The Good Work of Faith

 Great Day Reader! 

Today, while reading my Bible plan in the Bible app, a scripture that I have heard several times in multiple translations stuck out to me.  

"Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works". James 2:26 NLT 

The part that stuck out the most was, "faith is dead without good works." So, many people think the work of faith is an action of productivity, and this may be due to the word work. As humans, we see work as a productivity,  measurable action that is calculated by time,  talent,  and in this case, obedience. Yet, the revelation I got this more is not the work Daddy is talking about.  The word work (Holy Spirit insight) means to pause and make capacity for interruptions.  In other words, Daddy is calling us to do something that's outside our routine, checklist, or even scope of practice.  He is calling us to do the most uncomfortable thing so the prayers of others may be answered. 

When was the last time you heard someone you love call you in the middle of your busyness, and you took the time not only to listen, but provide the solution without them asking? This is your faith at work. It's being ok the inconvenience interruption from the Father to restore or establish someone else's faith. 

Prayer: Daddy, help us make room for faith work during our busyness. May we not see the moment of a pause and interruption as an inconvenience, but as a moment for your light to shine through us.  May we never forget that the true work of faith is found in your interruptions and our obedience. 

In Jesus' Name. AMEN 

Rainbow Year

Great Day Reader!

The other day I was talking to my big sister and she was asking me about what I would be celebrating this year, especially when it comes to me. I told her that I did not think there was anything to celebrate; however, I was grateful for the things that I had overcome during the past couple of years. She then began to tell me that this is your rainbow year. I was like rainbow year? See I always associated a rainbow with the promises of GOD, but also with miscarriages. I am sure you have seen mothers say this is our "rainbow baby." My sister immediately told me no, your rainbow year is about you recognizing the fact that you overcame your trials, tribulations, difficulties, cycles, and you have conquered your fears and built up your faith in areas where you struggled to trust GOD!

Listen!!!!! That blessed me!!! Maybe we have lost our ability to celebrate the wins and the victories in our lives, because we are so busy trying to get to the next blessing, goal, dream, happiness, or survival tactics for each year. But, can I challenge us to do five things 1) slow down. 2) rest. 3) be still. 4) reflect. 5) create the capacity to celebrate. Let me say it for the people that still may be processing... IT'S TIME TO MAKE THE CAPACITY TO CELEBRATE YOU!! 

I know you may be asking now how do I make the capacity to celebrate me. How do I enjoy my Rainbow Year. I am so glad that you asked because this is going to be the simplest thing you do, but the hardest thing as well, because change has to be a lifestyle not just a decision. So here are five things I am challenging us to do as we celebrate our rainbow year. 

1. Forgive others and yourself daily. GOD gives us new grace and mercy daily. Let's stop trying to store the grace and mercy from yesterday as a backup or just in case GOD doesn't come through today. 
   
   
2. Allow yourself to enjoy grace. Grace is a gift we did not earn; so there is no need for us to try to figure out how to keep it or gain more of it.
   
   
3. Give yourself permission to heal. I know it hurts and that this space of healing can be uncomfortable, but you need to in order to create the capacity to celebrate.
   
   
4. Breathe. You do not have to rush. This is a marathon, not a rat race. You are in the world but do not have to conform to it. Slow down it's ok to breathe and rest.
   
   
5. Surrender and boundaries. Know your capacity when it comes to being around people and allowing people in your space. You have to know how to say No, stick with the No, and realize the power of your No. You also must under the power of yes as well. Yes to surrendering your all to GOD. Yes to surrendering the difficult stuff as well as the easy things. Yes to surrendering daily and being ok with the process, plan, and purpose GOD has for you. 

This year we will stick to these five things and ask the Holy Spirit to bring them back to our memory when we need to do to enjoy the Rainbow Year GOD has given us. 

Prayer: Daddy, thank you for this rainbow year. We do not take this moment and year for granted. We understand it is a reminder of your promise to us, your word of truth, and your ability to come through. We are reminded that if we trust you with all things at all times we have nothing to worry about. We appreciate and honor who you are. We are grateful fo your plan, even when we do not understand it. In Jesus Name. AMEN

 

Day 13 of This Is Personal (TIP) 21 Day Fast: Faith Formula

I don't know about you, but this fast has been examining many areas in my life as I seek GOD at this moment. I mean we started talking about Love, then yesterday I was able to share the testimony of obedience, but today.... Today is about the formula I struggle with the most.... FAITH. Where is your faith? This is a question that Jesus asked several times to his disciples as they walked with him and saw him perform so many miracles. I wonder how many times GOD has asked you...Where is your faith?

This Is Personal (TIP)  is a 21-day fast and journey. During this journey, we will move from seeing the Word of GOD as a guidebook to seeing it as a space for personal encounters with GOD! We will explore three focus scriptures and create space for us to reflect and journal about: How to create our own record book with GOD,  How to move from who we are to who GOD has called us to be, and How to stand firm in the process during the difficult times.  Though the journey is individualized and personal, it allows for collective accountability and discussion. 

You can send your prayer request and answers to the homework assignments to: thisispersonaldevotional@gmail.com

Also, join us for prayer on Mondays and Thursdays during the fast:

Mondays at 6 am cst (starting January 29, 2024)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86178915186?pwd=Q1JKMFlpMENaeFZNaHZXLzB4QUROdz09

Meeting ID: 861 7891 5186

Passcode: TIP2124

Thursdays at 7 pm cst (starting February 1, 2024)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84134169890?pwd=Z2xQallweWQ4NTBnSTlZeWpXN3cydz09

Meeting ID: 841 3416 9890

Passcode: TIP2124!

Hebrew Boys Faith

Listen I don't know about you, but the weight of waiting has been heavy on me lately. The wait of waiting on the unanswered prayers and deepest cries of my heart desires. I was talking to my mentor about how I was feeling and how the weight of waiting was turning into depression. I found myself paralyzed and lame in the thoughts of my wait. After telling me the feelings I felt were ok my mentor hit me with a question that hurt me and arrested me at the same time. She said "Shawndrika,  what if what you have been waiting on never manifest in the earth? Will you respond with the faith of the 3 Hebrew boys...Even if He doesn't do it we still know He can?" (Daniel 3:17-18) I looked at her crazy as tears fell from my eyes to know this statement of faith could be my reality. Though I felt broken at the thought of this reality, the Holy Spirit arrested me at the same time. He reminded me that when the 3 Hebrew boys made that statement it wasn't  from a place of doubt or hopelessness but, from a place of true surrendering. They were saying to Daddy even if we don't see you manifest the situation in our favor like we want you to, you will still come through and get the glory out of  our lives. That's the key...Daddy getting the glory!! What you are praying and waiting for may not manifest or come in the package you want, however, if you surrender it to Daddy...it will manifest His glory in your life and draw you closer to Him. I hope this word and revelation reminds you that the wait is worth it! Remember the weight is there for you to surrender not to hold.

Prayer: Daddy we thank you that even in our heaviest moments you wait for us to surrender that you may get the glory out of our lives. We yield to your will today as we wait for you to manifest your glory. We take heart that what we are waiting on may not come in the package we want or the time we think we want it, however, it will come on time and work in our favor. In Jesus Name. AMEN!

The Power of the Roar

Great Day Readers!

I am so excited about the revelation of today's blog.  Sunday, we had a guest pastor come in and minister to us.  He came from the topic: Is There a Cause? I love how he used the story of David to demonstrate the cause to ignore the doubters and be reminded of the promises and covenant of GOD. But, what got me was the knowledge he gave about the roar of a lion. He stated that the roar of a lion could be heard five miles from the place where the lion roared. He stated that the lion's roar is so powerful and loud that it paralyzes his prey, making it easy for him to kill. OOOOOOOOO!!!

Can we take that concept and apply it to the supernatural world? More importantly to the enemy's effect on our life... Look, 1Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." ASV

Can we examine that scripture a little more and apply it to the fact I stated at the begin about the lion's roar?  It says the devil is as a roaring lion. (Pause) I don't think you saw what I did. It says he is LIKE A ROARING LION... Ok here is the revelation I need you to grasp. If he is like a roaring lion, that means his roar really doesn't carry the power, weight, and authority of a real lion. See it may sound like it's paralyzing and that there is no way of escape, but the reality is... It's just the roar of a lion come from the mouth of a kitten. (Had to give you a visual) That's why fear can feel seem so real. The enemy is a great imitator but not an originator. He has smokes and mirrors that create the perfect atmosphere to paralyze you in fear, insecurity, doubt, depression, disappointment, frustration, and negative thinking. See, here is the thing about the enemy, he's good at his job and perfects it daily. Where we go wrong is being caught up in his perfection. We forget that our Daddy is the creator of all things and that we have the authority over the enemy. His roar can't paralyze something that was meant to hunt him. He is the prey we are the predators. He can't paralyze us!!! But, we forget our position, our place, purpose, and title, and this is how we become paralyzed and become his prey. 

I know you are wondering... How do I get over the enemy's roar? How do I stop being the prey and become the predator? Simple, focus on the right roar. Oh yes, there is another lion whose roar is greater than the enemy. He's called the lion of Judah. Revelation 5:5 says, "But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

The Moral of this blog is simple: Stop listening to the roar of the enemy and focus on the roar of Judah. It is the roar of Judah that causes you to be victorious in all things, including the attacks and roars of the enemy.

Prayer: Daddy right now we thank you that we are no longer paralyzed by the roar of the enemy. We are so focused on the roar of you through the lion of Judah. We thank you that we are paralyzed in your blessings, overflow, love, peace, joy, and grace and mercy. We seek to be the lions that roar to the enemy your word, promises, and will causing him to paralyzed. In Jesus Name! AMEN!!!

The Stretch

I know it's been a while, but I have a good excuse... I've been stretching and the stretch has not been easy. So let me tell you what this looks like and why the stretch has been one for the record books. Last year I  talked to Daddy about my next. I had a conversation about what to do now that I was finished with school and I was in a high leadership position. For a while, I didn't hear anything. I keep praying and being silent, but nothing. One day an event at work happen and it causes me to really feel like it was time for me to go, I prayed and this time Daddy gave me an answer. He told me a date that I would need to turn in my resignation and where to go afterward. Now it was where he told me to go afterward that had me kind of shook. I remember the conversation like it was yesterday. He said: "It's time for you to trust me fully, and do what I have equipped you to do. It's time that you go and do ministry at your church". After hearing this I spoke with my pastors to see what we need to do, to get me set up for the transition. They were so excited and felt like this was the best time to do so. I, on the other hand, was feeling some kind of way, but I knew what GOD said so I was in an " I trust GOD mindset".  So long story short I resigned from my job and working for my church full time as the senior pastor's assistant and mental health consultant. I have taken a $1400 pay cut, but nothing in my house has lack... NOTHING!!!

I know you are wondering what is the stretch. The stretch is letting GOD be GOD. How can we name Him provider and not give me the opportunity to actually provide? How can we call Him healer and not allow Him to heal us? How can we say we have victory in Him, but never give Him the opportunity to win the wars and battles that life throws at us? This is the stretch... Letting Daddy be all he says he can, will, and has been. Allowing Him to be everything we need when we need it as we continue to be obedient to all his instructions.

Let me say this... THIS HAS NOT BEEN EASY!!! I have tried to get another job, sought out ways to earn extra income, make my own plans, but GOD has blocked and convicted me of it all.  This stretch has really reminded me of  Jeremiah 29:11 where Daddy says: "I know the plans I have for your life, plans to prosper you, not to harm you."  In this stretch, it doesn't seem like the plan looks prosperous. It kind of feels like Daddy has brought me in the middle of the ocean and said now, swim. No direction, no guidance, only the action of doing what he said. Let me say this I thought that swimming in the ocean would be hard, but can I tell you I have been floating like a fish.

The stretch has taught 5 things... (If you don't know I love the number 5, it's the number of Grace):

1. Learn how to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

2. The weight may seem unbearable, but the wait is worth the process.

3. Remind Daddy of his word and promises. Daddy sees your heart, but HE responses to his word. He said that his word will not return to him void, so speak what he already said and watch him work.

4. Stay focus. When you are being obedient you may feel like you need to explain yourself, but there's not needed when you trust Daddy... Which brings me to number 5.

5. TRUST DADDY!!! When I tell you that Daddy has met needs before I even ask...He has. It can be as simple as lunch to money. I have never been a place where I've never seen His word manifest so quickly. But because I was obedient and I speak His word even in the midst of distractions, I have seen Him come through for me like never before.

Prayer: Father right now we thank you that you have already given us an example of the effects of what relentless faith looks like. We thank you that greatness is in us and though we may never see the whole promise we are grateful for the position to see pieces of the promise. We will pursue you like it is our last time, and seek your face over your hand. In the Name of JESUS... AMEN

The Blow of Faith

This week is my first week in my new position in full time ministry. Though my plan has not gone  quite how I wanted I can say this move has granted me peace despite the pay cut. But what really got me was a conversation that the Holy Spirit brought to me that the enemy was trying to use to blow my faith. Yes readers this blog entry has a two part meaning because that's just how Daddy works. He works in parts and process and this little lesson is both.

There is something about growth that causes you to get to a place were you want  and need to express the doubts of your heart while exposing the the weaknesses of your faith and this is one of those moments. After saying YES to GOD one always wonders what that YES truly means. Does it mean the Matthew 6:33 Yes which states "I will seek first the kingdom of GOD and all his righteousness."? Or maybe it's the Proverbs 3:5-6 "Leaning not to your own understand, acknowledge him and he will direct your path." Or last maybe Phil 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing but through prayer and thanksgiving make your request know." Can I tell you it's all of that. A Yes to Daddy is the blowing of your faith. It will have you seeking the kingdom while your bill collectors are calling you talking about law suites. It will give you peace when you do not know when and were you will get the money to pay your rent, but you know that your Daddy is covering you so you give thanks any how. It is leaning not on your own understand and asking the Holy Spirit to guide you because clearly you are not aware of where you are going. That's what a  Blow of a Faithful YES looks like .It will cause your faith to blow in  directions beyond your strength and ask yourself "Why didn't I do this sooner.?"

But in that same moment of revelation, we can find ourselves  having our faith blowing by thoughts of negativity. Thoughts that make us question is this really GOD lead or self want. GOD was I suppose to go into ministry full time? Was I suppose to be doing this, that, or the other? Yep, that great yes can make the enemy place thoughts in your head that could blow your faith. But aren't you glad that our Daddy is stronger? Because just when the enemy feels like he has us in a place where our faith will be blown into pieces, GOD reminds us  that we have purpose, that we are destine to GREATER works, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and He has not forgotten about us. WHAT A GREAT DADDY!!!

So today no matter what part of the process you are in.... The part where you just gave your best YES or the part where you wondering why you said YES in the first place, know that DADDY is about to blow your faith. The winds of the enemy has nothing on DADDY. It may feel that enemy's winds are stronger, faster, heavy, and destructive, but let me give you the heads ups, it's just smoke and mirrors, in other words do not get caught in the illusion.

Prayer: Daddy today I blow my faith towards you no matter the cost. I realize that the enemy has tactics that can make my YES to you feel like a doubtful move of waiving faith, but it really just a trick to get me off the promises of the YES and AMEN that you spoke into my life before I was formed in my mother's womb. So today Daddy I repent. I repent  for allowing the illusions of Satan's tactics to get me in a place where I doubted your guidance, provision, process, love, and grace. I repent for not seeking Your kingdom first while you take care of my needs. Thank you Daddy for another chance to get my faith blown in the direction of Your will for my life. I thank you on this day I realize that this is a process and I am willing to go all the way because you will guide my every step with your light. In Jesus Name AMEN!

What is the Works

So a couple of weeks ago I had the privilege to bring a motivational moment at my church. As usual I tolled with what I needed to say and address and then it dawn on me. Let me talk about this ocean faith movement that I am on.

I know you are wondering what is Ocean Faith? Well let me tell you like it was given to me by the Holy Spirit. Ocean faith is the level after mustered seed faith. It is the ability to see waves on the left and right side of you, yet you are walking on dry land.  It is the ability to no just walk on water but move it out of your way. Ocean faith is saying to GOD don't just use me, but stretch me to increase my capacity. Yep that's deep but exactly what Ocean Faith is. It is the most uncomfortable, trusting, and loving position you can be in. It is the the place where your relationship with GOD goes to the next level.

So with that being said I start looking for scriptures on faith, then James 2:26 came to me.  It states: "Faith, without works, is dead." Now as I was reading the scripture I become overwhelmed with focus on the word works. I always wondered what was the works. A lot of pastors, teachers, and believers are often states that the works is your ability to exercise your faith, by trusting and depending on GOD. But the revelation I got has nothing to do with that.

The revelation I got is, the works is love. Yep love and I have scripture to back it up I Cor. 13:2 states:"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." This simple scripture points out three things: 1. Love is the foundation for your strength and ability to do what GOD has called you to do. 2. Love is the focus point of your faith and it causes you to operate in it.  and Last but not least 3. Love is the only way you can move forward in the things of GOD. So with this great revelation I realized that "Faith, without LOVE is dead." Deep right?

Love is the driving force of who GOD is... "For GOD so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son." Love is the reason we are save and have opportunity to eternal life. LOVE is the one thing that grants us new grace and mercy daily. LOVE is the focus point of who we are as sons and daughters of the KING. 

So the next time you need to exercise your faith, find some way to love....Because your love account is the the foundation that builds the interest for your faith account. Without love you will never able to exercise your faith.

Prayer: Daddy help us to love in order to build faith in you and the things that you called us to. Help us to forgive quickly, speak softly, and stand firmly on the principles of your love. In Jesus Name. AMEN!