Thank you for your goodness. Cause us to recognize it in our day to day living. Forgive us for the times we were blinded by prideful cares that didnโt allow us to see You. We desire to set our gaze upon you that we would be changed into the image that we see. Teach us how to guard and guide our tongue and eyes from things that cause us to stray. Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts โค๏ธ be acceptable in your sight oh Lord our redeemer.
We speak ๐ฃ๏ธ the word of truth that produces good fruit in our lives and those around us. We will use our tongue to build up and not to destroy. Forgive and cleanse us from gossip, idolatry, lust, envy, jealousy, greed and all forms of carnal/deadly actions. And as we turn away from those things we know that you see us and keep us as the apple ๐ of your ๐๏ธ eye. Again we give you thanks praise glory and honor. In Jesus name we pray Amen!
Psalms 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay they vows unto the most High
Happy Thankful Thursday!!! So in addition to our monthly “Letters To The Bride” God impressed upon my heart to do a monthly prayers, petitions, scriptures, and songs. I am so/sew/sow glad because this is my first post of this new series God has given me called P.S.โฃ๏ธ
When you look up the meaning of the abbreviation p.s. it stands for postscript or written after. ๐ The word post means to support, prop, affix, attach, a pillar. As I am/we are journeying with God and growing in Grace having prayer & scriptures as our support system is paramount. I recently began implementing more time in my routines to study & search the scriptures for greater in-sight/incite. My latest study has been on the topic of Thanksgiving. Thus this weeks P.S. Give Thanks!!!
SCRIPTURES
2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, Oh Lord, Among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deed among the people.
1 Chronicles 16:3 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever
1 Chronicles 16:35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.
Ezra 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Psalms 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of Thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wonderous works.
Psalm 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:
Matthew 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Revelations 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
PRAYERS & PETITIONS
Dear Father,
Thank you for who you and all that you’ve done for me/us. You are always good and faithful even when we are not. Help us to understand how good you are, even towards us. Thank you for not leaving us nor forsaking us. Thank you for loving us and calling us into a place of closeness with you. Help us to seek you with our whole hearts. Show us how to grow in Grace/Power. Reveal to us those things that get in the way of our ability to taste and see that YOU ARE GOOD. Wash us in your love, save, heal, and set us free from the cares/sins of this world. Teach us how to be as your children, serving you with childlike faith and love. And let us give you the glory and praise for every blessing known, unknown, tangible, and intangible. In Jesus name, Amen.
SONG & SIGNATURE
XOXO,
K. Joi (p.s.s. ๐ a printable graphic version of all the scriptures/prayers coming soon) ๐
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3
Greetings In Grace Kings Kids,
Praying that you are filled with the fullness of joy during this Holiday ๐ Season (holy day see son) and forevermore!!! Remember regardless of our temporal circumstances we can always trust in and take hold of God’s word for hope and a future. And always may His eternal(forever) love, goodness, and peace rest upon you and your loved ones.
During this time of year where we take time to give gratitude & gifts in celebration of the holidays, I thought it would be great to post about gifting. The Bible says that Jesus led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men (Ephesians 4). It also says that the gifts of God are without repentance(Romans 11). Every person has been given ๐treasures, talents, abilities that come from God. There are spiritual gifts, natural abilities, and skills that are deposited to be developed within us that add value to our lives and others.
Because God is so just/fair He gives them to us regardless of what we decide to do with them. Meaning we can use our gifts ๐ in a way that does not please Him and we still would remain gifted. No take backs. However, this does not exempt us from the rewards or consequences connected to these decisions.
If you know me…I’m a list lady. They help me stay organized & productive, and the way my life is set up… I need them ๐. Side note: I am working on finishing my first ๐journal-planner this month and i’m so excited to share with you what i’ve been diligently working on. Soo back to lists, let’s list some gifts. There are gifts of prophecy, healing, helps, administration, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, gifts to sing, dance, write, and the list goes on.
As mentioned these gifts are to benefit/bless us and all those whom we encounter on our journey. The Bible says that we are gifted to serve in love, Him first, and others as ourselves. In fact it guarantees that when we invest into this way of life we are guaranteed a profit. However, on the contrary when we operate outside of โค๏ธlove for Him & others it profits us nothing. My friend CHOOSE LOVE (see 2 Corinthians 13).
One of the greatest traps of the enemy is to cause us to love things of this world as a distraction from loving Him first & others. 1 John 2:15 reminds to not love the world or the things of it. In our last post we talked about how we overall have become a generation led astray by our own desires. โ๏ธHow many times has God told us to do something but we choose to go another way? Thankfully He is merciful and kind enough to give us another chance, but we ought not use this as an opportunity to indulge in bad behavior.
Lets not forget who (the enemy) motivates this way of life. In fact it was his pride that caused him to fall from grace. If we are not careful we will find ourselves disconnected from the power of God (Grace) to be/live our true best life, all in pursuit of a form (appearance). This is why God warns us throughout the word to ONLY put our trust in HIM, and not our ability, understanding, riches, desires, reputation, etc.
Now more than ever we must come to a place of radical relationship and obedience to God’s leading and guiding. Taking up our cross to follow Jesus can/will only lead to life and it more abundantly. This is a time where He is seeking those who will worship HIM in SPIRIT and in TRUTH. And we must turn our hearts towards the father more than Anything & Anyone else. C.O.A. Godliness + Contentment
I hope this post finds you well spirit, soul, and body. One of my favorite scriptures to pray when I intercede for God’s people(including myself) is 3 John 1:2. It reads, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.” This reminds that His plans for us are complete good, and no matter what we face it’s all working together for good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. That’s one of the many benefits of being a Kings kids ๐ .
So this past month i’ve been meditating on the gifts of God and studying the fruit of the spirit Love. The bible says we are to pursue love โค๏ธ and desire gifts. Since everything we have received is from love(God) then everything we give/do ought to be motivated by the same. Including the sharing of our gifts. My friend i’m learning this isn’t something we can do in our strength it takes His heart & spirit to love like God. It’s a lot easier said than done, especially when it’s not returned or isn’t received. However, God’s love isn’t conditional.
Fruit check โ๏ธcheck the ones you could improve on & ask God for grace to): Love is patient โญ๏ธ, kind โญ๏ธ, doesn’t envy โญ๏ธ, boast โญ๏ธ, dishonor โญ๏ธ, keep record of wrongs โญ๏ธ , isn’t proud โญ๏ธ, self seeking โญ๏ธ, or easily angered โญ๏ธโฆHow did you do? Not so great? It’s ok let’s just take some time to SELAH(pause) ๐and ask ๐๐ฝ God for more grace.
So I was looking at the scripture that said He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men (psalm 68:18 & Ephesians 4:8). I am so grateful that God didn’t leave us in our own hands, mans hands, or the hand of the enemy. Instead he defeated everything that came to hold us captive and gave us gifts to fight the good fight. For God is not a man/human, he is faithful in ALL HIS WAYS and WORDS! This is why i’m learning how to put my trust in HIM TOTALLY. Because when we trust Him it causes our hearts/minds to receive everything He has for us and our actions/life to align with it.
See the gifts of God are without repentance, meaning He doesn’t take away His love, kindness, or any other gift He gave us. And because we have free will we can use or misuse the gifts according to our desires. Yet, we have to remember whatever we sow/give into we will receive it back. This works good or bad. The word says if we sow into the flesh(our thoughts/ways) we get corruption but if we sow into the spirit we get life. There is a God purpose/plan/ will/way for our life that we can ONLY get access to through giving God our hearts.
Yes it is going to require us to give up some of our human ways to follow Him, BUT IT’S SO WORTH IT!!! There is nothing we will ever give to God that He doesn’t give us better!! One of my constant prayers is God give me eyes that see, and ears that hear what the spirit of the Lord is saying to His church(us), and a heart that receives/trusts & obeys. The more we seek God through building a relationship with Him, the more we are changed into the image of Himself that He shows us in those moments. Now that my friend is #Goals (Think/Sound/Look like… Jesus)!
For we are Godโs workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
Ephesians 2:10
YODH. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. Psalm 119:73
Greetings in Grace and Happy Holy Days,
May the Lord bless, keep, and cause His face to shine upon you & your family, during this time where we acknowledge the birth of our beautiful ๐ Lord/Savior and celebrate the New Year ๐ฅณ! Itโs a special time and season, worthy of celebration ๐! I know some may say well itโs not for me, due to loss of a โค๏ธ one, broken family, painful memories, etc. but I encourage you to remember God Loves you through it and has a purposeful plan for your life! Now thatโs the Good News ๐๐คฉ! Rise & Shine โจ
The other day the story of the lame man sitting at the pool of Bethesda came to me(John 5). The Bible said he had been in that sickly condition for 38 years until Jesus stepped on the scene. I want to encourage someone who feels like itโs been this way for so long that thereโs no hope/way And I canโt continue on. Let Jesus step in! Heโs got this, with man (you, me, them, us) it is impossible but with God(HIM, I AM, ABBA, JESUS) ALL things are possible (thatโs the word).
The problem is we sometimes give ourselves and everything else way too much credit. When in actuality, it ALL belongs to Him. We just have to learn how/when to get out of Godโs way and Let Him be God! The Bible says all things were created by Him, for Him, and He is reconciling all things to Himself. The ultimate soul purpose of man is God. Jesus died/is risen that we could be reconnected to the Father. Even now He sits at the right hand interceding(pleading) for us to be filled with/by His goodness.
The story God has written for us did not start or end with us. The word says He is the author and finisher of our faith. So why do we so often try to narrate the story instead of asking God to lead us and guide us? My friend He wants us to walk with Him so closely and trust Him so deeply that No Thing by any means shall harm us! Heโs given us everything we need to successfully complete this journey.
Not to get off topic but if you know me, I really like clothes/ fashion. Itโs something about a well put together outfit that really catches my ๐. So one day I didnโt really have plans, but God was like get up & dress up. I didnโt know where I was headed but I looked through my closet and put on a nice skirt, shirt, and boots. Next thing I know I ended up going somewhere really upscale, and along the way finding a gorgeous piece of furniture for my office. At that moment God gave me a glimpse of where I was going. I laughed because I was glad to be dressed for the occasion.
The Bible mentions talks about being clothed in Christ, His righteousness, salvation, humility, the armor of God. It gives a beautiful illustration of a bride being well put together for her husband. The question we must ask ourselves is will we(his church) be dressed for our husband(Jesus)? I know the world considers being fashion forward the ability to keep up with the next big trend. But my friend we arenโt called to be of this world. Letโs Rise to the occasionโฆ. and show up in style!
Praying that this post finds you wrapped in God’s abundant grace, love, and mercy. So let me first say forbear with me, my posting has not been as consistent as I know it’s been on my heart to be. In my personal prayer time I had a real transparent (Father-Daughter) talk about my inconsistency in certain areas of my life and as loving Father would He’s been helping me get/stay on track. I really love that we can come to Him about anything and receive the help we need(Him)! He KNOWS what we need before we even ask, even when we don’t know what to ask for. God see’s & knows the good, the bad, and the ugly, yet He says give it ALL to Me and receive Me!!!
This morning in prayer God was dealing with me about light overpowering darkness. When I looked up the Hebrew word for darkness it defines it as the dark, misery, ignorance, sorrow, night. There are seasons in life and areas of our life where darkness may be all around and God’s answer is turn on/up the light. I found myself overwhelmed one day when looking at all the trouble in the world, my growing never-ending to do list, and the many obstacles along the journey to fulfilling destiny. In that very moment I could feel God impressing on me to take a moment breath, quiet my mind, and seek Him for direction.
How many times has God graced us with something or impressed upon us a career, ministry, relationship, gift/talent, etc. and we find ourselves weighed down by that very thing. We run into obstacles, hinderances, disappointments, and difficult sacrifices that require faith and patience to in order to obtain the promise. The word affliction(g2347) above translates anguish, burden, persecution, tribulation, and/or trouble. I’m reminded of the scripture in John 16 where it mentions the tedious painful process leading up to a child’s birth. Nevertheless once the child is born there’s great joy.
To whom much is given much is required. That works the same whether natural, spiritual, good, or bad. All things have a cost, it’s up to us to count them. One day God showed me an image of a scale and on both sides were weights. One side had the weights of sin & cares and the other was the weights of His glory & goodness. In that moment he said daughter choose me daily. My friend the scales are unbalanced. If you happen to read this and have not given your life to Jesus, I admonish you, choose Him daily, you won’t regret it!
How often are our days spent chasing the wind as the bible says? Beauty passes away, riches are deceitful, and life on earth is temporal, but glory is eternal…
To him that overcometh, I will grant to sit with Me on my Throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne -Rev 3:21.
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us – 2 Timothy 2:12
Greeting in Grace Kings Kids ๐๐,
Glory to God in the highest! He is Good and His mercy endures forever! There is truly nothing that can compare to the completeness given to us in & through Jesus Christ!!! My heart so rejoices in Him, the word says that I would have fainted unless I believed that I would see the goodness of God in the land of the living.With so much going on around us we are in treacherous and trying times, but He is yet faithful and able to save & keep us.
He is working and willing in us to do that which pleases Him and has called us for such a time as this to represent him in the earth. Thankful! With that being said God has been reminding me(us) to take up our cross and follow Jesus. The cross represents the place of exchange, sin & death for grace/truth and eternal life. Jesus paid the ultimate price yet it will cost us something (the old us).
Because we are in difficult time with much pain & suffering going on around us I felt led to deal with suffering again but from another standpoint. There are different forms of suffering, the bible talks about persecution, distress, peril, famine to name a few in Romans 8:35 and goes along further to say we have victory over all this through Christโs Love. When we look ๐ at the bible heroes and โvilliansโ of old suffered much, some due to bad decisions, some due to opposition and so on and so forth.
Nevertheless, we always see Gods Love, Grace, and Mercy displayed throughout. God is always aware of whats going on and always provides a way out/over that He reveals if we LET HIM. See the awesome thing about suffering with God is that He brings us over and itโs Never purposeless even when we dont understand. My Apostle always says there is no Glory without Death. How can we share the redemptive love of Christ w/o being redeemed ourselves?
Say I Will Grow through this! God promises us that as we suffer and overcome we become partakers of His Reign. Ever heard the song paid the cost by James Brown ๐๐ฉ. There are places of authority/rule we are called to spiritually and naturally, that also impacts the lives of others connected to us, as we press through. What, Who, Where has God called us to affect in our lifetime? And are willing to surrender all for it?
Thatโs what Jesus did my friend while He walked among us (and even still today). It was His passionate Love for the Father and His Fathers kingdom (Us) that made Him willing to suffer and โDieโ just to be risen again, and release unto us the Power to do the same! He is now seated in heavenly places interceding (mediating) for you and me.
The bible says we go from Glory to Glory as we die to our old ways daily. I end with this In Courage Meant…..Lets Fight the good Fight of the Faith…Hold tightly to eternal life to which we were called and declared before many witnesses. (1 Tim 6:16) And Rule
โAs each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.โ โญโญI Peterโฌ โญ4:10โฌ โญNKJVโฌโฌ
The purpose of life is a life of purpose. -Author Robert Byrne
Greetings in Grace Kingโs ๐ Kidโs ,
So lately Iโve been pondering on the gifts of God. He daily Loads us with benefits (psalms 68:18-19)! Each day we wake up is a gift of God whether we realize it or not, God has given us another day to come to Him and receive the blessings of that day. David said bless the Lord oh my soul and forget not His benefits๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ, going on to list forgiveness, salvation, love and kindness as a few (psalm 103). God wants us to know and remember all that He is and All that He’s done, so that we can have hope, peace, and joy as we walk with Him. We can rest assured knowing that He is all we need and is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6).
These are all gifts given to us by God to increase us. God has also given each of us various/diverse gifts(treasures) that are hidden within us. The enemy works overtime to convince us otherwise (steal, kill, destroy) so that we don’t function by design and advance. He’ll present us with all kinds of evidence to distract us and take us of course, using things like fear, doubt, and opposition to take us off the path. BUT God inside you is greater, KEEP RUNNING. The bible states my people perish due to a lack of knowledge. It also says to not be ignorant of the enemies devices and to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Since the beginning the enemy’s been telling lies and taking lives(naturally & spiritually).
This is why my friend it’s so important for us to draw near unto God. So that He can reveal Himself to us and give us wisdom to defeat (the already defeated) enemy of our soul and walk in victory. Which takes me back to the gifts! Before we came into the world God already knew everything He was going to put within us. He told Jeremiah in the bible He called him before was even formed. He said we have everything we need to live a good and Godly life. Through the greatest blessing of all, His son Jesus, we are now able to live an ABUNDANT life. Thank God for Jesus!!!
What an Extravagant LOVE โค๏ธ God has given to us. We Are BLESSED! So many blessings we often overlook from the breath in our lungs to the many treasures hidden within us! I l like what my Pastor once said He hides treasures for us not from us. Life is literally designed to be like one big treasure hunt! Seek and You Will Find! Seek what/who you may ask….GOD! As with any journey we face obstacles but we can and will overcome with His help.
I don’t know if you’re anything like me but I ask a lot of questions (as my husband often says ๐). And one question I’m sure everyone on Earth has wondered is, why am I here? Well I’m glad you asked. You are blessed to be a blessing (*see scripture at top). First and foremost we were created to bless God, and next to be blessed and to bless others. All those gifts we talked about above are for that sole(soul) purpose. The bible says it something like this Love God with EVERYTHING and others as yourself. My friend when we give our life to God and let Him lead us there are no limits!!!!
As I minister to you I am reminded myself to take the limits off of what God can and will do in our lives. And to use the treasure in me to enrich not only my life but others as well! This is our (abundant) portion in this life. I can only imagine what’s to come.
โฅโฅ๐พ๐๐ธ๐ ๐ช๐!๐โฅโฅ 