Have you ever been told that you would never be "nothing"? That nothing would ever come out of your life. That not one good thing will come from all that you have been through? That because your parents were nothing, that you will never amount to anything? Have you had “them” say to you that your dreams were crazy? Have you ever had someone purposely abandon you to sabotage you? Intentionally talk against you with words that were filled with hopes that you bomb. They secretly pray that you never find joy nor happiness in life, that your marriage fails, your children never accomplish their potential, that you are never promoted to that new position or start that new business or ministry.  

I have!
 
I have had family and deepest confidants say that I would never be anything. I have had those that I have loved, counseled and fellowship with intentionally seek to destroy all that I have worked and sacrificed for right in my face. I have experienced being mistreated simply because I am living out a life that they may desire. And all of this cut deep and wounded me.
 
I have personally witnessed in recent years that people are becoming more disingenuous and calculating and this is not just in the world, but the church has become a breeding ground for these spirits. And these spirits have discouraged and caused many to not walk in faith. To give up on dreams and to lose hope for the future.
 
But I am so glad that I knew deep in the recess of my soul, when those words from “them,” were spewed to wound, and plans were set into motion to prevent me from showing up for my assignment my Intelligent Designer gave me the strength to show up despite what “they” have said or done.  

The constant push of negativity from “them” can make you want to call it quits and give up. Sadly, “them” will always exists to put you down and will be around to tear down your dreams, goals and ideas. Unfortunately, if you remove one from your life, another one will most likely show up ready to take their place and spring into action. What I realized is that responding with negativity is not the weapon designed to defeat the warfare of “them.” The weapons designed to prosper against them is showing them the love, grace and mercy of God, to not let what they have said and done affect you so much and to not allow them to cause you to not show up.
 
Sometimes it’s easy to let what they say stop your momentum. “Them” will always exist to hinder your progress and to keep you from achieving your visions, goals and ideas. No matter what “they” say, you must realize that you can’t let them dictate your future nor can you let them get you off track. Don’t you dare allow them to get you to a place of defeat and discouragement that it throws you completely off course. Make a decision to turn a deaf ear to what they say and move forward towards your dreams and goals.
 
I refuse to allow “them” make me believe anything less than what I know my Intelligent Designer has planned for my life. I KEEP IT MOVING because I have future filled with hope and an expectant end that I am pursuing. Christ Himself had His share of people who intentionally criticized, planned and plotted against Him and He did not only ignore “them” but continued with His assignment. He prayed for them and kept it moving and He orders us to do the same; pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 10:13) The curses spoken against others can come back to you, but so can the blessings. He states that when you offer peace and the other person does not receive it, peace will still come back to you, so there is no losing on your part. (Luke 10:6) The only way that you can lose is if you don’t go on and SHOW UP!

I’m often asked, "You don't want children?" What are you waiting on? I am sure people wonder how I have remained patient with God’s plan for my life when I have been married 13 years and I am 43 years old without children. Yes, I do want to feel the joys of motherhood. I’ve talked so much about it, it’s no secret— that I have had major challenges in experiencing motherhood. And most people would have given up the hope of ever experiencing it if they had experienced what I have gone through in the past 13 years.
 
 Real talk - I have wanted to give up!
 
There have been many moments when I’ve been tired of waiting. I have been frustrated at dealing with the constant pain and wanted to give up in defeat. In 2017 I thought that my chances were gone and was on the verge of throwing up my hands. But as reflect on all that has transpired in my personal world over the last 12 months, it is only by God's grace that we are still standing with our heads lifted to the heavens, filled with praise and a positive perspective on what has transpired.

I am thankful for my Father’s grace in these 13 years. I am thankful that when life and people looked at us and say, "There is no way," God said, "I AM THE WAY!"

I am thankful that in our sufferings, we rejoiced, "Knowing that our suffering produced perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope did not put us to shame.… "(Romans 5:3-6).

I give praise because we may have been grieved by the various trials of 2017, which tested the genuineness of our faith, but we now give glory and honor at the revelation that the suffering was just for a season. And we can rejoice knowing that in little while we will be rewarded with our BLESSING! (1 Peter 1:6-7)
 
I am grateful that what was meant for evil against us, my Father used it for good and that those heard how we overcame that evil, through the favor of God, were saved (Genesis 50:20).

I am appreciative that through the tribulation of the illness that was designed to bring suffering and a great loss we maintained our dignity. We were not ashamed because we believed and are yet convinced that God will deliver the BLESSING He promised us. (2 Timothy 1:12)
 
I am overjoyed that the tests were turned into a testimony and every bit of anguish, sadness and pain in that last season we endured with patience, prayer, and praise. We can stand today in this season proclaiming that every situation we arose more than conquerors.

What have you been praying and asking God to manifest in your life? A spouse? A new career? Change in a relationship? Change in your financial situation? Don't give up or lose hope because it seems as though you are in this season for too long. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)
 
So, as we go into the first month of 2018, we can say we have had our share of troubles but we can proclaim that even though it may look like we lost a season, we can see by grace He is rewarding us with NEW LIFE!

We have officially entered into our annual new year sacrificial 21 Day Daniel Fast period. Each year I am led to call this fast to simply put the people in The Sanctuary in touch with God and His life-changing power.

I know the importance of fasting and we make every effort to fast at least twice a year. I have used the fasting tool throughout my life and each time it was beneficial and was profitable for my natural and physical self. I fasted before I was married to prepare myself as Esther for my King. I fasted before major surgeries to break infirmities and I have fasted to gain revelation on how to bring healing to my body. The year 2016 brought sickness that I thought would take our dreams and desires for a family. I prayed and asked for revelation on how to bring healing to my body spiritually and physically. Our Heavenly Father revealed to us that 2017 would be the year that He would provide us with the #Swords to gain #TotalVictory. We threw our V's up and grab the first of the swords which was the Daniel Fast. We took the sword and for 21 Days we feasted on fruits and veggies and did extensive soul work. We had goals and His strategy and it all worked for our good and His GLORY. I am now in better health physically, mentally and spiritually than I have EVER been in my life. You see having the power of God that can only be found in fasting and prayer can breakthrough and penetrate the most fortified wall and stronghold. 

You see you don't program the power of God into something, you pray the power of God into it. Fasting gives you more time for prayer. You can use the time you'd normally spend eating as time in prayer for what God wants to do among us during this time. In the Bible, fasting is always connected with prayer. 

"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off." Acts 13:2-3 (NIV)

Fasting demonstrates the depth of your desire when praying for something. It shows you that you are serious enough about your prayer request to pay a personal price. God honors deep desire and praying in faith.

Fasting releases God's supernatural power. It is a tool we can use when there is opposition to God's Will. The enemy would like nothing better than to cause division, discouragement, defeat, depression, and doubt among us. As Jesus said to the disciples who were having trouble taking authority of a demonic spirit, "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Prayer and fasting has always been used by God to deal a decisive blow to the enemy!

"God says, "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" Isaiah 58:6 (NIV)

Prayer and fasting are tools that God has given us to use on all the disrepair in our lives, in our churches, in our communities, and in our country.

Do you feel dry, spiritually?  In need of renewal? Feeling powerless against the world and the enemy? In need of a breakthrough?

​FAST and PRAY.

"To be seated in heavenly Places,
Just like Heaven,
Just like Heaven on Earth!
To be walking in His favor and grace is
Just like Heaven,
Just like Heaven on Earth!

Something’s moving,
Something changing,
See His glory feels like Heaven on Earth."

When I heard these lyrics from Micah Stampley's amazing worship song "Heaven On Earth" it surely made my soul leap. Why? Because as I taught over the weekend that I have felt something shift in my spirit over the last few months of 2017. I have felt an anticipation that I haven't felt in quite sometime, and I know that it's the anticipation of what is to come with the transition of the seasons and times. We have entered a year that will carry with it regeneration, resurrection and breakthrough power that will carry with it the Lord’s strength and power. It will be an epic year that He will accomplish things that we are not able to do in our own strength. 2017 we declared was the year of "Victory," and we saw His great light and received revelation that brought victory. And He will continue to make good on His promises concerning many matters that began last year. We will be seated in Heavenly Places. We will walk in unprecedented favor and grace. Just like heaven on earth.

The Lord will also seal, solidify and secure what He began. It is especially true to those who have been diligent and faithful towards Him. Many of us have toiled  in our spirit about relationships, finances, careers, family, the state of the world. Many of us are bogged down with the frustration, pain and the hurt of disappointments and rejections. But we have now entered into a time of revival where the outpouring of His Spirit will cleanse and begin to move us into new places and revelatory truth that we have not been before. Our sight, our ability to see into the realm of the spirit will be enhanced so that our spiritual eyes will see way beyond what is being presented to our minds, and as a result our understanding becomes enlightened by the Spirit of God working in us. We are entering a Divine Year where we will break through walls and veils to see new things! Worship warriors liken to David will disclose secrets and mysteries because they have broken through the wall to understand God's heart. 

I want to encourage all of you reading this that our Father  is ready and willing to bring His Word to pass thru your life. However, it is through our co-operation and co-laboring with Him that the supernatural is manifested in the natural. We are His vessels and we are the gateways through which His glory will be displayed on the earth. This is done through intimacy, engaging the realm of heaven, and declaring what you see and hear that brings heaven to earth, then walking in an obedient faith! Press into Him more than you ever have before. Ask Him for a release of divine hunger that will drive you deeper into Him. We have been given a mandate of the highest importance to carry the Kingdom of God with us everywhere we go and to release this Kingdom through everything we do. We are called by Christ to bring heaven to earth. Everything that is happening in heaven should be happening on earth.

How much of heaven will God manifest on earth thru you?

You have bee called to be the "gateways" of heaven and manifest the Kingdom realm to everyone around us. Many strive in the natural to see the promises of God brought to pass but it's only as we access heavenly realms and enter into divine friendship with God that promises are fulfilled. When this happens I know that it will be as our Micah Stampley song says so profoundly:

"There will be lightning and thunder,
Miracles and wonder,
Sound of many waters,
Heaven on Earth!"