Tag: god

Good Morning Sunshine! You Must Pick It Up! No Cross, No Crown!

Luke 9:23-24 NKJV ~ “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. [24] For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”

The Christian journey is one that invites you to carry your cross, you must be willing to endure trials, make sacrifices, and stand firm in faith. Jesus made it clear that to follow Him means to embrace discomfort, sacrifice, and selflessness. It is through the “cross” that you are refined and shaped, becoming more like Jesus Christ. The road is not always easy, but it is through the challenges that you experience the fullness of His grace and power.

Jesus had just told His disciples, that He would soon suffer many things and be killed. And then He told them this, if you are going to follow me it is going to cost you something as well. You need to deny self and stop giving empty sacrifices and surrender to God! For if there is anything that you are holding onto that is keeping you from an all-out, passionate walk with Jesus Christ, it has got to go! Selfishness and Kingdom living don’t go together! You have to decrease so that God may increase in you!

Jesus said you have to take up your cross and follow Him, daily. The cross is a symbol of the sacrifice that Jesus made for you, He willingly choose to sacrifice Himself, and to die for you out of love and obedience His Father. When you truly love God, you won’t make hollow promises and sacrifices that look good on the outside but it’s empty in the inside. Because of His sacrifice and service, you should desire to sacrifice and serve too!

Now, you have looked at self, sacrifice and now surrender! When you do the first two things, your desire to totally surrender to God becomes natural! You are totally committed to Him! It goes beyond you just giving a few hours, at a Sunday morning service, or serving at a church event every once in a while! You are willing to give it all. Losing your life for Jesus Christ means that you are completely and totally surrendered what He says, and obedience becomes your everything!

In life, many of you long for the rewards, the crown, the peace, and the victory. But the truth is, there can be no crown without the cross. The crown of eternal life, victory over sin, and God’s purpose for you cannot be fully realized unless you walk through the struggle of discipleship. The cross symbolizes the cost of following Jesus Christ, and it is through your obedience, perseverance, and faithfulness that you can claim the promise of the crown that awaits you.

Jesus invites you to take up your cross, not in defeat, but in victory. The path to the crown is not without hardship, but it leads to a glorious reward. The struggles of this life pale in comparison to the eternal glory that is to come. You are not promised an easy road, but you are promised that He will be with you every step of the way. It is in the midst of trials that you experience and encounter the power of His Presence and His Grace that sustains you.

Jesus Christ journey to the cross was one of unimaginable pain, suffering, and separation from the Father. Yet, He willingly embraced it because of His love for you. He endured the shame, the ridicule, and the physical torment because He knew that the crown of victory over sin and death was the ultimate reward. Likewise, you are called to take up your cross daily, and to know and understand that the challenges and trials you face are opportunities to grow in faith and draw closer to God.

In times of hardship, it’s easy to question the purpose of your struggles or to feel as though you’ve been forsaken. Yet, the cross is here to remind you that God is always working, even in your pain. The trials you face are not in vain, they are part of God’s perfect plan for your life, shaping you to be more like His Son. The Apostle Paul encourages you in Romans 8:18, saying, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” What you endure in this life is small in comparison to the eternal glory that awaits you in Heaven.

The cross teaches you humility and submission. It is not about your own desires or ambitions, but about living in obedience to God’s Will. Jesus Christ, though fully God, humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross. He set aside His own comfort and desires to fulfill the Father’s Will and redeem humanity. As you take up your cross, you are reminded that true greatness in the Kingdom of God comes through humility and self-sacrifice, not through seeking power or recognition.

Be encouraged today to bear your cross with faith and endurance, knowing that the crown that awaits you is far greater than anything you can imagine. In every trial, you can look to Jesus as your example, trusting that He will give you the strength to persevere. His promise is sure: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

Let’s Pray:
Father, Thank You! Thank You, Father, no matter how I say it, it is wonderful, because of who You are, You are a Sovereign God. Father, I come before You today with my heart full of gratitude for Your unwavering love and grace. Father, I thank You for the example of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who shows me what it means to live a life of sacrifice, obedience, and love. Father, help me to embrace the cross in my life, to deny myself, and to follow You with all out of my heart. I know that the road may be difficult, but I trust in Your promises and that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Father, give me the strength to endure the hardships that come my way and to see the trials as opportunities to grow in my faith and to draw me closer to You. Father, remind me every day that no matter what I face, I am not alone. You are with me, and You have promised me victory through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Father, I long for the crown that You have promised me, but I know that it is only through the cross that I can attain it. Teach me to walk faithfully in the path that You have set before me, and may my life fully reflect Your love and grace. Help me to live with humility, always seeking to do Your Will above my own. Father, strengthen me to endure, and fill me with hope, knowing that Your Glory is revealed in and through me as I follow the example of You set before me. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean
Have A Blessed Weekend…

Good Morning Sunshine! Stop Giving God Substitutes and Sacrifices, He Wants You To Surrender Your Heart And Obey!

Obedience Day 2

1 Samuel 15:22 NLT ~ “But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”

Have you ever tried to make up for your disobedience by doing a good deed? Let me make this plain, you ignored God’s directions, and you tried to compensate by increasing your giving, your serving and by going to Sunday service more! Yes, these are good acts, but they don’t and cannot take the place of a surrendered heart to God! Psalm 51:16-17 (NIV) – “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”

In this passage, Samuel confronts King Saul after he disobeys God’s direct command. John 14:15 (NIV) – “If you love me, keep my commands.” God told Saul to destroy everything, yet he used his mind and made an executive decision on his own, to spare the best livestock. And then he tried to justify his actions by claiming he would offer them as a sacrifice to God. (You can’t give God what you want Him to have, it’s what He wants you to give Him!) When God says get destroy something, He means it! 

Do you know what surrender means? Maybe that’s where the problem lies. Surrender means that you trust that God’s way is better than your own way. It means letting go of control, excuses, and anything that keeps you from fully obeying Him. No more sacrifices, no more substitutes, just choose to surrender! 

God used Samuel to make it clear to King Saul that He values obedience more than any offering you could ever give Him. Stop trying to give God a substitute in the place of your obedience by doing religious acts like King Saul! King Saul thought he could substitute obedience with sacrifice by sparing the best livestock and then wanted to give it God! (You can’t give God what He told you to get rid of and then call it good!) Luke 6:46 (NIV) – “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Samuel reminded him that God desired obedience, not sacrifices! 

You see when you offer God excuses or partial obedience, you have not surrendered fully to Him. God wants your hearts more than your ritual! True faith is walking in step with His Will, and not just performing an outward act of devotion. When God says step, you step and when He says stop you stop! If there is an area where you’ve been offering sacrifices and substitutes instead of surrendering, today is the day to repent and realign. Choose obedience, and trust that God’s way is always the best way! 

God is not looking for negotiations, He is calling for your total Surrender! There have been so many times that you have try to offer Him something else in place of what He actually asked you for! You can’t give Him more time in ministry and ignore His command to love and forgive others! You cannot increase your giving and refuse to step out in faith when He calls you into ministry. I know these substitutions may look good on the surface, but they don’t even close to being replacement for what God called you to do, obey! obedience is better than sacrifice! 

Stop trying to give God what you think will please Him instead of what He actually asked you for. He asked you to obey Him! Proverbs 21:3 (NIV) – “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Stop offering Him your time, talents, and money, if you are going to continue being disobedient! He desires, your obedience not your sacrifices and substitutions! He’s looking for you to surrender! Saul’s mistake was not just disobedience; it was the belief that a substitute could satisfy God. Take heed, it didn’t work then and it’s not going to work now! 

True obedience is not about doing what feels easy or good to you, and it’s not convenient, but it’s about yielding fully to God’s Will, even when it costs you something or someone. Are you holding onto something God has asked you to surrender? To let go of. And so instead of giving Him what He asked for, you offered Him a substitute instead of obedience? James 1:22 (NIV) – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” God doesn’t want your empty offerings; He desires your willing heart. Today, let go of your control, lay aside your excuses, and walk fully in surrendering to God as an act of love and obedience! 

Let’s Pray:

Father, Thank You for this beautiful day! I come before You with an open heart, making my declaration that I’m choosing to obey You. Father, I am asking You for strength to walk in complete obedience to Your Will. Father, forgive me for trying it my way, trying to offer you a sacrifice and substitute for what You really want from me. Father, teach me to trust You fully, even when obedience is hard for me to do. Father, remove pride, fear, and hesitation from me so that I can follow You completely. Father, I surrender my will, my desires, and my excuses. No more empty sacrifices, no more empty sacrifices and substitutions, I am giving You my full obedience! Father, help me to recognize Your voice clearly and to respond with a willing heart. Shape me into a vessel that honors You, not just in my actions, but in my daily surrender. May my life reflect true devotion, rooted in faith and trust in Your perfect plan! In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen! 

Blessings…

Love, Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! Not Every Yes Is God’s Yes, Know The Difference!

Proverbs 14:12 ~ “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

In life, there will be opportunities that will present themselves to you, they will sound good, look good, and seem like they’re God-sent! A promotion at work, an invitation to lead a new group, or even the chance to volunteer in a ministry, all these things can appear beneficial on the surface. But have you ever stopped to ask, “Is this God’s will for my life?” For when you say yes to everything that sounds good, you run the risk of stepping out of God’s perfect plan for your life.

Not every door is meant for you to walk through, and not every invitation that you receive is meant to be accepted! (This is a lesson that you don’t want to learn the hard way, and if I can be transparent for a moment, I learned this lesson the hard way one time and that is why I am sharing it with you! You only want God’s yes!) You see sometimes, what seems like a blessing can become a distraction, so you need to always pray for discernment, pause and be patient and allow God time to speak to you! And please whatever you do, don’t overcommit yourself because you want to please someone, for this will leave you overwhelmed, burnt out, discouraged and disconnected from God!

I want to tell you a story about a young lady and a seasoned woman. There was a young lady who was sitting in a waiting room, her knee bouncing with impatience. She had sent out three job applications last week and had not heard anything back. She felt like her prayers had been met with silence! She felt like God had forgotten all about her. A seasoned woman who was sitting by her said, “Sounds like you’re waiting on something big,” the woman said kindly. She gave the seasoned woman a weak smile; and said “I’ve been praying for weeks, and nothing is moving. I’m trying, but I just don’t understand why God hasn’t answered yet.”

The seasoned woman leaned forward in the chair; her voice soft but steady. “Honey, do you know how long Joseph waited after God gave him the dream that he’d lead others?” She shook her head no. Then the seasoned woman said, “Thirteen years, and most of that time, he was in prison or bondage. But Joseph never lost his faith, and in God’s perfect timing, he went from the pit to the palace.” (Read Genesis chapters 37-50). So, did you read and hear that, he went from the pit to the palace, thirteen years later, he had to wait on God! Take notes, sometimes you have to wait for the promise! Joseph trusted God, even when he was crying out in his darkest moments, he remained faithful, trusting that God was working even when nothing seemed to be happening.

Here is a lesson you need to learn in life, God’s delays are not His denials. Sometimes He says, ‘Pause.’ Sometimes, ‘Be patient.’ And He says to always, ‘Pray.’ (Ephesians 6:18 & 1 Thessalonians 5:17)! For when you rush ahead of His timing, you might settle for less than what He has prepared for you. But when you wait, His plan will exceed anything that you can imagine! Yes, it is easy to want a quick answer and instant solutions, but is this really God’s Will for your life? When you find yourself here, remember this scripture, Isaiah 40:31, “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.” This verse will carry you through tough times and remind you of the Word of God that you had forgotten, to trust God!

The seasoned woman smiled and shared one last thought. “Waiting isn’t just sitting around doing nothing, it’s about actively trusting God while you wait and worship. While you wait, serve others. While you wait, let God refine you. The waiting season is often where God prepares you for the blessing to come.” Consider Jesus Christ life, He had endless opportunities to say yes to people, miracles, and ministry, but He didn’t allow Himself to be led by popularity, urgency, or pressure. Instead, He was led by His Father, John 5:19, Jesus said, “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.” Even Jesus aligned His yes with God’s direction. Let your yes align with God and you won’t say yes to the wrong thing!

When you lean into God and seek Him in prayer, He will guide you towards what is truly meant for you. Saying yes to His plans, whether big or small, will yield peace, provision, and purpose. Saying yes to everything else often results in chaos, regret, or wasted time. You need to learn how to Pause and Pray! Ask God for clarity and guidance, Proverbs 3:6 reminds us, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Learn the Word of God so that you are not carried off astray by the world! Be Obedient, and when God says go, step forward! When He says no or wait, trust Him! Learn your place in His plan! The Lord has a unique role for you, and when you remain faithful to it, you create room for His blessings to overflow in your life. God honors those who trust Him, even when they have to say no to someone or something that seemingly sounds or looks good. Remember, if it’s not God’s yes, it’s not your yes!

So, the young lady closed her eyes and whispered a prayer, “Father, forgive me for my impatience. Help me to trust You and wait on Your perfect plan. Teach me to worship while I wait, knowing You are faithful to Your promises.” And it was at that moment when she opened her eyes, and she noticed the room seemed quieter, her thoughts were aligned to God’s Word and she heard the seasoned woman say these words, “Pause. Be Patient. Pray.” The young lady may have not had all the answers, but she had the peace of God! She realized the waiting season wasn’t a punishment for her, it was preparation for what God had in store for her, and it would be worth the wait, and she was ready to walk forward in faith, trusting Him with her future. So, today are you ready? To Pause! Be Patient! Pray Always! Await the Promises! For His Word over you is true, trust the process and await the promise!

Let’s Pray:
Father, Thank You for being a God of wisdom and order. Help me to discern the difference between a good opportunity and Your Perfect Will. Teach me to listen for Your guidance before saying yes to anything. Give me Your peace when I need to say no and strength to follow where You lead. May my obedience bring You Glory and bless the path You’ve prepared for me. Thank You Father for reminding me that life’s timing is not my own. Help me to stop and be still when I’m overwhelmed, to embrace Your patience in my seasons of waiting, and to come to You in prayer with every concern. Teach me to trust You fully, knowing that Your ways are higher than mine. Strengthen my faith as I wait, and let my life be a testimony of Your faithfulness. Father, Thank You for sustaining and strengthening me through this process. Father, as I am praying today, I invite You into every area of my life and I pray that You will align my heart’s desires with Your Will, Philippians 4:6 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Father it is through prayer, that I acknowledge that I can’t do it all on my own. Father, I surrender my plans and worries to You, for You hold my future in Your Hands. Father, Thank You for reminding me that the waiting season is never wasted when I put my trust in You. Help me to pause and rest in Your Presence, to be patient as You work behind the scenes, and to pray with confidence at all times, knowing that You hear me, I trust that Your plans for me are good and pleasing to You. In Jesus Christ Name. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! You Have Been Delivered To Be Developed For Your Destiny And His Glory!

2 Corinthians 5:17 ~ “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Have you ever prayed that you could have a new life? Sometimes the thought of just waking up to a brand-new morning, with no problems no obstacles, sounds so good, you just want a new day full of nothing but God’s promises, this sounds so good, doesn’t it! Here are three things I want to say about this, if you think that you are not going to have any problems you are wrong. If you have grown up in church all of your life and not in Jesus Christ and just knowing about the promises and receiving the promises are on a different spectrum all together, and if you have problems and you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, that’s an even greater problem! Choose today who you will serve, Joshua 24:15!

You see in this life you will have trials and tribulations, the Word of God said it, John 16:33. So you need Jesus Christ to help you walk through this, you cannot do it alone. When you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savor, your salvation becomes sealed and secured, Romans 10:9-11! In that moment a miracle takes place in your life that establishes your life changing! In that instant, Jesus Christ rescued you from the bondage of sin and brought you into a new life with Him. But this is not where it ends, this is just the beginning of your deliverance! Deliverance is only the beginning; development must follow!

There it is, you said yes, you got baptized and that’s it, you thought everything would automatically fall into place! You thought your life would change immediately, no more doing or thinking the wrong things, that’s not how it works, now you have to let Word of God do the work of changing you. It’s like someone saying they want to run track, saying it is only half the battle, you actually have to train, be disciplined and then run, you don’t run first and then become disciplined and trained! You accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, now you need to be developed in the Word!

Consider the Israelites journey to exodus from Egypt; God delivered them with mighty signs and wonders, yet they didn’t walk straight into the Promised Land. Instead, they embarked on a wilderness journey where their faith was tested, their hearts were purified, and their dependency on God was established. They were delivered from Egypt, but it took time to develop their trust and obedience to God. It is going to take you some time to be developed in the Word of God, because you have been living according to the world standards and there is a difference. You want to be developed in the Word of God, then this requires daily communication and interactions with Him! You have to move away from the world thinking to thanking God for His Word!

It takes time for you to develop trust in God, because this kind of trust is supernatural, for it is a production of God’s indwelling Spirit being activated on the inside of you. So, when you have God and things seem like they are going all wrong in your life, put your trust in Him anyway, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5, for you are being developed in Him and He is not concerned with the right circumstances, but He’s concerned about your right response to Him when He comes your way, and no matter what comes your way, He got it, and He’s got you too!

Think about this when you were delivered from sin, you were saved by grace. God desires to clean you up, mold you, teach you, and shape you into the likeness of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). This renewal is an ongoing process that involves surrender, obedience, and a hunger for God’s Word daily, you can never get enough of the Word, the more you read it, the more you will desire it, the more you desire it to more of it you will have!

Your development will happen in your seasons of waiting or testing. It’s during these moments that God refines your character, deepens your faith, and teaches you to rely fully on Him. Philippians 1:6 reminds us of this truth: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” If you’ve been delivered, rejoice, because you are on your way to being developed for your destiny! God is using His Word, to grow you and develop you into His likeness! You Are being delivered to developed in God! Let’s read today’s scripture again, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

That’s says it all! When you choose Jesus Christ, you get a new life because of what He did, He Died and Rose again, and because you made that  your choice, His Spirit lives on the inside of you now, and you are a new creation, delivered, developed, devoted and destined to be a disciple of Jesus Christ! Now all of your tomorrows are full of hope and promises, and His most sacred promise is to dwell within you because you have declared Him as your Lord and Savior, delivered and developed for your destiny and for His Glory!

Let’s Pray:
Jesus, I thank You for making me a new creation in You. Your life is now mine life, help me live my life knowing Your promises, and that my old ways are no more. Father, Thank You for delivering me from the chains of sin and giving me a new life in Jesus Christ. Father, help me to submit to Your process of development, trusting that You are shaping me for Your Glory. Teach me to follow You daily, to embrace the work of the Holy Spirit, and to study the Word of God daily as I am being developed into the person You’ve called me to be. Give me patience in the process, endurance in trials, and a heart that remains faithful to Your Will. Strengthen my faith when I feel weak, renew my hope when I grow weary, and fill me with Your peace when I feel overwhelmed. Father, surround me with godly counsel and community to encourage and guide me as I am being developed in You. Father, let my life reflect Your love and truth, not for my own sake but for Your Glory. Father, develop in me the fruits of the Spirit so that I can bring light to others and glorify Your name in all I do. Thank You for Your unending faithfulness, Your constant Presence, and the assurance that You will complete the work You’ve started in me and that You are the LORD of my life, and You are more powerful than my past, present, or future self could ever be! In Jesus Name. Amen!

Blessings…
Love Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! Stay In Step With The Spirit Of God!

Galatians 5:25 AMP ~ “If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].”

Keeping in step with the Spirit is not about striving in your own strength. It’s about yielding to God’s power working in you. As Jesus said in John 15:5, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” When you rely on the Spirit, He equips you to live lives that reflect God’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

I want to tell you a story about staying in step. “There was a young lady who loved to run track. Every morning, she would lace up her shoes and hit the trails, she found peace in the rhythm of her footsteps. One day, someone suggested she run with a partner, one with more experience to help her improve her form.  As they began to run together, she noticed that her pace was steady and disciplined, and she wanted to run ahead, and leave her. And every time she did that the other runner, would call her out, “Stay with me and Trust the rhythm.” So, she slowed down, but she wondered how she could ever reach her goal by running at this pace. After weeks of running together, she began to see a Shift. (When you follow God and not you, you will start seeing the Shift.) Her breathing became easier, her strides stronger, and she finished her runs more energized than exhausted. She realized that the steady rhythm had been guiding her all along, helping her move with precision rather than wasting energy on her own scattered efforts.”

I told you this long story just to say this to you! This is how you Walk in Step with the Spirit! Stay the pace even when you feel tempted to run ahead. For when you Trust the Spirit’s leading, you stay aligned with His timing, for He will bring strength, endurance, and peace to your journey! God is calling you to not rush ahead or be impatience or to hesitate in fear but to walk closely by His side, trusting His perfect pace. As Psalm 37:23 reminds us, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.” When you stay in step with God, your path may not always feel fast or easy, but it will always be right. Staying in step with the Spirit of God requires intentionality on your part.

Staying in sync with the Spirit isn’t always easy, but you can do it when you let Him set the pace and you follow. There are so many distractions in this world, the busyness of life, and the pull of your own desires can make you drift off course. That’s why Paul also reminds you in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” When you renew your mind in God’s Word and spend time in prayer, you are recalibrating your steps to align with His. It’s a conscious choice to start your day seeking Him, and His plans, it’s your place of surrender and trusting that His wisdom far exceeds your own. It means being sensitive to His whispers in your heart, nudging you to show love, grace, kindness, patience, or forgiveness, even when you feel like it is inconvenient or undeserved.

Consider the relationship between a shepherd and sheep. In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” The sheep who follow closely behind their shepherd are safe and secure, walking the best path for their well-being. The same is true for you when you follow the Spirit’s leading. He guides you away from danger, redirects you when you stray, and leads you to the abundant life God has prepared! Keeping in step with the Spirit requires you to show up for yourself each day and begin in praise, prayer, and worship and inviting the Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions, and by spending time in God’s Word to build a foundation for you to recognize His voice!

Create moments of stillness in your daily routine to hear His gentle whispers and be quick to obey when He nudges you, even if it challenges your comfort zone. Surround yourself with a community of believers who encourage your faith and challenge you to grow spiritually. Reflect on areas where you may be tempted to run ahead of the Spirit in impatience or lag behind in fear. Ask yourself if there are places in your life where you’ve tuned out His guidance and take practical steps to deepen your sensitivity to His leading. These small, consistent actions can help you realign your life with the Spirit’s rhythm and experience His peace and Presence daily!

Walking with God requires more than occasional obedience; it’s about a daily rhythm, a continuous connection to His Spirit. When Paul encourages you, the believers to “keep in step with the Spirit,” he is describing a picture of a lifestyle of surrender and submission to God’s divine guidance, Will, Presence, and to be aligned to His purpose! It is about letting the Spirit guide your steps in every aspect of your life, your thoughts, your decisions, and your actions. Imagine a marching band where each marcher is in perfect sync. The beauty lies not in individual talent but in collective unity with the drumbeat. The Holy Spirit is your divine conductor, setting the rhythm of your life. Yet, how often do you try to march to the beat of your own desires instead of yielding to God’s gentle leading? Get your steps together and follow God!

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father! Father, thank You for the gift of Your Spirit, who gives life and guides my every step. Forgive me for the times when I’ve followed my own plans instead of seeking Your will. Help me to tune my heart to Your voice and to remain sensitive to Your direction. Transform my desires so they align with Yours. Lord, fill me with Your Spirit so that I may bear fruit that brings glory to You. Father, teach me to trust You more deeply, even when I don’t understand the path ahead. Keep me grounded in Your Word, and let it be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). Surround me with godly counsel and encouragement, so that I can walk steadfastly in the way You’ve called me. Help me to remain patient when I’m tempted to run ahead and courageous when I feel like I’m falling behind. Father, Thank You for walking beside me, for going ahead of me, and for working all things for my good and Your Glory! Father, may my life be a reflection of Your Spirit at all times, living in Your peace, sharing Your love, and glorifying Your Name is where I want to be found! In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean
Have A Blessed Weekend…

Good Morning Sunshine! You Are Secure, For His Everlasting Arms Got You!

Deuteronomy 33:27 NKJV ~ “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, ‘Destroy!”

Have you ever felt like you were navigating your life from the position of a tightrope high above the ground? And with every step you took, it required you to have courage, to focus, and to trust Him. For the weight of fear and doubt tried to sway you, and made you wondered “What if I fall? What if the rope breaks?” But then you remembered, God’s promise to you, that His Everlasting Arms are underneath you, ready to catch, support, and guide you, overtook that negative thought. So, when the weight of the world tries to threaten you and cause you to lose balance, you won’t fall, because you know that you know that your God got you! And this is exactly what today’s scripture is for, to remind you that God will not let you fall! His Everlasting Arms are there to catch you! Deuteronomy 33:27 paints a vivid picture of God as your refuge and steady foundation. His arms aren’t just there as an afterthought, they are everlasting, and strong enough to uphold you no matter how heavy the burden or difficult the journey. You don’t have to walk the tightrope alone; His Presence surrounds and sustains you.

Isaiah 26:3-4, is there also to remind you of the peace that comes with trusting in the Lord, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.” As you take each step, set your mind and heart on God. He is both the strength beneath your feet and the stillness in your soul. Not only does God steady you, but He also fights for you. God is and has assured you time and time again that He will thrusts out your enemy before you and speaks destruction over anything that seeks to harm His children! He will run away your enemy, fear, failure, or opposition, or anything else that may try to shake you, God has already cleared the path and declared victory on your behalf!

Psalm 46:1 reinforces this truth, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” No matter how narrow the tightrope feels, the eternal God walks with you. His arms catch every stumble and steady every step. God’s everlasting arms are more than a safety net; they are the foundation beneath your entire life! God doesn’t just catch you when you fall, He carries you while you walk, even when you feel too weak to take another step, He got you. “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31!

As you walk through life’s challenges, His strength ensures that you are never left to balance your life alone. Trust in Him to steady your steps and to hold you securely in His care. The tightrope isn’t just about balance; it’s often about navigating the storms that rage around you. When the winds howl, and the rope seems too thin to hold you, remember, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most-High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2! His shadow is your place of protection. His arms are your place of peace. Even as the storms rage, you are safe in His refuge and He will give you victory over your enemy for He promises, “The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:14!

Rest in the knowledge that every battle is already in His hands. So, be confident when you are walking on life’s tightrope, don’t rely on your own strength to keep you upright, ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6! Learn to lean into the steady Presence of God. He is not only your safety net but also your guide, leading you step by step! Take your next step with confidence. The eternal God is not only watching from above; His arms are underneath you, His Spirit is within you, and His victory is before you. You’re safe in His care. Walk boldly, knowing you are never alone!

Let’s Pray:

Thank You Father! Thank You for being my refuge and my strength. Thank You for Your everlasting arms that hold me, sustain me, and carry me through life’s most difficult moments. When the path ahead seems uncertain, remind me that I can trust You completely to go before me, thrust out every enemy, and make my way straight. Father, when fear and doubt creep in, help me to fix my eyes on You, the author and finisher of my faith. Strengthen me when I feel weak and renew my spirit when I feel weary. Guard my heart from the lies of the enemy and fill my mind with Your truth and promises. Surround me with Your peace that surpasses all understanding and silence the storms that threaten to shake my faith. Father, I ask that You guide my every step and help me to walk in obedience to Your Will. Father, reveal the paths You have prepared for me and give me wisdom to follow them faithfully. Teach me to lean on Your understanding and not my own. Strengthen my trust in Your perfect timing, even when my circumstances seem uncertain. Father, I surrender every burden, every fear, and every challenge into Your hands, knowing that You are more than able to carry me through. Thank You for Your faithfulness and unfailing love. Thank You for Your everlasting arms that are always underneath me, keeping me safe and secure. May my life be a reflection of Your Glory and Your Goodness! In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…

Love, Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! Just Wait, The Darkroom Is A Part Of The Process To DEVELOP You!

Romans 5:1-5 NIV ~ “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. [3] Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

You are being developed in the darkroom! I know I have been writing about the photographer for three days now, but I had to give you everything that He’s been giving me. This is the final part of how a photographer turns a moment into a picture. When a true photographer captures a moment on film, he has to take it to the darkroom where the red light is to produce the picture!

He uses a certain red light (thank You God for the Blood of Jesus!) That red light illuminates the room so that what’s on the film can be transferred to paper as it is being dipped in and out of tray after tray and solution after solution! The transformation is happening in the process right before your very eyes!  (Remember, sometimes you are so busy looking for it, that you don’t see it!) And it’s done this way on purpose, because if you expose unprocessed film to a bright light, it will be ruined! This is the only way you can get what’s on in the inside of film onto the blank photo paper, you have to it subject it to the darkness!

As the paper is being moved from tray to tray, the image begins to emerge. The process takes time, you must be prepared to be patient and precise during this process! And throughout this entire process the room must stay dark, so that the captured moments don’t get lost. Because if someone opens the door to the darkroom while the transformation process is underway, the light will mess up every piece of film that the photographer has captured.

And more than the pictures being ruined; all of the time taken to capture those special memories, all the little intricate details, those one-of-a-kind moments would be gone and not to mention all of the time and effort that was invested would be wasted! Those photographic one-of-a-kind lifetime memories would never again be recaptured, they would be lost forever, only etched in the corridors of the photographer’s mind.

The darkness of that dark room made the proper development of those pictures possible so that everything else necessary to produce a memorable moment to look upon forever could happen. He needed the darkroom; you need a darkroom to be processed for gifts that God put in you to come forward! I know it’s hard to see it right now, but trust the process of God, He knows what best for you! For what you see now is not as important as what you don’t see, for what is seen is temporary, but that which is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ~ “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

God allowed the darkroom to develop you into who you are right now, and you still have some more growing to do! So, when you are experiencing the darknesses of life, failures, losses, challenges, sicknesses, loneliness, separations, disappointments, and deaths; I want you to look at it through the “Red” of the Blood of Jesus! It’s what today’s scripture says, “you have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I am sharing this because with you because you may be in the midst of darkness and your cry to God is, “Why are you forsaking me.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”) it is in the place of processing that in all actuality, you are unprocessed and if the light appears before your time is up, it will ruin you! (Remember, what you read yesterday, stop looking for your spotlight and wait on God to shine in you and through you!)

This is why God is allowed you to sit in the darkroom so long, He wants what’s on the inside of you to be fully processed and developed, so that all of your details could be seen clearly! So, I need you to be patient with God, like the photographer who has to wait it out in the darkroom and watch as God takes the time to develop the picture of your life that He’s taken. Don’t rush through any of the stages; don’t open the door too soon, endure every submerging, for it is for your good and the Glory of Your Father!

In prayer on Friday, February 23, 2024, Apostle Comery said this, “Process, Preparation and Purpose; you have to embrace the season of process in your life while God is preparing you for your place of purpose. Where you are being processed is not your place of purpose, you just had to be processed in that place!” This is the darkroom experience! I know that it may be painful to wait in there while the work is going on, but you can do it! God will give you the strength.

Have you ever looked at the stars? When and how did you see them? You can only see them at night! Stars can’t shine without darkness. Embrace every challenge as an opportunity to reveal your inner light and strength. Keep pushing forward, for your brightest days will follow your toughest journeys! So, remember the next time that you are in a dark place, it’s to prepare you for the shine, because you can’t shine without darkness preparing the way for you! Embrace your darkroom experience today and know that it is making you shine brighter for all the world to see your Father Light of Love in you!

In September last year, my dear friend, Pastor Tiffany White said this, “The Pain of the darkroom has Propelled you into your Purpose!” Only when the process is complete will you be fully developed and His image emerges through you, for you and others to see Him in you! Now when the process is complete, God will open the door and you will walk out transformed and brand new, and you will have done been dipped in the Blood of Jesus Christ, making sure that you ready for use! Now your Season of Waiting in the darkroom is Over! It’s your Breakthrough Season!

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father for a new day! Thank You for watching over me and my family through the dark hours and You rose me up to a brand-new day, one that I have never seen before and one that I will never see again. Help me to use every moment to be a blessing to someone else. Father, Your Word is where my hope lives, it is my all and all, my anchor and firm foundation! My whole being waits for You, Father I thank You for the work You’re actively doing in my life. And I trust that whether or not I can see what’s taking place, it will all work for my good and Your Glory. Father, I humble myself before the Throne of Grace and I ask in the Name of Jesus for you to grant me comfort in these darkroom moments. Father, I pray for every crushed spirit that is sitting in a room of darkness right now, send Your peace to cover them right now. Father, allow Your armor of light to shine over their lives. Father, You said in 2 Peter 1:19 “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” So, Father, I call on You, as You are the only way through this process. Father, I thank You for this refining place, the place where you are preparing to propel me for Your service, may I serve You well. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! You Are A Masterpiece Made In Secret, By The MASTER Himself! 


Isaiah 64:8 ~ “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” 

I know we talked about the photographer in the darkroom on yesterday, but there is more to this story; and you will understand it better by and by! Here in a dark quiet confined darkroom, a photographer starts the process off with a blank piece of paper that will be used to develop His captured image on. That blank piece of photo paper goes through many stages before you can actually tell what the picture is! First things first, it has to be submerged in a shallow tray of solution. 

To an untrained eye, it may seem like nothing is happening, because the process is slow and tedious. Yet, in the faint glow of the red light, the photographer knows that the picture is being formed. The shadows and light begin to emerge, it’s blurry at first but slowly it becomes clearer. The paper is delicately moved through a sequence of chemicals, each step drawing out more of the image’s detail. Any rushing or carelessness could ruin the photograph entirely, but the photographer waits patiently. It’s in that isolated darkroom, that the Master brings the masterpiece to the light! 

Just as the photographer has raw material so does the potter! In these quiet, unseen places, God does His most profound work! Let’s look at the Potter, he’s in small studio filled with the earthy scent of wet clay, as he sits at his wheel. His hands press firmly yet gently into the clay, shaping it with each turn of the wheel. The clay, rough and unyielding at first, and it seems to resist the potter’s touch, but he remains patient, coaxing it into shape; water splashes and bits of clay fling off as the wheel spins faster, making the process seem even more messy and chaotic. 

Yet, the potter never loses his focus. He sees what the clay cannot, a masterpiece waiting to emerge! He reshapes all of the imperfections and smooths out all of the rough edges with care. When the form is complete, he places the vessel in the kiln. The intense heat feels like too much to bear, but the fire is necessary, it strengthens the clay and brings out its beauty. Without it, the vessel would remain fragile and incomplete, never fulfilling its purpose of becoming a masterpiece! 

So, are you trying to see what the photographer and the potter have in common. Let me tell you! They both reveal the same truth; it happens within the Process! Transformation is a process! It requires pressure, heat, patience, waiting, and trust. The stages may seem messy and chaotic at times, and sometimes it may seem like the process is never going to end! The photographer is in the darkroom and cannot let any light in and the potter has placed his work on a in the hot Kiln and he can’t stop it or turn it off, it’s got to go through the process! This is the essential part of becoming! For in the end, the vessel and the photograph remind us that the Master sees the final masterpiece long before you can. You have to trust that in the Master’s Hands, He knows how to transform you into a masterpiece and ready for use! 

Both the potter and the photographer teach us the same truth, transformation takes time, and the most beautiful creations requires the most patience and trust, and the process often feels very difficult. But be assured that the Master’s Hands are at work even when you can’t see the masterpiece. He knew you, before you were even formed, He knows what the finish product will look like! You are fearfully and wonderfully made, Psalm 139:14!

Both of these processes involve an unseen, intimate space where transformation can happen, and it will be out of the view of others! God’s work in your life will happen in secret, far away from the spotlight! (So, stop looking for a stage or spotlight to be on you, there isn’t one in this place!) God is working on you in your hidden place, through your trials, challenges, relationships, ministries, solitude, and reflection. These are the moments where He refines your character, teaching you to trust in His timing. It’s in the spaces that are closest to you that God is closest to you, loving you and shaping the details of your life. “You knit me together in my mother’s womb… my frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place” (Psalm 139:13, 15)! It’s in this space where God is lovingly shaping the details of your life. Nobody else can do you like the Lord! 

The clay and the photograph don’t always understand what the Potter and the Photographer are doing, but the vessel and the photo doesn’t have any other choice but to trust the Maker! They have a trust the hands that hold it. (You have to trust the Hands of God, for He is your creator, from beginning to end and all things in the middle! There is nothing about you that God doesn’t know! So, you may not understand why God allows certain circumstances in your life, but you can trust that His plan is perfect and His work in you is good! 

Today you need to know that you are being refined in the hidden place! God is increasing your resilience and endurance through the heat! For without the fire and shadows, your faith and character might remain incomplete. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Be intentional and patient with yourself and God! (You are right where God wants you!) You see the potter doesn’t rush the clay, nor does the photographer skip steps in developing the photograph. They know that good work takes time and effort. Likewise, God’s work in you is patiently shaping and refining you to reflect His Image and Glory. 

Just know this even when the process seems like it’s taking too long or going too slow, don’t worry, you can trust His timing and purpose. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). Both the potter and the photographer reveal God’s deep love and care for you as His own child. This is to remind you that while transformation may involve difficulty, discomfort, and waiting, you are in the Hands of the Master who saw the beauty and purpose in His masterpiece, “You” long before you are brought out of hiding! 

Let’s Pray:

Thank You Father! Thank You! You are the Master Creator, the One who lovingly shapes and forms me in ways that I may not always understand. Father, Thank You for seeing the potential in me even when I could not see it in myself. Teach me to yield to Your hands, trusting that every push, pull, and smoothing stroke has a purpose. And when I face the heat of trials or the darkness of waiting, remind me that You are not finished with me yet. Father, help me to have patience for Your process and faith to know that You are working all things out together for my good and Your glory. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Father, help me to trust the secret places where You are refining my heart, teaching me humility and dependence on You! Father, strengthen me when I feel fragile, and give me hope when I feel broken, knowing that even in the hardest moments, Your plans are good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Father, mold me into a vessel that can carry Your Anointing and Presence! Father, refine me until I reflect Your light to a world that needs You. May my life be a living testament to Your creativity, Grace, and Power. Father, I surrender to You, and I am confident that You see the masterpiece You are forming on the inside of me for such a time as this! For everything is done in Your timing, (Ecclesiastes 3:11!) in Jesus Christ Name. Amen! 

Blessings…

Love, Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! Close The Door And Trust What God Says To Do In Secret, That You Might Receive Openly!

Thank You Father, for this devotional being developed in the darkroom, may it bless every heart and eye that sees it today, in Jesus Name!

Matthew 6:6 NKJV~ “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Have you ever felt invisible, as though the progress you’re making or the struggles you’re enduring go unnoticed? Be encouraged: what’s unseen by others is not unseen by God. Just as a seed germinates in the hidden depths of the soil before bursting forth into the sunlight, so too does the Lord’s work in you blossom at the appointed time.

Let’s talk about what happens when a photographer goes into the darkroom! When a photographer develops film, the process doesn’t happen in the glare of bright light but in the still, dark confines of the darkroom. It’s in that unseen space where hidden details emerge, shadows blend into substance, and the artist’s work becomes visible. The darkroom isn’t a place of chaos or neglect it’s a space of intentionality, precision, and transformation. Likewise, God’s work in your life may unfold outside of public eyes, it is going to happen in the quiet and private spaces where only He can see you!

Our scripture is the prelude into the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13) and it is there to remind you that your growth, transformation, and connection to the God thrives in those unseen moments of prayer and devotion. What’s done in secret is your place of intimacy with God. When you pray, close the door. This directive implies more than physical separation from the world; it is telling you to shut out distractions, quiet your restless mind, and meet God heart-to-heart. The unseen room, whether it’s a real space or a still moment in your day, becomes the sacred ground where God’s love holds you and molds you!

What is cultivated in secret carries the greatest reward; (this is not about man’s award to you) this is about God and what Rewards He has just for you! In those quiet places, you will discover that the holding power of God’s Word is greater than the pressures of this world! When you choose to prioritize your unseen communion with your Father, He aligns your desires with His purpose, (Philippians 2:13!) He strengthens you for the public battles and blesses you in ways far beyond what you could imagine.

Sometimes, though, the waiting can feel long, and the unseen work can feel heavy. But it is during these seasons that God wants you to take heart to what is said in the Word, Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Trust that God’s timeline is perfect, and His plans for you, though hidden now, will bear fruit in due season! The work that God has begun in secret is a promise of the abundant harvest to come to come into your life! So, remember 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” In your hidden moments, know that you are never alone; God cares deeply and is always at work!

So, when you feel like you are having a darkroom moment, ask God to help you be still and not fidget, just know that He is shaping you and your faith for the journey ahead!  You need to be intentional during this time and seek God in prayer and stillness. You also need to trust God completely of every area of your life that you feel is being hidden or you are uncertain of it! God is holding you in the secret place! Trust the work that He is doing in you in your secret place! You’re hidden, but you are being held in the Hands of God! Just imagine how you are going to look and feel when He finishes developing you!

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father! Thank You Father, for allowing me another day! Thank You for seeing me, even in the quietest and most hidden parts of my life. Father forgive me for not trusting You in the darkroom when and where You were developing me for my destiny! Father, help me to trust Your work in those unseen places of my heart. Teach me to rest in Your Presence,  and to receive Your Peace and to know that You are holding and transforming me into the who and what You’ve called me to be! Father, strengthen and stir up my faith when I’m tempted to doubt, and give me the patience to wait for Your perfect timing. Father, help me to fully surrender all of my anxieties to You, trusting in Your care and provision as my one and only true Provider! Father, may my time spent in secret with You overflow into a life that glorifies You publicly. Father, grant me the courage to trust You even when I don’t understand the process, knowing that You are working all things out for Your Glory and for my good. Father, and most importantly help me to remember that the hidden work that You are doing in my heart will one day bring me home to You and for Your Glory. In Jesus Christ Name. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! It’s Time To See Pass What You Are Looking For, So That You Can See It!

1 Kings 18:41-44 NIV ~ “And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” [42] So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. [43] “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” [44] The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.”

Have you ever prayed fervently for something but felt discouraged when you didn’t see any visible sign of it? It’s so easy to be discouraged when you are looking at circumstances through your natural eyes and you can’t see anything with your spiritual eyes yet! But God! I was listening to a sermon today by Pastor Tomi Arayomi, called “This Is That Moment” and he said that we are always looking with our natural eyes, so we miss seeing what God wants us to see with our spiritual eyes!” Stop looking and start seeing! (I will attach the sermon at the end)! 

Let’s get back to the devotion. In this story of Elijah praying for rain, it shows you the importance of seeing with spiritual eyes through faith in God’s promises, rather than being limited by what you can perceive with our natural eyes and senses. In 1 Kings 18, the land of Israel had suffered a severe drought for three years. The heavens were like bronze, and the ground was parched. But Elijah, held on to the Word of God, he knew that rain was coming! After defeating Ahab’s prophets of Baal and calling the people back to God, Elijah went to the top of Mount Carmel, bowed down to the ground and put his head between his knees and prayed earnestly for rain to come! 

Elijah sent his servant to look toward the sea for any sign of rain. He went six times, and each time he brought back the same report “There is nothing.” However, Elijah was persistent, and not because the skies looked promising, but because he had a promise from God. So, he told him to go back and look again, this is the seventh time, and this time the servant returned a different tune, he saw a small cloud, no larger than a man’s hand, rising from the sea!  He was no longer looking; he saw the evidence that rain was coming! (Just wait, you will see the hand of the Lord move on your behalf!) That tiny cloud was enough for Elijah to know that the rain was imminent. Why? Because Elijah wasn’t looking at the natural circumstances; he was seeing the fulfillment of God’s promise with spiritual eyes! 

There is a story about a Pastor, who planted a bamboo tree. For five years, there was no sign of growth, yet he faithfully tended to it and watered it every day. He explained that even though nothing was happening on the surface, the bamboo was growing deep roots underground. Then in the sixth year, the bamboo shot up over 80 feet tall! For six years, nothing! For Elijah six attempts, nothing, the servant saw no evidence of change, but Elijah knew God was working! Say it with me, on the seventh look, the small cloud appeared, and it ushered in an abundant downpour! God is building something greater in you and He has to make sure your roots are strong, fortified and connected beneath the surface in your life! He has to strengthen your faith, prepare circumstances, and align the people and opportunities that you need before you are seen!

I know it’s easy to give up when you don’t see immediate results, but I want you to be like Elijah and the bamboo planter, you must be persistent! Trust that God’s promises are never void and that the “rain” He has spoken over your life is coming, be patient! It’s in His Timing! Today, when you look at your life don’t be discouraged by what you are looking at with your natural eyes? See the rain coming in your finances, your relationships, and in those unanswered prayers. I know that your human sight can fail to detect the evidence of God’s Hand at first, but just remember It’s never nothing, but it’s coming soon! You will see! Trust the Process of God! Remember, what the Word of God says in, Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith invites you to align your vision with God’s Word rather than your circumstances.

Elijah is teaching you to pray persistently and expectantly, even when you don’t see immediate results. Like him, you can trust that the God who spoke the promise will fulfill it in His perfect timing! The cloud may seem small and insignificant, but it carries the potential for an abundant outpouring! Pray persistently and refuse to give up, even when you see no immediate results. Trust that God is working behind the scenes and around the corner! Be on the lookout to see the small signs of His faithfulness, no matter how little it may seem. Celebrate the glimpses of hope as evidence that God’s promises are in motion. Finally, speak words of faith over your circumstances, just as Elijah confidently proclaimed rain before it came. By aligning your actions and words with God’s promises, you position yourself to encounter His abundant blessings in His perfect timing! 

Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Let this reminder strengthen your resolve to pray without ceasing, knowing that persistent faith moves the heart and hand of God. Today, ask yourself, are you focusing only on the “nothing” you see, or are you standing in faith for the “cloud” of God’s promise? Look again, your breakthrough might already be on the horizon, now tell me what you see! 

Let’s Pray:

Father, thank You! Thank You for opening up my eyes to see a brand new day! It is beautiful and I’m grateful! Thank You Father for being so faithful to Your Word even when my natural eyes cannot see it. You are the God who hears all of my prayers and works in ways beyond me to bring them to pass! Father strengthen my faith to trust Your promises, in every seasons of waiting. Help me to persist in prayer, to look beyond the “nothing” that I see, and to believe that You are working all things together for my good. Father, open my spiritual eyes to recognize the small signs of Your faithfulness and to celebrate them as evidence of what’s to come. And Father, when I grow weary or discouraged, remind me that Your timing is always perfect. Fill me with hope, patience, and joy, knowing that what You have spoken over my life will not return void. Give me the courage to continue praying and trusting, even when the answers feel distant. Father, let Your Spirit empower me to walk in obedience and to speak in faith over my life and circumstances. Father, I am praising You in advance for the rain of Your blessings, for the miracle’s unseen, and for the abundant harvest to come in my life. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen! 

Blessings…

Love, Minister Jean

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THIS IS THAT MOMENT | Tomi Arayomi | Sermon Series