Hello Fellow Readers,

It has been a pleasure posting to encourage you on your journey. I am grateful for the opportunity and the grace to have continued to this point. As the years have past many opportunities have been afforded to me to continue helping and encouraging others.  In the last year I have had increased focus in other avenues of community service. In addition, life brings expected and unexpected changes that shift our needs with family. I believe it is time to conclude this blog and focus on public communication through Exclusively Jesus Ministries. 

Farewell and may the grace and peace of the Lord continue to be upon you and your families. 

Stay Focused and Be Blessed.

Who is Waiting!

 

Faith – Allows God to go to BAT for you.

Believing the Word of God

Accepting God's love

                        Trusting God’s promises

Will you go to BAT for him? Will you choose to stand up and follow his principals?

Will you take a new path with him?  

God is waiting on your decision.

 

“So, the Lord must wait for you to come to him, so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.  Blessed are those who wait for his help.”    Isaiah 30:18 (NLT)

May the blood of Jesus keep you covered.

#gotobat

A Year in Review

During this time of the year, we began looking ahead to make a list of new year resolutions.  What will I do or not do this year?  Have you answered this question before? Many continue to make new goals or resolutions for the upcoming year every year.  Have you considered finishing a goal you let it go 3 months into the year?  Have you considered finishing a goal you almost completed and dropped because you saw no success?  Consider why your goal or resolution may not have been successful starting with you.

Proverbs 16:3, tells us to commit your works unto the Lord, and he will establish your plans.

We create goals or resolutions and make a good effort to do most of them.  But we must remember God orders our steps.  His purpose is what prevails.  Think about your brother Noah and the Ark or Paul planting churches throughout the land.  They were inspired by God and worked to complete the goal.  They had challenges and setbacks, yet continued on in faith.

Let us put our focus on the plans of the Lord and seek to be inspired by Him. Goals are good to have for guidance, help prioritize, and aid in productivity.  Goals assist us in living a truly God-driven purpose in life.  Set your goals and include God’s direction as He leads you.

Pray and ask God to be the catalyst to you reaching your goals. Ask God to give you strength and the courage to stay on the journey moving forward with greater faith.  

#WillingOperatingWon

Happy New Year!

 

Thankful for the Interruptions

Looking at everything that has occurred the last 4 months I understand the broken parts.  Feeling as if everything is going wrong or not going anywhere.  Waiting on my next endeavor or just simply being locked-in one job or one place.  Family members in and out of the hospital and wondering did I make a good choice.  I was moving around and looking for my big indication to the next path on my journey.  It was disappointing, no clue.  The two things I would have liked to see happen did not occur.  Oh, well, that was not it.  I was not in control of anything, and I felt overwhelmed.  What in the world is going on?  Feeling I lost control was not a good feeling.  Was I supposed to be in control of it all?  Everything from every direction was unexpected or popped up out of nowhere—so it seemed. 

It is difficult for people to admit they do not have control over basic things such as their spending, jobs, health or relationships.  We pull ourselves into bouts of anxiety when we are not.  Why?  We often have not learned the value of acceptance, or we are so busy trying to figure it out to fix/change the situation.  Acceptance is not saying you are in agreement with what has happened, or it is okay.  It is not meant for you to fix everything because there is a course that must be traveled whether it is negative or uncomfortable.  Realizing not to focus on why it should not be this way, or another way is important.  Be open-mined about your whole experience on your journey.  As we keep going a change is soon on the horizon.  Keep your eyes open to see what lesson is in the mist, ears tuned to the call of God, mouths silent to avoid missing directions, legs steady for the travel and hands ready to work the fields.  

Remember acceptance of your personal experience helps reduce stress, depression, etc., to improve your whole well-being.  Move forward to leave the judgement, worry and hopelessness behind and seek to learn through the challenge.  I have moved forward and so can you.  Believe and trust that God is in the mist and things will be alright.  Yes, everything worked out with a blessing unexpected. 

So, don’t sweat the challenge, go through it.

Be encouraged and patient to complete the journey to move through the challenges of life.  Thankful for the challenge—I am stronger and wiser.  

Stay Focused and Be Blessed!   

#Liveyourbestlifenow

When Things Go Left

Have you been in a situation when things just stop working for you all at once?  Specically technology.  Well, hope it doesn’t happen. I was so overwhelmed and in shock more than anything.  It started with a decision to change jobs for a new venture and upgrading my internet to accommodate new projects.  In the mist of the change I briefly planned a quick vacation while interviewing.  My first headache was the internet.  I learned my billing changed but the internet did not actually upgrade.  Therefore, I had several electronic devices not functioning properly.  Now, these were very important systems and involved security concerns.  I struggled through a few days and another wave of concerns. Yes, access and passwords.  Delays in work projects, one job abruptly ended before vacation and of course travel concerns.  This cannot be happening now.  I have too many things to do and trying to take a break before my new task begins next month.  Everything appeared to be going wrong.  I knew this was the plan that God set in motion and change was necessary.  I had my concerns and attempted to resist.  I had to trust God’s plan and keep moving.

 PEACE   ~  PRESENCE  ~   GRACE    

Life throws these curve balls and you either hit them head on or freeze.  You ask what do you do—move forward! 

1. Stay calm.

2. Be aware of your stress level. 

3. Stay in the moment to focus.

4. Find your footing— confidence.   

5. Know your resources— problem solve.

Finally, things began to look up after two weeks of calls, network resets and delays. I was frustrated and began to wonder, if I made the wrong choices.  It is okay to be concerned.  You will have challenges along your journey but how you work through them is key.  I knew things appeared to be going left but I decided to keep moving forward.  Everything was not in place but I made an effort to leave for a break.  I was so glad I continued on and it was a blessed break.  I received a Word from God that blessed me greatly during my rest.  I came back and was ready for whatever needed to be done.  It becomes dangerous when we doubt God’s plan.  In a period of doubt you began to focus on the negative and start to change the plan.  Dangerous indeed because you have not completed the plan and to abort early may be your failure.  Things started to turn-over and doors were opened.  There were still some challenges and calls to make over the next two weeks.  I worked the plan and things began to flow.  It has been a month of problems and setbacks.  I did not realize until a week of calm entered and I began to reflect. Believe and stay focused on God in your challenges.  Watch God Work. 

Read: (KJV)

Psalm 94:19  “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.” 

Isaiah 43:2  “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16  “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means.  The Lord be with you all.”

Stay Focused and Be Blessed!   

#Liveyourbestlifenow

Let Go of the Distraction!

My beloved friend it is time to move forward.  Your gift has been sent but you have not received it to fullest.  Fear! It has you holding back.  The gift has been delivered long ago but you have been hesitant and toiling with the notion if it is truly for you.       

Galatians 5:1      Christ set you free

Galatians 5: 16   Follow the Spirit and not the flesh

Romans 6:23      Claim your free gift—God

Stay Focused and Be Blessed!    #LoveRulesTheDay

You Are Blessed!

 Be encouraged as each day comes and goes.

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain

Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of  'Camp Complaining'
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To 'thank' is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude

X alting God most high

Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...

Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!  

Author unknown

 I AM Too Blessed to be stressed! The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. When we  kneel before  to the Lord we can stand up to anything.  Love and peace be with you forever.   

 Stay Focused and Be Blessed.

Receive the Power: Change Breaks Chains

 Welcome 2023!

We have seen a complete 7 days come and go on this 8^th day of January.  Those things you have not accomplished in 2022, continue going forward.  There is no reason to give up when God has given you the assignment.  Pause, reflect and chose to continue to follow God.  Everything has a reason called to God’s timing.  Fret not if you have things to do.  Be encouraged, no one said it would be easy.  The challenges you face will give you strength to move forward—Believe.

Remember this, nothing but the blood of Jesus can give hope and peace.  Give him all your troubles and see what he does.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.     Isaiah 43:19 (KJV) 

It is time to move into your assigned position and stand on the Word of God.  What God has for you is a blessing He designed before you were aware or even ready. The problems and interruptions that visited your door in 2022— they’re no match for God! No worries. Simply Believe and Trust God. Let go of any disappointment… the finances, problems in marriages, loss jobs or problem on the job, backslidden family members, broken or no relationships.  You must believe deep down in your gut that God has the solution already worked out. Have patience and keep moving forward. If you look back, learn from the past.  Are you the one? Be the one with a “crazy praise” and “insane faith” like no one else. Tell the Lord “Thank you.”  

Let God turn things around for your good. God has given you Power—use it. Change is necessary and it can break barriers. Avoid wasting time wondering what the “someone else received or did.”  Avoid focusing on what you loss and remember what it still in front of you.  God will increase and bring change.  Seek God to increase your HOPE – TRUST– FAITH in 2023. God has great things in store for you.  Step out in faith; you must move to receive.  If God said it, go for it—it is yours. Believe.  

2022 was the start of many wonderful blessings. I say again, “check fear and unworthiness at the door.” Expect greater and amazing doors to be opened in 2023. It is in the power of your obedience and belief. Identify the change.

  

God is working miracles. Believe!

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  WELCOME 2023

Expect better and greater in the New Year! 

EXTEND THE LOVE

 Hello Beautiful People,

I pray that all is well with you and your family.  I am in a causal mode of conversation today. It has been a busy 2 months and I was tired during the Thanksgiving Holiday. It is okay, it is all good.  Busy as a bee, I was doing what I was tasked to do.  I survived the additional work but I believe I will need new tires. LOL  A few days before the holiday I was helping with an emergency situation.  It always tough when these things happen around family holidays. In the mist working through four deaths in my backyard of family and a friend. Well, I found myself not feeling well the day before Thanksgiving. I was aware of illness within the emergency family situation I was helping. I will be honest I felt it coming and did my best to be rid of whatever it was. I thought I did, until all was done and I returned home around 7 pm. I spent most of Thanksgiving at home and I dashed out only to pick up a plate of food.  I checked for covid-19 and I was negative. I finally had to visit the Patient First, my headache was terrible on the drive. There was a line of people at 8:00 am and they were not open yet.  You are thinking okay, people get sick…what is your point. 

I sat waiting thinking all this running around and helping this one and that one and I get sick. As I mentioned, I was tired. If you know me tired or not, if someone needs help I will help.  Yet, I was still thinking about things I needed to do in the waiting room.  All is well, I had a sinus infection. I can work with that… easily treatable. God knew I needed rest for the heavy week ahead. The illness was coming but I thank God for the buffer is was not the worst that could have happened.  After the holiday I saw the family again and they were so thankful for my time and the encouragement I gave them.  They wondered if I celebrated Thanksgiving and hoped it was good. It was, I rested. LOL 

I found a book mark the following week in my jacket pocket the receptionist gave me at the Patient First.  So, I am sharing this to say never doubt that an act of kindness doesn’t inspire and encourage. We are to be extensions of God’s Love.  Let us not be so busy that we see or know a need and don’t pause to offer help.  Remember that so many things are happening positive and negative but avoid being blind to helping others. This is the message I want you to remember: 

Make Your Mark with KINDNESS        

You have infinite potential to inspire others.      -  Patient First VA

   

My friends do what Jesus did!  It is all about the LOVE.

Blessing to You and Your Family!    #LoveRulesTheDay

God is Love read..  1 John 4:7-21

Build a Relationship

Where is your head? No, not literally but spiritually.  Are you focused on Jesus, standing on faith, walking in victory, and confident God is in control? We must believe that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Is He your starting point?  Christians you must be active in trusting His Word.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”   ~ Jeremiah 29:13(NIV)

“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.”   ~ Hebrews 3:1

 Your true faith is focused on Jesus, and all God’s possibilities.  What are your thoughts being filled with? God is who He says He is. 

If you are moving without consulting Him or floating along without direction, wait on God. Again be still, and wait on Him.  God’s time is always better, but trust must be present.  How many times have you took matters into your own hands and you were disappointed? We must continue to pray and seek the Lord. Get to know him better and watch how your whole life will change. There are no applications, cash deposits or Experian credit checks—just try his Word and humble your heart.  Jesus is our life line and true example of a Christian life.

           

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”   ~ Isaiah 40:31

Faith feeds Hope, Hope feeds Belief, Belief feeds Trust, and Trust feeds the Will of God.

  

Stay Focused and Be Blessed!      

**reprint of previous message summarized from 2016. 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Dads—You are more than a necktie, the tools or gift cards. We love and appreciate you dearly.  Show all our papa’s, pop’s, dad’s… how much we love them every day.  

Father Above

Our father is the greatest,

He never fails us.

We can always seek his help.

He is our proven support,

Just call and see.

He shares his unlimited generosity,

At any moment—sometimes by surprise.

He will do everything in his power

To ensure He feeds you and you are loved.

He is the very essence of our being.

He is our everything.

                            Love,                                          

Your Children

 

#LoveRulesTheDay

Sister Melissa

Celebrate Mom

 Mothers have a very special place in our hearts. 

Mothers

You are our hero in times of need,

Our friend and confidante.

You are our coach in times preparation,

Our person that saves the day.

So we give you your flowers today.

Happy Mother’s Day!  Enjoy your celebration day.

 

Read: 1 Timothy 5:2 - We can learn from women of all ages.

#StayFocusedandBeBlessed
#LoveRulesTheDay

What is wrong with holiness?

Holiness should be what we know.  Why do some believe holiness is not attainable? We wonder how we shifted so far off course in our Christian walk.  Well, holiness did not disappear, we left holiness.  Believers should long to be holy as we long to be Christ like. We must understand Christ walked in holiness and to be like Christ you must adapt to a life of holiness.  Thank the Lord for grace and mercy. Look back over your life and you will find grace kept you and mercy saved you more often than you knew at the time. We have so much to thank the Lord for every day.  Your life will require commitment, focus and studying God’s Word. Remember Love has great power.

Read: 1 Peter 1:13-25

Let’s understand that holiness for man does not mean you have never sinned.  God knows we have sinned but we have a responsibility to work to return and stay in right relationship with Him. God is holy, therefore we must be holy.   Holiness is not the problem. Read: Leviticus 19:2

Our lives belong to God.  We honor him by following the Word and being a good witness of his love and truth. Our lives are to be set apart and free of sin. You (body) are a temple and God’s spirit resides within you. Avoid allowing the snares of sins shift you away from striving to be holy.  God is your fortress and your light in times of darkness and struggle.  His arms are ready to catch you and plant your back on his solid foundation. Praise the Lord for all that he does to love on you and protect you in your journey.

Determine what things are holding you hostage to sin. I encourage you to leave behind the gossip and anger, trickery and gluttony, pride and greed, drunkenness and fornication, lust and envy… all things not of God. Ask yourself “what sin am I guilty of?” Have I not acknowledged it to refrain from living in the darkness of sin?  Do I know and refuse to change or let go?  Reading scripture will help you to recognize those things you need to let go.  There must be a change to move into holiness.  We must tame our flesh every day. Yes, it is difficult on your own but with God’s help your success is possible. Avoid becoming comfortable or preferring disobedience instead of living in faith and welcoming good change.  Today is the day—make the change. You can live better and step up above the pit. Glory to God for his love and care even when we have not treated God well.  Call on Him!

 

Emancipated from your sins. God’s forgives with repentance. 

Be ye loosed of sin and death. Holiness is possible. 

#recoveredanddelivered

 

Read: 1 John 1:9, Rom. 6:2, 3

Stay Focused and Be Blessed!   

 

 

Christ Jesus Rose

                             

                  Love † Hope † Serve 

            This is what we do! Thankful every day, Jesus saved You.

    

#Liveyourbestlifenow

The Challenge

I pray you are well. Much is happening and developing over the last 5 months. I found myself regurgitating situations and conversation that occurred several months ago. Why do we still make so many excuses when God has already answered many prayers before? Reflect on what you are doing or not doing. We need to look farther than 2 feet ahead, avoid long interludes and redirect trust in what man shows you to believing the Word. Trust God and act with grace.  We have challenges that occur in our lives which must be faced.  Our challenges are worth more than the excuses. Every trial, mistake or disappointment brings a lesson learned.

             Be Committed

        Let us get things done.

        Make good habits intentionally.

        Be a problem solver.

        Show you care—be a blessing.

        Stand in the gap—your strength is needed.

        Be a voice behind the action done.

 Read: Col. 4:5, 1 Cor. 15: 57-58, Jer. 29:11

Prayer and obedience allows God to move mountains. God is equipped to open doors–take the challenge.  The power of faith awaits. There is no time to wait for a waterfall of excuses to come. 2022 is your year. You are a 5 star solider. Elevation is here—the battle is done and victory won.

            March on to the call

            Opportunity is present

            Victory is met

            Engage with cause

Shakers and movers, be the light. Make today the day! Give God all the praise and honor He deserves.

Read: Rev. 14:12 – stay with the call   

          1 Pet. 2:9 – commit to excellence

          Eph. 5:16 –use time wisely      

 

To God be the Glory.

Much Love,

Melissa

Happy Valentine to Me!

 

We understand the excitement about Valentine’s Day and all the special candies, lovely flowers, fancy dinners, cards and gifts. Do we really take to heart what we are doing? Is it just another day to remember your spouse, family or significant other one day in the year other than father’s day, mother’s day, and birthdays?  Ask yourself, “Why do I do this every February 14^th?”  What is your answer? Well, some of us may not have an answer. Others may fall in with the movement to celebrate our loved one because everyone is talking about it.  Maybe you celebrate it because you will earn brownie points for your efforts.  What?—no way!  Valentine’s Day had a different purposes overtime, but people made it work.  Do the research behind February 14^th.

Why so much effort put on one day of sharing and spreading the love? Could it be an opportunity to correct failed gestures/expressions for all the months before? What are you thinking? If you are not particularly one to remember a good faith gesture to your significant other regularly—here you go! A day just for you to play catch-up in the commercial province of society.  

Let’s take a look at what should happen or is happening on your behalf each day. We should acknowledge the warm and loving emotions to our family or significant others regularly. Hint: You won’t need to play catch-up. It will certainly cost less.  Be my valentine and last through time. In other words love me all the days I live and more. The relationship will last longer than the flowers, candy or the dinner. Also, a lovely memory of the moment without the prompting of a single celebrated day will be cherished more.  I do not get tired of saying this: “We love because he first loved us.”  (1 John 4:19)

 Thank God, he does not wait for a particular day to show he cares. Every day is a day of love and sharing from God. Don’t sell yourself short. Happy Valentine to Me!  Celebrating others can be challenging when you don’t know how to celebrate yourself.  Love on yourself, it makes it easier to share it with others. The current idea of a valentine is to express the warm and loving emotions we carry toward the other. Be that extension of Christ that came for us out of love.  Spread the love wide and true from one end to the other of this planet and across every sea. We know love is patient, love is kind…  (1 Corin. 13:4-8)

 There is nothing wrong with joining the masses celebrating Valentine’s Day. Just remember it does not have to be the only day. I would not want to know my chances of God only expressing how he feels towards me once a year. The bible says, “To be devoted to one another”…  (Rom.  12:10). Can we be intentional to spread genuine love daily? Spread the love well, let us extend the sharing beyond close persons we know. Make a card, buy a card or just a simple call will do.  Surprise someone who may not be a valentine to others—after all it is all about the love. Happy Valentine’s Day to Me and You!

          Spread the Love wide and true--God loves us all and that is true.

#LoveRulesTheDay   #jesusbeloved

 

Caregivers Heart

Many of us know someone or are caregivers for family members.  It is humbling to serve others and put your own needs on hold. It changes your schedule or plans for that period of time.  Sometimes it is not by choice at a convenient time you selected but because there was an immediate need.  Recently, I was tasked with taking care of a family member. I had to quickly leave and travel with them back home to another state after a lifesaving surgery. It was a blessing for them to be given another opportunity to have life extended a few more years. No one wants truly wants to lose any precious time to live a full life.

The life of a caregiver, what would your brother Paul have in mind.  “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”  1 Thess. 5:11 (KJV)

I became a caregiver, just for a brief period of time. I love working with people and serving to help in any way I am able. You will learn a lot about yourself and what you are made of. Your talents, courage, and inner strength will all be put to work. I must admit I was not 100% sure of taking on the role. I had a choice to ignore or accept the call. The last few weeks of December to the beginning weeks of January 2022 will be an experience to remember. Things went well for the person but it seemed as though I was running head-on into road blocks. I attempted to do a little work and finalize a few projects during the night. Nothing seemed to work from applications, documents and of course my laptop. There were challenges until this week after returning home. It is still all good, trouble does not last always while holding on in faith. I was giving my full attention during the day but I was interrupting my rest. Lesson learned, I was exhausted when I returned home. Every day was different in cooking, cleaning, medications, preparing needles, calling/texting, scheduling and charting. I had a whole new profession, but it was a joy to be able to help.

Think of a time when you truly served someone else who needed help and you served without asking. There were no other options, but you were there. Your time became a gift to someone else. You must be selfless, patient and a light of hope. Does this sound familiar to you? Who has been a caregiver to you without asking? Your source of health and well-being. Giving out of love to be a blessing. You may know him by name, Jesus. Our intercessor, therapist, doctor, healer, provider and so much more. God started with Adam and Eve, then transferred the task for us to Jesus. Jesus carried out God’s plan to love mankind. Interesting to think of Jesus as a caregiver to you. The work is not simple nor glamorous but it was the call given. We serve one another out of honor and love of Jesus Christ. Believers are to be active and purposeful in carrying out the call until his return. After all he is continuing to care for you. You are very precious and loved beyond your understanding. Trust, Believe and Love Jesus Christ—your lifeline. Remember the next time when no one is around to help—He’s Got You! Tell the Lord, Thank You. Pay it forward and keep moving.

Read: Heb. 10:23-25, 1Thess. 5-11, 1 Pet. 5:7

May the Blood of Jesus Keep You Covered.

Sister Melissa

2022 A New Year

 

May the Lord bless you well in 2022.