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

While I am waiting...

Family, 

One of the most dismissed topics is patience which simply means to wait. Here’s a task: try talking to someone who is waiting on test results, loan decisions, a job interview, or news from a doctor.  Most people will not even blink and actions will show…waiting is not an option. The world has conditioned us to rush without stopping to consider “why?” or if there is purpose in what we are doing.  A short story about my Uncle who was waiting to finish his home. He dreamed of a completed trailer by Summer of 2007. He had his tools, all the materials, even started working on it. He told me his plans and boy did I get excited right along with him. Until the day he was found dead in his unfinished trailer late Summer of 2006. He died of cancer. When it was time to go through and clear out his belongings, I noticed so many projects he began but did not have time to complete. My Uncle believed there was always something missing. It was at that moment I realized my dear Uncle was not “waiting” the right way. If he had thought about time, he would have put at least one knob on the door. All the materials were there, but death is so untimely and life is unpredictable. The only comfort I had was this  scripture: Isaiah 40:31: But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;  They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. 

I learned a new way to appreciate life and accept death as a natural part of the process. Try not to take anyone for granted. Appreciate one another and learn to truly love without conditions, that it makes life worth living, time worth giving, grace worth sharing and hope worth building. Praise God for His goodness.

If you find yourself wanting to give up, don't.  One day to the Lord is like one thousand years.  2 Peter 3:8-9 (read the entire book on your own): But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward [a]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

Even though you think it’s over - think again and know that whatever you may be waiting on, in time it will show.

Love your sister in Christ,

LolaInspired

Whom Will You Serve?

Family,

We have many priorities in life, but devotion to God should be number one on the list. Just as Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and gave His life a ransom for many.( see Matthew 20:28) This poses many questions like “who do we serve,” “are we self-serving,” and “do we serve others?” If we have to think about it too long, we are probably self-serving which in most cases happens unconsciously. We tend to believe that we are serving God’s way and end up taking credit for things that come out positive, but when it’s negative begin blaming everything else. The one thing I love about the bible is that it covers everything. 

In Philippians 2:3 it says: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in low lines of mind let each esteem others better than himself. We live in a world that does not care to give respect and admiration to another person. It’s usually “if i did anything, i did it” no matter who helped. Even if someone else started it, people will come along and take credit for everything. This is a prime example of self-serving and if you didn't know, now you do. There is a Chinese proverb by Lao Tzu “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” The truth in this quote is self-serving people will keep giving fish to have company, but selfless people will teach people to fish and say go teach others.

Let me end with this scripture in my kitchen and bedroom, Joshua 24:14-16 says: Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. So the people answered and said: “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods.

I’m with the children of Israel on this one ”far be it from me.”

Love your sister in Christ,

LolaInspired

Just Wow!

Family, 

Do you have someone in your life who is just awe-inspiring? The type of person that no matter what happens there is nothing but good things to say to describe them. I do; his name is Jesus.   The book of Hebrews 12:2 says: looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Reading this verse warms my heart to know that we have Jesus in heaven. We can have confidence that in His life from start to finish, he endured the cross, for humanity. Now isn’t that good news!

I read a book a few years ago called “Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman” and there was a solid truth that stood out to me in chapter 4 under diagnosing Fandom - Question 3: Is Jesus One of Many or Is He your One and Only. 

The reality is we all have that someone in our life: parent, child, teacher, friend, boss, colleague, cousin, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, stranger, or grandparent who is unchanging and consistent in our life. They remain even when our actions are not the best. They don’t hold you to that moment because they know who we truly are. I can boldly say that Jesus is that for me. Now, this doesn’t mean I don’t have someone to be accountable to here on earth, but Jesus is my One and Only. He (Jesus) allowed me to be absolutely transparent until God developed authenticity in me.  Word to the wise being transparent is important but it has limits based on how much you choose to share; but when you become authentic there is truth behind your words and actions.

Proverbs 13:20 says: He who walks with wise men will be wise: But the companion of fools shall be destroyed. I choose Jesus. Who will you choose?

Love your sister in Christ,

LolaInspired

You can have good...

Family, 

Psalms 84:11 (NIV) says: “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” 

Can you say that to be true of you? 

Regardless of your answer, this scripture helps you better understand that it is the Lord who bestows favor and honor. Whether you messed up or got something right, let this sink in: when God bestows favor and honor upon you; that is all you need. In Romans 8:31 it says: What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

I thank God for loving us so much and not withholding good things from us. There is a song by William McDowell titled: Withholding Nothing. When you hear the song, there is a cry out from within that causes you to hold nothing back from God. When I read Psalms 84:11, it provided even more context. God does not withhold good from us. So why do we withhold the good parts from Him? Oh let me clarify what “good” is. It’s the parts you hide in the dark that only you, Jesus,and the devil know about. What you may call ugly, God calls good.

 
My question above is not just a question. It is an instruction. Find an accountability faith sister/brother to confide in and pray before doing so. I dare you to go to God on your own and tell him exactly what it is you are ashamed of and be freed in your walk to be blameless. Watch as the Lord bestows favor and honor upon your life.

Tell the truth to God and yourself and be free. Withholding nothing, surrender, give it over and be favored by God because He does not withhold good from us. 

Love your sister in Christ,
LolaInspired

There is only "ONE"

Family, 

Do you know that when God has a purpose for your life he will move heaven and earth to communicate that you are loved? In church we will experience many people, with different personalities, functions, backgrounds, and purposes. However, Ephesians 4:5-6 says (please read the entire chapter) one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

If there is only “One,” then why do we live as if a person can control our final destination? It’s simple. We believe the hype that comes with impersonators because we have yet to meet the true One. The world has conditioned us to accept artificial intelligence and our truth is based on the internet. We are convinced that our phones, computers, and household electronics are keeping watch on our every move, down to our favorite food! I will say it’s kind of nice to yell a command in my home and all of sudden it’s happening. For example “Hey Google, what’s the weather” and all of sudden the weather at my exact location is blaring through the speaker. Pretty clever! Let me ask you something: when was the last time you really experienced God’s power in your life? I am not talking about financial or physical things; those are little needs for a great God. I am talking about peace, joy, favor, mercy, all things that pertain to life and health. That is what having the power of God in your life is like. If you have not experienced the power of the “ONE” true God, not the imposter, not the copycat, or the pretender then you have accepted the spiritual artificial intelligence, let’s read Ecclesiastes 12 (KJV) together below. We need to remember who created us and get back to the Holy Spirit of things, not the Internet of Things! 

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the [a]difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”: While the sun and the light, The moon and the stars, Are not darkened, And the clouds do not return after the rain; In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, And the strong men bow down; When the grinders cease because they are few, And those that look through the windows grow dim; When the doors are shut in the streets, And the sound of grinding is low; When one rises up at the sound of a bird, And all the daughters of music are brought low. Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way; When the almond tree blossoms, The grasshopper is a burden, And desire fails.  For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets. Remember your Creator before the silver cord is [b]loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity.” And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set] in order many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. 

Be encouraged this day to live in Christ Jesus!

Love your sister in Christ,

LolaInspired

Well, well, well...

Family,

Have you ever been in a room of people and someone you haven’t seen in a while walks in and says..."Well, well, well?” I have. That saying could mean so many things depending on the relationship and interaction. If the person was surprised, it would be a good thing and probably followed by “looks who’s here.” But if not, the sarcasm can hit your soul like a fiery dart. There is power in tones and in most cases it can have a strong impact on a person’s morning, noon, or night.

In the book of Matthew 7:12 (AMP) it says: So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.

We live in times where applying scripture is a lost art. People seem to grow further away from just good ole sound doctrine. Treating someone the way you want to be treated is very important in any interaction, verbal or nonverbal. Now, are we going to treat others the same way we want to be treated, by taking into consideration the power of our tone and words? Let’s read Proverbs 17:22 (TPT): “A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul. But the one whose heart is crushed struggles with sickness and depression.” 

Just for today, is it possible for you to treat someone with kindness and allow joy to enter into your heart? Remember life is too short to live with regrets.Have you ever had to think about what it means to be alone, let alone soak in negativity? So many people are living in their head and God may send them along your pathway. The question is will you make time to bring joy or treat them kindly? In the words of Benjamin Franklin ~ “Lost time is never found again.”

Well, well, well, it’s never too late to get it right. Today love on someone just for the sake of kindness and work to treat others the way you want to be treated.  

Question:  When was the last time you really laughed?

Post your comments.

Love your sister in Christ,

LolaInspired

Christ Paved the Way. Now follow...

Family,

Can we trust in the word of God to show us the way? Of course. Please read Colossians 1:15-29 for some very detailed insight on how Christ paved the way. The focus scriptures are Colossians 1:16-17 (NKJV) - “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

If you haven’t read the story of Paul who wrote the book regarding the church of Colosse please journey to the book of Acts and read up!

Let’s think about it. If you had only one route to get to work, home, local store, or doctor and suddenly it’s blocked, would you switch? Sadly many of us do not see the irony behind patience. 1 out of 364 days in a year the route to one of these locations was blocked and instead of waiting to see if it cleared you switch. In this world, we have many religions that have solid words spoken by their leader and it is followed down to the exclamation mark. 

There is one religion that many people cannot seem to be steady in and that is Christianity. If you define the word Christianity you will find it means: religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or its beliefs and practices. However, many people associate the word Christian with a behavior and not the person Jesus Christ. When reading Colossians 1:16 (AMP) it says: “For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him.” 

After reading that kind of scriptural truth it is hard to deny that Christ paved the way for us to follow and everything created, including angels, exist through Him. It’s hard to go astray when Christ paved the way. It’s hard to comprehend that He was before all things, and all things are made of Him. Nothing was made without Jesus and nothing was written without Christ (John 1:1) We have no excuses Christ paved the way, now follow.

Love your sister in Christ, 
Latoya

The Pit Experience

Family, 

Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!

Praying this blog inspires you to appreciate the story of Joseph in the Bible. Before reading any further, could you pause, take a deep breath, and think of one good thing. If you don’t know the story of Joseph please read Genesis chapters 38 - 50.  I would like to focus on Genesis 50:20 (NKJV) - “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” What a liberating scripture spoken by Joseph.

When Joseph spoke this truth he was talking to his brothers, who sold him into slavery in Egypt and convinced their father he was dead (see Genesis 45:1-28). Thinking back to Genesis 50:20, do you have a story similar to Josephs’? Think of an experience you went through and you could not understand why it happened. Now that you have thought about; would you be able to say as Joseph did with wisdom in Genesis 50:19 - Do not be afraid, for I am in the place of God, meaning I am where God needed me to be?  To understand how Joseph could say this leads me to this truth: God has a plan for mankind, to give us hope, a future, and expected end (see Jeremiah 29:11). When He sent Jesus there was an expected end for his life and it involved saving the world, but it was not without trials and tribulations.

In the world, we will have to interact with people and that starts from birth. People differ from one another but somehow we are relatable; and that is because God planned it that way. So learn early to forgive often just as we read above about Joseph. He received the evil done to him as good. 

In Matthew 6:14, we learn that if we don’t forgive, we will not be forgiven.  It’s a known fact that if we don’t forgive as Joseph did and instead let things like anger, resentment, bitterness, money, rejection, failure, and pride consume us, our relationships will suffer.  It will cause us to think that we are incapable of loving church folk or people in general, but we can love God because He knows our hearts. There is no wisdom in this type of thinking 1 John 4:20-21 says: If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, [d]how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. We must comply with the word and pray.

Prayer of the Day: according to scripture, Romans 8:28 (KJV): Lord, and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to Your purpose, help me rest in your word of truth today. In Jesus name. Amen.

Love your sister in Christ,

Latoya

God reigns!

Family, 

God reigns which means He is sovereign.

Lately, I have been reflecting and shining a mental flashlight on words, unmasking how painful the tongue in our mouths can be. It took me some time to accept that just as much as I have been subject to the words of others, I have subjected others to my words and caused someone to experience the issues of my heart (see Proverbs 4:23). 

I was compelled to revisit Psalms 57:1-11. This was a Psalm of David who at the time was still on the run from Saul (if you don’t know the story of Saul trying to kill David - see 1 Samuel 19).  Saul’s son, Jonathan told David to go into hiding. Now all of this stemmed from Saul's disobedience to God earlier in the same book. Take some time to read it on your own. Let’s focus on what David said in Psalms 57:4 (NKJV) - “My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.”

Saints of God we are in a season of correcting, facing a deadly disease, vaccines with side-effects, and all while the world is moving to reopen trying to get to the “new normal.” I want you to remember this: God is still in control, no matter what man's mouth has spoken, God is watching and is our deliverer!

So let’s do what David did - praise God and declare His glory - see Psalms 57:5 (NKJV) - “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.”

As the world turns people will talk, there is still a devil out there, and in life, you will be met with challenges. But you can say with confidence, no matter what happens, as long as my heart is with Christ Jesus I will follow Him, and my mind is made up to serve until I die. Just like David did in Psalms 57:7 (AMP) - “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing, yes, I will sing praises [to You]!”

Love your sister in Christ,

Latoya