In the Midst of Tragedy, GOD REIGNS!!!

     In times like these, it has been hard to grasp and deal with the full magnitude of everything that's been going on.  There have been days this week as we have dealt with the shooting at Mother Emmanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston that we have all had to hold on to our faith.  We have just had to hold on to the fact that God is able to keep us from falling (Jude 1:24); from falling prey to fear, falling prey to doubt, to even enter the house of worship and glorify our God.  We have had to draw upon the very "well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:4) that lives on the inside of us through Jesus Christ to give us a refreshing in the midst of such pain and despair.  It just goes to show us that as believers, this is why we have to stay on our knees.  This is why we have to stay in His presence.  This is why we have to follow His will for our lives because we don't know when our day will come or when our timeline on this earth will end.

     We have to stand upon His word, hold fast to the truth of who He is, who He has called us to be, and live for God.  Why?  Because we belong to Him.  In the face of the enemy, we belong to Him and nothing can take that away from us.  Romans 8:31 says "What shall we then say to these things, if God be for us, then who can stand against us?"; not man, not fear, not racism, not doubt and not even satan himself who is behind it all.  This is spiritual warfare and the battle has already been won through Jesus' death and resurrection, which is why the love of God has poured out so overwhelmingly this past week to show the world that even in the midst of tragedy, GOD REIGNS!!!

     We are His children and I have realized now more than ever that our lives are in His hands.  So, we must live, move, and have our being in Him. We must "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10) and see the mighty hand of God transform the lives of people everywhere as we lift up His name!

For this I give God praise in Jesus Name!
First Lady J

Author of Daily Professions  

NEVER AGAIN!

In a day and time like today, it is the perfect season to say "NEVER AGAIN". There are so many things going on in our world from the war against terrorism, racism, violence, abuse, arguments over sexual preference to even horrific weather storms that are topping the charts. It can cause one to be wrapped up in an emotional whirlwind of times and people that are changing every day. However, God quickened me the other day and said you do not have to live based upon what the world does or what man says or thinks. You just have to live by what my Word says and by what I have established through it. I realized at that moment that God created the heavens and the earth and I am a part of what He created. Therefore, I never have to be overwhelmed, discouraged, or look to man for stability because God has not changed. Malachi 3:6 says "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed." So, I have to declare that NEVER AGAIN do I have to worry, or doubt, or fret when I can lean on the very ONE that is in control in the first place. He is the one who created me, established me, and has great plans for me, my family and for His people. I have just got to keep my eyes on Him, rest in His sovereignty and say to fear, doubt, and despair, "NEVER AGAIN"!

I pray this helps you this morning! Now, we just have to keep each other in check on that one :) Then we can rest in His joy, His peace, and in His protection because He is GOD and we belong to Him!

Love,
First Lady J

Author of Daily Professions

LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT...ENJOY IT! :)

I am realizing now more than ever that life is precious and it is what you make it.  We have to take the time to enjoy the One who gave it to us and the people we love!  There is nothing like peace in the morning, spending time with family, good food with great friends, and rest in His presence.  There is nothing like being able to eat your favorite ice cream, watch your favorite show, or listen to your favorite song, especially when you know you have given your all.  The truth of the matter is that we have a choice to make everyday.  We can either be overwhelmed, down, and depressed about our situation or circumstances OR we can be thankful, hopeful, and rejoice about the fact that God has given us life another day!  We need the peace that only He can give and it is awaiting us every time we open our eyes. We just have to be intentional and grab ahold of it.  We have to spend time in prayer with God so we can hear His voice, give our all unto Him in what He has called us to do, and make sure to balance the time needed to enjoy what He blessed us with in the first place.  I Thessalonians 5:16-18 says it best "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

This I declare for my life and yours in Jesus name :)
First Lady J

Author of Daily Professions