Rest Comes From Relationship

As children of the Most High God, I don't think we realize how much power comes with it. I don't think we fully realize the depth of peace and protection that's in being connected by Christ. 

Being in covenant and cooperation with the Most High is where our righteousness lies. The righteous are the most cared for, protected people. This is found throughout the Bible. 

At the end of chasing lucre or whatever creature comfort we think can sustain us better than the Most High, there's nothing. Absolutely nothing. Everything is vanity and a vapor that can easily be gone just like that. At the drop of a hat. 

All that we need is in our relationship with Abba. Material things can fade away, but the Most High never fails.

Confidence is in trust. Trust is built in relationship.

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Push Through The Pushback

Yesterday was phenomenal! So grateful that although Coronavirus is a concern, I was still able to host The InterSession after sensing confirmation from GOD to go forward with it.

Also grateful for believer friends in place to help execute the vision. Shoutout to my friend Rosetta who did an awesome job with audiovisual aka media, even though the technology was going haywire. She was resolute and a MAJOR help!

It's so important to surround ourselves with people that push through. There is power in perseverance. Faith in GOD's power helps us with the resilience we need to overcome any obstacles.

Two days after being shot by racist people. Bob Marley who was scheduled to do a concert, still performed at the concert.

When asked why, He was quoted saying:
"The people that are trying to make the world worse never take a day off, why should I? Light up the darkness."

I think as believers we should have that same kind of persistent mindset, to be valiant and to push to accomplish GOD's will even in the tough times when we're facing opposition.

Warfare is real in all media and communication sytems. Even in us, the enemy will try to whisper deceit in our minds and play games in our ears. Turn that voice off and operate in love.

If it's not in GOD's will, then it's not for us. Scripture says take every thought captive. Our thoughts should work for us, not the other way around. Put them into perspective.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10:5

That negativity can win if we're not secure in GOD's word. The enemy prevails in our insecurities. The power is in us to stand up and fight back. We can counteract the words of darkness with words of light.

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a worker that doesn't need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

Now is more time than ever to rightfully divide the words of truth that is found in the holy word of scripture, and what GOD speaks directly into our hearts when we pursue and maintain a relationship with Him.

Keep pushing through! Study and prayer gives us the power we need to overcome. We are overcomers in Jesus Christ. Push through the pushback.

GOD Calls You Daughter

And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."     
- 2 Corinthians 6:18

Moving Through Life’s Changes with Victory

By: April J. Lisbon, Ed.D.

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if there were no changes? Have you ever felt like the shifts of life get you down? Has this created a space or spaces within your life where you feel like all hope is lost?

Moving through life’s changes can be hard to navigate when you feel off balanced. Often times fear, depression, angst, and anger fills are hearts and minds to a point where we are ready to give up.

However, as the Word of God is true to it's promises and as stated in I Corinthians 10:13, He will never give us more than we can handle. When the pressures of life seem to wear you down, remind yourself that the Word of God is the equalizer to help you navigate the battle in the mind.

Understand that God never intended for life to be hard for any of us as He saw the weight of the world on the cross. Yet He also knows that the only way we can win the war of the mind is by never giving up. Standing on God’s promises is the key to helping you move through life’s changes.

Never walk this battle alone. The Word says that the battle is not yours but it’s the Lord’s as written in II Chronicles 20:15. You have already won the battle of the mind. Now walk in your victory in Jesus’s name.

Why Your Glow Up Is Priority

"Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper." - Beyonce Knowles-Carter

 

Glow up, Level up, Boss Up all that is great, but success is not just for us to stunt on instagram. . .  our status can also stand up for our character. Beyonce was right to say: "Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper".

The best revenge is your paper, because your come up will pronounce how unbothered you are better than words ever can. The key is when we excel inspite of haters, it's not about intentional revenge, but intentional obedience. Ignoring distractions, and honoring the divine is the root of real elevation.

"Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord." - Romans 12:19

 "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." - Leviticus 19:18

Another singer apparently let GOD handle the revenge as well in Psalm 23:5 when he said: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

That overflowing cup, means abundance. . . that abundance, includes "your paper"! It also includes the peace, joy, and prosperity that comes from GOD. Our prosperity is a testament to our faithfulness and obedience to GOD's will, in the face of haters and naysayers. The conversation with our creator is a lot more important than any conversation with our critics.

credit: Iyanla Vanzant

Success always looks like honoring GOD first, in whatever situation we go through.  It doesn't have to look like being a celebrity, but most of the successful, anthems that we're hearing by singers lately are what GOD wants for us anyway.  "I'm Living my best life, not going back and forth with you "know the rest" (Lil Duval) . . . "Level Up, Level Up, Level Up" (Ciara) Along with the beats, the words are so catchy because they're true, to "Live Your Best Life" is about not "going back and forth" it's about your "Level Up". Don't worry about who let you down. Keep looking up. Stay focused on GOD's promises only.

To really "slay", to really "kill them with kindness" means to be so on track with GOD's course for your life that the hot air a hater breathes only gasses you up even more to accomplish your goals.

Black Excellence Evolution: BET Awards Inspiration

I usually could care less about watching the BET Awards, but I’m glad I caught it this year. It was inspirational, and shifting more toward substantial. There was a noticeable difference in what exactly black excellence is, beyond the flashy lifestyle and the glam.

A few things I picked up were some artists primary honor of the most high beyond the cliche. Some of the S/O's to God may have been generic, but I could tell a few of them were hard learned and sincere This time around the enlightened, efficient use of platforms to glorify more than the next project, but call for revolution and bring awareness to pressing cultural issues was also inspiring. There was a noticeable difference between which artist are more intrinsically liberated and naturally gifted. but instead of getting into the politics of it all, I'll just share a few of my favorite moments, because we all just came here to have fun anyway.

Big Sean's tech powered performance with the digital background highlighted to me the importance of "Black Excellence" aka "us" in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) I was really feeling the multiple Big Seans and the automated pixelation he had going on. The lit part about it is not Sean by himself, but the engineers and scientist who know how to do all that. S/O to the people who we don't see working behind the scenes. STEM, not necessarily "cash" plays a major part in ruling everything around us, It's S.T.E.A.M. especially in this digital age, it's imperative to be familiar with it. STEM knowledge can help one "magically" manipulate the game in there favor, see "Sleight" but Big Sean had a pretty good STEM reference..." I'm all charged up and God is my source"...deep.

The elevation of Black Girl Magic is a game changer. The glow of Chloe and Halle, Yara Shahidi, and Egypt Ufule, the 12 year old fashion designer featured in the Ford ad is the fruit of self-confidence and empowerment that's been sewn by the conscious matriarchs of our culture.

From Michelle Obama’s tribute to chance the rapper to Chance the rapper... being Chance the rapper. Yes, let's "gas him up"!! I was for the most part unaware of his humanitarian work in the community. It was great to see the work being highlighted and him intentionally honoring the call to action in his path. It was reminiscent of Jesse Williams who adamantly used his platform to speak up at the previous BET Awards. Those dreamy eyes were looking up in respect as chance spoke. Solid!


Initially the aspect of Leslie Jones hosting the show drew my respect for this year's show. I caught it mid-way to find that yes she was loud, but had skits to emphasize what it’s means to work hard, not give up and go from zero to shero. Refreshingly, Leslie Jones is not the typical "Hollywood beauty" but owns her skin and knows how to be terrific in it. We saw, let's market that dynamic more, and "Lil Yachty in the yacht"!!! Very impressive.

Another thing is that as controversial as it sometimes is, in my coming of age is my recognition that weaves and lashes are a flyy girl rite of passage in some sense. "It takes money and time to be fly as a mutha" word to Daya. Who are we not to be flyy? As expected Lashes were everywhere even Michelle Obama was in on the action. Apparently blonde hair is trending everyone from Karrueche, to tiny, to tamar had platinum strands? Whether we're embracing our own beauty or trying on different ones, were just fly. Shout out to "My Black Is Beautiful" for giving all that grant money to worthy causes.


To overcome and excel, was the sentiment I walked away with from the show this year!
A vision black excellence peaking through and showing the ability to evolve in to something even more momentous is something I can be here for.

What was your favorite part of the BET Awards?

Get Your Mind Right, Stop Living Backward

Did you realize that live spelled backward was evil?? Do you think that is just some ironic coincidence, or was God purposely showing us something here? There is a danger in living life in a "backwards" state of mind. When I think of a backward state of mind I think of anything that holds us back from moving forward in our lives. Such things as regret, fear, timidness, anger, unhealthy relationships, and negativity produces a dark overcast in our lives. 

With these characteristics running amidst in our lives, how will we ever get a hold of purpose and vision? Its these types of characteristics that block creativity, value, morals, gifts, and strengths. It is these characteristics that lead us to life full of unsatisfaction, hurt, and guilt; while leaving us in a redundant cycle of feeling like the walking dead.

If we as people who aspire to see positivity, and move out of a cycle that is only producing death in our lives; we have to fully acknowledge our current state, and identify the necessity of "Getting Our Mind Right". Some people grow so accustomed to the darkness and negative aspects in there lives, they no longer notice its effects.

For instance, some people have a huge fear of talking to people for the simple fact they think they may be judged or rejected. Because of this thought process, their visions they may have once had, has become so suppressed they no longer recognize they had a brilliant idea until they see someone else has taken opportunity and ran with it.

As they look at what someone else has established, the only thing they can say is, "That was my idea" and think to themselves, "That could have been me". Well, what can you do? Your idea stayed "your idea" because you were too afraid to bring your idea to others.

In that fear, what actually happened was the vision was put aside so much that it remained aside, and has now resurfaced because you have gotten a visual of what could have been. Who likes to continually see their "What Could Have Been" consistently manifest itself in someone else? Well if we do not acknowledge our limitations and confront them, then we absorb them.

In absorbing them, we turn into our own worst enemy, focusing on them instead of clarifying and building our dreams. Instead of living our progressive abundant life intended for us by God, we regress into that evil state of mind presented by the enemy in backward living. The word of God said, "The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy". Internalize this verse by identifying what areas of your life are affected.

What area's of your life are being destroyed? What areas of your life are being stolen from you right in front of your face? What are the things you are holding onto that is killing you?

Now that we have taken time to identify these ares of death that are not producing areas of progressive growth, whats next? Well now this is where the real work begins. Remember that goal I spoke of earlier that was suppressed until a visual appeared in my example? Well that is because visuals produce clarity.

Start by writhing down what your life restored looks like to you. Imagine the things that are being stolen from you were never taken in the first place. What would you see? What would you hear? Identify how you would feel if something you held onto for so long that has tormented you, suddenly disappeared. How would you be different?

If we are going to be people full of goals and aspirations that actually manifest themselves, we absolutely must be intentional about getting our mind in order and free from that backward evil living.

Goodmorning Texts To God

Just yesterday my beloved cellphone was stolen, even though at some point it hit me that I could stand to be on the cell phone less and in the holy spirit more. I'm really feeling it now more than ever.  The reality that a cellphone takes up so much of my time, so much of my energy. not to mention all the information that's poured in.

Maybe I got a little bit too overzealous with the time I was spending on it, hopefully I can use it's absence now as an opportunity to get closer and "refresh" my relationship with the creator, the one who manufactured me, who can download information and input more data into my soul, and give me just the right recharging I need to thrive.

It would be very beneficial to spend more time with God instead of giving those extra minutes to Facebook, Instagram and snapchat.

what we look at, interact with and spend time with the most continuously affects us. We are shaped and molded by all these thoughts, ideas, and images that we see, so it's best to get the vision from the truest and purest source.

Cellphones have reshaped the way people get involved in and have romantic relationships as well. Nowadays a key indicator that a guy may be actually serious about pursuing a relationship with a woman is a consistent good morning text. Notice I said consistent, not random whenever the thought may come to mind or they may be just looking to have a good time, but intentional consistency.

If a guy sends you a consistent goodmorning text it's pretty serious...and they're more than likely sincerely interested in getting to know you more. The search and courting process has been redefined.

So, what if more people had that same attitude and became seriously interested in the will of God for their lives every morning. What if we pursued God's presence as such? consistently, every morning never skipping a beat, never missing a chance or an opportunity to check in?

What would happen is there would be great a greater sense of stability, the stability that makes a "happy" home -- in this case a content and peaceful spirit in our beings which are the houses of God.

A lot of people understand that in a loving, committed relationship, better yet a marriage one of the key benefits is stability. In having a committed, consistent relationship with God through prayer and practicing faith, the stability we need presents itself better than being in a relationship with any person ever could.

Wholeness within ourselves is beneficial before we start a partnership with anyone else.

Maybe I got a little bit too overzealous with the time I was spending on the phone, and can use it's absence now as an opportunity to get closer and refresh my relationship with my creator. I'm sure I'm not the only one who may spend a little bit too much time with the cellphone, heavily attached to it.

I'm still keep hope alive that the phone resurfaces but I'm gonna enjoy this time where more life is being poured directly into my spirit and not just needless information. It's in the presence of God where we find life and we attract true peace into our lives EVERYDAY.

Broken Crayons Still Color

by: Ruthann McKenzie

Have you ever witnessed young children coloring? At some point, the inevitable will happen where a crayon will break. For some small children it is heart breaking if it is there favorite color. Nonetheless, you will never see a young child stop coloring forever because one crayon broke. They may fuss, but if it is their favorite crayon they'll continue to use that crayon.

I love the analogy of the broken crayon still coloring. When we get older we begin to lose our ability to dream and life begins to break us down, year after year. Eventually we begin to forget we are beautiful and created to shine. We can still be used for remarkable things when we yield to our Creator who can restore us to fullness. It does not matter how we became broken beings, we can still be used for greatness.

In Psalm 51, King David is writing of his brokenness. At this time, he had sinned and felt the remorse of his actions and was broken hearted for his actions. Even in his brokenness, he knew that God could restore him when he repented and sacrificed his broken heart to Christ. King David knew that his broken and contrite heart could draw him closer to the Lord instead of driving him further away. The sacrifices of God can be our broken spirit and through the broken pieces light can shine through.

Today, in this moment, your future is brighter. Your broken pieces can be used for more than regret and shame, but instead to inspire and uplift another soul. Brokenness brings us closer to Christ. At the valley, the lowest point, the Lord restores when you hand those broken pieces to Him. If you don't believe this, perhaps in time you will, but know broken crayons still color.

This Time I'll Rise

He called me today... there was a warning in me so badly not to pick up...but I couldn't resist. Why because I'd been really wondering why he hadn't called already, and even wanted to call him just to say it "Happy New Year" of course. as he did, but I resisted the tug of familiarity for my own sanity.

Last year I'd become so used to him calling at the times that were convenient for him that it was expected, becoming common place. I thought I'd overcome, but he called me, and I picked up. When I answered the excitement in me to say a simple, nice "Happy New Year" like I wanted to, was stifled. I had a dry attitude that was close to bitter. I cut him off short. I shouldn't have even answered, but I did.

When people call you and say Happy New Year, they more than likely want to be in your life for the year. My picking up woke me up, after that conversation, realizing if  that frustration is inside of me, it means that there are feelings inside of me that can still be accessed. I will not allow myself to be used by the enemy or taken for granted this year!

A while back I wrote a poem pertaining to this situation called "Don't Let The Devil In." In actuality I'm not talking about this guy who called. We can serve as our own worst enemies. Sin is what happens when our actions aren't based in wholeness and rooted completely in God. We are what we let in. Where there is no enemy inside, the enemy outside can do no harm.

We read that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, we have the power to refute whatever comes against us, well that power is a direct result of being fortified with God's strength which is greater than our own. This truth comes with understanding that God is the very creator and master of every weapon created. I was allowed to be placed in a situation with a particular man for a season in my life. He wasn't the devil, my lack of self-esteem and confidence was.

I will not stay held in bondage this year, I will not stay running around in circles. I will not be taken advantage of by the devil. The devil wants us to be complacent. There are many things in our lives that can be considered the devil. There are many things that the devil works through, but we have to ask ourselves "are we inviting the devil in?" Our greatest honor is in listening to God's calling and following  His will. We hear "my sheep know my voice and another they will not follow. God uses the fire and trials of our lives to wake us up and show us what's really important, but we're supposed to learn from them. I've learned my lesson. This time I'll go beyond avoidance, I'll rise above keeping the devil out. This year will be amazing, because I'll do everything  I can to let God in.

The Power of a Mentor: Following the Pattern Set Before Us.

By: Paul Horne


As a student preparing for ministry I am coming to a greater realization that having a mentor who is in ministry is vitally important. The set of verses that constantly come to mind are the words Paul wrote to Timothy in his second letter, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV) Listen to how Paul speaks to Timothy; he calls him my child, showing such a deep loving relationship. We know from human standards that a father is to teach his children how to live in all aspects of life. We need mentors the same way we need to have fathers in our lives to set the patterns for us to follow. Without them we have the tendency to go astray. 

The relationship of mentoring is not a one-way street; it is one that branches off to others. We should be learning from our disciple maker while at the same time taking what we are being taught and teaching it to other men (and women) in the faith.  In order to be in a disciple making relationship it requires work to be put in, along with time. Jesus invested his time in twelve men whom he would send out into the world to teach others. He not only sent out twelve but at one point he sent out seventy-two men two by two (Luke 10:1). The best way for us to be sent is by a man we are learning from so we can implement what is being taught.  

  

What does a mentor look like? A mentor is going to look different for each person; you may not have just one mentor in you life or at one point of time. There will be areas in life that you need to have the footsteps of someone else to follow whether it be in a hobby, in your profession, or in general guidance for your life. This person should be some type of authority on the subject; not necessarily having to have credentials but having done a what ever it is you are seeking them for a period of time with a good track record. You do not want to start following after someone or seeking their help when they have no idea how to handle the struggles you are facing because they have just started the activity themselves. 

Do you have an idea on how this association should look? It is imperative that when you enter into a formal mentoring relationship that some standards be set. The type of standards I am referring to are like how often will there be contact made, what forms of contact are best for this relationship. What kind of accountability is going to be set in place if any at all? Are you both going to keep this association merely about the mentoring/disciple making or is this going to become more of an intimate friendship where lives overlap? 

I would recommend depending on the type of commitment being made, that lives become intertwined with an at least weekly (if not several times a week) contact. It does not matter where the contact comes from be it a phone call, text message, social media interaction. And no less than once a month interaction face to face in a setting that is not sterile, but inviting conversation and allows the relationship to feel more organic and real. 

It is my hope that this work will inspire you to strengthen those relationships that are in place and to possibly form new ones. I leave you with this: who is investing in you and who has the Lord placed on you heart to invest into?



Paul Horne is a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband, a father and expositor of Scripture. You can find more of Paul's writing at preachdatruth.blogspot.com

Getting Back To Gratitude

I have SO much to be Thankful for, sometimes in fits of recognizing what I don't have or going after what I don't need, I get off track and everything falls out of order. I'm so glad that God has me in exactly the place where He wants me to be. I'm thankful that I can never get too deep into a depression without the spirit of God lifting me up! Thank you father for being my covering! 

I know that anytime I feel limited, slighted, or overwhelmed by the very gifts I've been given, I'm really not operating in the spirit. Thank God for always leading me back. For helping me to realize today that Breath Of Life Daily came out of a pure spirit, not from me wanting to be liked or get money, but from me wanting to encourage people. 

BOLD came from me having an overflow of life to give. That life is in God. I'm always chasing better, even if it's not God and this year He put me in a position that I never could have imagined, but it's absolutely everything I need. I'm covered in a place of safety and I get to minister to women at the Christian Women's Center. God's got me, I'm covered, and I'm here. Breath Of Life Daily came from that, That no matter what happens, or what has been, the life in the spirit overpowers the life on the outside. I'm so thankful that I'm not in this by myself, that I've have people who support me and see my potential in God. Thank you to everyone who has been a blessing and who continues to be a blessing!! Happy Thanksgiving Day!

When we get back to the true source of why we do what we do, our passion will take control and produce of it's own accord. Thank God for gratitude, Blessings come from gratitude. 

-April D. Byrd


What are you thankful for today?

This Is Your Time!

By Ruthann Mckenzie

I love the story of Esther in the Bible. There is so much to be gained from this book of the Bible.  My favorite verse comes from Esther 4:14.  The part that stands out to me the most is, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

The phrase “for such a time as this” could be applied differently for each individual.  God wants to use you and the time of your calling may be different than the person next to you.  You may look at yourself as inadequate to be used by God.  You may feel like your past situations have disqualified you from God using you. However, when the time comes, when we are thrust into greatness like Esther, we can take courage that God can use us where we are.  We do not have to be higher educated, better dressed, or more qualified. When God wants to use you, He will use you so that all glory will be given to Him.

Esther, like so many of us, had her own baggage that she felt disqualified her to become queen.  She was an orphan, she was captive in a foreign country, she did not know if the king would actually choose her to be queen, and I doubt she truly wanted to be queen. Despite her circumstances, God still wanted to use Esther. But why? He could have picked anyone more willing, anyone more qualified, He could have chosen anyone else.  However, would it have made the same impact? The gifts and purpose God placed on Esther’s life was designed for that moment, which would impact the future. Trust that God created each of us with our different gifts and  purpose to be used to impact the future.

Esther’s natural response when being told by Mordecai that God placed her in the palace for such a time as this was to make excuses out of fear. It is natural to have that response and God knows this, but Esther surrendered her will to the Lord’s to be used. The fact that Esther surrendered and put her confidence in God that His will be done instead of her own is the best part of this story.  She was thrown into the situation, but she did not let that stop her from being used.

Perhaps you are here for such a time as this and you too have been thrown into a situation, whatever it may be.  That does not mean you cannot be used by the Lord. God wants to use you…yes, YOU!  Surrender fully to His will.  Allow His love to flood your life and you will see that through our weakness His strength can be made perfect. Be used by God, for this is the time.

Nothing You Go Through Or Have Experienced Is In Vain.

By: April D. Byrd

Very early this morning someone decided to message Breath Of Life Daily's Facebook page to say Jesus was not the truth... as normal and probably expected I threw my scriptures out there and said no thanks to whatever God the person was trying to offer. The person was nice enough in the end to stop taunting the page after no further response.

However, after the fact my spirit was uneasy. "Why do people have to make a big deal about it?" "Why is it something that needs to be debated over or disowned"? There is of course research that needs to be done to stand firmly in our faith. I do agree there. Anyway, I sat for a while in my car uninspired for my Wednesday run, in a bit of anger and contempt for the Jesus debate. I got out of the car and went running anyway.

not before I posted to the Facebook page:

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,
-Luke 4:18

I believe powerfully in spreading good news and message of love. This is the spirit I think on when I think of Jesus, I think of him as the embodiment of purpose, definitively, and for everyone. To be so strongly committed to a cause, that you're willing to give it all!


At times we're saved, we get inspiration and revelation from God, but there is opposition in the world. Life is a daily activity and suicide is an issue. A spirit of depression, being beat down, feeling devalued and useless does not have to consume lives.

When we're  "Saved"... and that's through Jesus, we know it and we feel it... the story doesn't end and in one shot we're happy, Life is a daily struggle. Daily inspiration is needed. I was wondering why. why do we have to suffer for following Jesus? why do we have to be persecuted because of him? before I got out of the car. 

But as I was running I looked over and I saw a glimpse of a rainbow in the Lake's fountain God has a promise, a covenant with us and all the earth...( that means He's our Bestie!), I looked over there were two trees intertwined as if they were hugging, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." We are a body in Christ. then I looked up and saw birds flying freely in the air over my head. and heard "look at my creation." We shouldn't be worried for anything, but relaxed and at peace to just live. God's got us. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Overall I realized that It's not about focusing on who's against us, but the support we have behind us. that's where the life comes from. Go Forward keep running. As you do let your eyes be stayed on God's glory. God's goodness. the pure love offered through Jesus Christ. Keep running! Keep focused on God!

I believe these occurrences happen for a reason. Nothing we go through or experience is in vain. 

BOLD Journal Interviews Lesley Shannelle | Video

source: www.lesleyshannelle.com

Bold Journal sat down with Gospel Artist Lesley Shanelle, the gospel artist with the powerful sound also has a very powerful story.

Lesley recently released her new EP "Use Me" a phenomenal, upbeat project which to my delight is available on Spotify, ITunes, Google Play, and Amazon. Lesley's contemporary sound she will gladly tell you is influenced from Artists like Cece Winans and Yolanda Adams, but not to be confused with anyone. Lesley has her own style that's easy to fall in love with. She has an authentic sound and a unique "Flava" that's all her own. She does Christian Lifestyle Music with a flare and keeps God's word first. Awesome!!

 @LesleyShannelle, and BOLD Journal Editor-In-Chief @aprilinspired

Sitting down and getting to know Leslie Shanelle was a very empowering experience she talked about everything from from favorite scriptures to overcoming obstacles and achieving dreams. What I didn't anticipate was beyond the beauty and fresh faced glam was a woman of substance, intellect, and above all a true love for God. This was truly inspiring!  The Inspiration picked up from Lesley in our interview is the same inspiration that's reflected in her music. She was hesitant about going into the gospel spotlight, but we're so glad she did. Her authentic vibe will definitely make a positive impact and it clearly stems from a source of love. Praise God for that!!

For more info on Lesley Shannelle you can visit 627entertainment.com

Check out BOLDJournal's Exclusive One-on-One Interview with Lesley Shannelle Below:



Keep up with the latest updates by Following Breath Of Life Daily on Twitter and Instagram: @BOLDJournal.

How To Unlock Your Power and Activate Mountain Moving Faith

By: Ruthann Mckenzie

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” 

Matthew 17:20

How many times have you been in a situation that in the natural looked impossible?  Perhaps you are facing a stressful situation in your personal life at the moment. Maybe you have a dream or vision and have been working on it, but the situation still seems fruitless.  It could even be something as deep as not knowing the next steps you should take with what to do with your life.  Whatever the case may be, all you need to get through any situation starts with faith the size of a mustard seed!

All we need is a little faith, to start where we are.  We need begin by using the resources that God provides in front of us at this very moment.  That will unlock great things in our life, through the faith we have in Jesus. Why did Jesus reference a mustard seed in Matthew 17:20? We usually think because a mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds of all, which indicates the small amount of faith we need to have. However, although a mustard seed is exceedingly small, it grows into a mighty and strong plant. Our faith will grow and it will cause mountains to move by our good words of faith over our lives. 

Usually, when we see that impossible thing standing in our way like a mountain, we begin to doubt.  "Lord, I could never get over that mountain. I rather just stand at the foot of the mountain and cry". We have a tendency to speak negatively when we see a situation and perceive it as all bad. And if you do not have that tendency to speak negatively, I will be the first to admit that I do this.  In Matthew 17:20, the Lord told them to say to the mountain 'Move from here to there'...It is not possible to speak negatively into a situation and expect a positive outcome.  We must speak life into our situations through Christ.  "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen", that is what Hebrew 11:1 let's us know.  If we are certain of a positive outcome to an impossible situation, then speak life into that situation.

Only Believe!

As we speak life and as we continue to believe, this is the watering and nourishment of our faith.  I believe that Abraham, in his old age, continued to believe in God about his descendants outnumbering the sand.  Year after year, he did not see anything change, but Abraham knew God to be faithful from the past and choose to believe.  Keeping the faith when things look bleak is where the faith we planted flourishes.  In due season, if we do not grow weary, much like Abraham, God will be faithful to us and keep His promises. As it states in Luke 1:37, "For nothing will be impossible with God." If you believe this to be true, then remain in faith.

Nothing will be impossible if we SPEAK IT, BELIEVE, and have FAITH over it!  Speak daily over the situation and speak to God about everything that is on your heart.  Be positive and know that the mountain will move.  Believe that God has the best in store for your life.  No matter the situation, big or small, have hope and expect a good outcome in the end.  Most of all, let your faith grow! That mustard seed of faith will turn into a mighty plant.  The faith will become unshakable and the impossible situation will turn with the mighty hand of God.  Stay in FAITH today!
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Ruthann McKenzie is the creator of justbeconfident.com where she blogs and coaches others to be confident and live victoriously. Follow her updates on Facebook and Instagram: @theconfidentyou