Looking for Love

couple walking on beach

Many people are looking for that one true love. A good mate can contribute to a healthy, happy and prosperous life. I am amazed at how far some people will go just to experience love. Opening your heart to love and to be loved by someone special is a very important decision. Who we love is so significant, great care and wisdom should be taken before we proceed.

Consult with the One who is love.

I could have avoided serious heartaches if I only consulted with God before entering into a relationship. I did not understand that He wanted to be the lead in every area of my life, especially my love life. The internet, friends, clubs and social events were once the trusted source for finding companionship. I never thought that God could or would find a mate for me.

God is concerned with who you love and who loves you.

After looking for love in all the wrong places, I finally realized I had to open my heart and trust God.  I shared with Him what I was looking for in the man I would like to marry. No topic was spared…personality, character, height, sexual intimacy, family values, financial acumen, health, hobbies, spirituality, food preferences, physical strength, vocal tone, love language, etc. God listened to all my desires and qualifications. I even wrote them down and confessed them. I was excited and ready to meet this awesome man I had envisioned.  However, the Holy Spirit revealed another step in my quest for love that I had never before considered.

Pray for your mate before you meet them.

Initially, I was unsure how to pray for someone who I did not know even existed. My faith had to believe that this person was real and in need of prayer. I knew of all of his good attributes since I requested them, but I did not consider the areas where he may have weaknesses. Praying for him took the focus away from my desires and taught me a deeper level of compassion. We all are in need of prayer for something and true love covers all. I began to pray for my future husband, trusted God and waited patiently for Him to bring us together.  I know that even the best marriages should be covered in continuous prayer. I am glad God prepared me ahead of time. Prayer is powerful!

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation;
continuing instant in prayer;
distributing to the necessity of saints;
given to hospitality. – Romans 12:12-13

If you are looking for love, I encourage you to consult with God first and begin praying for your future mate. To read more on the power of prayer, go to Week 28: Pray and Give Thanks in the Power Over All book.

Unshakable Power

Unshakable PowerIn these times of uncertainty, there is one thing you can be sure of…God’s Power!
There is nothing in this world – man, military, government, relationship, natural disaster, disease, deception, financial crisis, circumstance, addiction, wickedness, sin – that is greater than God. Everything is subject to His authority.

So why do we get “shook up” over life situations?  I think we sometimes forget how awesome He is. Let’s take a moment to remember…

He is the Creator of all we know and everything we have yet to comprehend –

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. – Genesis 1:1

He loves and protects us –

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health,
even as thy soul prospereth. – 3 John 1:2

The LORD preserveth all them that love him:
but all the wicked will he destroy. – Psalm 145:20

He gave His Son to save us and the Holy (Ghost) Spirit to guide us –

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved. – John 3:17

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you – John 14:26

He shared in His Word what the future will bring –

When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth,
but now he makes another promise:
“Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”
This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed,
so that only unshakable things will remain. – Hebrews 12:26-27 (New Living Translation)

Friend, there is no need to worry or fear.  Trust in God and continue to draw close to Him for reassurance. He is ready for a deeper, more intimate relationship with you. Seek Him to strengthen your faith and experience His power.  Be unshakable!

What Can God’s Power Do For You?

Image by God Can Worldwide Store

Photo Credit: GOD CAN Worldwide Store

Not a day goes by that I don’t need God’s power in some area of my life.
If you find yourself in need of power, remember God can do anything.  All you have to do is trust Him.  He promises to always be with you to overcome every obstacle.

And they shall fight against thee;
but they shall not prevail against thee;
for I am with thee, saith the Lord,
to deliver thee. – Jeremiah 1:19

Sometimes, in the midst of life trials, you and I can forget our “all-access” status with God.   It is during these times that He wants all our cares, battles and frustrations to be given to Him.  He wants us to ask for His help.  God’s power is magnificent, intense and boundless!  He can do all things!

Allow me to share what God’s power can do

strengthen you in times of weakness, anxiety and fear

shield and vindicate you against wickedness, slander, deception and corruption

infuse joy, love, peace and purpose into your life

heal you from sickness, addictions, abuse, molestation and a broken heart

restore and renew you from divorce, betrayal, loss, rejection and financial hardship

deliver you from feelings of inadequacy, depression, low self- esteem and rejection

bless and make you fruitful in every endeavor

transform your life out of darkness, condemnation and despair

generously provide grace and mercy

open doors, promote you and give you favor to live successfully

anoint you to love others even in the most difficult situations

…and the list is endless.

 You are His beloved!  Whatever you need, seek Him and He will show you His power.  God can.  He is ready to do for you!

Powerful Rest

Powerful Rest

Do you sometimes get frustrated and weary?  Have the tribulations of life become so overwhelming that you find yourself empty and resentful? You may be convinced that no one cares about you and nothing will change.  It is in these dark moments that the enemy tries to deceive you into thinking you are powerless.

So what can you do?

You go to God and rest.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Resting is an act of faith.  You must believe and trust in the One who created life – the only One who can fully restore you.  Relinquish control over your situation and stop your own actions.  Despite a whirlwind of emotions, you must stay calm.  You must be still. Resting in the midst of personal turmoil takes effort – both physically and spiritually.  Remember, the Holy Spirit is always ready to help you.

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest,
lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. – Hebrews 4:11

Resting is freedom from anger, fear, pain and stress.  The enemy wants you in bondage to the issues of life by keeping you distracted, discouraged and disconnected from your Heavenly Father.  God wants you to rest so you will experience His power working on your behalf.  Meditation of His word is a great prelude to powerful rest. He takes care of everything!

Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the Lord;
neither be dismayed, O Israel:
for, lo, I will save thee from afar,
and thy seed from the land of their captivity;
and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet,
and none shall make him afraid.
Jeremiah 30:10

No matter what you are going through, God loves you!  Go to Him and experience a rest like never before! If you want to learn more, go to Week 47: Sweet Sleep in the Power Over All book.

Power To Move Forward – Part Three

Power To Move ForwardToday is the perfect day for a new beginning!  You can move forward past pain, fear, hopelessness and anger.  The process begins with opening your heart to God.  Here are five points, along with scriptures, to encourage you as you embark on a beautiful journey…forward!

Before we proceed, let’s quickly review…

Part One – to live victoriously in the new life God has for you, the old you must die

Part Two – unhook yourself from the anchor of the past and connect with God’s power

Ok, now we are ready!

1.       Go to God

He is always ready with open arms to comfort and strengthen you. Go to Him and He will gently guide you towards your victorious future.  Prayer and praise are two of the best ways to communicate with Him day or night.

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely,
and shall be quiet from fear of evil. – Proverbs 1:33

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


2.       Remind Yourself

Throughout this journey, you will have to continually remind yourself of who you are. You must always know that your Heavenly Father loves you immensely.  Your faith and confidence to step away from the old and into the new is strengthened by His love. Your spiritual identity will bring peace about the future and keep you connected to the promises of God.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3:26

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:
because greater is He that is in you,
than he that is in the world. – 1 John 4:4

3.       Forgive

Yes, forgiveness is mandatory for your growth, your progress and your freedom.  Forgive your parents, your ex, your friends, your children, your enemies and most importantly, forgive yourself.  God has already forgiven you of any and everything. Forgiveness is a vital step in the process of moving forward. You must now completely trust that God, in His infinite wisdom, will take care of all who have hurt you. 

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto [God’s] wrath:
for it is written,
Vengeance is mine;
I will repay, saith the Lord. – Romans 12:19

4.       Be New

Moving forward means…new thoughts, new talk, new trust, new opportunities and new direction!  This requires renewing your mind and speaking the Word of God into your own life.  This does not happen overnight so you must be patient and persistent.  Each day, visualize yourself the way God sees you…spotless and pure.  Find scriptures that are encouraging and speak them daily.  Guard yourself against negative people and those who want to keep you in the past.  Ask God to open your spiritual eyes to see the goodness and newness inside of you!

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:
many shall see it, and fear [be amazed], and shall trust in the Lord. – Psalm 40:3

5.       Go Forward
Freedom from the past expels fear and trepidation about the future.  Take the first step forward into the victorious life God has for you.  He is always with you even when you mess up. Trust God and experience His power.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. – Isaiah 41:10

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:
but this one thing I do, 
forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14

Go ahead! Go Forward!

If you want to learn more on how to move forward with God, go to Week 26: Look Ahead in the Power Over All book. 

Power To Move Forward – Part Two

anchored-boat-230x300 BWYou can move forward and live victoriously with the amazing power of God!  As mentioned in Part One, moving forward requires leaving the past behind.  Letting go is not always easy, but if you do, you will be free to access a new future.

Why is it so difficult to let go of the past?

The past wants to be a permanent anchor in your life.  Not a shiny, robust one that stabilizes you during the storms of life; but an old, rusty one that consumes your soul.  It securely attaches itself to your pain, shame, regrets, negative emotions and your flesh (a carnal mindset).  It is a stubborn reminder of your imperfections and the person you no longer want to be.  This anchor is heavy and burdensome.

At times you think you are making forward progress, but you realize you are only going around in circles.  You can spend years entangled in its existence.  This anchor constrains and blocks you from reaching your future destination. It redirects your hopes and dreams, causing you to miss the path God has specifically mapped out for you.  It is a faith destroyer.  An anchor of this magnitude requires supernatural assistance to retrieve.

How do I let go of it?

Go to God.  He is the only one who can redeem you from your past.  He will heal you of all your wounds.  He will protect you.  He will strengthen you.  He will deal justly with all who have harmed you.  God will restore you! Your anchor of the past will no longer exist.  Instead, you will discover your spiritual anchor, grounded in the Word of God, keeping you on course toward success and teaching you how to thrive.

For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot;
yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear:
Because thou shalt forget thy misery,
and remember it as waters that pass away: – Job 11:15-16

I am thankful that God was the only one to free me from my deep-rooted anger.  Much of me was still chained to that rusty, old anchor of the past.  I began the process of letting go by drawing closer to God.  I had to trust Him with every aspect of my life.  I had to think higher thoughts.  I had to accept His grace and forgive.  The more I sought out God and…

His Love,

His Ways,

His Words,

and His Power

the more my heart was opened to the new direction God had for me.  My soul was liberated and I was finally able to take steps forward.  You can move forward, too.  My prayer is that you let God in and allow Him to release you from the past.  It is time to live victoriously!

If you want to learn more on how to move forward with God, go to Week 26: Look Ahead in the Power Over All book.

(Remember the discount code found in the post – Thank You For Power dated June 21, 2013)

Power to Move Forward – Part One

forward button
Are you ready to move forward and leave the past behind?  Ready to live a life full of peace and joy?  If you are ready to live victoriously, then a part of you must also be prepared to die.  

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

– Romans 8:13


Your flesh is a carnal mindset that opposes God and keeps you centered on self.  This is the part of you that must die in order to move forward.  A carnal mindset will indulge in activities such as: fear, lust, imaginations, bitterness, worry, gossip, addictions, pride, negative emotions, sneakiness, greed, strife, self-pity and selfishness.  It is purposed to keep you distracted from God and consumed with your needs.  The flesh blocks spiritual progress and suffocates hope for the future.

So how do you die to self and move forward?

Trust God and relinquish every area of your life over to Him.  This includes your opinions, your decisions and your private thoughts.  It is a process.  Do not get discouraged or condemned.  Leave everything – all your burdens, all your cares – with God.  He knows how to properly dispose of them.  He loves you and will never use them against you.  

Renew your mind with the promises and words of God.  Keep your thoughts on Him each and every day.  This renewal process makes room for the Spirit of God to dwell inside you and lead you through life.  Your faith will grow and you will begin to look ahead with a confidence and excitement never before experienced.

Be prepared – your flesh will not die without a fight.  God knows you are not equipped to fight this battle alone so He provides His Son, the Holy Spirit and His Word to conquer on your behalf.  Through personal time with Him, you will learn how to access His provisions for you. 

Not only will God bring you out of any situation, He will strengthen and empower you to move forward victoriously!

Trusting God with the Unexpected

Daires_Akilah_blog_pic

My husband Daires and me

One summer morning, I woke up eager to go to church.  While getting dressed, God spoke to me about completely trusting Him in every area of my life.  I remember that my heart was full of expectation and I was ready to receive the Word.  That particular Sunday was extremely crowded (plus I was a little late) so the usher had to search for an available seat for me.  She finally found one and sat me between two gentlemen I had never seen before. 

A strange thing happened that day.

Once the pastor began service, his microphone stopped working and the entire sound system went out.   The congregation went silent.  We then were asked to turn to each other, exchange prayer requests and begin praying for each other in small groups of two or three.  I turned to my left, touched the arm of the man next to me, listened to his request and began to pray.  When I finished, he thanked me, took my hand and earnestly prayed for me.  His spirit immediately ministered to mine.  As he prayed, my heart released bitterness that had been deeply suppressed.  Maybe two minutes into the prayer, I collapsed to my knees and wept in front of everyone.  It was so embarrassing, but I could not control the flood of tears.  It felt like my soul was purging.  I never experienced anything like this before, especially not in church in front of so many others.  Instead of stopping to see if I was OK, the tall man held my hand tighter and continued to intercede for me through prayer.

He stayed strong while I was weak.

The usher brought tissues and the other prayer groups nearby cleared a little space for her to check on me.  As his prayer ended, my tears subsided.  Eventually, I was able to regain my composure.  Although my make-up smeared, my sundress wrinkled and I felt totally exposed, the stranger just smiled at me with all sincerity.  The sound system began working and the pastor resumed service.   Almost an hour went by and I realized I was still holding hands with a man I just met and whose name I did not even know.  Yes, it was very awkward, but it was one of the most peaceful encounters I have ever experienced in life.   I knew God was present and trusted Him with this unexpected journey I was about to embark on.

And that is how I met my husband.

I greatly appreciate how we work together at our marriage and respect each other’s personal relationship with God.  One thing that has helped us tremendously is that we continue to pray for each other daily.   Prayer is powerful and essential for victorious living!  Through all of our growing pains, my husband loves me, encourages me and leads me…still holding my hand.

BUT IT IS GOOD FOR ME TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD: I HAVE PUT MY TRUST IN THE LORD GOD, THAT I MAY DECLARE ALL THY WORKS. – PSALM 73:28

Power To Do The Impossible

As mentioned in a recent press release, I have always admired the historical figure, Harriet Tubman.  Not only because she led many slaves to freedom, but Harriet was known for her unwavering faith and dependence on God.   She always gave honor to Jesus for His guidance, protection and supernatural strength to endure the harsh conditions on the long journey to freedom.   Despite the fact that Harriet could not read, she would memorize scriptures that were read to her.  She would recall them in song to encourage herself and others.  She realized the power of meditation, confession and praise.  

Tubman’s biography shares many accounts of her total dependence on God to do something that seemed impossible for one person, especially a woman.  During the 1850s, it was believed that a person of such strength, dedication and courage must be a man.  Harriet sought God and experienced supernatural power to do a heroic feat!   She never took credit for her unselfish desire to free others.  She knew it was God who empowered her and thanked Him continuously for His healing, grace and wisdom.  Her life inspires me to think big and trust God to do something against all odds.  If there is something you feel is impossible for you, trust God and experience His power!

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible;
but with God all things are possible. – Matthew 19:26