Category: Hope

Trust God to Meet Every Need

Expect Nothing Appreciate Everything

When Lloyd and I were first starting out in ministry, I used to tell the wives that I didn’t trust my husband, but in God. This sentence worried some people since they didn’t comprehend what I meant. I don’t mean to imply that I expect my spouse to behave badly; rather, I recognize that my husband will never be able to meet every demand in my life since he, like me, is made of flesh. Hubby will, without a doubt, fail me in some way, and I will, without a doubt, fail him in some way! Just cannot meet EVERY need in my life.

Please keep in mind that I am married to possibly the best man on the face of the planet! He is kind to me; he is loving to me; he is patient with me; he tenderly cares for me; he is careful to protect me; he is a good friend to me; he is my very best friend; he makes me laugh; he rejoices in my joys; he feels my sorrows, and though I truly believe Lloyd is the perfect guy for me — he, my LSC, is certainly Is Not Perfect!

When we embarked on this journey as husband and wife, we made intentional decisions to return the marriage to God. We understood early in our marriage that it was best to have no expectations from one another and to rely solely on God in all circumstances. This approach, I believe, has given us both a great deal of pleasure in the ways we bless each other. That may not be clear, so allow me to explain. — In general, Lloyd and I have duties in our marriage: Lloyd takes care of the car, I make sure there is nutritious food in the house, Lloyd will be the provider, I will be the counselor, and so on. While Lloyd and I were both aware of these expectations, none of us held the other to them. We never assumed that the other would be ideal for any given role. He committed to love me as Christ loves the church, and I committed to respect and build Him up as the head of my family; and we agreed that the rest would be taken care of by Our Father’s lead and His guidance. What has happened in these 28 years and 6 months is that when I cook for Lloyd, he is truly grateful because he knows I could choose not to. I am sincerely grateful when Lloyd has the car serviced and fills it with gas because I know he could chose not to. Now, neither of us has ever chosen not to serve the other, but because our trust is in God, not in each other, each act of love is a true blessing that is warmly accepted and graciously offered!

Because it worked in our marriage, we applied it to our relationship with God in all things. Rather than expecting Him to meet our expectations, we just rely on Him to do what He does as God and Father. Instead of living with a sense of entitlement to His benefits, we choose to walk with a sense of humility before Him, setting our petitions before Him and leaving them there. We transitioned from saying “”Good job, God!” to “Wow! Thank you, Father, for your generous care for us!”

Many Christians have reduced God to the role of “Genie.” We declare, “God is a Healer,” as if our words demand that He heal, rather than saying, “God is a Healer,” and putting that ailment at His feet, expecting only that His will be done, and bracing ourselves to be startled by the extravagant nature of His tremendous love. We do the same with each of God’s attributes, such as Provider, Peace Giver, Keeper, and so on. What if we made the decision to expect that we can rely on Him and determine that no matter what happens, we will respond with heartfelt gratitude? He has informed us that we will face trials and should rejoice in them; how can we do so truly if we are continually expecting Him to fix them to our liking rather than expecting Him to work them out for our good and His glory?! I’m not suggesting it’ll be easy, but I believe He’ll give us the strength we need to respond correctly. He is the King! He is right! His ways are all good and holy! Will you not put your trust in Him today? Expect nothing; only rely on God!

Praise! Can Make Us Free!

Midnight is equaled to a time of trouble and distress. (Late in the midnight hour, etc.) In the midnight hour we picture ouselves as lonely. But what if we decided, in those moments, not to despair – but to pray and praise?

Besides the obvious benefit of freeing our own minds and hearts from bondage and distress, who else would be made free? As believers in the power and presence of God, the time has come for us to pray & raise through our midnight … so that we can be set free!!

And our freedom will lead others to be free.

In the midnight hour – Paul and Silas worshipped their way to freedom, not just their own, but the freedom of all!

I pray that our Father will give us hearts that know how to turn to Him at midnight. When all seems dark and we feel alone, let us be found praying to Him and lifting Him above the situation. Praying that others see our attitude of praise and be freed from their own oppression, depression, doubt, fear … that they will be free indeed!

Father – thank You for Your word that has made us free!

Stay With Me Lord!

Because in my weakness I might fall to despair; because in my pride the enemy might lead me astray; because in my strength I might think too highly of myself … Lord, please be every moment near me!

Protection from the enemy; guidance so that I won’t wander; wisdom from You for daily life; strength in weakness; nearness to You always and for everything — I need Thee! O! I need Thee! Every hour I need Thee!

Psalm 38:21 LORD, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God.Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, do not be far from me!Don’t dump me, GOD; my God, don’t stand me up.

Walk With Me, Lord!

The last 12 months have been quite …. AHHHHHH!!

COVID was already in motion and then my mother begins her eternal life. Many of our countries across Africa were blocking the return VISAs for our global workers because of the VIRUS. Cancer took away a dear, close friend from high school and two of our global workers. Racial hate continually raised its head across the USA in many ways. Some, who call themselves believers in Christ, somehow mixed political beliefs with their belief in Jesus Christ. It has not been a year without much difficulty.

The racial issue alone just gives my heart much concern. As a mom of young black men, my heart kinda quakes almost every day. I just don’t want them mistaken for a terrible person because they are chocolate and caramel as God has made them. As a full-time missionary who has to have financial support to cover all costs, both work and personal, I have taken hits from people who think it makes me less than them.

Dealing with all of the issues, there have been days where I was just not … happy! I had no fear – not even for a moment – but I didn’t like what was all around me. There are always situations in life that make you want to quit.

A beautiful truth for a believer in Christ, a child of God, is that nothing that goes on around us can prevent or block our victory. For me, God has been evident…. my calling, the part of the Body of Christ that I am, is to ensure that the truth of the Gospel is spread across Africa. According to my Father, my role is to lead like Christ led – by serving people and demonstrating to them the life that should be lived. So … take the step back into the difficulties and remember that all of that is happening, but He hasn’t told me to take a break! He just keeps telling me to hold His hand and keep-a-stepping! I mean, think about it … I actually have the best boss man EVER – The Almighty God!! All-powerful, grace-giving, truly loves me, strengthens me, protects me, heals me, directs me, instructs me and I have the best benefit package of any employee – eternal life!

One of the most beautiful things that I am learning more and more and more is what it means to trust Him. You see, I don’t have anything in me that wants hurt to come to anyone that causes harm to me. I don’t fear to face any person who doesn’t like what He is speaking through me. I don’t doubt that He will finish what He has started. I have the good sense to humble myself under His mighty hand, knowing that he will exalt in due time! Praise God. He loves me so much that He started His work in me, and, as I keep saying every single day, He can’t fail!

So Lord, walk with me! I can take a hit, a slap, a knock out – because I know You’ve got me! I’ll make it through it all. For the sake of Your glory … I will make it!!

A Lil’ Bump in the Road

Today, I went over to my house to pick up a few things that I keep forgetting that I need. Isn’t that something?!?!

On Tuesday, February 16th – my house was one of the houses in Humble, TX that flooded. It didn’t flood in just one room, it was our entire house. It was an interesting moment because the ice storm had taken our lights and water – we stayed at home that night with the gas fireplace on. When the electricity came back on in the house I grew up in, we headed over there to have heat and warm up! Just about 3 hours later, when we went back home … because the electricity was on … we opened the door and water just poured out from the door. Just about 3 inches deep.

I think that I was convinced that only the floors were damaged, until we found the ceiling area from which the water was pouring. Insurance adjuster walked in three days later and let us know that it was the entire house. Exterior walls would be removed for about 2 feet from the ground. All floors had to be taken out, except the tile (kitchen and bathrooms). Water mitigation would have to be first — drying the space and sanitizing it to protect from mold and mildew – before any restoration could happen.

Here’s the truth – we have had no reason to be distressed, not even for one minute. The Home Owners Insurance that our mortgage company chose for us is awesome and we do have the family home, that I grew up in, to live in while all of the restoration, repairs and replacements are done.

Floors Had to be Taken Out

So … the virus is alive; hate in the USA is alive; division in the Body of Christ is alive … these are true. But more that all of this … The Power of The Lord is Alive! The Faithfulness of The Lord is Alive: The Provision of The Lord is Alive! The Peace of The Lord is Alive! The Joy of the Lord is Alive!! Because of Him …. it all just feels like a small bump in the road.

I was thinking about David … God’s chosen one. He surely did not did not do everything perfectly – but he submitted Himself to God’s call on his life and in the midst of great difficulty – he just kept praising God, knowing that God had his back. And so do I.

All exterior walls and some interior walls will have to be restored
  • The house has flooded and I can’t go home … but He is my God and my life – my time — yes I am in His hands!
  • The insurance company has to ensure we have what is needed, and we’ve gotta wait! … but He is the one I trust — yes, my life is in His hands!
  • I wanted to push all of the people to get this done in a hurry … but He tells me to stop fighting and remember that He is my God!

I trust Him y’all! I really do trust ONLY Him! What I need, He will provide. What I need to do, He will give me the wisdom and strength to do it. What I need to be, He will break me – melt me – mold me – fill me! There’s just no way at all that I cannot step right on over any bump in the road. And, let me just encourage you … for His truth is for all of His children.