"The Wait" becomes the "Game Changer"

HEY GUYS, IT'S BEEN AWHILE SINCE I'VE POSTED ON OPGL, I'VE MISSED YOU GUYS, HOPE ALL HAS BEEN WELL AND BLESSING UPON BLESSING HAS BEEN ON YOU GUYS. LOVE YOU! TO GET TO THE MAINE PURPOSE OF THIS BLOG, I'M SURE YOU GUYS SAW THE TITLE "THE WAIT" BECOMES THE "GAME CHANGER". BOY! I JUST FINISHED READING "THE WAIT" AN AMAZING BOOK BY MEAGAN GOOD-(FRANKLIN)AND HER HUSBAND DEVON FRANKLIN, IT'S DEFINITELY A BEST-SELLER PERIOD. I LOVED IT!! I PROMISE I WON'T SPOIL THE BOOK FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL READING AND THOSE WHO PLAN ON READING IT. I JUST WANT YOU GUYS TO KNOW THIS IS A MUST READ. NOW TO THE GOOD STUFF... I AM A MOTHER OF 3 BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN 8,9,AND 1O AND FOR A LONG TIME I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THE REALITY OF RELATIONSHIPS. I WAS WITH MY CHILDREN'S FATHER FOR 7 YEARS AND HE WAS 'THE LOVE OF MY LIFE' WE CREATED 3 AMAZING HUMAN BEINGS TOGETHER HOWEVER THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIM AND I WAS A ROCKY ONE (AND THAT'S A NICE WAY OF PUTTING IT). AFTER A WHILE WE DECIDED TO GO OUR SEPARATE WAYS AND TRY TO CO-PARENT THE BEST WAY WE COULD CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCES. AFTER HIM, I FOUND MYSELF 'IN LOVE AGAIN'THIS GUY AND I SPENT 7 YEARS OFF AND ON, UPS AND DOWNS, MORE TEARS THAN SMILES BUT I MADE MYSELF HAPPY. I WAS IN A "RELATIONSHIP" I GOT WHAT I NEEDED, HE GOT WHAT HE NEEDED, IT WAS GOOD, UNTIL I STARTED TO "FEEL SOME TYPE OF WAY" ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS HE CHOSE TO DO. MY PHILOSOPHY BECAME "WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER". IF YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE "FUN" SO WAS I. IF YOU CHOSE NOT TO TAKE MY FEELINGS INTO CONSIDERATION, I WASN'T GOING TO TAKE YOURS INTO THOUGHT AT ALL. I REBELLED, NOT AGAINST THE GUY BUY AGAINST GOD. AT THE TIME, I DIDN'T CARE, I JUST WANTED TO GET MY LICKS BACK, ALL MY LICKS BACK. I BEGAN TO GET SUPER TIRED OF THE DRAMA, TALKED TO MY MOM ABOUT MOVING, MADE A TRIP TO ATLANTA FOR A HAIR SHOW IN AUGUST OF 2015, LOVED IT, CONSIDERED MOVING THERE. DECIDED THAT TAKING MY BABIES THAT FAR WASN'T THE BEST IDEA SO I DECIDED TO MOVE TO DALLAS, I JUST WANTED SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR ME AND MY BABIES. WE PACKED UP AND MOVED AT THE END OF OCT 2015 (QUICK HUH!!-HAHA.) THE HAND OF GOD MOVED SO QUICK FOR US WE WERE OUT OF THERE IN NOT TIME. I OBTAINED EMPLOYMENT AND WAS DOING REALLY WELL. I HAD FINALLY GOTTEN AWAY FROM THE MAN THAT WAS BEGINNING TO CREATE A MONSTER (OR HAD HE ALREADY DID THAT-HMMM) BUT IT WASN'T ALL HIS FAULT BECAUSE I AM GROWN. I MADE IT. I MADE IT TO D-TOWN ENJOYING LIFE (NOT REALLY, I WAS WORKING NONSTOP-UGH) BUT I WAS MAKING THE COINZ SO I WAS HAPPY. WITHIN A MONTH I MET A GUY, GOT ALL STARRY EYED AND WAS "IN LOVE" AGAIN *ROLLS EYES*. WE HAD SO MUCH IN COMMON, HE WAS SO SWEET ON ME BUT THERE WAS A PROBLEM (THAT PROBLEM IS NEITHER HERE NOR THERE), JUST KNOW IT WAS A PROBLEM. ONE DAY, WE WE'RE ON THE PHONE HAVING A REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION AND AFTER THAT AMAZING CONVERSATION, I STOPPED CONVERSING WITH HIM, JUST LIKE THAT, I LET IT GO. I DIDN'T COME TO DALLAS TO "FALL IN LOVE". I CAME TO DO BETTER AND BE BETTER AND I DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE FOCUS ON MY "WHY" AND AT THE RATE I WAS GOING I WAS LOSING FOCUS QUICK. SO, I LET IT GO. WAS IT SOMETHING I WANTED TO DO, HONESTLY, NO. IT WAS SOMETHING I HAD TO DO. SOMETIMES OUR FLESH CAN MAKE US DO THINGS AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT ISN'T PARALLEL TO CHRISTS STANDARDS AND SOMETIMES, IT HURTS BUT THE REWARD IS GREATER. AFTER THAT I HAD A LOT OF TIME ON MY HANDS (I HATED MY JOB SO I RESIGNED). I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH MY "SISTER" A FRIEND THAT I'VE BEEN FRIENDS WITH FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS. WE WERE ON THE PHONE CUTTING UP AS USUAL AND SHE MENTIONED "THE WAIT" SHE WAS TELLING ME HOW I NEEDED TO GET IT, HOW GOOD IT WAS AND WHATNOT, SO I WAS LIKE WHATS $25 DOLLARS ON A BOOK AND I LOVE READING SO WHY NOT. I WENT TO BARNS AND NOBLE AND GOT "THE WAIT"............. GOING INTO "THE WAIT" I HAD CERTAIN EXPECTATIONS. I DIDN'T GOOGLE THE REVIEWS LIKE I WOULD NORMALLY DO WITH THINGS I'M PURCHASING, I JUST TOOK MY FRIENDGIRLS' WORD FOR IT. I WAS LIKE YES!!! MEG IS ABOUT TO SPILL THE TEA ON HOW TO GET AND KEEP YOUR MAN (I WISH I HAD THE SIDE-EYE EMOJI-BECAUSE THAT'S THE FACE I'M SURE I'D GET FOR ANYONE I TOLD THAT TO-LOL). I WAS THINKING I'M GOING TO START KNOWING HOW TO DATE WHILE ABSTAINING FROM SEX, I WAS GOING GET THE BEANS ON HOW TO BE GOOD TO MY MAN, I WAS ABOUT TO BE SCHOOLED ON HOW TO HAVE A "BOYFRIEND" AND TURN HIM INTO "A HUSBAND". (TUH)...... I OPENED "THE WAIT' AND WAS IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING AND WAS NOT READY. THE INTRO HAD ME WIDE EYED. THE HOLY SPIRIT SPOKE AND SAID "YOU WASN'T READY WERE YOU?", I'M LOOKING AT THE BOOK LIKE "NAWL, I WAS NOT READY". I WAS EXPECTING SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. I'M EXPECTING FOR MEAGAN TO SAY "GIRL LISTEN, KEEP YOUR LEGS CLOSED TILL MARRIAGE AND YOU GOT HIM, SIMPLE AS THAT." AS I BEGAN AND CONTINUED TO READ "THE WAIT" I STARTED TO REALIZE MY WORTH. I BEGAN TO REALIZE I WAS WORTH MORE THAN WHAT I EVEN THOUGHT OF MYSELF. I BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WAS NOT WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE, MY LOVE FOR BEVERLY WASN'T WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE, AND MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY CHILDREN WASN'T AS STRONG AS I THOUGHT IT WAS, AND I TOOK A GOOD STRONG LOOK AT MY FINANCES AND WAS FLOORED. SOMETHING HAD TO GIVE. EVEN IN READING "THE WAIT" I HAD SOME THOUGHTS. CUTTING CORNERS TYPE THOUGHTS. THOUGHTS LIKE, "SO, IF I'M PRACTICING CELIBACY FOR MY HUSBAND AND EVENTUALLY WITH THE MAN THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BE MY HUSBAND, SINCE IN SINGLE, NOT DATING, NOT SEEING ANYONE EXCLUSIVELY, I CAN GET ME A PIECE WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED" (TUH) AS I KEPT READING, MY AWAKENING WAS REAL RUDE. I REALIZED FOR ME, "THE WAIT" WASN'T ABOUT HAVING "A MAN", "A BOYFRIEND", "A SIGNIFICANT OTHER", OR WHATEVER. IT'S WAS ABOUT HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD FOR MY LIFE. GETTING RID OF ALL THE CLUTTER THAT CLOGGED THE EAR OF MY HEART TO HEAR THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT GOD HAD FOR ME AND LIVE LIFE ACCORDING TO CHRISTS' STANDARDS. I WAS ALSO LISTENING TO PODCASTS W/ DR. TONY EVANS (THE URBAN ALTERNATIVE) TOWARDS ME FINISHING "THE WAIT" AND WHEN I TELL YOU GUYS THE MESSAGES (FOR ME) WERE PARALLEL TO ONE ANOTHER, IT WAS INSANE. DR. TONY EVANS SAID SOMETHINGS THAT BLESSED ME DEARLY IN MY WALK AS A "SINGLE KINGDOM WOMAN". ONE OF THE THINGS HE POINTED OUT WAS, "TO BE A SUCCESSFUL SINGLE UNTIL YOUR CHANGE COMES, YOU NEED TO SATISFY YOUR CALLING, YOUR DIVINE APPOINTMENT UNDER GOD". HE ALSO SAID, "BEING FULLY DEVOTED TO YOUR CALLING IS WHATS GOING TO SUSTAIN YOU DURING THE TIME YOU ARE NOT IN THE STATE YOU PREFER TO BE IN (PREFERRED STATE-MARRIAGE), YOU ARE TO FUNCTION IN YOUR GARDEN, YOUR DIVINE PLACEMENT (EVERY CHRISTIAN HAS ONE). AT THE END OF THE NOTES I TOOK FROM THAT PARTICULAR PODCAST WHICH WAS TITLED "DOMINION AND MARRIAGE" PT. 1, I HIGHLIGHTED IN BIG BOLD LETTERS, "SUCCESSFUL SINGLE" BEING A "SUCCESSFUL SINGLE" IS WHAT I'M STRIVING TO BE ON MY JOURNEY IN "THE WAIT". "THE WAIT" CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE ON HOW TO GO ABOUT HANDLING BEING SINGLE, HANDLING BEVERLY AND MAKING BEVERLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR BEVERLY. TO GO INTO COURTSHIP WITH AN OPEN MIND, MORALS, VALUES AND HIGH SELF-ESTEEM, AND ALLOW CHRIST TO BE THE STANDARD IN WHICH I MAKE MY DECISIONS AND ULTIMATELY MAKING THOSE SAME DECISIONS WITH THE MAN GOD HAS ALWAYS HAD IN MIND FOR ME, NOT "A HUSBAND" BUT "MY HUSBAND". YEARS AGO, IF ANY ONE WOULD HAVE ASKED ME WAS I READY TO BE A WIFE OR WOULD I MAKE A GOOD WIFE, MY ANSWER WOULD HAVE BEEN "YES" WITHOUT QUESTION BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS READY FOR THE RESPONSIBILITY. NOW, I LOOK BACK AND SAY I WOULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE WIFE, WHY, BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW MYSELF, I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD ONE CLUE ON HOW TO HOLD MY HUSBAND UP AND BALANCE LIFE AS ONE WITH HIM. MY DESIRE IS TO BE GREAT. GREAT AS A "SINGLE KINGDOM WOMAN" AND EVENTUALLY GREAT AS A "KINGDOM WIFE". WORKING TO BE A BETTER ME HAS BEEN THE BEST DECISION I'VE MADE SPIRITUALLY, PHYSICALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY. PUTTING MY HEART/LIFE IN GODS HAND AND ALLOWING HIM TO GUIDE MY COURSE IS A FEELING THAT CAN'T BE DESCRIBED WITH WORDS. I AM FINALLY HAPPY AND FREE AND IT FEELS GOOD, SO GOOD. THANK YOU MEAGAN AND DEVON FOR SHARING NOT ONLY LIFE EXPERIENCES BUT YOUR HEARTS TO US. YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING.. XOXO BEVERLY P.S. "THE WAIT" WILL BE PASSED DOWN TO MY DAUGHTER ON HER 14TH BIRTHDAY..... SHE'S A MONTH AND A HALF SHY OF 11... I'M NOT READY BUT I'M AS READY AS I'LL EVER BE.....LOL... XO

Peace For The World🌎❤

This past weekend was one to remember for some and one to reflect on for others. Friday the 13th 2015 was the day the lights turned off in Paris, France. Over time 100 people died and even more casualties, the world mourned for Paris because we here in America knows how it feels to look evil right in the eyes. So we open our hearts and show our love and support to our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, we show them that we're here even if we're half a world away we're here for you. To show that support, facebook gave us an option by our own choice to filter our profile picture in support of this tragic event and many people made that choice but many also chose not to and in doing that, they had a lot to say. Questions like "Pray for Paris?" Accompanied by pictures of colored men and women being hung, chained and beaten (disgusting) as if to say, we shouldn't pray for Paris because many years ago colored people were abused & oppresed by people of non-color. There were people also upset because there was a moment of silence at a national game for the people of Paris however there was  never a "moment of silence" for the #BlackLivesMatter movement (selfish). When is it ever ok to not show empathy or sympathy in a situation where people are dead and dying all because you're upset based on something that never happened to you directly. You hear people of color scream, "My People. My People", the same people that never experienced oppression, rejection or neglect. The problem with this generation is that we feel we're entitled to things that we don't work for, we did not pray for , and that we don't have the God given strength to endure. The difference between "my people" now and "my people" then is that "my people" then had compassion they had humility, instead of complaining about what wasn't right they prayed about it, respected themselves as well as others, even those who tried to oppress them. Times have  changed and we live in a divided society based on how much more melanin the next person have than us. The word of God stated in Acts 17:26 the God made all nations of man of one blood. Not black blood. Not white blood, not Asian blood, not Egyptian blood but ONE BLOOD. God's intentions for His people was not to be divided  but to be united through  His resurrected son Jesus Christ, Yeshua, the Messiah. At some point in time we have to to realize that this war were fighting isnt against each other but against evil. It has been that way since time started ticking. Until we realize that love conquers ALL & grasp the fact that #AllLivesMatters    this world will never change. We will always be at odds with one another and that #justice we all want will just be another hope that will never exist.

Pray without ceasing, Love without conditions🌎❤

I love you guys Always
XoXo BevBaè ❤💋

It's Been A While

Hey guys,it's been a while since I've blogged however, I've still been writing so be looking out for some amazing blogs that the Holy Spirit has blessed me with that will bless your socks off. I'm writing this post this early in the morning because I wanted to share a recent testimony that was truly a blessing for me and my family. (I'm going to copy and paste it from my facebook because it's fairly long) Let me tell you how Good God is. So, a couple weeks ago, I made the decision to step from behind the chair and work on getting my high school diploma, then on to getting my cosmetology instructors license, and ultimately owning my own salon. This was a sacrifice that I chose to make to better myself for my children. I asked the kids how would they feel if this year instead of receiving, we give. They were fine with that but I knew that on Christmas Day had they not had anything, because they are kids, they weren't going to be happy. I asked God to give me favor, that he enlarge my territory so that I have the means to give my children an amazing Christmas. BUT GOD, about 2 weeks ago, Rev Albert Dyer pulled me to the side and told me the tutoring program wanted to sponsor my children's Christmas this year (Yall know I cried) so he told me to tell them to write a list of what they wanted. about a week after that Mrs. Carline, the secretary at the Parent Center in Bossier called me and told me that her daughter (an amazing woman that I've never met) wanted to give my children a Christmas (again, I cried) I knew God was working it out for me/us, Here's the kicker, I decided that I should tell both Rev and Mrs. Carline that they both decided to do the same thing for my babies this Christmas. They both said "Ok" (basically what did that have to do with them) all I could do was cry. So about a week ago Mrs. Carline called to let me know that she had the kids gifts, of course I cried. I went to pick the gifts up, gave Mrs. C a big hug and went home, then she sends me a text and says, "My daughter said you can tell the kids Santa gave them their gifts", I smiled and replied back, "Mrs. Carline, they wouldn't believe me if I told them that, I'm going to tell them exactly who it was that gave them amazing Chrsitmas." Then today happened, Mrs. C texted me yesterday to let me know that Micah's drawing book had came in and that she had another surprise for me, Im kind of confused at this point but I say ok, excited about what it is, I'm anxious. Well I get to the PC, getting ready for the PASYF Christmas Program and Mrs. C pulls out this bag from her daughter, guess what it was, A LAPTOP in amazing condition, of course, I cried, and gave Mrs. C the biggest hug. Then THIS happened, while at the PASYF Christmas Program, a couple walked in from Simple Church and Ms. Cann calls my name, they didn't know who I was, have never seen me, all they knew is that they were there to be a blessing in someone's life and that happened to be mine and my children. They gave us Wal-Mart gift cards, as well as bibles for the kids, and more toys!!! Of course I cried... I say all that to say this, I am a firm believer that God is everything He says He is and will do all that I could ask or think. I am a believer of the gospel there for I apply Gods Word to my life. The same faith Abraham had I apply it to my life. You ask for proof of whether God is real or just a made up entity, well guess what, you're looking at proof, me, amongst many, MANY others that follows Gods blue print (the Word Of God) for our lives and receive an abundance of blessings, Blessings don't have to come in the form of monetary gain, it can be as small as being able to rest well at night, or having an over flow of happiness. Which ever way God chooses to bless us, we have to be grateful, and understand that we are blessed to be a blessing. Be living witnesses for those that are lost, I had faith that the God I serve was real from the beginning and He shows me daily. I am not afraid of the gospel and I will serve him as long as I live. ‪#‎COMEONSOMEBODY‬ Im beyond thankful for the people God has placed in my path, words can't even express how much I love them!! That's my testimony!! I couldn't be more thankful for life itself, for children that are greatful for the little things and also wants to be blessings themselves. My faith has trickled down to my little nuggets and I thank God for the trials that I've endured over the past decade. Romans 5:1-5 tells us (NLT)...(1) "Since we have been made right in God's sight, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.(2) Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's Glory. *(3)We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us- they help us learn to endure. (4) and endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of Salvation. (5) And this expectation will not disappoint us, because we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His Love." When things happen in out lives, we're so quick to ask why, or get mad at God like He left us to fight this battle alone. Well, I have good news for you, WE DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT THIS BATTLE ALONE!" God is always with us even when we don't think He's here, He's here. I thank God for what I've gone through because it has made my faith stronger and it has opened my heart to explore the Word of God with full expectation of receiving wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. God has been good to me even when I didn't deserve it. I will bless His name at all times and His praises will continue to be in my mouth. There are more blogs to come, now that I have been blessed with a laptop, I really believe in my heart that all my dreams, all my hearts desires are unfolding as I speak (type). I LOVE YOU ALL XOXO BEV... OPGL...

OPGL: Walking By Faith

Have you ever asked yourself, "Is my faith strong enough?" Or have you ever wondered why you've believed for something so hard, prayed so much and it never shows up? I have! I've believed, I've prayed, I've confessed but I got nothing. So we sit and ask ourselves is it me or is it God and we often time blame God and start to question Him and His promises. We say, "Lord, you said.....and that's what I did" or did we really? 

   I like to think of Faith as B.A.A.R (Believe•Ask•Action•Receive). We Believe that God will do it (what we ask), then we Ask, after we ask then we put Action behind what we've already believed and asked for then we receive. 

  Romans 10:17 (kjv) says, "So then Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Let's take Abraham as the best example of Faith. Genesis 22 (kjv) God told Abraham to take his only son to a land and offer him for a burnt offering, without question, Abraham with Issac and two of his men set off to the land Moriah. On the 3rd day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off, so he left the two men and he and Isaac went together, on the way, Isaac asked where was the lamb that was to be offered. Abrahams only reply was, "God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering." In that moment Abraham showed faith not only for himself but for his son as well. 

   Let's take a moment to reflect and place ourselves in Isaac's shoes how would we have  reacted in Gen 22:9-10 (kjv) after Issac specifically asked his father where the lamb was for the burnt offerings, to turn around and be bound and laid on the alter as the offering would be a little confusing right?  WRONG!! Abraham and Isaac was operating in faith that day. Sometimes we as parents have to be an example for our children I believe that as Abraham was walking in faith so was Isaac. Isaac believed that God would provide Himself a lamb so he allowed himself to be in the position to be slain and by faith he believed that God would do what He said He would do. They both believed provided action and received, they received the offering provided by God. 

  Now look at God or should I say look at Abraham and Isaac they both showed true faith in what they believed and that's God and because they (more so Abraham) had faith God blessed him to be a father of many nations. 

  We are Abrahams decendents (by faith)and if we believe like Abraham believe we to can inherit the promises of God and our children will walk in the same manner of fairness Isaac did with his father Abraham. 

  James 2:18-26 talks about how faith and works (actions) works together to receive Gods blessings. Faith alone can't do it and works alone can't do it, they both have to work together to bring fourth the blessings of God by faith. 

  There are many examples in the bible that we can refer to to help us in our spiritual walk and walking by faith. Like Elisha in 1 Kings 19:14 or like the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8:43-48 or Jairis in Luke 8:40-56 these are just a few people who believe and had faith in the power of the living God. We as Christians should walk in the same manner of faith as they did not only to receive what we ask but to be examples to believers as well as unbelievers. 

DECLARATION OF FAITH: 

I operate the principles of the Kingdom in the spirit of faith that has been given to me. I understand that when I sow Kingdom principles they are like grains of mustard seed though they are small in the midst of all other seeds that have been sown into life through faith and patience, I can water them until their roots have chocked out all that does not give glory to God. In this manner, I receive such an abundance of blessing that I have all that I need and plenty left over so that my life becomes a refuge to everyone in my circle of influence. 

OPGL! 

Daughters Of The King

   Before I start, I want anyone reading this to declare: Jesus is the King over my life and that Satan's army is subject to my authority. Amen.
   Like I've said in some of my previous blogs, we all have a purpose, Jesus died to give us life, that we may have joy & peace, that we may experience true love through Him.
   But oh so often, we allow the ways of this world to manifest darkness over our lives. We allow people to come in and take the thing Jesus died on the cross for and that's our life. What I mean by this is we become broken, broken mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Some of us have suicidal thoughts and some of us even took it there, wanting/trying to end our lives because someone has made us feel like we have no life to live for. (NTL) Romans 13:10 "Loves does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all God's requirements."  I want us to think back to a time that the one we "loved" the most said or did something that brought us to a point of no self-worth. I'm not just saying it happened once, I'm saying they did so much over a period of time that it broke your spirit, you were broken, depressed, and self-conscious of who you were. We have had times in our lives that changed us, by what people did, so we separate ourselves from God. Whatever was stolen from us, we try to find it outside of God's will, drinking, smoking, being promiscuous, cutting, ever suicide. We feel like there's no hope because we've lost hope in the only man that gave us hope (life) and that's Jesus Christ. We've allowed someone to take what they didn't give and separated ourselves from the one who gave us peace.
   We start taking our frustrations out on ourselves, we start not to care about our morals and start feeding our flesh and mind with temporary satisfaction because someone told us that was all we were worth. But let me tell you what we are worth, we're worth the blood of Jesus. We're worth our beloved God giving his only son to die so that we can have life, so that we don't have to be bound by the worlds standard of whats acceptable and whats not. 
   (NLT) John 3:16-17 "for God so loved the world that He gave His only son so that whoever believes in Him will not parish but have eternal life (17) God did not send His son to condemn the world but to save it." So if God didn't send His son to condemn us, who are we to judge, who are we to make people feel less than who they  really are, we are daughters of the most High God and we should carry ourselves in such a way that people can see the glory of God in and around us. 
   (NLT) Romans 12:12 says, "Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble and always be prayerful." Take joy that God has a special plan and purpose for your life, be patient in knowing that Gods plan will manifest itself in your life on Gods time. 
   (NLT) Romans 12:21 says, "Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good." 
   I've suffered from suicidal thoughts, I've actually tried once, I was that self-conscious girl, I was that homeless woman with children feeling worthless as a mother and a woman, I'm that girl who dealt with homosexual thoughts, I'm that girl that was beaten, that became promiscuous because I was numb to the word of God and focused on how hurt I was by the men I had been with and told myself that I didn't care, all I wanted to do was get my satisfaction and let it be known that I can, "Think Like A Man" (foolishness). I didn't care about morals, I didn't care about what the Word of God said, I didn't care about the only Man that loves me with the purest love and that's my God.
  I'm the harsh reality of how this world can break us down to our lowest point how we allow people to come into our lives and steal our joy and when that happens, we lose sight of OUR PURPOSE GIVEN LIFE!
  In the worlds eyes, I'm a statistic, a high school dropout, black woman with 3 kids, I've been on welfare, I receive government assistance and the father of my children is incarcerated. That's what the world defines me as. But let me tell you what God defines me as, I AM BEAUTIFUL, SMART, LOVING, STRONG, EDUCATED, LOVED, COURAGEOUS, PEACE, OBEDIENT, I AM, A DAUGHTER OF THE KING!!!! And so are you, when the world cast you out, God's love brings you in, into your purpose. He loves you in your wickedness, He loves you in your lust, He loves you in your NO MATTER WHAT!! So what is it for us to put on the whole armor of God, live according to His purpose and be FREE!! The world called us outsiders, God called us His children, there is power in the name of JESUS by His blood we are FREE, in His name we can LIVE! WE ARE ALIVE, WE ARE FREE!!!
  DON'T EVER FORGET WHO YOU ARE AND WHO'S YOU ARE. YOU ARE THE A DAUGHTER OF THE KING!!! GOD!!!

I share my story because I want women to know that no matter what it looks like God has a plan and a Purpose for our lives. People are going to talk, they'll talk about you when your're good and they'll talk when your're down, either way, they're TALKING!! So why not give them something to talk about, let them talk about our success after our failure, talk about how God brought us OUT of our "condition" and situation and brought us into His plan for our lives. GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD! There have been days that I wanted to quit, days that  I didn't want to even get out of bed because I was so broken by what I saw but none of  that matters now because I understand my purpose and I'm here to show you the way through the Word of God to understand yours. LET'S GET OUT OF OUR CONDITION AND LIVE!!!!!! www.facebook.com/bstrawther

OPGL: Pastors

  I just want to start off by thanking God for my Pastor, Pastor James McMenis of Word Of God Ministries in Shreveport, La.
  (Jeremiah 3:15-NLT) says, " And I will give you leaders after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge abd understanding", I firmly believe  this referring to our pastor J. McMenis. Since I've been a member of Word Of God Ministries my spiritual walk has been nothing short of amazing.
  God has blessed him with an anointing (to dedicate to the service of God) to minister the Word, to teach God's Word. Pastor McMenis said something in the part 5 lesson on the series "The Gatekeeper", he said, the easy part of being a preacher is preaching, the hard part is teaching so that the congregation can understand God's word (not in those exact words but basically) and that's a true statement,  to teach Gods word comes with wisdom, knowledge, & understanding of Gods word. It takes more than just getting in the pulpit, reading a couple scriptures,  taking tithes and going home. It's about using God's word to be planted as a seed to manifest itself in the lives of Gods people, it's about Teaching.
  ***(2 Corinthians 5:18-21 NLT)
  Pastors have some big shoes to fill don't they? Some have to worry about judgement,  being ridiculed by people, even christians, because they don't agree with their method of teaching. But would any of that really matter or make a difference if your life is aligned with Gods word? (*1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT) tells us, "instead you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your  conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ."
  I commend preachers & not just the ones that minister in the pulpit but also the ones that are in the streets of their communities & different countries ministering Gods word, the ones that sit in the congregation, listen & get an understanding of what's being taught, they study the word & spread it to the rest of the world. God has his hands on us, He gave us purpose through His word.
   (**James 1:19-25 NLT) talks about (19) being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.... (21) humbly accept the message that God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save souls...(22) it is a message to obey, not just to listen to, if you don't obey you're only fooling yourself... (**Read to vs 25)
   Some of us sit in church listen to the message and for whatever reason get angry at the Pastor, but why? It's because most of us are sitting there not wanting to hear the truth!  You'd rather your feelings be babysat & watched over, well Gods word doesn't work that way and neither should the people teaching it.
  Pastor McMenis said something funny but true. He said he's not a coochie-coo preacher,  in other words, he's not called to satify us and our feelings by holding back on Gods word ( that was just my take on it) he's in the pulpit to teach the manifested Word Of God so that we can not only recieve God's word but be able to understand it in a way that we can apply it to our lives and bless others as well. 
   I thank God for our pastor & I pray that God continues to cover his family and bless the ministry.  Since I've put fourth my time in Gods word, my life has changed physically, mentally, financially, & most importantly spiritually.  I can humbly say that at Word Of God Ministries I'm at my place called there, I'm home & to my pastor, I hear your heart.

OPGL-Xo♥

If your ever in the Shreveport area and you're looking for a place to worship,  Word Of God Ministries is open arms to visitors near & far
6645 Bert Kouns Industrial Lp
Shreveport,  La 71129
(318) 364-8977
 

OPGL- The Holy Spirit

  Growing up, my mother would always figure things out, even things we thought we got away with (lol) and she'd always say, "the Holy Spirit spoke to me." As a child I didn't understand but as a mother, an adult, and a child of God, I get it.
  (John 14:26-Kjv) says "but the comforter which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things back to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (*Always remember the Holy Spirit can only bring something back to your remembrance if it has already been studied, how can you remember something you never had.) 
  Have you ever had an ah-ha moment where something just came to you or as a parent, has something dealing with your children ever just came to you? I have and in my mind, I always went back to what my mother use to say "the Holy Spirit spoke to me." (lol) now I got it.
  (John 16:13-14 Nlt) says, "when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not be representing his own ideas, He will be telling you what He has heard, He will be telling you about the future.(14) He will bring you glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me."
  Anything you receive from the Holy Spirit is from God. God has placed the Holy Spirit here with us to reveal truth, to bring Gods word fourth in our lives.
  Some may ask how do I receive the Holy Spirit? The beginning of receiving the Holy Spirit is believing in Jesus Christ with salvation. How can you believe/receive the Holy Spirit without receiving the one who the Holy Spirit was sent to relieve and that's Jesus Christ.
  The Holy Spirit comes to be a comforter  to us, to give us wisdom, knowledge and understanding of Gods Word.
  (Galatians 3:2 Nlt) says, "let me ask you a question, Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law? Of course not. for the Holy Spirit came upon you ONLY after you believed the message about Jesus Christ." (Galatians 3:5 Nlt) ...(5) does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? of course NOT. It is because you believed the message you heard about Jesus Christ." (continue Galatians 3:8-14)
  God has a purpose and a plan for our lives but to receive the promises that God promised Abraham, we must first put our faith in Christ as Abraham did.
  Christians, don't lose yourself trying to satisfy your flesh by depending on the law to make you right with God, receive Christ through salvation & baptism, have faith in God so that the same promises Abraham received through his faith we can receive through ours, the promised Holy Spirit.

OPGL-
(John 16:13-15; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; James 1:5-8; Matthew 13:15,16; Romans 14:17)

I encourage you to study the scriptures in Gods Word, pray that he brings all things to your remembrance and to receive revelation, knowledge and understanding of His word. God Bless...