I wish you grace, peace, JOY, perfect love, and REstoration this day and each day

“With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” Psalm 108:13

Four years ago today, I REad today’s devotional by Osteen, “It Will Promote You”, but I’m sure I was of little faith by the message. I was BEginning a new life after walking away from my marriage. The associated scripture from Psalm 108:13 says, “With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” Osteen shared, “In difficult times you have to remind yourself that nothing is a surprise to God. He's already written every day of your life in His book. If you'll stay in faith, your book ends in victory…. That difficulty is not meant to defeat you. It's meant to promote you.” This morning I am REflecting back on my JOurneY and truly see God’s work and His word. What I experienced has made me so much stronger and wiser mentally but most importantly, spiritually. It has also promoted me, from wondering if I could manage a household completely on my own, to doing so with excess at the end of the month. From journals full of confusion, pain and misery, to a book that shares how I went T.H.R.O.U.G.H. (Trials, Hurt, Regrets, Obstacles, Uncertainty, Guilt, Heartbreak) for my breakthrough. From dean then assistant vice president at one institution, to vice president at the nation’s first all women’s HBCU, and from one car to also having my dream car! I could go on and on, but all I have to say this day is walk by faith and trust His ways.

Ezekiel 7

The Lord will judge us according to our conduct and repay us for all our detestable practices” (Ezekiel‬ ‭7:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬).

REflection from How to Live a Joyful Life

Meyer’s message “Grace, Peace, and Joy” is just as timely this morning for me. She says, “To me, grace is God’s freely-given, undeserved favor and power that enables us to do with ease what we could never do on our own with any amount of struggle or self-effort…. and understanding and receiving God’s grace makes it possible for us to live in peace. Regardless of what else anyone may have… it’s worth nothing if they don’t have peace to go along with it. “She goes further to say, “Grace leads to peace, and peace leads to joy. In fact, I don’t think it’s possible to be truly joyful if we are not living in God’s grace and peace. But joy remains steady through ups and downs, even despite what we’d call ‘a bad mood.’ Joy is not determined by circumstances. It is a gift from God, and it follows a life of grace and peace.” Through my walk I have truly experienced and enJOYed the comfort in growing, understanding, and knowing the importance of grace, peace, and JOY. All three are something that are truly gifts by God and His love for us that see us to and T.H.R.O.U.G.H. any situation and circumstance in our lives, and evidence that He’ll work every for our good if we trust in Him.

1 John 4:18

We can find perfect love in Christ Jesus, for with Him we don’t have to walk in fear, but in favor and faith knowing the Father’s love is unconditional and life changing.🙏🏽💚🦋🌈

I wish you grace, peace, JOY, perfect love, and REstoration this day and each day, my friend.