Lessons From The Conversation Of Life... An Official Online Journal For Inspiration.
Showing posts with label testimonytuesday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label testimonytuesday. Show all posts
Tuesday
BOLD Testimony: Actress Letitia Wright Talks About Putting GOD First
"I just needed to take a break from acting because I really idolized it so I came off from it and I went on a journey to discover God and my relationship with GOD..."
Actress Letitia Wright of Black Panther fame boldly discussed her happiness being dependent on her relationship with GOD above all else. It's no wonder why she's one of the breakout stars for one of the biggest films ever! Salute to Letitia for being bold in her faith! The limit is beyond the sky when we put GOD's will first over everything.
Check out the powerful snippet from Letitia's interview below:
Testimony: La'Tonya Meori
Uplifting Singer/Songwriter and Worship Leader La'Tonya Meori has an incredible testimony. She uses her voice to honor God and she's changing lives with her talent and divine anointing. BOLDJournal was able to catch up with La'Tonya to talk about her gift and how she's witnessed God come through in a mighty way in her life and others.
Check out the new Podcast: "An Audience Of One" featuring La'Tonya's amazing story of salvation and what she witnessed that helped take her faith to a new level.
Visit www.latonyameori.com for more information on La'Tonya's new music. updates, and events.
Where did that thought come from!
Our thoughts are very important to God. God does care what we ponder on in our minds and what we mediate on throughout our day.
Many of us desire to be happy, healthy and productive in our lives and this is most assuredly is God’s will for us. However, even in the mist of Walking in Faith, we are not exempt from the realities of the world.
We do have an opponent and oppositions that come up against us when we least expect it.
For instance, we could be sitting in a gathering of people, e.g. church and all of a sudden here comes a negative thought, giving no concern to the fact that were in the Assembly of God, praising the Lord.
No, there are no restraints to the oppositions that the deceiver would have us to believe.
Many of us desire to be happy, healthy and productive in our lives and this is most assuredly is God’s will for us. However, even in the mist of Walking in Faith, we are not exempt from the realities of the world.
We do have an opponent and oppositions that come up against us when we least expect it.
For instance, we could be sitting in a gathering of people, e.g. church and all of a sudden here comes a negative thought, giving no concern to the fact that were in the Assembly of God, praising the Lord.
No, there are no restraints to the oppositions that the deceiver would have us to believe.
This is the reason the Bible teaches us to write the “Word of God” on our hearts and our minds so that it will not depart from us. We can “RECALL” just what God says about us in His Word, when adversity comes
So, the next time the enemy comes with distractions, nay sayings, doubts and attempts to flood our minds with negativity, let us always stand firm on God’s Word. We are the Righteous of God in Christ Jesus, we can cast down all thoughts and imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself up against the Knowledge of God. We put on the mind of Christ.
Blessings to all and always Stay Encouraged.
So, the next time the enemy comes with distractions, nay sayings, doubts and attempts to flood our minds with negativity, let us always stand firm on God’s Word. We are the Righteous of God in Christ Jesus, we can cast down all thoughts and imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself up against the Knowledge of God. We put on the mind of Christ.
Blessings to all and always Stay Encouraged.
Shira Garnett: Contributing WriterShira
Inherited Grace
I was glad
when they said unto me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Out of all the scriptures that I recall as a
child, Psalms 122:1 is the verse I that has seared its way into my heart.
Rising up
early Sunday morning getting ready for church wasn’t always fun admittedly,
however, because of the faithfulness of my grandmother, it was a “Must Do” in
her home. Yes, no matter what you did on
Saturday, how late you finish whatever it was that you were doing, you were
going to church on Sunday!
To be
honest, I’m so very glad that this was an enforced practice!
Older now, I
can understand and appreciate what my grandmother was instilling into my brother,
sister and I. She held on to the
promises of God and truly believed just what God said in His Word; “Train up a
child in the way they should go……..” Proverbs 22:6…. “Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shall be saved, and the house” Acts 16:31.
Although my
siblings and I may have gotten off course a time or two, because of grandma’s
faithfulness and trust in the Lord and His Word, we found our way back into the
fold.
Many today,
including myself, have love one’s who haven’t surrendered their lives over to
the Lord. Regardless of anyone approach
in ministering, prayer or constant hope, those we have been believing for still
haven’t accepted salvation, adamantly they refuse to accept such a wonderful
gift.
Although we
may witness such rebellion and pride, let us still take hold of God’s
promises. God is faithful and His
Mercies endure forever.
“Moreover whom
He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He justified, them he also
glorified.” Romans 8:30.
May we all
continue in the Faith as we patiently wait for Gods unmerited favor, long
suffering and grace to appear to those we love and desire to receive Salvation! Blessing to all and Always Stay
Encouraged!
Contributing Writer: Shira Garnett
Spreading Inspiration, making hearts smile.
Hold on...I'm on my way!
Growing up, I would sit on the floor of our elementary school classroom, very attentive, as stories were being read by my English teacher. The excitement of putting myself in the place of the characters gave me an outlet, from all the things I personally was facing and dealing with at home.
Whether fiction or non-fiction, a fairytale with a happy ending or an adventurous story with “villain’s vs hero’s, the anticipation of hearing how the story ended gave me a glimpse of hope and sunshine, in the mist of all my darkness.
Later, approaching graduation from high school, I began considering what I would do for the rest of my life, however, it wasn’t until my early thirties when my inner voice began to speak purpose and destiny.
Studying the Bible, praying and searching for answers from God, wanting to be completely sure I wasn’t experiencing some sort of emotional reenactment of a character I had previously read in a book, I definitely knew I couldn’t allow childhood intrigue and curiosity resurface its way into my actual reality as an adult, I needed to be reasonable and responsible.
Ministry! Is what I heard.
I was very reluctant to heed the call of my inner voice at first, beckoning me to minister to those who were in need of hope in the mist of their darkness. Like I, at a young age, as I did, so now do others, was the repeating echo I heard inside.
Over and over again, the inner cry for help drew me to the call.
Yes, I had always enjoyed encouraging people and knew that would be something I would most likely do, however, when the word “Ministry” echoed over and over in my spirit man and I couldn’t shake it, extreme fear and denial begin to plaque my mind…..but not for very long.
I surrendered to the call and followed the necessary steps that were advised me; schooling and ordination came sometime after and I cordially began to accept speaking engagements, administrative positions within non-profit and faith based organizations and headed up bible studies at the church I attended.
It wasn’t until I actually went into the mission field that I truly began to witness one of the greatest needs for humanity, Servitude in the highways and byways!
Visiting the sick in the hospitals, speaking at halfway houses to people with chronic illnesses, feeding the homeless, praying with every fiber of my being to be strong even when I witnessed the very people I ministered to slowly begin to give up hope.
“This can take a toll on anyone, especially, after seeing sickness, distress, hopelessness and despair, continuously!”
Putting my complete faith and dependence in God has been a ‘Must Do’ for me! I hear, read and see others get burned out, depressed and personally spiritually anorexic in the work of ministry, ‘A healthy balance we MUST have.’ Ministry work can be quite difficult on a lot of days, nevertheless, I wouldn’t trade this new found love for anything in this world.
Keeping myself spiritually in shape is a priority. I have come to a proper and serene knowledge of doing all that I can and allowing others to do what I can’t and above all, giving every care and concern to the Lord.
“Someone plants, someone waters, God gets the increase. Thank you Lord for calling me into Your Grace. What a Mighty God we serve!
If you too have a call to Minister, as all of us do on some level or another, I encourage you to keep the faith, stay prayed up and give your best effort to do what you can and allow others to do their part as well. God can and will handle the rest. Only God can do the impossible and with our help, we can make a difference.
"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 2 Peter 1:10
Blessings to all and Always Stay Encouraged!
Contributing Writer: Shira Garnett, Spreading Inspiration, making hearts smile.
I heard favor isn't fair...but what about Grace?!
Ever wonder how God balances out his healing and justice toward mankind. Yes, we have read in the Bible, as we rightly divide the Word of truth, that God is fair and righteous in all His ways.
For example, someone may have dealt with an addiction at one point in their lives, however, their life takes change for the better and they chose to stop and seek Gods strength, forgiveness and healing to carry them through. Grace and Mercy without a doubt is granted to them.
On the other hand, there were people who were affected by individual’s actions and behavior which caused grief and pain, as a result of their addiction.
Those affected, may be feel relieved and comforted knowing that the person has gotten their act together, however, their left with emotional scars, debt and lack of trust.
Surely there’s refuge and healing for those who have been affected, and, healing is a process. They watch the individual who’s recovering from the addiction, go on with their lives, and meantime, their still putting theirs back together.
If this is the case with anyone out there, my prayer is that the Lord, will keep you, as you search and pray for understanding. May the Lord shine His face upon you and the root of un-forgiveness and bitterness be lifted from you hearts and minds.
May the Lord keep you in perfect peace, and restore you back everything that was taken, In Jesus Name Amen. Blessings to all and Always Stay Encouraged!
Contributing Writer: Shira Garnett
www.nicecolumnbyshira.com Spreading Inspiration, making hearts smile.
Monday
From Gridiron To Grace: Derwin Gray's Winning Testimony
Growing up on the west side of San Antonio, I believed in god—the god of football. The game was my ticket out of an early life saturated with violence, addiction, abuse, and chaos.
I was raised by my grandmother, because my parents were only teenagers when I was born. They were children bringing a child into the world. As much as they wanted to care for me, the hurt and brokenness in their lives prevented them. "Grannie" was a Jehovah's Witness, so that was the religion I knew. After a while, even that went away.
We were not poor. We were "po." We couldn't afford the other o and r. We didn't eat meals together. We didn't pray together. There were good times, like when we'd go fishing or when my grandfather would come home after work in the evenings. By the time I was 13, however, I looked at my environment and told my grandmother, "I'm going to do something with my life."
Football was my way out of the hell I was living in. I believed it would lift me into the heaven of the American dream.
Football functioned as my savior. It gave me love: If I played well, I was loved by fans. It gave me an identity: I was Derwin, the football player. It gave me significance: I was somebody because I was a great player. And football gave me a mission. My mission was this: Derwin, you can go to college and make something of your life.
Running from Naked Preacher
During my sophomore year of high school, I started to do just that. I transferred to Judson High School in Converse, a suburb of San Antonio, where I played for D. W. Rutledge, the Texas High School Hall of Fame coach. My senior year, I accepted a football scholarship to Brigham Young University (BYU). So, you have a black kid from a lower socioeconomic, multiethnic context with a Jehovah's Witness religious background (whose god is football) attending a Mormon university.
On January 15, 1990, during my freshman year at BYU, I met a beautiful young lady named Vicki Ensign. She was a javelin thrower on the track team. We fell in love fast and married on May 23, 1992, during my senior year. The first wedding I had ever attended was my own.
At BYU, my god had come through for me. I had an outstanding career and later was named to BYU football's "All Time Dream Team." Plus, I was loved at the school. I had the girl of my dreams. I was making something out of my life. On April 25, 1993, I was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to strong safety. I had made it!
Then I met the Naked Preacher, a linebacker for the Colts in 1993.
It was impossible not to notice a linebacker who would take a shower, dry off, wrap a towel around his waist, pick up his Bible, and ask those of us in the locker room, "Do you know Jesus?" I would think, Do you know you are half-naked?
I asked the veterans on the team about him. They said, "Don't pay attention to him. That's the Naked Preacher."
At this point in my life, I did not want anything to do with Jesus or a half-naked man talking about him, so I tried to avoid him. One day after practice, I was sitting at my locker and saw the Naked Preacher (whose real name is Steve Grant) walking toward me.
"Rookie D. Gray, do you know Jesus?" he asked.
I pretended to not hear him and turned my back. He repeated the question, but this time he was at my locker. Even though I was not a churchgoer or involved in any religious group, I gave what I thought was a very religious answer: "I'm a good person."
I explained to Steve that I was one of the only men in my family who had not been to jail, who did not have a substance abuse problem, who had graduated from high school and college, and who did not have a child outside of marriage.
The Naked Preacher opened up his Bible and shared two verses with me: "And Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone'" (Mark 10:18, ESV); and, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23).
Steve explained that according to the Bible, only God is good; he is the standard of goodness and righteousness. Everyone else has sinned and falls short. This disturbed me.
I said, "Naked man, you are telling me that my moral comparison is to God and not to other people?" He said, "Yes."
"God is perfect! What can I do to be perfect?" He answered, "Nothing."
I said, "I'm in big trouble."
"Rookie D. Gray," he said, "now you are starting to get it. You can't do anything to reach a perfect God. But Jesus has done everything for the perfect God to come down and reach you."
I sat in silence. I needed time to think through what he was saying and what I was experiencing in my heart.
Over the next five years, I watched Steve live out the gospel. When my teammates needed advice, they were at the Naked Preacher's locker. Steve was involved in the greater Indianapolis community. He displayed Jesus in the way he loved his wife and children. He preached through his words and actions.
As the Naked Preacher preached, God's love crushed me. I had achieved the American dream, only to realize it could not empower me to love my wife or forgive my father. My fame and money could not erase my sin, shame, guilt, fear, and insecurity.
... Continue reading Derwin's powerful testimony here.
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Tuesday
The Virgin Theory: They Do Exist
by: Rowzina Middleton
I am still a virgin. Yes I know. Shocking isn’t it???
I am 29 years old and I am a virgin. And I am proud of it. I have not voluntarily given myself away to anyone. My morals and values would not allow me to go all the way with anyone. My first kiss wasn't even until High School, when at least half of the people my age at the time, had kissed someone by like, age 10. I made up in my mind and was convinced in my heart that my virginity was something special. And I was not freely giving it up to just anyone. I knew then, like I still believe now, that one day I will get married. I was always taught that sex was for married people. Once married, it is then biblically legal to “go all the way.” No guy I have come across deserved my time let alone, my essence.
Rowzina
(Lady Unstoppable)
#proudvirgin
The original post for this blog can be found kingdommotivation.wordpress.com. Follow Rowzina on instagram @kingdom_motivation and on Twitter @motivator_row.
I am still a virgin. Yes I know. Shocking isn’t it???
I am 29 years old and I am a virgin. And I am proud of it. I have not voluntarily given myself away to anyone. My morals and values would not allow me to go all the way with anyone. My first kiss wasn't even until High School, when at least half of the people my age at the time, had kissed someone by like, age 10. I made up in my mind and was convinced in my heart that my virginity was something special. And I was not freely giving it up to just anyone. I knew then, like I still believe now, that one day I will get married. I was always taught that sex was for married people. Once married, it is then biblically legal to “go all the way.” No guy I have come across deserved my time let alone, my essence.
So I chose to wait. I still choose to wait. Or perhaps, it was the conversation my Dad decided to have with me after finding out I had reached puberty. I can laugh now. my Daddy was trying to scare me. Little did He know, the Public schools had already started teaching Sex Education and I knew a lot more than I led on. (But that is another blog for another time.)
Some people are shocked when I say I am a virgin. Others think something is wrong with me, I don’t like men or I’m just plain crazy. Simply put, I am just a lady who honors her morals and values. I am proud to be a virgin.
My virginity is priceless and will be given away by choice to that special individual that God has assigned to me just for me. Keeping myself is a choice. I do my best to honor God with my whole life, not just bits and pieces. So I will wait to utilize sex in the context that it was created for.
While I wait for my spouse. I will continue to work on bettering myself. I am a Proverbs 31 woman. I am happy with my decision to wait.
So yes. Adult virgins past the age of 25 do exist. Media nor society influenced my choice. In learning to love myself, I have learned my worth. Being with just anyone is not an option for me. Being a virgin is great. It is a wonderful thing. Do not get me wrong. It has not been easy. But I manage.
There are many meanings to the word virgin. I consider myself to be a virgin because I have not voluntarily given myself away to anyone. I have never had sex. I am holding on to this gift until it is time to release it.
What is your definition of a virgin?
Can’t wait to hear from you.
Can’t wait to hear from you.
Rowzina
(Lady Unstoppable)
#proudvirgin
The original post for this blog can be found kingdommotivation.wordpress.com. Follow Rowzina on instagram @kingdom_motivation and on Twitter @motivator_row.
How I Found The Strength To Stay Pure For God
I came across one explanation for this scripture online that said:
“Leaven” is used in the Bible to denote sin or corruption. Jesus Christ told his disciples: “Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” and, “Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” The apostle Paul employed the same symbolism when he commanded the Christian congregation in Corinth to expel an immoral man from the congregation, stating: “Do you not know that a little leaven ferments the whole lump? Clear away the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, according as you are free from ferment. For, indeed, Christ our passover has been sacrificed.” He then clearly showed what he meant by “leaven”: “Consequently let us keep the festival, not with old leaven, neither with leaven of badness and wickedness, but with unfermented cakes of sincerity and truth.” (1Co 5:6-8)
That last scripture got me and rung a bell in my head "Cakes of sincerity and truth" This can be used in the case of purity as well, just like abstaining from delicacies in my time of "dedication". Cake is sometimes used as a slang term for women's body parts. For a young lady to take the purity of her body seriously is a blessing through God. The scripture talks about Cakes of sincerity and truth.
As a young lady, seeking sincerity and truth, being whole and pure before God is amazing. It doesn't matter what you've done, because being dedicated first starts in our spirit. When we seek to have a pure, clean, undefiled spirit the rest follows, including the flesh. Even though we read the lament that "all of our righteousness is as filthy rags before God", it's His grace that makes us clean and white as snow. Its up to us to accept His love and dedicate every aspect of our lives to him, including our bodies. When we allow a little bit of sin in, it can ruin everything. There are ways I've found that tend to work for me:
Whether it's through fasting, abstinence or simply honoring God in our everyday lives dedication and commitment is key. Within the time of this fast I was able to attend a purity ceremony in Birmingham and made the commitment to honor God with my life, It was an amazing experience. I feel so blessed. God rewards us for our faithfulness. When we're faithful to God, He is faithful to us and then some. Though His grace exceeds our actions, God set up a life of righteousness and abundances as a reward for us. When we aspire towards a life of sincerity and truth, God's blessings are what we reap. Purity is walking in truth, and truth is the foundation for everything good. Be encouraged to honor God and continue walking in a life of abundance.
- Remember a key goal you have in mind, and reference from there. When something pops up you can challenge it because you know what you wish to accomplish through your dedication. (ex: For God to bless your business, heal your body, etc.) People who have a clear goal in mind usually succeed. (Matthew 21:21-22)
- Run and pray!! seriously. the bible says flee from sin. When you see it coming run the other way. When something is happening to me and I run to talk to God about before anything. I usually find healing, solace, and comfort. (Psalm 91:2)
- Have an accountability partner. This should be someone you're comfortable to pray with. Pray with them regularly. Help give each other strength. It's very good to know someone is supporting you and you have someone praying with you, for you, and vice versa. (Matthew 18:20)

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Finding Power In Carrying The Torch
by: April D. Byrd
I was watching T.D. Jakes message Sunday night and he said "When his mother put him in vacation bible school she was Investing", when he said that I thought of how my own grandmother put us kids in vacation bible school, and I thought about my grandmother. I knew She passed around this time of year, so when I looked it up Sunday and saw it was the exact date she died 11 years ago, I exploded in tears immediately... initially I was a wreck. When T.D Jakes said his mom invested in him by putting him in V.B.S, that part kept my mind on my grandmother and how she had invested in me.
Then the pastor at the second service I attended spoke on the same thing: How we can "Invest" in the lives of others. I had to pull myself together being still on the clock, but just to think about it, my grandmother's spirit was everything, it fortified me, She fortified all of the kids she raised because of her faith. I wanted to go into that depressed space and stay there mourning about her, I wanted to grieve over her life, but the holy spirit wouldn't let me. The fact is my grandmother happened! She lived!... and she lived phenomenally! Like I said her spirit was everything. She raised 4 kids in a one bedroom apartment, she worked her butt off to take care of each one of us. She didn't have to do that! Some people don't do that. I get my hard working spirit from her. Another thing that came to light about my grandmother was that she stayed in the word. She always had her big reading glasses on reading her word... and I never understood until I got older, but when we would go to church she would be so moved she would have to walk out,(because that church didn't shout), but something would hit her and touch her so, that she couldn't contain herself and I finally understand what it was. God would be talking to her.
When you stay faithful to the word like she did , God speaks to you. Every time us kids were wondering what was up with her, and embarrassed that she was "turning up" in church, God was speaking to her. and when God speaks on such a personal level it validates everything in your existence. It touches the very essence of who you are and strengthens your faith. I get that from her too.
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- 1 Timothy 1:5 |
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Her fire within me |
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