God allows pain

I am not certain the reason that God allows pain, sometimes I think that it can be so we can experience Him in a deeper way, be closer to Him, I mean ultimately He experienced pain excruciating pain that not many can come close to. As tears roll down my cheeks I give thanks for knowing God intimately, knowing Him and having a real relationship with Him because through the pain and through the trials He is there! I honestly do not know what I would do without Him!1 I would not be here that is for sure!!

I finally said Yes!

October 6, 2016

Why you love me, I'll never know... but I'll tell the world until everyone knows! 

It has seriously been a RELENTLESS PURSUIT. God has been chasing after me like no other, like no one ever has or will, for that matter. I am truly humbled, honored, privileged to be chosen to be given all of this love, mercy and grace which I thought I was so undeserving off. I am thankful to God for not leaving my side when things got ugly and even when I turned away from Him and did not seek Him like I should have. I am thankful He did not give up even when I thought I did. 

So, with that being said.... I finally said Yes! I said yes to God! October 6, 2016 was the day I said I do and I will and yes yes yes! I honestly did not plan it or saw it happening this way, but He did! (Because He knows us better than we know ourselves)

You see, I thought I was "married to Jesus" this whole time but little did I know I was only dating him! What am I saying, I sound like a crazy woman lol but I have to be real with God and myself first and after a couple of heart checks I realized I would go on dates with Jesus from time to time and then go on dates with people or things of this world I had already dropped in my past.

When you are in a commitment, relationship, or "engaged" to someone you should not be talking or entertaining other people or things and that's what happened friends, that's part of my story. Crazy thing is that while growing up this was something that was instilled in me from my parents, when you have a boyfriend it's that person that you are committed to and no one else but something happened along the way where something changed. 

After much running around and not being pleased by anything or anyone in this world, (the Lord allowed a lot to happen so that I can see that it truly is all vanity like Ecclesiastes says) I finally decided (a choice and decision I came to make based on past experiences) it was time to step my commitment up a notch and re-commit myself to Him alone and not others until and if He decides to bring someone else in my life that will love me, pursue me, chase me, treat me, value me, accept me, challenge me and appreciate me the way that He does! I want to and need to be FAITHFUL to Him first and then if it is meant to be with someone else at least I will have this solid foundation of being faithful and loyal to God first before everyone and everything else. 

Listen up, this is hard, it took me five years to say yes to this commitment, and now I am even more scared, this is something serious and it is not to be played with but I figured if I don't start here by submitting to God now in my single season how do I expect to humble myself and submit myself to any other human being? It took a while to get me here but I am grateful that God doesn't give up on us even if other people do. It is going to be hard but no one said relationships were easy and that's exactly what I am doing building a real relationship with my one true King the one that will be with me eternity and beyond because this life is fleeting, these riches, these looks, none of this goes to heaven with us so why focus on anything else but that which will last through eternity & beyond? Like Luke says, the birds don't work and they get food so why do we worry about our tomorrow when today is not even done with yet? 

Tunnel vision to what God has for me and what He wants from me. I know there is a lot for me to do on this planet earth until I am called home so I will follow Jesus as He leads me to my promise land and all that He has called me to be! There's a lot to do and not enough time, I am done wanting to be someone's wife because I am someone's bride to be and His love is like nothing I can get from anyone on earth. His love just fills you up and makes you feel free and alive! 

King Jesus and Glendy till the end! 

Comment below with your questions I would love to answer any doubts! 

Prayer is powerful and it can change everything

Don't worry about anything but Pray about everything 

There is something amazing and powerful about prayer, prayer changes everything, I thank God for choosing me and not giving up on me, just like He won't give up on you, as long as you don't turn your back or give up on Him. You know, the enemy is clever and he will keep you busy and preoccupied as much as he can to keep you away from your purpose in life, and from doing what you were created for: be in a relationship with GOD and others, very clever. You see, he can sneak up on you as relationships, work, things that we think are blessings but truly they are distractions in disguise. We must "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."  as it is written in 1 Peter 5:8 we must not focus on what is going on (the storm) but we must stay alert because the enemy is looking for someone to distract and take away from the plans that God has. Pray without ceasing.

Your past cannot dictate your future.

I am thankful to God for sending Jesus for us to have a new life in Him. I am thankful because He never gives up on us and He loves just the way we are, yet he loves us so much that He won't leave us this way! God cares more about our character than our comfort. It is all about getting out of our comfort zone and believe it or not, I am thankful I am thankful that we can change and not stay the same way we once were. I am beyond grateful that we have freedom in Christ and freedom to make the right choices. I don't know about you, but  I know I have spent a couple of years or "seasons" doing things I really didn't want to do but just did out of comfort, habit, or to please others. Many of those things I sit here in regret off and saddened because I did not have the strength or will power to stand up for myself and say no. I am thankful that through Christ I can do this and much more, even those things I once thought that I was not capable of accomplishing, now I can.

You see it has not always been easy to make the right choices for my future due to my past and the different things I have struggled with, I think I can write a book with everything I have gone through but then again we all can right? based on the different experiences and different things we struggled with or are struggling with the only problem is that some choose to accept it, others choose to deny it and then there are those who are completely oblivious to it. I am thankful that I am not perfect but I am chosen. I have been called out of a generation to live in freedom and show that freedom to others by serving others in love. You see just because you come from a broken home does not mean you will have a broken home, we must put a stop to this way of thinking that we will follow previous patterns due to our past. The past is in the past, it has happened therefore we must learn from it and move on. Not dwell on it, not cry about it and definitely not continue to make the same mistakes over and over and over and over again. We know better, therefore we must do better because we are better. I know that the God living in you will supply all that you need and has already equipped you with all that you need to fight back and not fall in temptation! I believe in you, I believe in He who lives in you!

The beginning of something new; Victory is here!

Today was not just another day, something was different about today, I was determined and made up my mind to make it a great day no matter what. I decided to not let things that are out of my control take away my joy and happiness which I realized ultimately that must come from God. From the very beginning of my day, I woke up just on time to get dressed, brush my teeth and run out of the door (thank God I had showered last night and washed and ironed my hair). I was on my way to school and I had a few minutes to pass by McDonald's and get a delicious-I-am-so-obsessed-with Sausage biscuit with cheese, not very good for my temple I must add (which I knew) and I had actually baked my famous banana-nut-chocolate-chip-bread in order to not buy it and I actually even bought iced-coffee which I served myself a big cup off in order to save $1 at McDonald's. I am at the drive-thru and they are taking forever and a day, machines are down, they are only accepting cash, I must order in the first window and there are five cars in front of me. I wanted to leave, time was passing by, I needed to be in class on time and knew it would take 10-15 minutes to get there, find parking and walk to class.

I finally get to class (5 minutes late) by God's grace the teacher was out making copies. I sat front row like I usually do and started studying and reviewing for the quiz that was about to take place. Normal as usual and just praying to God to forgive me for not studying enough for something I actually enjoy, like, have a passion for and want to know more about and prayed for help but I knew deep inside that I should have read more and did not feel prepared, boy was I begging for the teacher not to come to class and to re-schedule the test but just a few minutes later the professor showed up of course (silly me). At that moment I was just like Lord its on you. Thank God the teacher not only did a review of the quiz but he shared about how God provided for him in the same way God provided manna on a daily basis for Joseph and the Israelite as they were going through the wilderness at a point of his life when he first came from his country. It really encouraged me to depend on God daily for my daily bread not only physically, financially, but spiritual, every single day full dependence on Him and Him alone. I am beyond grateful to God for allowing me to take this old testament history class not only have I learned that this is what matter and that this is the career path I am taking but it has also confirmed my calling and new found passion in this world; Pursuing Jesus.

Let your Light Shine!

Matthew 5:14 Tells us "You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make YOU light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand---Shine!

I am so thankful to God for sending Jesus to die on that cross for me to not only be able to live but to be able to have a life where I can share my light with others. This love and light that I have been chosen and given is not at all for me to keep to myself but to share with others. Share what God has done and where he brought me from. I can now smile even when I am in pain, but this pain does not compare to the pain I once felt. I thank God for my transformation. First it was a transformation of the mind which led to transforming heart which led to transforming my actions. Today I sit here at home on a Friday night. 1. Not wanting to be laying at some mans bed that does not belong to me. 2. Not wanting to want to be around so called "friends" who only want you to drink, get high or "hang out". 3. Not wanting to make t-shirts, but actually wanting to read my bible, sit at the feet of Jesus and spend that quality time which is what has gotten me this far. I cannot and will not forget the One who has changed me. I feel bad that people don't believe or understand that Jesus can change your life completely around. I for once have experienced that. I no longer say yes to everyone or continuously eloquently in search of a constant high, either from pleasing others or my flesh. I still struggle with many other things, self control, discipline, organization but I thank God for taking away those things that were not honoring or pleasing to Him little by little, one by one, because He is a patient, loving, merciful, kind, GOD!! The one & only! The Alpha & Omega!

Keep God first, He will never leave you last.

 

Putting God first puts everything else in perspective. Not only that but it makes life worth living, it makes gloomy days brighter and it makes you be the best version of you that He created you to be no matter the storm you are facing or the situation you are in.

 

What I really and exactly mean by putting God first at least in my case is giving Him the first of everything. The first hour of your day, the last hour of your day, your first thoughts are to Him and for Him thanking Him for waking us up and all He has given us. Spending time in His word makes all the difference, that quality 1 on 1 time with Him, nothing and no one compares to that. Seek Him first and He will give you all else!

 

God loves you and me so so much that He will not force us to 1. come to Him 2. Love Him 3. put Him first. He is LOVE. He is Patient, He is Kind, He is not proud, envious or boastful. He does not dishonor us, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs!!!

Our God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth!

He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

His Love never fails!!

 

Thank you Jesus!

God is Love

 Loving like Jesus loves.

I don't and can't but maybe do, expect you to love me like Jesus loves me. But who am I kidding? Human beings cannot fully love or express love like God the Father and Jesus the son can. We always miss the mark one way or another, we are far from perfect. Whether it be in deed, thought or word.

Only God can provide that love that is so deep, the love that my heart craves, a love that only Jesus the creator of love, can satisfy. Thank you Jesus! You see friends, in the obedience that Jesus showed to the father by going to the cross and sacrificing his life even if he did not feel like it or want to or even how much pain he had to endure he did it, because he knew that's what God had called Him to do so through Him we can all now have a relationship with God like he intended for us to have since the beginning of time.

The greatest commandment we have been given is “You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37, 39) because of these commandments, what do you think we must be working every day at doing? Not only seeking, pursuing a relationship with God but also with others! Not only pursuing but loving. What does love mean? 

According to the dictionary the word love is a noun. 

an intense feeling of deep affection. "babies fill parents with intense feelings of love"

synonyms:

deep affection, fondness, tenderness, warmth, intimacy, attachment, endearment; devotion, adoration, doting, idolization, worship

According to the bible the meaning of love is that according to 1 Corinthians 13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails.

This is the way I pray to love and be loved in return. 

 

Husbands, love your wives.

The Greatest thing a father can do for his daughter is to love her mother.

 

Husbands, Love your wives as God loves the church.

Wives, submit to your husbands as if you were submitting to God.

 As I begin to write this I will say that this is only by the grace of God that I am able to share this with you.
I am so happy and excited to see God at work and I thank Him. 

For about a decade of my life I spent it looking for love in all the wrong places and all the wrong faces. 
 

Called to make Disciples, who make disciples that make disciples ❤️

Jesus has given me everything I am going to need for the rest of my life with Him ❤️ Who am I to think I need to be better? Thank you God. I am sorry for wanting to do things my own way, I surrender and give you full control, Jesus take the wheel 😚😚🙌❤️

I thought I needed to go to school and get a degree because that's what the world will make you think, I also had my dad telling me I was a nobody without a degree and that I would stay getting paid $9 an hour (mind you I get paid $12) & have a Gift and Talent from God that not a lot of people have so I am sometimes able to make some pocket change / extra income besides my full time job. My dad is 61 years old and going to school to get his masters degree which is great and he needs it because he wants to become a CPA. Great for him! I don't need to do that. I want to let him know that at the end of the day none of that knowledge matters or goes to heaven with you all that we take is what we did for Jesus and for others and their salvation here on earth. I wish I could explain that to him but it is so hard because he is so set on the world and the ways of the world but I have made it my mission to prove to him that you do not need a college degree in order to be successful in Christ / Life. This lie the world feeds you of having to chase money to get a house to have a spouse to then have a family raise them work at a job you barely like to pay bills to get by to get through life to then get old and sick and die, are we serious? Where in the world is the good in that? We need to help the world get saved by doing what God has called us to do, the great commission, go, baptize and preach.

Which is why I titled this "Called to make Disciples, who make disciples that make disciples" I have been chosen and really we all have it just takes some longer than others to truly realiZe what the purpose that God has for our lives is. I asked God 10 years ago exactly what my lives purpose was and I know can hear Him answering back. I thank God for the honor and privilege of allowing a sinner like me to proclaim his truth, his way and his life, the only one that can save us and cleanse our filthy souls. You see, our souls are made of a 3 part being just like God. There is our will, our mind & our emotions as well as there is God the father, Jesus the son & the Holy Spirit 3 in 1 aka the Trinity.

Paul tells us in Romans 12:2

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect"

As Prophet Jeremiah tells us in Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

How can we know what God's plan for our lives are if we have not developed a relationship with Him by reading His Holy bible His living water aka the Word which is alive and keeps us alive. You see, we take for granted the power that has been given to us as children of the most high, we also take for granted the power of our words and how we can speak Great things into existence because all of His power and riches Have been given to us it's just a matter of us positioning ourselves to receive it.

Solomon wrote, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body” (Ecclesiastes 12:12).
Any student who has pulled an all-nighter, crammed for a test, memorized an equation, or pored over a textbook can verify the truth of that statement. Solomon’s point was that there are more important things than simply amassing knowledge—namely, fearing God and obeying Him (verses 13-14).

That is not to say that education is unimportant. In fact, Jesus Himself learned. One of the only things we know of His childhood is that He “grew in wisdom” as He grew “in stature” (Luke 2:52). That is, the Son of God voluntarily put Himself in a position where He needed to assimilate knowledge as a man. Education was part of the process.

Anyhow, I've been struggling so Bad with school I just started again after like 7 years and I thought it would be great because I thought God put it in my heart to do but then realized it was the enemy and a super crazy idea soooooo I'll be Calling school tomorrow to see if dropping the class won't affect me having to pay money back or anything like that. It'll be better to withdraw than have an F on my GPA. None of it was fun for me sad to say very stressful painful hurtful pointless demanishing stupid crazy and totally against Gods will for my life. Very very sad times. Very hurtful and disappointing piercing through my heart. Full of bitterness and regret, ugly times. I have a lot of homework for psychology class & don't even wanna do that but I must finish. Yup I have to be very careful because the enemy is a liar and a deceiver and he can trick us into doing something that's completely out of Gods will for our lives at that point in time. Very upsetting but just shows me that I need to be at the feet of Jesus, I need to graduate from His school first, I need to be a student of Jesus not of the world. I have been gifted with gifts and talents I don't need to sharpen them or add extra or be better or be able to do more. I believe I have all that I need to accomplish his will through me. I just needed to position myself in order to receive it. Amen, 💪 we all have our own gifts and talents . Like that passage I read the other day said "the master is going to question us about what we did for his kingdom using our talents!" Not for the world, not for my mom and dad, not for my boyfriend or my self-knowledge, value, identity or scholarly wisdom. But for God and advancing his kingdom here on earth to my mom, my dad & millions of others in the name of Jesus of Nazareth! No weapon formed against us will ever prosper! My value and identity are found in Christ and His will. Anything outside of that is worthless, meaningless and pointless. Christ is King! 👑 Jesus Over Everything! Us believers we call that J.O.E 🙇

Location:Evergreen Ln,Davie,United States

Fully Depending on God to provide

One of the many reasons this blog is called victorious living through the trials is because when my dependence is on God and God alone I come out victorious through the trials and tribulations that this life gives us. Whether you are Christian or not, a believer or a non believer we all face different trials and tribulations. Matter of fact, God promised us that we would have trials but he also promised that he will see us through these trials, His righteous hand will help us and guide us and keep us from the enemy.

I just experienced a major breakthrough all because I chose to put myself aside and fully trust God with my finances. I wish I could trust Him with my health the way I do with my finances but I pray that one day soon I will. As for now Ill share the struggle and the victory found in Him and Him alone!

Wednesday of this week we met for bible study and a lot has been happening but that day I had a doctors appointment for a massage I had scheduled and I had to leave early so I can make it to bible study on time because I have now been chosen to be a greeter of the church God has blessed me to be a part of it which means I must be there early and on time in order to accomplish my position (job) given there and honor God by always being with a smile and on time.

Long story short, the message our Pastor was teaching on was about giving all of our love to God and dwelling in His love and also giving him all of our time, talents and treasures. Great, great message. Time = my time with God, for God, my time doing other things, how much time am I really giving him. My Talents = Am I using my talents to honor God, am I using my talents for Him or for Me? and my treasures.. What do we treasure here on earth? I would say for me I probably treasure money because I need it to pay bills and so many other things. But it was revealed to me that I MUST TRUST God like I used to with my finances. It's been 3 weeks since I last tithed and a lot has been going on. I am firm believer that God will provide for us ALL of our needs. He provides for the birds and fish how will he not provide for you and me? His most priced and precious possession = US!

So with that said of course I was tested and guess what? I passed with flying colors! All glory to God almighty!!! I got paid yesterday from my job just enough to pay my tithes (past due and this paychecks) and only half of my rent which was due yesterday. So of course God put it in my heart after double checking with one of the elders from our church and he said, well you heard the message last night and you know what God is saying. Guys! This is the only place in the bible that God says to test Him! So I did! & Guess what? God showed up and showed out! I am beyond grateful and thankful! We serve an awesome and almighty God! So in obedience, when I went on my lunch break I went straight to the bank to take out my tithes and a little more. I was a bit worried but not really because at that moments I decided to trust him. Knowing that He will provide that He will make a way!

Went to a presentation for a course last night called Landmark, and it was such a wonderful experience. I needed $150 to sign up which I had cash in my wallet but it is my tithes so I respected it and created a new possibility for myself that I will raise the $150 by this Sunday! This morning I wake up and I get a notification on my phone about having some extra money in my bank account and I couldn't believe it so rushed to check what it was and I don't know why or how but I got a direct deposit from Broward College for $300+ I could not believe it!!!!!!!!!!! Now I have my full amount to pay my rent and money left over to pay my other bills, the money for the course and fully pay my tithes! I am beyond grateful! Thank you God for showing up and showing out like you always do, thank you for being my provider!

How I love you ❤️

I love The Lord because he has heard my voice, my cries, my pleas

plea

plē/

noun

plural noun: pleas

1. a request made in an urgent and emotional manner.

"he made a dramatic plea for disarmament"

synonyms: appeal, entreaty, supplication, petition, request, call, suit, solicitation

"a plea for aid"

a claim that a circumstance means that one should not be blamed for or should not be forced to do something.

"her plea of a headache was not entirely false"

synonyms: claim, explanation, defense, justification;

Origin

Middle English (in the sense ‘lawsuit’): from Old French plait, plaid ‘agreement, discussion,’ from Latin placitum ‘a decree,’ neuter past participle of placere ‘to please.’

for mercy. Because he inclined (wanting to do something or likely to do something. : having an interest in or a talent for something. : having a slope) his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed (surround and have or hold within.

synonyms: surround, enclose, encircle, circumscribe, bound, border;

synonyms: cover, embrace, include, incorporate, take in, contain, comprise, involve, deal with) me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.

dis·tress

dəˈstres/

noun

1. extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain. "to his distress he saw that she was trembling"

synonyms: anguish, suffering, pain, agony, torment, heartache, heartbreak;

an·guish

ˈaNGɡwiSH/

noun

1. severe mental or physical pain or suffering. "she shut her eyes in anguish"

synonyms: agony, pain, torment, torture, suffering, distress, angst, misery, sorrow, grief, heartache, desolation, despair; literarydolor

"the anguish of losing her beloved child could only have been compounded by the killer's indifference"

antonyms: happiness

verb: anguish; 3rd person present: anguishes; past tense: anguished; past participle: anguished; gerund or present participle: anguishing

1. be extremely distressed about something. "he anguished over how to reply"

Origin

Middle English: via Old French from Latin angustia ‘tightness,’ (plural) ‘straits, distress,’ from angustus ‘narrow.’

Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.

Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. (Psalm 116:3-7 ESV)

Oh lord you are so good, so faithful so forgiving, so merciful. Thank you Lord ❤️ Beautiful day today with my parents and my recently moved in new home in Davie, Fl 🙌 Two Minutes away from my job, this is truly a blessing from you God. I'm sorry for not honoring you with it or taking care of it the way I should have. I promise that from today on I will stop spending money I don't have on things I shouldn't be. I will look for a doctor, I will get my insurance card and all my papers done. My parents came over but before they did of course I had to pick up the big huge mess I had in my beautiful home for the past month or so. It was really bad 😠😩 Thank God for my beautiful blessing Lensley ❤️😏 God is real! He knows what he does when he does it and how. He is really good to us guys! Don't give up, don't believe otherwise, there's only one God ❤️ Thank you father for allowing me to serve you and your kingdom and allowing me to be transformed in your image!