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

Lift Up Your Head & the King of Glory Shall Come In!

It is amazing to actually be in the dispensation of time that God has ordained; to actually see what He has spoken and live out the manifestation of His promises.  Sometimes we dream for so long and we forget that God wants to bless us today. He wants us to experience heaven on earth right now.  He wants to give us that peace and joy that we  so desire.  We just have to be willing to lift up our head above our circumstance or situations and realize that ultimately God is in control.  We were not created to live our lives to please other people or to look to man to bring our plans to fruition.  We were created to glorify God and trust Him to be our provider.  For Psalm 24:7 says "Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be you lifted up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in."  He is waiting to show himself strong.  He is waiting to show us His power and the essence of who He is by raising us up against all odds so that He can get the glory.  All we have to do is lift up our heads and know to whom we belong.  We have got to know that there is nothing that can stop what God has planned for our lives and He will help us even get over our own personal struggles so that what He has declared will come to pass.  For "Who is the King of glory?  The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle." Psalm 24:8.

Surrounded by His Glory,
First Lady J

Author of Daily  Professions

Put God First & Jump All The Way In!

You have to ask yourself some God to honest questions about what you put first in your life and what you deem as valuable.  Most people will say my family, my relationship with God, my career goals and accomplishments, my church and the ministry I serve in.  But what are you most passionate about?  And is it a hobby or is it apart of your destiny?  I realized when I was watching the show called "Shark Tank" last night that if you really value something or have a passion for something and it is apart of the very fiber of your being, you are willing to take a risk for it.  However, if it is just a hobby you enjoy, but you don't have to do it every day, you will not give up everything for it.  So, with that analogy, how do you feel about your relationship with God and the ministry you serve in?  Is it just a hobby that you enjoy but your not willing to give up much for it OR is it apart of your destiny and you are willing to take the risk of putting Him first before anything else?  For taking risks and giving your all can be scary, and you can receive a lot of flack for doing so from those who are only willing to stay in their comfort zone.  On the other hand, the reward in Christ that you receive is GREATER than you could ever imagine and He alone will get the glory and honor you for your commitment to Him!  Psalm 50:14-15 says "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay your vows unto the most High: And call on me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me".  He is waiting for you to take that risk, that proverbial "step of faith" and trust Him.  Just put God first and give Him all you have. Jump all the way into what He has given you a passion to do and serve Him. For He will take care of the rest and cover you with His protection and glory as you go further into your destiny!

Praying with you as I jump all the way in :)
First Lady J

A Brand New Day to Fullfill Your Destiny!

This is a brand new day and there is so much that God has in store for you but are you willing to go get it? He knows the plans He has for you.  Like the sun at sunset when the orange and reddish rays shoot across the expanse of the sky, He reminds us that He is the creator of heaven and earth and there is no limit to what He can do!   However, are you making strides to go after Him and fulfill His plan for your life?  I say this because it is almost half-way through the year and we must be willing to ask ourselves, are we living the life God has ordained to the utmost or are we stuck in a rut on neutral?    Are we accomplishing our goals for 2015 or are we consumed with something that happened last month or earlier in the year that we can't seem to get over?   This day, like any other day, has a brand new, clean slate for you to achieve your goals, experience something new in Christ, and have the joy that only He can give.  We just have to seek His direction to receive it.  God tells us intimately in Psalm 32:8 that "I will instruct you and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will fix mine eyes upon thee."  He has you and will lovingly guide you to experience a life you have never dreamed of.  Just follow Him and do what He tells you to do.  Your destiny in Him awaits...go after Him and get it!

Love,
First Lady J

Fullness of Joy Just For You!

In this day and time you have to know where your joy comes from.  You have to know that it does not just come from the child you love, the person you work with, the friends you hang out with, or the spouse you adore.  It comes from the One who is all around you, who covers you, and protects you. We were created to glorify Him.  We were designed to serve Him.  We were made to experience the fullness of joy that only He can give.  Because of this, I have made up my mind to stay right next to Him; to stay in His presence and trust Him as my source for everything.  For Jesus said in John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." This is what we have to remember so that we will have the joy and peace He wants to freely give us every day and be all that God has ordained us to be.  He is our source and He is our joy!  So, why not stay in His presence by believing in His Word despite what comes our way. For Jesus said "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11.

This I pray and declare for you in Jesus name!
First Lady J

Why Did This Happen?

 In the midst of the recent tragedy of Walter Scott Sr. in North Charleston, SC, we find ourselves asking "Why?"  Why did Walter run?  Why did the officer shoot him down and murder him?  Why are their such injustices all across our country?  Why do we live in a world, in a country, in a city where our lives can be sometimes gripped with fear because we do not know what man is going to do? Questions like these can put us in a tailspin and cause us to be uncertain about life even when we go through our own personal situations and ask why did this happen.  However, when I sat down the other day and asked God for wisdom and to just give me peace in the midst of praying for the Scott family, our country, and so many others, He said "Just ask in my name and I will give it to you".  Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it, and is safe." Therefore, we have a place to rest!  We have the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that we can trust in and all we have to do is ask for peace and wisdom Jesus name and He will do it (John 14:13). We do not have to be overwhelmed or consumed! For even David said to the Philistine in I Samuel 17:45 "You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with shield: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."  God is the One we can rest in forever!  He will give us the peace and the direction we ned to be used by Him so that we can help bring healing, hope, and reconciliation to a nation that needs Him.

This I Profess in Jesus Name!
First Lady J