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