but I didn't know who Mrs. D. was or why she was sending me a monetary gift. Later that year, when I turned thirteen, Mom handed me another gift from Mrs. D. Again, I gladly received it, sending back a thankful reply. Every year afterward, I received a birthday gift from Mrs. D. until I was about seventeen. I finally got to meet Mrs. D when our family moved up the street from her family after we left my uncle's home. A few years later, I became her sitter, looking after her only daughter. To this day, I still don't have a clue about Mrs. D's motivation for blessing me. I don’t know what my mother told her about me. Maybe it was because I was fainting a lot back then because of my defective heart…I don’t know. However, I am so grateful that God allowed me the opportunity to return the kindness to her family. The favor of God is sometimes so mysterious, yet so amazing. Last week, when seeking God’s guidance about what to write to you this week, he reminded me about his love for us. For a long time, I never felt loved, but when he brought this story to my remembrance, I realized I had always been loved. It was just being displayed in some uncommon ways. Think back on the uncommon favor of God in your life; have you overlooked his favor in plain view? Or take a good look at his favor in your life today; can you see his goodness? I promise that when you notice it, you will surely smile. I did then, and I am now as I write to you. God is also smiling as he pours out his goodness upon us, especially on this day. Prayer: Father, all we have to say is, “Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You and Thank You for Your amazing grace and unmerited favor. Especially when we know we don’t deserve any of it! And we never can! In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV) A few years ago, I woke up on a Sunday morning with a message from God for two people in my life. “Tell them to lay down the sin and get out of the strife,” he commanded. I sat for a moment, wondering how I was going to present this message. It’s not easy to go to anyone with a message from the Lord. Actually, it is downright scary, but this message was important for their healing; one was dealing with cancer, the other had a baby with a brain tumor. Both families were being attacked by sickness. I had been praying for these individuals, and God answered with a word of correction. Then he explained to me the importance of his correction. Both individuals were entrenched in sin and strife; the woman with cancer, and the mother of the baby with a brain tumor, which was giving the enemy (the devil) an open door into their lives. For this reason, they were being attacked physically and emotionally. It was then that I could see how God wanted to present healing to them. Actually, God had already made His healing available to them, but sin and strife had disconnected them from walking in it. After I called both women, I meditated on his message. God is searching for someone to bless, but his hands are tied when our hearts are not committed to him. Basically, sin separates us from Him and His will. Many people realize that murder is a sin, theft is a sin, and adultery is a sin, but most don’t realize that strife is also a sin. The biblical meaning of strife is to have contention, bitterness, or quarrelling. Second Timothy 2:23-26 (NLT) reminds us, “Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” Isn’t it amazing how that scripture teaches that if we resist arguing, that our self-control over the situation can win someone else their freedom from the devil’s grasp; and at the same time, shut the enemy down? Wow!!! God’s ways are certainly not our ways. We argue to win, but God encourages us to give a gentle answer of correction to calm the situation so the other person can be the ultimate winner. Romans 13:13-14 (NIV) reminds us, "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” James 3:16 (KJV) adds, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” Considering the seriousness of strife, it is of vital importance that we get out of it. Now! And remember there is also another whose eyes are watching. Sin and strife open the door for the devourer (the devil). First Peter 5:8-9 reminds, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” Let’s close the door to strife and keep it shut, tightly! And open the door to God's amazing grace and blessing. Prayer: Father, please forgive my sins and strife. Help me keep the doors of sin and strife closed in my life. Help me live righteously and peacefully before you and with others in this world. And when it gets exceptionally hard to maintain my righteousness and peace, strengthen me by your Spirit. I give your name praise, honor, and glory. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6, NIV) One Sunday, my pastor preached on how there are different levels with God. His sermon for the week was about the level of service of some of the disciples. As he was preaching, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “Service is not available in the heart until oneness is established in the Spirit.” I finally understood why so many pastors are having to beg their members to serve. There is no true oneness with God. John 10:30 (NASB) states, “I and the Father are one.” John 17:11 (NASB) reads, “I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.” John 17:22 (NASB) reminds, “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one.” These scriptures illustrate Jesus’ oneness with the Father, which is the same oneness we should have with the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, if we are born-again Christians. When I think of oneness with God, immediately I think of the scripture John 15:7 (NKJV), “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” The word abide means to dwell. So, to rephrase this scripture, it would say, “If you dwell in Me, and My words dwell in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” When I looked up the word dwell on Dictionary.com, two of its meanings stood out. The first is, “to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside." The second is, “to live or continue in a given condition or state.” So, to obtain oneness with God, we need to take up permanent residence in him, and in return, he will take up permanent residence in us. Now that’s just amazing! But that’s oneness! And from a state or condition of oneness, service will come as a byproduct of the love of God being manifested in our hearts. As we can see from the scriptures above, Jesus was one with the Father, and what the Father did, Jesus was also able to do. Jesus said he came to serve, so if we allow oneness with God the Father through God the Son, by the power of God, the Holy Spirit, we will also be servants in God’s kingdom. It will be a byproduct us having the heart of God to serve with. Remember, “As He is so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17, KJV). Prayer: Father, I receive my oneness with you. I give all of myself in return for all of you. I renounce my sinfulness for your righteousness and blessedness. Holy Spirit, please enter me and take up your dwelling place in my heart. "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10). In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful lives in all godliness and holiness." (2 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV) There is a story in the Bible that caught my attention; it’s the story of Moses. It intrigues me because there are times in our lives when we just don’t seem to know which way to go. But God always knows the way. I can appreciate this, because there are times when I just don’t know which way to go. I had read that story countless times, but never really understood the message or the lesson of the story. Moses was born Hebrew but was raised in Pharaoh’s house as a child rescued from death. He grew up as a Prince of Egypt, but was banished after he killed a man for abusing a Hebrew slave. He became a deliverer first for some shepherd girls attending their father’s flock in the wilderness. The part that stands out for me is how God called Moses to be a deliverer for his people, the Israelites, despite his past. It wasn’t Moses' encounter with the burning bush that fascinated me the most. What I saw was the preparation God had made before he spoke to Moses from the burning bush. Exodus 2:23 states,"During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.” Sometimes in life, it appears as if God has left the scene, especially when you need him the most. But that’s never true; most often God is simply working his plan in our lives. He did the same with the nation of Israel, Abraham's descendants. In Genesis 15:13-14, God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, but he also told him that his descendants would go into slavery for 400 years. Well, God knows everything, and they did. But he also promised that they would eventually come out. And in steps Moses, who was hiding in the desert after he had fled Egypt for killing an Egyptian. Exodus 3:1-10 (NIV) picks up the story of how meticulous God’s plan of rescue and his timing is. “Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up. When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” He was in the wilderness for forty years before God spoke to him through a burning bush. Won’t God show up in the most peculiar ways? Nevertheless, God showed up and told Moses, “Go and tell Pharaoh, ‘Let my people go!”’ Wow! God had already planned to deliver his people long before Moses was born and entered the desert. The fact that Moses was born a slave, raised a prince, banished a murderer, and called by God to be a deliverer is amazing! What really excites me is that Moses was no ordinary deliverer. He had skills that a lesser man might not have had. He had an inside understanding of Pharaoh’s house, military skills, and wilderness training. When God chose Moses, he knew that his people would need someone who could approach Pharaoh, lead them in the wilderness (the desert), and prepare them for battle (to take possession of the promised land). When God led the Israelites into the wilderness (the desert), he didn’t send them in unprepared. He gave them a man with desert experience. He knew how to navigate the desert terrain, so he was able to successfully lead them through the desert for forty years. He knew the desert like the back of his hand. So, when the Jews were finally released from Egypt, guess who led them out into the desert? God and Moses—the one who promised deliverance and the man with desert experience. The Jews had never lived in the desert before, and God knew this when he sent Moses to navigate his people through a place they had never been before. The Jews might have given Moses a run for his money by refusing to trust him most of the time, but the desert Moses had mastery over. God knew who the most appropriate deliverer for his people should be, coupled with his perfect timing. He couldn’t answer before the 400 years were up. But when the appointed time of enslavement was over, God’s grace and power granted freedom. I love seeing how God is always strategic and loving in everything he does. So, it makes me confident in knowing that God is doing the same thing in our lives. Our responsibility is to wait patiently and trust God’s word and timing. If he said it, he will do it! So, our faith should rest in his Word. It’s absolute! Because God spoke it, it shall come to pass. Jeremiah 1:12 (ESV) states, “Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” ​ Ephesians 5:17 (NLT) also reminds us, “Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Another version says, "Know the will of God." ​ Too often we murmur and complain when seasons in our lives have changed. But God is always in control. He's the one who creates the seasons. So let us trust and patiently wait on him to do what he does best: heals, rescues, strengthens, corrects, directs, chastises, rebukes, and disciplines. Why? Because as a loving Father, that's his responsibility. We do the same with the children we love. The only difference is that God does it perfectly. And we wish we could too. This story has a whole new meaning for me because it tells me that God will send us good leaders; we just need to be able to recognize them and appreciate them. The Israelites constantly murmured and complained about Moses' leadership decisions, but they themselves had never lived in the desert and didn’t understand the genuine danger they were in. Had God not sent them a man who had desert experience, the Israelites would have perished after a week. But because God had chosen their deliverer, they lasted forty years in the wilderness. God watched over his people personally as a cloud by day and fire by night, but he called Moses to lead them. Let’s appreciate our God-given leaders and pray for them, because we need them to assist us into God’s will and purpose for our lives. We are the sheep, and God has chosen his righteous leaders to him shepherd us. Prayer: Father, thank you for your amazing grace. Thank you for your amazing love and thank you for your amazing wisdom in choosing for us men and women who lead us in righteousness and holiness. They never complain to us but give themselves so freely to serving us. Help us appreciate their sacrifices and diligent work in building up the Body of Christ. Please bless them with your strength, your power, and the respect they deserve. Help us honor them as unto you. And thank you also for your perfect will, in your perfect way, and in your perfect timing. I know that my desert season is not out of your control. In fact, it had already been planned before the foundation of the world. May I glean from this season all the wisdom, understanding, and strength that I need for the next part of my journey in this life. If this is a pruning season, I welcome it with joy, to bear much more fruit. If this is a trial season, I embrace it with faith, knowing that the trying of my faith produces patience (endurance). If I have sinned and caused this to be a season of tribulation, I repent and ask for your forgiveness. Thank you for being the lover and Bishop of my soul, my strength, and my restorer. To God be the glory, for you are perfect in every way! In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) Does it seem like your life is out of control? In this season, it sure feels like it. But it’s not! God is fully in control, and all that is happening is happening under his authority. He has a way of getting our attention while bringing us to complete humility in his will. A few years ago, God led me to study the Book of Genesis. What he showed me were the first men of creation and how God established his own will in their lives. In Genesis 3:15-19 (KJV) we see God declaring the first “I will,” pronouncing punishment on Adam, Eve and Satan, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, ‘Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." However, Noah was the first to hear God declare, “I will” with a covenant blessing. (Gen. 6:18 & 9:9-18, KJV) “But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.” He continued, “And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; and with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, ‘This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, ‘This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.”’ Every time I see a rainbow, I think, Wow! Then I remember God's covenant with Noah, who is not here anymore to see it, but we are. After his covenant with Noah was made, we see God declaring his “I will” with Abram (who God would rename Abraham) beginning in Genesis 12:1-3, (KJV), “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, ‘Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”’ He didn’t stop with Abraham; he went on to declare his “I will” with the other great men of Genesis and beyond. I enjoy this opening book of the Bible because it gives me a visual understanding of God’s grace, mercy, and his will. We can clearly see that God has plans for his creation. And he has plans for you and me. The key to walking in his plans is oneness, which exemplifies obedience. Oneness is necessary if we expect to hear the voice of God and to walk in the will of God. It’s also necessary when we consider that the devil can’t rule where God reigns in our lives. Sometimes we know the will of God, and sometimes we don’t. In my personal experience, I heard the will of God in 1991 while sitting at my desk at work, when God told me, “You’re going to write a book.” I clearly heard him, but I didn’t quite understand what he was talking about. I had never written a book, and I had no understanding of how to write one. But I believed I would write a book because he said so. So, I began trying to write a book; a sleazy romance novel. I got five chapters finished before I became very ill and went out on disability in 1993. A few years later, in 1995, while still out on disability, he spoke to me again, to write the book, but this time he directed me in what to write about and how to get started. He even told me to put up this website in 2012. However, I designed the site, then took it down. In 2019, he made it clear that I was to put up the website. "Lord, what am I supposed to put on it?" I queried. "You have been writing for the singles on your Christian sister's website for five years, so put your messages on your website and continue writing to them," he counseled. Do you see how easy he made it seem? It has been challenging some days, but the writing gift and the enjoyment of creating with him, makes all things possible. He is the divine architect, and we are the contractors. I believe that if we draw close to God and listen for his leading by the Holy Spirit, he will reveal his will to us. His will in our lives represents his plans for our lives, which are a smaller part of his vast plan for humanity. God’s plans for us are personal and necessary to enjoy all the goodness of his Kingdom on Earth and in Heaven. And his plans are really his divine “do-over.” Here are a few questions to ponder concerning God’s will for your personal and mating life. 1. Is where you are where God placed you? 2. Did you get there through righteousness or in unrighteousness? 3. What road did you travel to get there? 4. Did you leave casualties in your path? 5. Have you heard from God personally concerning his will for you? 6. Have you obeyed his will concerning you? I only ask these questions so that I can prompt you to examine whether you are in the will of God? Or if you are not because you have been self-centered, focusing on doing your own thing and living your own way. Self-centeredness is a deterrent to hearing the voice of God. But he will speak to you and with you when you are God-centered. I also want you to know that when God calls you to do anything; he will assist you to get it accomplished. You cannot do it in your strength, but he will assist you every step of the way to do it through you in his strength. All you need to do is: •Trust him •Obey his will •Listen for his instructions •Submit to his direction •And act out his plans. •Stay with your calling no matter what attacks come your way. •Remember, Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV), “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Our intimate walk with God will get us directly into his will and into his purpose, which is his good plan for our lives. I am so incredibly grateful God has done a new thing in me and in my life, and I hope you are also enjoying God doing a new thing in you and your life. Prayer: Father, I desire to always be in your will. Please speak to me in a way that I can hear you. Help me lay down everything that hinders my intimate closeness with you. I submit my life to do your will. Let your perfect will perfect me and my life. And help me remember that, “I can to all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4;13, NKJV). In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

“I will give you the keys to the kingdom from heaven. Whatever you prohibit on earth will have been prohibited in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will have been permitted in heaven,” (Matthew 16:19, ISV). The other day I went to my mother’s house, and when I put the key in the door, it didn’t open. When I inspected the key, I realized it was the key to my client’s house instead. It looked the same, fit into the lock the same, but it didn’t unlock the door the same. Then it hit me: I had the wrong key to the wrong house! What really made no sense to me was the fact that the key actually fit perfectly into the keyhole without effort. But it wouldn’t turn the lock. Isn’t that how life is sometimes? We think we have the right tools, but they don’t work because they are not appropriate for the job. I thought of the key as a metaphor for life. And then I remembered God has given us the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. I also remembered that we rarely use them to unlock the right doors. The primary reason the keys don’t work is a lack of faith. No key can be used without faith. It’s the true key and everything else is the lock. The second reason the keys don’t work is because we don’t use them in tangent with our authority in the name of Jesus. We have the King's authority and the King's keys, but sometimes we lack the King's wisdom and faith. This is the reason we sometimes struggle to overcome the issues of life. We just don’t understand what to do. This is where the Word of God comes in. It’s a vital necessity to unlocking any door on earth and in heaven. Or closing any door on earth and in heaven. God said, he will honor his Word, which is our key of faith, coupled with his authority in the name of Jesus. As a child of God, a believer, and a born-again Christian, God has given us the King's authority! All we have to do now is use it! Living in the United States, a democracy, we rarely understand how a kingdom works. But everyone who is part of a kingdom understands the king's authority. In biblical times, the king would issue a signet ring to his commanding officers, giving them full authority to use his authority in the king's name. I enjoy knowing that we have our Father’s authority as his sons/daughters, and the ability to use it when appropriate in Jesus’ name. Like Jesus, “We can lay hands on the sick and they shall recover…” (See Matthew 10:8, Luke 4:40 & Luke 4:18) Wow! What a wonderful gift of faith! Guess what, faith works both ways, because God gave us the gift by his faith in us, hoping that we would use it the way he commanded it to be used. I think we owe it to God to be obedient to his will and to his generosity by asserting his authority in the King's (Jesus') name. Prayer: Father, thank you for giving us the keys to life. Please lead us into the proper use of them. And help us develop the faith that will position us to walk in the King's authority. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!

The other day I was watching a ministry when the pastor began speaking about the protection of God’s angels. Immediately, I was catapulted into a memory of the first and most memorable of all the bus stop miracles in my life. It happened on a cloudy morning in 1991. I was on my way to work, and I had just gotten off an MTA bus in Maryland. I never thought to cross the street in front of a bus, but that morning I was running late and attempting to make it across the street so that I could connect with my second bus. I could see the bus approaching the corner, so I stepped down off the curb in front of the first bus I had just gotten off, when I felt an arm grab me around my waist. I froze in place while a speeding car attempting to make the yellow light sped past me at top speed. I couldn’t move at all until that car passed me. I was stunned and very shaken when I realized someone had just saved my life. Looking behind me, I saw no one. There was no human holding on to me, but I felt an arm wrap around my waist and stop me in my tracks. As I walked cautiously across the street, I pondered what had happened to me. I missed the second bus, but that was nothing compared to the fact that my life had been spared. I made an inner vow at that moment, never to cross the street in front of a bus again. As I rode to work on the next bus, I thought, that must have been an angel that saved me. I never forgot how God kept me through one of his angelic hosts. I know that many people don't believe angels exist or that God sends them to help us, but they do. The ironic part of the situation for me, which makes me appreciate God’s grace all-the-more is that I wasn’t saved (a born-again Christian) at that time. That wouldn’t happen for five years afterward. I had always heard that we have a guardian angel that walks with us. Well, I felt mine that day. He held me back from what would have been certain death, instantly. But God had another plan for me: to share his goodness with all of you. So, when you feel like God is far away from you, just remember that the Holy Spirit is always with you to lead, guide, comfort, and counsel you if you invite him to do so. And God's heavenly hosts are always with you to protect and keep you from harm. Psalm 91:9-16 (NIV) comforts: "... "If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Prayer: Father, thank you for always watching over us. And for keeping us safe even while we were sinners. Please continue to use your angelic hosts to protect and keep us in this sometimes-tumultuous life. And thank you for reminding us that your love for us is constant, even though we might not feel it or recognize it. Thank you for giving us “all blessings in the heavenly realm.” In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.