We take his Love for granted 😞
Kinda bittersweet acknowledgement. So no typical greeting today. Just somber truths and hard pills to swallow. I do hope you're well but let's get into this message.
We take God's love for granted ❤️🩹.
We want to be loved without loving God in his love language. We want him to accept us as we are, in our mess, but don't want to change to strengthen the relationship. We change ourselves daily for worldly acceptance, jobs, and community. Yet, we fight with God when it comes to changing our nature.
We want his love without giving love in return 🫠. Then we turn around and wonder why the relationship keeps failing. Why the person we truly love won't love us back. We want to love him how we want to without taking heed to how he desires to be loved.
Of course it won't work like that. We have to be open to change. To sacrifice. To grow deeper in connection. To be vulnerable with our scars. To fight to make things last. To maintain fresh oil in the relationship.
But a lot of people today STILL just want the image of something good without actually being good. His requirements for relationship with us are simple. “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) And the simplest way to keep them is by loving your neighbor. Yet, we feed and fan drama instead of exalting examples of love.
Thankfully, the solution is simple….turn back to God he's been calling us home.
God wants us faithful like anybody would in a relationship. The book of Nehemiah 1:8-9 states it this way “Remember the promise you made to Moses. You told him that if we were unfaithful, you would scatter us among foreign nations. But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and start obeying your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshipped.”
Have you stepped out on your relationship with God?! Thankfully, he's a loving and forgiving partner. He just wants you to come home. You can work out all the kinks when you get there. His grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)!
Return back to the Father. Repent of your sins. Let him love you. Love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5).
Love ya. Later.
Shya
God "Chose" Me First 🥇
Hey, Hey, Hey, beautiful people. It's the first day of Fall 🍂 🍁 and I'm super stoked! My reasons might be a little biased though honestly. What's one of the seasons you enjoy?! Hope all is well with you of course. If not I hope something shakes soon that shifts your situation. 🙏🏿
Listen, ion know if any of you have been hearing all this “chosen” chit chat. But let's get to the bottom of it today. Let's let this fall where it belongs. For good.
There are some people in the world who like to use the topic of being chosen as a feel good dynamic, some who try to use it to trigger others, some who want to use it to feel superior to others and others who use it as a term for community. However, did you know none of those things really hold weight compared to being chosen by God?! 👀 I mean none of it. God choosing us is the ultimate pick we could ever experience in our life.
The word tells us “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:4 This scripture highlights that God “wanted” us before we even desired to be wanted by anyone else. He chose us before the creation of the world. Do you know how important and loved you are because of that?!
God loved and desired us so much that he knew before he established us that he wanted to provide a place for us where we could flourish. He decided that we would be created then went to work on establishing a home for us to rest. The world. Earth.
When we look at John 15:16 it states that “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go forth and bear fruit - fruit that will last - and so whatever you ask of me in my name the Father will give you.” We think we “choose” , yet God chose us. God loves us so much that he knew we would make mistakes, stray from the path but he also knew and had faith that those that he chose would return home.
Talk about an intentional loving father!
God's love is sufficient for us. It's everlasting. Being picked by man (male/female) is a small thing when the alpha and omega hand picks you. When you love yourself……flaws and all…..being picked concerning a relationship isn't going to make or break you. Man will try to make you feel small and fail when you're able to stand on the fact that God chose you before the creation of the Earth. What man can top that?!
God chose you first 🥇 don't get so caught up on people wanting you to feel small because you're confident in that fact. Being able to love yourself and others is a beautiful thing. When you innerstand God's love for you being chosen by the right partner is just a bonus to being chosen by the Father.
Now we can finally let all this “chosen” talk lay to rest. We're now well aware that God chose us and who is topping that?! 🥰😍😘
Love ya. Later.
Shya D
The Pressure is Imminent But So is the Victory!
Heeeeyyyy good people & others. How are you doing?! I'm doing pretty good & I hope you can say so as well. Let's get into it. You see the title right 👀; but do you believe the title? If not, I hope by the end of this blog you have an increase in belief 😌.
I was reading briefly in Isaiah 54 today and there were a few scriptures that stuck out to me. Isaiah 54:15 says “Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.” After I read this scripture I paused and kind of smiled. I have had industries, ministries, saints, and aint’s alike all gather against me. Yet, standing still, I am. 🙌🏿 Hallelujah !
See, God knew that on this walk with him that people would gather against us. There was no question about it. Yet, his word also ensures that they shall fall for thy sake. Meaning even though the pressure would be applied our victory would be supplied. 💃🏿
As I proceeded to move forward in the word Isaiah 54:16 really gave me a good laugh. It states “Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.” You're probably wondering why this scripture gave me a good laugh. Our father truly has a sense of humor. The other day I was in the word reading about how Paul had ticked off the silversmiths because he was speaking against the idol that they made and worshipped (Acts 19:23-41). They “gathered together” against Paul. 😆
Look at what a silversmith does in Isaiah 54:16, it says they “bloweth the coals in the fire”. The use of fire in the work of a silversmith is to shape or refine the metal. 🤯 When you blow coals in a fire typically there is smoke. 😁 I have a previous blog that deals with the smoke …… See even in the smoke that's being blown there's purpose. There's intention. The smoke is shaping and refining us. Might be uncomfortable, might struggle to breathe for a little bit but overcome you shall.
The pressure we experience is fuel to the fire God has lit within us. The pressure is not for us to crumble it’s to shape & refine us for the work ahead.
Even the waster who was created to destroy has purpose. Destruction is also part of the process. There are many ways destruction can hit us; which, we might need to discuss in a different blog.
Isaiah 54:17 says “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”
In society today, we can see that the weapons have formed. For some it might appear as if they are prospering but God can not lie. Do not allow the formation of the weapons in the world to rattle you. Victory is still our portion!! The smoke is just fuel to the fire 🔥! Make sure you keep your fire burning! God is faithful. Remember to stand. Fight the good fight!
Love ya. Later.
Shya
Stability in Truth
Heeeeyyyy Good People and Others! How are y'all doing? I hope well of course. I mean fall is almost officially here and I'm kinda excited about it. Not the cold part 😩 just the fall part 🍁🍂. (I'm just being honest.)
I was reading thru the word and ran across something I wanted to share my little two cents on. Don't worry I'ma share some Bible so you can look into it yourself if you'd like. Matter of fact some of you might not even need your word ; pretty sure most people know this scripture. Which scripture came to mind immediately for you 👀? Drop it down below in the comments.
If you guessed Psalms 91 you would be correct.
In Psalms 91:4 it states “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust : his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
When I read this verse I paused and began to ask myself how God's truth is our shield? I also wondered on what a buckler was 😅. I definitely did not know. So I pulled out my handy dandy Strongs Concordance and began to dig. I was pleasantly surprised at what I discovered.
The word “truth” in Strongs is Emeth which actually means “stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness”. God's truth provides us stability. Gives us certainty and trustworthiness when we apply it to our lives. The word “shield” is tsinnah which is “a hook or large prickly shield”. Which means not only does God's truth give us “stability” it also “shields us” with a sharp defense system (the prickliness of the hook). The word “buckler” is cochereth which is also “a shield or something that surrounds a person”. Meaning God's truth gives us stability that sharply shields us and surrounds us completely. 🤯
I love the details. God is so intentional with his design for us.
When we think about “truth” in the world today and how so many people have seen or are seeing their lives being torn upside down because of the lies they have lived. It makes you appreciate living boldly in your truth. Whatever that may be for you. Truth gives us freedom; living in God's truth gives us stability & protection. When we are outside of God's truth we have the appearance of stability we can't fully trust and a faulty protection system.
Ruth 2:12 tells us “The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” When we take refuge under God's wings we are greatly rewarded for the work we do. There are benefits to staying close to God. Many have become accustomed to getting microwaved benefits. Having no patience. Some things God gives us requires us to have patience to receive them much like some of the “fathers or mothers” that came before us. Like Abraham, Sara, Noah, Moses, and etc.
Takeaway : Let God's truth provide you with the stability we all so desperately desire in these times and throughout life.
Love ya. Later.
Shya
Where there is Oppression, there is Wickedness ‼️
What up everybody? I hope that you are well in your mind and heart during the current climate of the world. Lot of changes taking place. Quite a few things that might cause some to worry. Yet, as hard as that may be to not do; try your best to cast your cares on God.
What we are seeing today has been what it has always been. There has always been the wicked oppressing God’s people Israel since the time God has appointed leaders (2 Sam 7:10-11). Some took heed to the warnings, some did not. Yet, there is nothing new under the sun.
What we now have to do is be mindful of where we stand. How we stand. And trust that God is sovereign.
There are so many planned distractions taking place. So much propaganda! So many people hyped up and competing and comparing instead of focusing on God. Within the church, outside the church and it's all a big mess of distraction. Where God is our focus needs to be.
Some people have loyalties to the very people who have a hand in their oppression. The word tells us that the wicked people oppress. Where is your oppression coming from?! And are you loyal to your oppressors? Do you stand on the side of the wicked?!
God desires to give us rest from our enemies (2 Sam 7:11). We just have to endure well. Keep the faith. Fight the good fight.
Love ya, later.
Shya
Elevation Requires a “NO”
What’s goodie Good People and others?! We have made it to the second half of the year & I’m grateful for it. I know it’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. I happen to take little mini sabbaticals. Don’t charge it to my heart. However, it is a cost you have to pay sometimes when you want to stay oily. Let me further explain using a parable from the word.
When we look at Matthew 25:1-13, we see how there are 10 virgins waiting for the return of the bridegroom. 5 of them were considered foolish and the other 5 were considered wise. The 5 foolish virgins were the ones who had lamps but lacked oil for the lamps. The 5 wise virgins were the ones who had their lamps and oil ready for them. When the bridegroom returns the 5 foolish virgins request oil from the 5 wise virgins. Can you imagine the response that was given to the 5 foolish virgins? (Good thing is you don’t have to.)
In verse 9 of Matthew 25, the 5 wise virgins respond with “No, they replied, there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.”
Did you catch the “No”?
See, there are people out in the world today who will know you have the oil and think that just because you have it that they are entitled to your oil! Requesting of you to give what you have causing a possible deficit for you. It cost to carry oil. What I love about the response that the 5 wise virgins gave is that it is simple, firm and states a clear boundary. Could you imagine if the 5 wise virgins shared their oil with the foolish ones and the bridegroom in turn rejected their entrance to the wedding banquet?
As believers of Christ who desire to go higher, we have to protect our oil. Yes, sometimes it is good to help, but it’s better to stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. The 5 foolish virgins had to run to the market to buy oil because they were not fully prepared when the bridegroom returned & they missed their opportunity to enter the wedding banquet (vs 10). All because they were not fully prepared for his return. We as believers need to know when the time has come for us to keep the oil to ourselves, so we don’t miss our opportunity to attend the banquet. This parable is a prime example of how you have to be willing and able to tell others “NO” so you won’t miss your opportunity.
For me, that was once a hard thing to do. It has gotten easier to do because I have learned the importance of NO. I have learned the hard way that people will milk you until you are dry and empty if you let them all because they don’t want to pay the price to obtain their own oil. The oil cost. It can’t be produced from thin air you have to spend something on it. You have to give to get and if you desire to go higher you have to give out No’s to protect your oil. Sometimes that could look like taking a moment to yourself. In the word we see often where Jesus would give a word to the crowds that followed him and then he would retreat off for a few days to himself. He had to ensure that he could replenish the oil that he carried. Others can be draining.
I’m not saying that we as believers are not called to help others. What I am saying is sometimes the season might require you to direct someone where they can purchase their own oil while guarding the oil that you have. Making sure we have an intimate relationship with the father individually is one of the best things we can do to stay oily. If you want to know one way to stay oily check out my YouTube video “Will Jesus find you Oily on His Return?
Elevation requires a “No”. Know when to use it.
Love ya,
Later.
Are you Prepared for the Famine?!
Have you stocked up your spiritual storehouse? This is your gentle reminder of its importance for your life.
What's going on good people & others ‼️ It's been a good little minute since I've graced the blog. I hope all has been well your way.
I've found myself exploring and honestly a little stocked up on the wrong things. Let me make it plain. Distractions 😫. I'm grateful that my father, our father (if you're believer and all), is wonderful at getting our attention when we have found ourselves a little too far from him.
Our word does tell us he's a loving Father 😁.
Let me share with you what our father highlighted to me.
I was reading thru the book of Amos the other day. In the book of Amos, it talks about a famine that will hit the earth. Where God highlights that the famine will not be one of food or thirst for water but for the word of God. (Amos 8:11) Many people have taken note of the changing times happening throughout our nations. In the United States, some people have prepared for years for a possible disaster, while others have just began stock piling due to the increasing prices of basic needs.
Yet, how many of us have prepared our spirits, hearts and minds with the word of God?! It's easy to hear the word famine and naturally run into survival mode looking for natural things. Food, water, emergency supplies and etc. , and forget that we also need to prepare our spirits to endure the trying times that a natural famine brings. The world wants us so distracted with struggling to survive that we don't live for God as he intended us to.
Our fight as believers is not with the flesh but with powers of darkness, spiritual forces of evil and principalities. (Ephesians 6:12) In trying times due to the stress that comes with it. Many will be naturally prepared to war with the flesh of others. However, by preparing our spirits as well as our pantries, we can be fully equipped to deal with what's to come. While having patience with our neighbors and the wisdom and understanding to navigate trying times.
Have you been filling your storehouse with the word of God? Or can you admit that maybe you've been a little distracted as well?! Good thing is, now that our father has gotten our attention, we can do our best to be intentional about filling our spiritual storehouses as well.
Be blessed, prepared and vigilant! I'll catch you next time.
Love ya, later!
Shya
More and Mightier than “THEM”
Hello, Bonjour, Que Pasa! How’s it going good people and others?
Have you ever noticed that your oppressors always use the same tactics to keep you in bondage and fear? Whew! Could I dive into some personal experiences on this topic but I’m going to keep it Bible for you today. I’ll share some personal L’s on this subject at a later time; maybe. Gone head and grab your bibles and turn to the book of Exodus. Let’s dive in!
In the book of Exodus 1:7-11, we see the story of Israel in Egypt told. Jacob and his generation had passed, and the children of Israel had grown numerously; taking over the entirety of the region. Eventually a new king comes on the scene in Egypt and is intimidated by the size of Israel. He begins to converse with his people (the Egyptians) and informs them that there needs to be something done about the Israelites. He begins to plot how they can wisely “contain” and '“get rid” of the Israelites.
Quick question: Do you know your enemies have sized you up? My apologies, I stated I had a quick question, but truthfully, I have a few. Do you realize that the size of your community intimidates your oppressors? Do you know your oppressor is currently plotting to take you out and to intentionally afflict you with burdens just to keep you in line? Do you know your oppressor is concerned that you will realize the magnitude of power that you possess as a community to upset their kingdom?
I’m sure some of you do. Yet, there are others who have yet to truly see that the power is truly in the hands of the Israelites. The 12 tribes standing together on business for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
See the new king knew that the plans he conspired against the Israelites had to be implemented wisely. He knew that strategy was the best way to control his chances on keeping the Israelites in line. When we look at verse 10 it states, “Come on, let us deal wisely with them.” Your oppressor knows that you are intelligent. So much so that they know to deal with you wisely. The rest of verse 10 goes on to state “lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out the land.”
In verse 10 the new king was concerned about a few things. Let’s highlight them.
Awareness. He knew he needed strategy to keep the Israelites distracted from the truth.
The size. He knew that the Israelites outnumbered them.
War/Wakeup. He feared the Israelites waking up to turn on them during a time of war.
Removing the Israelites from the land.
When we look at the world today…is there much unity in the land amongst the Israelites? Or has there been a strategy put in place against us to keep us burdened down and distracted? Let me make some of the burdens and distractions clear to you below:
Celebrity drama
Financial stressors
Political drama
Overworked and Underpaid
Lack of Rest
Could you imagine a world where you were absent of these things and able to live out the fullness of life that God has intended for us? In the land he has intended for us. See the Egyptians didn’t want the Israelites to necessarily leave the land. They wanted to control the Israelites within the land. They wanted to keep the Israelites blind, def and dumb to the plays that were being executed to their detriment. In Exodus 1:9 it states, “And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.” Your enemy knows you are mightier! Your enemy knows that if you ever wake up to the schemes, they have concocted to keep you burdened and in bondage that you will rise to leave Egypt.
The oppressors’ (the enemy) tactics haven’t changed. They want to distract you with burdens. To control where you put your focus. To never realize your true power against them. To afflict you. To stay within their control.
Children of Israel. Children of Jesus Christ. We are more and mightier than them!
Love ya later.