Author: Kris Joi

Hi, My name is Kristen Joi Cantrell aka Kris Joi Founder of GC ink. Welcome to our virtual space. We are A Kingdom core.poration that focuses on creating and celebrating beauty from the inside out. Lets journey together through the word and world in Christ. Life. And Style. XOXO 😘 K.Joi Grace.Love.And.Mercy
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Wave-ring Pt. 1

Kris Joi

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For He that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Photo By: Me @ West Palm Beach Florida

Prayer:  Father God in the name of Jesus, thank you. As we enter into your gates with thanksgiving and your courts with praise we bless your name. For you alone are worthy of worship. All of the other gods are works of men but You Lord are the Most High, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Elohim, El Shaddai, El Elyon. Who can stand before you and what can stand against you? And if God be for us who can stand against us? NOBODY/ NO THING is greater than you. Amen.

Hey Kings 👑Kids,

I pray this finds you well. 🙏🏽Be reminded all is well. In spite of what we face in this world Jesus said to take heart He overcame the world. He is our blessed assurance. When something is assured it’s guaranteed and certified. The bible says this about God’s word (See Isaiah 55:11). In this we put our confident hope. He cannot lie nor fail, 🙌🏽 even when we do. I’m realizing because GOD is so BIG that we in our limited thinking and temporal frame can’t fully imagine just how big He is. 🤯And even this He is aware of, as He made us from clay. Clay has no form or shape, it’s lifeless, and in itself is nothing but dirt/soil.

I think sometimes it’s easy for us to forget this because we have been given so many wonderful gifts. 🎁 Our natural abilities sometimes get in the way of what God really wants to do in our lives. It is not until we surrender everything we think we know, have, and are that we tap into the fullness of who God created us to be. 🪞The word says we were created in His likeness and image (resemblance). Just as a child favors their parents in the natural, God wants us to be like Him in appearance, word, and actions. Contrary to popular belief this is done from the inside out. No outward performance can compare to true inward change.

The bible says be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds. 🧠We are born into this world with all kinds of bad ways/habits, and as we grow older we often pick up even more. This is until we are trained in righteousness, I talked about what this looks like in my last post towards the end. In which we talked about learning, serving, and seeking 👀♥️the Fathers heart. A disciple is a learner, pupil, or student. This is what God desires from us. God gave us discipleship as a means of our growth and development.  God gives us teachers after His heart to walk us through this process. 👩🏽‍🏫👨‍🏫Have you found a good church home yet? If so great and if not don’t wait, do it like your life is dependent upon it (it is!). 

We are living during evil times and there is safety from ⛔️hurt, harm, and danger inside the will of God. God gave us this as one of his many promises. When we abide in Him, He is with us and for us. On the contrary there are enemies who desire to steal, kill, and destroy this and all the other promises that God has given us. 👁️We need to be watchful (woke, alert), prayerful, and connected to other people who are also alert and praying. ⚠️Caution: all prayer is not created equal. Just because someone prays something doesn’t mean God will answer it, it has to be aligned. We can talk about this later. 

The first thing required for alignment is faith. ✝️The bible says we are saved through faith by grace. We talked about grace in previous posts also. Remember He gives grace to the humble. Humility is the prerequisite for every good thing from God. 🙇🏽‍♀️🙇Humility says it doesn’t matter what I want or think. I want to know who God is, what He wants, and what He thinks. And do it. The bible says if we lift God up He will draw us close to Him. This is what He ultimately wants from us all. 🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️

Now let’s get back to faith. Faith is trust, confidence, and assurance. The word says that faith comes by hearing 👂🏽and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:7). This is another reason why going to church to hear the word of God is important.  If we believe in our heart and confess 🗣️with our mouth that Jesus is Lord we will be saved (see Romans 10:9). As we are going through our salvation journey no matter where we are, the word of God takes us from glory to glory and faith to faith. 🛑Let’s stop here and think it over. 💭

✋🏽Selah: Pause and reflect on where you are in your journey of life. Where have you come from? Where do you want to be? What has God shown you concerning your future? Are you on track (walking & talking with God daily)? Have you heard God’s voice? In what ways?

XOXO 😘

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E. Go (Ripe Harvest pt.3)

Kris Joi

Hey Ya’ll,

Let's Pray. 🙏🏽 Father God in the name of Jesus thank you for a new day, another chance to give you glory, and for being everything we could ever need. Keep your hand of favor upon us. And in seasons where we find ourselves outside your good graces thank you for a way of return. Thank you for unconditional ♥️love, ever enduring mercy, and sufficient grace. In Jesus name Amen.

Ehhh. Have you ever had a moment where you have so much to say that you don’t know what to say or where to start? Well that’s where i’m at right now in this moment. I’m reminded of a post I did before where I talked about Holy Spirit making groanings 😩for us (see bible Romans 8:26). So after a women carries a child for 9 months she goes into labor, and it’s not only hard, but painful. You may be wondering, sis what does that have to do with anything you’re talking about? Well natural birth and spiritual birthing are a lot alike. 🗣️Let’s talk a little about spiritual birthing.

When God gives you an 💡idea, assignment, word, and purpose it’s liken to a seed. He places it in your heart/mind to receive water and nutrients so that it grows. And depending on the type of seed it is it will grow and produce after its own kind (when tended to properly). This is the same process in natural birthing. Basic biology says cows produce cows, chickens produce chickens, and a 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒man & women produce a boy or girl. This process is called the reproduction process. In order that offspring would be brought forth.

For the sake of time & space I just want to focus on offspring (Read all Colossians 1 w/ focus on verses 10-20). 📖 Because God is VERY concerned with what we produce. In fact He has entrusted us to take care of that/those which He has given us. Contrary to popular belief we are not self made. Our life really isn’t our own, and neither are the things we own. You may think how is that? That’s my car, my house, my children, my money. Just as the saying goes my, my, my. 😨That’s exactly how I feel about anyone who believes and trusts in themself as self made. Wake up call. If God decided to not wake you up today, you would be as they say now a days unalived.

But so many of us do what we want to, say what we want to, go where we want to. This generation is a DIY (do it yourself) kind of culture/society. Well friend that’s ok for an arts & craft project but not for your life. It’s really not a game, playing russian roulette and uno with your life is crazy. 😵‍💫I don’t say this to scare anyone, but it’s dangerous out here in these streets ya’ll and the bible says it’s going to get worse. Now is high time. Get in church, get in God, read your bible, build a relationship with God. Come as you are (He does not care about your bad ways) just don’t stay as you are. Let God help you!🙌🏽

I’m speaking from experience. I tried living life my way long enough to know. IT DOES NOT LEAD TO LIFE. 🛑Being stubborn, mean, disobedient, arrogant, high, and mighty will lead to destruction, disaster, and death. We don’t get to live how we want and think that everything is going to be ok. 🚷No. That’s not how this works. We follow God and then everything is going to be ok. I speak this way because I care about your life and future. Whatever’s blocking YOU from God LET IT GO!

I always hear 👂🏽 people talk about Grace. Well His grace is sufficient but not unlimited. Remember He gives grace to the humble. If we are lifted up in pride (what we want) we won’t receive grace (unmerited favor). The only requirement is humility. No ego’s allowed. You will be surprised sometimes it takes a good test/trial to reveal just how out of alignment we are. Think of it this way. 🦴If your bone is out of place it may be painful to pop it back in place initially. But short term pain beats long term pain. Imagine walking around like that forever and never taking the necessary steps to recover. OUCH. Let’s end in scripture.

Hebrews 12:11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening– it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. (New Living Translation)

Peace & Love

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E.leven 8… Up 🆙 & Ate 🍽️

Kris Joi

Matthew 16:8 Aware of their conversation, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you debating among yourselves about having no bread? 11 How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (BSB)

Mark 8:15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod (ESV)

Matthew 13:33 He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” (ESV)

Photo Credit: Azerbaijan_stockers @ freepik.com

Greetings Kings Kids, 👑

Grace & Peace multiplied unto you. Let’s Pray. 🙏🏽 Father God in the name of Jesus, thank you. For your goodness, mercy, and lovingkindness is better than life itself. There is no way we could do this thing called life without You! Bear minimum we can merely exist. Continue to lead us and guide us into all truth that we would live a life that’s pleasing unto you. You need nothing, yet we give you ALL. In Jesus name, Amen. ✝️

So the last time we “spoke” was early November of last year (a little over 2 months ago). Little did I know that my life would be flipped 🔃right side up, yet God is STILL faithful. I’m still processing everything that took place but we will talk about that later. Right now let’s dive in 🌊to today’s word. Over the last few months i’ve been hearing the word diet. Which i’m sure you know means what we eat. Have you ever heard the saying “you are what you eat”. Well i’m finding that to be truer than I realized. 🧠

There are hundreds (if not more) of diet plans in the natural. 🥗All created with the goal of optimal health. I mean who doesn’t want to be healthy right? If you ask anyone would they rather be sick or healthy, I can guarantee you they will choose health. Sickness can affect every part of the body and even lead to death if unchecked. 🌡️In December I lost one of the persons I love the most to cancer and if I can be honest my heart hurts every time I think about it. I was so sure he would fight through and make it on the other side healed. Well he actually did, just not the way I desired. 💔

❓Have you ever wanted or craved something so bad that no one could tell you it wasn’t going to happen that way? Appetite is a powerful thing, that could lead to our detriment or benefit. I’ve read that sometimes our bodies crave certain things because of imbalances in the body. This could be 💊vitamins, nutrients, etc. For example, I recently bought iron supplements because I was cold all the time. Yet, I always found myself craving ice (go figure right). I later found that this was due to a disorder called anemia, that affects the red blood cells. 🩸One of the causes of this is iron defeciency (amongst other things).

Being a teacher 👩🏽‍🏫 I couldn’t help but correlate this with the spirit. I’m going to do a more in depth study on this but think about all the times appetites led to the fall of those we read about in history. In fact lets make it personal. 💭Think about all the times our own appetite/desires led us to do or not do something. Now consider the consequences. I can go down the list of things we as humans crave. After the fall of man and the coats of flesh being added (see Genesis 3) mans desires were continuously evil. In fact right after this we see the first murder. 😨

God gave us desire. He’s ok with us desiring things, as long as those things don’t take us away from ✝️Him or His Way. Some ways to tell if things are taking us away from God include; distraction, disobedience, delay (which we can talk about another day). Remember in the bible 📖where Israel took 40 years to accomplish something that was only supposed to take days ( See Deuteronomy 1 & Numbers 14)? Do you know when you were born God had a predetermined plan for your life, with lots of good things He wanted for you to accomplish on Earth? 🌍 But let’s be real, how many of us are living that life? And how many of us are living a life opposite of His goodness? I highlight His goodness because sometimes we settle for man made goodness.

This is what the pharisees and saducees were doing in the verses above. Let me break the news to you. 🚫IN OUR FLESH DWELLS NO GOOD THING! This is why the bible tells us to do away it. How do I do that you may ask? Well first give your life to Jesus (I have a previous post about this and invite/celebrate you to search salvation prayer). Next, find a bible believing, teaching, and living ⛪️church home (we can help with that too if you like). Attend church services, learn all you can, take notes, go back and read over them, praise & worship, pray & fast, serve others, READ YOUR BIBLE, 🗣️ask God to help you understand it over time, and PLEASE do what it says (with Gods help). I promise the more we do these things the more we grow!

That was a lot to take in so let’s Selah (pause &ponder) 🤔and practice right 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶there. FYI, all these things are essential if we want to grow in God and experience a real good life. Of course we can choose not to. 🤷🏽‍♀️But just know all choices have consequences, some good, some not the best, others terrible. Choose wisely!

PART 3 & P.S. Coming Soon! ♥️

P.S. Want an accountability partner or partners? Reach out so we can connect you with one that fits your needs.

Peace & Love, K.Joi XOXO 😘

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R.I.P.E. Harvest

Kris Joi

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance ~Matthew 3

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men ~1 Timothy 2

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. ~ Matthew 9

Greetings In Grace Beloved Ones

It is the beginning of a new month, time, and season! And I am eternally 🙌🏽grateful & 🙂glad for another opportunity to enter into His gates with thanksgiving and to enter into His courts with praise. I’m thankful unto Him and I bless His name! For the Lord is good and His mercy endures forever. Let’s Pray!

Father God in the name of Jesus. Thank you for your goodness, your loving ❤️ kindness, your tender mercy, and your grace. You have been better to us than life itself. Even when were/are disconnected from you, you are always accessible to us. Your word says if haply we might feel after you, and find you, though you be not far from every one of us (See Acts 17:27). Thank you for being a very present help during this time where things have been brought to crisis. ✝️Our Savior/salvation is only one turn away. 

It’s 5am here in the Chicagoland region and it’s pouring down 🌧️rain as we speak. IDK about you, but It’s been a long month since our last post, tiring 😅to say the least. Nevertheless, what shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Answer: No One & No Thing.) (See Romans 8:1) God IS Faithful!

Sometimes it takes us being pushed & pressed beyond our own ability to tap 🥊into God’s presence & power. What’s pushing & pressing on you right now? Is it health challenges, loss & grief, pain & anguish, financial hardship, brokenness, comfort & complacency, and the list goes on? WELL I have GOOD 🗣️NEWS for YOU! Jesus already paid for it at the cross. There is nothing hidden from or too hard for Him.

 He see’s all, knows all, and is greater than all!

One may ask how do I experience this greatness you speak of? And the answer is simple, Surrender (see Matthew 10:39). God has already given us ALL things as it pertains to Life AND Godliness (see 2 Peter 1:3). It just takes us having a willing heart 💝 and workful 💪🏽hands. We were created to live for God. However, we live in a world where most don’t and won’t. If God was a man, though HE IS NOT (See Numbers 23:19). He would be the perfect gentleman. He never forces himself on us. He simply says this is path A, B, and C. Choose the one that leads to me.

And if we decide to go another route. He will let us. And guess what, we may even experience some success taking our own route. 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶‍♂️But why have partial when we can be full and filled? My friend’s success according to the world and according to God (The Word) are NOT THE SAME! Whereas the world lusts after things & persons. God (The Word) teaches us to love. First to love Him and after to love others, as ourselves. Have you ever heard the saying there’s a thin line between… Well just as the saying goes… it is.

I recall a number times where God showed me I had something/someone else in His place. Want to know how we can tell when this is so? How do we respond when we don’t have that thing or person? Can we stay focused👁️ and follow God with or without them/it? Or have they/it become a distraction from us being focused and following God’s lead? This can be linked to a mentality 🧠we have that leads us to a course of action that inadvertently disconnects us from God’s will/word/way.

I’m learning that 🙇🏽‍♀️Obedience is BETTER than sacrifice. Sometimes what we give & do isn’t always what God wants. How often have we decided I’m going to do this or say that? And God is like I did not ask you to do or say for this or that. As lovingly kind and merciful as HE IS there does come a time where He will give us over to our own desires. And the consequence of this choice is lack. 😣Not necessarily a lack of things, but of Him. Because friend, that’s what God ultimately wants us to have, HIMSELF! This includes His heart/mind, His nature, and least of all the natural things that come with that (money, fame, relationship connections, etc.). 

We must begin and/or continue to daily examine ourselves against the Word of God. He is more than able and faithful to meet EVERY need. Where we lack NOTHING, Inside & Out! (See Mark 8). But it starts with a posture of LORD, I need YOU. Show me your will/word/way. And my friend the more we know. The more we grow. And that’s GOOD NEWS😍🙌🏽❤️

Part 2 & P.S. Coming Soon!

~XOXO GC Ink.~

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Tapped 😰 Out? Tap 🥊In. (Gos…sip 🗣🚰pt.2)

Kris Joi 
  John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Romans 13:11-14 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.


Revelation 22:1-2 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Greetings in Grace Kings Kids👑,

It’s a blessing, privilege, and honor to be partakers of the abundant life given to us through Christ Jesus. There is no god like our GOD! Regardless of where you are on your journey in life I just want to encourage you that God is greater than anything and everything, and HIS LOVE for YOU is beyond measure! So much has transpired 😰😓😅since our last talk. It amazes me how fast time moves. It was just like yesterday we were kids, then the next thing you know we are “older”. I thank God that although I’m getting older, youthfulness is just one mindset away. The other day I met the sweetest elderly couple out enjoying their life together and I thought to myself #Goals. The older I get the more I realize that LIVING your TRUE best life is all a matter of choices.

Remember, there are people all around the world who are under tremendous pressure 😖 and great hardship, but yet they are thriving💎. Life is not measured by how many material things we have but how many moments we choose to glorify God as Jehovah with thanks+giving. A life poured 🙇🏽‍♀️out is a life worth living! My friend I thank God for you and pray🙏🏽 that He would grant you the continual favor that comes from seeking👁👑 Him. On that note let’s dive in 🙌🏽 & 🌊 .

My aim 🏹with these posts are to keep them short, sweet❤️, and straight to the point🎯. God has been helping me to grow in administering these monthly posts in a more excellent way. Thank God for continual growth and development! I’m also excited 😆to announce a new series called Mary Had A Little Lamb 🐑AKA Letters To The Shepherds ⚕️and The Sheep. These writings will address common church topics and be a source of encouragement and redirection for leaders with/wanting a servant hearts. In addition Glam Chic Ink. is in expansion 💗mode so be on the look out for more!

Now back to today’s post entitled Tapped Out Tap In (Gos…Sip pt.2). In part 1 to this post we talked more about the negative connotation of how gossip pollutes our wells of life from the inside out. When we use our tongue to spew or take in venomous words filled with hate & hypocrisy we become toxic. This is why it’s essential that we all work diligently to guard our heart/mind and every entryway (👀eyes, 👂🏽ear, 🤫mouth, etc). We do this through the power & love filled Word of God. The scriptures talk about how the word is to have first place in our lives and the dangers of it not being. Jesus being the living word came as an example and redeemer through coming in a body to save us from the inside out. I love that the word says He foreknew us. My leader says it like this “God called us already being fully aware of everything we would ever do past, present, and future.” Yet, He still calls us. Can You Hear What I Hear?🔔

In fact even when we were paying God absolutely no attention. He knows/knew and yet still calls & causes us to arise 🌅out of the ashes of despair and 🌃🌓darkness. Even when we put ourselves there. What kinda love is that? I still marvel at how long-suffering and lovingly kind God is toward us. And my friend? I think we should be that way towards one another. In fact the bible says we owe one another love (I will post this scripture and the others in the P.S. for this month). We must ask ourselves, will we willingly lay down our lives for those we love and even those who hate us? Well that’s what the bible says we ought to do in order that we’d be like Him 💯for real for real. IDK about you but that’s my greatest 🙏🏽desire, Be more like Him!

As I mentioned earlier a lot has transpired since we last talked. It started with a 💭dream. Led to one of the most difficult seasons of my life yet it ended in joy and 💪🏽strength. Don’t you love how God shows himself fully aware and present through every test and trial/trying season. Maybe you have not experienced this yet and are new to the faith. I just want to encourage you to come/continue along the journey. This 🚶🏽‍♀️walk with God is a day by day journey and all of us are at different places with varying circumstances. Yet and still God knows, sees, and cares for & about us. All we have to do is be honest with ourselves and ask for God’s help to fully give Him the good, bad, and ugly stuff inside out. And my friend being a human, in a fleshly body, in a fallen world means we all have some bad and ugly stuff inside us and around us. We must ALL keep watch 👀⏰🙏🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🧎🧎🏼‍♀️🧎🏾

So long story short I lost my job last season abruptly and unexpectedly. This put me in a tail spin 😵‍💫of fear and anxiety. Dealing with that in addition to the weight of everything else I was carrying brought me to one of the lowest places I’ve ever experienced in my life. What one would call hell🔥 on earth. I literally felt so winded😮‍💨 and overwhelmed that I contemplated for the 2nd time in my life not wanting to be here. But thankfully for God’s spirit inside me and some pretty 🤩amazing leaders who God showed me in a dream were praying for me, I made it through! And y’all i’m Holy Ghost filled and Happy to know that if God be for us, who/what can stand against us. No devil/demon in or under hell nor earth, person, place, or thing. Just Speak The Word!! 🗣

Signed Grace Love & Mercy, Kristen Joi~ XOXO (It’s for you too) 😘

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Wail, Well, Well (Re. New. Well)

Kris Joi

🙏🏽Prayer: Father, thank you for your goodness and mercy. Thank you for your lovingkindness. Thank you for being constant when things around us and even within us change. We trust and believe your word that says, “All things work together for good for those who love you and are called according to your purpose.” We acknowledge you as sovereign Lord and King. Even in unexpected & unsure times, help us to lean into you and let you guide us into life and godliness. You make no mistakes. That’s what makes you God. Keep us as the apple of your eye and forgive us for the times we missed an opportunity to worship you in Spirit and in Truth.

Titus 3:5-7 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Greetings in Grace Beloved’s,

Hallelujah to the Lord God almighty! And may His favor go before us & continuously reconcile us to His perfect will. I’m grateful for another chance to seek and share the word of God with you. Every time I hear from Father, and every time he meets me, I’m grateful & glad that He would choose to commune with me/us. We just came from a week/weekend of celebrating and commemorating our savior Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. It’s a celebratory yet sobering reminder of the price He paid for us, bestowing upon so many gifts. This includes the gift of salvation, righteousness, and the precious gift of His Holy Spirit. And to whom much is given, much is required. 

I’m reminded of when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane before His death. He was pressed with the weight of what was ahead of Him to such an extent that he sweat profusely as if it were 💦🩸blood (See Luke 22:44). In that moment even Jesus who was 100 percent God in the body of a man felt pressure to such an extent He cried out to the Father that if He was willing, to let the cup (suffering) pass from Him. This moment conveys great strength but also great suffering, conflict yet complete surrender. 🙌🏽A glimpse of our savior warring against the humanity of being in a body. This is why the bible reminds us we don’t have a high priest who cannot be touched (compassionate & sympathetic) by our weaknesses (see Hebrews 4:15). He sees, He knows, He cares, and has already provided THE WAY of escape.

During Jesus’ time of immense pressure he comes to find his disciples asleep. I took notice that though he “found” them asleep, Jesus was already aware of their current and future condition(s). In the same passage He foretells that Peter would deny Him 3 times, as Peter insists that he’d never. He further admonishes them several times to arise/watch 👁️and pray. Jesus was not presenting his knowing of their falling as a form of provocation but presenting Himself as a form of provision. In addition to His admonishment He encourages them that He was going ahead of them to arise in Galilee. When we find ourselves under pressure, for better or worse, we can take joy in knowing THE TRUTH that makes us free.

Photo Credit: https://www.freepik.com/author/drozdiryna

Jesus chose to endure the cross because of the joy set before Him, being seated with God AND imparting unto us the gift of the Holy Spirit. That now not only He, Father, and Spirit would be one, but as He prayed before being crucified, “make them(us) one even as we(Trinity) are one” (See John 17:11). Prior to His departure Jesus ✝️encouraged His disciples that He would not leave them comfortless, and that He would come to them in all that they were soon to encounter. He further makes mention that the Spirit of Truth would bring them into peace (wholeness) & the knowledge of all things.

After Jesus is beaten, bruised, and scorned beyond recognition for our sins/sickness. In His final departure, hanging on the cross to die by asphyxiation (suffocation), He cries out to the Father Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani (why hast thou forsaken me See Matthew 27). In the account of Luke 23 it notes that Jesus cries out Father into your hands I commit my 💨spirit. I found it interesting that the word spirit means breath and that His means of death was suffocation. When a person is suffocating the loss of life is caused by a restriction of breath. This encourages me because there are times in life where trials/cares may have us struggling to catch our breath per say. In this we are reminded that He is The BREATH OF LIFE.

In John’s account (chapter 19) after He dies they pierce the side of Jesus and out comes a mixture of water and blood. The bible says that we overcome the enemy/accuser by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony (Rev 12). As I was meditating on these things passages of scripture began to flood my heart of times where Jesus spoke of giving living waters and the wellspring of life in connection with His Spirit & Word (ie. Ephesians 5:26, John 4:14, John 7:38, rev 22:17). My friend I just want to encourage you as I encourage myself that Jesus bore the weight/wail 😢of our sins & transgressions and left us with a greater weight/well ⛲️of His word & spirit while we wait. Let us continue to worship, watch & pray in the word & spirit as we wait on the Lord. The One who was, and is, and is to come.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint

encouragment, glam, Purpose

Not Your Little Friend: Just God!

Kris Joi

Let’s Pray. Father, thank you for your Son Jesus who has given us access to you. I also thank you for every son or daughter who comes across this letter. Bless them continuously beyond measure. Keep them as the apple of your eye. Release your unconditional love into the depths of their heart & soul. Remind them of your faithfulness and all the wonderful things you have in store. Forgive us for our sins and wash us in your saving blood & love! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

As always I pray all is well with you and yours! And I’m so grateful and glad to have this opportunity for us to share together in this journey called life. I’ve been reflecting on some of the things we talked about in our last post, and the word INFLUENCE stood out to me GREATLY!!

The Oxford Dictionary defines influence as the capacity to have an effect on the outcome/flow, character, development, or behavior of something or someone, or the effect itself. It also goes on to list some synonyms such as: impact, control, power, sway, authority, mastery, guidance, and rank. We talked a little about this before when talking about prayer/intercession, and its ability to make an impact on, in, and through us & others. In fact the bible tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverb 18:21).

Never underestimate the power vested in us to speak and create/make. My time in prayer/ worship is the most important, influential, and special part of my day daily. Not only am I able to talk to & with God, but God’s presence impacts my heart to live and love (what He loves & hate what He hates)! Recently I had a moment where I was so overwhelmed that all I could do was speak in my heavenly language. I did not know the words to express what I needed at that moment, but after a few minutes praying I heard Father say “Rest” as I fell asleep. When I awakened I felt refreshed, renewed, and amazed at how something as “simple” as rest was exactly what I needed. And notice I had no idea of what was going on with me as my mind raced, but God (fore-) knew and KNOWS EVERYTHING there is to know about absolutely everything. In this I find both GREAT comfort and reverential fear!

Psalm 94:7-9 Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall He not hear? He that formed the eye, shall He not see?

1 John 4 warns us beloved to believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Even those with little discernment can see & agree that the times/conditions we are currently living in are quite abnormal. Let’s not forget that a few years ago MILLIONS of people WORLDWIDE lost their lives to an unseen virus transmitted through the airways. And to this day it and others of its kind are still active. In addition to diseases we have natural disasters, terrorist like crimes, unstable leadership, danger, peril, and famine all throughout the land. “These are the times that try men’s souls” -Thomas Paine.

1 John 2:15-17 ESV Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 

Jesus before leaving his disciples forewarned them that they would experience hardship and trouble in this world, but also encouraged them to take heart because He overcame the world(John 16:33). The bible also reminds us we don’t have a high priest who is unable to be touched by the feeling of our infirmity,  He (Jesus) was tempted in all ways yet without sin(Hebrews 4:15). This passage reminds me of both the deep connection to humanity God has with His creation and the complete divinity and rule that He has OVER ALL HIS CREATION! Which is why although we ought to remain conscious and prayerful about these times, we ought not be unguarded or fearful. For neither of these are influenced by God’s Spirit. 

It’s up to us which type of influence we will abide in & under, heavenly or hellish. Because of God’s just righteous sovereignty He has given us the power to choose. TALK ABOUT INFLUENCE! However, we ought not be deceived. God is not mocked; a man shall reap what he sows(Galatians 6:7-8). This is one of those superpowers that cannot & will not ever change because it is a Kingdom (King Dominat-ed/-ing) principle. Regardless of our awareness of it we all are govern-ed/-ing by principles & principalities. (I’d love to talk more about this when space & time permits it.) Nevertheless our right to choose doesn’t relinquish us from the effects of those choices on our lives.

Sometimes we look at our lives circumstances and wonder how did we end up here? This is a good thing. Asking questions and making assessments/evaluations is a wonderful way to monitor growth & development. This type of awareness shows that we are conscious of our whereabouts and curious as to where we stand. The disciples often asked Jesus questions as they journeyed with Him. Even when Jesus exposed the sin sickness of their(&our) generation, their hearts were convicted as they inquired how to increase their Faith. It takes a certain level of “bigness” and boldness to seek God with the intent of becoming better.

“Go Big or go home”

American Authors

Last post we were challenged to take an assessment of who, what, where, how, and why we say and do what we say and do. To determine if the people, places, and things we find ourselves coming into alignment with TRULY align with the word of God. And to pray that God would give us the wisdom to make any necessary adjustments. Remember small adjustments over the course of time makes a big difference in our lives and the lives of those around us. In this journey be encouraged and IN JOY!

Inscribed, XOXO K. Joi …… P.S. Coming Soon!

encouragment, Uncategorized

Holly-Weird🔥 Vs. Holy Wood🪵

Kris Joi

Jeremiah 2:21 Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

Joel 1: 14 Santify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord.

Genesis 4: 3-7 And in the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Leviticus 10:1-2 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord

Greetings in Grace Beloved, 🥰

Merry Christmas 🎁 & Happy Holy Days to you & yours! I am really excited about today’s post, as it is so fitting for the time & season we are in. I love when Papa(Father) God impresses upon my heart ♥️ to receive of the hidden manna/word that is only for those who are His. And my friend that(His) is my greatest title in this season, that i’m wearing as a badge of honor. In a time where everyone wants to be somebody of “great recognition” I find myself groaning 😩and beckoning unto God often, God I just want you. Excuse me in my folly. But my dear friend not only for myself do I inward & outwardly groan, but for you also (See 2 Corin 11:1-2).

What I’m saying is if you happen to be one of my nearest & dearest I fail not to make mention of you! And if you would like to be added to that list, I am open and taking requests 😀! On that note let’s pray. Father in the name of Jesus, I thank, praise, and acknowledge you as Lord & Savior. Touch whomever is reading this letter with your tender loving kindness and mercies that fail not. Renew us on this day and everyday to come. Let us not be conformed to this world but let us be transformed by the renewing of the mind. 🧠We know that Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Give them eyes that see & ears that hear in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. 🙏🏽 🙏🏼

So lately God has been having me to be watchful and prayerful concerning several things and an elect people (His & my Beloveds 🙂). It’s both a privilege and an honor. In addition to those that I watch for, He has been having me to petition for others, in particular those on elevated platforms. This includes leaders (spiritual & natural), “celebrities”, and authority figures (ie, police, administrators, etc.). If you know me you know that there is a call/burden on my life in particular for music ministry/industry. In fact I’d say my top three “sectors” of burden/influence would be Business (Kingdom & Earthly), Education, and Arts & Entertainment. Family is also another but for the sake of time & space we revisit that next time (hopefully). 

If you watch the news, social media, and/or listen 👂🏽 to the conversations of the “elite & common” you know that there has been a lot of controversy, confusion, and change all around us. And if you have any discernment you are aware 👀that the things we are experiencing in today’s times are not normal. As the bible warns we are in end times and evil men & seducers are getting worse & worse (see 2 Timothy 3). Not only in the world but even in the church, designed to be the household of faith & prayer. And nobody wants to get to the root of it, but more so just skimming the surface in hopes of stirring up the latest greatest controversy. In the words of comedian Katt Williams “Influenceless Influencers, A time/place where anybody can be anything”. Sadness. 😔

Image by Racool_studio on Freepik

Beloved the world and its systems will always be what it is, but when we can’t count on the church ⛪️(God’s chosen) to be the church according to His design, we are in trouble. I heard someone say they really couldn’t tell the difference between the gospel industry and the worldly/secular industry. And unfortunately I understand. Please don’t take this out of context. 🛑 I am not one who endorses hypocritical religion. I’m a Son/Saint saved by THE Son/Savior, our Lord Jesus✝️ Christ. I watch movies, listen to different music genres, wear pants & of course a cute dress or skirt occasionally, and will/have gone into dark places to be a light. Just like Jesus. Except I’m not 100% devine. Only HE IS!

Nevertheless, as a called out & chosen one it is my responsibility to live & speak THE TRUTH. Even when it’s not popular or well received. 🤷🏽‍♀️Remember, it came to me first. So if I have to make the adjustments, nobody is exempt. In fact I am not really your friend beloved if I can’t be honest with you. Why would I want someone I love to be “caught lackin” in any kind of way? Back to topic. I was 👁️watching some recent & older Youtube videos & magazine articles, and was horrified (not literally) as to what we consider great. The people, places, platforms, purposes, etc. that we celebrate are catastrophic and gross. I cringe as I scroll through the common.

Have you ever experienced something or someone strange, weird, off? Kind of disconnected from reality. Maybe that was you & I at some point in time? ⚠️Warning, one may experience behaviors and words that are outrageously outlandish. Well at least to the uncommon man. In fact the word strange translates, outlandish, adulterous, alien, heathendom, queer, unnatural, deviant, creepy, off-center, etc. But for some reason it’s accepted as greatness to most (See Isaiah 5:20). How? Why? When? Where? Who? Friend, we really need to start asking ourselves some questions. 🤔Examining ourselves, those we are connected to, our surroundings, and the word of God in order to see if we have alignment. If not we ought to Repent (change). Remember, we can’t change ourselves but God can (search posts on repentance).

Let’s not act as if God doesn’t see or know. He is all seeing, all knowing, and all places at all times (See Psalm 139). Not only does He see, know, Be, but He will repay. God is not mocked, a man will reap 🌱what he sows (See Galatians 6:7-9). Let’s take some time to reflect & write.

R&W Exercise 💭📝

What have I been watching, hearing, doing lately good & not so good? How does this align or misalign with the word of God (you can search scriptures by topic or consult a spiritual advisor, including us here at GC INK.)? Where do I want to go in this life & after? Why? Who are my biggest influencers? Consider these things and more as led by God. Ask God for direction & discipline to carry out His desires for your life.

In closing I want to encourage us to continue in this reflection into the new year. Consider fasting from food & distractions for 🕰️24 to 72 hours to reset and ready ourselves for the new season/year. Feel free to reach out and connect with us for an abundance of resources to assist you in this, as consecration 🙇🏽‍♀️and celebration🥳 is who we are and what we do. Grace, Peace, and Love Be Unto You & Yours! And until next time fare-well for now.

Signed, GC K. Joi XOXO 😘

encouragment, glam, peace, Purpose, suffering

F.O.E.

Kris Joi

Family/Friends Over Everything?

(Matthew 12: 48-50) 49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

(Matthew 10:32-39) 34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.

Also See 2 Timothy 3 (w/ emphasis on verses 16 & 17), James 4 (w/ emphasis on verses 6 & 7), and John 3:16-18

Let’s Pray!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You.
During these last days of the thanks + giving challenge.
We honor and acknowledge You! For who You Are.
You Are the Most High and Lofty One.
Seated in Majesty and Supreme Authority.
There is none like You and we bow ourselves before You in Worship.
For YOU Alone are worthy of worship (Prostrated Homage, Reverence, and Adoration). For You alone do we fall to our knees and lay upon our faces.
We know that we Worship You, not just in word,
but in deed through our complete obedience,
and surrender to Your Will and Way. This is our prayer,
In Jesus Matchless Name we pray, Amen.

Blessings Kings Kids
What a privilege and honor it is to be called a Son or Daughter.
In our weekly student teacher sessions we were reminded
that before we are/were anything else
(wives, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, husbands, fathers,
grandfathers, brothers, uncles, career titles & positions, etcetera)
we are/were FIRST God’s Sons & Daughters!
It is His spirit that gives & bears witness to this
through our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!
HALLELUJAH!
My Friend, that is worthy of celebration!
As we close out the month of November & soon the Fall season
let’s enter in with Thanksgiving & Praise (See Psalm 100:4).

Quick story: I live across the street from a Lexus car dealership (I’ll give you my testimony on that later) and it’s positioned on the right hand side of the street (take mental note of this). As I was passing by, on my way to work I saw a sign that said December to Remember & 3 shiny new Lexus vehicles topped with BIG red bows.
At that moment God began to remind & speak to me concerning His promises.
This was my regular route to work, but someTHING was different this time. The
scenery had changed, and I realized it was a setup/positioning for what was NEXT!

@HPCD3©

Created By K. Joi

I love moments like these, where God speaks to us out of the smallest & simplest things, people, and/or places. These things, people, and/or places serve as a reminder of what God said, and that His promises are YES & AMEN. God Does NOT change, therefore neither does His Word/Promises. Oh friend we change, sometimes for the good and sometimes for the not so good, but GOD IS FAITHFUL (See 2 Timothy 2:13). And It is only by His Holy Spirit that we also can come into a place where we don’t vacillate between two opinions. The Bible states in the book of James chapter 1 verse 8 that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

In this time/season of reflection, growth, and development, let’s take some time to ask God to reveal and help us to fine tune the areas of our lives that are unstable. We all have them. Maybe it’s in the area of putting God First, loving others as ourselves,
time management, caring for the things entrusted to us by God,
stewarding/using the gifts & talents He placed within us, etc..
Whatever it is, God is willing and able to help us to get it right.
With time & practice we will find ourselves excelling
beyond those things that once had us stuck.

On that note, let’s take some time to reflect, write down, be prayerful,
and put in some spirit led practice for improvement.
And Remember, God’s got Us (See 2 Peter 1:3)!!!