daily devotional

Ready, Set, Go!

Here’s the truth.

If you’re about to do something for God’s Kingdom, then you best get ready for a battle. The devil doesn’t discriminate, and he certainly doesn’t care if you’re a Christian. In fact, he would prefer that.

Let me be totally real with y’all, two days after I announced I was publishing my second book I found myself in a bad place. Depression swept in like an angry river trying to swallow me up.

But God’s bigger than any river. Hallelujah.

And when it’s time for battle He readies us and steadies us. So, when it’s time to go toe-to-toe – and it will happen – here are some things I do to fight back:

▪️pray
▪️open the word
▪️go outside
▪️stream worship music

Get angry. Fight back. God has provided you with the most powerful weapon in the world – Himself.

But whatever you do, do NOT give up. There’s a reason you’re battling, and that reason is worth the fight.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

Setting Boundaries

💛Guest post today by Mrs. Kim Harris💛

We all have those thoughts from time to time. Even those of us who know who we are in Christ. Thoughts of rejection.

Feelings of not being good enough or worthy enough is something many people deal with. We live in a fallen world and many of our negative experiences leave a person with a feeling of brokenness.

We wonder why this may or may not have happened to us, why this person did or didn’t do something, and we think is it because I’m not worth it? Sometimes it’s just an attack of the enemy in an area of vulnerability for us. One of the things you have to realize is that sometimes no matter how hard you try or what you do, there will be people who don’t value you.

You have to come to terms with the fact that God values you and nothing anyone says or does changes that. You have to learn to set healthy boundaries in your heart, your mind, and in your life. Don’t allow others to speak negativity into your life. Reject immediately those thoughts and lies the enemy may try to whisper in your ear.

You are deeply loved and highly valued by the Creator of the universe who designed you in His image! He sent his Son, Jesus, to be crucified for the sole purpose of reconciling you to Himself. Jesus loved you enough to be the willing sacrifice so that you could live forever with Him.

And nothing can separate you from the extravagant love of God found in Christ Jesus. Focus your mind on His promises and make up your mind to believe that you are who He says you are today!

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. ~ Jeremiah‬ ‭31:3‬ ‭NIV‬

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. ~ Genesis‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans‬ ‭8:39‬ ‭NLT

Hold On

I caught myself slipping into a slump the last two days.

You know – quarantine round 2.

I had to remind myself not to let the what if’s that were running through my mind become bigger than my faith.

Our faith may be flimsy but God’s hope is firm. This whole situation has us feeling shaky, but rest assured – God is stable.

God won’t let us slip, y’all. Hold onto hope.

“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:11

Been There Done That

To the ladies struggling with their weight:

I feel ya. I’ve been there and done that. In my 38 years on this earth I’ve been too small, too big, and every size in between.

Measuring up to the world’s standards of how a female should look is exhausting. In fact, it’s impossible. It’s an awful cycle of desperation and not feeling worthy enough. I lived in that cycle for way too long.

What changed? My relationship with God. My focus shifted from me to Him. With a shift in heart and mind, the chains of insecurity began to fall off and so did all the pressure that came with it. Freedom in Christ is good, y’all.

Am I mindful of the food I put into my body? Yup.

Do I still try and do some type of exercise. Yup.

Our bodies are temples. If I’m not taking care of my body then it’s going to break down. If it breaks down, I won’t be able to do what God needs me to do for His Kingdom.

Ladies, I pray that you will be freed from those chains, too. I pray that when you look in the mirror you don’t see someone that’s too small or too big – but someone that God made in His own image. Someone that God made for a purpose.

I refuse to let the world’s standards dictate how I feel about myself.

I’m fine just the way I am. I’m God’s girl, and so are you.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.” Psalms 139:14

Just Say Yes.

It’s almost been one year since we began our non-profit Rays of Sunshine Inc. Many of y’all don’t know but I seriously told God no for three straight weeks. I wrestled and argued. Cried and pouted.

It’s shameful I know.

But God wins. God knows our dreams before we even know our dreams.

I’m glad I reluctantly said yes.

Reluctant because it was scary.
Reluctant because I knew nothing about running a business.
Reluctant because people would think I’m crazy.
Reluctant because what if I failed.

This morning I pulled out my 2019 journal. The picture of what Frank said in Sunday School was in March. The picture of my prayers was in June. I love to remember what God has spoken and what God has brought me through.

I said all that to say this – if God is telling you to do something, just say yes. Don’t waste time arguing. Don’t waste time wrestling. Don’t waste time doubting.

Have faith.

God is enough.
He is smart enough.
He is business savvy.
He has all the resources in the world.

He’s all you need.

“Delight thyself in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4

World Changer

  1. Mission- a strongly felt aim, ambition, or calling.
  2. Mindset- the established set of attitudes held by someone.

When I woke up this morning the following question popped into my mind: What’s God’s mission for you today, Daisy?

Does that happen everyday? Nope.
Should it? Yes.

We should be so wrapped up in Jesus that our mission mindset is the only mindset we have, and that’s the truth.

If I’m not living everyday to point myself and others toward Jesus, then what am I really doing?

Missions don’t have to be fancy, expensive, or even adventurous. Your mission is your mission, and everyone’s is different.

Whatever God has called you to do – that’s your mission. You’re a world changer, and that’s the truth.

Don’t forget how important your specific mission is to the Kingdom of God. He created you for that mission. Live it out loud.

“”For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

Don’t forget.

This one’s gonna sting a little. I’m gonna be stepping on toes, but don’t worry – they’re mine.

I don’t want to forget March.

Or April.

Or May.

The slow down, however inconvenient, was much needed. We were given time to get outside, to cook at home, but most importantly, we were given time to spend in the Word.

With our fast-paced world starting back up it will be easy to forget what we learned in those three months. I don’t want to forget. I don’t want to stop getting outside, spending time with my family, or digging deep into the Word.

Daisy, don’t let your busyness overshadow what truly needs to be done – and that’s spending time with God.

Your best friend.

Your maker.

Your creator.

Don’t push Him to the back burner.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Public Service Announcement

Just a little PSA this morning:

You are God’s girl.

Chosen for a purpose.

Handpicked by the King of Kings.

Made in His image.

Called out of darkness.

Whatever task is before you today – He is with you. Whatever seems too daunting – He is bigger.

God’s got you. He always has, and He always will.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” … You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. 1 Peter 2:9