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.
Just this One will Cover them All !
What’s up good people and others? Pray you have had a great weekend thus far. That you were able to get rest (for those of you who keep the sabbath) & that you treated yourself to some type of enjoyment. Even if it was simply chilling at home.
I came across something interesting in the word that I wanted to share with you all. Hopefully it helps you along your journey of elevation as it has helped me.
I have a video on my YouTube channel that highlights how our love for God is dependent on if we keep his commandments. The video is titled “The Clause on Love” & it is under the Live section on my Ls2Elevation YouTube channel. In it I speak on John 14:15 & how God wants to see our love thru the way in which we keep his commandments. It’s a pretty good video. Make sure you check it out.
In total there are ten commandments in the Bible that are referenced frequently. These are the commandments God wants us to keep. When you read thru them all you might spend some time self reflecting on whether or not you have truly been showing God you love him. I know there are some commandments that I have not always kept. Some that I have struggled to fully get right. Others I am grateful that I can check the box showing I am able. Yet did you know that there is ONE action that will cover them all? Can you guess what it is?
Alright, alright, let me tell you.
It is “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as you love yourself.” (Galatians 5:14) Seems simple enough right? Yet, when we look out into the world today in 2025, the love shown is all questionable. Imagine being able to show God you love him simply by treating others how you want to be treated. Many fail at this. Maybe, it’s because they struggle to love themselves. Maybe their hearts have waxed cold. Maybe, no love was shown to them. There honestly could be endless possibilities on why people choose not to love their neighbor. Yet, it is the simple thing that God desires for his children to do to show that they truly love him.
If there was more love in the world instead of hate, jealousy, envy and covetousness the world would be a completely different place. People would be more willing to help others, more willing to look past some of the simple things that people get into arguments and competitions about. It’s interesting when you read the next verse in Galatians, verse 5:15, it states, “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Is that not exactly what is happening in the world today? Nation against nation? This group blaming that group. Cultural hate for others instead of embracing our differences.
In one action, we as children of God can reciprocate the love that God has shown us.
The bigger question for many people to ask themselves. Is do you love yourself? How can you love your neighbor if you don’t.
Whelp, y’all be blessed. Have an amazing day.
Love ya, later,
Shya.
Could You Pass this Test ?!
What's up beautiful people?! Hello. Bonjour. Que pasa!
I'm sitting here having a moment with the father just reflecting on things as I typically do. In the midst of my singing and thanking God for the life he has given me. My mom flashes in my head. Warm tears begin to stream down my face and the music stops (The singing I was doing haha). I love my mom. I love her so much.
Yet, if I love her more than I love the Father, Jesus Christ, I'd be found unworthy of him (Matthew 10:37-38). Isn't that something?!
It's truly a rough pill to digest. Yet, would you be found worthy?! The Bible talks about how there will be a separation between Father and son, mother and daughter, etc, etc (Luke 12:53). I know for a fact that it's hard being away from people you love. Yet, even when we are, we are not alone because God is with us.
I'm reminded of this YouTube clip of TD Jakes with his family standing behind him. There had just been news spread around the media bringing up old photos and videos while he attended a party of an individual who had been sued for some deviant acts. Yet and still his family and some of his congregation continued to stand behind him. The image of the family coming together was nice.
Most people are raised to stand up for their family. To love and support them. “If one fight, we all fight” type situation. It's hard to break that mindset. Hard to break that bond. Yet, when walking with and for Christ there will come a time when you'll need to decide if you're truly worthy of him. The test just might be. . . will you continue to stand with your family knowing they are doing things outside the will of God?! Where God has called us to be set apart. God’s children are called to be different and to stand ten toes in the differences concerning how we carry ourselves and show up in the world.
Could you pass the test of being set apart if it meant that you would have to disconnect from the very individuals you love and grew up with? I hope one day you will be able to say that you can.
Till next time.
Love ya later,
Shya.
What’s Lying at your Door?
Hello, Bonjour, Que Pasa ! How are you doing today? Hope, you’ve been doing well of course. Did you miss me? I know it’s been a little while since I’ve written. However, I’m present now so let’s dive in.
You read the title right? Hopefully it was what grabbed your attention. Did you go and check your door? If you didn’t no sweat. I’m sure after this blog you will be constantly checking your door to ensure that you are aware of What’s lying at your door.
When we look at Genesis 4:7 we are in the midst of the story concerning Cain and Abel. God is speaking with Cain concerning his countenance. He begins to explain to Cain that had he done the right thing he wouldn’t be upset he would have a smile on his face. Oh, excuse me, I’m not sure if you are aware of who Cain and Abel are, yet alone, what happened between the two of them. Let me give you a quick rundown. Cain and Abel are brothers, sons of Adam and Eve, they were both asked to give an offering to God. One was accepted or respected and the other received no praise. Cain, the one who received no praise was upset so much that he took the life of his brother Abel. You can find that incident in Gen 4:8. Hopefully that has brought you up to speed now.
When God tells Cain that had he done the right thing he would be smiling, yet, because he had done the wrong thing sin was waiting to attack him. Ultimately, sin was lying at his door.
See, when we give in to the lust of our mortal body, we allow sin to rule us while failing to realize that our bodies will die. (Rom 6:12) Even more reason for us to ignore the lust of our bodies. When we give in to the lust of our bodies, we are ultimately stating that sin rules us and because we are allowing sin to rule us, death will also have its way with us. (Rom 6:16) Sin and Death are always in close proximity of one another. Have you checked to see if death is knocking at your door?
We have an inheritance to obtain. Yet, the inheritance is going to require us to fight to obtain the prize. Fight the good fight of faith. Fight to remain righteous. Fight to stay in the will of God. Fight till the end. When we look at Numbers 32:23 we see that Moses was preparing the Israelites to go to war across the Jordan so that they could obtain their inheritance. Yet, two of the tribes wanted to stop in a land right before the Israelites were to cross the Jordan river to go into battle. Moses basically reminds them that choosing not to fight in the war with the rest of the tribes would be sinning against God. Here we see that the war for our inheritance is not an option. We must fight! We also see in this scripture that what would be waiting at the door for the tribes of Rueben and Gad had they chosen to stay in Gilead and not fight.
They wouldn’t have even been able to enjoy Gilead because punishment would be their only option. “But if you don’t keep your promise, you will sin against the Lord and be punished.” God gives us the option to choose whom we will serve. Whom we allow to rule us. Sin or Righteousness. The consequences that follow are based on which we choose. You can take a seat in sin and allow death to lay outside your door or you can choose to stand 10 toes and prep for the war that lies ahead. Just understand that the battle is already rigged.
The Victory is inevitable!
Love ya later,
Don’t forget to check your door.
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.
The Grace isn’t Unlimited!
Hello, Bonjour, Que Pasa! How are you all today? I pray all is well with you.
Today I wanted to talk about The Grace Isn’t Unlimited!
Many of us have grown up in homes, churches and vast communities where we have established connections and loving relationships. Some of us have grown up in not so loving relationships. Yet, we have found the strength to heal and continue to move forward. For those of us who have endured different things in life I’m sure we can attest to the fact that “Grace isn’t always unlimited.”
When we look at the word of God in Psalms 78 we see where God was dealing with the Israelites thirsting in the wilderness. God provided for them numerous times. Numerous times. Yet, the Israelites continued in their complaints and their request for more from God with a lack of thanks. Have any of you ever been giving and giving and giving and no one ever took a moment to simply say “thank you” for the work or services you have provided for them? I’m not sure if many people understand the complex simplicity that “thank you” provides. Thank you is one of the most simple and profound things you can say to someone.
Thank you gives. It gives in ways that will uplift and encourage the giver to give more because they feel appreciated. God wants us to appreciate his love for us. Some of us take for granted the love that God provides. I believe this is the case because we get comfortable in his works for us. Much like the Israelites did in the Bible. (Psalms 78:42) They had become so expectant of God being God in their lives that they didn’t even acknowledge that he was doing miraculous deeds to ensure they were fed. They didn’t even acknowledge that God was feeding them heavenly food.
Could you imagine being fed bread from heaven and believing that you are just naturally deserving of such a meal? (Psalms 78:24) As if you created the heavens and the earth in 7 days yourself. Eventually, people get tired. Just as God himself gets tired. We see in the Bible where God had given to the point where he was fed up. He then turns and smites the Israelites right when they were about to feast on the manna he had provided. (Psalms 78:31)
The grace God allots us is not unlimited. We as believers believe that all we have to do is “repent”. Let some of your celebrity Pastors tell it. However, true repentance is turning away from your sins. Meaning leaving them in the past. Turning away from them. Allowing God to establish you as a new creature in him. When we get comfortable in walking in our sins we are playing with fire. God’s consuming fire! Whether we take his warnings seriously or not….do we really want the smoke that God gives?! Don’t take God’s grace for granted. One day you won’t have time to repent and get your life in order. Start today!
God’s grace is not unlimited!