Diamonds are Resilient

Whatever you failed at in life, whatever attempt you made just didn't cut the mustard, I want to encourage you not to give up or quit! You only fail when you have stopped trying and when you have thrown in the towel.  Don't you know that God makes all things new for the believer. Don't allow your past failures to haunt you and keep you from trying again at whatever endeavor you are striving toward. Don't stop dreaming. Don't stop asking and calling on the name of Jesus to help you see this dream realized or for him to deliver you out of sin, a bad relationship, etc.  And even in this next attempt you just don't get it completely right, keep striving, keep seeking the Lord, keep moving toward that desired end until you win! Don't give up beloved! God loves you and there is no one rooting for you the hardest and the best than Him.  So chuck that experience up as a loss but another opportunity closer to a win!  You may be down but you're not out as lon

Diamonds, instead of trying to be perfect, acknowledge when you have made a mistake. You will not only be more relatable but genuine in your relationship with others.

Diamonds, in order to be transformed, you must be willing to get uncomfortable, count up the cost, and be willing to change!

Diamonds, the EDGE of greatness is not where God desires for you to stay! LEAP OVER the edge in order to FULFILL your God-given purpose!

I am so thankful to God for the blessing of opening another door to preach his glorious gospel for such a time as this on Father's Day. The Lord gave me a particularly special message to preach, a unique message on behalf of the million of children in the United States that have grown up without the consistent presence of their biological fathers. We often hear about the negative implications young men suffer as a result of their absentee dads, but on yesterday, the Lord used me to proclaim a father's day message from the daughter's perspective. Before I stood up to preach, Pastor A Craig Dunn of First Baptist Church in Madison, leaned over and said, "Lil Sis, by the Spirit in here, God is getting ready to bless this house this morning; yokes are going to broken, hearts are going to be healed........" Older women, middle-aged women, and young women following the message expressed gratitude to God for delivering this message. To my surprise, out there in t

Diamonds, I prayed asking the Lord to give me a servant's heart and how else did I think this request would manifest itself? The Lord will place you in situations to serve others and I will be honest, when He did today, I didnt possess anything resembling the heart of a servant. I complained. I thought of what other personal things I wanted and had to do but being a servant means going out of your way for others in need. People are in so much need and the needs can be met if servants of God are willing to humble themselves and make themselves available. In what ways is God calling you to serve but you are too busy to lend a helping hand? In what ways can you make yourself available for someone that needs a ride to the grocery store, laundry mat, or the doctor's office without pay? Not to mention, before dropping them off home, offering them something to eat or extending yourself alittle further by asking the simple question, " Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Diamonds, I just wanted to thank God for the testing and purifying of my faith this week through the fire. My flesh wanted to be exalted but in the midst of the test, I remembered a word that reminded me of the providence of God. The providence of God informs my faith that although what I am experiencing right now is difficult, God has gone before me and He has already worked out my situation; therefore, I had no reason to fear or be worried. In fact, the Holy Spirit reminded me before I got went ballistic, God promises to work everything out for my good because I love Him and I am called according to his purpose. So although I may have wanted to act unseemingly, I am grateful that I yeilded my flesh to the Spirit because I didnt want to give off the wrong impression to the witness over the phone. I also stated that I forgave those who found fault with me although the cause was unjust. You can't tell me that God was present and the peace I experienced was nothing but other-worldly

Today, I, along with my church family attended the National Museum of African  American History & Culture. I have never been so proud of the accomplishments we have made as a people created in the image of God. Through our faith, we have overcome some insurmountable challenges and difficulties. Until faith has been tested, how does one know that it is more valuable than gold or if it can be tried? From the Green Book, to the traditional art form of Stepping, inventions, actors and actresses, preachers, political figures, children fighting for their right to a quality education, the right to vote, and how we as African Americans are still striving for generations to come. I have this new found respect and reverence for those that have paved the way for my right to attend higher education. I have not only graduated from high school, but earned two master's degrees and currently earning a doctorate. I have the ability to vote when my ancestors were denied access to exercise thei

Diamonds, the more I realize how generous God is, I can't help but to think about how He gives, and then He gives more and an image of someone pouring water into my bossom where the water is overflowing and it is in abundance. I just can't understand how God can be so good to me when I have not always and still not consistently good. I fail Him everyday and yet He allows me to enter in and ask for forgiveness. I can't even imagine not being able to ask someone for forgiveness and condemnation and judgment are all that's on the table for me to receive. I can't imagine, not being pardoned for my sins and even after I have admitted my wrong doing, there was nothing but punishment but Lord, blessed is she whose sins are forgiven. You not only forgive, but you don't hold my sins against me. My sins you forget and withhold the punishment I deserved all because of your Son Jesus. Jesus's blood permitted it to be so because He shed his blood and where there is shed

Diamonds, In case someone needed to know this morning, GOD IS A STRONG DELIVERER IN HIM WE CAN ALWAYS TRUST! Be encouraged today and know that God is with you and I pray He guides everyone of your footsteps as you journey along the way! I love you but God know that God loves you so much more! Walk in His love!