Declarations For November 2024
In the synoptic gospel of Luke, chapter five (5), there’s a story of Jesus ministering the word around lake Gennesaret and in the course of it, He jumped on Simon Peter’s boat and started teaching from the boat. He asked Simon to let down his net for a catch and Simon told Jesus that he’s been hustling all night and has made no catch. All the same, since Jesus asked him to let down his net, he will do it anyway. My dear friend, a miracle ensued right after that.
Here’s my practical assessment of this story, Jesus saw the frustration and fruitlessness in the efforts Simon and his fellows were making. Jesus sees ours as well. Can you imagine going through eleven (11) months this year and yet you have no results to show for your efforts? It can be a scary thing and can discourage you but there’s a God in heaven who sees our efforts and our despair so in this month of November, He is beckoning you and I to not give up and let down our nets one more time.
One more prayer, one more fasting, one more staying in obedience and one more effort on that dream you feel like giving up on. I declare with you that the same Lord, who is rich unto all, the creator of EVERYTHING on earth and in heaven will cause an eleventh hour miracle and result in our lives this month.
May it be so in our lives in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
XOXO,
Lady Abena
To Thine Own Self Be True
I was an English Major student in undergrad and one of my favorite courses was Shakespearean studies. Maybe it’s just my love for theater and plays and I had an opportunity to act in a few stage plays and write some plays for my church some years ago. I still have my Arden Complete Works of Shakespeare handy and from time to time I like to sip my tea and glance through my favorite scenes in Othello and the rest.
This quote however has stuck with me since 2002 when I first read it in Hamlet, act 1 scene 3 of the play. It was spoken by King Claudius’ chief minister, Polonius as part of a speech where he was giving his son, Laertes, his blessing and advice on how to behave whilst at university.
“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man”
The world is getting more and more intriguing by the day and I for one made a decision years ago to not worry about pleasing other people, or living by someone else's rules or standards, but rather, living according to what God expects of me and the standards I have set for myself without compromise. Don’t take this the negative way because I still exercise circumspection in the environments I find myself in and the people around me at any given time. My dear friend, I found my peace in that reality. It was a personal deliverance session and transformation for me. Truth is, we all look at life and the world from our own lenses. Thus, the smaller your focus, the smaller your perception of life. My progressive lenses prescription is quite higher than most, all PUN intended here because I started wearing my lenses in 2007 so you will expect the higher and bigger lens prescription by now. Humans have unrealistic expectations of others but do not even hold ourselves to the same standards we expect others to perform at. So, take King Claudius’ advice like I did and live to please God and your soul. Do you know that when you stay true to your authentic self, you actually shine brighter?
I pray for you this week that God will deliver you from yourself and cause you to set your focus on Him and the excellent things He has in store for you. May it be so and so it is in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
XOXO,
Lady Abena.
Bid Me Come
Matthew 14:28-29 NIV
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to You on the water.” “Come,” He said.”
I have a special love for this scripture and here’s why. When you read the entire story, Peter was seeing Jesus and between him and Jesus was a turbulent storm that was a hindrance to him getting to Jesus. Peter knew that in spite of that obstacle between him and Jesus, if the master bids him to come to Him that obstacle will be immediately leveled to nothing.
So, you and I would pray a prayer like this that God, if it’s truly You that I am seeing over and above this situation, if it’s you that has truly called me and loved me with an everlasting love, then reach out to me because on my own, I cannot conquer this storm or situation. Then, the loving Father said, “COME”, and the miracle unfolded - walking on the waters, striding on the storms and situations as if they didn't exist. The storm was still there but because the focus was on Jesus, Peter was able to walk on the waves. When he took the focus from Jesus, the storms tried to overwhelm him and he began to sink.
This week, no matter the storms of life or the mountains that have risen up in our way, let us keep the focus on Jesus because He says “COME!” Walk on the waters, walk on the storms, thrive and excel irrespective of the limitations. I declare it is so and so it is in Jesus’ name. AMEN!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.