Updates

 

Family, 

Good tidings and love to you all, please get ready for some powerful insight. I wrote a blog on April 22, 2021, titled: High Definition Fatih which focused on the quality of what we see and how faith impacts our vision. Well just like our “high definition” gadgets we need updates!

To update is an act of  modernizing or bringing something or someone up to date.  This reminds me of the bible verse Luke 16:10-13 (please read all the verses but for now let’s focus on verse 10) ~ One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

In today’s world we forget the art of being faithful/consistent in little things. Take today’s technology for instance.  Whether it is a phone, computer or tablet, if you fail to be faithful in running software updates, there is a possibility your equipment will not work after awhile. It’s like a God given task, if you fail to be faithful in the little things like reading your bible, doing devotionals, and praying. In time our life will not work either. Relationships are challenged, finances are stretched just to name a few.

It is inevitable that most things in life take time just like electronic updates. Have you ever tried rushing those updates? Thinking “how long is this going to take?” and in reality it’s only been a minute. In times like that it is critical to examine ourselves and to be sure we are not doing dishonest work. 

In 2020 there were a series of updates to my life by way of the Holy Spirit. The first being false burdens, the second false entitlement, and the third fear. Have you ever had to come to terms and ask the hard questions of yourself; like why would God trust me with much if I don’t even give, save, or trust Him with my current possessions?

Think about it Family, do updates come when you are expecting them? Of course not, it’s at the most inopportune times. The same goes for our faith walk. God will challenge us at what seems to be the most inopportune times because it’s time for our updates.

So, take heed in every situation, there is always room for growth and a lesson to be learned at  any age. Slow down, run updates, and take notes from the Master Jesus who spent most of his earthly ministry teaching His disciples life lessons like the one we read in Luke 16.  Part of our God given purpose is to be purged, transformed, and renewed each day.  And those updates surely come in handy.  Be faithful in little. Whether a new job with a little salary or a small refund out of nowhere, be faithful in that little and in time there will be much. 

Be encouraged.

Love your Sister in Christ,
Latoya

What is in your mouth? Life or Death?

Family, 

I was thinking about Chris Tucker in Rush Hour when he said: “Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth!” So many times we say things that don’t produce understanding. Proverbs 18:21 (AMP) reads: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]..  Question: Did you know that there is a bible verse holding us accountable to what is in our mouth?  If life is in your mouth then applying Matthew 12:37 (AMP) to your prayer would be a blessing but if death is in your mouth, let’s read what Matthew said: For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.

No criticism here intended, as I am just as accountable to this truth as any other believer along with the words that come out of my mouth. I cannot make these bible verses up and we are told many times to watch our mouth, look at what the half brother of Jesus said in James 3:8-9 (AMP): But the human tongue can be tamed by no man; it is restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness. After reading that, I wanted to crawl under a rock realizing that too often death was in my mouth and not life. In 2010 it became real to me. If I want life in my own situation I must speak life, so what is good, noble, right, worthy of talking about like Paul encouraged the Philippians in verse 4:8; but if we speak death, talking negatively, complaining, murmuring, lying...are we doing what James said? 

For a while I studied and quoted the verses above and even heard others say it. However, as I read the Proverb slowly, it says something so interesting. “And they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].”  I had to ponder on this part of the passage for a few days.

Does that mean we have to eat our own words, how is that possible?  Eventually your words will become your reality.  In a world where there is so much to digest, you have to ask yourself, what is in my mouth! I am telling you today: Don’t say that about yourself.  Stop caring about what people say about you. Start praying.  When God is in your life ,He has the final and last say. He is Omniscient (all-knowing), Omnipotent (all-powerful) and Omnipresent (all-present). Now let us be careful as married couples, friends, children, cousins, uncles, aunts, parents, saints/believers of God - extremely careful because we will eat the fruit of our lips.

Love your sister in Christ, 

Latoya

A letter from John -

Dear children,

Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. Sincerely, 1 John 3:18 (NIV)

Believer or Not?

Family, 

Have you ever eaten or cooked a poached egg? They are delicious  and compliment eggs benedict very well. However, it made me think...are we living in a world of relationships that are similar to poached eggs? Cooked on the outside but undone on the inside. The most interesting truth I discovered in the Bible is when Christ was talking to the church of Laodicea in the book of Revelation chapter 3 in verses 14-22 (The Passion Translation-TPT), In your spare time please read all the verses but for now I want to focus on verses 15-16, spoken by Christ: “15) I know all that you do, and I know that you are neither frozen in apathy nor fervent with passion. Or “you are neither cold nor hot.” How I wish you were either one or the other! 16) But because you are neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm, I am about to spit you from my mouth.” Now after reading that verse, many would ask, is that something Jesus would say? To answer, yes!

Honestly, if people lived truthfully, then being clear and concise, hot or cold, would create a standard. Thank God for Jesus who told the church to be solid or “i will spit you out of my mouth” v.16.  In this context to be “lukewarm” is to be too much like the world. So let’s ask ourselves, am I a believer or not? Because the last time I checked the Bible still remains real, relevant and resourceful. Following Jesus Christ is not for those who like time-outs. It’s for the hard knocks, ruff riders, and those in it to win it. 

So are you a believer or not? Or are you lukewarm thinking: “Once God blesses me with a new house, car, job, businesses, and gives me favor...I will then believe.” Just remember Jesus sacrificed His life and that was substantial. He isn’t asking us to do the same, but simply believe in Him. Listen, the most common but forgotten truth, is we all hit a place of “stuck.” At some point with nowhere to turn, nowhere to run, and looking to our left and right is a strain; we consider looking up. Reality hits...God is still there, still loving, unwilling to watch his children perish. Instead, that all comes to repentance through Jesus Christ.  Who is actually the Messiah, you know "the chosen one". Today we must not only say Jesus is Lord, but we must believe that Jesus the Messiah has come, has taught, was crucified, died, and rose again in three days.  He is no longer on the cross.  He is seated at the right hand of God, praying for all who believe in Him.  So again are you a believer or not?

Be encouraged to think about it.

Love your sister in Christ,

Latoya

Watch Now and Pray

Family, 

Let us watch and pray always that we may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of man. ~ Luke 21:36

I think back to scriptures when Jesus told the disciples to “watch and pray” and there is no truth realer than this. During the most intense hour of His life, he asked his disciples to stay awake, look out, and pray. There will be times in our lives when praying or even watching is not important. We will begin to say, “I prayed already. I've been watching for a while and God ain’t moving.” 

Let me enlighten you on a story about a prophet who was told to wait for rain to fall.  While he was praying, he told his watchmen to Go up now, look toward the sea” here is the story from ‭‭I Kings‬ ‭18:41-46‬ (‭NKJV)‬‬ “Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “ There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’ ” Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”

When you understand the power of prayer, you live with hope that God will and God can, and God is able! Say this aloud: The same God that sent Jesus to die, rose Jesus from the dead. That same God is ever present and still performing miracles like He did for Elijah. All I need to do is WATCH and PRAY. 

Since we have no idea how the story ends for man let’s take the Bible at face value and operate in the truth of His word. We must be steadfast in prayer, always watching. May the God of all grace who have called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ~ 1 Peter 5:10

What a glorious day! It's time to rise up and walk.

Love your sister in Christ,

Latoya

Shake Them Haters Off!

Family, 

I’m sure many of us have heard the term “shake them haters off” floating around on social media and in conversation. Truth be told that’s exactly what happens when you are in the midst of those who are waiting for something to happen and usually not something good. Now, I believe if it’s happening now, it’s happened before and someone wrote it down.  Check out this astounding truth in the bible about the Apostle Paul, who became shipwrecked on the island called Malta with some locals who decided to show unusual kindness. Acts 28: 1-5 -Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives[a] showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 

Here we read that the locals showed unusual kindness to Paul, but after the viper fastened on Paul’s hand they quickly jumped to call him a murderer.  God allowed them to watch Paul shake the viper off and suffer no harm.  Looking back at Paul’s experience it reminds me of moments when my life was in a storm and those who were kind to me, were all of sudden calling me all sorts of names.Does this sound familiar? Listen family, if that has been you take Paul’s advice and “shake them haters off.” It will be in those moments that God will show you He is for you, and who could be against you. As disciples we all have an adversary. We don’t fight with flesh and blood. We must use wisdom and speculate who is among us and learn how to shake off the haters. Talk less when you are in the midst of those who are spectating vs. speculating. 

Definitions of both

Speculate: to meditate on or ponder a subject, reflect.

Spectate: one who looks on or watches 

In life, if we operate with this understanding we will no longer be overly self conscious constantly wondering  "what to do" and "what not to do".  We will be like a skilled farmer not spectating but speculating, as they already know if they are not faithful over their crop, it won't produce but the farmer loves to see the crops prosper healthily, being faithful over their work (see James 5:7-8).  

I encourage you to pray for wisdom and then pray for others, especially those who are against you. We all have choices to make and to allow a day to go by without searching for joy is truly a day wasted.

Be encouraged, and continue to lift one another up in prayer.

Love your sister in Christ Latoya

Strength vs. Grace

Family, 

Being a part of this global pandemic has allowed me to function in a space of truth asking God for more strength instead He continues to give more grace. The scripture says: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness...2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV), I encourage you to read the entire chapter for the fullness of this revelation and use another version of the bible.

Would you take strength over grace? Think about each month you were not connected to a physical church building did you think, how am I going to make it, especially if you were amongst good company and fellowship. You are not alone. So many others felt the same weakness, but God has given us grace over strength. See, it is in these perilous times, I have found myself and others asking this same thing, “Lord give me strength.” Now I am asking, is that all we want from God? Reread 2 Corinthians 12:9, God was talking to Paul after he had sought God three times for strength and the Lord replied "My grace is sufficient for thee." In essence, grace is what God offers; he tells us  “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Throughout life we will face many challenges and make lots of choices.  We must find a solid truth to stand on and not fall for every fleeting moment of temptation. 

If you have been waiting for something magical to happen and asking; Lord give me strength to get to work on time, deal with my children, or my husband, or my co-workers, or the people on the subway, or church folk, or to pay my tithes...oh the list could go on an on.  Breathe, and remember to seek first the kingdom of God (Matt 6:33) and allow the truth of knowing  God has done it before, he will do it again. So, if the word was given so richly to Paul and the word of God is perfect in every way! Then God's grace is sufficient for us, for His strength is made perfect in our  weakness. 

That's it and that's all!

Be encouraged to walk the word in your life today.

Love your sister in Christ,

Latoya

When God Speaks

Family, 

Have you ever read the book of Job? Could you pause from reading this blog and read with me Job 38:1-18. After reading those verses think about how God spoke to Job. 

How does it feel to hear God in the midst of your situation especially when it isn’t  the response you want to hear?  How do you react?  As we have heard time and time again, God’s grace is sure. Even James the brother of Jesus said in James 4:6:  But he gives more grace. Wherefore he said, God resisteth the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.

When God speaks how do you react? As we have seen countless saints in the faith hear God’s voice yet take another route.  In the world we live in today with so many voices out there it is very critical to know the word of God to identify the voice of God. As Christ Jesus said very plainly – in John 8:31 -  If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.  In other words, if you stay in the bible, then you are definitely a follower of Christ Jesus. 

As you journey with me through my blogs you will see that I love the word (bible). When you read Job 40: 1-14, you will read of God’s power and wisdom, Job’s response, and then God’s challenge to Job. The part that stood out clearly to me was Job 40:14 “Then I will also confess to you, That your own right hand can save you.” Talk about challenges. God told Job in the midst of the conversation to do as I have done and I will say that you are able to save yourself. We often miss the truth by taking the word out of context, especially when it's hard to digest. Furthermore God spoke early on in the same chapter to Job telling him to “Deck yourself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.” To put another way “ do what I (the Lord) have done, as if we created ourselves.” So, when God speaks we must take heed and listen or as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27, I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Let’s adhere to Paul’s instructions and become disciplined to be the example as Christ was to us all.

Be encouraged.

Love your sister in Christ,

Latoya