How much is God involved in your daily life?

Last night, I had the pleasure of leading this discussion.  Below are the scriptures we meditated on and the questions that were posed.
What does you morning time with God look like?
Psalm 5.3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch.
Does your daily personal bible study and devotion seem more affective in the am or pm?
Psalm 143.8 Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in You I put my trust.  Teach me the way I should go for to You I lift my soul.
Do you allow God to organize your life?
Proverbs 16.3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
How do you refocus during the day?
Psalm 119.133 Keep my steps according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me.
Allow God to be all things in your life.
Isaiah 9.6 for a child has been born for us, a Son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulder; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
John 10.10b-11a, 27-28. 10b I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11a I am the Good Shepher. 27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.
Take your time as you answer each question.  Ask Holy Spirit to give you a realistic viewpoint through God's eyes and your eyes.

who are you praying for?

James 5.16 Confess [your] trespasses [fn] to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous wo/man avails much.
when you watch the news, do you take the time to pray for the news that quickens your Spirit?
when you read the newspaper, do you take the time to pray for the news that quickens your Spirit?
when someone says something through social media, that makes you roll your eyes, do you take the time to pray for that person and/or situation?
i try to consider a promise, a word, a commandment or blessing that can speak life to the things that grieve or even makes my Spirit rejoice.
imagine if every Christian prayed while they watched the news, saw something on the bus/train/while driving in the car...
are you walking in the Spirit 24/7?

a daily sacrifice

Romans 12.1 - 2 states I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
I learned these verses years ago, yet I want to live the verses daily.  Each morning and each evening, I whisper to God, humbly, Lord I offer my body as a living sacrifice.  I want my life to be pleasing to God.  I want to know if what I did or am doing is pleasing to God.  I await eagerly for a response from God.
Will you join me to meet God at the cross?

maturity calls

1 Corinthians 13.11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a wo/man, I put away childish things.
this past Sunday, i realized that i am not the same person i was a few months ago.  when people hurt me personally, professionally, intellectually, or otherwise, i forgive them.  before i would ask God if the person was crazy and did they know whom they were messing with. now i am more reflective, God  i am not sure why they sinned against me but i forgive them. reveal to me and forgive me for anything that i did that intimidated them or undermined them as an individual.
i don't even eat like i used to eat. i am satisfied with one plate, even if my favorite food is available. 
its like when i was headed to church the other day, i decided that i could not wait until i arrived to church to worship, i began to worship in the car. i was amped, pumped and in the spirit. i realized that i need to do this even when i take the bus. you do not want to make an excuse of how worship was when you entered in. you should enter God's gates with thanksgiving and enter God's courts with praise.
so my advice is, grow up in every aspect of your life.

a challenge to stop consciously sinning

i love sunday school.  i love it because its about application.  how do you apply the Word of God to your everyday life?  this past sunday, our sunday school lesson was based on Isaiah 29.9 - 16.  the basic synopsis of the lesson is God reprimanded the people of God for sinning without thinking about the consequences.  our pastor asked us to think about behaviours that we engage in, that we know are against God' will, and make a conscious decision to pray the verses for 7 days, including the entire chapter for saturday, and ask God for deliverance, forgiveness and healing.  it is not good to sin against God blatantly and no one wants to endure what the people endured in Isaiah 29.
2 Timothy 2.19b says let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
God, please reveal to us any iniquities that are harming ourselves and our relationship with You.  God we desire to stop today.  God we confess the sins of... we thank You that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. we thank You that Holy Spirit will continue to honor this prayer and reveal to us any other unholy behaviours.  we thank You for the mind of Christ.  as You increase, let us increase.  in Jesus' name, amen.

enjoy We Wait for You ministered in song

have you put on the armor of God today?

ephesians 6.10 - 18 are verses that we reviewed in Sunday School when i was young and are basic instructions for all believers.  we are soldiers in God's army.  we endure spiritual warfare daily.  we put on the armor of God to protect us from fiery darts of the enemy.  as we pray without ceasing, Holy Spirit keeps us aware of what is happening in our environment. Holy Spirit will direct our prayers.  Holy Spirit will make us cognizant that its the enemy speaking through a person and not the person exactly so we can rebuke the evil spirit.  So put your armor on everyday.  I even put it on before I go to bed. 
ephesians 6.10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, [fn] against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- (19.and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20.for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.)

Are you listening to God?

John 10.27 says "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."
I like when I have devotion at home, in the car, or in the park.  I wait quietly and I can hear the voice of God as clear as water flows through the stream.  I believe that God loves it when we take time each day, for one to two hours and shut off the television, telephones, music/radio, computer/all technology.  Take time each day to pull out our bibles, journals, and open our hearts to hear from God.  daily devotion with God is awesome.  it transforms you. 

are you grateful for another day?

each morning, i look forward to sunshine.  i know that Spring officially began on March 21st 2013, yet daylight is still not as long as it should be.  when the sun shines in my face i feel more alive and more awake.  (so you probably say, 'how do you feel about rain?' rain is cool.  the air is refreshed.  the clouds are fluffy.  when it rains you cannot see what's coming yet you know that it wont last for long).  i can not be grumpy whether it is sunshine, rain or darkness though.  when i rise each day, i still tell God, good morning.  whether its rain, sunshine, or even darkness, i am grateful for another day to draw closer to God.  another day to become the woman of God that i am called to be.  another day to meditate on the scripture until i get.  another day for me to listen to Holy Spirit attentively without growing impatient.  another day to exercise and eat well balanced meals.  another day to drink water and let it refresh me.  are you grateful for another day? 
Psalm 118.24 This [is] the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

I thirst

Yesterday, I had the privilege and honor to share "I thirst" during the Good Friday services.  I must say that it was a fun experience.  Why was it fun?  Because I totally trusted God.  I asked God what I should say.  I wrote it down.  I studied/meditated on the scriptures continually and when it was time to stand up, I said, "Okay God. just tell me what to say...I totally trust You."  I was relaxed.  I no longer felt ill because I did not allow it to distract me.  And when I returned home, I relaxed some more in God's presence.
As believers God promises to nourish our relationship with daily bible study, worship, praise and just listening to God.  God wants to spend this intimate time with us.  Jesus promised in John 6.35
And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
Are you ready to eat and drink with God daily? 

Jesus, the Passover Lamb

last Good Friday, my charge was the 6th saying of Jesus, "It is finished."  I had asked Holy Spirit for the connection with Exodus 12.  In Exodus 12, each household got an unblemished lamb, used a hyssop branch and anointed the lintel and the two doorpost with blood from the lamb.  They were instructed to eat unleavened bread, bitter herbs and roasted lamb, for the 1st day of Passover and unleavened bread for the 7 days.  God had promised to bring God's people out of bondage and God was going to show pharoah and the world God's power.  At this moment now, I think about how before I knew God as Abba, I was enslaved by sin, then when I repented and told God, I am tired of living in Egypt; I found a new life in Jesus.  Whosever home was not anointed with the bloood of the lamb, the first born was destoyed.  My heart became a home to the God in whose image I was created in.  I remember how God said the blood of Jesus is placed on our entire heart, when we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour of our lives.  The destroyer shall pass over me and all believers who trust God.  at home and at work, i anoint my lintel and doorpost with prayers and oil. I know that God is with me. I invite God's presence where I live and work also.  Christians celebrate the Passover, the Holy communion, as Jesus, instructed us to do until we do it again in the Father's kingdom.  Let us not forget the Old and New covenants are relevant to all believers. 


Exodus 12.17 'So you shall observe [the Feast of] Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. 22. "And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip [it] in the blood that [is] in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that [is] in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.  23. "For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike [you].  24. "And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever.

John 19. 29 - 30. 29. Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.   30. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. 

Matthew 26.17, 26 - 30. 17 Now on the first [day of the Feast] of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed [fn] and broke [it], and gave [it] to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."  27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 "For this is My blood of the new [fn] covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  29 "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

God is knocking on the door of your heart...

This is the day that the Lord has made.  I shall rejoice and be glad in it. 
John 10.27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
For the past 2 days, I have been excited.  When God calls me, I get up.  I read.  I write.  I listen.  I ask questions.  I exercise.  I eat.  I just enjoy spending time with God and in God's presence.  Holy Spirit told me that I need to get up when God calls me in the morning rather than telling God, 'five more minutes.'  I am definitely enjoying the increased quiet time rather than the regular 60 minutes. 
During this Lenten Season, I admonish you to spend time to listening in God's voice.  God has a lot of share with you. 

when was the last time you had a prayer of confession?

In Sunday school today, we looked at Daniel 9.  I actually enjoyed the chapter.  I split the first 17 verses yesterday morning and the remainder this morning.  I explained to my pastor that this prayer should be a model prayer like Matthew 6.10-18 because Holy Spirit showed me how intense Daniel's prayer was. 

3. Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and supplications with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4. I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, "O Lord, the great and terrible God, who keepest covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5. we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from thy commandments and ordinances; 6. we have not listened to thy servants the prophets, who spoke in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

I have to consider how I approach God - v3.
I have to remember who God is to me and my ancestors. - v4.
I have to repent for my sins, my family and my ancestors sins - v5.
I have to repent for all the people who God sent to speak to me, to my people, to my ancestors, and all three of us still chose to ignore God - v6.

There is more to glean from the remainder of the chapter.  I admonish you to hang out in the chapter with Holy Spirit. 
God has so much to share with us.  Make time for God. 
Towards the end of Sunday School, my pastor asked, 'do you treat God the way that God treats you?'
Have a blessed, peaceful and productive week. 

a time to witness

last night, i went to get a shape-up before heading out to the Friday encountering God service. i was ready to go until the barber said something to me and Holy Spirit said, 'monique, do not leave. i need you to explain to him, Who I AM, who you are, why I need him to receive the love I am offering to him'.  i listened.  i prayed.  i responded.  i listened.  i prayed. i responded. my cousin texted me and she said that i can be late to prayer because there was missionary work to do.  i shared everything God placed on my heart.  i felt honored that God used me and i repented for any other time where God provided an opportunity and i ignored it.

have you ever been tempted to run to worship God when God was giving you an opportunity to witness?

2 Peter 3.9 The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

i told my childhood friend today, i do not just pray for salvation of friends, family, strangers and colleagues. i want them to have an intimate relationship with God, to worship God in spirit and in truth, to trust God with all their heart, mind and soul, to be a hearer and doer of the Word, etc

God, You do not want anyone to perish.  You want all the sheep to enter Your fold.  God keep me aware when You want me to witness and speak through me so I can speak from Your heart and Your word and not from my own desires. in Jesus' name, amen

a meeting with God in the lavatory

today started out normal. i got up, journaled, did PBS, prayed, exercised, refreshed, ate breakfast, worshipped, commuted, and got some advise from Holy Spirit about my day. i hung up the coat and purse, put my lunch away and sat at my desk. one of my favorite worshipped songs came on and i worshipped (work did not start yet for another 20 minutes so i whispered to God, please do not let anyone disturb us as i sing this love song to You). i was on a real high after that.  this day was different though. i felt like cleaning the entire white board. i just couldn't wipe it once. i had to go over and over and over again. it kept getting cleaner and cleaner. it reminded me how when you remember that we are created in God's image and when we worship God, trust God, and live for God, we feel whole all the time because of the intimacy we share with God.
i put the lesson on the board and started to talk, teach, and circulate the room.  as i multi tasked, i realized that i did not mark the late people late and present. overtime, a problem arose, i addressed it and encountered another problem. i spoke to my supervisor. and i went into the bathroom to regroup.  i chose a stall and relaxed. i just sat there and God's presence filled the stall. God told me to look up and God asked me who i am and Whose image i am created in. i began to smile and i placed my hand over my heart as if i was saying the pledge of the allegiance yet i was experiencing restoration. someone had to use the restroom so i left. my colleagued asked what i was doing, i said praying. she said didn't you pray this morning. i said, when people disrespect you, you have to pray again until God restores you. i returned to the bathroom and finished up the earlier restorative time with God. i felt much better and i was able to teach and live for the rest of the day. 
Psalm 139.14, 17 14. I will praise You, for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made; [fn] Marvelous are Your works, And [that] my soul knows very well. 17. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
God, I am glad that Your precious thoughts towards me strengthens, empowers and comforts me. I am glad that no one can steal my joy. God I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Marvelous are Your works.  God my soul knows You well.  i am glad that You shall continue to perfect those things which concern me, in Jesus' name, amen.
enjoy one of my favorite songs...Awesome 

what 3 things will people say about you?

last night, i read through the text that would be discussed in Sunday School this morning, Colossians chapter 4.  i was amped.  i was like, 'okay, Holy Spirit, we are going to have a ball with the scripture in the morning for PBS, personal bible study. usually for PBS, i do about 3 to 4 verses so i can really wrestle with, glean, reap and ask God for wisdom, understanding, blessings and direction.  for Sunday school, i read the entire chapter and other verses that my study bible refers to because i want to get all of the information. thus, instead of one hour with God it could be about over/almost 2 hours with God. who cares though? if you rise when Holy Spirit calls you, you can have PBS, exercise and eat breakfast before Sunday School and worship service. 
several scriptures caught my eye, yet 1 in particular was Colossians 4.7
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister and a fellow servant in the Lord.
in my notes i wrote: do you have the 3 characteristics of Tychicus?  what 3 things would people say about you?
God, i want Your light to always shine in and through me.  God, i want to be a beloved sister, a faithful minister and a fellow servant in the Lord.  Lord, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me so this can occur. In Jesus' name, amen

Are you willing to study, to read, to write, to study, to read, to write, to study, to read, to write?

 Holy Spirit and I have been discussing Lent for a few days.  I wanted to do something that would equip me, transform me, mold me, and draw me closer to God's will, purpose and plan for my life. 
Its only February and this new season started off with prayer, bible study, and more prayer.  I did not want to live life like I usually lived it.  I want pbs (personal bible study) to be different.  I wanted devotion to be different.  I wanted prayer to be different.  I am just sitting in God's presence, listening to God's advice.  I do not want to obstruct my purpose.  I am enjoying the time with God. 
Psalm 119. 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. 12. Blessed [are] You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes. 15. I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways.
The conversation does not end, because I have to go to work or exercise or eat, Holy Spirit will talk throughout the day.  Pay attention.  En route to women's group last night, Holy Spirit told me give a specific word for a person at work today.  I said okay and I did it today. 
I read the Word.  I study the Word.  I write the revelations I receive.  It is continuous, great behaviour. 
God, I do not want to get comfortable with Your Word.  I want to know Your Word.  I want to live Your Word.  I do not want to sin against You or myself.  God teach me Your Word.  I will meditate on Your Word  and contemplate what You are saying to me. In Jesus name, amen


If you want to receive the Lenten Bible Study series and/or guidelines for the Daniel Fast, from Rev Roderick D Belin and Bishop Vashti M McKenzie, you can sign up for email notifications at www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com

Worshipping with God

Psalm 95.1-2: Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

My life is changing a lot.  Instead of wanting to listening to soaking music or worship music all the time or have a praise party with my favorite Christian group, I've been singing and swaying and rocking in God's presence.  God told me to sing more.  I am getting it.  Rather than turn on the radio in the car, I will sing to the Lord.  I will invite God's presence into my room and we will sing, sing, sing.  Your state of mind changes as you worship God more.  Whether I am serenading God with hymns, worship songs I wrote myself, or praise songs, I really understand Psalm 95 and Philippians 4.4-8 more and more. 

are you filled with joy and the Holy Spirit?

Acts 13.52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

I discovered this verse a few months ago.  I was happy when I found it.  It became a daily prayer. 

God, I want to be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. 

It is life transforming because you open yourself up to the power of God.  You sit in God's presence and ask Holy Spirit is there anything in my heart that is obstructing me from receiving Your joy.  Holy Spirit will make you aware of sin, unconfessed or unforgiveness.  We repent.  We receive mercy, grace, wholeness, and joy.  Do not resist the movement of Holy Spirit in your heart, mind and soul. 

are you patient waiting for God?

Psalm 46.10 Be still, and know that I [am] God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11. The LORD of hosts [is] with us; The God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah

When I was prayer in tonight, Holy Spirit whispered in my ear, 'Be still and know that I am God.'  I received the Word from God as I thought about all the promises that I have been meditating on.  God was like, I can do those promises in your life, just be patient.  I thought about what I am pondering professionally, personally and spiritually, and I nodded my headed to God.  God nodded back spiritually.
I am going to remember about God's time, Kairos.  Chronos just adds grey hairs to my head.

God, I shall be still and know that You are God.  God, You are the only, wise, true and living God.  I will exalt You, God.  I will bless You, God.  You are the Lord of hosts.  You are the God of Jacob. You are my refuge.  In Jesus' name, amen. 

i love the sabbath

this morning, when Holy Spirit woke me up, i just prayed for Peace continually. once i felt like i was bathed in peace, i rose, retrieved my bible and my journal.  i was ready to sit on God's lap to see what God was going to teach me today. i figured since it was the sabbath, i just need to exercise for 30 minutes before i got ready for Sunday school. it was relaxing.  i wanted to ask God if every day can seem this way...yet if i get up earlier in the morning, then i could actually spend more time with God and exercise for 45 minutes before i leave for work.
in Isaiah 58.13 - 14, the bible says 13. If you turn back your foot from the sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; 14.then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
i want 2013 to be like any of year i have lived on earth and i will be open to any advice that Holy Spirit provides.
will you join me in praying and living Isaiah 58.13-14?