A Simple Phone Call

Today, I'm inspired to write. On Monday while on Instagram engaging with my followers, I saw a post by @mrslucytyler about a conference call and the purpose was to encourage women to be fearless. Once I saw it, I passed it but came back to it because I know deep down the Spirit was leading me to listen to this call. Reluctantly, I obeyed.

In the beginning of the call I thought "why am I even listening," but it is true that God will put you in the right places at the right time. When He has a message for you, if you're willing to receive He will definitely guarantee that you get it. Most times people look for a loud voice or seek advice from close friends, family, coworkers, etc., but our God is a God of variety. Sometimes He'll use a child, sometimes He'll use a book, sometimes He'll use a stranger. In this particular case, God used a stranger who doesn't follow me and who I'll probably never meet, to get His message across.

On this call this lovely lady of God encouraged me more than she'll probably ever know. I had all kinds of emotions after I stopped doubting that it was God who lead me to listen in the first place. Once I actually tuned my ear to the message that was being said I learned several things:

1. For every vision God has given, He will also provide the provision.- What this means is that for every idea the Lord has already laid on our hearts, He has already prepared the right resources, people, and settings for us. He has everything we'll ever need to complete in us what He's started. Phillippians 1:6- "Be confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." But, just because God has it for us doesn't mean we'll receive it. Our obedience to His instructions is what does determine it.

2. We are blessed to be a blessing. She mentioned that the businesses or nothing we have started is for us, but for the Glory of the King (GOD).- Let me be transparent with you for a minute! What I got from this was a revelation. When I started my first business (Exquisite Expressions; website: http://exquisiteexpressions.biz) after several months of not getting the sales I expected, I started doubting. Well Lord, maybe I'm not supposed to be doing this. Maybe I am not walking in God's purpose and that could be why. But, I kid you not, EVERY time I said maybe I'll close the boutique God sends me someone to encourage me. He either sends someone to tell me how much they like my items, that they will be purchasing soon, He sends someone to order something, OR someone emails me asking how they can open their own boutique.

The revelation I got from a simple phone call on Monday night was this: God birthed the idea in me so that I may help others, so that I may provide jobs for others. None of my businesses are about me. Nothing that happens is about me. It is ALL about God's grace and mercy. It is ALL for God's glory. Not bragging on myself, but just to prove how good God is I have at least 10 others signed up as boutique owners. This would not have been possible if God didn't birth the vision in me. So, I'm not just in business making money! I wasn't blessed with a business for money to be my idol. 1 Timothy 6:10 says "For the love of money is the root of all evil; and while some have coveted after it, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

Looking at some other people who SEEM to be successful will sometimes cause you to question, but that's just a trick of the enemy. While those people are getting money, God has blessed me to be able to GIVE. While they are building businesses, I'm helping God build up His Kingdom. If it was not for me being on this phone call with a group of strangers from all parts of the world, all walks of life I would not have gotten this revelation. I would have never realized that I was blessed with my businesses so that I may be a blessing to others. I was blessed with businesses to handle Kingdom business. And, for that reason my businesses WILL be successful.

If this call did nothing else, it put things into perspective for me. It was apart of the building of my faith. I pray that someone else who wasn't on this call, but is reading this blog post, will also be blessed. May the peace of God surround you and the love of God sustain you!

Feel free to visit my boutiques!

Exquisite Expressions at http://exquisiteexpressions.biz -OR-
Be You Jewels at http://beyoujewels.bigcartel.com

"Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13- God bless you!

Lord, Have Mercy

Yesterday, I along with some students and coworkers, visited the Butner Federal Correctional Institute in Butner, NC. After learning that there are 5,000 men ALONE in this facility I was inspired to write.

So many emotions went through my mind. At first it started with fear, yet that fear immediately turned into empathy. Touring the facility there were so many men with talent.So many men ranging in ages. So many men away from their families. Men with disabilities. So many children without fathers and grandfathers. So many people without role models. So many families that are incomplete. Race had no face.

I didn't see race, I saw potential in the men who were factory workers making shirts for the soldiers in the Army. I saw people who had made mistakes. I saw passion in some of their faces. I saw longing. I saw scared little children without daddy. I saw wives without husbands, sons, fathers. I saw a need.

Then I thought, "what could I do to help these people?" They're all complete strangers, yet I felt a need to help. None of them could do anything for me, yet I felt the need to help. We weren't even allowed to stop and talk to them, yet I felt a need to help. Last night, I prayed.

In this one city alone there are 5,000 men who are incarcerated. 5,000 men who have lost their freedom. 5,000 men unable to provide for their families. Lord, Have Mercy!

My husband, one of my brothers, or even uncles could have been one of the 5,000 but I thank God they're not. This experience was so humbling.

Maybe my smile will help them, maybe not. Maybe the conversation in passing will help them, maybe not. What I do know will help is prayer! James 5:16 "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." So, if you're reading this please send a prayer up for these men and all others like them. Send a prayer up for their families. Even if it's just "Lord, Have Mercy!"

God Bless!

God's Faithfulness

I don't know if anyone will ever read this story and if they do I don't know if they'll get the same message, however I feel obligated to share in hopes that God will be able to get the glory from at least one other person.

I've been craving a Snickers (yes, the candy bar)sooo bad but couldn't find change for a $5 bill to go to the snack machine to get it. I know the Snickers is there and the more I think about it the more I want it. The more people I asked for change the more "no's" I got. After asking everyone who walked through the front my co-worker finally walked out of the room he was in with a prospective student. Mind you, this co-worker and I hardly ever have any interaction with each other. Honestly, he's quite annoying to me sometimes (he's one of those people that make you want to turn the other way because you just know the conversation is about to be irrelevant). Anyway, He walks out and the minute I asked he said "no." I would've easily said "ok, thank you. I guess I'm never going to get change" and I'm sure that would've been the end of the conversation. However, when God's favor is on your life you must expect unexpected blessings at all times. My coworker was getting ready to finish with his student but before he went back into the room he said "I don't have change for a five I only have another five, but I'll go to the cafe for you since you're stuck up here." God definitely places the right people in our lives at the right time. If anyone tells me my God ain't Good I'll show them a liar if they've never seen one.

Sounds like something you might've been through? Maybe your dilemma wasn't as simple as someone not having change..maybe your problem wasn't as small as wanting a candy bar BUT the same person who saw my dilemma..the same One who my problem, frustration, heart's desire is the same One who sees yours. God is good and He is faithful to those who love Him! Regardless of the mistakes we make, how many times we fail him, how imperfect we are, as long as our hearts are fixed on Him..as long as we strive to do what's pleasing in His sight He will continue to bless us!

It is amazing how a simple gesture could send such a life-changing, powerful, eye-opening message like the one I got from this small gesture He allowed my coworker to make. I say He allowed it because there is no doubt in my mind that if it hadn't been for God wanting to SHOW me His faithfulness I would not have gotten the desires of my heart (the change to the $5 bill that allowed me to get the Snickers I'd been craving).

I have been having a little trouble lately (that I've caused on myself) by losing sight of seeking the Kingdom first. I have been thinking about what I want instead of what He wants..trying to move forward without listening for His directions! However, today I am reminded that God corrects those who He loves. I have taken my correction, I have gotten a heart changing message from it, and I will cherish the lesson for a lifetime. Today, because of the desire for a Snicker bar and a simple gesture from a coworker, I'm reminded that God is faithful and will provide the desires of my (and your) heart as long as we delight ourselves in Him.

For the God I serve anything I ask is nothing compared to what He's able to supply. Then why were you not asking Him to do it, you may ask? The most honest answer I can give is because I've gotten too caught up in doing my own thing to stop to think that I'm only making it harder on myself by doing it that way. However, God is a forgiving God (and I'm so glad about it!!) My God is a God of plenty who's promised to supply all of my needs according to His riches and glory (Philippians 4:19). Therefore, as Tyrese Gibson implies "I'm getting out of my own way." I don't have to know how, I don't have to know when or how long because God does and He knows best! All I have to do is seek first the Kingdom of God and ALL other things will be added unto me (Matthew 6:33). From this day forward, I will try my best to wait patiently, while working toward everything God has for me because I know that the God I serve is faithful! I know that My God will grant me the desires of my heart no matter how big or small my requests are, so it's time to let Him be the driver while I sit back and enjoy the ride!! :)

May God's peace be with you and He pour blessings on you abundantly!

Psalms 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart."

It's Over NOW!!

"Are you facing a situation that seems impossible? In the natural, you don’t see how you can get well, or how you can overcome the addiction, or how your family can ever be restored? God is saying to you what He said to them, “If you will only believe, I will turn the situation around. If you only believe, breakthroughs are headed your way!" ~Joel Osteen

This morning God laid the song "The Storm is Over Now" by Kirk Franklin on my heart and I did not quite understand why. Then I got a message that said, "Fighting a losing battle? Remember that all battles aren't ours to fight...you're losing because this one belongs to GOD! Give it to Him!" Later on, one of my Twitter followers retweeted a tweet that said "The storm is over now." So, I decided to write a blog post because those different forms of messages aren't coincidences. Somewhere, someone needs to hear that God is willing to fight the battle for you and that your storm is going to be over. I don't know if your battle is job related, a sickness, financial issues, family problems or what it is but your storm is going to soon be over. There will be no more crying at night..no more cloudy days..no more sickness in the body..no more tears and sorrow...no more heartache and pain...no more suffering...your storm is going to soon be over!! So, REJOICE!!

Stay encouraged!! God is with you!! May his peace give you peace and you find strength knowing that He is faithful and He promised to never leave nor forsake you!!

God Wants To Reward You- Joel Olsteen

Do you believe that God wants to reward you? Maybe you don’t feel like you deserve a reward. I find many people struggle with this...they simply think they have to accomplish something great in order to warrant a reward. Listen to what the Bible says about this. Hebrews 11:6 says that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. I want to help you stop thinking one way and start believing and receiving a new way. Inside of you I want you to know: “God is a rewarder, and He wants to reward you!” There are no limits to His rewards. And with God, it’s never a competition between His children because He has unlimited resources. God’s rewards come because you get up every day and thank Him for His goodness, and seek His best in every situation of life. So no matter where you are today, let me encourage you to keep going, keep seeking and start believing that God has many rewards in store for you. You can look for and expect God’s rewards when you seek Him...it’s that simple. He’ll give you wisdom, favor, strength, direction, provision, healing and a greater measure of His peace. God wants you to expect Him to reward you. The reward comes in the “seeking.” God says that if you will seek Him diligently, if you’ll look for Him with all your heart, He WILL REWARD YOU. God wants to reward you! You don’t have to be anything, accomplish anything or do anything — you just need a heart that craves for more...more of His Word, more of the life He desires to give you. God hasn’t blessed me because I’m the smartest or the most qualified, and surely not the most talented or the most likely to succeed. He has blessed me because I diligently seek Him, and as I seek God, I find my heart wants more and more of Him. In my own strength, I never could have done it — but the one thing I can do, that no one can stop, is choose to seek Him every day. When you keep God first place, you won’t be able to contain all the good things He pours into your life. Seek God — rejoice in Him, honor Him, crave Him — and everything you need will come. He’ll open the right doors, lead you to the right people and cause you to be at the right place at the right time. Victoria and I want you to get ready for God’s rewards. He’s going to reward you with favor and honor and everything you need to be blessed and fulfilled in life. Keep seeking God and watch what happens!

Matthew 6:33- New International Version

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Motivational Quote

"U don't wanna be stuck, in da old.. When the new has come. U can't embrace the new, with an old mindset. Wipe the slate clean!" ~Tyrese

Awesomeness!!

Many times the bustles and busyness of life gets so overwhelming that we forget Who we serve. We don't forget about Him, per-se, but we forget to allow His will to be done...we try to be macho men and women and forget that everything here God has already overcome..we forget that He wants us to depend on Him so we try to do it ourselves..Well I was reminded yesterday that proper handling of problems, adversaries, doubts, life's journey, etc. is impossible without God. The night before I tried to pray and couldn't because so much was on my mind. I even tried to pray before coming to work and all I could say was "thank You Lord for another day," but that didn't bring what I needed. So, I was sitting at my computer at work feeling down, thinking about what my next move should be, and how I should handle a particular problem because it seems like nothing I was doing was working, and the Spirit said to me "pray." I needed a peace of mind and a clear heart because the enemy was really busy, and I had fallen victim. I immediately got up, went into the restroom stall and began to SINCERELY pray. I first repented and prayed for forgiveness, and I know God heard this prayer because I was able to let it all go. After praying I immediately felt a peace of mind and the weight lifted from my heart. I knew I was forgiven and I knew that everything would be alright.

So, if there is anything that you're going through and you just can't seem to find the answer..just can't seem to shake it...just can't find that peace of mind or get the enemy away from you...its burdening you down with a heavy heart remember that there is Someone who is willing to handle all of it. God is a loving, forgiving, caring God full of Awesomeness and there's nothing too big, too heavy, too surprising, or too hard for Him!!

"Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you." Psalms 55:22

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

May God's Grace and Peace be upon you!!