Isn't that food for thought? Well, let's chew on this for a moment to see what develops… Okay, what did you discover? Are you happy within? Are you needing love from others? Are you comfortable with who you are today? Why? Or why not? I’m not asking about this weird, spiritual season that has taken the entire world by storm. I’m asking about you, personally. Are you okay with you? This is not personal judgement, only personal introspective and development. Often times when we are discontent, we think we need something or someone to answer that need. But what we really need is self-acceptance. I know, in a world full of vanity and critical people, it's sometimes hard to accept ourselves when we look in the mirror and we don't represent societal norms or expectations. It can be hard when God calls you his own. You are chosen by God but rejected by the world because you just don't fit in with them anymore, or if you were like me, you never did. There are a few scriptures that illustrate how people will hate us for no reason. Psalms 109:1-5 (NLT) states, "O God, who I praise, don’t stand silent and aloof while the wicked slander me and tell lies about me. They surround me with hateful words and fight against me for no reason. I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them! They repay evil for good, and hatred for my love." The day-to-day walk with God is often a daily battle just to be able to enjoy being the unique individual he created you to be for his good pleasure and purpose. It took me years to be able to love myself, because for years I had been told, taught and treated like I had no value. Again, people don't create our value; God does. They can only appreciate it, or not. Regardless of their high or low opinion of us, we must love and value ourselves and all the wonderful qualities we bring to this life. I admit, I am just an ordinary woman, but I am partnered with Extraordinary Love (God), who gives me my value presence in this life. I have also learned that people who don't value us will show it; we just need to be wise enough not to continue to fellowship with them. We don't need to beg someone else to love us when we love ourselves. Take the time to take an inventory of God's perfect creation called you! Examine your unique personality disposition, examine your gifts and talents, examine your unique beauty, and then examine God’s purpose for them all. After you have come to appreciate all the truly amazing goodness that is God in you. Then enjoy yourself with those who are worthy of your fellowship and companionship. Those who can, will, and do appreciate the uniqueness of you.

A few years ago, I was coming home from a four-day mini vacation, when I noticed how clearly, I could hear the Holy Spirit. What astounded me the most, was that I was on a crowded train, but I could hear the Holy Spirit speaking to me as if no one was around me. I had been seeking his guidance on a matter for some time, and he was answering me so clearly. Sometimes when were in the heat of battle, it’s not so easy to hear from God. You would think it would be…, but it’s not. After fasting and praying, I still had no answers. I wasn’t even planning a trip, the opportunity just opened to me and everything fell into place for me to go. It wasn’t a lavish vacation, just a trip to see a sister friend. The first day of my trip while on the train, I received scenes for a novel that I was working on. The second day as I laid quietly praying, I could sense the presence of God in a deeper way. The third day, I awoke refreshed in my soul. But on the fourth day as I rode home on the train, my spirit was refreshed as I heard the Holy Spirit giving me direction on a publishing matter. It wasn’t until I got back home that I realized that I desperately needed to enter into God’s rest; spiritually, physically and emotionally. I was just tired….and from a state of fatigue whether spiritual, physical or emotional, we don’t function at our optimal best. Just that brief respite was enough to refresh my spirit, soul and body. Sister Joyce Meyer said it best, in her article: "Let God’s Amazing Grace Make Your Life Easier." She speaks about God's Sabbath rest as a time for us to rest from our work just as God rested from his work on the seventh day. And to not strive to make our lives better, rather to allow God to create for us and through us the life he has preordained for us to live, through his guidance and good works. Hebrews 4:9-11 says, "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest…" ​ I noticed that resting in God, gave me clarity to hear him. Which for me is imperative because I don't write anything until he instructs me and directs me. He even helps me with my titles. I love having the Holy Spirit leading the way. Even guiding my seasons of rest and refreshing. I was speaking to a sister the other day, about rest when the Lord, reminded me that we use the word rest too lightly. However, it is appropriately thought of as restoration. Thinking about it in that way gives us a better understanding of the value of rest. It's a pause for a period of restoration (spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, and relational). Many of us don't realize the need for a rest break, we just keep pushing through, even though we know we feel stuck or like we are falling apart physically and emotionally. Serving others is why work was created by God, but caring for ourselves is just as important. Working for a purpose is noble, working for money is necessary, but working for our health and emotional well-being is essential. It is okay, to take a much needed pause for our well-being. And the best way to service others is to take care of ourselves. Prayer: Father, please help us daily to enter into your Sabbath Rest, where we can cast all of our cares and anxieties about life and work onto you. Help us to rest knowing that you’ve got our best interest at heart and our lives in your capable hands. May our walk, our talk and the works of our hands be pleasing in your sight and aligned with your will. And may we know when you are leading us to just stop, and take a much needed break from the toils of life and enjoy a time of restoration with you and in you. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17, NIV) When God called me to write my story and later to write blogs; one of the important issues that God addressed with me immediately was humility in sharing my gift. He desired me to use the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to edify the Saints, while enjoying the creative genius of turning words into pictures to convey a message. I noticed at an early age that I had a gift for conveying ideas on paper. It came naturally to me, just as breathing did. However, as the gift began to expand through training and practice, using it became even more satisfying to share. The Bible states in Proverbs 18:16 (KJV), “A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” As we can see, our gifts have a purpose greater than ourselves. Our gifts will bring us before great men simply because they have need of them. We answer their needs. That’s the purpose of every gift of service. Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV), distinguishes between the various gifts God has allocated for the edifying of the Body of Christ, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” As we all know, too often people have used their gifts inappropriately, not for God’s glory, not even for the edifying of others, but usually for their own vainglory. Instead of sharing their giftedness, they are showing off or misusing the gift to gain popularity and attention, which detracts from the purpose for which the gift was given. Our gifts were not given for us to shine, but for us to share. Yes, praise will come if our gifts are being used in the beneficial way they were purposed: to answer a need. However, we can’t use the praises of people to gain vain glory for ourselves. If we do, we will get caught-up in our own vanity and completely derail our purpose. Proverbs 16:18 (KJV) warns, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." John 15:5 (NIV) reminds us, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” When we step into our own self-centeredness; the place where we idolize our gifts and talents, and our own abilities, we will be traveling a road leading to destruction. The news headlines are filled with derailing stories of gifted people who once were at the top. But too often, we don’t think about the fact that, God gave the gift to them at birth, and even though they misused it, he never took it back, they just destroyed themselves using the gift apart from his purpose and his guidance. Our position should always be, in Christ, not above him. We are not meant to shine apart from Jesus Christ; we are only supported when we shine in him. He is the light; we are the candle, so our glow comes from him, for us to light the way to truth and spiritual understanding for someone else. When we use our gifts well, everyone benefits: God, others, and ourselves. Remember: Your gift is for your anointed assignment. Just stay humble in your purpose and go make a difference; someone has need of you. Prayer: Father, keep me in the center of your righteous will. Direct me in your purpose for the gift you have placed in me to be shared with those who are in need. Although I am free to use the gift, show me how to use it in the way it is intended to be used to edify someone else. Thank you, that I carry your creative genius in me. As I use my gift, help me remain humble even when I am excited about sharing what you have shared with me. Thank you for your dual blessing, of your precious gift given to me, and for the gift of being able to share it with someone who will also appreciate it and benefit from it. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ​

“Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Romans 13:7 (KJV) Do we give everyone what we owe them? Recently I realized that I hadn’t done that, and now it’s too late! There were two honorable men in my life, but because they were in the background of my life, I didn’t really see their contribution to my life. They were both neighbors whom I met in my childhood; one was my best friend’s dad, the other was their next-door neighbor. I had gone to school with both of their daughters and had always admired the interaction between the fathers and their daughters. The other night I was thinking back on the lives of both of those honorable men. One I called Uncle Mac, the other Mr. Nelson. Uncle Mac was not my biological uncle; he became my unofficial uncle because his daughters and wife had adopted my sister and me as their cousins and nieces. When we moved next door to them, it really felt like a family reunion. They were the only children in the neighborhood who cared anything about my sister and me, because we were the outcasts among them. It’s funny, because my adopted cousins even called us their cousins to the neighbors they had lived around for years. They knew we weren’t blood relatives, but my cousins wouldn’t allow them or anybody to think of us other than their family. To me, Uncle Mac was a quiet man. He worked hard, took care of his family, and tended his backyard garden. And he could cook his butt off! But what impressed me the most about him was the stories that his daughters told us about how he would creep into their bedroom on the day after payday, while they were sleeping, and lay out envelopes for each of his four daughters filled with allowance money. He thought they had never heard him, but they had. It touched my heart so much because my sister and I never received an allowance for our chores, and we practically ran the house. I had never even heard of an allowance until I met my best friend. What Uncle Mac never knew is that his honoring his daughters indirectly honored me and my sister. We never had any spending money, and they always shared with us. Even his wife shared food with us during our season of lack, from their full deep freezer. Later on, when I had my daughter and assigned her chores, I decided to give her an allowance. I didn’t have much, but I wanted to do what Uncle Mac had done for his daughters—honor their hard work, help them know how to manage money, and position them to be givers (first with God, and then with others they could bless). Uncle Mac never knew he had taught me such valuable lessons that I could pass on to my child and grandchildren, who are happy beneficiaries of an allowance. Mr. Nelson also added value to my family indirectly, as I admired what a loving and gentle father he was with his wife and four children. We often played at his house; in the sunroom they had built onto the back porch. I wished for a father like him. Both of those honorable men will never know the contribution they made to my life and family, because I never got to tell them, but God knows, and I hope he will reward them for me. Both elders passed away only days apart at the beginning of 2020. One tragically died in a fire, the other because of illness. Even though they are no longer with us, the memories of their honorable sacrifices for their families will always remain with us. I just want to remind us all to think of the unsung heroes in our lives. They may not be front and center in our lives, but they still have a place of honor. Give them the honor they deserve because indirectly they have honored us. Mother Teresa quotes: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” All I can say about that is, amen!!! Prayer: Father, help us not to overlook the people in our lives that bring value, simply because they are in the background. Help us as loved ones, friends, and neighbors to remember their love, and to rejoice in the good times we share or have shared. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

"The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands." (Psalm 138:8, NKJV) I don't know why God speaks to me during Sunday morning sermons, but he often does. I was in the middle of listening to my pastor preach the Sunday morning sermon when I heard God whisper, "God has two hands." I thought, what? Then he illustrated that, "He holds us with one hand while he works out his will and our problems with the other hand. He added that while he is holding us, he is not holding us in a hanging position." You know how some little girls carry their dolls by one arm as they dangle. God said, "He holds us upward toward his face, so that we may see him face to face. We are not dangling in his hand; we are well supported as he lovingly looks upon us, and we upon him, in Spirit form. With his right hand, he orders our steps, fights our battles and provides his good gifts for us to enjoy." I never thought about God’s two hands before. It made me aware that I also have two hands, the left to support the right. My right hand is my dominant hand; it’s the hand I use daily to do everything—writing, cooking, washing, mopping, turning the pages as I read, putting on makeup, etc.… My left hand assists my right hand by holding and grasping. It really doesn’t have any other strength of its own, but its strength is to support the right hand. Then I understood what God was telling me: we are well supported by his one hand, while the other hand works all things together for our good. The real value of this lesson is that we are supposed to keep our eyes stayed on him, not on our problems or our needs. Psalm 16:8 (NIV) reads, “" keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Exodus 15:6 (NIV) states, "Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy." Prayer: Father, please forgive me for looking more at my circumstances rather than at you. As long as I am with you, I am well-supported. You are the Author and the Finisher of my faith. I have come to the understanding that you will perfect that which concerns me. "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31 (NIV). In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

“I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14, KJV) Have you ever noticed the creases of skin on your knuckles? I did a few months ago. Honestly, I had really never noticed them before. They were just a part of my hand that I paid no attention to. But when I folded up my fingers, I saw how the excess skin disappeared. There was just the right amount of skin available to let me close my hand. And what I really saw was how effortless it was. Wow! It reminded me that God is meticulous! He created us with just the right amount of everything we need to function in our bodies. I also noticed that when I blink, the skin moves to assist my eyelids in moving. When I bend my elbow, the skin moves effortlessly, too. The skin folds have a unique purpose for our good, and yet they go almost unnoticed. It made me stand in awe of the goodness of my God! I know it seems like a small thing to take notice of, but the real value is that God created us this way. He took the time to think of all these features to ensure that the human body is able to function at its optimal best. The next time you close your hand or blink your eyes, remember to give thanks that you can with little to no effort. I am mindful to give thanks because there was a season when I couldn't open my hands or blink my eyes, so I can tell you from firsthand experience, it's not a gift to be taken for granted, even if it is almost unnoticeable. Prayer: Father, I thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I thank you for restoring me and for giving me the ability to use my body to honor you. May my walk, my talk, and my living be evidence of your goodness in me. May I never compromise my holiness and righteousness to be a part of a vain world. And may I be reminded daily as I go about my day that you are God and you are always thinking of me. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

In 2017, I began hearing the Holy Spirit whisper to me, "Persevere." Honestly, at that time, I really didn’t understand why he kept telling me to "Persevere." I was living alone and working on my book, writing plays for my church and learning the craft of authorship. All was well. It’s only been in recent months that I came to understand that God was telling me to “Keep believing, keep moving, and don't quit!” My daughter and grandchildren were in the thick of a spiritual battle which by 2018 was at my doorstep too. I took in my two oldest grandchildren to help my daughter after a nasty divorce. She kept the twins while still trying to hold it all together as a single mother. I had been a single mother, so I understood her struggles: relationally, financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Although my family had been enduring a difficult trial, God said, "Persevere!" And when we thought we weren’t going to make it, God said, "Persevere!" When we didn’t know exactly what to do or how to do it, God said, “Persevere!” When some people turned their backs on us, God still said, "Persevere!" When I looked up the word "Persevere," I noticed it was a verb, which denotes action. And the definition read, "continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success" (Oxford Dictionaries). What really caught my attention in the Oxford Dictionaries were the synonyms for perseverance: "persist · continue · carry on · go on · keep on · keep going · not give up · struggle on · hammer away · be persistent · be determined · see/follow something through · keep at it · show determination · press on/ahead · stay with something · not take no for an answer · be tenacious · be pertinacious · be patient · stand one's ground · stand fast/firm · hold on · hold out · go the distance · stay the course · plod on · plow on · grind away · stop at nothing · leave no stone unturned · soldier on · hang on · plug away · peg away · stick to one's guns · stick at it · stick it out · hang in there · bash on." Now, I know exactly what God meant! He wanted us not to quit and give up. Luke 21:19 (NIV) says, "Stand firm, and you will win life." Psalm 27:14 (KJV) explains it best: "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." In summation, we should do as Romans 12:12 (NIV) instructs: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Footnote: Oxford Dictionaries. (2020). https://www.lexico.com/definition/persevere

You run in when others are running out, because you understand what caring is really about You smile warmly in the face of adversity, when others are facing health uncertainties You work long hours, while others lounge at home, giving of yourself tirelessly, so no one hurts alone Your caring generosity and your compassionate expertise, helps the masses to fight off deadly disease In a crisis, you stand rising to the occasion; regardless of economics, gender, or ethnic persuasion You never complain, you still continue to care, and we thank you for your service, because we feel better knowing you are there You are our heroes and we want you to know, that we are blessed with the love you sacrificially show May God bless you for all that you do, to thank you, honorable men and women that sacrifice for your families and ours, too.

On a sunny day in 2018, I sat in an ambulance on the way to the emergency room at a local hospital. I didn’t plan to be there again, but my palpitating heart needed to be checked on, and the paramedics urged me to go. I knew it was an attack; I had just posted about the last episode of palpitations that happened years ago. I was checked out, and after a full cardiac workup, I was sent home well. It was my fault. I had just eaten, then I bent over to clean my pantry. What a good lesson I learned about sitting down after a meal. I knew it wasn’t anything serious, but I’m glad that I had the opportunity to get the checkup. I hadn’t had one in some years. "You didn’t have a heart-attack, there are no blockages, and the hole in your heart is still closed. I am not prescribing any medications; whatever you are doing, keep doing it," the cardiologist encouraged. For two days, I sat in a hospital bed, being served and cared for by some of the most amazing people. I was transported various times by a friendly young man named Todd. I was cared for by various young nurses, one named Mary. Three gentlemen about my age, who put me through a cardiac stress test after they fought just to get a good vein. And a very kind young lady who performed my cardiac sonogram. I had gone through all of these procedures before in prior years, but this time I noticed two things: that I wasn’t afraid for my life, and how much I still value all of those caregivers who have helped to sustain my life. I once wrote a thank-you letter to the local newspaper, not for any recognition for me, but just so I could say, “Thank You.” As patients, we come and go, but very few of us ever get the opportunity to give back to those who have given so much loving, gentle care to us. In the most precarious situations, those care providers offer their lives to save ours. They are the hardest-working, self-sacrificing people God has called to service, next to military personnel. They are the first to run into trouble, and they stay through the trouble until the trouble is over. God has given them an unwavering calling to care, and their gift of life-sustaining support is amazing. Not everyone can care to that capacity. And not everyone has the depth of heart that: Doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, EMTs, military personnel, and educators do. After our shift is over, we can rest, but they keep going, so we can rest. Although they are human, they give supernatural love. When I was a little girl, my dream was to become a nurse. I had watched how loving and comforting they were to me as I was being cared for because of a heart defect. They made a lasting impression on my life. Due to illness, I didn’t get to become a part of the wonderful family of professional nursing, but they still leave an impression on my life; one that I used to care for my clients as a home health aide. I am thankful for your service, and grateful for you helping to sustain my life. May God bless you and your families and keep all of you safe and healthy. And may God return love to all of you in the same spirit of love we have received from you. THANK YOU!!!

“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20, NLT). It was early October 2015 when I went for an appointment with my gynecologist. I had not gone in four years. I thought it was a little over two. I had recently had my medical insurance reinstated after I left my part-time job. Lying on the examination table, I saw a disturbing look on the doctor’s face. “Did you know this was here?” she asked, probing a lump in my left breast. “No, I didn’t,” I answered, shocked as she took my fingers and positioned them over the nickel-sized lump. I went limp as she filled out the paperwork to schedule me for a mammogram. Leaving her office stunned, with thoughts racing through my mind, I sat in the lobby waiting for the next bus. I wished I had not just missed one, because I was left alone for two hours with those disturbing thoughts. Gather yourself; this is not what you think it is. No weapon formed against you shall prosper. By the Lord’s stripes you are healed, I thought silently. My mammogram was scheduled for the next day, but when I got there, I was told I was at the wrong office and I needed to reschedule for the next week. Go the entire weekend with this hanging over my head! Are you people kidding me? I thought as the receptionist handed me my new appointment. When I returned home, I walked through my door and took off my jacket. Then I reached around to feel for the lump. Yep, it was still there. Seating myself with my Bible in hand, I saturated myself with God’s words of encouragement. The next morning, which was a Thursday, I felt for the lump again, and it was still there. I wanted to tell my prayer call family. Our church hosted a morning prayer call, and I desperately wanted prayer, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask for prayer for something that I knew in my spirit wasn’t mine. My pastor had been declaring for two weeks prior that God was giving out “Friday Blessings” and I wanted one. On that Thursday morning after the call, I sat at my kitchen table asking, “Lord, I hear that you’re giving out all those “Friday Blessing”, when am I going to get mine?” The night before, I had been watching Pastor Joseph Prince when he explained the power of communion and discerning Jesus’ body. When I awoke Friday morning, I was instructed by the Lord to take communion. I had a communion cup and wafer tucked away on my shelf in my bedroom. I had brought one home from church one Sunday, to give to a sister who couldn’t make it that day. Somehow, I forgot about it and it stayed in my purse for about a month until I put it on the shelf. I grabbed it from the shelf and sat myself on the edge of my bed. Then I took communion, citing, “This is your body, Lord, that was broken for me, and this is your blood that was shed for me.” Then I got up and got on the prayer call and went about my day knowing that somehow God would take care of the issue, one way or another. I never told anyone except my mother. That Friday evening as I laid in bed, trying my best not to allow the fear that was trying to rise up in me to take hold; I heard the Holy Spirit ask, “Who are you?” I sat motionless as my mind tried to think about it. “Remember who you are,” he demanded. Then I understood; he was asking me to remember my identity in Christ, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am the Body of Christ. I am the head and not the tail. I am above only and never beneath. Jesus’ body was broken for me, so by his stripes I am healed!” I declared aloud. Then I girded myself, declaring for an entire hour, until I fell off to sleep, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.” Shortly afterward, as I was in a sound sleep, I was awakened by what felt like a large finger pressing into the lump in my left breast. Immediately, I awoke, but I couldn’t move or open my eyes, feeling like I was being held down by an arm lying across my chest. I could feel it up against my left cheek, and I fought to turn my head to try to bite the arm, but I couldn’t move or open my eyes. I knew I was under attack and I needed to fight the devil off, but I couldn’t move. Giving in to what was happening to me, I stopped fighting. A few minutes later my eyes suddenly opened, and I jerked forward and sat straight up in my bed. What in the world was that? I pondered in my mind. Then I made my way to the bathroom. Coming back to my bedroom, I looked up to notice that my bedroom, with the lights out, was not black, but grey with white hues. Oh my God, the angels have been here; I thought. I sat down on the bed, almost afraid to lie down, but I heard the Lord encourage, “Be not afraid.” So, I went back to sleep. I never searched for the lump after that Friday night. I had another mammogram appointment on the following Tuesday, so I went on with my weekend. Sunday morning as I sat at the table after breakfast, the Lord asked, “Why would the devil touch you there?” With that statement, I knew I was all right. Monday morning, I wanted to tell what had happened to me on the prayer call, but the Lord said, “Wait, I want a witness.” Tuesday morning, I wasn’t able to get on the prayer call because I had to catch the bus to my appointment. As I sat in the reception area waiting for my examination, I was calm. When I was called to the back, I changed and sat with other women waiting to be called to the examination room. It was a humbling experience as I thought about women who might be facing breast cancer. One of my prayer call/church members was battling the disease. As my name was called, I made my way to the examination room, and the technician inquired, “Where’s the lump? Can you show me?” I felt for the lump, and I kept searching for it. “It was here,” I answered, continuing to probe. Then the technician attempted to assist me in finding the lump, but to no avail. “Let me put you on the machine; maybe it will show something,” she suggested. I braced for the intense, unexplainable pain as she took pictures of my breasts. “I don’t see anything, but let me let the doctor read these results. You may have to have a sonogram, so take a seat in the waiting room,” she instructed. I did what she said, and shortly after, she came for me and took me to have a sonogram. I was still calm as I positioned myself on the table. “Where did they say the lump was?” the sonogram technician inquired. Feeling for the lump again, I probed, searching for it. “It was here, but it’s gone now.” She looked at me perplexed. “Let me see if I can feel it,” she assisted. “I don’t feel it, let’s see what I can see on the screen,” she offered as she moved the cold wand over my breast. “Wait here, I’m going to give this report to the doctor to read,” she stated as she left the room. A few minutes later, the doctor entered. “May I examine you?” he inquired. “Sure,” I submitted. As his fingers probed, he looked puzzled, and then he took hold of the cold wand and did another sonogram. “All I see is breast tissue; I don’t see anything out of the ordinary.” “Thank you,” I offered as they pointed me toward the dressing room. “Thank you, Lord,” I whispered when I really wanted to shout. I couldn’t wait to tell somebody, anybody, what my God had done. I don’t know what the lump was because I refused to give it a name. I just knew it wasn’t a part of my life and I treated that way. The one thing I remembered from the beginning was never to claim anything that isn’t from God, and disease of any kind is a curse, but I am not cursed. From that experience, God reminded me we must daily believe and declare the promises of God for us that are "Yeah and Amen." Psalms 103:20 (KJV) declares, "Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word." The angels hearken to the voice of thy word (God’s Word in our mouths), and they will take hold of it and battle for us. Put your angels to work while you put your mind and heart to rest, and the devil to flight. Be blessed, my sisters and brothers, and declare your victories in Christ Jesus!!! There is nothing special about me; I simply did what the Holy Spirit directed me to do. I confessed God's promises, believing in him and his ability to fulfill them in my life. Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, I declare that every attack of the devil has already failed. I send back his attacks and take my victory back. I will not be afraid of his wicked schemes or plans against me or my family. Although this season is frightening, we will not fear! For the Word of God says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, KJV). Therefore, “No weapon that is formed against (me and my family) shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against (us) in judgment we shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” Psalm 91:1 declares, "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalms 23 (KJV) reminds us, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." Mark 5:26 (KJV), "As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe." In the name of Jesus, I believe. Amen.

There was a girl named Jenny, who went about day after day trying to give all she could to others. Sometimes, she had friends who wouldn’t share with her because they thought she had it all. “Jenny’s got so much, she doesn’t need our help,” they would say. She didn’t look like she needed anything, but they were wrong about Jenny. She had a mother who was very sick, and Jenny had to take time off work on some days to take care of her. Driving her friends to their destinations was something she'd do, and she never requested gas money from them. She gave God her tithes faithfully, even if it meant she had to sacrifice and couldn’t spend her money on things she wanted. She even gave her time and energy to dance for the Lord when she knew she didn’t always feel like it. Jenny never asked for anything; she just kept giving and giving. As she sat one day feeling sorry for herself, God reminded Jenny that her generosity would be repaid and that because she was faithful to him, he would always be faithful to her. When no one else seemed to notice how generous Jenny was, God noticed her, and he promised she would be blessed to be a blessing. This made Jenny realize what God meant when he said in the Bible in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” That made Jenny very happy, and she decided she would give as much as she could, and trust God to take care of her. This is a fictional story, but the premise is much like our daily lives as Christians. If you are anything like Jenny, just know that God sees your good works and generosity, too. And just like Jenny, he will reward you. Just hold on, and don't change the way you display your love. You have a heart that people need and appreciate, even if they don't tell you.

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.” (Isaiah 43:18, NKJV) Have you ever found yourself sinning as a Christian? Go ahead and tell the truth! Well, I have, and I hated it! But for a long time, I couldn’t figure out why I was still sinning, when the sin nature had been removed from me when the Holy Spirit came to live on the inside of me during the born-again conversion experience, I received in 1996. A few years ago, I asked God, “Lord, what makes me keep returning to a certain sinful behavior, one that I really hate and no longer want any part of?” He answered, “Everyone is a sinner by default; you all were born into the curse of the law of sin and death. However, most people have a perpetuating sin that causes them much grief and, ultimately, destruction. That kind of sin is born from pain. When humans are hurting, they will find some way to relieve the pain. When the pain is physical, they simply have to stop what’s causing the physical hurt or seek medical attention to assist with stopping the physical hurt. But when the hurt is of the soul, they find a means of comfort as a distraction from the soulful hurt. This is the worst kind of hurt because it is often unseen and undiagnosed for a long period. It’s the secret hurt! And the means of comfort for so many people is a thing (drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, fantasizing, money…etc.). But most people don’t understand that things don’t have the capacity to comfort anyone—they are a thing! I am the Comforter!” I can’t tell you how that truth hit me upside my head and knocked some serious sense into me! All that time, and all those years, I had been going to a thing (a bad behavior pattern) to comfort the hurts within my soul, when all along it was God that I needed to comfort me. Especially the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus himself refers to as the Comforter. I thought I had oneness with the Holy Spirit since 1996, yet I’m still struggling to lay down a certain sinful behavior that keeps trying to control me. Why? The Lord answered, "Because you have not yet realized that this is not your stuff! It’s the residue of the old woman you used to be. It was her go-to thing, her artificial means of comforting her pain; it’s not yours! You are a new creation in Christ Jesus, and that old stuff must pass away! You should not be allowing those old thought patterns which prompted that old sinful behavior to govern you. 'Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind’ by seeking the real Comforter.'" Then I finally understood; my flesh had a pattern of behavior that stemmed from soulish hurt. But I don’t live in the flesh anymore. However, if I allow myself to return to fleshly thinking, the old behavior pattern greets me there. But if I walk only in the Spirit, I abstain from that sinful pattern of behavior because I abstain from that sinful way of thinking. I got it! Hallelujah!!! Well, I am glad to report that the truth has indeed set me free! And God didn’t use shame or blame to do it; he simply helped me to get understanding about the situation. And I hope I’ve passed on the same understanding to you. If you are a believer still dealing with the "go to sin," get out of the fleshly thinking and come back to the real you. The new you! The better you! And remember, you have a real, loving Comforter to go to in your times of sorrow, brokenness, or loneliness. That old sinful behavior doesn’t belong to you. It’s not your stuff! Hebrews 12: 1-4, (KJV) states, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Prayer: Father, thank you for taking the time to educate us. Help my brothers and sisters who are still struggling with the “go to sin.” Be the Comforter that they need and help them also to renew their minds. Thank you for not condemning us, but for comforting us with your love. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!