I Am Not Ready to Let It Happen: Get Ready!

James 1:2-4

Parenting can be so scarry.  There are times I am on pins and needles waiting for that text to state they (my children) reached their destination.  No matter how hard I try to let God have it I reign in my control.   On April 17, 2019, The Messenger talked about "Let God Be God: Let it Happen! -  WOA- help me Jesus- wait why did I say that because new trials and tribulation will come even more because this is area, I need faith in.  As a good parent the hardest thing is letting your child go on their own.  Remember when they learn to walk, first day at school, prom, college maybe (going off own their own).  Pray!  No bad feelings!  Leave it to God!

Here are 3 reasons to leave it God:  

1.  God allows situations to happen: sometimes things happen to us that don't feel favorable (life lessons and blessings)

2.  God wants to see what inside of us:  purpose can't come out of us if we stay comfortable

3.  We are not obedient until we are willing to complete our trial:  see your trial through! No short cuts!  Trust God! 

Luke 8: 22-25

2022 and COVID, WAR, Natural Disasters, Human Trafficking (to name a few) ....You are asking where is your Faith?  Stop It!  If you have read any of my BLOGS, you have the tools and resources to build your Faith or grab it back.  TRUST GOD!!!  Embrace your Purpose!!  He LOVES you!!!!

Ecclesiastes 7:14

He allowed a situation to happen because you were in danger of being consumed with the World that did not include God. Sometimes trials come because God has to birth His Purpose.  I know it seems like you can't handle it and it is uncomfortable, but God does not give you anything you can't handle.  HOLD ON!   If you can just change your mindset and know why you are really here on earth...know your purpose, then it will be easier for you to Let God be God! 

  Count it ALL JOY!!!!!!  Are you ready?

Always with Love,

                        A.P.E.P.

I am Free! Really?

 Galatians 5:1     

This is Black History Month.  This is a time when people pay homage to fallen Advocates, Way Makers, Firsts and educate the success of the African American race even though the race was in physical bondage for many decades (noticed I did not say years).  It is a time to show awareness as well appreciation and remembrance that African Americans are people too who contribute to society.  African Americans are still in bondage in other ways.  Freedom is here for people of color but is it really?  This is not a Black History message; it is a freedom message.  It is time to tell the devil he will not hold us down any longer!  

A believer in Christ should be free but when we are dealing with oppression freedom seems far from one grasp.  As believers all we have to do is claim our freedom when we accept Jesus Chrit as our personal Savior and walk in His path then we become free.  A weight is pushed off of us and peace enters no matter what it looks like around you because you walk in the authority of knowing Jesus Christ has you!  

Exodus 8:1

Here is the challenge:  You have to be intentional and strong willed in following Jesus to keep your spiritual freedom (ooooh you will be tested).  Freedom comes with a price. Don't expect to lay there eating grapes and do nothing or do what you want to do.  You walk in purpose, so it is time to fulfill it.  It will be uncomfortable at times but believers I promise when you hold your ground it will be well with your soul. 

The Messenger spoke on "Living Free" on October 18, 2020, in the midst of COVID.  We were locked down and sure did not feel free. That's the thing, we have to move from the mindset of our physical being controlling/directing our spiritual being.  This way of thinking taints some of the areas in our lives.  The Messenger gives us the following to obtain spiritual freedom:

1. Submit to God:  Get in His Word.  Stay there!

2. Know God does not ask you what you like:  Remember our likes are fleshy.  We should be looking in a purposeful direction to God Glory.  When we lose our visual aid, we sin but GREAT NEWS....God will send someone to get you back on track (Pay attention...this should be clear to someone who stays in His Word). 

3. Stand firm:  Hold your freedom position when you obtain it.  Refuse to bend in a non-godly manner.  This will take effort because we are attacked daily.  You will discover your beliefs will be challenged.  Be careful!  Hosea 4:6

Romans 6 sums it up!  To be completely free submit to Jesus all the way!

My Prayer:   

Dear God, I thank you for this opportunity to Praise You!  You are so AMAZING!  You are LOVE!  There is so much hurt in the world.  I pray for the oppressors who still hurt others, desire power, feel threatened, and seek revenge. We command the devil to flee from them so they may receive spiritual freedom and embrace LOVE.  I pray for the believers and non-believers who wrestle with any type of temptation. I pray that they receive a cleansing, renewed spirt, and stay steadfast in your WORD.  We need you Jesus and can't do anything without you.  I asked all of this in your precious SON NAME.  HALLELUJAH!   

With Love Always,

                               A.P. E. P.

Tasha Cobbs - Break Every Chain (song)  

Fight

 Matthew 5:9

I just want to scream.  AAAAAAAAAArrRGGGGGGGGGHHH!

I am so tired of fighting the enemy.  I gave it to God but for some reason today the button was pressed that override my PEACE button.  When I get like this, I call on JESUS- glorify His Name and that is when I came across many lessons on increase and faith.  My spirit awakens when I turned the page and saw a youth program, I attended January 20, 2019 " You got to learn how to fight".  Spiritual techniques to stomp on the devil's neck; I am sick of him (can't you tell). 

I believe we all been there when we have said enough is enough.  I can't take this anymore.  Well, I learned when I get like this it is due to .......   

1. not checking my heart: 

If I stay in despair it will lead to anger which will lead to me saying or doing something God did not approve.  (This reminds me of the story when Moses got upset with the people of Israel and it cost him from entering the land of milk and honey: promise land).  Yeah, I'm calming down- who want to miss out on a blessing. 

     2. sowing a seed of evil:

People are watching me and how I conduct myself may move a person to make a judgement/observation based on my behavior.  I am also setting myself up for blockage or stronghold because I am planting something that will not produce or at least produce nothing good. Yeah, feeling way better- I want to reap only good fruit and be purposeful. 

    3.  reinforcing my sinful nature aka: "Jesus has left me" or have you ever heard someone say, "Jesus was not in me" 😶 I already messed up when that statement flies out my mouth.  We don't EVER want Jesus to leave us but for some reason we get Bad and Bougie.  By doing the things of God: reading His Word, praying, praising/singing, fasting, helping others, being kind, being humble, and being of service reinforces my path to righteousness.  Yeah, why was I mad again?   Ephesians 2: 1-8

Now I know what I have to do:  Stay Ready!  Stay Resilient! - No matter what!

When I fall in despair again to help me pull out of it, I will BOLDLY say, 

" Don't get it twisted (devil), I stay strapped...

Father in the front

Son in the back

and Holy Spirit watching all sides"      -unknown 

Always with Love,

                                A.P.E.P.

 When all else fails... Speak the Name:  JESUS!

Koryn Hawthorne - Speak the Name (Dove Awards Performance) ft. Natalie Grant

(Search in YouTube) .... you will be blessed!!!

Come Through Jesus: Every Time!

 Hebrews 11: 1-6

January 23, 2019, " Increasing Faith"....  Let me just stop right here and ask before we dive in the Messenger's topic.  First do you have Faith?  🤔

Hebrews 11: 1 defines Faith "things hoped for.... things not seen...." 

You have to believe in that statement first.  Yes, it is possible for things to happen even if I don't see it.  Sooooo why am I still worried?  Why do I demonstrate doubt?   One word:  FLESH.

We truly have to remove how we feel about a situation

Remove what normal looks like to us

Remove what the Experts say   and truly believe God is a Way Maker, a Promise Keeper, a Miracle Worker, a Lilly in the Valley, a Light in the darkness.... He is the GREAT I AM!!! OH Hallelujah!!!  

(Sometimes you have to just profess HIS WORD and Declare who HE is and WATCH your FAITH strengthen) There is Power in His Word/Name JESUS!

Yaaassss!!! Ok, let's me bring you back: Faith, we have it!  How do we increase it?

• Read His Word:       John 15: 1:4
• Listen, we can't do nothing without God; it does not work.  It is when you tap into Him your faith comes alive
• Be doers of the Word:  James 1: 22-24
• I need you to read that scripture AGAIN
• It is 2022 and I have more than realize if you just only show up to church Sat/Sun or Wed (midweek service) and pray only when something is wrong your faith is going to lack.  I invite you to learn Jesus all over again, but this time incorporate Him in your life as a necessity like breathing or eating.  YASSSS!!! You feel that! I guarantee you will discover a peace you never knew you had, and that ladies and gentlemen is called Faith. 
• Romans 12:3 I believe the Messenger provided this scripture because once our Faith is built and we are stepping in confidence a new enemy may creep around the corner called "cockiness, arrogance, aka high and mighty attitude".  God wants us to walk in confidence, but he wants us to walk in humility at the same time (you are not God or His second in command). 
• Test the Word:   Malachi 3:10
• Best way to do this is through tithing because it seems to be the hardest thing for people to do.  We just don't want to let go of money when we obtain it.  We are called to give 10% of our earnings and give an offering.  Ok, let me back up. 
• You do know the money you have is not yours?  Yes, we work, and our employer pays us BUT it was God who worked all that out so it could happen that way.   James 1:17 (I can go deeper in tithing but that will be another time) The point is God wants to see what you will do when you have abundance, just enough, and very little.  Do you trust Him to provide when you give your last or little?  Do you hold on to what you have, trying to store up treasures that God Bless you with in the first place?  This is a perfect time to test His Word- Watch God!  Oh, Believers, I am a witness!!!  God will do it!!! Every time!

Here comes faith, it may not look how you thought you would receive it or when but knowing God will do it is enough for me.  FLESH is a nasty piece of business.  Time to time you may catch yourself in turmoil over something (that sucks); it is ok to feel that way just don't dwell in that feeling.  Remember God's Word and Watch.

#ComethroughJesus!  Every time!

Always

                A.P.E.P.