The World Needs Jesus and Love

In the midst of the riots happening in Ferguson, MO, the spiritual persecution overseas, police brutality, etc, I just wanted to share my thoughts. This morning as I was making my way to work I saw a post on facebook that stated the following:

"I am crying for America. The struggle is real for OUR boys... personally feel as though the election of President Obama changed race relations in the USA for the worse. What are your thoughts?" When I read the statement and the question, my response was the following:

"This nation needs Jesus. People are just now standing up and enraged about what's happening. Why didn't more people stand up and fight years ago for education, racism, youth, etc. Why don't we stand up just because we care enough about ourselves? It seems that someone always has to die or endure injustice in order for this nation to pay attention. Sad... #Praying." My response alluded to the fact that we can't place blame on one person when our nation has been suffering for years from senseless crimes, poor job market, racism, etc. Some of these tragedies have been a result of our own fault. It's unfortunate that these events has horrifically accumulated over the years. And yet, we still go back to the same way of treating each other. We still separate ourselves from each other out of fear. We still harm each other with our words and actions. We need to wake up and realize that what we need is Jesus and love. We need to pray for each other and love each other more. 

So as I went about the rest of my day, I came across a post Heather Lindsey wrote on her page. She mentioned the many incidents that have taken place and how the Lord led her to read Hebrews 3 & 4. She mentioned that she kept seeing the words, "don't harden your heart, don't harden your heart" several times in both chapters. Then later on this evening, I tuned in to Girl Talk with my sis Gloria Warren and her monthly study was entitled, "Love Endures All." Basically the Word and the monthly study explained how we must not become bitter and angry in the midst of what's going on.  It's hard to do, but we must pray through the situations that are taking place. It's amazing how I saw several messages throughout the day that were written and spoken in different ways but they all boiled down to two topics, Jesus and love. One thing remains, the Word of God is sovereign and true; the same yesterday, today, and forever.



God bless,
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Be encouraged and JUST WRITE

I've recently joined a Writer's Critique Group with my church and every last Thursday of the month, we meet to give feedback, accountability, and encouragement to each other. The name of the group is JUST WRITE and it's been a wonderful experience learning from other writers as well as challenging myself to do more with my writing.  At our last meeting, I was recently given a challenge to use the words JUST WRITE to create affirmations for myself during devotional time as I embark on my writing journey. As I was brainstorming and writing, the process reminded me of when I was a teenager. I would come up with different acronyms and quotes as encouragement to help me remember things. Here are my affirmations I wrote last night:

J.  Jesus is the light, the way, and the truth.
U. Utilize all of your gifts for the Kingdom
S.  Speak over yourself God's truth
T. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
 
W.We are more than conquerors
R. Refresh and renew your mind and spirit in the Word
I.   I am a child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
T.  Telling your story will free others.
E.  Encourage yourself and others. Embrace the pain, accept the process, and evolve in your purpose.


Peace and blessings.

God is the greatest accountant

This is a short and sweet blog post. It's amazing how God uses our daily work/tasks to teach us.  As I'm making my way to work this morning, this thought hits me: God is the greatest accountant I know. He makes sure that my debits (what goes out, negative stuff) and credits (what comes in, positive stuff) are in balance (purged/processed) so that my account (spiritual walk, soul) is completely reconciled (one with Him). Amazing....another teachable moment from God. I love when He speaks to me daily through situations and people. Lesson for today: remove all things that need to be removed and take in all things that are needed so that you can be reconciled back to Christ. Keep your spiritual account current. Don't become spiritually overdrawn.



God bless.

Preparation is key for our next level in Christ

As I began cleaning out my room and other areas of the house today, I sifted through old documents and items, discarding the unnecessary clutter. I began to praise God for clearing out the old and making way for the new. That's what this journey has been for me. Since I was a kid, I've always been nostalgic, collecting souvenirs and cherishing past memories of key moments in my life. I always had a bad habit of holding on to too much unnecessary stuff to the point I was overly cluttered. As I came across certain items, I began to group everything into two categories: 1. Important documents  2. scrapbook material.  I trashed anything that wasn't needed anymore. It's amazing how the simplest tasks we complete daily, weekly, or monthly can minister and check us. As I took a break, I was in my thoughts and it hit me that in order to go to the next level God is taking me, I have to prepare. I've always known this but it was amazing how God reminded me. I have to purge, removing the old, unnecessary things(old habits, old thought process), keeping what is important (faith, positive thinking, endurance, the Word, relationship with Christ) so that I can prepare for the each level God is elevating me to (moving to another dimension mentally and spiritually). Amazing, right? See, the key here is we can't continue to stay stagnant where we are. We have to constantly prepare ourselves, growing and pruning ourselves so we can take on new dimensions. I've had to learn this the hard way. Where we are now is not the final destination. I'm so thankful for this season I'm in and the seasons to come. This season has been a season of stepping out on faith, accountability, endurance, and preparation for what's to come.  I've said it numerous times and I will never get tired of sharing how God is amazing with His love, reproof, and power to transform all situations and circumstances.  Everyday is a new day to learn and embrace God's truth, consistently being better than your former self. Note to Self: Change is the first step, Preparation includes the necessary tests, and Elevation is the miraculous journey that lies ahead.


Peace and blessings,


Kevin Vasser, "Only You Can Deliver" http://youtu.be/K_XU0ZULkzM?list=PLE401A4D06A5B87F4

Healing needs to take place......My reason for writing:-)

I was startled this morning by a dream I had where towards the end, there was an image of me walking in a group of people and all of a sudden I fell to the ground on my knees and I couldn't get up. The pain in my knees was so extreme that I had no choice but to kneel down. After that image, my alarm went off and I was puzzled. As I looked down at my phone, the time was 6:45 and I saw a missed call and text from my coworker. As I read that, I was thinking to myself, "What is going on?" I began to feel a slight pain in my knees which was similar to my dream so I immediately began to pray for my coworker, myself, loved ones, and anyone else that came to mind. I called to check on him and he said that he felt light-headed this morning and he needed to rest. He didn't want to risk fainting at work.  I thought about the image I saw again. Could my dream have been alluding to what was going on with him? Or was it something else?  As I began my morning, I received text messages back to back regarding prayer requests for a few of my church family who were dealing with health issues. When I checked my facebook page this morning, I saw that a friend had lost his father. I just kept seeing things where people were dealing with financial loss, health issues, death, etc. It was heart-wrenching. As I was thinking about the dream I had, I was asking God what did it mean. As I thought about it, all I could think was that I needed to fall on my knees and pray to the point where I couldn't get up anymore. I know it sounds extreme but that's the truth. I need to get back into God's presence more and not let daily routines and tasks carry me away.  I refuse to have another year like 2012 where I was dealing with a lot and not spending time in God's presence.  Healing and restoration needs to take place right now not only for myself but my brothers and sisters.  I believe in the power of prayer and how it can transform situations and circumstances. This statement is for whoever is reading this right now: I don't know about you, but I'm tired of seeing the same things happening over and over again within our families, school systems, job market, etc. Change has to happen now and it comes with prayer and belief. Prayer is communicating with God. Belief is trusting that God will allow the process to unfold in His timing.

 In the midst of everything this morning, I just thanked God for where He has me right now. I know by writing and sharing my trials and triumphs is healing and freeing someone right now. Thank you Lord for giving me a voice to express and words to write. My story continues.....



God bless,

It's Not About Us.....It's About Jesus

As I arose today in preparation for church, I noticed some cuts on my face. My instant thought was, "Uh oh, what devil am I fighting now?" I haven't had cuts on my face since a few months ago. During that time I was in deep prayer and consecration for myself, family members, and a few friends. I can remember since I was a little girl, whenever I would wake up with cuts on my face, I would tell my mom and she would always say that the devil would be bothering me in my sleep.  I didn't understand that statement as a child but although I have had long nails since I was a kid,  I knew I wasn't purposely scratching myself in the face while sleeping. As I grew older, I began to see what she meant in that statement. The further I went in life, the more demons I would have to fight, not for myself but for others. As a friend once said, "With new levels, there are new devils."

So as I made my way to church this morning, I began to ponder on the thought that it's imperative that we know what our gifts are and who we are in Christ so that we are more effective to do what we are called to do. So many times, we look at the tangible things others have and we equate that with success and happiness. I personally believe that, "Success is the positive result of using one's God-given talents to serve others." That quote came to me when I was a teen while watching a program about celebrities and their monetary status. Everyone strives to be wealthy and prosperous but the question remains, what are you doing with that wealth? Are you giving to others?  Teaching others how to be financially-savvy? The first song I heard today during praise and worship was, "Not About Us". I love that song because it blatantly proclaims that this life we live is not about us, it's about living a life that gives glory to Jesus. We should be operating in selflessness with ourselves and our talents. We all have God-given talents that are needed in the Kingdom. The image God gave me this morning was that of a quilt. The body of Christ is a huge quilt of various colors and designs(people). As we add different threads and images(talents), we create patches that keep growing and growing(Kingdom building). The Word brought forth today came from 3 John 1: 8. It reads, "To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth." The message was, "Your gift will make room for you." Simply put, God has given us all gifts and talents. We cannot afford to sit on them and let them waste away. There's room for us in the kingdom. We have to trust God and walk through the door. There has to be an agreement in the spirit that God placed us here for a divine purpose. As we step into our purpose and grow further, attacks will come. As I heard those words, my mind went back to those scratches I saw on my face this morning. I'm being attacked in my flesh because my breakthrough is on its way. This season has been an uncomfortable season in the flesh, constantly fighting and warring daily, but my spirit says yes to the assignment God has on my life. Looking at those scratches on my face is a reminder that the battle I'm fighting is not about me but about Jesus. I am called to serve with my talents and gifts while fighting for the next generation. For a dose of encouragement check out the links to Bishop Noel Jones, "Not About Us" and Shekinah Glory's, "YES" below:


Bishop Noel Jones "Not About Us" http://youtu.be/qn4y1jEM5Fg

Shekinah Glory "YES" http://youtu.be/obIT-By1VOU


God bless,

The Origin of "Lequvia"

This is a random post about the origin of my unique first name. When I was born, my mother decided to name me a unique name because she didn't want me to have an "old-fashioned, country" name like hers and my father's. Throughout my life, my name was spelled "Lequavia" but pronounced Laquivia by my mother. I was told that it was the correct spelling and that the hospital didn't take note, which was typical for children with unique names. In school, my peers called me everything but the pronunciation, lol. It wasn't until I was in my second year of college, I decided to change the spelling back to Lequvia which is on my birth certificate. Before making that change, my school had a free event where students could have a free name certicate done. I was excited to see what it said:

Lequavia, origin: unique, meaning: "divine gift"

Majestic: a person of great luminescence

Personality: she radiates charm and warmth

Genuine: one whose words run deep

Style: a humble champion

Ability: she experiments with new ideas

Character: never impatient with others

Sentiment: will give her all to succeed

Physical: rides on the highest waves

Interesting....fast forward 5 years, I had a great conversation with a church member. He mentioned that he has a software that does name analyses. By that time my name is spelled, Lequvia.  Here's what the analysis says:

Lequvia, origin: individual, meaning: "A Gift of God"

Emotion- is even tempered most of the time.

Honesty- reputation is beyond reproach.

Charisma- barrel of laughs.

Relationships- if you want a best friend then there is none better.

Recreation- likes to visit new places.

Opportunity- career choices are easy.

Personal Profile

You are a good observer, making a mental note of what is said or done; though you might appear to be in a dream, you simply choose not to comment. You are an instinctive helper of others, someone who needs to be of service. You may express this through your job(which may be a vocation), your family life or the way you fill your spare time. As a result, you are usually given plenty of responsibility, although you may take this to extremes at times by becoming too perfectionist or nit-picking. You find it easy to handle money and are especially successful when you're self-employed- you have the requisite stamina and desire to do well. You are loving and need a harmonious relationship, yet you can be intolerant of people who don't measure up to your high standards, not only emotionally but also physically and sartorially.

Again, interesting.....looks like mom and God were up to something. Everything I read is true to who I am today. This is a testament of how names for children is important. My prayer is that God gives me names for my future children that will speak to their character and identity in Him.

God bless