Hope Deferred
Scripture says in Proverbs 13:12 AMP that, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.”
This is to encourage you that if you feel like you’re fainting and weary, praying for that same miracle day in and day out, there’s nothing wrong with you - your feelings are justified. I’ve often cautioned believers who make others feel like they lack faith because they are expressing distress or frustration about an unanswered prayer. God knows it, sees it and He desires nothing but your true self and feelings so He can address it the way He seems fit for you. When my days of frustration and pain come, I run to God and my human support systems who I know carry me in their spirits and love me unconditionally. One of them is my mother, who has and continues to work God’s vineyard daily. Her faith is enough to carry me when mine is waning.
My prayer for you this week is that God will fulfill the desires of our hearts so we can become the trees of life and exhume hope for others. It is so and so it is in Jesus’ name. Amen!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.
That Which Costs Me Nothing
2 Samuel 24:24 AMP
“But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will certainly buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.” So David purchased the [a]threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.”
When you read 2 Samuel 24, King David took a census of his people and that angered God so He sent plagues to destroy the Israelites. God’s mercy again intervened so king David wanted to build an altar for the Lord. The owner of the threshing floor wanted to give it to him for free. I believe he also wanted to make a sacrifice to God by giving the king what he needed to offer a sacrifice to God on behalf of his people. King David paid for the altar as we see in the scripture above, insisting that every sacrifice he gives to God has to cost him something.
Truth is, God is the creator of everything so what can we really give God that He did not provide for? I have learned through sound mentorship and scriptures that God honors our acts of sacrifice. I have an upcoming conference in Texas and I was discussing with a friend how determined I am to be at the conference to serve, so much so that if it means I have to drive forty hours roundtrip, I am willing to. I ended by telling her that this will be my sacrifice to God and I want God to know that I am determined to sacrifice everything He has given me to be there to serve His purposes and His people.
My encouragement to you this week is this, when you’re too comfortable, you cannot see the power of God so by all means, move God’s heart to move on your behalf. Let this be so and so it is in Jesus’ name. AMEN!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.
Declarations for July 2024
Welcome to the Seventh (7th) month of the year 2024. It is also the beginning of the second half of the year. According to biblical scholars, the number Seven (7) represents completeness and perfection so, whatever God has started or proclaimed over our lives this year, it will be made complete and whole in this month of July. Declare with me:
God, your way is perfect
Your word concerning my proves true
You are a shield for all those who take refuge in you.
Father, you will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
I declare it is so and so it is in Jesus’ name. AMEN!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.