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Thank You For Protection

May21

Thou art my hiding place; thou wilt preserve me from trouble; Thou wilt compass me about with songs of deliverance. (Psalms 32:7 ASV)

Yesterday my family and I were on our way back from out of town. We were driving down a dark highway when suddenly a humongous deer jumped across the road. My dad hit the deer, but the deer kept going. I was in the car with my brother; he saw the deer and when he said, “I hope daddy didn’t hit the deer,” my dad pulled over. We jumped out of the car and immediately went to check if my parents were okay. Thank You God, they were okay.

Approximately 10 minutes before this accident happened, I told my brother that we needed to pray for my parents and their safe return home. We always pray before we get on the road but the Holy Spirit led me to say an extra prayer for their protection.

When we saw the car, I begin to rejoice and God removed whatever was further down the highway. He stepped in and intercepted what could have turned into a fatality. Everyone was trying to figure out why the deer jumped in the road, but I simply thanked God because my family’s lives were saved. Again God stopped the devil.

Blessed be to God, Who hath not turned away my prayer, Nor his lovingkindness from me. (Psalms 66:20, ASV)

I thank You God for protecting my family on the dangerous highways. I thank You God that no hurt, harm or danger was afflicted upon them. God I thank You for hearing and answering prayers.

Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11: 24 ASV)

Dear Daddy,

I thank You for being a prayer answering God. I thank You for protecting my family. God, continue to protect my family. Please continue to fill my Spirit with uneasiness when it is time to pray for my loved ones. Allow me to feel when they are in danger or going through situations that prayer can turn around. God, continue to teach me to be an intercessor for my immediate family, extended family and friends. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to give God some praise. I know that God has done something miraculous for you and I need you to give Him praise. Ladies, listen to your instinct and if God tells you to drop everything and pray, I dare you to drop everything and pray and watch Him work. I EMPOWER you to become an intercessor for your loved ones and watch God show you He is a prayer answering God!

Take a moment and tell us when you have given God some praise…

Read a related EmpowerMoment: Praise is What I Do!

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Mrs. Keviyona Ray is an ordained minister and co-pastor in training of The Christ For All People International Church. She is passionate about sharing the word of God with everyone she encounters. As a professional, Keviyona is a teacher for Chicago Public Schools. She loves her ministry of teaching and changing children’s lives. She is a devoted wife and mother of a wonderful daughter. Two of her favorite scriptures are Jeremiah 1: 5: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” and Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

My Shining Light

Dec12

A couple of days ago, I sincerely had a one-on-one with God. The conversation focused on my calling and image. I asked God two very simple questions: “What is my calling?” and “Can you use me so that people can see your light in me?” So the test began…

I have a part-time job as a server at Applebee’s and on Thursday I came to work with my positive attitude as always. I’m usually pretty upbeat and friendly. Sitting at one of the dining tables were three women; I approached the table with a smile but the three women looked at me as if I was nuts. I continued to smile and be polite while taking their orders. Throughout the duration of serving them, they were extremely rude. They snapped at me, giggled as I walked passed, rolled their eyes, and gave me a disrespectful, bad attitude. I continued to smile and let it roll off my back. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29 ESV)

After about an hour of dealing with the chaos, I presented them their bill. One woman, using extremely foul language, told me that the bill was too much. I sat down and calculated everything by hand and indeed the bill was correct. She then rolled her eyes and began to curse me out, using every name in the book. She was extremely loud and disrespectful. After I didn’t budge, she balked up a mouth full of spit and spit at me, but missed. “Remember the word I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept my saying they will keep yours also.” (John 15:20 KJV)

I smiled and kindly said, “Ma’am, I’ll go get the manager.” Ooh she was hot! She continued to call me names as I walked away. After all that took place, I still wasn’t upset. I wasn’t angry or revengeful. As I walked by another table, an older woman grabbed my hand. She looked me in my eye and said, “I see the spirit of peace all over you.” Her friend who was sitting next to her shook her head in agreement. She then smiled and said, “Don’t let no devil steal your joy.” “Be we all, with unveiled face be holding as a mirror the glory of The Lord, are being transformed in the same image from glory to glory just as by the spirit of The Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)

I got a couple of revelations from this one incident. My first thought was, “WOW, God has really been working on me!” A year ago I would’ve jumped across that table and placed both hands around her neck, but this day I was not moved one bit. My second thought was that God had indeed answered my prayer. I am honored that strangers can see God’s spirit through me.

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for never giving up on me. I thank You for the spirit of peace, love and understanding. I want to pray for those who treat me badly. I pray that You soften their hearts and show them love just as You have shown me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, today I EMPOWER you to walk the walk. Be a shining light! Ask God to work through you, so when you step in the room people feel the spirit of God in you!

Share the last time you too had to exude patience, godliness, and temperance in a midst of a trying situation.

Read a related EM: My Daddy’s DNA

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Ms. Chaunte’ Tate is a recent graduate of North Carolina A&T University with a degree in Journalism. She is currently preparing to begin her law school education in New York. She is passionate about the spiritual advancements of all followers of Christ. Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Communicating with God

Nov14

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell what is yet to come. (John 16:13-15 NIV)

Communicating with God is the best experience I could ever have.  I can talk to Him all day long, early in the morning before getting out of bed, at work, or just before closing my eyes at night.  The beauty of this communication is that He listens.  He listens and knows my heart, and He answers accordingly.  It’s better than a conversation with your best girl friend over lunch; it’s a conversation with the Lord Almighty.  Wow, it is mind blowing that I can have a conversation with the Lord Almighty!

Jesus Christ declared, “Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment…” (John 7:9 NIV)  God communicates with you and me through the Holy Spirit and other believers.  Recently, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to abstain from premarital sex.  I obeyed; however, I wondered if I had made the right decision and I spoke to God daily about sexual abstinence.  The next Sunday in church thereafter, the topic was The Gift of Purity and Unholy Sexual Relationships.  I felt it was the confirmation from God that I had made the right decision.

God also brought conviction to me about getting my finances in order.  So, I wrote out a budget and spoke with God about ways to be a better stewardess of my money.  Then days later a complete stranger came to me and expressed that I needed to start saving my money.  Lastly, I also had a recent prayer conference speaking on the Armor of God and the following day I received a daily devotional from a completely different source on the same subject, the Armor of God.  I can go on and on because I hear the Holy Spirit speaking to me daily and it is my way of knowing God is with me.

Now, I am encouraged to constantly ask God to give me the strength, the words, and the actions to use to get through everyday trials.

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for the Holy Spirit.   It is because of the Holy Spirit I have a rapport with You and if I ever wander off the narrow path, there will be a voice to guide me back on the right path.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to spend quality time with God and develop an intimate relationship with Him through daily reading of his Word, prayer, and talking to Him.  Open the lines of communication so you can hear Him clearly and receive the fullness of God’s plan for you.

Has it been awhile since your last conversation with God and an answered prayer/confirmation?

Read a related EmpowerMoment:  Two Way Street

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Saneatra Polk resides on the south side of Chicago and works as a quality technician for a food manufacturer.  She attends The Moody Church and her favorite Bible verse is: “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6 NIV)

From People Pleaser to God Pleaser!

Nov9

People Pleaser: n. a person who spends a lot of energy pleasing others.

“I’m hungry could you get me something to eat?” YES… “I’m tired will go to the store for me?” YES… “It’s late but I really want to see you, will you come over?” YES… “Will you go shopping for me?” YES… “I have a bill due could you pay it for me?” YES

Hello my name is ______________ and I’m a people pleaser.  For me, this is beyond familiar. If I tell someone NO, it is like disowning him or her.  It seems that far-fetched to me.  I say YES before I stop and evaluate my own needs or schedule.  I may not feel passionate about the request, but I comply, mostly because I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings or make someone mad.

To be truthful, I seek validations of self-worth or value from others.  But WHY?  I say I am a Christian and I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, but why do I/we choose people over our Father in Heaven? For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?  Or am I trying to please man?  If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10 ESV)

So much time and energy is put into meeting the needs of others that I find myself losing touch with my own life, and my relationship with God suffers.  We give man (men and women) too much credit, and we fear them instead of God.  Proverbs 29.25 states that the fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord is safe.  Isaiah 51:7 speaks truth when it says, ”Listen to me, you who know righteousness the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their reveilings.” (ESV)

I discovered myself having a people pleasing personality a very long time ago.  I pray to God for understanding on why I feel this way and through my prayers God is giving me daily knowledge and understanding that not everyone deserves my YES.  Hold on and understand that whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23 ESV)

Dear Daddy,

I have let You down.  I have looked for man’s validation over my life, but only Yours matters.  Forgive me, God, for not pleasing You and going after Your heart.  Thank You for the understanding to know that saying YES to man is not wrong, but pleasing man and putting man above You is wrong.  I love You, Lord, for loving me as much as You do.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to choose wisely who gets a YES from you. “Will you mediate on my word more?” YES…”Will you forgive your brothers and sisters who have forsaken you?” YES…”Will you go out into the world and tell people all about me?” YES…”Do you love me?” YESSSSSS!  Hello my name is ________________ and I’m a God Pleaser!

Have you overcome “people pleasing?” Tell us what it took for you to make that transformation.

Read a related EmpowerMoment: I Am Free: The Ultimate People Pleaser

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Ms. Hassanah White is a dedicated member of Faith Walkers Church in Birmingham, Alabama where their motto is to “Walk it out by Faith.” She also serves as a member of the Praise Dance Ministry. Hassanah is a true professional in the realm of marketing and customer service. She’s a proud mother of a very energetic little boy named Jaden. Hassanah believes laughter and prayer are the best medicines for any situation. Her favorite scripture is Hebrews 11:6: “And without Faith it is impossible to please GOD, because anyone who comes to Him must BELIEVE that He exists and that He REWARDS those who earnestly seek Him.”

Throwback Thursday: Delayed, Not Denied!

Nov8

It’s Throwback Thursday! This EmpowerMoment was originally published on August 10, 2011. Enjoy this blast from the past!

“My spouse doesn’t seem to be interested in church.”

“I rocked that interview…but I didn’t get the job.”

“The job promotion I “deserved” was given to someone else.”

“God told me that He would open other doors for me, but He hasn’t.”

“Times are getting hard, I’m waiting on that “financial blessing” You promised me.”

“I’ve done everything in my power to change ___________situation but it isn’t working.”

“I have dated many men but none have ever popped the question.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever have another child after suffering that horrible miscarriage.”

“I’m sick and I can’t seem to get well.”

Many of us can find ourselves in at least one of the statements above. We have done something, experienced a life situation or prayed about something and feel as though we are being denied. It’s often hard to embrace but God does  things according to His will in His own time and His time is actually always on time.

Consider the story of Lazarus: Now a man named Lazarus was sick.  When He heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”  So then He told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. A few verses later, Jesus goes to Judaea and is taken to Lazarus’ tomb.  “Take away the stone,” He said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”So they took away the stone.   When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (John 11: 1, 4, 14-15, 39-41, 43-44 KJV)

In Mary and Martha’s eyes Jesus was late. They called Jesus when their brother was sick but He didn’t show up until four days after he died. Jesus tells the disciples He was glad that He wasn’t there when Lazarus died so that they too would now believe. Isn’t that interesting? Sometimes God will show up in our lives when we think a situation is dead and breathe life into it so that we can see His glory and further increase our faith in Him.

Recently, I was attending the graduation of a friend receiving her PhD in Electrical Engineering (yeah she’s a smart cookie) and I was reminded that God’s delay (to you) doesn’t mean God’s denial. This was no ordinary graduation. My friend chose not to walk the stage for her Bachelor’s degree or for her Master’s degree and her road to the Doctorate was filled with MANY obstacles. It took her MUCH longer to complete than average and I am quite certain that the majority of people who endured the trials that she did would have bowed out gracefully.  People questioned her commitment, talked about the length of time that she was in school and suggested that she should throw in the towel. It always amazes me that other people will allow their lack of faith to dictate how they believe you should live your life. She blocked out the naysayers and trusted in God alone. She believed that one day she would finish and her mother would see her walk across the stage. She was determined and had a tremendous amount of faith. I cannot explain the overwhelming pride, joy and goose bumps that I experienced when I saw her reach this milestone in her life. Through it all God was forever present. He never left her! He NEVER DENIED her!

Sometimes our faith is challenged when our timeline and God’s timeline don’t mesh. We can become absolutely downtrodden because our season has not arrived and the things that we believe God for have not come to fruition. What we forget is that God holds the roadmap for our life. He knows “when” to release our blessings so that He can be glorified and we will recognize the true source of our help. Delay does not equal denial.

Dear Daddy,

Forgive us for mistaking what is a delay to us as a denial by You. You have said in Your word that You will grant us the desires of our heart and that You will supply our needs according to Your riches in glory. Help our unbelief! Remind us that Your will will be done and that You always show up at the appointed place at the appointed time. Grant us the faith and determination to persevere through what seems like never ending, challenging situations. Help us to endure because Your timeline is all that matters. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Today I EMPOWER you to consider Lazarus! Even in his death, the prayers of Mary and Martha were not denied. I EMPOWER you to throw your timeline away because God has a pre-appointed release on His divine calendar.  Stay strong, continue to work and keep the faith. It may appear delayed but you are not denied!

Read a related EmpowerMoment: Living in the Microwave Age

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Ms. Chancee` Lundy lives in Washington, DC and is an entrepreneur as she is the co-owner of Nspiregreen, LLC, an environmental consulting firm. She is also a dedicated daughter, sister, friend and community servant. She has used her gift of public speaking to lead workshops across the globe speaking to crowds as large as 10,000 people. Her guiding scriptures this week are Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.”

Why Did I Get Married: Get Out of the Way

Nov7

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9

This scripture is a very popular scripture involving marriages. I would even argue that it is high on the list as one of the most important rules to marriage. Early in our marriage my husband and I faced one of the hardest trials of our life. We didn’t know what to do, whom to turn to or where to run. Looking back, it forced us to develop a foundation that involved God.

As the situation began to dissipate, I held resentment and anger that it even occurred.  And what rang true was this scripture, stitched on a wedding blanket that I received as a wedding gift. “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” At that moment, I realized that sometimes that someone could be ME. It didn’t have to be an outside person, but what about the people on the inside of the relationship? Sometimes we can get in the way of our marriage flourishing.

I’ve heard countless stories about couples upset and arguing about things in the past and only one person is continuing to hold the issue over the other person’s head. The unforgiving heart is causing a wedge between the marriage that creates room for the enemy to squeeze in (some wedges are so big that he can just walk in) to kill, steal, and destroy the institution that God has placed as an image of His love.

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for Your Word. Sometimes we like to blame other people for ruining our marriage when in actuality we are mishandling the “goods”.  Please create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me towards my spouse, that reflects You.  Help me to get out of the way and allow You to mold two hearts into being one. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Ladies, if you are in a marriage, or about to be in a marriage, I EMPOWER you to be overprotective of your marriage. Do not allow ANYONE to separate what you have going on with the man God has put in your life as your husband, even if it is you. Sometimes we have to step back and allow God to direct our speech, actions and our heart.

Ladies, how do you protect your message, even if it is from yourself?

Read a related EmpowerMoment: Wise Women Build

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As a professional, Mrs. Khalilah Burton is a College Biology Instructor. She is also currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Higher Ed and Community College Leadership. Khalilah is passionate about her faith journey and uses this key scripture as her inspiration: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 KJV) She and her husband serve as Co-Service leaders and Co-Group leaders of SustainedLove, which supports marriage get-a-ways from Family Life. Khalilah also serves as a guest speaker and panelist for various events for women and Christian empowerment. Khalilah resides in Millbrook, Alabama with her wonderful husband Donald Burton, Jr. and their two daughters. They attend Vaughn Forest Church. Check out Khalilah’s Christian weight loss blog here.

Be Quiet!

Nov6

I like working alone and working with people, but it is not always easy working with others.  You have to experience a lot when working or collaborating with others.  I have learned in all my years of working that sometimes there are a lot of miscommunication, egos, pride, selfishness, control issues, backstabbing, intimidation, stress, etc. to contend with.  I can go on and on but then it would turn into complaining.

Yesterday, I attended several meetings at work back to back (by the way I hate meetings most of the time).  In one meeting, I observed, listened and for the umpteenth time I could sense tension, ego and pride in the air.  I admit a little of this came from me also.  I sat listening and then was invited to speak up about a concern I had.  As one of the meeting attendees addressed the concern, I listened and then responded to what sounded like me and my staff’s work being demeaned again.  You might ask, “Well was it constructive criticism?”  In this case it wasn’t constructive.  I have dealt with people’s arrogance, pride and control issues on my job for some time now and because of this I am sometimes in defense mode.  As I responded, I felt a little nervous voicing my concern. After all, I’m not very confrontational.  However, I became offended, grew defensive and could feel my voice rise an octave.  Yet God intervened.  As the person kept talking and I became more offended, God shushed me.  A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11 NIV)

In my head, I was thinking a lot of thoughts.  I wanted to shout aloud, “My staff have degrees too and are qualified to do the work; trust us.  We double check our work.  We work very hard; we are passionate about what we do.  We have been here longer than you. Why can’t you see that we are here to help you?  Why are you making me feel inferior?  Why are you lying?  Why do I have to sit in these repetitive meetings?  We are getting nowhere.”  Instead of verbally releasing these thoughts, God helped me to shut up my thoughts and keep my mouth closed.

God reminded me that He was my defender and that He will defend me.  He reminded me that I am above and not beneath, the head and not the tail.  He reminded me that I am not inferior and I should not also make others feel inferior.  He also let me know that I was being proud even in my thoughts.   Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12 NIV)

So, I shut up and I listened because I knew I would be acting proudly by boasting and taking offense to what the other person was saying and maybe didn’t mean it to the full extent.  I sat there thinking that I don’t have to throw up my resume` or accolades like they do.  By the Holy Spirit helping me to take those thoughts captive and make it obedient to Christ and by Christ revealing to me that I was treading proud grounds, I let go trying to defend myself.  How would it look if I, a Christian, acted in a proud, offensive and defensive manner?

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6 NIV)

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for Your mercy and Your gently rebukes.  Thank You for reminding me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I am above and not beneath, the head and not the tail.  Thank You for also being my defender and having great thoughts towards me.  Help me to remember this when someone offends or hurts me.  Help me to not be easily offended but to walk in love and maintain patience with others and in every situation.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, today I EMPOWER you to be quiet!  Stop trying to defend yourself and let God come to your defense.  Clothe yourself in humility and don’t be easily offended.  Don’t easily offend others also.  Walk in love because love conquers all. 

Read a related EmpowerMoment: Lord, Help Me Watch My Mouth

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Ms. Tannika Moore loves the Lord and loves to write! Besides writing poetry or editing written work for family and friends, she currently works for NEIU Educational Talent Search program. She help assists Chicago public high school students with their reading, writing, etc. as well as helps them consider and prepare for college. She, like many of her students, is the first of her family to graduate from college. She earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in English-Professional & Technical Writing. God, the Creator and Great Father, has also created her to be a compassionate person and encourager and so she loves to encourage people according to God’s Word and help them to see, think and become better thru her support, actions and writing. Her favorite scripture comes from Philippians 1:6, For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you shall perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Gotta Be…

Nov2

Today is my Baby’s, also known as my husband, birthday.  He is 26 years young today. I’m so proud and honored to say that I have a God-fearing, praying, and strong black man!  However, today’s culture brings many challenges to the possibility of being married, especially when the divorce rate is high for non-Christians as well as Christians. I personally believe that marriage is impossible without God and a fulfilling marriage can only come by following His principles for marriage.  I must admit that I have been blessed beyond my mind when it comes to whom God chose for my mate.  Martin Luther said,“There is no more lovely, friendly or charming relationship, communion or company, that a good marriage.”

I can witness to the promise and have assurance in His word, the blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it. (Proverbs 10:22 NIV)  God is fulfilling this very thing for me through my husband.  I remember in the beginning of our dating many people thought that I didn’t deserve him, tried to separate the thought of us even dating, or didn’t take it serious.  You see he was raised in the church most of his life and me, well, I was the complete opposite and I was with a child.  The Lord knew what He had in His blueprint and He knew that our marriage was apart of it.  When the Lord has a plan nothing can stop it, so if you’re believing the enemy’s lie on today that what the Lord spoke to you is not coming to past declare this, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”(Isaiah 55:11 NIV)

I can recall my husband, before our courtship, telling me that the Lord told him I was his wife.  I laughed and thought he was crazy because I wasn’t looking for a husband at that time in my life.  I was a single mother for three years prior to getting involved with my husband so marriage was something I thought about, but it wasn’t a desire at the moment.  Fast forward two years after my husband spoke those words to me; we were on our first date.  Before he dropped me off, we were listening to a song called “Gotta Be” by Jagged Edge.  He sang the song to me and every word he sang, he has been, done, and lived.

The first verse of the song goes like this: Don’t wanna make a scene/I really don’t care if people stare at us/ Sometimes I think I’m dreamin’/ I pinch myself just to see if I’m awake or not…

This is a real-life illustration of what my husband and I have.  He is compassionate, self-less, patient, loving, and mine!  I’m so grateful for him.  Our marriage isn’t perfect and we both have learned through trial and error our God-given roles and responsibilities (thanks also to our Pastor Arthur Guice).  Nevertheless, we look towards the Spirit to help us in every area and we keep God first.

I’m a living testimony that if you wait on God, He’ll marry you.  While married, if you’ll give Him all of your heart and do things His way, He will give your marriage growth, love, restoration, and any thing it needs.  A fulfilling marriage is not just a dream, but possible with God!

Now to my husband, I know that we have had some obstacles in the road, but I LOVE YOU more than anything and less than God.  I pray that you will have many more healthy years, but that your encounter with the Lord will be stronger than last year. Know that you don’t have to “Gotta Be” any longer because you are.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Dear Daddy,

I thank You first for life.  Thank You that I am living and am saved.  Father, if it wasn’t for Your grace, I wouldn’t have been able to write this EM about my husband.  Lord, I ask that You would send Your word to restore any marriage that is in need of restoration. Lord, send Your word to grow every God-ordained marriage.  Lord, give grace also to my sisters who are single or engaged.  Lord, let their souls be satisfied only in You.  Let other young people rise up and live according to your principles regarding marriage.  I also ask that You would bless my Baby on today.  Be to him what he needs on today, keep our desires for one another, and help us to enjoy each other while we have each other.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

I EMPOWER you on today to bless your husbands if you are married and even if he may not be worthy of it.  Pray for him and ask the Lord to show you the treasure that’s inside of him.   For all my single ladies, get an appetite for the Lord like never before while you are still single.  Marriage would never satisfy you like a growing relationship with our Father can.  Lastly, Baby I EMPOWER you to hold on because change is going to come!

How do you keep your marriage to God and/or your marriage to your husband strong?

Thanks for all your votes and support!  We have won Best Faith-Based Blog!!!

Here’s “Gotta Be” by Jagged Edge:

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Mrs. Lisa M. Purnell-Marshall is happily married to the wonderful and inspiring Antoine L. Marshall. She is the proud mother of two gorgeous girls. Her voice is one of the leading and authentic voices for breast-feeding, especially for the African-American community and Generation Y. She currently works inside of her home and plans to become a professional licensed lactation consultant in 2014. She and her family are members at Spirit of Liberty Church located in Markham, IL. Embracing the love that God has for her, Lisa labors to live an acceptable and pure life through the leading and keeping of the Holy Spirit so that her attitude, words, and actions attract the glory of God. In her free time she loves receiving manis and pedis. Her favorite promises that she find comfort and reassurance in are: Psalm 34:19: “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all” and Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Control Your Thoughts

Oct31

If people only know how powerful their thoughts are, they would never think another negative thought.  In fact, any action that I’ve ever taken in my life, whether good or bad, was conceived by a single thought.   For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.  All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 NIV)  

We are all familiar with the idiom, “an idle mind is the devil’s playground.”  Indeed it is!  There are many instances in my life where I was somewhere I was not supposed to be or doing something that I was not supposed to do, and it all began from the thought of it.  But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15 NIV)

I ask you to control your thoughts because in Jesus Christ you have the power to do so.  When you control your thoughts, you control your actions.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and SISTERS, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:7-8 NIV)

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for the power of my mind.  I pray that You help me to have positive energy and great thoughts.  I also pray that You guard my mind and purify my heart.  Nudge me when I get off track and start to focus and think on things that do not build me up or please You.  In Jesus’ name Amen!

Ladies, today I EMPOWER you to control your thoughts. Take at least 15 minutes out of the day to meditate and exercise your mind to think great things.  Cast out any negative thoughts that may linger.  With great thoughts come great actions!

How do you keep your thoughts in check?  Please share below.

Read a related EM:  If You Want Something to Grow, Keep Feeding It! 

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Ms. Chaunte’ Tate is a recent graduate of North Carolina A&T University with a degree in Journalism. She is currently preparing to begin her law school education in New York. She is passionate about the spiritual advancements of all followers of Christ. Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Made For Heaven

Oct29

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” (Hebrews 11:13-14 KJV)

Many already know that Abraham and his family (Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob) were a part of the group who died in faith. God promised them all the land flowing with milk and honey, but they never received it while living; they only received by faith. Looking to Abraham and others, what can we learn from their testimony? What can we see God doing?  While reading the above scripture, the Holy Spirit was highlighting the words ‘strangers’ and ‘pilgrims’. A stranger is one who does not belong to the given locale. A pilgrim is one who is moving toward a given destination. (http://www.definitions.net) After reading this scripture, I received this revelation from the Holy Spirit: “The Lord wants you to set your daily course toward heaven, rejecting earthly cravings that diminish your spiritual vitality.” Yes, Abraham lived a life of faith, and faith is important, but he knew that this earth was not his home and that Heaven was where the promise was.

Abraham and his family did not personally possess the Promised Land. Yet, they lived with an attitude of guaranty that Father God would fulfill His promises. They wholeheartedly accepted the certainty that the Lord would some day give that land to their seed. Meanwhile, they confessed that they were content to live as strangers concerning this world and as pilgrims anticipating the world to come: “and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” That was powerful! Even though they never saw the promise, they lived as if it happened. Have I lived as though God has already delivered on His promises? Has Lisa M. Purnell-Marshall been living like the great cloud of witnesses?

There are many things that I personally can list that I do or have done, that can make me appear that I’m not a “pilgrim or a stranger to this world”. So my question to God was how do I get there? I was led to 1 Peter 2:11. “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” As I continue to live, just as Abraham, I will now focus my heart on yearning for a true, lasting, eternal homeland. A place where I don’t have to pray for healing; a place where I don’t feel unloved; a place where I will never be separated from the presence of God; the place my Father says is my home.

Dear Daddy,

Thank You so much for being a gracious and loving Father to us. We confess that we have forgotten that You have called us to be strangers to this world. We confess that we have forsaken the path of pilgrimage and went down other paths. Father, give us grace on this day to turn back because we want to make it home to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

I EMPOWER you to let the Holy Spirit cause your heart to yearn for that which heaven alone can provide. Press on as a pilgrim in this world and a stranger to its ways, bound for your homeland above.

 How do you stay on course in life or do you need us to pray and agree for you to make it home?

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Mrs. Lisa M. Purnell-Marshall is happily married to the wonderful and inspiring Antoine L. Marshall. She is the proud mother of two gorgeous girls. Her voice is one of the leading and authentic voices for breast-feeding, especially for the African-American community and Generation Y. She currently works inside of her home and plans to become a professional licensed lactation consultant in 2014. She and her family are members at Spirit of Liberty Church located in Markham, IL. Embracing the love that God has for her, Lisa labors to live an acceptable and pure life through the leading and keeping of the Holy Spirit so that her attitude, words, and actions attract the glory of God. In her free time she loves receiving manis and pedis. Her favorite promises that she find comfort and reassurance in are: Psalm 34:19: “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all” and Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”