Preparation in the wait: Blog Devotional Feb. 2017

Every since I was a little girl I always wanted to be a business women. My father was an entrepreneur, who had many businesses, and I loved the idea of the freedom that came with it. The idea of being my own boss, doing something that I found joy in, just made sense… I wanted to wear nice talored suits, fly strappy pumps, and carry a leather briefcase, with the latest frames on my face. Clean, crisp, and in control. Sitting at the head of the conference table. Not corporate America, but an independent business woman.
Fast forward 20 years….
I graduated with my A.A and was working a job that, to me wasn’t going anywhere. I felt bored, uninspired, and trapped. I did not want to live the typical 9-5 life so I enrolled in cosmetology school, another childhood passion, to start my journey of being self employed. Around this time I also started learning about essential oils and experimenting with making oils for my locs. My first two semesters of hair school were great in my eyes. I was on my way! Third semester comes and my finacial aid was messed up and they said I had to pay out of pocket…a slap in the face because I wasn’t working. It was the school’s mess up but they would not work with me. Devestation set in…my car was broken so getting around wasn’t the easiest. I sat out a semester and tried again, to no avail. I got accepted into UNF, so I enrolled in classes. If I can be honest I gave up on the hair dream. Uninspired, depressed, second guessing myself and barely interested in school. A friend from hair school would try and encourage me. One of my instructors from hair school also would encourage me. So I tried once more only to be told that my hours had expired. That was the end of that.
I stopped going to UNF, was working, took a class here and there at FSCJ but still wanting to be my own boss. While all of this was going on I was given time to build myself but didn’t use it wisely. I was making products, learning about herbs, researching and starting to get my mojo…then came distraction in the form of my first love. In the past our relationship was different to say the least but this time I thought it would be different because we grown and had learned somethings, right? Wrong. A year and a half wasted, set backs, more disappointment.
Fast forward 3 more years…
I’m now at a place where I’m ready to try this again. I got my braider’s license, registered my business, and started on the road to be a doula. I quit my part time job that had no benefits and wasn’t going anywhere to pursue my dreams of being my own boss!
Only to realize it’s not easy and it takes alot of work!!! Its a huge investment that you have to be consistent in. And me being Erica, I wanted to do it all at once and have everything come together right away…It doesn’t work like that.
And trying to build 3 businesses with no help and no financial backing can frustrate anyone.
All that to say, when I started this journey everything seemed to be coming against me. My car broke again and sitting at home everyday looking at the 4 walls was becoming depressing. But I made up my mind that this time I would use this still moment the right way! I changed my perspective, instead of being depressed and complaining, I look at this time as preperation. It has been a struggle but I have tried to be productive, and prepare during the wait. So when the Lord begins to bless me, I will be effective and not wasteful. But I still struggle with organization and time management. The Lord is so faithful though. He gives me nuggets that help me along this journey. I have been researching, strenthening my relationship with the Lord, and working on Erica. I trust that God will complete the work He has began in me but I have to also do my part. Keep me in your prayers!!

To be continued…

How do you prepare when the Lord gives you still moments?

Blog Devotional 2/7/17

So last night I was playing Pac Man. As a child I loved this game so when I seen it was available in the app store I had to download it. So as im playing I was making wrong turns and getting attacked by the ghost because I didnt move fast enough. I also would get excited prematurely because I would dodge one ,only to run into another. The game gives you 3 lives and when you run out you have the option to be resurrected (stay with me) for a token or if you watch a video ad. So naturally I used the tokens. It was faster and I could get back in the game. But I didnt know that when I ran out of tokens I would have to pay for more!! I thought I could use my high points to get more. So when I ran though all of my tokens I had to watch the video ads to get resurrected. It think the longest was 30 seconds but of course it feels like forever when you are trying to get back to the game.

My takeaway:
The world will offer you temporary rewards when you are out wasting your life. It will give you quick fixes to keep you in the game. “Come on, try it again.” “You didnt really die, here take this to resurrect yourself.” And in the end you have to pay back all they gave you. You carry the scars of the quick fixes. Years wasted, past life is a blur, you are barely hanging on. All the while you are ignoring the Lord when He asked for a little bit of your time and attention. He can restore you and permanently heal you or “fix” you but that takes too long. He wants to clean you up, make you new, give you direction so you dont keep running into the wall or into dead ends. He wants to give you boldness to chase down and face those ghost/demons that used to haunt you. He wants to give you discernment so you dont have to guess if its a ghost or if its a real person; knowlege to test the spirits according to His word. But we dont have time for that. We have to get back in the game…
But what happens when the game is over and you are out of lives?

God sent Jesus, His Son, to live in human form and die a horrendous death for you and I. He died on the cross, defeated death and hell and rose again on the third day! He did this for you and I. He gave his life so that we could live forever! Every shortcoming, every set back, every scar, every bad decision, every hurt, every sickness, every abuse was covered by his blood! Wow! For you and I in all of our raggedy glory, lol. He did it so the we can stand Holy and Righteous before our Father God! And He didn’t do it because we deserved it. He did it because He LOVED us. This is not the fickle, sometimey love we offer others but love in its purest, rarest, fullest form! Unconditional, Unfailing, and Unchanging….

This gift is free. In the words of my awesome pastor, Pastor Matthews, “You can do one or two things with a gift. You can reject it or you can accept it.”

What will you do with your gift?

Greater is He that is in me

If HE IS GREAT and He is in me then, I am Great. If I am great, then I have no room for anything less than. You can not be a victim and be great. You can not be mediocre and be great. You can not half do and be great. You can not make excuses and be great.

Great: of ability, quality, or eminence considerably above the normal or average.

To have ability and quality above normal or average takes work, dedication, and focus.
Healthy routines. Good habits. Concentration. Awareness. Passion. Enthusiasm. Conscious effort. Keenness. Deliberate. Knowledge. Application. Execution.

What will you be great at today?

Scripture reference: 1John 4:4

Salvation through Jesus Christ

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
-Romans 10:9‭-‬13 HCSB

Salvation is God’s greatest gift! He sent his only son, who was born sinless and and lived a sinless life, to be crucified for all of our sins (past,present, and future)! But that’s not all. Jesus Christ died, defeated death and hell, an rose in 3 days and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father interceding on our behalf! He did this because He loves us. The best part: The gift of salvation is free and as simple as believing and confessing these truths. 

There is no great mystery or spooky ritual. Salvation is simple. Salvation is also a complete work. Once you are saved, you are saved forever. No matter what, God will never stop loving you! Yes you, in all your ragedy glory! If you would submit yourself to God the Bible says ” And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Phillipians 1:6 NLT. So do not get discouraged when you have accepted salvation and things don’t change over night. It is a constant, ongoing process. The good news: You are free from the bondage of sin and death.   “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” Galations 5:1 NLT. There is also no condemnation in Christ. “Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Romans 8:1‭-‬2 HCSB. The enemy will try to distract you. He will try to make you feel guilty but do not give him power! Keep pressing toward the mark and trusting God! “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 KJV.

Now this grace and mercy is not to be taken lightly. With this privilege comes obligation. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”Ephesians 2:8‭-‬10 NLT. God has called the church to do great works and for us to be disciples. But through Him, we can do it! “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 KJV. Salvation is just the first step. We have to now live this thing out. We have to develop a personal relationship God. We will discuss this in another post. We also have to guard our hearts and minds. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”Proverbs 4:23 KJV. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV.

Through the gift of salvation we have been made new! We have a second chance! “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17‭-‬18‭, ‬21 KJV. We can now live our best lives and be our best selves!

In the paragraphs above I have given you some weapons! It is important to get God’s word in you and declare it! You can do this Prayer Warrior! 

In the words of my awesome Pastor, “There is only two things you can do with a gift. Accept it or reject it”. Will you accept God’s free gift today?

Father, I come to you today thanking you for the special gift you have given us in the form of your son, Jesus Christ. I accept your gift today. I know I am a sinner. I ask for your forgiveness. I believe your son, Jesus Christ, was crucified, died, defeated death and hell, and rose again. I thank you for the blood that was shed for me. I thank you for forgiving me. I thank you that I am free. I invite you in my heart. I submit to you and your will. Thank you for completing the work that will begin in me today. Thank you Father, for new life, a renewed mind, and a pure heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Creating your prayer space

But when you pray, go into your private room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

-Matthew 6:6

Personal prayer time is a special and sacred time. It is a time where you and God the Father commune with each other. During this time your relationship is being built. You are coming into knowledge and wisdom of God. This time should be taken seriously.

If I can be transparent; I am what you would call a lazy pray warrior lol! I pray all the time, anywhere, but I dont always make a sacred meeting time for God and I. As an intercessor I had a set prayer time that I would pray. I would do so in my bed, laying down. I would do a quick non specific prayer that covered everything and everyone. Sometimes I would fall asleep in the process! I did not give God His due time. I did not ask Him to direct me. I did not read scripture. Do I think that the Lord heard me? Yes. Was I effective? No. 

One day the Lord spoke to me about submission in prayer. Not directly but He put something on my heart and I began to research. What He put on my heart was the posture of prayer. I began researching why we kneel during prayer. It signifies a few things: we are humbling ourselves before the Lord, We are submitting to God’s will, and We are honoring God. (I will create another blog about the postures of prayer and discuss these things in detail.) Even though the Lord gave me this revelation, I still did not always do it. 

Being raised in church, I have always heard the saints speak of their prayer closets. Even in some songs it is mentioned. When your hear the phase “Prayer Closet” you imagine a physical closet. So I would make the excuse, to myself, of not having one because my closet wasn’t big enough. Then I found out it doesnt have to be an actual closet but a sacred space. So in the past I have created such spaces and only prayed in them once or twice because in my mind my best prayers were in my bed! 

As of late there has been a nudging in me to go deeper in the Lord. And I feel that to do so I must create a space where I go to set aside time just for God and I. Hence, the creating of a new prayer space that I WILL USE! I played around with different set ups in my head but never really landed on anything, nor did I actively put anything together. 

Tonight it came to me…keep it simple and start it today. As I layed in bed I begin to visualize my simple prayer space. I then got out of bed and put it together!!!! I was so excited because this was the first step, and it took no time to complete! 

The movie “War Room” gives some good examples of why its so important to have a prayer closet and gives a visual of the set up. My set up is simple. I have a rug that I have had for many years, a sturdy seat cushion, my bible, a journal and pin, my current prayer list, a candle and my current favorite tea cup (I loooooovvvveeee tea). My prayer space is not in a closet but in between my bed and dresser. It is currently on the floor but I am thinking about elevating it. Then again maybe not because it will help me to be in the posture to pray. 

This is a journey that we are taking together, so I challenge you to create your prayer space. Make it to your liking. Include pictures of your love ones, specific prayer request, your meditation verse of the day or week. Set it up next to your favorite window or the most quiet place in the house. The hardest part is getting started. You can do this Prayer Warrior! 

Next set aside a time that will be blocked off for just you and God. Maybe start off with 30 mins in the morning or at night. Read your bible and pray during this time. Sing praises to Him. Make this moment all about you and God. NO INTERRUPTIONS! The goal is to commune with God and learn about Him. 

Lord, we come to you thanking you for this day. We thank you that you dwell among your people and that you want to commune with us. Thank you for wanting to have relationship with us. Lord we ask that you help us to be disciplined in setting aside time for you. Give us a thirst and hunger for you like never before. Reveal yourself to us. Open our hearts to receive from you. Conditon and mold our minds to serve you. As we take time to create a space just for our meeting, we pray that you bless our designated area. Give us inspiration on how to set it up. Send us confirmation that this is what you want from us. Help us to be open to hear from you. Give us reminders so that we can began to form a habit of meeting with you. Help us to be excited about our time with you. Refill us and revive us in these special moments. Give us knowledge and wisdom of you. Thank you God. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Welcome to The Prayer Warrior’s Closet

For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, since the weapons of our warefare are not worldly,but powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every highminded thing that is raised up against the knowlegde of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ. And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience has been confirmed.

-2 Corinthians 10:3-6

The aim of The Prayer Warrior’s Closet is to create, cultivate, and inspire intercessors.

In doing so, we change our lives, the lives of others, and manifest God’s will on earth!

We are all called to pray.

We are all intercessors.

Are you ready to grow your relationship with the Lord?

Are you ready to be a productive, discipline, and effective intercessor?

Do you desire to leave a lasting imprint and legacy?

Are you truly ready to change the world?

Join me on this journey…

The movement has begun.

Welcome to the Prayer Warrior’s Closet.

 

Mission

Be unceasing and persistent in prayer.

-1 Thessalonians 5:17

The aim of The Prayer Warrior’s Closet is to create, cultivate, and inspire intercessors.

The definition of an intercessor is ” a person who intervenes on behalf of another, especially by prayer”.

We are all called to pray, which makes us intercessors.

Prayer is vital for a healthy relationship with God. In the process of creating, cultivating, and inspiring intercessors, our goal is to also grow and mature your relationship with Christ.

In doing all these things, we will grow and mature in the things of God, learn God’s word, learn how to apply God’s word to our life, and be productive, disciplined, and effective Prayer Warriors.

These practices will change our life, improve the life of others, and help manifest God’s will on earth.

First blog post

This is your very first post. Click the Edit link to modify or delete it, or start a new post. If you like, use this post to tell readers why you started this blog and what you plan to do with it.