Fighting Joy

"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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."---Hebrew 12:2,NKJV

What if in order to receive the joy that you desire Daddy told you, you had to fight for it? What if joy is not easy, but obtainable? Would you pursue joy with the same energy, strength, and even mindset that you pursue happiness? These are questions that I had to ask myself as I was listening to the Joy message from yesterday's sermon. I don't know about you, but when I think about joy, I think about two things, easy to obtain, and not worth much my energy....Can I tell you I was so wrong... So wrong. While looking up a scripture to go with this post I ran across Hebrews 12:2. I read this scripture several times, but never really applied it to Joy until now... Can I highlight something in the verse..."Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross." I am stop right there because that in itself just took me into another mindset when it comes to joy. Can I translate what that part of the verse was saying... (embrace yourself)... This verse in simple says: that Jesus took joy in enduring the process of the cross... I am sorry please forgive me... As I cry... Because, what person in their right mind says I will take joy in being a sacrifice? No, better yet who will say.... I will take joy in dying for people who don't even love me enough to see me for who I am...Their savior.... their ultimate lover, the sacrificial lamb, the son of GOD, their personal intercessor... the one that speaks to the father on their behalf, the peace maker, the groom they should be married to, their heart, their healer, their redeemer... I can go on and on... But in the mist of our ignorance, disobedience, selfishness, and just right out fleshy ways; JESUS took joy...Matter of fact he had a Fighting Joy! He fought through his flesh to lay down his will for that of the Father's. Reminding himself that it was not about his satisfaction, but about the Joy that he would bring to the father. He fought the the heartache of being rejected by the people that walked with him and he healed on his way to the cross. He kept silent on the cross so that he could enjoy the Fighting Joy of defeating death and taking back the keys of life. JESUS the one whose blood can wash you white as snow had Fighting Joy in the mist of facing death. So who are we to not to take the action of fight for the Joy Daddy promise us? Stop acting like joy should come with salvation with ease. Where in the Bible does it says... and the Joy of the Lord shall come with ease? It says that the Joy of the Lord is your strength. It says that Joy will come in the mist of victory, but victory is usually achieved after war...With that being said get your war clothes on it's time to fight for your joy!!

Prayer: Daddy we come to you, not asking for Joy, but for help...Help us to be steadfast, focus, and prepared for the fight that comes with obtaining the Joy you desire for us. For you are the Joy of our salvation and there is nothing about you that lacks fight. You fight for our love, for our hearts, and for a relationship with us...you even sacrificed your son to show what you were willing to do to have a fighting position in our lives. Daddy we know take on that same mentality, and we fight for our relationship with you, with a fighting joy. We know that this world, our life, people, things, and just our past will always try to steal the Joy you destine for us to have, but with a fighting praise of victory we grab hold of your joy and the power that comes with it. The power of praise, peace, purpose, and a position in you as an heir to the thrown, and a bride to the bridegroom called Jesus. We know that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy and with that knowledge in mind we take on the characteristics of a fighting joy... trusting, knowing, and assured in the victory of the joy we have in you and through your strength Daddy! We love you and daily we set our hearts to fight for your joy. In Jesus name...AMEN!

The Mindset of A Doubter

"For I know that my mind is powerful enough to manifest my thoughts into reality, but I feel like I can't think positive when all I see with my eyes it the negativity of this world and the difficulties of this thing I call life." 

---Shawndrika  L. Cook (Recovering Doubter)

What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?--- Psalm 8:4(NKJV)

The mindset of a doubter is powerful and it can cause you to delay your GOD given life destiny. I mean it is you setting you up. Lately I have  possessed the mindset of a doubter. I knew Daddy was a Daddy that could cause an encore that would blow my mind, but in my mind I doubt that I was even worth enough for that encore. Have you ever been there? Have you ever been a place where you knew what Daddy could do, saw him do it for you and others, but when the situation came up again at a different level, your doubt went to a different level? Well that is me all the way. I was in pursuit of a new car...My car had done her job and more. It seem the more I drive her in her condition the worst she got. It started with a crack and it ended with a full blow need for a new car. Now I wanted a new car, but I was going to wait until things got right financially. I started my search and I quickly became discouraged. I rested a week and in that week I became overwhelm with stress, frustration, anger, but most importantly doubt. I was in a place where I prayed and worried... But last week after service I told myself to stop praying and worrying. So last Sunday I took my doubter mindset off and I place the mindset of determination and faith. I went into my prayer closet and I simply told Daddy this: "Daddy know what I stand in need of, and today I specifically state out loud what I stand of need of. I am trusting your word, will, and personal promises to me today; therefore I declare today that by March 20th I will have what I need and more. In Jesus name! AMEN!" So after that declaration and prayer I got up and put my faith to work. I contacted the salesman at the dealership that I was working with and I told him that he had a deadline of March 20th to find a car that met my needs. I had a plan to rent a car for the week while I car shop, because I knew my Daddy was about to show up and out. I went into worship, and since I was already fasting because of Lent, my discernment was high and my spiritual ears were open. (Side bar: Don't ask Daddy what to do when you not in a place to receive what he has to say. Prepare yourself for the conversation with him before you go see him) I was a on a mission I had let go of my doubter's mindset and had put on the mindset of a faith believer! So with my sisters and I  looking for a car for me in the price range I was approve for we made a list of dealers we were going to go to. So the day after we made our list we started our journey. I went to the place where I knew I would find my car, didn't find anything. It didn't shake my faith...but I was feeling some kind of way. I went to the next dealership and again nothing...By this time my desperation kicking in cause I have deadline....I went back to a dealership I had been before when I first started my car search journey. I like the saleswoman that help me so I just knew that this was going to be an easy find...Well when I got there my sister and I drove around the lot to see if anything said yes to me...And nothing. I parked the car and asked for the saleswoman that help me before. She came and we walked around. Nothing.... An older gentleman came up to me and said, "Young lady are you looking to buy a car"...I state, yes sir... "He said don't allow them to give you anything because you need a car. Don't except what they give you at first, get what you want and can afford. Don't settle." After he said that he that I left, because we couldn't find anything, and this time (unlike the last) when I told the saleswoman that I didn't see anything she said ok and was like good luck. I told her thank you... By this time... I can admit I am doubtful, the car that I wanted I couldn't get because the dealership would spend more money on getting it to Alabama than I would pay for it....My sister is getting frustrated and we feed off each other so that means I'm getting frustrated too.... on top of all this we are super hungry. So it's ugly. So as we are leaving the last dealership I feel myself about to settle. I was going to go back and buy a brand new car and just call it a day cause I need a car a.s.a.p. But my sister told to to go into another dealership before we return to the one I was going to buy the new car from. When I turned in I was like ok Daddy you know what I want and need. We looked and looked, my sister was like the pre-owned cars are on this row...So I went and looked for what I wanted. The salesman came and met us. He ask did we need help. I gave him the story that I gave at the last three car dealerships. He was like ok... what do you want and we will get it where you need it. I walk over to the car I like told him I wanted to see. He was like you pick the perfect car. We can get this for you today.... Long story short I walked out the dealership with ownership of the car the same day; not just that I got financed for more, payments flexible with my budget, everything I wanted in a car, and peace... I told you this long story to tell you Daddy can even when doubt is the mindset that you have. The day you spoke it in faith about your situations is the day Daddy went to work on your behalf. Stop ask why.....Why is a doubter's mindset, but the day you ask What... You turn doubt into faith, and you start to operate in the anointing of GOD.

Prayer:  Daddy our doubter's mindset is so easy to settle into. It causes stress, frustration, disappointment, and even depression, yet it makes sense to us. Daddy remind us in the mist of having a doubter's mindset that you never make sense. Nothing about you lines up with our thinking. That the day we stop saying why and start saying what we can see that you were already working things out. Daddy forgive us for allowing doubt to be the mindset we take first, before we activate our faith. Forgive us for settling comfortably in a position that allows the enemy to come in and do what he does best, try to destroy us. Daddy we win in you...we have peace in you...we have victory in you..we have joy in you...but most importantly...we have You. Thank you Daddy for always working things out for our good. In Jesus Name....AMEN

Count It In All Joy

"I will not allow things that I can't control, control me any longer."

--Inspirited by Pastor Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

This weekend has been a trying one and it ended on a sad note for me. I lost someone that I love and respected and then I was place in a position that I couldn't control. But life goes on....

Yesterday I went to church not with an expectation, but with the heart of just wanting to be in the presence of Daddy. Well I got that and then some. I am in a place in my life where I need more of something. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew it had to be something life changing and supernatural. As I participated in praise and worship a song was played... 

When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

What ever my lot you have taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul

As I meditated on the lyrics to the song something resounded in my spirit. It Is well my Daddy has secured me in his word, action, and promises that all is well with my soul. Not just in my circumstances and situations, but all is well with me.... Internal and External. Can you say all is well with your soul? Can you let go of happiness to receive Daddy's joy... Hum.. that just did something to my spirit. Can I let go of yearning for the happiness that the world offers as a right now pleasure to receive the time waiting, patience enduring, trusting and believing, loving  and resting in peace JOY that Daddy offers to me daily? Can I say no to the temporary fix to accept the process of the permanent fix? I won't share my answer, but know that because of theses questions I Count It In All Joy... I Count It In All JOY that I don't have to stress in the mist of things that I can control. I count it in all joy that my Daddy will show up and out even when I don't see a way or the plan of how he show himself strong and his supernatural will over take the natural world.  So today I encourage you to Count It In ALL JOY! That this situations... this circumstance is so temporary.....so name it that....treat it like it is....give it no value....let it go....Trust DADDY more....COUNT IT IN ALL JOY!!! Don't allow the things of this world or the thoughts of your mind to get you off focus. Stop asking Daddy WHY and start asking WHAT when it comes to the circumstances and situations in your life. Daddy what do you want me to learn... Daddy what do I need to do? Daddy what is the purpose? What position should I take? When you start asking WHAT you will realize the loudness of his response and the evidence of his peace. What gets you to a place of preparation... Why gets you to a place of doubt and worry. With What you demand an answer... with Why you second guess the answer that you receive. 

Prayer: Daddy so many times we find ourselves counting the cost of our issues, situations, and circumstances that we never see the value of your JOY! We seek happiness over you JOY so we chase and pursue the things that help us to accomplish  happiness and not your joy. So Daddy on today we pursue your Joy... He lay at your feet the things that distract us and the things that cause us to lose focus of your grace, and forfeit your peace. Daddy forgive us for allowing happiness to outweigh the value of your supernatural JOY! In Jesus Name!

AMEN

The Connection

"Connect to your purpose, not your type."

Pastor Van Moody, Worship Center Church, Birmingham, AL

What are you connected to? How is that connection productive? Well these are two questions I found myself asking myself after an awesome Ash Wednesday Bible Study this week... What a way to start Lent right? With these questions in mind I start to examine who I was truly connected to. Are the people in my life my purpose or are they my type. What is my type? Can I tell you I really had to talk to Daddy about this and really had to meditate on the word connection. 

Daddy I am lost and confused. I have been challenged with something that I thought I had a clear view of .... Connection...Daddy what does purpose look like...have I lost focus on what type means....UGH!!! Daddy here I am in another season where I feel I am second guessing my purpose, position, and people in my life. I hate moments like this... I really do...Daddy I don't know how many more people I can say good-bye to without feeling alone physically and without feeling like I have let them and myself down. Daddy I have unhealthy connections that I use to make me feel comfort. They are in no way shape or fashion beneficial for the purpose you call me to...(On My knees) But Daddy I have invested in them. I have laughed with them, made memories with them, and Daddy they have become apart of my heart.. Unhealthy and all. What am I suppose to do about the emptiness I will feel when I say good-bye to my type and say hello to my purpose. Daughter, you have solved your own problem you have created your own solution. I know that you are a human being (in flesh), but you are my daughter and heart in spirit and there is nothing more valuable than your purpose in me. I know it hurts to know that the reality of some relationships in your life have no value, they are there for your comfort. That they serve only one purpose and that's to please your flesh... Well Daughter it's time to grow up. It's time to move from the season of your type to the season of your purpose. No longer will you live in the shadows of unhealthy, unproductive, and unrelated relationships Your purpose is greater than anything life can even give you or bring to your life. Daughter let go and let me....Let me take what had no purpose and connect you with purpose. Let me take your type and taste, and create a connection of desire for my word. Let me take what you felt was not worth the time and create a time worth pursing. You are beyond a type Daughter... you are beyond needing people who are just there and never being available to you when you need them...Daughter you are beyond being an option....You are are priority Daughter.....My PRIORITY!!! Connect to me and I will connect you with your purpose....Let go of your type and I will connect you with people design to help you achieve the goals of your purpose... I will replace what you lost, what you say good-bye to, what you let go of......with things that cause you to grow, be healthy, heal you, teach you the lessons of my grace, cause you to trust me at my word. I will increase your faith, I will be the one that shows you the plan. Stop sitting in the middle of the battlefield praying that I would protect you , when I called you to the purpose of being a fighter, a warrior, a intercessor. Stop placing yourself in harms way when I am constantly directing you to a path of safety through my Holy Spirit. So daughter today you  need take hold to the plow and stop looking back, to the left or right of you. Look straight and you will see me. Look up and I will shower you with the blessings of my glory. Stop operating in your strength, will, and even the emotions of your heart. I have you and have you connected to me first and I will bring the right people into your life. I know there are people you know and connected to you that have what you have desired in your heart, that you have interceded for, that you are cried out for and it has cause jealousy to set up in your heart....But know that you are connected to the source that can give you what they have and more in my timing. I love you and there is nothing I wouldn't do for you. So stop worrying about what connections you have to let go of and meditate on the connection you have with me...Daughter I only want the best for you and I love you more than you can even imagine ... Just trust me and let go of your self connections and connect to my supernatural connections...They last longer! Daddy I will. I will connect to you daily and know that the process of the connection is worth the surrendering and letting go of me and losing myself in you.

I love you Daughter... I Do!

The Proper Protocol

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and Good Evening !

 I don't know where you are and when you would read this blog, but I want you to be prepared for the next 40 days as we get ready for a season of reflection. 
Today marks day one of 40 days in the Lent season. I have heard about Lent and participated in various parts of the Lent celebration, but never have I had the heart to be so dedicated to the process as I am this year. As a way to really get the simple and purpose of Lent I did some minor research and what I found brought me to tears and revelation.
Lent:  a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting,repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.

 Are you amazed or pressed as me about being apart of the Lent Season? If not I hope that the definition alone cause you to really think about The proper protocol of Jesus' position in your life and your relationship with Daddy. I saw that definition and I was overwhelm with emotions, reflection, and praise at the same time. I was overwhelm with the emotions of gratitude, grace, mercy, love, failure, and awe. I know you are like how did failure get in with those other positive emotions. Well...failure in the sense that I have not done all that Daddy has called me to, nor have I allowed myself the ability to be placed under his wings of trust and safety. Yeah that's the failure I feel. After bypassing my emotions I reflect on the power of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. To remain silent in the mist of hearing and seeing people mock you, beat you, destroy and demean your character and body, and to hear those close to you deny you several times. The feeling of being alone to the point your father forsakes you. I can go on and on, but to know that in the mist of all of this, the only person he talked to was the person that set him up for the assignment. HUM! The praise of Jesus' resurrection resounds in my spirit as I read the story of how he went to his disciples to show that not only is he the Jesus that walk with them, but he has scares on his body that have healed, which is shows the end to life as they knew it and the beginning to a life of eternity with him. WOW! IF that doesn't send you into a place of "THANK YOU," I don't know what will.

As I participate in Lent I will focus on the "Proper Protocol." What is the Proper Protocol you ask? Well that's a good question it is the protocol of Daddy's timing and not my own. Knowing that the manifestation of things happen when Daddy says they happen not during the proper protocol of my own time.  As I reflect on the "Proper Protocol," I am left with this one revelation: "Nothing happens in my life that Daddy has not setup to get the glory from." Let me simplify that for you... There is nothing in your life that Daddy will not get the glory for. Whatever happens in your life no matter how hurtful it is, it is a setup for Daddy to use your situation for his glory, and an opportunity for you to experience not only his presence, but his blessings, peace, joy, provision, protection, and most of all his love.

Prayer: Daddy, thank you! Thank you for always reminding us that the sacrifices of our yesterday was a setup for the presence of your blessings today. Daddy as we go through each day of the life you have given us with issues, situations, and circumstances, reminds us that they are just part of the preparation process for your glory to be revealed to someone that doesn't know you.  Daddy today we submit ourselves to your Proper Protocol, knowing it's not about us, only about you; and if we forsake our selfishness, and embrace your selfishlessnes, you will order o. In Jesus Name... AMEN