Tag Archives: peace

Monday – New Beginnings

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To you alone, O Lord, to you alone, and not to us, must glory be given because of your constant love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1

The beginning of the week, the beginning of the month and the beginning of the year is our opportunity to start something new. It could be viewed as a do over if your previous week or previous month or previous year did not go as you had expected it. New beginnings are our opportunity to clear the proverbial slate and try again. In trying again, we need to be mindful of doing the same thing over and over again. For example, if we had a bad week last week even though we followed our normal routine, perhaps it is time for us to change our routine. Change the way that we operate.

I picked today’s scripture because sometimes our normal routine is giving ourselves the glory for the things that go well in our lives. We do not take the time to praise God for Him giving us the ability to be successful, for Him aligning the right people in our lives or making our crooked paths straight. Instead we pray to God for Him to do the things that we want done. Not His will but our own. Then when our prayers that we vehemently prayed for does not happen, we become disappointed. We do the same routine. Pray for how we want the situation to go then get upset because it did not happen the way that we prayed it would. God is not a genie.

Know that our destiny has already been planned. God knew who we would be and what we would do while we are on this earth. But because He gave us free will our path to our destiny can be an easy path or difficult. It is totally up to us but understand we will arrive to our destiny no matter what path we decided to take. Even if that means repeating the same thing over and over again.

As I read this scripture, it reminded me that I should be praising God through it all. The good times…. praise God. The bad times…. praise God. The indecisive times….praise God. The “I don’t understand why this is happening” times…. praise God. Nothing that goes in my favor was done by me. It was the glory of God that allowed it to happen. So I give the glory for everything because He knows what He is doing and what He is planning on doing. He knows the plans that He has for us and we should all know that those plans are not to harm us.

So today and this week change your routine. Start your day out by giving God the glory for everything that He has done and for all the things that you are trusting Him to do in your life. Put everything in His hands and do not let anyone throw you off your walk of faith. Keep the faith and try the path of least resistances with God.

Love you with the love of Christ,

Kelly

Throwback Thursday

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But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak. Isaiah 40:31

I remember sitting in church with my grandmother Garrett and the choir was singing “I Will Trust in The Lord”. I clearly remember the part where my grandmother would sing a smidgen louder, “I’m going to stay on the battlefield until I die.” I thought that was a bit much. I did not understand as a child what that meant to stay on the battlefield until I die. As a child, if things got too tough I would run from the battlefield! No way was I going to stay and fight. I valued my life too much. But now as an adult, I get it. And boy do I get it!!

I do not believe that anyone will get the true meaning of that song until you have really experienced some things. I have been in church singing:

Trust in the Lord
I’ll trust in the Lord
I will trust in the Lord
Until I die

I’m gonna stay on the battlefield
I’m gonna stay on the battlefield
I’m gonna stay on the battlefield
Until I die

I’m gonna treat everybody right
I’m gonna treat everybody right
I’m gonna treat everybody right
Until I die

Not truly understanding what it meant to stay on “the battlefield”. The battlefield has been defined for me within the last year, the last month, the last day. The battlefield is your mind, your spirit, your body, your relationships, and whatever else causes us to put our trust and confidence in the Lord. It may seem like things are happening to us and around us but we have to remain faithful that the power and protection of God is present. Whatever negative experience we have had IS the battlefield. We just need to know what weapon to bring to the battle. That negative experience was put there to take our life, our mind or the use of our body. But remember no weapon formed against us will prosper as long as we use our weapon of faith and hope. As soon as we lose hope we go running away just like I thought I would when I was a little girl sitting next to my grandmother. Then the battle is over.

Today remain faithful throughout whatever you are going through. Do not lose hope. There is no time for that. The battle is not yours, it’s the Lord’s. Release your worries and concerns to the Lord. Keep this in your head all day today and tomorrow, “I’m going to stay on the battlefield. Until I die.” Be blessed my brother and my sister. The Lord is with you today and will be with you always.

Love you with the love of Christ!

Kelly

Testimony Tuesday

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For this reason I remind you to keep alive the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control. Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord; nor be ashamed of me, a prisoner for Christ’s sake. Instead, take your part in suffering for the Good News, as God gives you the strength to do it. 2 Timothy 1:6-8

It’s been a couple of days since I wrote last. I stopped because I thought I was not hearing the Holy Spirit anymore. The doubt began to creep in. I did not think anyone would care what I had to say at this point, because I did not have some profound revelation or some miraculous breakthrough. I am still that woman that has been struck repeatedly in the recent months by major setbacks. I have no idea why things are happening to me. I have no idea of how I am going to come out on the other side so I can be a witness to other people. So again, doubt began to creep in. With that doubt came the wavering of my faith. I mean I would go through the motions but my belief system was being pushed to the limits.

This morning as I prayed, I asked God to reveal to me my purpose. I cannot just be out here with no direction. My life had such structure to it and within the last year my infrastructure has crumbled. I am trying to rebuild but with out the blueprints I do not have a clue of where to begin. So I prayed. I prayed by declaring and decreeing that my life will have structure to it. I prayed that by the blood of Jesus that I would be made whole…… tenfold. I prayed that whatever was taken from me would be come clear soon. I prayed that I could relate to Job, Moses, Esther and David. I prayed that God use me in a way so that I would understand that the heartbreak and disappointment that I was experiencing would become clear. I prayed. After I prayed I got on my morning conference call. The topic was 2 Timothy 1:6-7. I read on to 2 Timothy 1:8. That is when I realized that God heard what I prayed for.

Here is the point of today’s blog. We ask in faith to God to reveal things to us or to heal us or to direct us but then we do not activite our faith. We do not stay persist in doing what is laid on our hearts to do. Just because it is something that is uncomfortable or something that is out of character or something that does not yield dividends does not mean that it is not God answering us. We need to ask, believe it is already done and act in faith. So today I write. I wrote because I know that is one of the things that God had put on my heart a long time ago. To be transparent so others can be inspired or encouraged to move forward regardless of what the circumstances my look like now. Do not doubt what God has whispered to you through music, devotionals or people. Do not be stagnant. Move forward. Do not be afraid.

We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are. – Tobias Wolff

Love you much & I will be back!

Kelly

Flashback Friday

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Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40

But God…….

4 weeks ago my life changed forever. I received news that brought me down to my knees, literally. And I remained there for hours. My nephew took his life. I thought my faith would not help me or sustain me because the pain I felt was indescribable. My heart broke.

But God……..

A couple of weeks ago my company eliminated my job. I’m a divorced mom. I’m a homeowner. I’m in debt because of my divorce. I’m the sole provider.

But God……

Every area of my life has been changed within a year. It felt as though as soon as I was about to settle into my new life something happened. Just when I thought the storm was over, a hurricane developed and tried to destroy me. But I was not destroyed. Right when I thought I had loss everything and my mind was next, my faith kicked in.

“But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,miracles that cannot be counted. Job 5:8-9

God has been an ever present help in my life. There is no way that I would have been able to endure the things I have if it was not for my faith in God. Yes, tears fall everyday but they do not consume me. Yes, I am still heartbroken but I’m not broken. I am a strong woman of God.

So remember hard times will happen. Your faith will be tested. But remain strong in the Lord. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He loves you and he will sustain you. You will see his glory come to be in your life.

Be incredibly blessed today my friend.

Love you,

Kelly

Trials & Tribulations Thursday

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Perserverance

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

Today I did not want to get out of bed. I was about to go down that road of why should I, it does not matter. Then my clock radio went off. As you may have read yesterday, I was having issues with my radio. Yesterday it would not do anything but play static. It interrupted my morning. Today it was clear and loud. It played as though yesterday did not exist. I had not moved the radio nor had I adjusted the antennae. It played like yesterday did not happen. What was more interesting was what the DJ was saying. He said, “there are no problems just a process”. That stunned me for a second because I thought about all my “problems” I am/have gone through. I believe that everything happens for a reason that will be disclosed at a later time if we are open to really knowing. But I had never thought about exchanging my “problems” to my “process”. So I hit the snooze. 10 minutes later the radio went off again. Clear and loud. This time it played the exact same song as yesterday. The song sang to me, “This is your season for grace and mercy. This is your season to reap what you have sown”.

I have come to the conclusion that things that make us uncomfortable and challenge our faith will happen. It is how we handle the discomfort. Will we cry uncontrollably? Will we become a monster to everyone around us? Will we become detached from the world? Will we start doing self-destructive things? Whatever we choose to do in a time of trials and tribulations is up to us. God gave us free will. But in our free will we have to think, do any of those self-destructive ways help us through the trials? Do they change what has happen to us or around us? The answer is no. It still happened. Yesterday is gone. Yesterday cannot be changed or altered. Just like my clock radio, today is a new day that is clear and you can make it as you wish.

Perhaps you have to make some of adjustments of your life because of your trials and tribulations, but do so with thanksgiving. God did not create you for failure. He created you for greatness. It is only up to you as to how long you want to operate in defeat or sadness. It is up to you of how long you want to take to discover your destiny. But know you will discover it. You can take the quick way or the long way. It is all up to you and your attitude. Will you allow today to be clear? Or will you still be disturbed by the interruption of yesterday? You decide.

God be with you. Grace and Mercy.

Love you,

Kelly

Wisdom Wednesday

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Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6

This morning my alarm only had static playing. For the last year, I usually wake up to gospel music. No matter where I moved the radio I got nothing but static. I moved the wires; nothing but static. But when I put my hand on top of the radio it played clearly. When I stopped getting frustrated by the interruption of my morning routine and just rested my hand on top of the radio, it played. It played, “this is my season for grace and favor. This is my season to reap what I have sown.”

As I sat here, with my hand on the radio the irritation of the interruption went away. I trusted that as long as I kept my hand exactly where it was my music would come out clearly. Just keep my hand where it was. Don’t try to move the radio. Don’t try to twist the wires a certain way. Don’t try to adjust the radio station. Just keep my hand where it was and relax.

I thought about what was happening. Sometimes we have interruptions in our lives. Things happen that we did not plan on. Things happen that totally confuses us. We become unglued. We become shaken. But if we remember that God is our rock and our salvation, we will not be shaken. We must stay focused on God’s promises. Not our situations or our circumstances. God will NEVER leave us or forsake us. He is our fortress. We can relax and rest in his presence.

Keep your focus on God. Keep your hand on top of the radio so your music comes out clear.

Be gracious today in everything you do. Be unmoved by circumstances. Be abundantly blessed my friend.

Love ya,

Kelly

Miracle-Receiving Monday

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For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

There is a song that (I believe) says, “when I look back over my life and I think things over; I have a testimony.”  I’m at a point that I am excited about the testimony that I am going to have once I come out on the other side of everything I’ve experienced within a year. My testimony will be about perseverance in the face of major adversity. My testimony will be about exponential growth. My testimony will be about a peace that surpasses all understanding. My testimony will be about an increase in income and a decrease in debt. My testimony will be about the happiness that I found within. I believe in my testimony coming because I am very confident that the work that God has started in me will be perfected up until the day I close my eyes to wake up on the other side. I know that he is not done with me yet.

I have so many cliches that are floating around in my head but this is the best one that I have for you, “you wouldn’t have a testimony without a test.” If you are like me, you are thinking how can I get over this and use this for good. (You fill in what “this” is.) How can I smile when I just lost my job and I have no idea how I am going to make ends meet? How can I smile when I am a 45 year old divorce parent of a teenager? How can I smile when my beautiful nephew ended his own life? I will tell you how, through the strength of Jesus Christ who strengthens you. That is the only way how. I will be honest with you, no one can comfort me right now. No one has the right words to say to me and if they say the wrong thing, that’s trouble. So who do I turn to? God. He is an ever-present help in a time of trouble. He is always the same.

So whatever you may be going through right now, start performing your testimony. Speak it into existence. Imagine the people that you are going to tell about it. Think about how you are going to change someone’s outlook on life because you spoke possibilities into their life. Just because you can not see the wonderful outcome of your trials right now, know that it is coming. You will come out of this storm better than when you went into it. And you will be the reason someone will be able to survive their storm.

Stay faithful and expect great things to happen to YOU! Praise HIM through your storm.

Love you with the love of Christ,

Kelly

Fantastic Friday

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Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Psalms 37:4-7

From my reading it states that to take delight in someone, you have to know that person. So in order for us to take delight in the Lord we need to get to know him. How do you get to know someone? Well, there are numerous ways to get to know someone now. But the most effective way is talking. When you talk to someone you get to know their desires, hopes and dreams. You get to know the soul of another person. God wants you to do the same to him. He wants you to bear all you hopes and your burdens to him. Let him become that trusted advisor.

It’s interesting that with everything that has happened in my life over the last 90 days, I’ve found myself more and more by myself. I don’t feel like talking on the phone or being out with people right now. I don’t want anyone to ask that dreaded question, “how are you”. Because then I would have to answer honestly……..”I’m not ok. I’m functioning.” So I’ve been communicating more and more with the Lord. I’ve been telling him the desires of my heart. I’ve been trusting him with everything that is happening and with everything that is going to happen. I know that he knows the plans that he has for me and those plans are to prosper me in every area that has been affected. For everything that has been taken from me it will return tenfold. So that means that I will shine like the noonday sun soon. But in the meantime, I need to be still. Accept being by myself and wait patiently on the Lord to act.

We all face tough times. Things we have no comprehension of will happen to us. The key to surviving is giving up. Give up worrying, wondering and trying to fix our problems. Take delight in the Lord. Trust that he has our best interest at heart. Where man has forsaken you, the Lord will not. He loves you like no one else can or ever will. Rest on his promises and take heart that he is moving on your behalf. Matter of fact, it’s already done. Believe that!

Keep the faith my friend. The Lord loves you and so do I!

Kelly

Thought Provoking Thursday

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Storm

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Yesterday I was totally caught off guard. The organization that I work for told me that they are letting everyone in my department go. I can reapply for my job and perhaps I will be rehired. If not, my last day is in about 1 month. And to add insult to injury, they said please do business as normal until then. Business as usual.

But it is not business as usual when your world has turned upside down. It is not business as usual when your heart has been broken. It is not business as usual when you feel so beat up from life that you can not get out the bed. It is not business as usual when you just do not have a clue of what you are suppose to do next. What do you do? If you are a believer, you stand.

Let nothing move you. Remain steadfast in praising, petitioning and expressing gratitude to our Lord and Savior. He is a ever-present help in a world that is topsy-turvy. What we experience God already knew it was going to happen. Which means he already knows how victorious we will be on the other side of our trials. We just need to remain faithful. Never lose hope because for after every storm there is sunshine. It may seem so tough at times but bad times do not last.

For me, I’ve decided to give myself to the Lord’s work. I’m going to try something new. I’m going to listen to that small voice and allow that voice to guide me. If the Lord says my work will not be in vain, then I believe it. Today I step out on faith fully even though my heart is broken because I loss my nephew to suicide. I step out on faith fully even though I am a divorced. I step out on faith fully even though my son has sickle cell anemia. I step out on faith fully even though they said I’ve loss my job. I step out on faith fully even though………

I encourage you today to step out on faith. Do what is in your heart today. Let go of whatever is holding you back. Release whatever is troubling you. Let God take over. I promise you your labor will not be in vain.

Love you with love of Christ,

Kelly