Daily Devotion

Living for Today

Day 1 of my fast is going well.  I woke up terribly late and missed the chance at a whole breakfast.  Nonetheless, I made a protein shake and here I am surviving lol.  But you know the devil is busy!  I walked into work to see every kind of treat--Twix, Milky Way, Snickers, rice crispie treats, everything!  But I successfully resisted.  I have been diligently drinking my water and drank some Hot Chocolate to stay warm (they keep it 60 degrees below zero in here).  I hope you are blessed and having a great day!

As you may know by now, I am a planner and somewhat an organizer, lol, by nature.  I usually come up with what I want to do and follow through with the plan.  For starters, I knew I wanted to go to college and graduate.  My original plan was go through undergrad and on to medical school.  STOP!  Clearly I didn't follow that plan, because I am a Computer Scientist and among other things, desiring to go back to school for Counseling and possibly ministry.  I know I previously talked about this, but it was on my heart again today because as each day passes, I realize more and more how planning does not always help if you are a Christian.  We are to submit ourselves to God's plan and His will for our lives and follow through with what He tells us.  In James 4:7-8 it says the following: "7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."(ESV)  Realize that things are not always going to go as you plan.  Rain, hail, tornadoes, and all the different storms of life come to confuse things and take your focus off God and His plan.  Instead of getting mad or angry, we should just be thankful that we have today to make a difference in.  If and when tomorrow comes, just take the chance that you are given tomorrow to take one more step on that path that God has laid before you, not the one of your choosing.

Matthew 6:34--"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NASB)

Fasting This Week

Hi everyone!

 

I want to invite you to fast with me this week, Monday thru Friday for the work week.  I will be fasting from 8am to 8pm everyday(I have to eat with some of my medicines, lol).  I am doing it because I really want to get in tune with God so that I can know what it is that He is preparing me to do next.  I will be drinking lots of water and tea though.  I will be praying throughout the day and I will make a specific point to go out to my car or somewhere I can be alone and have a few minutes to meditate on a scripture and get myself refocused.  Feel free to modify it specific to your health needs and concerns.  I love you as always and thank you for growing and going on this journey with me!

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God loves you...He blesses you with another day so make the most of it!


Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

A Dream Deferred

1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--

Sometimes I wish life was predictable. Then I could halfway expect or know what's gonna happen. Then I would have seen that I was gonna stay in the bed long, watch most of Creflo's sermon about faith--which actually tied in with what I heard today. But I'm glad its not predictable, because it wouldn't have the same effect. I was greatly affected by the sermon given today at my home church by a visiting minister from Liberia, West Africa. As you all know, I have been avidly pursuing finding a job in Atlanta, because of my feeling that my time has ended there and my general dislike for Charleston. I was a much happier person in many ways in Atlanta, and there is no saying that I will not be moving back, I just don't know when. But contrary to my wants and desires, God sees fit to leave me in Charleston for the time being, for what exactly I don't know. Its from this and the revelation I received at today's services that I take my devotion for today.

I, unlike no other person, would love to have all the good things that life has to offer. I would love to be able to pick out the things I want to go through in life. I would love to just pick up and leave Charleston today and have a job to start on Monday. But as I have learned, life is not like that. The pastor from today gave a very powerful sermon on Genesis 22--where Abraham was challenged to sacrifice the very son that he and Sarah prayed to God so earnestly for. Trusting and believing God as He spoke His wishes must have been very painful and confusing to Abraham. Now I'll stop here and relate this to the other sermon I listened to this morning. Creflo spoke of the different levels of faith--All of which Abraham had achieved, and many of the other great men and women in the Bible--but the one that he was speaking on today was the faith to be able to have confidence in the Word of God that is spoken to us (loose paraphrase lol). But Abraham had to trust that God knew what He was asking him and go forward and do it. Tying this to my own life, instead of dwelling on the whys of what happened with the job--I had been persistent in reiterating my interest by calling and emailing different things I had done to progress in my development at my current job--all things I had done to make myself seem the best candidate. Yet, I realized today during the sermon that God sometimes sends you somewhere (or makes you stay somewhere in my case) to prepare you for elevation. During that preparation time, He tests us and tests us and if we pass those tests, He gives us more responsibility and promotes us to be better equipped to continue to exalt Him. In my stubbornness, I have to step back and remember that this is not for me, but for God's glory and that in my choice to yield to His will, I have to wait until He prepares the way and tells me it is time to go as well as fulfill the things here that He wants me to do.

1 Peter 1:7--The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ appears again. (GWT)
See also James 1:2-4

So because I choose to present you all with a problem and a possible solution to that problem, the problem that I see for myself is that I desire to move because I feel its time for me to leave. I'll admit, I am sometimes impatient, I want things when and how I want them, and sometimes I am selfish but ask yourself, is there a point in your life that you have not exhibited these characteristics yourself? The generalized problem is sometimes we desire things that may not be good for us ever or in God's will for us at that time--and because we are sometimes selfish in nature, when we want it, we want it right then. In your case, you could be desiring a new job, a husband, a child, a new car...etc., but ask yourself--are you truly trusting God? Are you doing what you should as far as listening and yielding to God? Are you doing what God has asked you to do? Sometimes God will put us through difficult situations for refinement. Sometimes things will be hard and you will have the choice to be obedient and receive the blessings that are promised.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.(NIV) Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD is the one who is going ahead of you. He will be with you. He won't abandon you or leave you. So don't be afraid or terrified.(GWT)

Back to my title, A Dream Deferred. You must be willing to put your dreams and wishes on hold sometimes because they may not be in God's will for you at that particular time. But rest assured because if you put your faith and trust in Him, He will give you the desires of your heart.(Psalm 37:4-5) Don't be a part-time Christian! Be blessed and I love you!

Daily Devotion

You Can't Predict the Future For Your Life

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Ahhh what a day!  Well for starters I hope that you had a fantastic day!  Mine was quite eventful.  First, I've been sleeping extremely long hours but waking up in between.  I woke up at 9:00--mind you I was in the bed well before midnight. Work was great but I found out I didn't get the job I had been praying for.  I had the entire next year of my life planned out. I even had the remainder of this one planned too from something else I had prayed for that did not come through.  From this I give today's devotion.

Sometimes God does not give you the things you ask for and for many reasons. The main one is that this was not in His plan for your life. There are many other reasons, maybe there would have been something negative to come out of the situation, maybe He has a better plan for you, maybe it's just not time!  But clearly in Jeremiah 29:11 above, He has a plan and it's a good one!  So in my case, I'll yield to His will and wait and see what He has in store for me! 

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10


Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion #2

Crabs in a Bucket Mentality

Yes I was feeling a little inspired today lol. I just had a lot to write about.

Have you ever been talked about? Lied on? Judged prematurely? Picked on? Quite simply hated on because you're smart or you look good or just any random reason? Or in my case, have you tried repeatedly to speak to people and they look you up and down and don't speak? There is a young lady at work that always just stares at me and ignores my smiles, hellos, and other attempts to be friendly. Then you find out later that you were the topic of their conversation.

These behaviors bother me in particular because not only does it happen among unfamiliar company but it happens in our families too! In my own family people talk about someone whether are doing well or not and try to bring them down. My solution has been to just keep to myself and my immediate family and avoid any others altogether. This may not be right but hey...I'm working on it!

The real solution here is to love them anyway. Although when you are doing well or trying to do better they try to discourage you and dishearten you, love them anyway. Matthew 5:44 says "But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you." CEV-Sidebar: I really like this translation and NLT because they seem to be plain English.

Yes this is hard! I'm probably sometimes the queen of grudges. I had a conversation about this attitude I have about just kicking folks out of my life and how I shouldn't be that way. I then went on to have a conversation with myself and decided I would at least make an effort to work on it. I don't know about you, but loving people from a distance works well for me! Luke 6:27 says "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,"NASB. The truth is that when we operate in God's love He works on us so that our change can ignite one in those around us. So because of this I will keep smiling at the woman at work that just doesn't seem to like me for whatever reason and I'll be cordial and love those other people that I don't like because it is a commandment to us all by God! Don't let them pull you back into living outside of God's will. If you battle with this know that I agree with you that we will do better!

Luke 6:35--But love your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid back. Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true children of God in heaven. He is good even to people who are unthankful and cruel.

Marquita

Daily Devotion

Make Me Over

Hey! I hope you are having a great day. I am although I wish for once it would rain down here before I go to bed instead of while I'm at work lol.

Have you heard this song "Make Me Over" by Tonex? I do believe it is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Also Fall Again is great too! I mention these songs because sometimes we need to change. Well a lot of times we need to change. We need to let go of old habits, old people (not literally lol), old views, old excuses, and old thoughts. You can't do the things you used to do, hang with the people you used to, look at things the same when you give your life to Christ. When that happens you straddle the fence and slide back into old behaviors. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new." That means all of the old stuff is gone, nonexistent, vanished into thin air. This includes your sins, your faults, your hurts, your pains. Most times we don't pay attention to that part, that we become new creatures and we are made over. I have a hard time with this myself, that once we accept Christ He takes this all for us and I can let go. I'm going to add this scripture to my index card stack to remind me daily. In the most unselfish act ever, Jesus died so that we can live. The least we can do is let Him his job and quit being stubborn.

Marquita

Daily Devotion

Who is your Number One?

Heyyyyy!

I pray you are blessed and favored in the Lord today! Life is not guaranteed to be easy but by trusting in God and His promises wholeheartedly all things are possible..especially getting through today.

I read my personal devotion today on Integrity. Although it is not what I'm going to speak on, it spurred the fire for my devotion today. It mentioned how people will rate themselves higher than average and I didn't wholly see how that had anything to do with integrity, but it caused me to think: are we putting God first? Is He more important than anything or anyone in our lives? Including ourselves? I know you wonder how I came to that conclusion from that topic right, but it's like this: if you are glorifying yourself, more highly than you should, can God truly be your number one? Can He truly be your focus? God is selfish! He said it back in Exodus with Moses on the Mountain. Exodus 20:3 says "You shall have no other gods before me." Especially yourself! Don't you know everything you think you have can be gone in an instant!

I somewhat think that's why I have my scars. Don't get me wrong, I had self-esteem issues in the past and was very self-conscious and even compared myself to other people. But I have always loved taking pictures. When I first got sick, I was taking very high doses of Prednisone. It's like liquid poison in a bag or pill in my case now lol. Because the doses were so high, I gained like 40lbs in about 3 months. I now have these really bad stretch marks. When they first came up, I felt them happening and my skin ripping. I wouldn't take pictures or even look in a mirror without crying. People would ask me what happened but I really tried to avoid people to prevent from having to tell it so often. I have to relate this to 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 of when Paul complained of some problem to God that He would not take away. God told Paul that His grace is sufficient for us and weakness perfects His power. So that I will always remember it is God, not me, that has done everything for me; I have a constant reminder of where He has delivered me from. My stria and now my scar from the transplant are reminders to keep Him number one and remain humble. What is the thing that God has given you to remember to always keep Him first? For remember in our weakness, God's power is made perfect!

Be blessed!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion #2

Yes I know I already sent out one for today, but I had every intention of sending out one Saturday. I got distracted.

Don't be a Gossip!

Ever heard the saying that be careful who you talk about and when because you never who you may be sitting around? Well, the Bible very clearly instructs against gossiping.

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. Proverbs 11:13
A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts. Proverbs 18:8
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. Proverbs 20:19

These verses are so true! When someone gossips they betray a friend. They eventually lose the trust of the person they gossip about. Sometimes people gossip about things or people they don't know. Stories get warped, twisted, and exaggerated far beyond belief. I've ended friendships with people because I don't like the stories they have told about me or someone that I am close to. To me, personally, someone that gossips about me is trying to attack my character and above all things I despise that. I have had family members to lie on me and make up things, and to this day our relationships will never be the same.

But the fact of the matter is, gossiping is not of God! So stop it if you do it, and if you know someone that does it, remove yourself from their company and kill the story with you!

Be blessed and watch who you talk about...it always gets back to the source...

Daily Devotion

Understanding the Word

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Proverbs 4:7

I have been thinking about a lot of things today. I just had to say a quick word of prayer to find out what I needed to talk about. In the midst of my day I had a thought about understanding the word.

You know, it really is up to your interpretation. However, I pray for wisdom and understanding because I don't want to misinterpret God's word. Often today people interpret the Word to apply to a particular situation or to their liking. To be perfectly honest, that was what happened in Slavery! White slave owners read the Word and warped it to make the institution of Slavery right in their eyes. Yes, there are scriptures that mention many things happening in the Bible, but that doesn't mean you need to do it!

So do like the Good Book says and seek understanding!

"Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures," Luke 24:45
"And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." Mark 12:33
"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding," Colossians 1:9

Daily Devotion

What's growing in your garden???

Hey there! Whew today has been busy but I'm great. I had to go to the orthodontist today--last month I pray! I also had to get my brakes worked on. It took a while to finally get to my mechanic but it's great to have an honest person tell you what's wrong. The car was determined to bother me though. Every now and then it would make this noise that surprisingly disappears whenever I got over to the mechanic. But today it would not do anything for 30 minutes and I felt my frustration mounting. I was like please God just let it make the noises. Then yay it made the noises and I was happy because I could finally get it taken care of. I wasn't in any way happy about spending my money lol but hey you gotta do what you need.

I ask what's growing in your garden for a reason. We plant all different sorts of seeds with our words. We plant doubt when our money runs out before the month. We plant anger and hatred when someone lies on us or does something to us. We plant seeds of distrust in everyone when we get too many broken promises. Life is not a utopia. Heaven is!

In the parable about the sower, there were four types of seeds. (Mark 13:1-23) There were the seeds that fell along the path, the seeds that fell on the shallow soil mixed with rocks, the seeds that fell along thorns, and the seeds the fell on fertile soil. Obviously, this garden is your heart. But when we put certain words in our hearts and focus on bad situations, we turn our heart into that type of terrain. We create thorny gardens when we dwell on how we have been hurt and abused. Thorns hurt other people and they choke our hearts so that love cannot grow. We create rocky gardens when we know what God says and let situations wither away the Word in our hearts. We become the trodden path when we hear the Word and immediately fall victim to Satan's attempts to distract us. But the relieving fact is that we were created to overcome. We can plant our own good seeds to change that. Again, I ask you to identify your problems and find scriptures to reverse your thinking. I recognize how it's been helping me and I know it will work for you.

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

The Courage to Change the Things You Can

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

What a powerful prayer! In it's simplicity, this prayer evokes acceptance and peace, courage, and wisdom.

A little background on the Serenity Prayer: actually, the author is unknown, but credits are often given to Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr. He brought the poem to the attention of one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is upon reading the entire prayer that the purpose of life to take it as it is and simply change what you can, go along with what you can't and be wise enough to know that there are definite differences. We must be strong and know that all things are possible through Christ's sacrifice(Phi 4:13, Eph 6:13). We must know that God has a plan for us and will work it all out(Romans 8:28). Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." If this is declared in the Word, how hard can it be for us to simply acknowledge this and change what we can? Recognize those things and make moves!

Be blessed...

Here is the full version of the prayer below:

God grant me the Serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference;

Living one day at a time;
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it:

Trusting that you will make all things right
if I surrender to your will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with you forever in the next.

Daily Devotion

What are you allowing to shape your faith?

Good FRIDAY!!! I hope that you are having a great day. I look back at this week, and honestly, it's one of the best I have had in a while. I have some really good lessons to sink in and renew my focus. I hope your week was great too and the next week is better than this one!

Many times in life when difficult situations approach, defensively we look for ways to get out of them. I mean really, who wants to have a hard time? Who wants to be hurt or feel broken? NOBODY! At least I wouldn't if I had the choice. The truth is, you can make every good choice and still eventually face a difficult situation. The character-defining moments in life are reliant on our reactions and what we do in the midst of these situations.

Do you:
1. sometimes whine first then suck it up and face it?(This is usually my reaction. Well at first I try to pray then in my whining I try to solve the problem and finally I stop and deal with it. I also go to valued Godly counsel--my spiritual mentor or my mom or my assistant pastor) see Proverbs 15:22
2. avoid the problem alltogether? If this is you, please stop! You are going to miss out on so much that God has for you. Nine times out of ten, you really cannot avoid it anyway! This is a temporary situation, a test to pass and move on from. Recite "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phi 4:13 and "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 until you believe it! You are more than a conqueror through Christ! (Romans 8:37)
3. point the finger and blame others? Yes there are situations that may arise over which you had no fault, but where does trying to find someone to blame get you? Nowhere! For a long time after I got sick, I tried to rationalize it in my mind. Why me? Why now? Why not before? I actually had someone I could blame for negligence, but where would that get me? It got me bitter, hurt, betrayed, and depressed from holding on to all the anger. It seemed like God was ignoring my prayers but I had not done my part! It wasnt until I accepted that for the simple fact that we are born into sin that some bad things happen but even more important that we can give it all to God and He Will give you peace! It's in these points that we have to remember the following: Romans 12:19--Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the scriptures say, "I will take revenge, I will pay them back," says the Lord. My favorite: Romans 8:28--And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Lastly Isaiah 26:3--You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you. (AKJV)

So what are you allowing to shape your faith? Are you running away in fear--and remember fear is not of God!!(2 Tim 1:7). Are you standing in God's promises to give your the desires of your heart and to protect you?(Psalm 37:4, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 121:7-8) I don't know about you but going it alone is not an option for me so I'll continue to keep quiet and face them head on because I know God has my back!

Love you and be blessed! It's Friday yay!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10


Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

Die to Self Everyday

"[I assure you] by the pride which I have in you in [your fellowship and union with] Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily [I face death every day and die to self]." 1 Cor 15:31 AMP

Hey! Hope today is hot and not rainy. Well not too hot either. I have been reading the Purpose-Driven Life with one of my best friends and I actually recommend anyone who is serious about getting closer to God to read it as well. I recognize a lot of lessons in it that I have learned or am learning and it's pretty straight-forward reinforcement. Yesterday's reading talked about surrendering your life to God. More clearly what stuck out was the reference to the verse above. I die daily.

I'm not going to lie and say I like the thought of this but to truly know God and to trust Him in spite of EVERYTHING requires this. I was ANGRY when I read this! I was having a bad day after lunch(some thought had come to mind--yet I didn't recognize the word that caused it to kill it so I was stuck). Then reading this--yes I needed to read it but that didn't mean I couldn't get mad!

Daily death. Kill selfishness, self-centeredness, controlling thoughts, etc. There are simply some things that God did not equip us to do and that's what He wants us to come to Him for! But this is hard! If you wake up nearly everyday and you choose, "Hmmm, I think I'll cook my breakfast today. I'll wear that black shirt or those jeans..." You have "control" and you decide what you want to do in regards to what time to go to work...blah! But those real decisions and choices in life are influenced by who you serve. Do you serve yourself and think selfishly or do you serve God?

Dying to self is a hard thing to do and I think that's why Paul says he had to do it daily. Remember that your life is not about you. Remember that the choices you make affect those around you. Remember that in the midst of your complaining, God has you at that point for some reason you may or may not know yet, but in the end it will make you better and get you to that place where God can elevate you. All difficulty is only temporary. If no one else you can trust Him. Let it go. Die to self today and give up whatever is on your heart. He will work it out! If you believe that, then what are you afraid of???

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

Afternoon everybody!

Sow into Someone Else's Life

"Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel." Proverbs 27:9

I went to the elementary school that I have been volunteering at today to eat lunch with my mentee. She is a TRIP, but I enjoy it. It's important to be able to look beyond your own problems and minister to the needs of someone else. When you step away from your issues and spend time with someone else, you give God the reins and it allows Him to make moves on your behalf.

"By love serve one another." Galatians 5:13

Philippians 2:1-4 calls this attitude true humility. By serving others and caring for them as much as yourself, you minister to a need they have and God will minister to you. Whether they need comfort, financial help, or just someone to talk to, your act of simply showing interest will definitely bless them. Think about it and go minister to someone today! Galatians 6:2 says "You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand."

2 Corinthians 1:4--He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

Good morning!

How can you expect God's Promises if you don't know the Word?

I would like to say thank you to everyone for their concern! But of course there's nothing like a good cry and cleaning up to get my mind right. Part two and three of my cleaning sessions will continue lol. I was also relieved by reading my index cards with my favorite scriptures and rewriting them. Proverbs 4:20-22 helped me the most because I allowed Satan to distract me temporarily and I was able to refocus by keeping the Word in front of me.

Now to begin, I have always in some way read or studied the Bible since I was a little girl. We used to have a family bible study--which may not be a bad idea to start again--of course I would go to Bible Study, then my momma and my brothers and I read the Bible before I left for college. But I have been trying to finish reading the Bible for over a year now. I even have a Bible application on my phone with different translations. No excuse right??? Hahaha....but that isn't always the case. To be real with myself, I find it easier to read sporadically and find key scriptures that relate to the issue I'm going through in order to learn and apply it to my life. It's good to read and learn the Bible so that we can properly equip ourselves with the weapons to cast Satan down. Believe me, all it takes is one word to ruin your day or bring you down. But by doing as Proverbs 4:20-22 says-Listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them close within your heart; for they are LIFE to those who find them and HEALTH to a man's whole body--we can cast down those negative thoughts. We can guard our minds against the things that come to break us. I want that health and life! I want to be able to laugh and trample the devil with God's words that directly contradict anything He says to me.

For example, one of the things I pray for constantly is that I don't have to take this medication forever. Yes it may seem trivial but I don't see it in my future. I suffer some crazy side effects from them and I just refuse to accept that this is my future. So I praise God for everytime I go back to the doctor and they cut one more pill. That brings me one pill closer to not having to take anything. They cut two pills yesterday! So in the midst of my pain I was blessed with my prayer getting closer to being realized. But because I know that in Mark 11:24 Jesus says "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. Also John 15:7--one of my favorites--says that "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." That let's me know that God has my back! All I have to do for this is keep the word in my heart and ask for it in Jesus' name and it's done!(John 14:1-13) It's that simple! Remembering that brightened yesterday for me and has me covered today. As always God is no respecter of persons so the same applies for you!!!!!!

Love you!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

What To Do When No One Understands

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.". John 14:27

Hey! I hope that you are having a great day! I'm having a tough one. Today is my appointment day for my kidney. I've been here over 2 hours now and I've been in a room for an hour or so. I have to see like 3-4 doctors most times. My appointment started off like normal, with me seeing the pharmacist. As she went over my medicines, a sadness flooded me. Once she left I began to cry. I try to not think about it, not let the pain and hurt I feel surface, but every so often it rears it's head. I question and try to look within me to see what have I done for some of these things. But because I know God loves me and has me here for a purpose greater than my own, I can't keep crying.

As people we long to share our feelings and problems with other people to seek comfort and acceptance, advice and understanding. But to put it simply, most people just don't understand. The doctors seeing me don't understand, my friends, family, even pastors sometimes don't understand. When you get to that point of loneliness and sadness you just have trust God. It's at these trying times that you can choose to grow your faith or throw it away. In the midst of my crying I had to remember what Jesus went through. I forced myself to say Isaiah 53:5-- But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment for our peace was upon Him and by His wounds we are healed. I'm still sad but I just have to trust that He will not ignore me and will hold true to His word. He gives us peace and promises to carry our burdens with no conditions. He will get me through this and He will restore me. He will do the same for you!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

Good Evening!

I know its late but I had a busy day. I hope your day was fantastic!
Are you truly saved

I wanted to give you some scriptures on how to become saved and receive God's salvation. It's not only your life on Earth that is in danger, but your eternal life! If you choose to believe that there is no life after living on Earth, if you choose to believe that God does not have something great in store for us after living here, I pray earnestly for you

I got saved when I was 9 years old. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was at Brookland and I went to 8am service with my Aunt Rose and after the sermon, my pastor did the altar call. I walked up by myself and my aunt came to stand with me. Fast forward to my freshman year of college. I did not truly, fully understand and realize of what value the relationship was that I sought with God. I began to realize how important it was for me to have that relationship with God and the benefits it would give me.

And accepting God will give those same benefits to you because God is not a respecter of persons. He loves us all the same. (Romans 2:11, Acts 10:34). So if you have not accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please do so now!

Recite these words of this verse: Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

1 John 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house

Be blessed!! And I love you!

Marquita

Daily Devotion

Hey everybody!

God always comes through for you!

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It's Saturday and it's hot! My little brother goes to college on Monday and I feel so old. I'm happy and proud but it doesn't make me feel any better lol. I've been thinking all day about how much power we all too often give to doubt. We allow it to control everything. And disturbingly enough all it takes is ONE WORD.

But today, I challenge that doubt. Have you ever been in a situation where you didn't have enough money for something and out of nowhere it appears? Well I have. I have had it happen a lot. But nothing so clear as last summer. Of course I had just graduated so all of the stipends had stopped. I had been getting money for graduation off and on. I had to pay my car note, insurance, and some other stuff before I moved from Atlanta. In an instant I had gotten enough money to pay all of that and have some left for the next month. Looking back in that let's me know how important it is to have no doubt, anxiety, or fear in my heart. Satan is always busy. But God is greater! You can rest on this verse:

Philippians 4:19--But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Man I got caught in the rain but I'm okay! Be blessed!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10


Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

Can you really blame God?

Good morning! I have had the wackiest morning so far but it's all in humor. For starters, I went to sleep sometime after 2 this morning and woke up at 6:30. I stayed in the bed till 7:15 but had to get labs at 8. Worst of all, a spider fell on me in my bathroom!

But anyway, I happened to look at this book I have called the "Bounce Back" Book--how to recover from traumatic events and situations in your life. It has several steps for you to take to regain your happiness after trauma. The author had been raped and used writing as therapy. The point of this is to tell you tip #16: Write a complaint letter. Then answer it.

In the book of Job, Job experiences unexplainable loss and heartache. He is judged by his friends and questions God. Then finally in chapter 38 God replies to Job about all his complaints. Who are we to question God?! By simply being born into a sinful world we are often doomed to encounter some hard times. It is the very story of Job that encourages me to have faith inspite of so many obstacles. In the end God restores Job! And He restores to Job twice as much as he lost(Job 42:10). God promises to restore whatever we sow(Genesis 26:12, Joel 2:21-25, Proverbs 6:31)

So write your letters, and respond as you think God would respond. Be sure to ask for courage, strength, guidance, wisdom, supernatural healing, peace, etc. for the problems you identify. Remember that you will be restored! You can't even imagine the abundance that God can do!(Eph. 3:20)

Be blessed and stop blaming God! Accept your own fault and if you find none, remember that God will give you the peace to cope until He restores you.

"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields-- and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life." Mark 10:29-30

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

You can't figure it all out today, so quit being so anxious!

Good afternoon!

What are you thinking about? What am I going to do with my life? Have you even thought about today???

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

I tell you, this has been a big battle of mine! I want to know what's gonna happen! What am I supposed to do?!? I hate uncertainty. But because of the relationship I have with God, I have to trust that He is gonna make sure it's great. He tell us repeatedly to give our burdens and worries to Him and know that it will all work out for our good.(1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28)

We must trust in the promises of God's word. "Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall."(Psalm 55:22) Believe that! As for me, I'm going to concentrate on it and get my head out of the clouds and do all I can and leave the rest to God.

A few more scriptures: Psalm 94:19, Matthew 6:25-34, Luke 12:23-26

No need for being anxious about the future...enjoy today!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Another Site with Scriptural References

Please visit this one too!

I am a HUGE fan of this site:

http://www.intouch.org/site/c.cnKBIPNuEoG/b.4944565/k.9C37/Gods_Promises.htm



Blessings

List of Scriptures of God's Promises

I just had to send these verses out:

Jeremiah 29:10--I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering.(CEV) God wants us happy and successful! And in NIV: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Here are more verses on God's Promises that you can look up at your leisure:
Psalm 27:1(it gets me through! Personal favorite)
Proverbs 16:7---this is true, I've experienced this
Romans 8:32
2 Cor 9:8
2 Cor 12:9
Psalm 30:5--Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 35:9
Matt 5:11-12
Psalm 50:15--And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.

You know what, just go to this site:
http://www.scripturepromises.com/
They have PDF files with God's promises for nearly everything you can think of! I touch and agree with you for God's glory.

Be blessed!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

What is Running (or Ruining) Your Life?

"The Lord will guide me continually." Isaiah 58:11

When you wake up in the morning, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Is it the need to figure out a way to get back at someone? Is it the need to please your parents? Is it the need to run from your past? Whatever it is, if it is not the need to fulfill God's plan for your life, or some selfish, self-centered need, then it is wrong.

Unfortunately, most people do not look at life from the perspective of serving God. Most people look at life from the perspective of "how can I get what I want out of life without inconveniencing myself". Along that path, a lot of people get hurt, some destroyed. But to truly grow in the Lord, we must let go of the past baggage--"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."(Isaiah 43:18). Next give God the reins to guide us and to heal us--"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others…"(2 Cor 1:4). Lastly we must follow His will and trust that it will all work out for our good--"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."(Romans 8:28)

We have to trust that God had our lives preplanned before we were born and let Him do His work!(Isaiah 46:3-4) Let God do God and just sit back and watch Him work. Yes there are circumstances that come into our lives for which we have no control, but I know and serve an indescribable God that can do all things. He can change the slightest situation into a miracle. He still heals, He still delivers, He still answers prayers! Just let go and let God get you where you need to be. It means letting go of what you have done, what others have done to you, what you THINK others have done to you, and missed dreams… God forgives them all and forgets them and even better yet--He IS the great Redeemer.(Joel 2:25, Deut 32:35, Romans 12:19)  So should you--and get your life in line with God's will. "I desire to do God's will so I shall know whether it is from God."(John 7:17) Be blessed today as always! I am praying for you!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

The Peace in the Middle of the Storm

I'm still working lol and its pouring raining outside. Fortunately, a very nice person told me to move my car before it began to rain. Rain is always very peaceful to me; it relaxes me and allows me to forget all of my troubles. Actually, if its still raining when I get home, I'll open my blinds and maybe sit on my patio for a while, maybe even dance in it… Rain is very much like tears to me. I don't know if you can relate, but a very good purging cry helps ease the pain of the situation. I get to that point where the tears stop--like rain--and there is such a peace that I have like nothing else.

Jesus can provide us that same peace that listening to the rain does. He tells us in Matthew 11:28 "…Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." After He fed the multitude, He calmed the raging storm in Mark 4:37-41: 37Suddenly a windstorm struck the lake. Waves started splashing into the boat, and it was about to sink. 38Jesus was in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow, and he was asleep. His disciples woke him and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we're about to drown?" 39 Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm. 40Jesus asked his disciples, "Why were you afraid? Don't you have any faith?" 41Now they were more afraid than ever and said to each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

That was only one of the miracles that Jesus performed. Jesus' sacrifice gives us the guarantee of that peace!(Ephesians 2:14, Philippians 4:7) So have peace today, even if it gets hard. Allow the "rain" to wash away your worries and Jesus to carry them for you...

Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes]. The Lord [be] with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

When the Reflection Is Ugly and the Spotlight is On You

"For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come out to light." (Luke 8:17)

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and them you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5)

It's sometimes hard to evaluate yourself or even accept your own wrongs. Many people find it far easier to judge and criticize others than let to slay the monsters in their closets. When you are the type of person that constantly judges and projects your opinions on others, how can you truly expect growth? Learn to stop being so judgmental and sometimes listen to that person's why. We all have faults, but true growth is in acknowledging them and giving them over to God to remove. When you lack humility to let God fix it, you miss out on true blessings.

You cannot expect growth if you make the entire situation all about you either. The saying "Build a bridge and get over it" is great in that it says you need to look at the problem you worry over and find a way to solve it. You cannot help others by projecting your problems on them nor can you really expect anyone to want to deal with your problems and theirs. Deal with your baggage and drop it off at the laundrymat or cleaners. Let it go...

"Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37

Be encouraged and be blessed in the Lord!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

Evening!

 

I've mostly recovered all of my energy from all of my traveling (I slept for almost 9 hours) but I'm feeling good.  I hope that your Saturday is going great and that you did or saw something to make you laugh.  Laughter is soo good for you!

 

How Ministering to Others Ministers to Us

 

I just wanted to share a praise report of how my writing the things God lays on my heart to share with you all has blessed me.  Whenever someone lets me know how it makes them feel or that they needed a particular devotion, I get so filled with God's love!  Some days I have to muster up the humility to allow God to use me in spite of what's going on in my personal life.  But I feel this is something I must do, as it not only helps you all, but it helps me!  It makes me feel truly blessed and humbled to hear one of my closest friends tell me all the time that its going to work out because God will take care of it!  I recite Romans 8:28 among others to myself all day long to get through and this has truly helped me to grow, so I say thank you to you for allowing my personal ministry to minister to you and as you reflect in return minister to me.  As Christians, that is one of our primary responsibilities, to minister to others.  Here are some scriptures to help you keep on doing that:

 

John 4:34-38
34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: 'One sows and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors."

Acts 6:4
but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Romans 12:4-8
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Primarily, there are many ways we minister to others.  Sometimes its uncomfortable or even not convenient, but when we sacrifice of ourselves for God's glory, we can be sure that God will look favorably upon us!  As always, my love is with you!

 
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God loves you...He blesses you with another day so make the most of it!


Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

Here it is! I had to search through my email for it:

Right words produce right thinking; right thinking produces right emotions; right emotions produce right decisions; right decisions produce right actions; right actions produce right habits; right habits produce right character; right character leads you to the right destination.

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

The Power of Words

Good Morning! I'm back on the east coast (ugh because of the humidity) and already Satan has started! He actually started 2:27 am this morning by waking me up and not allowing me to fall back to sleep until after 5 am(mind you I woke up at 6:30)... And yet even more character attacks when I got to work... But I won't be a quitter and I will wait until God's plan is revealed even though I know even more clearly that it's time for me to go. But I thought about this last night before I went to sleep and on my plane back from Atlanta. Have you ever noticed that if you said "I hate broccoli" that every time you saw them you felt "hatred" for the broccoli even more? Maybe broccoli in this case is a person...I have a few pieces of broccoli that if...let me stop!

Well if you constantly say "I can't do this" or "I'm not going to do this well" or "I hate her/him" or anything negative you are giving life to those very words. As the saying goes you go looking for something you just might find it... When you speak negativity into your own life, those negative seeds take root and grow in the fertile soil of your mind and your heart. If you replace the situations you are concerned about with positive reinforcement from God's word you are sure to change that situation! Proverbs 4:3-4 says that "When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, 4 he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Verse 5 is also important: "Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them." Proverbs 4:20-22 also tells us to keep the word in our hearts because the are life to us and bring us health! Taking that into consideration, don't you think that the Word if meditated on and spoken on a regular basis can change our thinking, our habits and our decisions?

Remember, we do not fight a physical battle as Christians. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Ephesians 6) You can win the battle over control of your mind by putting good words in it, mainly the word of God! I have like at least 10-12 index cards that I carry with me with key scriptures to reinforce what I pray for each day. I read them out loud many times a day and many I know by heart. Don't give up and remember the very things you say shape your thoughts and ultimately your life. I'm going to post my little mantra up later when I find it. Pastor Dollar at World Changers said it during a series He preached and I've had it posted in my room ever since!

Be blessed!
http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

In the midst of it all, Just TRUST HIM!

I'm sitting here in the airport ready to finally be at home away from it all, where it's just me and God, thinking about my future. I have been getting away from thinking and planning for the future so much because we don't know what turns our lives may take. I can tell you one thing and everybody knows, I want to move away from Charleston and back to Atlanta. For many reasons--most importantly the "planned" course I want my life to take. But in my most current reflectionary moment I had to take a step back and listen to the things that are going thru my head. In this I realized my plan may not be God's plan ever or for now. For some crazy reason unknown to me, God still has me in SC. He wants me to be there for an undetermined period for something I haven't figured out. Maybe He's still refining me, prepping me for the next trial that I am still unsure of.

When you get to that point, whether it's your career, your relationship, your future, I ask you to take a step back, remove yourself from the equation and just trust God. The Bible says in Isaiah 55:8 that "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." I venture forward to say maybe our plans are not His plans...

One of my favorite scriptures is Romans 8:28--And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. It clearly says His purpose and not ours. God has your life planned out for you even before you were born-Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;... Trusting God is not just when you want to, but all the time! Even if you don't like it--like me--trust that this is all a part of God's ultimate plan for your life. Seek wisdom and believe that this will ultimately work out for your good.

Love you and be blessed! Heading home in five...

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

Don't Be a Quitter!

I'm at Disneyland whoo hoo! I've never been and I'm so very happy. I got some ears, Goofy went to take a break on me, but I'm very blessed. I hope you are too!

I've been reading a lot of devotions lately about the "roller coaster ride of life"-I know very ironic. But today's was very important for me to share with you. Clearly my phone has a mind of it's own today, lol.

But many times we are faced with situations that make us feel like giving up. We should know and trust that God will get us through. I say and STRESS don't give up!!! Life is not easy or what would we be here for? Our lives should be a testament of our faith in God through all situations--good and bad. Difficult times come for different reasons but at the end if the day, if it's too hard to bear just trust that God is right there for you. Also know that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are here to intercede for us and to guide us.(Romans 8:26-27)

God will not let you down! Stay encouraged and allow yourself to fully yield to God's will and things will get a lot easier for you.

I leave you with this verse and paraphrase:

Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Although things may be hard, don't get to the point that you despise your own life because of what's going on. Seek wisdom from spiritually mature Christians and pray without ceasing(Luke 18:1-8) until you have peace. Trust that God will not leave you alone!!!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/


"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10


Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

Guard your Tongue!

Hey everyone!  Still morning over here and I'm drying out.  My face is falling off lol.  My skin is flaking extremely bad and the seb derm is out of control--looks like I will be using my medicine ASAP if I am able to leave on Thursday lol. I've been at work since 7:30 and I'm a little irritable. So I'm trying to stay in prayer and not let these "people" get me so angry that I lash out.  Walking in God's love is not always easy and they are not making it any easier for me.

We all get like that and have days that if someone says the wrong thing the wrong way at the wrong time we would literally bite their heads off. We try to keep our distance but they invade our personal space and just warrant a verbal thrashing. I want you to stop once you recognize what type of day this may be and pray!

 

Proverbs has several scriptures on watching what you say. But this one stuck out:

• Proverbs 14:3:  A fool's mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.

These were also very helpful in refocusing my thoughts:

• Proverbs 13:2-3:  From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.  Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
• Proverbs 18:20-21:  From the fruit of their mouths people's stomachs are filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.  The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Powerful words these are!  The consequences are potentially lethal and deadly if you say something harsh with no recourse for how it's taken.  Life and death rely on what you say so you can potentially speak something over yourself in lashing out at anyone!  Our words condemn us!

• "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless." (James 1:26)
• "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me" (Psalms 39:1).
• "With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so" (James 3:9-10).
• "The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor... "(Prov. 11:9).
• "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles" (Prov. 21:23).
• "Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit" (Psa. 34:12-13).
• "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt. 12:36-37).

I pray that these words ease your minds and encourage you today.  Don't allow someone to have that much power over you.  Remember He who angers you controls you!!!  Let your pray be based upon these words instead:  "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, 0 LORD, my strength and my Redeemer" (Psa. 19:14).  "Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, 0 God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psa. 51:9-10).  Love you!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10


Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

Hey!

I've been thinking all day on what to talk about today. In the midst of work, play, and other stuff we sometimes don't have enough time for developing our personal relationship with God. So since this is what came to mind, I'll speak on it!

Being a Friend to God

In any relationship, you have to build on it. You know, first introduce yourself. Have the introductory convos--Where are you from? What do you do for a living? etc., etc. And then you being the process of getting to know each other. You decide from those few things and possible connection whether you want to pursue the relationship. With God, it is a similar process. First you must give your life over to God--For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved. Romans 10:13

After you make that decision, you must spend time with Him--in His presence through prayer and meditation--

• This we proclaim concerning the Word of life...We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1st Jn 1:1-4)
• "But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. {30} "When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice {31} '(for the LORD your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them. (Deuteronomy 4:29-31 NKJV)
• All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, {17} that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV)
• The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15: 29(NKJV)

But this process does not end! You must learn to listen to God's voice and obey Him! We must live as He commands and we will reap the blessings He promises us!

• So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. 1 Peter 1:14
• For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11

Build that relationship and receive your every heart's desire--wisdom, guidance, deliverance, healing, whatever it is that is in His will for your life!
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give yo the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

Love you and good night East Coasters!



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God loves you...He blesses you with another day so make the most of it!


Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

Your Salvation relies on your Faith


Scriptures for your review:

Psalm 94:19
Matthew 21:21
Mark 11:23
Philippians 4
John 20:24-31
2 Timothy 1:12
Hebrews 10:22

Ephesians 3:12 says Because of Christ and our faith in him,we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.

I went to church out here in LA with my linesisters and it was a blessing! I'm not going to repeat what the pastor said but I am going to encourage you to grow your faith. Doubting God will get you no where and how can you expect growth and blessings with an attitude of doubt? Yes it's difficult to be patient and trust God when you are in a bind, but you will be all the better because of it. Salvation is defined in the verses below:

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

1 John 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

We must accept Christ and the responsibilities associated with being saved--namely faith. Have faith that God will change you and your situation for the better! Don't doubt, because doubt is a product of fear and that is not something God gave us (2 Tim 1:7)!! Trust that when you ask God something He will do it. Believe and receive the promises of the Word! Go and exercise your faith! I'm praying for you...

Love you!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/


"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

God's Grace is Sufficient for You!


Good morning (well it's morning for me lol)! I looked at my devotion and it's actually been on my heart a lot this week. Guys we are blessed! Do you really believe that? I mean seriously do you? I know I do! You know what God has done for me and I know what He has in store! Here are some scriptures you can recite daily to help you:

He has given food and provision to those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever and imprint it [on His mind]. Psalm 111:5

The Lord shall open to you His good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. Deuteronomy 28: 1

And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. Matthew 6: 33

I will surely and abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. Psalm 132: 15

And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. 2 Corinthians 9:1

Observe and consider the ravens; for they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn; and [yet] God feeds them. Of how much more worth are you than the birds! Luke 12:24

Read Ecclesiastes 3 and rest on this verse: "My grace is sufficient for you." 2 Cor 12:9

Love u always... And my prayers are with you!


http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10


Marquita B. Priester