Back to the Basics: Touch One Person at a Time

  It has been a long time since I last blogged and a lot has happened during this busy, yet FUN summer!  I had the opportunity to reunite with my Spelman sisters and had the BEST TIME EVER at our 20th Spelman Reunion in Atlanta in May!!!  I hosted our first ever Stevenson Family Vacay with family from across the country at Wild Dunes Resort in Isle Palms, SC in June!  And then got the opportunity to truly grow my new business, Daily Professions, spend time with my church family through our Summer Revival, celebrate my husband's Pastor's Anniversary, and even mourned the passing of one of our dearest leaders at our church who died suddenly at the age of 46.  Every experience, no matter how different, touched my heart in such a meaningful way and God gave me the refreshing I needed during such a HOT (translation "HAUGHT") summer!  And I realize now even more, after so many lives have been lost, how PRECIOUS life is, how we can't waste time on worry, doubt, or fear AND we have to LOVE one another, PRAY for one another, and just BE THERE for each other, to LIFT each other up!  I found that even in the midst of such trying times, such senseless violence, and a turbulent election, that my trust has to be in GOD and Him alone because man, people, and things change.  However, He stays the same! 
    
     At the same time, because we are facing so many issues right now in our country, I found myself asking God "What do we do now?  How can we transform our nation?  How do we deal with these times, that many saints say are the last days?" And I even felt like my joy was being stolen, not even writing/blogging this summer as much as I usually do, at times letting the heat of life discourage my soul. However, the Holy Spirit, with a still small voice, said to me, "Touch one person at a time".  Immediately my mind went back to all of the GREAT experiences I had this summer with family and friends that I mentioned above.  And I thought that is exactly what we can do and what we have done!  WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE BASICS and reach out to those around us, inspire those in the communities we live in, the workplace we thrive in, the schools we attended, and pour into our children.  I decided not to fear what man can do to me, my black son, or my family, but just TRUST GOD to continue to watch over us and keep us while I live my life for Him!  For Psalm 9:10 says "Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."
    
     So, in the month of August, God put in my spirit to have our annual O.N.E. with the Father Worship Experience so that women of God from all over the southeast region can come together PRAY, WORSHIP, AND TALK about what it is to be a woman of faith in times like these so we can overcome the darkness of our past or current situation and be the light He has called us to be!  We will have powerful guest panelists of women in music, media, business and ministry who will share their testimonies and personal stories; including Alana Simmons, the granddaughter of Daniel H. Simmons (who was one of the EMMANUEL 9 that were killed in the church shooting in Charleston last year). She started the national "Hate Won't Win" Movement with a just hashtag in social media and is now impacting our nation!  So, I thought to myself, if she can let her light shine out of such a horrific time, so can we...

     As I take a deep breath at the end of the day, I realize that we do not know what the future holds but we do know that God holds our future!  For Isaiah 59:1 says "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear." So, I want to encourage you to REST in Him! EACH ONE, REACH ONE and do what you do best! Let's transform our families, our communities, our nation, ONE PERSON AT A TIME.  I ask that you pray for the Worship Experience we are having here in Charleston and invite you to come if you are nearby!  I encourage you to seek God and see how He might move you to touch someone else's life this year. For this is just the beginning of how God wants to use us to help bring deliverance to a world that needs His love more now than ever before!

Letting my light shine for Him while safe in His arms,

First Lady J
Author of Daily Professions

Books, Cards & Framed Art

dailyprofessions@gmail.com

facebook.com/dailyprofessions

www.onewiththefather.org

1firstladyj.blogspot.com

Twitter @1withthefather

O.N.E. with the Father

Worship Experience: Women in Unity

                                     

GET UP! Arise & Shine

Saturday, August 20th @ 12 Noon

Guest Panelists will include:

Alana Simmons, CEO & Founder of Hate Won’t Win Movement

Tarsha Moseley, Business Builder/Career Developer & Trainer

Constantine Forrester, Marketing Consultant of Cumulus Media, Inc. 

Lavanda Brown, Executive Director of Y.W.C.A.

Gerney Glover, Psalmist

A representative from Darkness to Light & many more!

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! 

www.onewiththefather.org  OR  ONEworshipexperience2016.eventbrite.com

COME WORSHIP & BE EMPOWERED!

 

It is Your Time to Get Up...Arise & Shine!

     As April comes to a close, we can literally feel the breath and hand of God upon our lives as we see the flowers bloom, the sun shine, and even the rain pour!  There is something about the seasons changing that makes us more cognizant that God is alive and created the heavens to declare His glory (Psalm 19:1).  However, sometimes we forget that we were created for His glory too.  We are apart of His creation and we were made in His image to reflect His likeness (Genesis 1:26). Therefore, just like the seasons change God, wants to do something powerful on the inside of you that brings glory to His name. His plans for you are to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). He wants to bloom what He has planted in you!  That is why there is going to be some rainy days, so He can water what needs to grow. And through that growth, the Son of God will shine upon you with His love so that you can live on to see what He has predestined to break forth in your life!  So, live in the healing presence of God!  Walk in the blessing of being His child who He has designed to do great things.  Your health, life and strength come from Him.  So, laugh, love, cry, and rest in Him! Your life is in His hands!  Therefore, you are healed, saved, delivered and set free from Him living within.  It is your time to GET UP, bloom, and be who He made you to be! For God said in Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee."

This I profess in Jesus name!

First Lady J

Author of Daily Professions

Books, Cards & Framed Art

dailyprofessions@gmail.com

www.onewiththefather.org

1firstladyj.blogspot.com

Tweet @1withthefather

*Stay tuned for more Daily Professions on my new Facebook page coming soon in May!

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A Personal Invitation from Me to You!

"That they all may be one; as You, Father, art in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us:

that the world may believe that You sent Me.  John 17:21

LET NOTHING STOP YOU! The Kingdom of God is Within You...

      It has truly been awhile since I last posted my blog on January 22 about living in your passion for Christ in this New Year!  And since then I know that statement has been  tested in our lives, in yours and mine!  I know we have already been confronted with tests, trials, struggles and even distractions that have tried to take us back to what we used to do in 2015. However, I  had to tell my past "NO" and purpose in my heart that I will accomplish what God has for me to do this year!  I have a personal "bucket list" of things that I want to do this year that I am purposely checking off.  Some of it is fun, vacation plans, relax more, laugh more, and spend time with family and friends but most of it is what I know I have been purposed and have a PASSION to do (i.e. finishing my 2nd book and getting my song recorded, etc.)!  I have made up my mind that nothing or no one is going to hinder me this year from what I know God has called me to do; NOT EVEN MYSELF :) That is the key factor though, isn't it?  Because when it really comes down to it, the only one who can hinder me or you from accomplishing our goals is ourselves! 

     So, as we approach Resurrection Sunday, and reflect on the Passion of Christ, in the midst of hatred, adversity and even death, we have to dwell in this time of consecration and use it a time to draw upon His strength to overcome.  We have use this as a time to REPENT, turn from anything that would hinder or bind.  See this as a time that as the seasons change, of NEW LIFE being poured into us so that we can further the Kingdom of God; new life that only God can give to help you live this life in His abundance of joy and peace each day.  I love our theme scripture this month at The R.O.C. Church which says "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is in within you.", Luke 17:21.  You don't have to go searching for the power to live out your purpose!  The kingdom of God, the power of God to overcome obstacles, have dominion over the enemy, have authority to tread upon serpents and ANYTHING negative that would try and stop you, and the glory to see beyond your current problem or situation, and still keep an "eagle eye view", IS WITHIN YOU!  You are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus who loves you (Romans 8:37).  So, walk in it.  Live in the power that God has placed on the inside of you through His Son! 

     Remember, it is not about our own personal desires or bucket lists to benefit ourselves. It is all about how God will use what He has given us to help touch and transform the lives of someone else, even if we give someone clothes in time of need or make someone smile who needs to laugh.  So, you can't quit. You can't give up.  You are apart of the Kingdom of God! You are valuable.  You are purposed. And souls will be saved by the very gift of God on the inside of you!  So, now LIVE OUT your PASSION for CHRIST, LET NOTHING STOP YOU, for the KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU!

This I profess in Jesus name!    

First Lady J

www.onewiththefather.org

1firstladyj.blogspot.com

Tweet @1withthefather

It's a New Year: Live in Your Passion for Christ!

     It is an amazing thing when you finally get to the point that you no longer want to be bound to your past but want to accomplish what God has set before you and nothing is going to stop you.  During my time of prayer and fasting in this New Year, I realized that God is calling His people higher and wants us to live free of our sin. This is the year of God's redemptive love for 20 biblically means redemption and 16 means love. So, He is calling for the body of Christ to walk in His redemptive love, exercise the gifts He has given us and move in what He has called us to do for His glory! Sometimes you can get so caught up in man, what people do, or even with your own sin or circumstances that are going on in your life for the moment, and it can simmer down your passion to do what you do for Christ. However, one thing my Momma always used to say to me is “This too shall pass.”  In other words, she was telling me not to get stuck there.  The focus of every believer should be on receiving the fresh daily bread, the daily Word that God wants us to have, that brings deliverance, so we can fulfill our destiny and be a light as to how awesome it is to live in your passion for Christ!  

     Time does go by fast and we don’t know the day or the hour so we have to seek God’s face for wisdom and direction and do what He says do.  Deuteronomy 4:29 says “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.  God is waiting to pour out His spirit upon you and move you in your purpose.  He loves you and is waiting this year, to give you everything you need to advance in your destiny.  All you need to do is place your expectation in Him. Don't worry about your circumstances or even your mistakes. Let God's love deliver you, heal you, and break you free of those chains. Your confidence comes from Him!  Your peace comes from Him!  Your passion and drive to do what God is calling you to do comes from Him! And there is nothing satan can do to stop what He has ordained! The only person who can stop it is you. So, declare that today is a NEW DAY, 2016 is a NEW YEAR! And say out loud that "I will no longer live in bondage! I will live in my passion for Christ!  I will fulfill my destiny and I will be a witness for Him by showing His love!

This I profess in Jesus name!    

First Lady J

www.onewiththefather.org

1firstladyj.blogspot.com

Tweet @1withthefather

REJOICE & BE GLAD: WE ARE COVERED!

     In this day and time, we have got to REJOICE & BE GLAD about to whom we belong and who we are COVERED by!  There are so many different things that keep happening in our world that can cause fear, doubt, or even tempt us to live in anxiety as to what will happen next.  However, we have to declare that we are COVERED & PROTECTED in Jesus name!  When Jesus died on the cross for us, He shed His blood for the remission of our sins but He also gave us VICTORY over death or anything that would come against us.  So, there is no sin, no past bondage, no devil in hell, nor anything present that can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:38-39). We have to declare and say “WE ARE COVERED IN JESUS NAME!”  If we can confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus died and rose again just for us (Romans 10:9) than we can best believe that His protection over us as His children is not going to be any less when God made sure to SAVE us! 

     We are COVERED by the blood of the Lamb! This is why “perfect love casts out fear” as it says in I John 4:18. Even when Jesus was born, attacks tried to come against Him and fear tried to enter in His family when King Herod wanted to kill Him.  However, God wanted to make it known that nothing can stop the LIGHT & LOVE that I am sending into this dark world and even in death JESUS STILL WON because He rose again! When we fully understand that the same Jesus that died on the cross for us has also given us VICTORY over death or any attack of the enemy, we can REJOICE & BE GLAD!  Romans 8:37 says “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us”.  So, we must walk in that truth for Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.”, John 14:6. 

    As long as we are under His care, we are COVERED and PROTECTED by the Father, and we do not have to fear what man or anyone else can do to our families, our cities, or our nations, because ultimately we have EVERLASTING LIFE with Him!  So, as we approach the celebration of His birth let us REJOICE & BE GLAD in the truth that He was sent to SAVE us and we have the VICTORY through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!  For we are in His hands and NO ONE can pluck us out (John 10:28).  This I profess in Jesus name!    

First Lady J

www.onewiththefather.org

1firstladyj.blogspot.com

Tweet @1withthefather

Raise Your Level of EXPECTATION Even More!

     It is time to raise our expectation level even more!  I have learned this week to expect what only God can do; not man, not money, not mama, or what your job can provide, just God!  There is a realm that God operates in that is completely different then the world that we live in each day.  He is the creator, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  Therefore, He can see the whole spectrum of time. He is omniscient, all-knowing, and He sees beyond what we see!  He knows what direction we should take. He knows what decisions we should make!  So, in the midst of such troubled times, and circumstances we sometimes don't understand, we need to seek His face and hear clearly through His Word, what we MAY have overlooked before!

     We've got to EXPECT HEALING, for by His stripes you are healed (I Peter 2:24).  EXPECT DELIVERANCE, for Psalm 34:4 says "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.  EXPECT GREATER for He said in Ephesians 3:20 "Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all you ask or think according to the power that works in us!" EXPECT GOD, for He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider (Gen. 22:14)!  He is Jehovah Shammah, The Lord is there (Ezekiel 48:35)! He is Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is our banner which means we have the victory over anything the enemy tries to send because God will fight the battle for His people (Exodus 17:15)!  He is Jehovah Tsideknu, The Lord is my righteousness which means we are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.  He is our peace, our way maker and there is no one like Him.  We must raise our level of EXPECTATION for it only should come from Him (Psalm 62:5). So, put your trust in Him, watch God move, and He will transform your life! This I profess in Jesus name!

First Lady J

Author of Daily Professions 

www.onewiththefather.org
1firstladyj.blogspot.com
Twitter @1withthefather

Draw Nigh Unto Him

     There is a love that the Father has for you that no one else can give.  You can see it in the way He watches over you, keeps you, and provides for you.  You can hear it in a song of worship or a melody of praise.  You feel His presence when you need Him, call His name, fall on your knees, or even when you sit still in His presence and just breathe for a moment.  It is a love so dear that He gave His only begotten Son so that you could be in relationship with Him as child of God.  I used to recite John 3:16 all the time as a child but when you really reflect upon His word it tells the depth of His love for us:

"For God so loved the world...that He gave His only begotten Son...that whosoever believes in Him...shall not perish...but have everlasting life."  

     I don't know which part of that verse touches you but each part of it tells us of a different part of His character.  Oh He loves us so!  He will give up what is most dear to bring us back to Him.  He opens His arms so that anyone can believe in His Son.  Then through Jesus' sacrifice of His life, by dying on the cross and rising again, He gave us power over death, victory over sin and bondage, and the inheritance of eternal life with Him forever. So, why not run to Him? Why not draw nigh to Him in prayer, in worship, in the posture of raising your hands, or even in the yearning of your heart for more of who He is, when nothing on this earth can do.  He is waiting for you to draw near to Him, even in silence so that you can Hear His voice.  He wants you to feel the warmth of His presence, to cleanse you from your sins, and show you even more of His love!  Just draw nigh unto Him and He will draw nigh to you (James 4:8a).

This I profess in Jesus name!

First Lady J
Author of Daily Professions
www.onewiththefather.org
1firstladyj.blogspot.com
Twitter @1withthefather