It’s inevitable…. There will be dark times in your life. Difficult moments, bad days, questionable periods, uncertain times, and unpredictable events will happen. Even if you “do” all the right things, contrary to what I believed when I was physically and spiritually younger, life isn’t smooth sailing. Making wise choices and decisions may help navigate needless struggles, but as folks say – “Life will most definitely life.”

Trust me – confessing with your mouth and believing in your heart that Jesus is Lord, doesn’t exempt you from troubles. Troubles WILL happen in your life, if they haven’t already.

Please don’t be discouraged by this information. Hold on! Psalm 30 gives us hope and most certain “light.”

This particular Psalm was scribed by David. David the prophet who loved to write, sing, and dance. He’s also the prophet who was “the apple of God’s eye” that seemed to consistently be in what I call situations and circumstances.

Yes, David was one of God’s “favorites,” but always seemed to have worries – giants, jealous foes, and his own temptations – before him. He had challenges that he overcame and then wrote songs in the Psalms to record his experiences and emotions.

David prayed and David sang! He cried out to God about all his situations. Throughout the books of Psalms he proclaimed who God was and what He meant to him. David stated what would happen to his enemies. He recalled all that God had done in the past. He predicted how God would work in the future. God’s triumphs in his life were noted and recorded. He wrote his feelings down. He poured out everything.

In Psalm 30:5 David wrote,

“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

Yes! There will be sad and troubling times we have to get through – but – hold on or as scripture states ENDURE! The tide will change and there WILL BE JOY!

Webster’s dictionary states enduring as “remaining firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding.”

I want to encourage you to – Cry out! Pour out! Sing it out! Declare who God is and what He’s done! Yes, It may be difficult now but hold on a little while longer! JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!

For even more encouragement in Psalms 40:1-3 David wrote:

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
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GLORY TO GOD! Trouble don’t last always…

This month has Global Sisterhood Day and Women’s History Month.

Luke 1: 41, 42 

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

The story of Mary & Elisabeth –

They were not only cousins but acted as sisters. Both women were pregnant just as we all are “pregnant” with ideas and work to help others. Upon Elisabeth hearing Mary enter the house- her baby leaped!Knowing who Mary was going to birth excited her. Elizabeth who was in the same state of pregnancy as Mary claimed – Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!

Just as Elisabeth was excited about Mary- We should be excited about what will be birthed from other women!

Now my personal testimony- 

I want to thank you! I need to thank all the women in my life for helping that baby leap within me. To the women I adore and clearly see what you are about to birth in advance I need to say “GLORY TO GOD FOR ALL YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH!”

This thought makes something deep within me leap at the expectation of what you will accomplish!

I challenge you to encourage another woman so you can feel the leap too!

https://bible.com/bible/97/php.4.6-9.MSG

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Thinking the King James Version “whatsoever things” is my challenge these days. Because of this, I decided to go to the message version of Philippians 4 to help me get additional understanding.

With all going on in the world down to what is going on in my personal life – I am feeling very heavy. Worry seems to creep in easily.

These days, we are constantly and consistently faced with problems. It is increasingly difficult to remain positive and think the “whatsoever” emotions listed in scripture.

We are instructed to reflect on Gods Word and to let our “petitions and praises shape (our) your worries into prayers, letting God know (our) your concerns.” Through this conversation/prayer (prayer is two-way) our thoughts will “shape” to remind us who God is and what He can do.

It is imperative in this day and age that we study, meditate and know God’s Word deep within our core. By shaping our thoughts through His Word and implementing into action, the Word states – “Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” As the KJV says ,”and the God of peace shall be with you.”

In these turbulent times, I plan and encourage you to also “think on these things,” as verse 4:8 instructs. We definitely need peace. My prayer – God please grant us your peace.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In this passage of scripture, Paul reminded the church at Corinth that we are mere humans – earthen vessels – that carry the message and/or do the work. We are God’s mouth, hands, and feet in this life.

With that thought in mind, it is important as leaders accomplishing great triumphs that we are careful to give credit where credit is TRULY due. The Lord God Almighty and his message of love, forgiveness, restoration, and redemption shown through word and action is not able to be shown through our own strength. It is only with and through His power we are able to lead and serve others.

The next few scriptures beyond this verse describe how believers have the ability to press through and give witness even in detrimental and perilous times. We are “always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

”You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.“
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God is with you, you are His, and you have the ability to bless others.

The 23rd Psalm is a powerful and useful piece of scripture to meditate . It brings assurance and comfort that God is with us, guiding and strengthening us – no matter what is happening or regardless what it looks like around us. Even in the rough times of life we have the ability to bless others.

Because God is the Alpha and Omega. the beginning and the end – He’s already in and through every situation in your life. Wanna know an important piece of information? He knows and is all in and through your perceived enemies lives too! He’s omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient!

Even when dealing with people we perceive as enemies or mean us no good, God affirms that He is in control and provides and prepares us (prepares a table). He also anoints us (signifies we’re His). That anointing/blessing is so prevalent it overflows. In confidence, we then have the capability to overflow and bless others even when it seems we’re in a battle ourselves. It is in that confidence that we recognize we are being kept and blessed by the Almighty so that we can bless others.

We are able to bless others because we are:

“troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Oh, what assurance! Oh, what a testimony and witness! Oh, what an opportunity to share Christ’s love and be a blessing even when we ourselves are battling.

Know in your most troubled situations and circumstances that God is there, you are His and you have the ability to bless others.

“Be sure to welcome our friend Phoebe in the way of the Master, with all the generous hospitality we Christians are famous for. I heartily endorse both her and her work. She’s a key representative of the church at Cenchrea. Help her out in whatever she asks. She deserves anything you can do for her. She’s helped many a person, including me.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭MSG‬‬

While in my family Bible study we stumbled upon the story of Phoebe – one of the most unknown women in God’s Word. When you bring up significant people/women in God’s manuscript she would probably not be in the top 10 or 20 named. Phoebe was not well known yet played a major role in the dissemination of the Gospel. She carried the letter to Rome on Paul’s behalf. Paul trusted her to study the Word and perhaps even explain it. In his letter to the people, he introduced Phoebe in a commendable way which gave her recommendation for the work she was about to embark. As the meaning of her name – she had her own “shine.”

Why is Phoebe so significant to me? Well, she wasn’t the “headliner.” She wasn’t necessarily the one whose name is repeated over and over again. Her name was not up in lights. She was apparently highly spoken of and accountable for Paul to name her as a “key representative” of the church. She also was a person who was of service and helpful to others. Some even say although a woman living in that era, that she held a position in the church as a deacon.

My point is – Paul was a well-known name to many. We praise him for all the books of the Bible he wrote and how he suffered. But- let’s take time to acknowledge and give credit to the many Phoebes of this world who work diligently in the background, steadily making sure that work gets done and done well. They may not be the Pastor or the President of the organization, group, or church they are a member – but they play a significant and effective role in what needs to be achieved. Without Phoebe the mission may not have been accomplished.

Phoebe may be a committee head or member who doesn’t always get the glory. She may not have an important title. As Paul did, the one thing we can profess about the Phoebes in our lives – we can always count on them to get the job done and with excellence. They are reliable and faithful. She may not of had a title or mentioned many times – but her work did matter and made a major impact!

I press through life’s struggles

I press through twists and turns

I press through ups and downs

Yes, I press…

I press through love and loss

I press through sun and rain

I press through calm and stresses

Yes, I press..

I keep moving forward

I keep toiling on

I’m kept because God’s keeps me

Yes, I press…

I sustain always with God

I remain in His hand

And yes, no one can pluck me

Yes, I press…

My mind is stayed focused

Constantly forward toward the goal          

My thoughts remain steady

Yes, I will always press!

In honor of 2024 Mt. Zion UAME Women’s Day!

Sis. Daphne Y. Evans

Singing, “Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord. Come and quench this thirsting in my soul. Bread of heaven feed me till I want no more. Here’s my cup, fill it up and make me whole”

My new question of folk – “How are you pouring?“ How you are pouring into other people is in direct relation to how you are filled.

If you fill a pitcher with water, you don’t pour out iced tea or lemonade. What’s in the pitcher pours out of the pitcher.

The same is true for us. What feelings or emotional state we are is typically what flows out of us.

Imagine being in the presence of folk that mean you no good. People you consider enemies. Now, imagine still being able to pour out “good.” In Psalms 23 the Word of God says,

”Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭23‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If we focus on Him, God has the ability to fill us with good stuff when evil is ever present. The fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance) still flow out of us even in the worst situations.

It’s just good practice to examine ourselves constantly to be ready to “pour” and “overflow” into others. As an educator and teacher this is a must with young children we are charged with working with daily. My personal challenge is having the same readiness and urgency with adults.

My cup runneth over, or in my vernacular – pouring, doesn’t miraculously or naturally happen. It takes an active and purposeful prayer life where constantly connecting and adjusting is a priority. It takes patience and foresight. It is self examination and change of thought and action contrary to how I may want to respond. It takes forgiveness and an extension of grace. It gives pause to allow God to guide and lead our actions, words, and deeds.

Please God, help us let our cups overflow to others…

Blessed 🙌🏾 Good Wednesday ✨️

The Word 📖 Faith and Good Works
20 You foolish person! Must you be shown that faith that does nothing is worth nothing? 21 Abraham, our ancestor, was made right with God by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar.
22 So you see that Abraham’s faith and the things he did worked together. His faith was made perfect by what he did.
23 This shows the full meaning of the Scripture that says: “Abraham believed God, and God accepted Abraham’s faith, and that faith made him right with God.” And Abraham was called God’s friend.
24 So you see that people are made right with God by what they do, not by faith only.
James 2:20‭-‬24 NCV

It takes action.

Ok, I think I need to say more. 🙂

The New Century version of this portion of scripture makes it very clear that faith without some action isn’t faith. To be classified as faith, action is required.

If you’re like me, God has placed some stuff – tons of dreams and visions – deep within you. I’ve acted on a few that I never thought possible – but actually were, while others are still churning.

I strive to be like Abraham and follow through the directions given by God despite my personal fear. Abraham was told to take all the actions to kill his son. He stayed so connected to God in the process that just when he thought he was about to slay his son – God revealed the ram in the bush. He overcame his fear and moved in faith keeping an open ear to hear from God. Fear can be the gigantic hinderance to those actions in faith we need to take.

You see, every time you sit in a chair, you act in faith that the chair will sustain your weight. You have to move to sit. Oh, it takes action. I’ve experienced the contrary though, where the chair went flat or wasn’t there. Did that stop me from attempting to sit? I may have been apprehensive for a second or two after my spill but, I continue to sit. Praise God!

Side note to tag – Continue to sit… 😃 (That’s an entirely different subject.)

I was scared to leave a job without another one lined up. How will I pay my mortgage and car payment loomed? Prayed through six months! Never missed a payment…

I was terrified to publish a book. Who would want to read what I write? Over 500 copies sold!

Start my own business? I dreamed of it for years! DYE Consult & Training exists!

Get off of 24/7 oxygen? Yeah, prayed, listened to doctors, and moved. Been off for four years.

Lord only knows, contrary to what people think- I’m terrified and extremely overwhelmed anytime I’m asked to speak in church. Was completely SHOCKED in the last year or so when asked twice to provide full eulogies for folk. After much prayer I calmed down and pulled the thoughts together.

GLORY TO GOD! That’s all happened and even more.

…and there’s still more stuff.

That still small voice in me that says there’s even more to come. I know this message is for me and I’m still processing. Sharing what I know in the meantime just waiting to hear further instruction so I can act in faith.

Honestly, it terrifies me completely to think about the exceedingly and abundantly above all you can ask or think stuff. Prayerfully, I will continue to move in action in faith as God directs.

Pray for me. I pray the same for you…

I’m not sure everyone is aware –

Around October/November of 2018, I had serious health issues. They slowly came upon me over the process of a year. My breathing was labored, I gained weight, and I struggled to walk even a few feet. The flight of steps to get into my townhome seemed like steep mountains that I had to climb. When sitting I would still breathe heavily.

Close friends urged me to go to the doctor – and even offered (threatened) to come with me. Went for what I think was a blood/oxygen test and the tech person conducting it asked, “How long have you been on oxygen?” I replied, “Never.” She then said, “Well, you will be…your blood is supposed to be bright red – see yours, it’s a dark burgundy.”

My life changed overnight. The next day large oxygen tanks and a condenser to supply oxygen while in the house were delivered. I had the canula up my nose and enough hose to cover my whole house. The constant hum was a reminder of my state. For about two days I sat pitiful and wondered, how will I work? How will I support myself and my household? How will I function limited by the tanks’ time of supply of oxygen? Will I have to haul extra tanks with me everywhere?

Doctors gave no indication that this was just a phase or a pause in my life.

BUT GOD!!!

Believe me – I prayed hard!!! I cried out! After I said all I had to say, I had peace and listened. I listened to the doctors, but I also listened to the still voice within me.

I recovered and was healed. There are days/weeks/months that time in my life is fleeting.

That was 5 years ago, although it seems more like 20…

This week I caught a bad cold and I had to slow down drastically. While slightly working and cruising through files, I glanced at the picture above with ALL THOSE TANKS!! Stopped me in my tracks. It brought back tons of emotions, but also reminded me how fragile health and life is.

I paused.

I hadn’t paused in a while. I’ve been so busy. Busy attempting to figure multiple problems out, solve everything, and be all to everyone else that I haven’t paused in a long time.

I paused to take that experience all in again to be able to “turn” to truly be grateful. I paused to soak that feeling in and then turn to radiate my gratitude back out.

It was at that point I know I needed to write and share.

Rough and difficult times come. We all have snapshots of them – memories. It’s how we view them afterward and how we respond as a result that matters.

Wrote this piece and then found/read Luke 17:11-19 which confirmed my message:

”And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.“

In the midst of “lifeing” and living, pause to think about how God has delivered, healed, or affected you – then turn and be grateful. Scripture states we are to go on/move on but our faith makes us whole.