The Barnabas Award

Thank you to my little sister Herry @ Herry Chic Counsels for this award nomination. Read Herry’s About Me page to discover more about the purpose of her blog. Her posts are a true blessing, and will inspire you in your journey with Christ Jesus. 🌺

Here are the guidelines: 🤗
1) Thank the person who nominated you and share their blog. 2) Think of five bloggers that encourage and inspire you and nominate them. 3) List five things about yourself. 4) Answer the questions you got asked. 5) Finally, ask your nominees five questions. Why five? Because it is the number that signifies grace.

“You have been chosen for this recognition because of the encouragement and inspiration you bring to your readers.”

Five Things About Me: 👩🏿

1. My favorite season is spring. The flowers are beautiful. 🌷

2. I like spicy food. 🌶

3. I used to have 2 pet lizards named Cocoa and Verde. 🦎 🦎

4. My favorite part of flying is takeoff. ✈️

5. My favorite Bible verse is John 3:16. ✝️

Here are the questions that Herry asked me to answer:

  1. Who is the person that has most influenced you in your faith walk? Tell us a little about him/her. My mom. She shares her faith in Jesus daily through her actions of love and kindness.
  2. Other than the Holy Bible, is there another book that you read that encourages you? Can you recommend it to us? 30 Days to a Stronger More Confident You: Secrets to Bold and Fearless Living by Deborah Smith Pegues. This book talks about developing confidence through knowing Jesus Christ.
  3. If you could walk anywhere to spend some “alone” time with God, where in the world would you want to be and why? The park is my favorite place to spend time with the Lord, because being out in nature reminds me of Him.
  4. Do you have a favorite praise song? What is it? I love so many, it’s hard to name one. But I’ve been listening to “Raise a Hallelujah” by Bethel Music a lot lately.
  5. Do you ever send notes or cards of encouragement to someone? Why or why not? Yes I do, it’s a blessing to encourage others. We all need encouragement.

I nominate the following 5 bloggers. If you choose to participate, please answer the same 5 questions. Thank you for the inspiration and encouragement you bring to me and others. Your blog is a blessing! ❤️☀️❤️

Pippi’s Poetry

Garden Faith

The “F” Word

Just a Jesus Girl

Merry Mence

Protected By Our Lord

Proverbs 2:8, “He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.”

I’ve had this verse on the dash board of my car written on a little piece of paper for the last several years. It brings me comfort to be reminded that as I go about my daily tasks, driving to and from, the Lord is protecting me. When I read it, I usually focus on God’s physical protection, but recently God reminded me that He is also protecting us spiritually, mentally, emotionally and financially. He protects His children in every way.

I admit that there are times I don’t always understand God’s protection, simply because I don’t always understand how He is working in every area of my life. However, I know He loves me. And I also know that the way to remain within His protection is through obedience to His Word.

Photo: Aleksejs Bergmanis of Riga, Latvia 🇱🇻

When life happens, we may have times we feel we are not being protected by God, but it’s during those difficult times where we have to choose to believe that our Heavenly Father is present, and that He is making a way for us. When we make godly choices, it opens the door for us to see God at work, and know Him in an intimate way.

Take comfort in knowing that the Lord is guarding your path and protecting you as you faithfully serve Him. I pray that you continue to rest in God’s sovereignty. Even during times when you don’t understand all the details of how He is working in your life, the lives of those you love, or in the world around you, trust that He has a perfect plan.

Feeling Insecure?

Psalm 16:8 ESV, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

We live in a world that is constantly changing, and even in our own lives we often experience changes that can leave us feeling insecure. There is no guarantee that tomorrow will be like today, or that today will be like tomorrow. Not only do situations change, but people change. Sometimes we have moments that we’re not even completely aware of what is causing us to feel shaky and insecure. We just know that we’re not ourselves.

Photo by: Kat Jayne of Australia 🇦🇺

During these frustrating times, prayer truly works. A short (or long) talk with the Father will set us back on the right track. Talking to Him reminds us of His continuous presence with us, and allows us to refocus on what matters most. Negative, hopeless thoughts are not God’s will for us. Proclaiming what God’s Word says, will fill us with joy and hope.

Our security lies in the Lord. When we allow Him to be the anchor of our souls, we can be confident that He will see us through and cause everything to work out for our good. When you find yourself wrestling with insecurity, remember He who lives within you, is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Then boldly proclaim to yourself and your situation, “I shall not be shaken.”

Keep Resting Secure in Jesus

Photo by: Pixabay

Celebrating Black History Month: Creating A Legacy

February is Black History Month here in America. As always I am grateful for those who came before me and helped to pave the way for me and others. I have been enjoying some excellent Black History Month posts by Kim at Beyond My Limitations.

Check out one of Kim’s recent post here: Harriet Then Harriet Now

There are countless people of many colors and backgrounds who have contributed in some way to making life better for blacks. Many of those people never made the history books. However their impact can be seen and felt everyday. For me, some of those people include my grandparents.

I never really knew any of my grandparents or step grandparents because they either died before I was born, I was very young when they died, or I just never had the chance to get to know them for other complicated reasons. But I feel as if I know some of them from the testimonies of my parents, and other older family members who had the chance to talk with them and walk with them daily. I love this verse in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV)…

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

My grandparents created a legacy of love that has been passed down through the generations. Although I don’t know much about my paternal grandparents, my Dad James, who died 20 years ago this coming May, was a hard worker, so I’m guessing he learned hard work from them. As I listen to the stories about my maternal grandparents, it’s amazing to hear the harmony of each story. It’s a confirmation of who they were, as well as what and “Who” they believed in.

My maternal grandparents, Jacob and Annie Devine, photo taken in South Carolina

I believe a great part of the success I have today is because of my grandparents prayers, and the example they set to my parents and their siblings. My mom told me my grandfather had to walk many miles to go to work, to vote and to attend church, but He remained faithful to God. He also taught them to pray. Annie was a homemaker who worked hard in the home caring for her family. Granddad Jacob lived 1894-1966. Grandma Annie lived 1901-1979. They had eight children, my mom is the youngest.

Psalm 100:5 ESV, “5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

As I celebrate black history month, I am proud to be who I am not only because of my background, but also because this is who God made me to be. As I was recently telling someone, it’s great to be proud of who you are and where you come from, but no matter who we are, or where we come from, we all need love and we all need the Savior. Love is what makes everything complete and brings it all together. Without love, we fail. Jesus is love, and I’m so very thankful for His love in my life.

1 John 4:10-11 ESV, “10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

I’ve been called many things such as Black, American, African American, mom, daughter, friend, sister, aunt, cousin, the list goes on. But my highest honor is that I’m a child of God, a daughter of the Most High. I’m thankful that everyday I have the opportunity to show God’s love through my words and actions, and I pray He empowers me to continue to do so.

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Genesis 1:27 NLT, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Some of my little cousins at my family reunion in Virginia, July 2019

Whoever you are or wherever you come from, please don’t forget that the greatest of these is love. Love never fails. God created us all equally and in His image. Skin color or country of origin does not make one person better than another person. Those of us who are still amongst the living, are in the process of creating a legacy that will impact those who come after us. Many of whom, have yet to be born. We must ask ourselves, “What will that legacy be?”

Everyday through Christ who lives in us, we have the amazing privilege to show love to others, so let’s make the most of it. I can’t say it enough, love never fails.

He Prepares A Place

Isaiah 45:2 NASB, “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.”

Thank you big brother Matt at Jesusluvsall for the birthday post on yesterday, and thank you to everyone for the birthday blessings and prayers. It was an enjoyable day, and all of your kind words made my day even better. I’m very thankful to celebrate another year of life!

While I was at lunch yesterday, I was reflecting on the Lord’s goodness. It’s amazing how He takes such good care of His children. I thought about how life can bring so many changes, some may be pleasant but some may not be. However we never have to be afraid, because through every change, He is with us.

Photo by: Pixabay

God has a way of always working things out. As I was reflecting on His provision over the years, and even now, He spoke to my heart and said, “I prepare a place for you.” No matter what we go through, when we are being faithful to the Lord, and following the path He has laid out before us, He will “prepare a place for us”. All we have to do is choose to obediently follow Him. Even if it seems inconvenient at the time, trust God and know that His plans for you are perfect. The details of life that may seem imperfect to us, are no surprise to the Father, and are perfectly crafted into His will for our lives.

Photo by: Pixabay

As Isaiah 45:2 says, “He makes the rough places smooth.” Knowing that we serve a God who will provide what we need to walk in His will is a true comfort. I heard Dr. Charles Stanley say, “If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will.” Whatever leap of faith God is calling you to take, remember He has prepared a place for you, and boldly go forth knowing that He will never leave you alone. He will provide all you need. I pray you feel the love of the Father as you go through your day.

The Bee Love Award

Thanks Beverley at Becoming the Oil and the Wine for nominating me for this award!! Beverley is a wonderful Bible teacher and shares inspiring lessons from God’s Word on her blog. Her blog encourages us to dig deeper into the truth of God’s Word and apply it to our daily lives. I’m thankful that she is my sister in Christ and my friend. Check out this recent post she wrote entitled, “Loving Your Enemies”.

Guidelines for Bee Love Award:
1. Attach the Bee Love Award logo on the top of your post, or you can use it as the post’s featured image.
2. Pingback to my site.
3. Thank you to your fellow blogger who nominated you.
4. Nominate your fellow bloggers.
5. Write your definition of true love.

My Definition of Love

I believe love is action. If someone truly loves you, it will be expressed through some type of action. That action could even be something as simple as offering a prayer for someone. After all prayer is one of the greatest gifts we can give to people. I’m in awe that Jesus expressed His love for us through prayer…

John 17:20-21, “20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

Wow! As the song says, “Yes Jesus loves me!” He had us future believers on His mind, and prayed for us!

When we see kindness in action it causes us to feel loved by others. I realize that many people do many things but it may not all be in the name of love if their motives are not pure. It’s easy to fall prey to wrong motives in today’s world, but I’m thankful God can see the heart. He’ll have the final say on which actions are pure, and done in love, and which are not.

John 21:17 NIV, “The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

Jesus called Peter to take action in order to show love to Him. He said, “Feed my sheep.”

God set the ultimate example of love by sending His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. The unconditional love that He has for mankind, moved Him to take action and send His Son to the cross on our behalf.

I think our continuous prayer should be, “Lord teach me to understand and show love”. It’s a daily process and we will be ever learning, but we can trust God to teach us because He is love, so He knows exactly what true love should be.

I nominate the following if they choose to participate…🤗❤️

Imago Dei

Joy Cottage

Beyond My Limitations

Mrs. T’s Corner

Adascorner

Great is God’s Faithfulness

Herry Chic Counsels

He is Faithful and Just To Forgive

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

When we confess, God forgives. It’s a simple truth, but can at times be hard for us to accept, especially when we struggle to forgive ourselves. Sins we’ve committed, rather past or present, can keep us stuck in a place of guilt and shame if we let it. Conditioning our minds to receive God’s forgiveness can take determination.

We must be determined to see ourselves through God’s eyes and understand that He is faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins to Him, no matter how big or disgraceful the sin is. Although God forgives us, there still maybe consequences we have to endure. For example, if someone steals, they may have to repay money and go to jail. If someone gets caught cheating on an exam, they may end up failing the class. But God will strengthen us as we walk through any consequences we must face. The key is to receive His forgiveness and let His love bring healing to your heart.

Photo by: Josh Sorenson of Florida, USA 🇺🇸

Remember the criminal on the cross beside Jesus in John 23:39-43. He recognized his sin, and he spoke these words…

“We are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”

“…Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”

And Jesus spoke these words back to him…

“…Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

He acknowledged that Jesus was the One who could save Him. Jesus forgave him and promised Him a home in eternity. Jesus forgave this sinner, even as he was facing death. He also forgives you and me.

We must believe what God says about forgiveness and reject the lies of the enemy. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), so enjoy freedom from guilt and shame, and rejoice in the victory that His forgiveness brings!