Mi Vida (My Life)

So you guys..let me start off by saying I'm so sorry for the delay. I know it has been FOREVER (almost literally) since I've written. So let me say thanks for being patient with me while I'm on this journey. To be honest, these past couple of weeks I had taken a detour on my journey.  Yesss...me. I know the one who is always encouraging others to stay on the right path. Well let me say, thank God for His son Jesus & Him laying down His life for my iniquities. Thanks also to those of you who will read this post & not judge me but who will instead encourage & pray for me.

These past couple of weeks have been extremely testing & trying. It seems like it was constantly one thing after another. One fight/battle after another. & I was definitely losing every fight one after another. I had absolutely no fight in me. Not only was a mentally drained but my spirit man was truly weak. As my Pastor said, "You are what you eat." & my spirit man had not been eating anything. I hadn't been in my word nor was I praying. 

Lesson 1: 1 Peter 5:8 KJV  
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
 

I was the perfect victim for the adversary. I was the perfect prey. Not paying attention, weak, & vulnerable. & the enemy knew that. Prior to this I was in a season of not really going thru too much testing. & if I was being tested they were really small tests. So I wasn't being very sober & vigilant. So when the enemy saw the perfect opportune time to pounce he did just that. And as I said before I had no fight left in me so I laid there & let him have his way.

Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 KJV


 ⁶ For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
⁸ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
  
Now this says a whole mouth full in itself. Mmm...Paul just said so much where do I begin. I'm going to keep it short & simple. For me I was given several thorns it felt like. Pornography, clubbing, drinking, & smoking are some of the thorns that have been put in my side during this season. Thorns that I thought I no longer had to deal with it. But like Paul said they were there for my reminder that I need GOD daily! This period has been a humbling experience for me. & at the end of it all I bless God for my thorns. 

Lesson 3: 2 Samuel 7:14-15 NLT

¹⁴ I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. ¹⁵ But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight.

* PRAISE BREAK *

This blessed me in so many ways when I read it last night. God said, Even tho I have sinned...He won't throw me away, turn His back on me, or give up on me but He will CORRECT ME & DISCIPLINE ME & MY FAVOR WILL NOT BE TAKEN FROM HIM!!!!!! Now if you don't owe God a praise because of that I know I do! No matter how many times I try to run away or escape or just not see/feel His love for me it's always there. For Him to know every thing I've done & everything I will done just like Solomon He will STILL use me in spite of me. So last night after I read this, I got it in my mind that my boxing gloves are back on. & I'm fighting for what's mine. I woke up this morning...which let me know that GOD is NOT thru with me yet. 

Looking forward to my future...it's brighter than my past!

Dear Abba (Father)

Dear Father,

As I thought about what I was going to say for some reason calling You Father comes out more naturally than calling You "Dad." Why is that tho? I want to become more comfortable with calling You my dad & not just knowing You as my Father in Heaven. Me calling You "Dad" makes our relationship more personal. & that's what I want. I want to trust You like I trust my dad on Earth. Talk to You more than I talk to my dad on Earth. & feel the love that I know You have for me just like my dad on Earth. I know You already know but I'm the only girl in Carlton's eyes besides my mom. So I know he loves me a lot. But he fails to express himself & show it. & it makes me fail to see the love that You show me. Which makes me also fail to see myself the way You see me at times. You look beyond my imperfections, where that's all I ever see. You didn't need a reason to choose me & all I can think of is "Why me?" Why didn't You give up on me a long time ago & just let me go? How You could love someone like me so much is something I guess I'll never know. That's why I want to please You so much but you already told me it's Your grace that is sufficient enough. & Grace meaning "unmerited favor" it is definitely enough. Why I take it for granted at times, I truly don't know. Because everything You've ever done You truly didn't have to & that I know. But it's something about the love You have for me that makes You put up with all my junk. My Father, My Father... You created me with Your hands. My life. My journey is all apart of Your plans. The good, the bad, the ugly.. You've been right there to see me thru. Another quality like Carlton because he did too. & my biological father I wonder sometimes what he's like. I wonder will I ever know his name or what he likes. But that's totally up to You, because with You I might. But I trust You enough to know that what's best You will make happen for Your child. Because I am Your Child. Even when I don't seem to act like it. I am still Yours & You are mine. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that My Father is the King of Kings. Lord of Lords. The beginning & the end. Jehovah Jireh. The one & only true & living God. That people from every generation, denomination, & background shall praise & worship You. & You being this great King makes lil 'ol me Your great princess. Which is both a huge privilege & responsibility. But I truly believe I'm down for the cause & ready to answer the call over my life. You've given me chance & chance and I truly believe it's time for me to go after what's mine. You are truly the best & I'm so very blessed to call you mines. My DAD! (We working on that thing slowly but surely I'll get there) 

Sincerely, Yours truly

The Enemy

The Enemy. 

So in a previous post , "F.O.E", I spoke a little about friends being called family and those people we call frenemies/enemies. In this post, I want to be a little more elaborate about the term "ENEMY." 

From generation to generation there have been all types of terms used to describe an, "ENEMY." In this 21st century, I believe our most favorited word to describe an enemy would be "HATER." Now to be honest, yes some of us do have real live haters. But in the same token, it also true that some of us use the term extremely too lightly. So first off, let's clear it up. EVERYONE that isn't your friend or in your close circle is NOT a hater. Because as I stated in an earlier post, EVERYONE is NOT supposed to be in your circle. You & God  determine your friends. Haters are generally people who just seem to dislike you for NO reason at all or for petty ones. You may have not even done anything to the person & sometimes you don't even KNOW the person but people will dislike you for no real cause at all. & honestly, it's not the them...it's all because of our ultimate enemy. The 1 & only true ENEMY. 

God speaks about this enemy in scripture, John 10:10 KJV states; ⁽¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.) Now God makes it very plain & simple as to what the plan of THE ENEMY is.

• To steal: The enemy/enemies come to STEAL. & yes this could very well be material things. Me & a friend were talking today about how we've had people close to us steal money & other personal belongings from us. So if you are thinking materialistically that's fine. I want to take you a little deeper than that tho. Let's talk spiritually & mentally! Have you ever been having a GREAT day just all smiles, laughs, & giggles until you get around that one person who just sucks all the life out of you. Either they are just very negative or very nasty. People with these types of attitudes are a form of an ENEMY. They are sent to steal your peace, your joy, & your positivity. Don't let them! It's not theirs to give nor take away.
• To kill: I know that all of you have read my 2nd post entailing about my life story & how the enemy was using people I loved so much to try & kill me (literally). But not only were they trying to kill me in the physical they were trying to kill me mentally & spiritually. I was young when I was in these relationships & purpose/destiny definitely weren't things that I were thinking about at the time. The enemy knowing this was taking total advantage of this fact & using it for his own personal benefit. See not only does God know the plans He has for your life. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV (For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.) But the enemy does too. He knows the potential you have & all the great things that God has for you & intends for you to be. & he'll stop at nothing to stop you & attempt to kill you & your purpose. Don't let people, situations, or circumstances come in between the things that God has for you & your destiny.
• To destroy: Last but certainly not least..he wants to destroy you. So he will send people, places, & circumstances to do just that. See the enemy doesn't care who he uses. If you or anybody else is willing to make a decision to live opposite of what God is telling/asking of you then you are a perfect employee for the enemy's business. Bad relationships, quitting job after job, & promiscuity were all things that I walked into that were set up to destroy me. But I thank God for a Man named Jesus who wouldn't let it be so. "For I have work to do." 

So now that we know who are enemies are, what they look like & smell like we know what to be on the look out for. I believe the next thing we need to know is how to fight your enemy/enemies when they "come for you." 

IT'S ALL IN YOUR MIND! 

(For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; ) 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV

This scripture is letting us know that the war & the battle between you & your enemy begins in your mind. Although, the attacks & things we see are very much in the physical & in the nature. The war is really internal & in our minds. So since we are in a war..I believe we need a couple of weapons.

 

Loving this visual :)

As you can see as Christians we have some serious weapons. (Yeahhhhh....we packing too!) But seriously, Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us a breakdown of these weapons that we are blessed to have. The Belt of Truth, Helmet of Salvation, Gospel of Peace, Shield of Faith, & the one I love...THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT!

Which just so happens to be the beautiful Word of God. This is our most DANGEROUS weapon against the enemy & his shenanigans. Hebrews 4:12 KJV lets me know (¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.) Did you hear that?! Sharper than a TWO-EDGED SWORD! & it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. So see with the Word of God you can not only WIN the battle with your enemy/enemies but you can see the unclean motives of those hiding behind the term,"friend" who are really your enemies.

I mean GOD is just like so seriously amazing. Not only did He tell us who are enemy was, what's his plans & how he's going to achieve them..He gave us instruction on how to handle him/them! I mean could Kierra Sherard have said it any better when she titles her song, "INDESCRIBABLE!" I really don't think she could I mean because He's all of that & more. Not only is the Word of God a weapon of warfare, it also includes THE GREATEST LOVE STORY ANYONE COULD HAVE WRITTEN! I dare you to open it up & read it...I promise it has something in there JUST FOR YOU!


Kisses, Latrell

Single

 

Yesss honey w/ two snaps! & I love it! It just occurred to me the other day while on my way to work just how CONTENT I have become with being single. It led me into a praise because God knows it has NOT always been this way. 

It doesn't seem too long ago that I was laying in bed holding a stuffed teddy bear in hopes of filling that void of having someone hold me at night. Here I was 22 years of age sleeping with a stuffed animal that I had named & everything! Quite crazy wouldn't you say! But what's even more crazier is that I took it with me when I stayed with friends & everything. So you can say I had it pretty bad. I was so used to having someone sleep next to me & holding me that I couldn't imagine being without it. For awhile the teddy bear did the trick. But somehow someday I just suddenly stopped putting it in my bed with me at night. 

It wasn't a hard transition to not sleep with my teddy bear anymore it didn't even bother me. I was so relieved! I could go to sleep peacefully without any sleep aid, which is something I struggled with after my last break up. Because we had slept together so much, when we broke up there were nights I couldn't sleep! That was like the worst thing ever for me because me & sleep have our own personal relationship so that was cutting all up in that. So when I was able to sleep at night BY MYSELF it was such a great feeling! 

Now on the real April Latrell tip even tho I was good sleeping alone & stuff it probably wasn't until the end of last year that I actually was like, "You know what I'll be single for the rest of my life before I end up in another bad relationship & waste my time." I was only 23 & had (to me) felt like the relationship history of a 30 year old! After speaking with my mentor one day & her saying, "April you are just like white carpet. Whenever something gets on you or defiles you, you can see it all over you." Along with all the other things she spoke to me that day, I had to wake up & smell the smoke! Baby girl, you are way too precious & you're time is much too valuable! 

After many & much & much & many tears, I FINALLY came to the realization that I AM A VIRTUOUS WOMAN! Far more valuable than rubies. So I should walk, talk, & become the royalty that I was created to become. So I started really pursuing my passion. Trying to find out the WHY behind my being here & me going thru so many traumatic things in my life. I've found out & I'm running with it. 

Instead of wasting my time trying to figure out where the next boy is I'm trying to figure out what my next GOAL is. I'm chasing my DREAMS while getting money at the same time. I'm living life on PURPOSE. I'm PURPOSE-DRIVEN. I'm AMBITIOUS. I'm getting ready to CHANGE the WORLD & CHANGE LIVES! This is what being SINGLE is all about! Finding yourself & what you love. & falling in love with that girl in the mirror behind all the flaws & mistakes! Falling in love with your Creater & knowing that He is your FIRST LOVE! 

I really am so in love with who I'm becoming & the person I know I have the potential to be that I wouldn't trade this time for anything. Not even a white dress, diamond ring, & a couple of kids. Now in a couple of years my mind may be changed. But honestly, the way I see it is...WHAT GOD HAS FOR ME IS FOR ME! 

I just have to tell somebody....

So in actuality I wasn't going to do an actual blog post today but the news I just received makes me wanna post so here goes! 

I just found out that I am now a size 14/15! (I can't believe I just typed those numbers...SERIOUSLY) But yes..I am 24 years old. 185-190 lbs. & 5"11. To someone on the outside looking in you are probably saying, "Okay what's the big deal?" & honestly it's really not THAT big of a deal but then again it kinda is. I mean if you know me..you would know that I was ALWAYS known as "the skinny girl, toothpick," & everything else to describe a tall & slim girl in my younger years. But since my 20's all of those words have definitely been thrown out the window because even tho I'm still tall..all that "skinniness" is definitely not me anymore. I don't even know what that looks like on me anymore. 

Haha...looking at old pictures is the only rememberance of being skinny I have. My deal today is just that I'm so amazed at how quickly things can change right before your eyes. It makes me not only reflect about my outer appearance but about my inner too. & it makes me all the more excited about all the changes that are too come. I mean I know me nor anyone else would EVER think that skinny April would be the next Buffy the Body (sike...just kidding!!!) but no seriously, I know no one would ever had imagined me being this size at this age. My momma always told me all that eating I did would catch up with me. I just didn't know how soon she was talking. But the moral of the story today is...

1. Love yourself right where you are

2. Look forward to change

3. Embrace it when it comes

What do you think?

People (including myself) never cease to amaze me with the things we say & do. We are very quick to point fingers & call names without looking at ourselves first in the mirror to say "What...hold up. Do I have room to talk?" It happens all the time in our home, on our job, but surprisingly to say the least in our churches & community. & to be quite frank with you...I'd like to say I'm tired of it.

My issue today is not that we judge one another because I've already discussed that with you before, but today my issue is that we put people on pedestals & began looking to them to be "Our God" or "Our vision of perfection." But WHY?! God is no respecter of persons, so why should we be?  [Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone. (Acts 10:34-36 MSG)] Now this I absolutely love! God doesn't care who you are, where you live, what's your background, or occupation. If you are ready to receive Him & follow Him the door is open & the only one who can shut it is you. We have a tendency to look at people in church & those in the pulpit & perceive them to be these Holy rollers who as soon as they start to proclaim the name of Jesus they receive their halo & are God's perfect child. Sorry to burst your bubble but you are sadly mistaken! The only perfect one is God! None of us are truly capable of doing good alone. [They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalms 14:3 KJV)] When we do begin to proclaim the name of JESUS, that's when we need Him the most. None of us can walk this journey without falling down & making mistakes. If we could there would be no reason for JESUS to have endured the cross & the suffering that He went thru for us. [But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV)] We as believers don't have to worry about feeling guilt & shame when we make mistakes because we know we have a Savior & a Father in Heaven that we may turn to & repent. 

I really can't tell you why it is that we look at people in the church & begin to believe that they are supposed to be perfect & not make mistakes but they are human. We all are & we all make mistakes. God never promised me peaches & cream but He promised me that He would never leave me nor forsake. [Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV)] So even right now today as I sit here & reflect on my own short comings, I won't fret my lil pet because I trust the One who holds tomorrow is the same One that holds my life in His hands. 

F.O.E

Friend Or Enemy

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Today's topic is about friend/family or enemy. Nowadays alot people are confused on who to trust & who to love, when in reality we should be loving everyone FRIEND OR FOE!

In my Young Jeezy voice, "I got two words for you, LOVE & LOYALTY." Two very important key components of ANY positive, healthy relationship. First off we have love. I absolutely love the meaning of love expressed in 1 Corinthians 13 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT) I definitely would want someone I call my "friend" to possess some if not ALL of these particular qualities. We all need someone who can be there for us when we've hit rock bottom & it seems like we are in the pit of hell. Real friends will be there to lift you up, encourage you, & help you along your way! If in the toughest moments of your life, that guy/girl that you call your friend isn't there I ask you to evaluate your circle & team & find out who's there & why. 

This is why I would much rather use the word FAMILY to describe those who are close to me. But aren't we all supposed to be family. We are all supposed to be members of God's family! He is the Father & we as His children are all brothers & sisters! But why is it that we don't seem to act like it? Why is it that the littlest things can make us turn our backs on one another? Now if we return to 1 Corinthians 13 you'll see that God never said we wouldn't be done wrong by another person or that everyone will get along all the time but it says "Love keeps no record of wrongdoing." This is a problem that so many of us have today! So many people can't have a successful relationship because they are still recording the wrong that was done to them over 20 years ago. Whether in a marriage, friendship, or even at the church. Let me tell you, it's time to LET IT GO & LET GOD! Harboring that hurt, pain, & betrayal in your heart is only going to hinder your growth whether mentally or spiritually. In order to grow there are things that you have to let go. The bible says (But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44 KJV) & you are probably thinking like a lot of us do..."Ughhh..no! You don't know what that person did to me! There's no way on God's green Earth that I will forgive them." Well just a little FYI if there's no way on God's green Earth you'll forgive them, don't expect the same God of this green Earth to forgive you. God is a just & righteous God! He's not going to ask you to do something that He hasn't already done Himself. He forgives us daily! All day, everyday! & He's God. ALL POWERFUL. & we act like we can't forgive someone because they stepped on our Timbs in the club! It's time to GROW UP & stop allowing the enemy to kill us slowly with the poison of unforgiveness! 

There's no doubt that FAMILY should ALWAYS stick together & be there for one another! I believe that's called, LOYALTY. In this day in age, it is so sad to see that to a lot of people loyalty is just a word on a t-shirt or a lyric in a song! It seems a lot of people don't understand the true definition of loyalty. Love & loyalty are one in the same. You have to have one in order to have the other. Now we are ALL supposed to be family right! & a family should consist of love! So with that should come loyalty! When I think of loyalty, I think of God & how loyal He is! Now God is loyal even to His enemies. Before Judah betrayed Jesus, Jesus still washed His feet knowing that Judah (someone He loved) was going to turn His back on Him. See loyalty is a characteristic of the heart! It is something that comes from within. You can't purchase loyalty, you have to already be about that life. See loyalty will say even tho I haven't seen my boyfriend in a year, because he's in another state I won't cheat on him. Even tho, I haven't talked to my homegirl in a year, I won't act funny towards her when I see her because I'm loyal to our friendship. Me & the people in my closest circle can go months even a year without speaking or seeing each other & when we do see each other no one would ever know that it had been that long because our loyalty to one another won't let time or distance come in between our love for each other. You see when you love someone your loyalty to them is ever present. 

Now let me be the first to say, that yes even tho we are all supposed to be a family within that same family you will have some enemies. They will come in all shapes & sizes. & they may be in the form of your mother or brother. But let's understand the definition of an "enemy." An enemy is a person or thing that tries to keep you from God! Now let me tell you this, our adversary the devil is our biggest enemy! He wants to kill, steal, & destroy us (John 10:10) from being who God wants us to be. So what we first need to understand is that, even tho you think that girl doesn't like you..it's not the girl it's the enemy using that girl! & he will use your momma too IF SHE LETS HIM! This is another one of our biggest issues! We fail to look beyond what our natural eyes can see to see the bigger picture. That girl isn't looking at you funny, the enemy wants you to think that so he can cause strife & anger amongst you two. Yes, he'll use you too IF YOU LET HIM. (For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV) See our problem is not with each other! The enemy is our problem! That's why God calls us to love another! He knows that we need each other! There's so much that we all have to offer to the world & the enemy knows that. So if he can keep us divided & mad with each other then he knows that we can't be used to our full potential & fulfill the greater purpose in our being here! 

God is love. So to know God is to know love. & if you know God you know that His first commandment is that we love another as He loves us! So today, let's choose to walk in love & do everything in love! & let's live by the G code (God code) of being loyal! 

Change

When President Obama was running for office his slogan was CHANGE. Obama had a dream or a vision to CHANGE the United States of America. Today some will argue that they haven't seen President Obama make any change & if he did it was for the worse. Some would argue the exact opposite because President Obama being a man of African decent is change enough. Now I am definitely not one to talk politics so please take this lightly, because my subject is not about President Obama but PEOPLE in general! 

I agree with the fact that it was time for a change then just like it's time for a change now. We are used to doing, being, seeing, & believing things one certain way all of our lives that once any little change occurs (even minor ones) we are frustrated, uncomfortable, & most often times afraid! But why? Change is apart of life. Nothing should stay the same forever. There should always be a desire for more & improvement. & within ourselves. 

Each & everyday we are given life and breath there's an opportunity for us to change & grow. Maturity doesn't come with age that's why it's necessary for change. You should not be 25 thinking, doing, & saying the same things you were doing at the age of 18! You need to CHANGE! It amazes me, each & everyday how we claim to be grown & to be adults but still behave very much like our younger peers. & what's worse is seeing a child act more mature than some adults. Let me say change is a PROCESS! It's not something that comes overnight. But as the songwriter wrote, "Change will come." & I'd like to add...when you are ready! 

So often you hear people talking about how they want to change, they want to stop doing this or that but where's the action behind the talking! Talk is cheap! Very cheap..2 for a dollar..Dollar Tree cheap! So how about less talking & more doing! First of all, CHANGE STARTS ON THE INSIDE! Change begins in your heart & mind before it turns physical. There is something within that is triggered to say okay "Enough is Enough, I'm tired of this, & I want more!" At that moment when you are sincere & God hears you, He's ready! He's been ready to step in. But if you've been playing about changing & not really sure then He just sits back & waits for you. See God is a gentlemen & He's patient. Even tho He's been ready for you to change, He's not going to pressure you or force you into anything that you don't want to do. (Isn't that sweet..guys take notes :)) But as soon as that inner bulb comes on to awaken you God gets ready to spring into action. Now are you ready? 

Like I said before, change is a process. Just like when you bake a cake there is a certain process that you go thru. When you are applying for a job, there is a process. God is a God of process. So everything under the sun is in some way a process. God isn't into confusion & disorder so He created us & this world that way so there would be a divine order & that in Him, we could learn to understand it. The process to change does not have an expiration date that says, "Change before...whatever date." Should there be changes made in your life before you die...ABSOLUTELY! But is God saying, "If they don't change before this day that I'll throw them away" like we throw old bread & food away. NO! God is loving & caring. No matter what we do or don't do His love for us remains the same. 

So don't try to compare & compete with someone else's process. If you just started working on yourself for yourself, don't look at the person who's been doing the same thing 3 years earlier & expect to be where he/she is & doing what he/she is doing. Every process is different! Just like 2 people from 2 different cultures baking the same cake with the same ingredients, their own personal process for baking the cake is more than likely gonna be different. God didn't create us the same for a reason. Just like our process to become who we are created to be are different for a reason. The calling & anointing over your life may be different from mines & because of it we each have our very own process to go thru to fulfill our purpose & to walk in our destiny. "You just do you & I'ma do me!"

Does change ever stop? Do you ever stop growing? Those are questions that are easily answered by observing the world & things around us. Nothing should stay the same forever. The only unchanging thing that I know of is God's unchanging hand. So because we know that we have a loving, patient, caring, Father who's hand we can hold on to we should never be afraid of change. Especially for the better! & even if it seems like the change in front of us is for the worse we have to keep in mind Romans 8:28. 

There is nothing under the sun that God isn't willing & ready to handle. He just needs your changing hand to fit into His unchanging hand. 

Define me...

"Define me by my heart & not what the eyes see."

This is a FB status & a caption that I used under a picture on Instagram. & as I thought about what my next post would be about this kept coming to mind. 

So often, we are defined by society, our appearance, our friends, family, & so many other things that do not honestly determine & define exactly who we are. When I think about myself, I can definitely say that I've been defined as almost everything perhaps what I am which is, "A Child of God." Now some of these definitions/labels I made for myself. Being promiscuous & having sex at a young age, some would say I "earned" the title of being called a "whore." Because that's what society & media calls young, promiscuous women right? They were defining me by my actions! Who was looking at the "why" behind the "what?" Who was willing to ask questions & try to find out why I was behaving the way I was? NO ONE! & that's just like so many of us today. We will try to be Dr.Phil & diagnose someones situation but we won't be Oprah & sit down with you to ask a couple of questions. Why is that? Why are we so quick & I mean "Speedy Gonzalez" quick to call names & place labels on individuals we don't know from Adam or Eve. It happens everyday. We have to be mindful of these actions because you never know the "why" behind the "what" until you sit down & ask. 

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2 KJV)

This scripture is one that has always pricked my heart because it's amazing how God thinks of us. He never wants anyone to miss treat, hurt, or disrespect us in any way. So He tells us to always be mindful of others because you never know who you are speaking with. This is why it's so important to not judge others! No one likes to be pre-judged, no matter who you are. When people make assumptions about you before they know you, it does something to you. Either it affects you in a negative or positive way. Some people start to become the labels/titles that have been placed upon them. Especially if they aren't secure in who they are. We don't realize that words do hurt us! This is why it's important to know WHO's word you are listening to! It's a MUST that we are listening to the one & only, true & living word which is the word of God! 
God clearly has defined us as FEARFULLY & WONDERFULLY made! In Peter 2:9, He says,

^[9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,^[a] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. NLT] God hand picked & hand designed us each specifically according to His will & our purpose. So we never have to ponder who we are if we first know, who's we are! We are ALL God's special chosen children! No matter what we've done in the past or even what we have done a couple of minutes of go. We have a loving, caring, gentle, & forgiving Father who gives us grace & new mercies everyday. Lamentions 3:22-23 states, [²² It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.²³ They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. KJV] God gives each & everyone of us a brand new chance each & everyday to get it right with Him & come to know the fullness of His great love for us! His love story is like NO OTHER!

John 3:16 [¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.KJV]

"Can't NOBODY do me or you like JESUS!" His love for us surpasses our very own 
understanding. We sometimes can't seem to understand how God can love us when we have done so much wrong & we've hurt people. But He never asks us to understand but to just BELIEVE in His word. It's important for us to get into the word of God & let His word tell us who we are & not people of this world! God has never & will never place some of the names that society has called us on us because He loves us too much & condemning is not apart of His character. We don't have to be defined by society. We don't have to be defined by this world. Remember we are set apart!  Chosen & Royalty. NO TITLE can destroy the calling & purpose that God has placed over our lives unless we let it! We have to be transformed & not conformed to this world! Romans 12:2 [² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. KJV] We do not have to believe & accept some of the titles & names that society has given us because of our past mistakes or even some of the little mistakes we make now. We are still in human flesh so we are going to make mistakes daily! It's apart of our nature & apart of our Christian walk. What really defines us & sets us apart is knowing who to go to & call on in the time of our need. & hopefully we fall on our knees to pray & repent! Then, turn to the Word of God & let Him speak over our lives. 

Be defined by your heart! Especially if you have GOD & His word there. Don't let anything/anyone make you forget WHO YOU TRULY ARE which is a child of The MOST HIGH GOD!

New New

Welcome to year 2014!

The year of NEW NEW.

New beginnings, New endings.

New blessings, New lessons.

New friends, New foes.

New opportunities, New chances.

New money, New finances!

All new EVERYTHING!!!

Isaiah 43:19 states, (Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19 KJV) Now this is what the word says! 

Up until the new year, I've been hearing people around me keep saying, "God is getting ready to do a new thing!" "He's getting ready to do a new thing in the body of Christ." & it really stuck with me. Particularly because, I had watched Him do so much in just the last 3 months of 2013..that I knew it was quite possible & I know He's able. So as January 1,2014 rolled around I kept seeing Isaiah 43:19 all over social media! Everybody on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & probably even MySpace was quoting this scripture! It blew my mind. Because as the new year approached, we're constantly thinking about our goals, dreams, resolutions, & just all of the things that we have our minds set on doing when the clock strikes 11:59 p.m on December 31,2013. So to already have been hearing this word from multiple people & then for 2014 to be here & to keep seeing this word, I knew that God was giving me confirmation & letting me know...it's true! That He would be doing a new thing in 2014! 

Okay, I hear you Lord but what does that mean? What does it mean for me? Should I begin to do new things? Or should I keep doing what I've been doing? & I received my answer for that, when I went to church New Year's Eve! Bishop preached about MOVING ON! & Missionary Cherry spoke about CHOICES! Wow! I mean I was blown away by God! Now mind you in Bishop's sermon she said the same thing, "God is getting ready to do a new thing in 2014." So here I am on cloud 10! I didn't need any alcohol or drugs to get me turned up for the holidays! I was high off of Jesus! A Holy Ghost high! & let me tell you, it doesn't get any better than that! God was speaking to me! Telling me to get myself prepared, because He was about to do a new thing! 

A new thing like what tho?! Now I can only speak for myself & from my OWN heart's desires but this "New Thing" I honestly believe is not only what God wants to do but also what you would like for Him to do! Let me explain, I started this blog in December of 2013! I was doing a "New thing." Now here in 2014 my confession is for God to use me in every area of my life in every way everyday! God is getting ready to do a new thing! It's only the 3rd day of January & He's beginning His "New Thing" within me already! & because I have delighted myself in Him, He's giving me the desires of my heart, while completing His "new thing."  

As I talked to my friend about an upcoming venture of mines, she told me that she feels God puts these desires in our heart to want & achieve different things. Now Psalms 37:4 says,( ⁴ In the same manner delight thyself in the LORD, and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart. KJV) While Psalms 20:4 says, (⁴ May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,And fulfill all your purpose. NKJV) Yes, I wanted to start to this blog but it was because of my PURPOSE that God gave me this desire! & because I was delighting myself in Him, He made it come to pass & gave me the desire's of my heart. This "NEW THING" that God is getting ready to do is bigger than me tho. This is PURPOSE-DRIVEN & GOD ORDAINED!

As we all know, we are truly living in our last days. If you step into the book of Revelations, you will truly see that these things that God spoke about are surely coming to pass. People are leaving this Earth young & old, sick & healthy. Now is truly not the time to be playing about your salvation. This is why God is rising up His people & expecting us to prepare ourselves for this "New Thing" that He is beginning to do within the body of Christ. As I talk to my friends & look at my own life, scriptures are coming to life. Acts 2:17 states (¹⁷ And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: KJV) My friends are having visions & I'm having dreams! These are the types of "New Things" that God is doing with His people. Don't take it lightly that you have vivid dreams that stir something up in your spirit..it is a move of God! WRITE IT DOWN! Get you a notebook & start writing down your dreams & visions. God is getting ready to show Himself to you.

My focus is preparing for this "New Thing." If I don't prepare & get myself ready for change, "I will miss out on a big move of God!" -words from Bishop. I know at this point I surely do not want that to happen. I am so ready & excited for all the things that God has for me but I know it's going to require work, faithfulness, sacrifice, & dedication. I am determined to receive DOUBLE for all my trouble & to become the woman that God wants me to be. In this season, I believe it's time for us to truly seek God like never before. We need to be in constant communication with Him so He can speak into our lives & let us know what it is that He would have us to do. I'm now beginning to instead of waking up & getting on Twitter/Facebook, I'm waking up & getting down on my knees to pray & invite the Holy Spirit in my life & my day. After I get dressed, I'm getting back in my bed & reading the word. Once I get in my car, I'm blasting praise & worship music throughout the day & just talking with God. In just 3 days, I am seeing a difference. I truly want God to have His way in my life this season! But I know that I have to do my part! & I don't know about you but I have already declared, "That this is MY YEAR!" I'm getting ready to get EVERYTHING that God has in store for me. I suggest you do the same! So make the decision TODAY to begin to work with GOD so He can show YOU this NEW THING & for YOU to SEE the MANIFESTATION present in your own LIFE!