Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Still Faithful

Mistakes being made are a part of life. Sometimes these errors are intentional because we fail to listen to the voice of God. There were many times when I failed to listen to his voice when it came to love, money, and many other decisions. 

Looking back, I realize how those decisions could’ve caused me to lose everything, but God protected me. I love how God protects us. I’m so glad that when we get ourselves into sticky situations, God sticks to being faithful. I’ve always loved 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”

The evil one, always ready to not only take us down, but the enemy desires to take us out. It’s not always the devil either, sometimes our own unwise choices have a high price for us to pay due to a low cost of living, but the Lord is still faithful to us. Does this mean God’s faithfulness gives us the go-ahead to live any type of way just because we know that our Heavenly Father will always be there to protect us? No! 

But because of his faithfulness, when we are weak, God is strong. When we sin, God is grace and mercy, and like my song “Going,” states, His mercy keeps going and going. It’s never-ending and never runs out on me. In this devotional, I want to share more with you about how God is still faithful in different circumstances. Even if they’re self-inflicted, He promises to remain faithful. 

Prayer: 

God, thank you for your faithfulness towards me. Thank you for not giving up on me even when I made anxious decisions. Thank you for making me wiser on this faith walk. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture: Genesis 29:31

Still Faithful in Rejection

If there is one thing I’m assured of, God has a special place in His heart for women. So often, we face rejection. It may occur on the job, in our families, with friends, even at church, but it will usually happen with the one person we have shared our hearts with. 

Let us look at Leah. She was forced into a marriage with Jacob through deceit by her father, and immediately she faced a double rejection. The first was from a father who felt the need to put the responsibility of protecting and providing for her off on another man. Then the second rejection within hours came from a man who became angry when he found out she was not what he wanted and demanded a substitute. 

She watched as he worked and waited for his reward while doing everything to gain love and erase rejection while being used. This belittling could have destroyed her. But, instead, she quietly waited for redemption. Leah felt the pain that so many of us feel when we’re constantly rejected. God would be the one to show her she was worthy of the love.

I, too, know what rejection feels like. I have felt that way so many times before. From being rejected in friendships, thinking I had a best friend in someone who secretly despised me. From wanting and trying to be loved the right way after a broken marriage. I often rushed into non-lasting relationships. I’ve been rejected and overlooked for opportunities, and I’ve been denied because I wasn’t the right size or didn’t have a look they wanted.

But these rejections came from humankind. With each denial, I was in some way encouraged to stand on the promises of God and keep pushing on. When man counted me out, my God strengthened me even more. I held to His word that was true in my heart and spirit. He promised not to leave me or forsake me, and I believed Him. 

I love Genesis 29:31 because it says, “And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb.” 

I want to encourage my sisters and remind them that God sees you and he will not leave you. You will produce and bring forth every good thing he desires for you. True friendship, real love, open doors are all yours, sis, as you press into him.

Prayer:

Dear God, when my sisters or I feel the pain of rejection, comfort us and let us know you have seen the hurt. It is you, Lord, who we will be faithful to us. Lord, we depend on you to pick us up when humankind turns its back to us. Let the world see we are favored in your eyes, and that is all that truly matters, Amen.

Scripture: Exodus 15:26

Still Faithful to Heal

I have learned that transparency is honored by God, and it’s what saves people. I have a testimony that our God can heal us from any disease. As a young girl, I loved the song by Rance Allen, “Miracle Worker,” and as I grew older, I found the lyrics of that song to be true. 

God is a healer. Many stories in the Bible prove this, and I am proof in the flesh of what he can do. Due to indiscretion in my marriage, I was grievously affected, primarily by a disease that was supposed to cause me a lifetime of shame. In my eyes, this condition was like the living death that Miriam faced when she was stricken with leprosy. 

As we all know, leprosy banishes anyone from physical contact. I became devastated to see that I had been handed a disease by someone I loved that would cause me to live out the rest of my life, possibly alone. After facing constant mistreatment in my marriage, I thought I was trying to do the right thing by staying faithful to my vows: “for better or for worse, in sickness, and in health”. Yet, those very vows started to violate me. So, I prayed to God that this hurt, shame, and sickness would not be part of my destiny. Hallelujah! 

I want you to know God, in His perfect timing, can and will deliver us from every disease. He can perform miracles. I’ve prayed for others to be healed and delivered but could not quite wrap my mind around being diagnosed with what the doctors said would not be cured. 

Although I knew God was a healer, I was too hurt and ashamed to believe. So often, we have prayed for others to be healed, and we have fallen short in believing in our healing. 

After multiple STDs from an unfaithful husband, the doctors told me it would kill me if I didn’t get out of my marriage, my mother and I prayed every day, multiple times per day, for my healing. My mom would declare healing over my body, and she assured me that God is a healer, it’s his nature to heal, and that healing belonged to me because I belonged to him. No medicine could heal, but there was my God and my faith in believing that he could deliver me, not only from the shame of it all but from the incurable disease itself.

My mind was able to accept that he was able to do what He said he could. I am so thankful that God healed me. However, in some cases the healing comes in different forms, situations, and outcomes. Regardless of the evidence of physical healing, we must have faith that our healing will transpire in His perfect timing. 

If you find yourself stricken with sickness and shame, please know God is STILL FAITHFUL to heal. God changed the doctor’s report and healed me 100%. He is the God who heals, delivers, and sets free. Keep your hope in him.

Prayer:

Father God, we know you to be a loving God. We are your daughters and look to you as Jehovah Rapha, He who heals. The blood that Jesus shed cannot go to waste. You can heal us of our infirmities. We stand on your promises of being a prayer-answering God. Our Faith rises and clings to hope in you, Amen.

Scriptures: Isaiah 54:13, Matthew 15:25-28

Still Faithful to Single Mothers

What will a mother not do for her child? As nurturers, we genuinely love and protect our babies. Unfortunately, some women must do this without the help of their child’s father. Many times, circumstances will arise that put so many of us in this situation. I thought the most painful experience of motherhood would be birthing a baby, but I’ve learned that it’s more painful to birth a child and then have to raise them alone. 

My story is the same as so many other women having a baby out of wedlock. We were both PKs (Preacher’s Kids). His parents were ashamed and forced us to marry. My parents and grandmother admonished me not to get married because I made a mistake. On my wedding day, my mother gave me a final stern reminder, “You do not have to do this,” but I grudgingly walked down the aisle, knowing I wasn’t in love. I also felt it was the right thing to do so that my soon-to-be daughter would have a father in her life. But that was not the best thing for my precious baby or myself. 

Since this marriage was ordained by man and not by God, it led to a swift divorce, and I became a single mother. It was no easy task. As a single mother, I would do anything for my child. The devil is busy and attacking our children, pulling them away from God. It’s like a game of tug of war sometimes but do not give up on your child. 

I am reminded of the story of the desperate Canaanite woman whose daughter was demon-possessed and how she was willing to bow before Jesus for her daughter to be healed. In the scripture, Jesus referred to dogs because of where she came from, but because she needed a miracle for her daughter, she was willing to take the insult for her child’s sake. 

Many of our children have put us in desperate situations in our own lives. The kind of desperation that will make us reach out to God in bold faith because we frequently turn to people for help and find ourselves helpless. Most mothers never imagined raising children alone. The truth is when we walk with God, he will honor our motherhood. With him, we are not single, and we do not have to walk alone. 

The Canaanite woman’s faith turned his heart. Her faithfulness was in her persistence and determination to not leave without the miracle she needed for her child. So many of us are surviving as single mothers, but we can trust in God, lean on his promises concerning our children, and he will see our great faith in him. 

I want to encourage single mothers to never give up on your children. Sometimes they go through hard times, but we have a PROMISE that ALL your children will be taught by the Lord.

But with that, we have the responsibility to make sure we’re setting Godly examples. Don’t worry about if the father will ever do right or if the Lord sends you a man that will accept you and your children. Allow God to be the Lord over your life. There’s a song on my latest album, “Still Faithful,” called “Bow Down,” and that’s what we must do just as the Canaanite woman did. Will your faith turn the heart of the King? 

The Canaanite woman realized who Jesus was, what he could do and acknowledged him as her master “even dogs eat the crumbs from the master’s table,” she proclaimed. When we bow down and worship, when we acknowledge him as the head of our life and as the master who’s in control, we don’t have to settle for the crumbs, Sis. Society can hinder our children’s faith. So, when your child doesn’t worship God, make sure you find yourself in worship. 

No, we may not have conceived our children “the right way,” but like the Canaanite woman, no matter our sinful background, no matter how people perceive us, we should never be too ashamed to go to Jesus. He will take care of our children and us, even when they are wayward and seemingly possessed. Our faith will keep their souls anchored. 

Prayer: 

Thank you for delivering our children from evil traps. Thank you for allowing my prayers to build walls of protection around my son/daughter. Thank you for access to you; thank you for allowing me to turn to you when I’m out of resources. Thank you for being a real good father to my child in the absence of their natural father. Thank you for seeing my faith on this journey as a single mother. Man sees me as single, but with you, I am complete and whole, Amen.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Still Faithful in Low Self-Esteem

Have you ever thought, “I’m not good enough? I don’t fit in with the crowd. I’m not as smart, and I am not pretty enough, skinny enough, and can’t do it. So, nobody will listen to what I have to offer.” These are all statements that, at one time or another, we have made regarding ourselves. 

The keyword in self-esteem is SELF. Sisters, we must be mindful of ourselves in this season. If you have a heart like mine, you’ll find yourself consumed with taking care of people more than you take of yourself. Neglecting yourself will leave you spiritually and emotionally bankrupt and overdrawn, especially when no deposits are made.

Low self-esteem veered many of us off the road of destiny because of the words spoken during our childhood. Even some of our experiences as adults shape how we feel about ourselves.

There are times when I refuse to see myself through the eyes of God. But I would look into the mirror of humanity and see the reflection of all the negative comments and actions of people I loved and trusted. That mirror was smeared with every hurtful conversation and occurrence where I had experienced hurt, disrespect, and shame. 

At times what I saw scared me. It would keep me from pressing through to reach for the life God desired for me. I prayed and fasted, and sometimes that wouldn’t even help, but I knew to cling to the word of God. I knew in my heart that I was fearfully and wonderfully made in his image for his glory and would cry out until I felt his spirit pulling me into a different mirror. Then, finally, one day, I began to see myself as he saw me. 

I know it’s hard, but each of you can do it. I closed my ears to the negative words of those around me and began to hear only the positive confirmation and affirmations of God’s word. 

When you are battling low self-esteem, face it head-on and with the Word as your weapon. The self that God made you to be can be birthed. God will break the bondage of low self-esteem, and you will be able to see yourself the way God sees you.

Prayer:

Dear God, you are the author of each chapter in my sisters’ life. Let them be filled with confidence that comes from you. I am filled with the surety that you are pleased with what is seen in the mirror of your eyes. Because you see my heart, I have confidence that you love me, and today I love myself and see myself the way you do. I am now confident in you, Amen.

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2

Still Faithful in Divorce

I have faced many trials and indeed had my roller coaster of ups and downs. There have been times when I doubted if God was on my side. During these times, He would send me reassurance of his faithfulness towards me. 

Divorce has such a stigma on it for women. Often, we are convinced that we won’t make it. That our children will suffer and that we will never find happiness. Divorce is a storm that can destroy you, a flood that can drown you, a fire that will burn you down, but then there’s God. The master of all these elements keeping you steady, afloat, and extinguished. 

As I walked through the valleys of marriage and divorce, He was there. God’s faithfulness sustained me when infidelity almost took me out. I wanted to do what was right in the eyes of man and stayed in an unhealthy marriage. I didn’t want to prove my family and friends right in saying I shouldn’t have gotten married and that it wouldn’t last, so I stayed. I stayed, and I cried, I stayed, and I was depressed, I stayed I and I was suicidal, I stayed until I couldn’t stay anymore. 

I was embarrassed, felt like a failure, and completely angry, but God promised me that He would bless me for drawing on His strength and walking away from what wasn’t in His plans for me. Ladies, the emotional, physical, and secret abuse is not God’s plan for your life. So please don’t hold yourself hostage in a marriage that God does not ordain. 

I’m a living witness that God will overturn the drama and abuse. I experienced so much trauma in marriage and divorce, but God alone helped me put away the heavy baggage of a faithless marriage in the process. It was my most significant “weight loss.” Even as others judged me, He comforted me and covered me with Grace so that I would be prepared for now. 

Prayer: 

Father, thank You for protecting my mind during trying times. Please continue to give me the strength and courage to stay in your will. You know what’s best for me. And even when I’m not sure, I’ll look to You for Your hand to guide me through. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scriptures: Exodus 3:21, Psalms 84:11

Still Faithful to His Promises 

Most of us have faith or have had faith in a promise. A promise is what makes a believer live by faith. If there is no promise, we have no faith. In other words, a promise creates faith. A promise is indeed that substance of things hoped for. A promise is that evidence of things not seen. A promise makes faith possible because when God makes a promise, we then begin to expect it.

Many times, the devil has a counterattack for every promise God has made in your life. It seems like you can’t win for losing, can’t stay up long enough before you get knocked back down, you’re merely existing in life and not living the life. We see everybody else happy, smiling, everybody else is getting new cars, jobs, houses, everybody else seems to be getting married, having kids, graduating, winning awards, looking good, dressing good, living good. It’s all good for everybody else, and you wonder if there’s any good left for you.

I want to encourage you and share the scripture that is near and dear to me, Psalm 84:11, that reminds us that the Lord is thrilled to give us good things if we walk with Him. 

Friends, please know that you can still bounce back, come back, and flourish. God said the promise is still on the table. The good news is that if you are expecting a promise from God, once God says it, the devil can’t stop it. May I suggest to you, my brothers and sisters, that what you are going through is a part of God’s divine plan? The trials and tribulations you’re experiencing now are connected to your promise. If you are diligent, steadfast, and don’t allow your faith to waiver, you will see the goodness of the Lord.

The word of the Lord is that in the end, you will come out with a great testimony, a great miracle, and a great blessing. I wanted to share my life experiences to inspire you to trust and believe in God again. You shall not go out empty. Whenever you run out, God will run in. He is still faithful. 

Prayer:

God, thank You for your faithfulness in your promises. I look to you for wisdom in faith. Sometimes it’s challenging to be faithful to You because I rush to get things done in my timing. I know that it’s not best to do that. Continue to help me learn to keep my eyes on You because you always know best. In Jesus’ name, Amen.