The Daily Devotional Blog

Everyone is here for a reason, for a purpose, for a God-ordained plan for their lives. None of us is here on earth by accident. It was a deliberate plan of God. He knew us before we were even born. The Lord told Jeremiah in verse 1:5, “before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."  Do you know your purpose? I finally know mine . Life helped tell me what that was and of course it was God who planted it in me. I just didn't know it as I know it now until life happened -- most of the more painful aspects of it. Nevertheless, I am here to encourage you to find out what yours is and start walking in it. Your life will be more fulfilled when you do. Clearly, a large part of my purpose is writing and edifying (lifting ones spirit). Doing those things always came easy, but life's tragedies made it go to an entirely new level. I am more determined and dogged in my quest for others to k

There's something about a name, isn't it? Especially the name of Jesus. Why is it that people speak in His name? Well, that's easy to understand. It's because there's power in that name. Proverbs 18 :10 says, "t he name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Why wouldn't anyone want to be safe? How sad, the ones who don't know Him. I used to be of them, so I know. There was a time when I had nobody to run to during anytime in my life -- the highs or the lows. As a result I didn't realize the power that dwelled in me during pivotal times in my life that would have gotten me through things much faster. Now I know that power for sure and I have something to be thankful for.      In Jesus name. 

O Lord, our Lord,   how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens ( Psalm 8 :1). I've really been on this scripture lately. I've been listening to it on my bible app a lot. It's such an awesome scripture, isn't it? I just absolutely love it. In fact, I love the entire chapter of Psalm 8. David, the writer, was really insightful and humble to offer such heartfelt praises to the Lord. For, he had much pain and sorrow. Yet we know David was a man after God's own heart. That's what I like most about him -- that he ran to God. He wanted to be comforted by the Great Comforter. He didn't make people or anything negative a priority, he gave it God. He went in to God with every ounce of his heart. Of course God would honor that. Why wouldn't He? That's what He wants all of us to do. " Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest " ( Matthew 11:25-29 ).  O Lord, our Lord,

Did you know God will part the sea for you? He will open doors that no man can shut? And He will make the crooked places straight? Oh yes, God will do it. If He did it before He can do it again. In Exodus 14 He did it for the Israelites when they were fleeing the evil Egyptian Pharaoh and He will do it for you too. The circumstances may be different, but just as the Lord opened the opportunity for His people way back then, He still does that today. Don't think He won't, because He's proven Himself time and time in my life. So I know what I'm talking about here. He will make a way out of no way. Believe that. In Exodus 14: 14 "Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Keep serving God. Keep praying. Keep seeking. And no matter what your days look like, God can turn a

There is only one you and God didn't make any mistakes when He made you. That's impossible, because God is perfection and everything He makes is perfection too. The only thing is that the world messes things up or at least tries to. It started with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden ( Genesis 2-3 ). As a result, God's perfection (Adam and Eve) was tampered with by the snake satan, and we've been fighting to get it back ever since. We must continue the fight. That means we have to know who we are in Christ and why we're here. That starts with believing in who we are and moving forth in that Godly confidence. We have to know why God created us. What is your purpose? We all have one. You must find it, cultivate it, and work it forever. Don't ever stop going onward with the Lord. Continue to believe who you are. Continue to be strong in mighty in Him who gives you the strength to go on to do bountiful things.  Believe in yourself.

When we have God in our lives, we are greater than we were before Christ, because we are new creations in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). That means  whatever we do we have the full capacity to do in greatness, because of the God we serve. So don't minimize your authority. For, there is much power to those in Christ Jesus. Whatever we touch will automatically turn into gold when we work the plan He gave us. He has positioned us for greatness through our connection with Him. "For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing" ( 1 Thessalonians 5 :18). Walk with boldness, courage, and conviction in that. Then encourage someone else to do the same.   

I don't know any successful people who didn't have faith before they became successful. They had faith/trust that they were going to make it. I listen to entrepreneur after entrepreneur and it's always the same thing. They never quit and they believed in something bigger than themselves. They continued on despite setbacks and closed doors. But who I really admire are the ones who are not only successful in business, but in business and spiritually. The ones who know the Lord Jesus. I never tire of hearing their faithful stories. What a winning combination, huh?  On the other hand, to imagine the people who are "successful", but don't have God, is quite daunting, because anything God isn't a part of has limited leverage. God is an everlasting forever God and faith without Him is dead on arrival even if it looks like it will turn into something. In other words, spiritual success and connections must accompany natural success, because " without f

That's right, keep pounding.  Don't give up. Keep going. Continue to move on despite the challenges of life. I know things are not always easy, yet God has us here for a reason and part of that reason is to reach people through our lives. To tell them our testimony, our journey, our setbacks, our struggles, our turmoil, our trauma. You may think people don't want to hear about it, but that's not the case. They want to hear about it, because part of it is the fact that you're still standing, you're still carrying on throughout it all. Not everyone can say that, because they're lying in bed right now and they're having a difficult time getting up. You can help them though. You can reach them. They have been through exactly what you have. Exactly . Other than them being a different person, you and they have many things in common, so they will be inspired and encouraged by your strength. They will be moved and touched that you didn't run away from

God does everything in excellence, doesn't He?  He's not at all a half-stepper. And He's not a man that lies, so when He does things He does things just as His word says, in order and perfectly. He operates in a way where people take notice. Yes He's God like that and His standards of excellence are the highest ever. And since we are children of the Most High, we have the ability (and responsibility) to do things as He would -- to the best of our ability.  Yet I have to start with myself by honestly and personally stating that, sometimes doing everything in order is easier said than done. Admittedly, there are some areas in which I could do better, like eating healthier more consistently. But at least we have standards set by God, to strive for.  I thank God for His grace. I'm so appreciative of it and appreciative of God who is an awesome God. "Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" ( Psalm 8 :9).  Blessed .

I got a great message from God yesterday. It came through Pastor Michael Henderson of New Beginnings Church in Matthews, NC. If you're ever in the Charlotte area, swing by and say hello. God definitely dwells there.  Anyway, the message was about David ( 1 Samuel 16 ) and how he was rejected by his family when God chose him to be the next king. David was an outcast, he was different, he was alone, and perhaps weird by some. But God -- God would eventually use David in a mighty way.    When Samuel, the priest and prophet went to David's house to anoint the next king, all of David's 8 tall and handsome brothers came in one by one thinking they would be the chosen one, but God rejected all of them and chose short ruddy outcast David. David was the one -- the next future king -- the powerful leader of God's people.    God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) and He will use who He chooses whenever He chooses. Case closed. The timely mess

Sometimes I just walk around the house and thank God for the "little" things. The little things can be my couch, my health, my stove, my shelter, my friends, my family, or my spiritual or emotional health. It can be absolutely anything. The little things can be what many of us take for granted as though they will always be there. Lately I've been so thankful for the things we can easily overlook. If I get no more than I have now I am perfectly ok with how blessed I am. I am grateful that God bestows His love on me every moment of the day. Why would anyone not be grateful for that? Is all of life easy? Of course not -- absolutely not. There are events that exist, I wish didn't. There are circumstances that happened that I still wonder about. There are issues that I have to deal with that I would like to disappear. Yet God is a God who knows why those things happened, why they happen now, and why they will happen. Who am I to question all of it? There are some thin

Years ago I was told to take off my running shoes and to stop running away from what God told me to do. A man of God stopped me in my tracks and told me to start doing what I was supposed to be doing and what the Lord was going to do as a result. I had gotten such confirmations several times before and after that, to which I am finally doing what I'm supposed to be doing -- blogging, publishing books (primarily ebooks ), and I will start speaking more to people about the goodness of God; what He's done in my life; and what He will also do in your life. If you've been coming to my blog long enough, you are pretty familiar to my testimony and the goodness of Jesus.  So, why did I title this blog post, "Go Get It" ? Well, I think it's pretty clear, don't you? It's about taking off your running shoes if you must, and sitting still long enough to hear what God says about your next move. I can assure you He will confirm what is already in your heart t

When God is for you, it doesn't matter who is against you. When God's agreement, covenant, and contract has already been established, signed, sealed, and delivered, well that's it. It's blessed and it's highly favored. It's a done deal. Nobody can stop it, block it, or put any obstacles in front of it that will prevent it from happening. God has placed His seal of approval on it. And nothing can't stop God. Nothing . Why? Well, there are many reasons. but I'll highlight the covenant God gave Abram (his name later was Abraham): "The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I   will   show you .  “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great,  and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;  and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” ( Genesis 12 :1-3). So there you have it. If you

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” ( Matthew 19 :26). When we're willing to give God a chance, He will give us a chance -- many chances. He will give us abundant opportunities. He will open doors that man tried to shut. He will place us before great kings. There will be nothing He wouldn't do for us. Unfortunately, many times we limit what He's willing and able to do for us by not having mustard seed faith. That's all it takes to put our trust in Him and to believe that what we desire will come to fruition. We have to believe it. Isn't it amazing the people who don't? Does it not leave you a bit perplexed when people truly do not think God will do what He said He woul d do? Listen, I get it. I used to be there too, but now I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God " is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us" ( Ephesians

"The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want" (Proverbs 13:25).  We must be careful, because according to that verse, the righteous -- the Godly, can push the proverbial plate away, but the wicked -- the ungodly, will be like gluttons and want and want and want until they have to be carried out, because of their greed. Another important point: " Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you" (Matthew 7:6). Focus on the things of God. Thank God for those who love Him. For, " the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective ( James 5:13-16 ).

In one of my ebooks, 10 Reasons Why Some People are Under Constant Stress an Pressure , I talk about ways we can beat stress in our lives. I decided to write this book last year, because I know what it's like to operate in stress. I was in a dark place several times in my life, because of life's issues and circumstances, yet God sustained me and He will sustain everyone who calls on the name of the Lord -- the ones who want to be saved by Him. Romans 10 :13 tells us that. Not only will God save us from eternal hell, but He will continue to "save" us from the things we call on Him to help us with. His resources are abundant and never run out, so call on Him whenever you need Him. And establish a long lasting relationship with Him. That way you will be able to hear His voice and that will enable you to get through through things faster. In my ebook, I outline 10 things I did that helped me in those dark times. Of course reaching out to God was definitely the f

Don't give up on God, ok? I promise you, He won't give up on you. This faith walk with God is not for the faint-hearted. It's not for the easy-to-give-up people. It's for the ones who are going to stay in the race, which isn't for the swift. It's for the person who is going to carry out the mandates of God no matter how many tests and trials come our way. Or no matter how long it takes. "Suffering" comes with the territory yet peace and comfort come from trusting and believing God as the ruler over our lives. And I can tell you this: God knows what we go through when people may come against us or simply not understand who we are. Don't let that bother you. Just continue on despite what others may say or do. Peter knew this when he said,  "dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."   ( 1 Peter 4 :12).  "If you are insulted because of

"Be hospitable to one another without complaint" ( 1 Peter 4 :9). Wouldn't that be nice? Enjoying each other without getting on each other's nerves? I know I know, we're people and that's virtually impossible since we all fall short sometimes, right?  Well...we can at least strive to have great and long lasting relationships without getting under each other's skin, right? No man is an island and God made us to want and need each other. Who are the people He put in your life for you to connect with? Didn't Jesus want that when He walked the earth? Doesn't He still want that for us today?  I really go out of my way to have those relationships with some people. I figure if I can extend myself then perhaps more solid and valuable relationships will develop. It takes two though and even if I don't always get the same love back, at least I can say I extended myself.  There was a time when I would have never done that, but that was then and

The Lord is with you. The Lord will never forsake you. He will never leave you high and dry. He wants the best for you. And no matter what we do, He forgives us, because of His love and faithfulness towards us ( Psalm 136 ). Why would He want anything different than that when He is filled with nothing, but love? You understand? God is love and He continuously operates in love. I'm not saying He never hates, because He does -- He hates the things we sometimes do when we sin, but He never hates us. You get it?  So continue to press in, press forward, and strive for the best that He wants for your life. It doesn't matter if things have changed. It doesn't matter if your life is not what it was before. It doesn't matter what others say or don't say about you. It doesn't matter who is with you and who is against you. Nothing matters when it comes to God wanting the best for His children. He is going to come through for you when you live a life of pressing

You ever wonder why some people function from a peaceful place and others do not? It's simple really. The former keep the Lord's commandments (orders, precepts) and they live a life of peace and prosperity. Now prosperity may not necessarily be monetary. Prosperity can be living a life of abundance through great relationships, as well as, great spiritual, physical and emotional health. People just living a good life and being in a place of acceptance of how the Lord directs their lives. No, everything won't go perfectly and there will be challenges for sure, yet some people handle struggles, challenges, and setbacks, like a champ. They know they're going to win and they are as prepared as possible for battle, because they know the battle isn't theirs. It's the Lord's. It's just as simple as that when we follow God and His ordered steps of our lives. Proverbs 3 :1/2 says, "my son [or daughter], do not forget my teaching,  but keep my commands in y

That quote never gets old to me -- blessed and highly favored.  And since we were made in God's image, shouldn't that quote get all up in our spirit and stay there? Wouldn't it make sense that we should consider ourselves blessed and highly favored as Jesus was? Luke 2 :52 says "a nd Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." If we are children of God then we have the right to walk in what He gives us the right to walk in. And since our father in heaven is a man of wisdom, of stature, of favor, then we can also be those things, because of His spirit that dwells in us. We should all be confident in this very thing. When are we going to start knowing who we really are in Christ? We are magnificent in His eyes and we can do the impossible through Him. Absolutely anything is possible, because we walk in His favor and blessings.

There are so many things I love about David -- King David. One of those things is that he encouraged himself in the Lord ( 1 Samuel 30 :6). When it seemed all was lost, he didn't give up. When everyone turned their backs on him, he stayed with his vision. When his family and community were taken, he went forth with what God told him to do. David never left the Lord in spite of his circumstances. I love that he did the opposite of what some people would do, he stayed with God, he didn't run away from God. And he didn't try to take matters in his own hands. He ran towards the ordered steps of God. Thus, he sought the Lord with all his heart. That's why David was a man after God's own heart ( 1 Samuel 13 :14) , which is why the Lord chose him to do mighty things (and rejected Saul). Consequently, David got back everything he lost, plus some, because of his Godly heart. The point of this blog post is simple: when all the chips are down, be strong in the strengt

Be thankful, be happy, be joyous, and by all means, rejoice! in the Lord.   You have a Godly right to do so. I searched Google for some synonyms of rejoice, and the Google definition came up with words like: happiness, pleasure, joy, gladness, delight, elation, jubilation, exuberance, exultation, celebration, revelry, merrymaking. How awesome is that! I love it. Anyway, we have much to rejoice in, because the Lord has us here for a reason. We should rejoice and be glad in that. Do I mean that we will be those things every single day? I wish, but no such thing. What I'm saying is that we should be in a good place even when negative situations and challenges confront us. Yes, there will automatically be a "down" reaction, because we're human, but having joy and rejoicing means we won't remain in that state when we draw our strength from God. All hell can be going on around you and you are calm yet "rejoicing" inside, because you know God and you kn

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" ( Matthew 5 :8).   The pure in heart deals with how someone truly is inside. Pure in heart people don't put themselves above others, they don't put others down, they're not showoffs, and they don't keep others from "entering heaven" by being rude and demeaning to those who are trying to see Jesus, They are humble servants of Christ -- that which He honors ( Matthew 23 :12-14). But the Pharisees were another story. They were just the opposite. In Matthew 23:1-3 "Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: The Pharisees and the teachers of the law are experts in the law of Moses. So obey everything they teach you, but don’t do as they do. After all, they say one thing and do something else." Clearly , they weren't pure in heart, so they didn't "see" Jesus. They were judgmental and condescending to anyone they thought was doing wrong or not following the la