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The Veronica Effect!

Jul31

Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7 NIV)

Rarely do we get a chance on EmpowerMoments to just pay tribute; but today I shall take that privilege because today is indeed her day. My friend and business partner, Veronica Davis has been committed to improving transportation since she saw how the effects that poor transportation planning and lack of investment disproportionately affects minority communities, particularly African Americans. Today, she is being honored as a White House Champion of Change Transportation Innovator for her volunteer efforts. To her, I say congratulations! It is a well-deserved honor. A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. (Proverbs 18:16 KJV)

When you think of transportation you may only be thinking of your automobile; however, there are millions of people that rely on other methods such as buses, rail systems, bike lanes and walkways on their daily commute. Access to a variety of transportation modes can affect where a person works, provide access to healthy amenities for the community, and minimize environmental pollution.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10 NIV)

As a dedicated transportation planner, Veronica combines her professional life with her passion to ultimately benefit the community. What started as a twitter hash tag (#BlackWomenBike) grew into a movement within the District of Columbia. After noticing the absence of black women on two wheels she and two other women founded Black Women Bike in May 2011. The organization started with the 3 founders and grew to over 550 African American women in Washington, DC ranging in age from late 20’s to late 60’s. The women bike for recreation as well as to work, simultaneously receiving the benefits of exercise. So many women in her immediate community have started biking that it is being dubbed “The Veronica Effect.”

Let’s pause right there. She has so many other accomplishments but I want to focus on “The Veronica Effect.” I believe that God wants each of us to serve others in such a way that there is a noticeable change after we have been present. We should be using our talents to enhance the lives of others, to speak up for the less fortunate and to teach others. We should do our work so well and strive to impact others such that people will know it was “The _____________ Effect.” Like Veronica, we should focus on filling the voids. Imagine if we all stepped up to the plate and filled the many voids that God has placed right before our eyes. Ultimately, we want people to see that it is not us but it is the God who lives within us that gifts us with our ability to impact. It really is “The God Effect.”

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for gifting me with certain abilities and passions. You have shown me the voids and I ask that You give me the willingness to just do it. Don’t let me vacillate any longer on the things that You have called me to do. I want “The God Effect” to be evident in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Today I EMPOWER you to review those things that God has called you to do. Has He shown you the void, but you are waiting on someone else to fill it? God is calling you for a special purpose? Step out on faith and start a movement. Allow the God Effect to be real in your life.

Has God given you a vision but you are hesitating to follow through? What’s keeping you? Share your story in the comment section.

Read a related EmpowerMoment: The Pursuit of Excellence

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Ms. Chancee` Lundy lives in Atlanta, Georgia 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: every where 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 strengtheneth me.”

Living in the Microwave Age

Jul24

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6 NLT)

I heard an author last week speak about how this is the ‘Microwave Age’ because everybody wants everything to happen quickly. I thought about life and how God has worked on my anxiety. I was a right now person; if I saw something I wanted in a store, I bought it; if I wanted to say something, I said it; if I was feeling a certain way, I reacted; if I wanted to lose weight, I took plenty of weight loss medicine. I know that was a reckless way to live life. Even my prayer life had turned microwavable. Every time I would really need God to do something I would pray, get up and wonder why He didn’t answer my prayer.

I started to question when was I going to get my blessing? When was I going to get a promotion? When was my marriage going to be the marriage I pray for? When was I going to lose weight and have the physique that I want? When? When? When? When?

How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. (Habakkuk 1:1-4 NLT)

The prophet Habakkuk sounds just like me! I found myself saying, “Why is God not answering me? Is He not listening to me? Why don’t I have the promotion? Why am I still overweight? Why is my marriage still not thriving? Talk to me God!”

The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.I am raising up the Babylonians, a cruel and violent people. They will march across the world and conquer other lands.” (Habakkuk 1:5-6 NLT)

The Lord spoke to me and told me He is working my situation out for my good. He is building up relationships and even things I thought were not repairable, He is repairing them. He has placed me in a new job that requires that I step up and become a leader very quickly- promotion. He is teaching me discipline when it comes to food and that in order to live a healthy life in Him and on earth I need to exercise. As of today I have lost 30 pounds with many more to go. As for my marriage that God joined together, we are under construction and He is molding us into the people of God that He wants us to be. God told Keviyona I am about to blow your mind!

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:1-3 KJV)

I decided that the microwave way of doing things wasn’t what God wanted for my life. I decided to wait and even though it seems like an eternity to me, it is not a long time in God’s eyes. I did not give up waiting for the Lord. And He turned to me and heard my cry.  (Psalms 40:1 NLV)

Dear Daddy,

I want to thank You for teaching me that fast and quick is not always what is best for my life. Thank You for teaching me “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) God I am being patient and waiting on You to lead and direct my path because I am nothing without You. God I want You to continue to teach me that patience is a virtue. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to pray and ask God for the desires of your heart and wait. If you wait and lean not to your own understanding, God will show up and show out. I dare you to be patient on your job, in your home, with your marriage, with your family and friends, with your prayer request and watch God do the work. I EMPOWER you to unplug the microwave in your mind, relax and let God work it out. I know we live in a fast paced society but God works in His time and His time is always the best!

Take a moment to share how waiting on God has blessed you.

Read a related EmpowerMoment: Confessions From An Impatient Christian

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Mrs. Keviyona Ray is an ordained minister and co-pastor 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.”

Throwback Thursday: An Unlikely Candidate

Jul12

It’s Throwback Thursday! This EmpowerMoment was originally published on March 30, 2011. Enjoy this blast from the past!

Recently a friend asked me to do something and she told me that God told her to use me. If she were standing in front of me, surely she would have been given the side eye, neckroll, folded arms, lip smack with a loud foot stomp. I tried to laugh it off because I knew that surely God wasn’t using me to do anything. Either she was wrong or God surely hadn’t been paying attention. I think I have been to church two times this year (more if you count my attendance via streamingfaith.com) and I know that my sporadic opening and closing of the Bible couldn’t count for true study of the Word. I do the occasional fast and have talked “about Him” a lot but I only talk “to Him” on occasion. While I yearn for a closer relationship with God, our current casual encounters would not make me the likely candidate…or so I thought.

In the midst of belittling myself and coming up with all of the excuses of why He couldn’t have picked this mediocre Christian, the Spirit reminded me:  God often uses UNLIKELY people to carry out His will and draw them closer to Him!

Joshua 2:1 reveals: “Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. Of all of the people that God could have chosen to use as a vessel for this huge undertaking, God chose a WHORE. Imagine that! I am sure there were other people in Jericho who would have allowed the men to secretly lodge with them as they planned to overtake the city, but God chose Rahab. In return for her cooperation and faith, her and her family’s lives were spared in the destruction of the city.

Saul of Tarsus hated Christians.  “Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” (Acts 8:3) As a matter of fact, he hated Christians so much that he learned about their Christian friends in Damascus by somehow getting the letters they were writing to them in prison. Being the over zealous persecutor that he was, Saul journeyed to Damascus to round up more Christians for prison; however, on this trip God had a different purpose. Acts 9 reveals Saul’s total transformation. Jesus met Saul on his journey and confronted him directly “Saul, Saul why do you prosecute me?” After meeting Jesus on his journey, Saul began to sing a different tune. The Lord blinded him and sent him into the city leaving instructions with Ananias. Responding to Ananias’ doubts of Saul’s transformation, God spoke to him in Acts 9:15. “But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.”Saul later changed his name to Paul and went from Christian persecutor to Christian missionary.  Paul went on to write 13 books of the New Testament (Romans, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I and II Thessalonians, I and II Timothy, Titus and Philemon) I am sure that Paul, when reflecting on his life, found it remarkable that God would choose him with his shady past to spread the gospel and save souls.

There are many “unlikely” candidate stories in the Bible, but as I reflected on these two I realized that this task could be my opportunity to do God’s will and in the process become more than just an associate with Him. It had less to do with the task and more about developing our own personal relationship. It would require that I study the Word, pray, manage my time and have the ability to relay the knowledge He gives me to others. For many this is an easy task; however, my haphazard approach to my spiritual life would have to be restructured. To do this task we would have to spend time together. My task was to write you an EmpowerMoment.

Although I was initially discouraged, I thought about my life and my accomplishments. I have always been the “unlikely candidate.” A mother with mental illness, brothers incarcerated and on drugs, welfare recipient, and the list can go on, but through it all God sustained me while chaos went on all around me. According to the world’s statistics I should have been a teenage mom or at least a high school dropout but God’s plan for my life was different. I was the “unlikely candidate” that graduated from high school, college, got a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, ran a multi-million dollar organization, got a great job (QUIT!) and am now co-CEO of a company. My “unlikely candidate” testimony probably makes me one of the BEST candidates. Who am I to doubt God?

Throughout our lives God often taps us on the shoulder for “special” assignments but we allow our personal insecurities to hinder us from carrying out His will. “Lord why me?” is the question we often ask. The larger question you should ask is, “Lord why not me?” God is our biggest cheerleader; He wouldn’t give us an assignment without the ability to complete it.  Romans 8:30 proclaims, “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”  You may be on the flip side of this message. Maybe God has sent an “unlikely candidate” to you with a message but you didn’t receive it because she was dressed like Rahab or their Christian resume` wasn’t strong enough. Whatever side of the table you are sitting on, know that God picks and chooses His own instruments. Don’t allow your personal insecurities or doubts about the messenger cause you to miss out on what God has preordained for YOU.

Dear Daddy,

Help me to recognize the divine assignments You have given me in my life. Cast out any spirits of confusion or doubt that would make me believe that I am not equipped to carry out Your will. Encourage my soul and give me a spirit of discernment so that I can recognize the messages that You have for me even when they don’t come in the package I’m expecting. Lord, continue to increase my faith and order my steps according to Your word. Allow me to draw closer to You and use me as a vessel to bless others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Today EMPOWER yourself by making a conscious decision to do something that God has been tapping you on the shoulder to do. Whether it’s to speak to someone you haven’t spoke to in years or to take your life in a totally different direction, JUST DO IT! He’s ready, He’s waiting on YOU!

Are you having feelings of inadequacy about a task that God has given you? Share your experience below; we want to encourage you!

Read a related EmpowerMoment: He Sees the Best!

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Ms. Chancee` Lundy lives in Atlanta, Georgia 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: every where 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 strengtheneth me.”

Use Me Up!

Jun13

June is Black Music Month! To celebrate, each of our EmpowerMoments will be based on Black music for the entire month. This includes Black songwriters, producers or performers. Stay tuned as we use various genres of Black music to tell our stories and exemplify the beauty of God’s love! Happy Black Music Month! Dance as if no one is watching!

I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do. (Ephesians 1:18 MSG)

I pray this scripture daily. I am certain that when you pray and ask God to use you, you want to be clear of your assignment. If you are not clear, you will find yourself doing a whole lot in the name of God, when it’s really not God. Due to my love and appreciation for God, I found myself adding things to my plate assuming I was doing them for God. God won’t put more on me than I can bear, but I will!!! I was doing this over and over again ignorantly because of my desire to be used by the One who saved my life!

By trial and error, I’ve learned to choose my battles and consult God before making any decisions, even in my plight to bring Him glory. Being Spirit-led and not self-led, is causing me to transition into being an effective servant. I’ve learned that strategy over strength is the best method in endeavoring to be used greatly. In the process of learning this, I used to beat myself up so badly because my desire to be used was causing me to go into overload. Then overload caused me to not want to be used!!! I came to a realization that it is nothing wrong with desiring to be used by God; I needed to make sure I was being led by God. It’s nothing wrong with taking a stance like

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8 NLT)

Daily I give God permission to send me! I want to die empty meaning everything God invested in me, I want to pour into someone else. God is a businessman! He wants an ROI–Return on Investment! He has invested power, dominion, strength, love, faith, discernment, and much more in me. I must return it by being used by HIM! Lord, just keep on using me UNTIL YOU USE ME UP!

Dear Daddy,

I truly desire to be used by You. Please cause the eyes of my understanding to be enlightened that I may know the hope and purpose of what You have called me to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to be the one that volunteers for God’s service opposed to being called on! Ask and allow God to use you in your home, in the marketplace, and in ministry! I EMPOWER you to allow God to USE YOU UP!

Enjoy Bill Wither’s “Use Me” as you reflect on how you want God to use you up!

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Ms. Rodnisha L. Anderson resides in Chicago, IL and serves as an elder at Life Redeeming Ministries. She works diligently with the Singles and Intercessory ministries. She is married to the Lord and becomes whatever she needs to become to reach the people for the building of God’s kingdom. Rodnisha truly desires to witness successful single women thriving in the kingdom of God.  Her favorite scripture is 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

You Can’t Be the Man!

Jun11

June is Black Music Month! To celebrate, each of our EmpowerMoments will be based on Black music for the entire month. This includes Black songwriters, producers or performers. Stay tuned as we use various genres of Black music to tell our stories and exemplify the beauty of God’s love! Happy Black Music Month! Dance as if no one is watching!

I can’t lie, when I first got this Fantasia CD, I would often listen to track three, ‘Man of The House’ on full blast, and often on repeat.  It was a bit of an anthem, because I could definitely relate to some of the lyrics (and I convinced myself that I could sing them pretty well too).

The chorus of the song goes like this: 

(If you gone) be the man, 
then be the man, 
cause if you can’t 
Baby I can, 
I can and I will so 
figure it out. 
Which one of us gone be the man of the house?

Yes, Tiffany was in the car and on the treadmill singing to her man to be, that if he can’t be the man, she can! One day God said, really?! Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. (Ephesians 5:22-24 NIV) The Bible calls us to be submissive to our husbands and allow them to have the lead role! According to the Word, there is nothing to figure out!  No Tiffany, you can’t be the man!

That’s just a little bit of the independent, don’t need a man anthem that I was in love with! The first verse:

 If we don’t got it, I’ll go get it (it ain’t a thang)
And if it’s broken, I’ll fix it (I don’t complain)
But now see it’s gettin’ a little out of hand, 
Cooking, cleaning, providing taking care of little man
You want to talk about who’s wearing the pants
Baby, well I don’t understand

Since I am single right now, this verse is very descriptive of my life. I am sole provider for my boys and myself, cooking, cleaning, fixing, and anything else that needs done.  However, the role of a single woman and one with a husband (or man as Fantasia refers to him) are very different.  “Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” (Titus 2:4-5 NIV) How can we expect our husbands to assume their responsibility when we are not willing to let them? Society, the media, and those around us constantly encourage us to be strong, independent, and not need a man, and then we are left to wonder why we are still single.  We can’t allow such trivial things to weigh so heavily on the way we live our lives as women of God! You can’t be the man!

The Word is clear on the role of the ‘Man of the House’ as well. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of fullrespect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)  (1 Timothy 3:3-5 NIV) We have to be careful of who we assign this role. If God doesn’t have His hand on him we could be left confused, as Fantasia is in the song!

I still love the song, though I know that its meaning isn’t as literal for me as it had been at one time, because I recognize that I can’t be the man!

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for the gift of discernment and understanding through Your word.  I thank You for the strength to be all that I need to be for my family while I don’t have a husband in the physical realm.  Please prepare me for the husband that You will bless me with if/when You see fit, and mold me into the woman that will allow him to be the Man of the House that You call him to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, today I EMPOWER you to let the man be a man! Whether you or single or married, allow the men in your life to take on the role that God has called them into, by being careful that you are only taking on the one that He has called you to.

As you listen to Fantasia’s ‘Man of the House’, remember who the REAL man of your house is!

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Ms. Tiffany Huff is the devoted mother of two boys, a blogger, lover of food and travel, and aspiring entrepreneur with a passion for helping others live out their purposes. She is looking forward to growing in her walk and honoring God through sharing her EmpowerMoments. One of her meditation scriptures is Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

You Do Have Something to Live For!

May31

“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.” Psalm 118:17 AMP

I reflected over the past year and how EmpowerMoments has grown, I am inspired by the testimonies of the young ladies who give their energy, time and talent for the sole purpose of empowering others. Their stories aren’t meant to merely entertain, but to deliver, heal and set those in captivity free. We’ve shared so many stories with you about various life trials. Our issues run the gamut — sexual abuse, drug addiction, fear, financial trouble, marital issues, parenting woes, hopelessness and the list goes on. With all that we have discussed, I realized that there is one thing that we have yet to touch on. What happens when all hope is gone and you feel as though you have nowhere to turn? What do you do when it seems as if there is nothing left worth living for? What do you say to the enemy as he torments you with thoughts of suicide? What happens when you don’t have the answers to these questions? In efforts to save you from the pit of destruction and death that the enemy wants you to fall into, please let me share my story with you.

Many moons ago, when I was just in elementary school, I contemplated suicide. My family had just moved into a new neighborhood and I was forced to enroll into a new school. I was picked on daily and couldn’t seem to rally any allies. Every day I went home feeling defeated and like there was nothing worth living for.  In my 6th grade mind, my world was dim and hopeless. That was until one day I met a special instructor at the school. She took me under her wings and reminded me that I was gifted and talented. She showed me just how intelligent I was and used that to catapult me into endeavors that I never imagined I would be a part of. She showed me that I indeed had something to live for.

After I entered high school, my family life took a drastic downturn. Our finances were extremely limited, our home was broken and my mother and I had a very tumultuous relationship. My mother’s addiction made her act in ways that assured me that she really didn’t love me. (See There’s a Monster in My House). And surely if my mother didn’t love me, there was nothing worth living for. Thus, I began to re-think my suicidal plans, only that time I was gutsy enough to attempt to carry them out. I tried to slit my wrist to no avail. I took a bottle of pills and waited and waited and waited, but nothing happened. That’s when Jesus whispered gently in my ear. “Daughter, I won’t let you die. You have too much at stake. What we have planned for you is going to blow your mind. You have TOO much to live for; I can’t let you go out like this.” That was over 15 years ago and I never once thought about intentionally taking my life again…until recently…

There I was enjoying life to the fullest, excited about what God was doing and about to do in my life. Everything came to a screeching halt when my walls started to crumble. It seemed as if everything in my life was out of sync. I hated my job, there was chaos in my home, I had no money, I was detached from ministry, I was losing friends, I was an emotional wreck and nothing seemed to be going in my favor.  And to top it all off, I was dealing with the pressures, emotions and fears of being pregnant for a third time! With all of this and more happening at one time, I really couldn’t focus on one thing worth living for. As I drove into work one morning, I cried as thought about how I was going to make my final exit. First I would just run away so that I would have time to really think out my plan. Since my last attempts were unsuccessful, I knew I had to really come with it. No need to be graphic, but let’s just say that it was going to indeed be the end this time. By the time I made it to work, my face and neck was stained with salty tear prints. I fixed my face and gained my composure. Once I made it to my desk, I flipped through a home-made calendar that my oldest daughter gave me for Christmas. I was trying to schedule my exit date. As I flipped to June, there were my baby’s footprints in the sand. I heard Him whisper gently in my ear, “THAT is what you have to live for.”

Ladies, I know that at times life can leave you feeling hopeless and despaired, but know that God created you for a purpose and you too have SOMETHING to live for. Please don’t allow the enemy to dupe you into thinking that it won’t or can’t better. I promise if you just hold on, stand strong and allow God to be God, your situation will change. And if He doesn’t see fit to change the situation, He will change you and the way that you think about what’s going on around you. God has you reading this because He interested in seeing you live! He’s not going to let you go out like that!

Dear Daddy,

Please forgive me for any time that I contemplated taking the life that You so graciously blessed me with. I understand that it belongs to You and You are just letting me borrow it for an appointed time. Please help me to deal with blows that You allow to come my way. May they never break me, but only strengthen me. Please shut my ear to enemy when he seeks to tell me that it’s over and I may as well give up. I stand on Your words. I render his suicidal attacks harmless and unable to manifest in my life. I declare that I shall live and not die! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, today I EMPOWER you to realize that you have so much to live for and LIVE! Meditate on the answers to those questions that you ask yourself when those ugly thoughts of suicide creep into your head:

  • What happens when all hope is gone and you feel as though you have nowhere to turn? The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God is my Rock in whom I take refuge. He is my Shield and the Horn my Salvation, my Stronghold! (Psalm 18:2 NIV)

             For I the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying to thee, “Fear not; I will help thee.” (Isaiah 41:13 KJV)

  • What do you when it seems as if there is nothing left worth living for? For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
  • What do you say to the enemy as he torments you with thoughts of suicide? I will not die, but LIVE, and proclaim what the Lord has done. (Psalm 118:17 NIV)
  • What happens when you don’t have the answers to these questions? If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5 NIV)


Have you ever contemplated or tried taking your own life? How did you overcome? Share your story with us below.

Read a Related Empowermoment: Hope In The Midst of Hopelessness

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Mrs. Kristen Harris is a wife, mother, entrepreneur and dedicated servant.  She is extremely passionate about women’s spiritual advancement, hence the founding of EmpowerMoments.  As an avid reader, Kristen enjoys reading the Bible and other non-fiction pieces. Her driving inspiration is when God says to her: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  (Jeremiah 29:11) She currently resides outside of Chicago, Illinois with her wonderful husband and two lovely daughters where she is an active member of New Life Covenant Church.

Written Thoughts

May29

“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. (Habukkuk 2:2 KJV)

When I was a freshman in high school I was required to complete a “life plan” assignment.  You know the one when you outline the next 20 plus years of your life as you see it.  The reality is that I was merely a child when I completed that assignment so it is easy to admit (now) that I really didn’t have a clue regarding where I was going or how I would get there.  Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I was introduced to the aforementioned Bible verse by multiple people.  Using context clues I was able to determine what the passage meant but actually applying it to my life really became relevant within the last few weeks.

Taking charge as the Marketing Director for this ministry, I had no other choice but to live, breathe, and worship every syllable of the verse.  I have total control of my own actions but incorporating a team, delegating tasks, and getting the job done requires me to step out of my comfort zone.  It was at that very moment that I decided to transform my thoughts, plans, and aspirations into the outline for the future of EmpowerMoments.

I tried to “wing it” for a while using the excuse that God is in total control. But ladies we must remember that we must show Him what our vision is.  It is evident that God has a master plan for our life. However, it is okay to lay your requests at His feet because as long as they are in line with His will, He will allow them to come to fruition.  The life plan I wrote over a decade ago was so complicated, detailed and self-absorbed that it turned out to be more of a road map to destruction.  However, when it came to the marketing plan for EmpowerMoments I did exactly as the scripture says… “write the vision and make it plain.”  The concepts my team and I established were minute in comparison to the capabilities that God revealed to me.  That is why it is so imperative that our written thoughts are changeable because God needs room to expand them as He sees fit!  You may be the visionary, but He is the contractor so let Him develop the blueprint.

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for helping me to create the layout for my life.  No longer will I complete life plan assignments without You being in total control.  I pray that You continue to convert my dreams into Your realities.  Keep me grounded on Your promises while making my requests known unto You.  Make the endeavors clear that I should embark on that are within Your will for my life.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to turn those dreams into written thoughts.  Listen to what God is requiring of you and just do it!! There is no time like the present, so pull out some paper, grab a pen, and make it plain!!! Be Blessed :-)

Have you written a vision and made it plain? Has your vision to come to pass? Share your testimony with us below.

Read a related EmpowerMoment: Planners Anonymous

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 Ms. Latasha Sampson is an accomplished writer who is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Human Resources Management.  She resides in Nashville, Tennessee where she is a faithful member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She serves tirelessly with the Evangelism Team there.  Latasha also works at Mt. Zion as a member of the Administrative Support Staff. Her favorite scripture is “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.” Isaiah 54:17

You’re Gifted!

May28

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NIV)

On Sunday mornings when I am on my feet singing along with the praise team during the praise and worship service, I can often see myself up in the choir box praising, instead of doing it from my seat.  I go back to being in the youth choir in the church I grew up in, and remember how much I enjoyed it.  Then after church I am in the car singing the songs from the service…and I hear myself singing….and I realize that my praises from the pew are just fine!  While God loves for us all to praise and worship Him, and He receives them, being apart of the praise team is not what He has called me to do. It’s not my gift to give!

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines (1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NIV)

Often we get caught up in what we see others doing in the church–on the front line serving as an usher, or a part of the prayer team standing down at the altar, leading Bible study classes–and we think, I could do that….or he isn’t all that great at that.  We spend time wondering why pastor chose different people for different roles, and lose sight of the fact that we are all blessed with different gifts from God.  All of our gifts are needed for the church to function as He intends it to.  When we spend time trying to serve, and give gifts that we don’t have, we take away from God’s purpose for our lives.

Be encouraged even if you don’t yet understand your gift, and continue to pray for revelation. On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (1 Corinthians 12:22-25 NIV) Continue to fellowship and engage with other Christians, and learn about ministries and opportunities available in your church home because it is possible someone else in the body may have the gift of discernment to recognize your gift!

Our heavenly Father gifts us all, and we are called to use our gifts for His glory!

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for blessing me with abilities beyond what I could ever think possible.  My prayer is that You will continue to impress upon me what I am called to do to build Your kingdom with the gifts You have bestowed upon me. Please forgive me for the times when I have been envious of the gifts of others, because I was focused on myself and not on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

My gifted ladies, today I EMPOWER you to use your gifts!  Take time out everyday and thank God for the purpose He has for your life and the gifts He has blessed you with to carry it out!

How are you using your God-given talents to advance the kingdom? Share your experiences below.

Listen to a related Sermon excerpt: The Hidden Treasure

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Ms. Tiffany Huff is the devoted mother of two boys, a blogger, lover of food and travel, and aspiring entrepreneur with a passion for helping others live out their purposes. She is looking forward to growing in her walk and honoring God through sharing her EmpowerMoments. One of her meditation scriptures is Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Resume` Revision

May1

A few Sundays ago, the lead person of the Evangelism Team in which I serve spoke a prophetic word over my life.  This was my first time formally meeting this woman and I must admit I was a bit skeptical, but I still chose to listen intensely.  She proceeded to tell me that everything I have gone through was getting me prepared for the platform God has prepared for me!  The statement that stood out the most was that she said I would have some type of prison ministry for women in which I would lead many to Christ!  Again, I received the word but I did not understand the prison ministry aspect, but in due time God would reveal a small piece of the puzzle to me.

Last summer I wrote an EmpowerMoment entitled Blessing Out of Unusual Circumstances, where I briefly talked about my past run-in with law enforcement.  However, I did not tell readers that I applied for an expungement of my record in July of 2007 and have been waiting for a response ever since.  Last Saturday my mother called to tell me that the decision letter as to whether or not my misdemeanor of retail theft would be cleared had arrived.  I had anticipated this call for so long that I had prepared myself for a praise session only to be informed that my petition had been DENIED!!!  Instantly I was consumed by a number of emotions (anger, fear, discouragement, confusion, etc.) at the thought that I waited FIVE YEARS for a ‘NO’.

Don’t get me wrong, I know that God said it so it will come to pass, but WHEN?! After five years nothing had changed other than the fact that I am older still reaping the effects of a bad decision made at 18.  It was so easy for me to start doubting everything that I had believed for so long until I read Hebrews 10:35-36 which reads: “Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens.  Remember the great rewards it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (NLT)

See ladies, God knew exactly what the outcome would be, but more importantly He knew what my exact response would be so He tried to prepare me with that prophetic word a week prior.  Since God can speak to us in our dreams, through assigned people, and signs of nature to name of few, we must always have our ears open.  I was so on guard about the prophecy as a whole that I almost missed my next assignment for the Kingdom. 

“Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.” (Hebrews 10:23 NLT)

After the initial shock wore off days later, God revealed to me that He has sustained me thus far and will continue to do the same no matter what the letter said.  He also told me that my experience will be able to help so many others that will endure the same trial of their faith.  The “prison ministry” that I was informed about will give me the opportunity to provide encouraging words to those who will face similar struggles.  All in all, it was NEVER about me; it was about Him getting the glory yet again!  You may not be going through identical circumstances but you must stand firm on what God has told you no matter what!  God just needs to know that He has the strongest soldiers on the battlefield because spiritual war is no joke…believe me I KNOW!!

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for allowing me to stand firm on the purpose You have placed over my life.  Continue to remind me that the experiences I go through are for those I interact with to see more of You and less of me.  Help me to live my life solely on Your promises and not my expectations.  I praise You in advance for the great times, bad moments, and the ugly occurrences because it will all work out for my good and Your GLORY! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Women of God, I EMPOWER you to trust the work of God in your life.  If He explained everything that He was up to, He wouldn’t be God.  Stop trying to change His job and get ready for Him to revise your resume`!  Be Blessed!   :-)

Have you ever had a moment when you were so confused about what God was up to?  Tell us about that time and what happened to make you turn it over to Him.

Read a related EmpowerMoment: Scar Tissue

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Ms. Latasha Sampson is an accomplished writer who is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Human Resources Management.  She resides in Nashville, Tennessee where she is a faithful member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She serves tirelessly with the Evangelism Team there.  Latasha also works at Mt. Zion as a member of the Administrative Support Staff. Her favorite scripture is “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.” Isaiah 54:17

Purpose. What’s the 4-1-1?

Apr11

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. (Psalms 118:17 KJV)

She says I didn’t move in the nine months she carried me in her womb. Her fear was that I would be a stillborn baby, but I have great news. God’s purpose for my life was to be fulfilled outside of the womb and as of this morning at 6:55am CST, our Father has allowed me to make 32 revolutions around the sun for 1,664 weeks and to experience earth’s rotation for 11,648 days. I am grateful for the 279,552 hours, the 16,773,120 minutes and the 1,006,387,200 seconds that I have had to praise Him, to experience His grace and mercy and to fulfill the calling that He has on my life. Yes, it is my Born Day!

In this age where we can access information at our fingertips in a matter of seconds, there are some things that have not changed. Babies are still being born and people are still dying. Each of us has specific purposes to fulfill before we take our last breath. Some of us are afraid of our purpose because we know that the road to fulfilling our purposes isn’t always easy. As we reflected this past Sunday on Jesus’ death and resurrection, we know that He too did not have it easy on His journey to purpose fulfillment. He was born of a virgin, tempted of the devil, lied on, abandoned and rejected in His most distressed time, persecuted and crucified all so that He could fulfill the purpose of redeeming each of us of our sins. He is the quintessential example of purpose fulfilled from birth to death and eternity.

Like Jesus, my journey to discover and executing my purpose was not smooth sailing and if you are honest with yourself, yours probably wasn’t either. Unlike Jesus, I actually succumbed to many temptations of the world. Those things that were “out of my control” (my parents, my upbringing) and my choices to lead a life filled with sin were all a part of getting to my purpose and my testimony. I’m not saying that the road couldn’t have been different but I do acknowledge that the awful rebellious stage I went through in high school and later being arrested for a crime I DID commit were a part of what Paul was speaking of in Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (KJV) Those things are not only a part of my testimony but they are a part of my purpose.

The anniversary of my entrance into this world (or yours) isn’t about the number of years, the telephone calls, text messages or number of Facebook posts I receive as much as it is about being obedient and fulfilling my purpose during the dash that He gives me. God has planted seeds in my spirit that I have yet to water because of my own apprehension. I know that I have to fulfill these things that God has planted in my belly because my fulfillment of these things or rather my obedience to God is tied to others’ destiny.  Are you living your life on purpose and with purpose? In His word, God gave us information about our purpose. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6 KJV

So what’s the 4-1-1 on your purpose?

  1. God loves you and created you to praise Him Isaiah 43:21
  2. God wants to forgive you Psalms 86:5 and for you to be saved Mark 16:16
  3. He wants you to bring others to Him Matthew 28:16-20
  4. He wants you to care for the least of these Luke 4:18; Matthew 25:31-46
  5. He wants you to use your talents for His good Matthew 25:14-30

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for birthing me with promise and with purpose. Lord, please do not let me die without fulfilling the many purposes that You have given me in this lifetime. Help me to obedient to Your word and Your will for my life. Everyday help me to remember it as another chance to worship You and fulfill Your calling on my life. Through trials and tribulations, let me remember that these things must come so that Your purpose can come to pass. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Today I EMPOWER you to seek God for your purpose. Talk to Him daily and make sure you are following His will. Surrender your will to His will. Fill that dash between the anniversary of your birth and your death with the purposes that God has called you to fulfill.

Do you feel like you are fulfilling God’s purposes for your life? How? If not, why? Share with us below.

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Ms. Chancee` Lundy currently resides in Atlanta, GA and is a small business co-owner of Nspiregreen, LLC an environmental consulting firm. She is also a dedicated daughter, sister, friend, community servant, and child of God. She is passionate about causes that truly uplift the community. One of her favorite scriptures 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.”