It's Not Over

Family, 

Please forgive my pause in posting. Every year around April, I fall into this habit of wanting to post on social media and update my blog. I am truly a creature of habit and I hope you can relate. I want you to remember social media will not keep you committed to this faith walk but Jesus will. In the meantime, I’ve been working on so many things. Two major ones are ministry (serving) and fellowship (in communication with the people). I have been in the faith full time, around the clock, nonstop work - “Turn Down For What!”All the while, praying, fasting, and watching the power of God save souls, heal hearts, minds, and bodies. I have witnessed miracles performed like a cancer diagnosis turning to nothing. Family, some real things happen when Jesus is at the center of it all. When we have faith (believing in the unseen) you work differently and you go places that many will say, “I am not too sure about this.” This time has reminded me that our gifts do make room for us as Proverbs 18:16 says, so wherever I went there was always room for me. 

I am committed to the call and grateful to share my journey with you. My hope is to inspire you through God’s word, especially where applicable. If you read any of my blogs they are focused on the word of God because it’s so empowering. Like knowing when Jesus calls you and when God chooses you. It is an honor to be called, but to be chosen is a major shift. Have you ever been called by someone and the first thing you think is what did I do? I know I have. When you are called by Christ, he surrounds you with His kinfolk. They begin to disciple you to see if you can follow and learn. After some time, you are tested by God and if you stand you are chosen! Please read Matthew 22:14 (KJV), this scripture shows us that the call comes from the external but the chosen is internal. That means we are called to greater things. If you have been in a season of “doing”, like me, take time to sit, think, and be reminded by God that whatever He chose you for, it is not over!! 

With so much transpiring, here’s some encouragement to whomever this may apply. Faith is given for us to move mountains just by saying it. If you are wondering if this is true, Matthew 17:20 (NIV) says “ “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Anything is possible, just believe it. 

It’s not over. When God is in it, keep praying, keep standing, keep pushing, stay trusting in God, always walk by faith and not by sight, be sober and vigilant, fellowship with others, stay connected, and take care of yourself. 

Love your sister in Christ,

LolaInspired

The Imposter

 

Family,

This blog is inspired by a long generation of folks unable to be authentic due to family, life situations, culture, or ethnicity, known as the imposter.  By definition Imposter syndrome is  a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. 'Imposters' suffer from chronic self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence that override any feelings of success or external proof of their competence. There is a huge difference between suffering from imposter syndrome and actively being an imposter. 

There is a scripture in the Bible to help identify with what it means to be an imposter. In 

2 Timothy 3:13 (NIV) Paul is speaking to Timothy reminding him that: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” It’s no wonder true believers struggle with connecting to others in the same faith. They may have heard and learned the same word of God, but they spiritually act and look so different. The answer is short and simple, we all want the glory but don’t want to tell the story of who the glory belongs to. We didn’t save ourselves, let alone come to the knowledge of faith on our own. It was God all along.

It’s time to decide. Is it ok to suffer from chronic self-doubt and intellectual fraud? Are you going to continue feeling inadequate? Of course not, only imposters do those things. Today we accept the truth according to the Word of God through Paul in Romans 8:37 (KJV) “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” If you believe the word ask the Lord to help you receive this truth and be healed today to be unapologetically you!

Love your sister in Christ,

LolaInspired

It’s Harder to Keep Up

 Family,

We live in a world that is fast paced and ever evolving. Our God is universal and allows life to move on with each year that passes. Earth's existence has shown us one common thing from the beginning of time, once man was created and sin entered through one man as we read in Romans 5:12 (NLT) “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” But, just a few verses down in Romans 5:15 (NLT) there’s hope “But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.” This says God saw fit to keep the world going and allow man to be innovative, creative, makers, and planters but not the Innovator, Creator, Maker, or the Potter. 

Each day, I discover something new, but we are told by Solomon in Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 (NLT)  “History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new.”  The word is truth. Nothing is ever new. It all has been thought of, completed, passed on, or renewed, but not new. So, why do we think that our peers, colleagues, family, friends, and the world entirely are the basis for what we should keep up with? Because we believe in what we see. 

Let me end on this note Romans 12:2 (NLT) says: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”  It’s great to have material things. I love shoes, clothes, art, books, and hairstyles. But my soul care is first. I read Mark 8:36 (NLT) “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” I said to myself …first thing is first, God.

Love your sister in Christ, 

LolaInspired

I am Free

 

Family,

It’s one thing to say “I am free” and another to believe it. In John 8:36 (KJV) Jesus says: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” It’s no wonder we don’t have more freedom than we were literally given access too! Many of us are still in a place of bondage while Christ intends for us to be free. As for me, I have been stuck in a headspace and felt like that place was necessary for me to grow. As I look back on my life today, the effects are breathtaking. 

Being stuck mentally can cause so many set-backs and questions like the one Paul asked the church in Galatians 5:7 (NKJV)You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?  We must keep in mind what Paul said in the beginning Galatians 5:1 (NKJV) “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

So the real question here is: Are you free? If the answer is yes, what makes you free? Confidence? Success? Man/Woman? Children? Coworkers? Televangelists? LifeCoaches? Friends? Family? Parents? Animals? What makes you free?  All of these were my answer at certain points in my life. Each one  gave me a sense of faith to reach and hope but none of them created a space for me to be completely me, except God. One day I had an encounter with the true and living God and He began to show me a new life in Him. I could hear His voice compelling me: don't shrink, don’t  change, why are you being phony? It was as if He knew I didn’t like conforming to the likes of others. The Lord encouraged me to be honest. 

He told me: I AM here to protect you and free you from being who everyone thinks you should be.  It’s time for you to be who you really are in Me. The joy, faith, boldness, and courage in you are mine. Be unapologetically you! I made you brown, gave you height and your hair. I made your hands and feet the size they are, along with your eyes, ears, nose, mouth…I made you! Be free.” 

So as David said in Psalms 119:45 “I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.” 

Be free.

Love your sister in Christ,

LolaInspired

Do not perish for lack of knowledge

 Family,

Have you ever heard someone quote a scripture without the context of it? Hosea 4:6 is that scripture for me. It is important to study the scriptures and know God’s word for yourself, with the help of  a preacher and with the Holy Spirit (see John 14:26 and Romans 10:14). I learned that Hosea is the first of the minor prophets and he is the first prophet to have a living parable of life and marriage for the people of God to see and witness. 

We can definitely see and relate to the story of Hosea in modern day especially Hosea 4:6 (KJV) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

This world is full of information from how to live, be married, be single, be a parent, even “resume writing for dummies.” The information is so easy to access and we like things as simplified as possible. The less that is required of me as a person the better. However, after reading Hosea in its entirety and understanding the prophet’s message, I gathered a sound truth that without knowledge: all things available to me are destroyed for the lack thereof. That is very unsettling. If the Bible was sent for us to learn about God, how will we know God if we don't read it? It’s impossible. Just like it is impossible for me to know the laws of the land if I never read the Constitution. It applies to the entire USA even if you don’t read it, it’s law and you are to adhere to it. So does that mean the same for the Bible? Yes, it does and if you don’t read it to gain knowledge just like the Constitution it will be too late when you are being told what you missed.

If there is one truth I can leave you with on this Thursday please read things entirely and don’t just take someone’s word for it, go find the truth yourself especially if you’ve never heard it before. 

Love your sister in Christ, 

LolaInspired

The Good Shepherd

 

Family, 

We still have a Shepherd. Psalm 23 reminds us of this truth and how our Shepherd is always there and we are never without guidance for the day ahead. This compels me to give thanks to God for waking me up with benefits like David said in Psalm 103:2 (KJV) “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” just waiting for me to access. All before I start my day, I have eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to touch, and feet to walk.  Knowing we have a good Shepherd who sent a Comforter (the Holy Spirit) to be with us daily, brings clarity to Psalms 23:3 (NKJV)  He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. It makes me say, Lord, I need you to lead me today. 

In the book of John 10:11-14 (NKJV) Jesus said “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” With everything happening in the world around us we need this type of encouragement. Our God is intentional, He is not prone to making mistakes with His creation, even when our humanity causes setbacks through it all. He still shepherds us.

It's hard to ignore that caring for others requires sacrifice. Have you ever had to care for yourself and another person? It takes wisdom and understanding. There is a scripture in the book of Proverbs 8:1 (NKJV)  “Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? It does and we must hear and know the voice of the Good Shepherd and obey for it is Jesus who laid down His life for us, the sheep. Since this cannot be retracted by God, take Psalm 23 and pray it and believe it. I do!

Love your sister in Christ, 

LolaInspired

Love Until it hurts, Love until it works!

 Family, 

There is a song by Foreigner called “I Want To Know What Love Is.” I remember asking the Lord the very same question. Then, Christ came into my heart and revealed that in order to know Love (in the form of God), I had to know Sacrifice (in the form of Christ). When I began to discover that it was an act of love that saved  my soul from a place of despair, it was unbelievable.

It takes wisdom to know what love is and what love did and continues to do. 1 Corinthians 13 explains it all. But I want to focus on one verse in that book 1 Corinthians 13:8a Love never fails. 

Do you ever wonder why Love gets a bad rap? I have heard so many references to love, like it’s blind, it’s mean, it’s rude, it doesn’t exist, or  it’s impossible. However, none of those statements tell the truth about what love is but rather expresses an emotion someone felt after someone said “I love you.” Until I read the Bible and gained insight that God is love (see 1 John 4:8), hearing those words would pierce my soul. Once that truth sunk into my mind, I read chapter one of the book of Matthew which details the genealogy of Jesus Christ. That inspired me to see that God had a plan of love in action and His love for us would save the world from sin and destruction. Oh what a love! 

God continues to show me how His love works. I watched this video on YouVersion by Pastor Jon that referenced Psalm 23:2 “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” Love doesn’t need you to add to it or take away from it, love needs you to obey it!  

If we are to love until it hurts we must identify with Christ until it works. God is waiting.

Love your sister in Christ,

LolaInspired