"His Spirit Always Follows."

God, your presence is SO refreshing and gives me chills. "I could run a million miles, but your spirit always follows." Thank You for continuously pouring into me. Thank you for giving me the ability to be able to press into your presence and truly feel you all around. Thank You for protecting me and my children. Thank You for favoring us. Thank You for our home. Thank You for always providing and being right on time. Thank you for your love even when I don't cling to you. Thank You for these moments to sit with my children and let them intake this worship music and prayer time with me. May they tuck You into their hearts and mind and never forget You. I pray that You fill them up even at this young age. May they desire to worship You and learn more about You. I thank You that Calvin already knows so much of your word and for Aniyah being able to hear and catch out to even just songs about you. May they cling to You when times get rough. May they always know that You can help them through anything they may encounter in the physical and even their spiritual battles. I thank You for their spirit of discernment even at this young age. May they continue to walk in authority, knowing that they are children of the MOST HIGH! 

God, I just thank You. Thank You for never leaving us.

Something is Shifting.

Something is happening. I can feel and sense it so strongly. I need to stay pressed into Your presence, but sometimes I don’t make the time in order to do so. God, You know my deepest desires and You know some of my deepest hearts’ cries. I am going to start this series on relationship goals & God I’m asking for complete clarity on what I need to do. Purify my heart, mind, and soul. Help me to forgive and help me to stand firm on my convictions and desires. After life has gotten so intertwined, sometimes it’s hard to see things individually. God, I want to be adamant about protecting this relationship with You first and foremost. I know that everything else will follow. Keep my intentions pure. Keep my focus on You and my lane. I haven’t fully went head first into a fast and I know why, but I can’t shake this feeling. My spirit is really yearning for that deep connection and if I keep surprising it or half doing it, I’ll continue getting partial results! I’ve experienced that indescribable feeling that only YOU can provide. From this point on, I am going to just do what I know needs to be done and trust that the ones who are supposed to understand and still be around, will be!

There’s so many amazing things happening and I have no clue what’s about to happen & when, but I need to be prepared and God I know where my foundation and strength comes from.

Will you still keep going even if you don't know the outcome?

Will you still keep pushing in spite of?

Will you continue to trust even when the things around you look impossible?

Trust in Him. Not in others & not in your carnal nature!

His ways are not Yours!

Feel it in your bones. Envision it. Slaughter the doubt.

Renewing Your Mind

Thank You God for always being so gracious...even in the midst of!
Watch one of my latest videos regarding a lesson I learned on the importance of constantly being mindful of our thoughts.

https://youtu.be/n7Ep4RvNDuI

Ready, Set, Pursue!

Dear you...

They're not "mistakes" anymore, they're choices. You know better, but you still decide that you're going to go back down that same path. 
You know what you should and could do, but you don't. 
You shout, cry, praise, and are in a good place temporarily, but it never lasts longer than a few hours, days, or months. 
When will you TRULY decide that enough is enough? When will you finally stop allowing the temporary tough times to drive you to make impulsive decisions? When will you stop allowing the desire for a mate or these temporary worldly things to outweigh your desire for me? 
When will you TRULY place your life in my hands? Not hold on to bits and pieces, but FULLY surrender it to me? 
I know you're called to greater heights. You know you're called to greater heights. So why do you keep going around the same mountain and backtracking to the last course that I pulled you through?
When will you get tired of being stagnant and "learning the same lesson?" When will you be ready for new lessons and new triumphs? 
Time stops for no man, so why keep WASTING it? Why keep wasting resources? Why keep using and abusing opportunities?
When will your YES to me really mean that? When will you NO to them and THAT really mean it? I hear you what you're saying, but your actions are so far off. "Actions speak louder than words."
When are you going to stop allowing men, women, things, and yourself to hinder you from moving forward into more?
It's as if you forget how you got through that one seemingly impossible situation. Or how you've been provided for even when you had no clue how it was going to happen. 
Why do you allow worry to consume you? Why do you allow fear to stop you from moving forward? Why do you keep ignoring "that tug" about that situation? 
Why do you run to others instead of getting into your quiet place and venting to the One who knows you better than any person on this Earth? Why won't you spend more time getting to know your creator's character instead of being distracted by the pointless things of this world? 

There has to come a point when you stop negotiating with yourself about these bad habits, these distractions, these hinderances, these decisions. Throw them away. Block them. Eliminate them from your life. Truly surrunder them and TURN AWAY FROM THEM. Stop going back!

Do it today. Not tomorrow. NOW!!! 

I can't believe you've truly had enough until your actions line up with your words.....Keep moving forward even if you get tripped up on the way, but please don't stop or move backwards. 

YOU MUST PRESS ON! Often times you are closer than you think. 

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.

Philippians 4:13 NLT

Freedom.

Luke 7:36-56

This was such an awesome text for me and God revealed so much to me through it. 

Just to brief you, one of the Pharisees had invited Jesus over for dinner. A sinful woman heard about Him being there and she went there with her alabaster box of perfume. She came in and she was pouring out to Jesus. She was so desperate for a renewal and refreshing. She was at Jesus' feet crying, wiping her tears off with HER HAIR. (She wasn't worried about being cute, she wasn't worried about a fresh flat iron or curls falling.)  She poured her good perfume on His feet. To me that showed surrender. That showed that she was willing to give Him her all and show Him just how serious she was!  When the Pharisee that invited Jesus over to dinner saw this, he was trying to figure out how he was letting this "sinful woman" be all over Him like that.  (Verse 39) The awesome thing about what happened after that showed me that you don't always have to fight your battles. He will intervene for you. You don't have to prove yourself to people looking on the outside. When everyone else writes you off, He comes in and intercedes and comes to your rescue! He shows His power! Let Him fight your battles. Just keep on pressing into Him! Keep on worshipping with all you got! Keep giving your all and watch HIM elevate you, heal you, free you, love you like no other in spite of! 

Jesus gave Simon a straightening. He basically told him that from the moment that woman came to Him, she was showing how desperate she was. She had been at His feet crying and pouring out to Him. She was giving her all. She honored Him. She kissed His feet and poured her perfume on Him. He was like ummmm you didn't do any of that. Jesus gave Simon a good reminder that He came into HIS house on HIS invitation, and he didn't even greet Him that way. 

People will try to bring up all your bad when you're trying to do good! When you're trying to push through and get past all the old things, people will try to remind you and others of WHAT YOU USED TO DO! They will see all your wrong, but won't even be sweeping up their own mess. Don't worry about who's spectating. Stop worrying about and being ashamed of your past. Stop being ashamed of your process. Don't worry about who knows what because if you go to Jesus and sincerely repent and turn away from the old things, YOU ARE FORGIVEN AND FREE!  Don't let people keep you in bondage just because they have a problem with LETTING GO! Honey if you want to keep replaying my past, know it's just that, MY PAST! I'm stepping into something new. Every human is flawed in one way or another. There's NO EXCEPTION. 

JESUS told her "your sins are forgiven." (Verse 48) Then he told her "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." I love how he told her to "go in peace" because He knew there were still going to be people talking. There were still going to be people trying to downtalk, downplay, and discredit her encounter with Him. There were still going to be people that couldn't accept her moving forward. There were going to be times where people and things tried to get her to feel bad about her past. BUT NO! When JESUS freed her, that was it. All that mess was forgiven and she was no longer in bondage. That old person was no longer her. I can't say this enough, DON'T LET PEOPLE KEEP YOU BOUND! Don't let your negative thoughts keep you bound. Rejoice over your past. You know why? Because your past is OVER! 

Instead of feeling bad about the things you've done, say thank you Jesus for opening my eyes and allowing me to see that what I was doing was hindering me and not helping me. Thank You Jesus for loving me unconditionally and seeing how bad I wanted to be free. 

He sees your heart. Even if nobody else sees when you're in your quiet time praying and crying and speaking over your life, He does. When you put your faith into action, He will show up and do His part. 

It doesn't matter if it was just yesterday that you were doing something you know you had no business, if you want that true change, GO TO HIM! Even if the people who you were doing it with try to say "weren't you just out here last night doing such and such with me?" Again, DON'T LET PEOPLE KEEP YOU BOUND!!! Yes it's going to take consistency and dedication, but when you want it, YOU GO GET IT!!! 

I pray that these scriptures encourage you. Let this woman and Jesus' encounter help you to realize that at the end of the day, He sees the heart! Even if not a single soul on this Earth ever believe you're genuine, keep pressing into Him! Keep going to Him with all you have and know that He will meet you right where you are. 

I encourage you to read the text for yourself. The word is so awesome. Let Him take you deeper and give you wisdom and understanding that no man can! 

Get free and stay free. 

Who the son sets free, HE IS FREE INDEED! 

Reminder.

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Don't Stop!

Don't stop now. Don't stop fighting now. I know you're overwhelmed. I know you're burned out. I know you're tired. I know it's hard to find that inner motivation at times. I know you're working your butt off and trying to do things the right way. I know you're wondering WHEN? HOW? WHY? I know it seems like nobody truly understands. I know it's seems like you just can't catch a break. I know it's seems like the people that purposely pursue wrong are on the come up. I know it seems like things work out so flawlessly for others. I know it seems like you just always end up getting the short end of the stick. I know you desire more. I know you desire better. I know you want things to just FINALLY WORK OUT! 

Listen. I hear you. I feel you. I get it! BUT! Please don't give up. Please don't keep looking around and comparing because you probably wouldn't want "that" if you knew the real story behind it. Please don't let the words of the enemy's negativity linger. Please don't stop trusting. Stand firm! Lift your head back up! Decide that no matter what it looks like, you're going to KEEP GOING! Remember that God is greater than whatever it is. Remember that there are lessons to be learned. Remember that God can't prune you and build you if you aren't willing to grow and push through the less than ideal situations. This test that you're encountering right now HAS TO BE PASSED! You have to get through this stage to get promoted to the next. 

I know it seems rough right now. Heck, God knows it IS rough, but as long as you're still breathing, please know IT'S NOT OVER! 

So again, keep going! Keep praying! Keep praising. Yes right here in the midst of it all! 

You are more than a conqueror and where you are weak, HE IS STRONG! 

 

 

 

We Need You.

It's not always easy to continue pushing. It's not always easy to reframe your thinking when that fear and doubt creeps up. It's not always easy to think positively when so much negativity surrounds. It's not always easy to be patient. It's not always easy to pray. It's not always easy to have faith. It's not always easy to get up and take action. It's not always easy to have to self motivation. It's not always easy to not let the opinions of others affect us. It's not always easy to not conform to the ways of this world. It's not always easy to be strong. It's not always easy to just let God be God...

BUT GOD! Thank You for replacing your strength with our weaknesses. Thank You for allowing us to freely cast ALL of our cares on You because You care for us. Thank You for providing in big ways and in small ways. Thank You for understanding that we are so imperfect, yet you still LOVE us. Thank You for breathing an extra dose of patience on us when we're at the end of the rope. Thank You for stepping in right on time. Thank You for protecting us even when we don't protect ourselves. Thank You for your wisdom and understanding. You see the bigger picture. Thank You for constantly being a light in such a dark place. Thank You for Your spirit. Thank You for the constant reminders that YOU ARE GOD AND NOTHING OR NO ONE WILL EVER COMPARE. 

Please help us. We need You. Even when we think we have things under control, we still need You. Help us to run to YOU before we run to anything or anyone else. Help us to truly know You for who You are. Give us an understanding that only you can give. When you reveal Yourself, make it crystal clear. Help us to be on alert and not miss You. 

Amen. 

Day 17.

YOU'RE THE JOY NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY.

YOU'RE THE PEACE INSIDE I CANT EXPLAIN.

Day 12.

Thank You for helping me to reframe my mind. Thank You for constantly bringing me peace when I feel overwhelmed. Thank You for revelation when reading Your word. Thank You for helping me to feel hopeful in a seemingly hopeless situation. Thank You for an extra dose of patience when dealing with the struggles of raising my son on my own. Thank You for the time I'm able to spend with Him. Thank You for completely changing my outlook on his "nagging" and constant need for attention. Thank You for His health. Thank You for everything you've done, everything you're doing, and everything that I have to look forward to. Keep me rooted in You! Keep me focused. Keep me humble. Thank You for the wait. Please don't let me miss the lessons in this all. Thank You for Your strength. Thank You for Your favor.

No matter what, help me to press on! Help me to keep the zeal. Help me to get back up when I fall. Help me to cast down EVERY single thought of negativity. 

Thank You for my life. The good. The bad. And the not so pretty. Just simply...THANK YOU! 

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Day 8.

Keep Fighting 

Today was such a great reminder that although the enemy is definitely real, GOD and His power is SO much more real. 

Instead of Pastor Raley preaching today, there was a little skit presented that emphasized on the scripture that he read. 

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This also just makes me think about the verses 

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sometimes we don't even realize just how the enemy is trying to ruin us. We get so down and don't even want to fight back. I was reminded today that even at your absolute lowest, God is still able to make a complete turn around in that situation. 

Praying that we continue to call on God even when we feel defeated. Even when it looks like we've messed up too badly. The enemy would love for you to stay in a slump. He would love for you to stay down and out. He would love for you to turn from God instead of running to Him. DON'T give into His plan. No matter how many times you fall or make the same mistake over and over, don't allow that to make you feel like you can't go back to God because you've already asked for forgiveness in that area. 

God is so gracious and that's the beautiful thing about His UNCONDITIONAL love! So get back up! Get out of that slump! Get your fighting gloves back on and stop running! With God on your side, YOU ARE NOT DEFEATED!! 

Day Six.

Help me to truly trust you IN SPITE OF.

Day 3

God's wisdom

Today I was reminded in so many ways how awesome and just plain above average that God is. His way of thinking and how He orchestrates things is so not how we in our "logical" human ways would even consider thinking or doing when it comes to certain situations. 

I have Proverbs 3:5-6 taped on my wall and today I read it over and over and got so much MORE revelation on the verse. I thank God for HIS WORD because when we truly are able to grasp the depth of it, gosh it's sooooo life changing. 

Within that verse it says "and lean not to your own understanding"! I'm beginning to realize exactly why we are given this instruction. It takes me back to “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 When you think about it, how many times have you just had to completely be like "okay Lord, I'm trusting YOU in this situation because from what I see and how I'm envisioning this to turn out....ummmm this could be a disaster." It's so awesome to see how He completely turns a situation around. Or how He perfectly orchestrates something in a way that you never would have thought of it happening. 

He's so awesome and I'm learning that He REALLY does have my best interest at heart. He created the Earth. Like come on. We can barely even cook certain things without a recipe. Or put together a certain craft without STEP BY STEP instructions. He was able to just create and speak things into existence. Like wow! Why is it so hard for us to trust such a MIGHTY man? 

I'm praying that we all really start to see his power in ALL that we do and experience. Constantly pray for HIS wisdom because it's far more average than our simple minded and in the box thinking. Praying that we continue to intentionally try and see him in EVERYTHING! Reminders of Him are everywhere. 

I want to share this article with you. Now tell me that this isn't TOTALLY God's design and his wisdom behind this. So amazing. Thank You Lord! 

http://all-natural.com/food-pharmacy/

Day Two.

H O P E.

In spite of your situation, will you still believe? Will you still trust that good can come out of a seemingly bad situation? Will you wait in expectation of GREAT THINGS no matter what? 

I want His way over mine. 

I want His route vs my short cut.

I want His gifts over my material things. 

I want His plans vs my "bright ideas."

"Sometimes in our impatience, we start to take matters into our own hands." 

Lord help us to never lose hope! Help us to trust YOUR WORD in spite of what the natural eye sees. Help us to wait on you and your guidance in good cheer. Give us a sound mind in the midst of all the distractions and chaos. When our physical body grows tired, renew our strength. Help us to continue to burn with passion to always choose your way over ours even if it's completely different from our fleshly desires. 

Whenever we start to believe the lies of the enemy, remind of us your promises and truth. Remind us that we aren't in this alone and that we have YOU rooting for us all the way to the finish line. 

 

Day One.

Today has been pretty swell. I started my morning with 11am service at Calvary. Love that church so much. The message was so on point. I decided that I would go out and find a random place to just walk around and marvel at God's beautiful creations. With so much darkness in the world, often times we forget to see all the beauty and light that surrounds us! I went to Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens in Port Orange. It was so beautiful. Being intentional about finding the beauty, the joy, the peace, the comfort, the love, just the positive things period is something that I'm determined to do. 

I want to be able to see the GOOD in everything. Even in what looks bad in the natural eye. 

Thank you Lord for your beautiful beautiful creations. Such an awesome reminder that you're so AMAZING and that even in the midst of the darkness, there's always a ray of light. 

“O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭104:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

10.18.15

 Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens

Port Orange, FL. 

His unconditional L O V E.

To truly grasp the concept of how much you truly love me seems so hard to do at times.
No matter how bad I mess up or how hard I fall, you still welcome me back with open arms.
You long for me to spend time with you. You listen no matter what time of the day I call on You.
You protect me even when I neglect the thought of protecting myself.
You guide me into the unknown and stick with me every step of the way.
You comfort me at my lowest and lift me back up.

How could a man like you love such a wretched woman like me?
You're so perfect and I'm such a mess at times, but still you love me flaws and all.

Your unconditional love is amazing. Thank You for loving me and thank you for the promise that NOTHING can ever separate me from Your sweet sweet love.

One step is better than no step at all.

Me: But how God? But when God? From what I see, there's no way all these dreams and visions you've shown me can come into play. I don't have the resources. I don't have the right people surrounding me that can help me plan.  I see the bigger picture, but I don't know how I'm going to get there. I don't see how doing "this" is going to lead to "that." I don't want to let go of my comfortable and familiar things. I can't let go of "him, her them, this, and especially not that." I know if YOUR PLAN A doesn't work out, I must have MY PLAN B. I know you say that you can do this and that, but logically, there's no way it can be done that way. From what I know, it needs to happen like this in order for that to fall into place the right way. I need to get this done by this time, and do it this way because from what I know, it seems like the smartest route to go. 

GOD:“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.

    “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

 

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so my ways are higher than your ways

    and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens

    and stay on the ground to water the earth.

They cause the grain to grow,

    producing seed for the farmer

    and bread for the hungry.

 

It is the same with my word.

    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.

It will accomplish all I want it to,

    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Isaiah 55:8-11 NLT version

Totally a real conversation between God and I. It's funny how I was going on and on and on about what ALESHA felt and this scripture instantly dropped in my spirit. Ha! Well okay Lord. Checked me and it was so refreshing. 

Just wanted to encourage you to STOP DOUBTING the creator of the entire universe. The one who can make little into plenty. There's SO much proof in His word of what He can do and even in our every day life, yet we still question and go back and forth with Him. In our carnal nature and our wordly knowledge, we can NEVER grasp the concept of God's power. So stop trying to understand every dimension of your life and truly trust that GOD has your best interest at heart.  Take that step he's been telling you to even if YOU don't understand it. He sees far more than you can and may not have even shown you the full vision yet. So stop hindering the process by doubting and GO FOR IT. If he leads you to it, He will lead you through it. 

PRAY! PUSH! && START MOVING! 

Jeremiah 29:11

 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Challenge.

Today I will start my “fruit of the spirit challenge.”

For me, this is to help me to TRULY start exercising these beautiful characteristics in my every day life. Life can be so hectic at times and naturally, we can just become overwhelmed. Work, school, kids, friends, family, husbands/wives, boyfriends/girlfriends….JUST LIFE.

In our carnal nature, when someone or something frustrates us, we may not respond in love or with patience. We don’t always think before we act. We let our fickle emotions control certain situations.

Having an 8 month old son, I have truly seen how impatient I am. I love my son with every thing in me, but anyone who has kids I’m sure can empathize with me and understand when I say that it can be plain HARD at times.

So as I’ve been in my prayer time and one on one with God, I have been praying heavily about just being less emotionally led and more spiritually led. I don’t desire to be that mother that constantly yells and is short tempered with my child. I don’t want to be that woman that can’t control her emotions and seem as though nothing ever satisfies me. I know that I will have to practice these daily with my future husband, so why wait? I can be putting these into actions in my every day life RIGHT NOW. I don’t want to be that negative nancy or that friend that others are hesitant about even talking to me. I know that continuing to ask God to help me exercise HIS fruit is where it will begin. In my on carnal nature, there's no way I'll shine bright. I know that this will only come through Him. So pray for me and JOIN ME as I go on this journey of becoming filled and exuding THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.