Tag Archives: God

Purposefully

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Many, many times, I ask myself, why on earth should I encourage God’s people (especially when I’m having one of those not-so-very-good days)? However, when I’m struggling with walking boldly in my purpose, the Lord reminds me of His word and what He has called me to do.

 3-5 All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.

6-7 When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you’re just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you’re going to make it, no doubt about it.( 2 Cor. 1:3-7, MSG).

Because God comforts and encourages me, He has called me to encourage you. Today I find myself doing what I urge others NOT to do on Mondays, mope. Yep, I’ve got the Monday Moping Blues and I’m in a funk. My emotions are a mess. I hate feeling and being this way. But it’s where I am right now. Consequently, I am deliberately fighting to tame that Emotional Beast! But thank God for Jesus! Using one of the principles from, It’s Monday… Already, the Lord is encouraging me.

M– No moping on today! Don’t grumble, pout, complain, or sulk. Rejoice instead (Phil. 4:4).

Do you have the Monday Blues? Are you moping today? Finding it difficult to get your Monday moving in the right direction? (Join the club!) Seriously, may I encourage you as the Lord is encouraging me? Rejoice in our great Father, my friend!

Philippians 4:4 commands us to “celebrate God all day, every day” and “revel in Him” (MSG). That means to take great pleasure in the Lord. Relax and find peace in the presence of God. Show great joy and delight by exalting His magnificent name. Think about His goodness and the victory He gives to all who call on and believe in His great and holy name. Make music and melody. Shout forth praises and jubilation unto our marvelous King for all of His mighty works. If we do these things, I am confident that our behavior and attitude will change from sadness to gladness, from complaining to thanking, and from moping to rejoicing. I already feel better!!

My sisters, it’s Monday….already! And there’s nothing we can do about it, but what we can do is rejoice in our all-sufficient Savior. We have been blessed with another day to celebrate our Jesus and the abundant life He gives to us. Now, let us purposefully make it a great day!

 

LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER AND IMPACT THE WORLD!

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Red Sea

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“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.” (Exodus 14:21-22, NKJV)

 

I know. You’re facing an impossible situation. You feel there’s nowhere to turn. Your back is against the wall. If you go forward, you will drown. If you go back, you’ll die in the desert. You’re facing a hard decision. You really don’t have a clue about what you will do or what to do. All you know is that there won’t be a happy ending. Your situation is impossible. You’re facing a Red Sea!

I know, believe me, I know. You’re at your wits end. Your head feels like you’re in a daze. You even asked yourself a few times, “Am I dreaming? This has to be a nightmare!”

As reality would have it, it is not a dream. No, you’re not dreaming. This pain, this news, this crisis is real and you’re the main character. You have the leading role and this drama is set on the impossible channel. You’re thinking there is no way things can get better. You believe there’s no way you’ll make it through. No way can you cross this Red Sea!

But, you’re wrong. There is a way! Though your situation seems impossible, God says “It’s Possible!” (Luke 1:37, 18:27; Mark 10:27; Matt. 19:26)

Though your back is against the wall and it seems too hard for you to make your way through, God says, “Nothings too hard for Me!

Yes, you may feel like it’s a losing battle. Yes, what you’re experiencing may be a hard pill to swallow. Yes, your problem seems hopeless.

But believe in a God who specializes in the impossible! Believe in a God who can do exceedingly, abundantly, and above all that we ask or think! (Eph. 3:20) When we think it can’t be done, God turns it around and gets it done! When we think we can’t do it because it’s too hard, God makes it look very easy!

Sisters, like the Israelites, we may be facing a Red Sea. It may feel like the roaring waves are going to overtake us, but we have a God who won’t let us drown! He won’t let us down!

God is dividing the waters.

God, who has matchless power and ALL the authority, will open up the Red Sea and allow us to walk on dry land!

“So the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses.” (Exodus 14:30-31, NKJV)

LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER!

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God’s Assignment – My Obedience

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Every one of us have a job that God has given us to do. All of us have something – a God given assignment – that we must complete. And in the process of trying to be committed and complete that assignment, at times, we can get weary. We get tired. We get discouraged. If we’re not careful, that discouragement can turn into “I don’t care or whatever.”

Therefore, in our efforts of remain obedient to God and to please Him, we have to:

  1. Remember why we said “Yes”. Why did we tell God “Yes”? Remind ourselves the purpose of our commitment to God. What did God reveal to you that made you want to change your direction and follow after Him?
  2. Remember God’s faithfulness. Think about all the wonderful things He has done in our lives. Recall how God has been a constant friend and an ever-present help.
  3. Find strength on this journey by doing a survey of our lives. Reminisce over the journey God has led you and how far He has brought you.

My sister, in our time of weakness and weariness, let us ask God for guidance daily. Even when we don’t feel like it, we must submit to God. We must be obedient. When the world tries to pull us away from our Father and when it seems like what we’re doing is not making a difference, we must continue to serve Him. We must endure (2 Tim. 2:3)!

As a believer it is our responsibility, our duty, to follow after God. You and I must continue to do what’s right and serve God whole heartedly. We must be determined and confident in the Lord. Remember, dear one, there are blessings for obedience to our Heavenly Father (Deut. 28). Just ask Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

 

It’s Wednesday – Hump Day! Here’s a biblical principle to help us over the hump.

But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. (Num. 14:24, NIV)

During your quiet time, read these passages. Ask God to give you strength and wisdom to be obedient and faithful to Him.

 

LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER AND IMPACT THE WORLD!

 

More About Rhovonda
Rhovonda L. Brown is the author of 2 bestsellers, Walking in Freedom! A Thirty-Day Devotional Journey for Women and At Least Say, “Thank You!” An 8-Day Devotional Plan for a Grateful Heart. Known for her message of encouragement, Rhovonda is passionate about inspiring women and children to embrace their freedom in Jesus Christ and reach their full potential. 
Rhovonda is a wife, mother, teacher, preacher, Co-founder and Assistant Pastor of The Sanctuary Christian Fellowship Church located in Houston, Texas. Her husband, Jeffrey, is the Founder and Senior Pastor. Released in November 2014, Rhovonda’s first book, Walking in Freedom! A Thirty-Day Devotional Journey for Women, became an Amazon Kindle Top 100 bestseller in the Women’s Inspirational and Spirituality category in June 2015 and again three months later. Her debut book is filled with devotionals that will take you on an inspiring journey of freedom. 
Rhovonda’s newly release, At Least Say, “Thank You!” An 8-Day Devotional Plan for a Grateful Heart, is an Amazon Kindle No. 1 Bestseller in Family & Inspirational Spirituality and No. 4 in Spiritual Devotionals (Top 100 Free). Rhovonda’s second book motivates and encourages you to live out each day with a spirit of rejoicing and gratitude. 
Currently, Rhovonda is working on her 3rd book titled Tuesday Morning Prayers, which is expected to release late 2016.
Rhovonda is the Founder and Executive Director of Martha & Mary Ministries, Walking in Freedom! (TM), a women’s devotional ministry dedicated to encouraging, empowering, and promoting self-worth and enrichment. As the Executive Director, Rhovonda creates, plans, and implements educational and spiritual programs and activities to inspire women and children to reach their full potential in God. She is the creator and host of the Walking in Freedom! Workshop which brings women together from all walks of life to be inspired, equipped, and empowered in their Christian journey. 

Lemons

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Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Phil.4:8, NKJV)

Most of us have heard the popular quote “When life throws you lemons….make lemonade.” The enemy likes to throw lemons at us. He gets his kicks out of making us feel down in the dumps. He likes to throw things our way in order to get us to take our thoughts off of God, to get us off track, to lose focus.  

Everyday Believers are hit with lemons, but it’s up to us on how we respond to those lemons. Today, Satan will throw lemons at you. He’s going to use people, things, and life’s circumstances to try to trip you and make you fall. He will throw his fiery darts, but how will you respond?

In order to respond the correct way, we must be girded up with the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). The Word of God helps us to stand against life’s hard blows.

Our Heavenly Father is our very present help! He has given us His powerful Word, which is our weapon to stand against the enemy. We must familiarize ourselves with our weapon, the Word of God, so that we are able to respond correctly to whatever life throws our way.

Here are a few scriptures we can use to help us respond appropriately to the lemons that are thrown our way:

Isaiah 54:17 – “No weapons formed against you shall prosper…….”

Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all……”

Psalm 37:1 – “Do not fret because of evil doers……”

Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength………”

Phil. 4:6-9 – “Be anxious for nothing….the peace of God…..will guard your hearts….”

Prov. 3:5,6 – “Trust in the Lord…..He shall direct your paths.”

 

Sisters, when life and Satan throws sour lemons at us, let’s use our Sword (The Word of God) to slice up them up and make sweet lemonade! For the Word of God is sweeter than honey!!

His teachings are worth more than pure gold.
They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb. (Ps. 19:10)

It’s Monday…..Already! Keep your thoughts on God and stay in the Word!!

LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER & IMPACT THE WORLD!!

 

About Rhovonda
Rhovonda L. Brown is the author of 2 bestsellers, Walking in Freedom! A Thirty-Day Devotional Journey for Women and At Least Say, “Thank You!” An 8-Day Devotional Plan for a Grateful Heart. Known for her message of encouragement, Rhovonda is passionate about inspiring women and children to embrace their freedom in Jesus Christ and reach their full potential. 
Rhovonda is a wife, mother, teacher, preacher, Co-founder and Assistant Pastor of The Sanctuary Christian Fellowship Church located in Houston, Texas. Her husband, Jeffrey, is the Founder and Senior Pastor. Released in November 2014, Rhovonda’s first book, Walking in Freedom! A Thirty-Day Devotional Journey for Women, became an Amazon Kindle Top 100 bestseller in the Women’s Inspirational and Spirituality category in June 2015 and again three months later. Her debut book is filled with devotionals that will take you on an inspiring journey of freedom. 
Rhovonda’s newly release, At Least Say, “Thank You!” An 8-Day Devotional Plan for a Grateful Heart, is an Amazon Kindle No. 1 Bestseller in Family & Inspirational Spirituality and No. 4 in Spiritual Devotionals (Top 100 Free). Rhovonda’s second book motivates and encourages you to live out each day with a spirit of rejoicing and gratitude. 
Currently, Rhovonda is working on her 3rd book titled Tuesday Morning Prayers, which is expected to release late 2016.
Rhovonda is the Founder and Executive Director of Martha & Mary Ministries, Walking in Freedom! (TM), a women’s devotional ministry dedicated to encouraging, empowering, and promoting self-worth and enrichment. As the Executive Director, Rhovonda creates, plans, and implements educational and spiritual programs and activities to inspire women and children to reach their full potential in God. She is the creator and host of the Walking in Freedom! Workshop which brings women together from all walks of life to be inspired, equipped, and empowered in their Christian journey. 

 

What kind of friend are you?

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What kind of friend are you? Are you the kind of friend who encourages or tears down? When your friends make a mistake, do you make your friend feel worse? Do you get on your soap box and pass judgment on them? Do you say, “I told you so” or “You should have known better”?

“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” (Prov. 18:24, NLT)

What kind of friend are you? When they are down, do you build them up? Do you speak encouraging words over them? Do you let them know that you believe in them? Do you let them know that you have their back and that they can count on you? When they mess up, do you tell them that no one is perfect? Do you tell them that everyone makes mistakes?

Do you encourage them to get back up and try again? When your friends are hurting, do you embrace them in your arms and say, “I’m here for you. You can cry on my shoulders?
“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” (Prov. 27:9, NLT)
Admittedly, at times, I can be hard on my friends, especially, if they have offended me. Because I don’t want to be hurt again, I build up a wall. To protect myself from that pain, I guard my heart. I remove myself from the relationship. You know, I become distant. I figure, if they hurt me once, they’ll probably do it again.

“An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.” (Prov. 18:19, NLT)

“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” (Prov. 27:6, NLT)

When I find myself behaving in this manner, I have to remind myself of Jesus, who is the ultimate friend. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. But Savior forgave him (Matt. 26:69-75). Although, Jesus was hurt, He didn’t make Peter feel worse. He didn’t say to Peter, “I knew you would do this. I told you so.” Instead, with compassion, Jesus went to Peter, mended what was broken, encouraged His friend and welcomed Peter back into the relationship.
Like Peter, we’ve offended Jesus so many times, too numerous to count. Yet, He still remains our faithful friend. Jesus mends our brokenness, encourages us in the process, and welcomes us back into a right relationship with Him. Now, that’s what I call a true friend!
My sister, forgive the friend who has hurt you. Ask forgiveness from the friend you have offended. Let us do our part to mend our broken relationships. Not only that, but let’s be a friend to the friendless.

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” (Prov. 27:17, NLT)

Pray this prayer with me: Jesus, thank You for calling me Your friend. Lord, help me be a true friend. Help me forgive and encourage my friends. Give me patience and understanding toward them. Help me make an effort to restore any broken relationships and be a friend like You.

LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM & IMPACT THE WORLD TOGETHER!

Don’t Fall For It

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but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.  (1 Cor. 15:57, AMP)

Satan shows us what we can’t do, but God shows us what we can do. With a loud voice, the enemy screams out what we will never be, but God whispers to us, in a soft voice, who we are through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Devil tries to prevent us from accomplishing what God has already given us victory over, but we cannot fall for his lies.

The deceiver’s goal is to make us not believe anything God has already said about us. The accuser’s mission is to speak defeat over God’s children (John 1:12, Rom. 8:16). The father of lies’ job is to constantly keep us from believing in who God says we are.

Throughout scripture God tells us who we are. In His Holy Word, affirmations about who we are and what He has called us to be, can be read in each book.

Here are a few affirmations about God’s chosen people, the Believer.

We’re forgiven of all our sins and washed in the Blood! (Eph. 1:7)

We’re redeemed from the curse of the law of sin and death! (1 Pet. 1:18-19)

We’re blessed….the head, not the tail, above, and not beneath! (Deut. 28:1-13)

We’re healed by the stripes of Jesus! (Isaiah 53:6)

We have overcome the world! (1 John 5:4)

We have received power, power of the Holy Spirit, power to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, power to cast out demons, power over all the power of the enemy! (Mark 16:17-20)

The enemy wants to speak curses, condemnation, and negativity over God’s children. Don’t let him. Don’t allow him. Don’t listen to him and don’t fall for any of his lies! Decree and declare what God says about you and who He says you are.

My sister, our accuser wants us to live in defeat, but why should we when Jesus has set us free (John 8:31-36)! In order for us to live a life of freedom, we cannot fall for anymore of Satan’s deceptions.

Read God’s Word daily. Speak His Word over our lives. Let’s not fall for Satan’s lies, but decree and declare what God says!

It’s Wednesday, Hump Day. Here’s a biblical principle to help us over the hump.

He was a murderer from the beginning. He has never stood for the truth, because there’s no truth in him. Whenever that liar speaks, he speaks according to his own nature, because he’s a liar and the father of liars. (John 8:44b, CEB)

 

LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER & IMPACT THE WORLD!

Copyright ©2010-2016. Rhovonda L. Brown. All Rights Reserved.

No portion of Martha & Mary Ministries, Walking in Freedom!™ Devotionals may be reproduced, stored in any electronic system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission from the author. Brief quotations may be used in literary reviews.

White Washed

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We’re white and clean on the outside, but just as filthy and dirty on the inside. Our garments are wrinkle free, pressed, starched to perfection. Our hair is in the right place, no strand is out of place. We’re the perfect Christian. We say all the right things and we do all the right things when people are watching, but behind closed doors we’re another person. We’re hypocrites!

We are quick to judge others and their flaws, but we dare not look in the mirror. We can see every one’s faults, but we keep ours hidden. We portray the perfect saint who has it altogether. We tote our Bible around quoting to the downcast what thus saith the Lord, but neglect to make God’s commands and standards applicable to our own life. We’re frauds!

We’re the first to point out a speck in another person’s eye, but we fail to remove the large piece of wood that’s in our own eye (Matt. 7:1-5). We keep a record of every mistake our sister has made and we’re the first to remind her just how bad she messed up. We watch and wait for our sisters to fall because we think their failure will make us look better. We’re such fakes!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matt. 23:27 NASB)

“Woe to you! For you are like concealed tombs, and the people who walk over them are unaware of it.” (Luke 11:44 NASB)

We’re whitewashed walls painted to look clean. Our stains are covered up with a mask. We appear to be beautiful, but it’s just a cover up, a facade. We’re dirty, wicked, evil, and God knows it all. He sees our filthy heart. He knows our thoughts. He sees our deeds and He knows our motives. Nothing is hidden from Him.

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. (Rom 7:15, NLT)

BUT THANK GOD FOR JESUS, WHO’S BLOOD CLEANSES US AND MAKES US NEW!!!!

Sisters, we are going to mess up over and over again, but in His endless mercy and through the blood of Jesus Christ, God will continue clean us. He wants us to confess our sins. He who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9). Yes, we’ve messed up, but God can certainly clean us up!!

Prayer: Lord, we come to You. We acknowledge You as being a holy and righteous God. We acknowledge You as being our heavenly Father and only You are perfect. Father God, we’re dirty. We’re hypocrites. We’re frauds and we need You. Make us new. Make us honest and whole. Clean us from the inside out. Clean our hearts, Lord, change our hearts and our minds. Purify us and make us clean. Wash us like only You can. Lord, we don’t want to be like the Pharisees who trust in our own righteousness, but Lord we cry out to like the tax collector asking You to have mercy on us (Luke:18:9-14). Lord, we humble ourselves before You. We pray the prayer of David asking you to blot out our transgression and wash us thoroughly from our iniquities. Lord, we have sinned against You and we asked that You would forgive us. We thank You for Your forgiveness, Your power, and Your everlasting love. May You continue to convict us when we’re wrong because we want to be right in Your sight. We love You. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

During your quiet time, read Psalm 51 and 1 John 1:5-9. With a sincere heart ask God for a pure heart.

LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER & IMPACT THE WORLD!

Copyright ©2010-2016. Rhovonda L. Brown. All Rights Reserved.
No portion of Martha & Mary Ministries, Walking in Freedom!™ Devotionals may be reproduced, stored in any electronic system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission from the author. Brief quotations may be used in literary reviews.