Happy New Year my loves!!! I pray you all are doing well and are having an AMAZING start to 2023!! I pray that you all are healthy and safe as well. The holiday season had me in full relaxation mode, so it was a little hard to get back to writing! I am so thankful for the opportunity that God affords me to share my experiences with you all and I can’t wait to see what He does in this new year! Let’s get to it!

I was cleaning one day and a song I used to listen to all the time came to mind. The song is called “Faith Come Alive” by Tasha Page-Lockhart. I really needed that song in some of my darkest moments and I still listen when I am struggling. I made a mental note that it would be a good blog and kinda went about my day. Later in that week, I had a conversation with a friend, and I suggested praying about a particular situation. They said that they didn’t believe that they had the faith. They asked me if I ever experienced that. Listen!!! This is where ministry comes in. I think they were very surprised when I said that I do have areas where I am weak in faith. People don’t expect Christians to say that. I am a very honest about my struggles in different areas. I appreciate gospel singers and pastors that have a transparency about their issues instead of making others believe that this walk is easy and everything is rainbows and butterflies. That may be cool for recruiting new Christians, but how are you gonna explain when things go opposite of the theory that was sold to them? People are attracted to honesty and authenticity. Yes, God is a good father, however we all experience difficult moments and tests in our faith.

So, what is faith? We know that Hebrews 11:1 AMP says, “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].” The part that says faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses is powerful. It is believing something to be true without a tangible expression of that thing. Faith is having confidence in something or someone. It means having belief, but faith also has to have action. James 2:17 AMP says, “So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].” It is not enough to just believe; we also have to do practical things. If you want a new job, you may need to put in an application. If you want to start a business, you have to do research, pinpoint your target market, and ask God for strategies to execute the plan.

I believe we all have more faith than we believe we have. Hebrews 11:6 AMP says, “But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” It takes faith to believe in a God we cannot see. Because we believe in and seek Him, it causes Him great pleasure. Sometimes it is not that we have a lack of faith, but that we are seeking Him for the things we desire without seeking His heart about what He has for us. I explained to my friend that there are some areas that I have strong faith, I have no issues asking God about things concerning those areas. Then, there are others where I don’t even wanna bring it up! I was able to share my experiences and what I do to strengthen my faith.

Prayer and communication with God will strengthen your faith. Knowing what God says in His word about that particular situation strengthens your faith. When we keep praying for something we desire that we have yet to see, that strengthens our faith. There was something I read as I was preparing for this blog, and it stated that faith gives us staying power. I can agree. I can honestly say that because my faith in God is stronger than my unanswered prayers, I have the wisdom to keep returning to Him in all circumstances. I rest in the fact that I know that God is not a respecter of persons, that I know that He is not a man that should lie or repent, that I know that His intentions toward me are good.

So, can you identify the areas in your life where you lack faith? Let’s begin to give those areas back to God. Sometimes we pray for things and instead of leaving them to God, we want to pick it up and try to “help”. Let’s seek His heart for us concerning those areas. We can seek him for one thing, and He could have something sooooo much greater for us. My friend began to see things move as soon as they began to apply their faith and pray! We can get the same results when we surrender to His perfect will for our lives.

Father, we thank you for allowing our faith to come alive again. We thank you for the wisdom to continue to seek you even when what we see is contrary to what we believe. We are expectant of what you have for us and sure that you will exceed our expectations. Your goodness is unmatched, your mercy endures forever, and we are so thankful for your love that surrounds us daily. Help us to maintain a posture of faithfulness to you even when we get weary in our faith. We repent for not trusting in who you are and what you have said. Help us to seal your word in our hearts so that we are prepared when the enemy comes to make us doubt in the promises you have made to us. We believe but help our unbelief. We thank you, love you, and adore you. Amen!

Welcome to the FINAL blog post of 2022! I cannot believe we are at the end of the year already! November is the month that we usually observe to give thanks, but that is something that should be practiced daily. Each day is full of so much uncertainty, but we always have something to be grateful for. Life is so precious, and we should cherish each and every moment. I recently started writing in a gratitude journal and realized that I can find joy in the smallest things! The beauty of God is in the large, small, happy, and sad moments in our lives. Let’s talk.

So, I have always been a church girl. When the idea for this blog came about, I began to remember that I learned different names of God at a very young age. I learned Jireh our provider. Rapha our healer, and Shalom our peace amongst many others. There was one that I don’t remember learning until a few years ago and that is El Roi, the God who sees me. Why was this important to me? Glad you asked. I lived most of my life feeling invisible. I would often feel overlooked by God in many instances. I went from knowing Him as my father to feeling disappointed and uncertain about the love He had for me. Have you ever felt that way? It’s ok to be honest, don’t leave me out here by myself! If this wouldn’t have been an issue, we wouldn’t need to know Him by that name!

We live in a world of comparison, striving, and wanting things in a hurry. This makes it hard to grasp when we don’t receive the things we have prayed for, if we are not rewarded in areas we feel we have worked hard, or if we simply don’t get our way. When we are faced with these realities, we can begin to feel that God is ignoring us or that we are not seen. First, He gave us the assurance of being known by El Roi to let us know that we are seen. There are also many scriptures that can assure us that we are seen, cared for, and loved. He is so strategic and invested in our well-being! In our humanity, He knew we would have the capacity to have moments of feeling lost and abandoned.

This can happen in stages of our life. I felt this when I was younger and rejected repeatedly by all my crushes. It didn’t help that ALL my friends had a boyfriend! The feeling was there when I was a professional bridesmaid. I was happy for them, but longing for my turn. I felt the feeling when I was laid off for 7 months. After a while, it seemed like my job was going to interviews. Even though this year has been great so far, I have felt that way spiritually. I have been listening to sermons, praying, and all the things but I have been feeling disconnected; as if I am just doing it because of routine. Partly because I lost sight of who He really is in all circumstances, partly because I wanted to go in a different direction from what I knew was right, and somewhat because of feeling lost and confused about things happening around me. In all of those circumstances, HE SEES ME. He saw me in rejection and led me to a place of healing and acceptance. He saw me in the layoff and gave me a purpose (this blog) in that layoff season. I gained an amazing connection in that space, and I never lacked anything! He sees me now. Even in the confusion, He sent me a word to let me know He sees me and my ultimate desire to just please Him.

As I endeavor to set my eyes on Him, I have a few scriptures to share in case you need the reminder as well. John 4:8a NLT says, “Come close to God, and He will come close to you.” That’s taking the first step. We have to bring those feelings to Him, tell Him which aspect of Him you need in that moment. Psalm 33:18 GNT says “The Lord watches over those who obey him,
    those who trust in his constant love.” He watches over us with care, the conditions are to obey Him and trust that no matter what is happening around us He loves us with a consistent love! Isaiah 41:10 GNT says, “Do not be afraid—I am with you!
    I am your God—let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.” This is reminding us of His presence. He is our defender and helper at all times. Romans 8:28 GNT says, “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.” This reminds us of His strategic nature. Nothing is wasted in Him and even those things that seem useless to us can be used to glorify Him.

Psalm 139:1-18 GNT says, “Lord, you have examined me, and you know me. You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts. You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions. Even before I speak, you already know what I will say. You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power. Your knowledge of me is too deep; it is beyond my understanding. Where could I go to escape from you? Where could I get away from your presence? If I went up to heaven, you would be there. If I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there. If I flew away beyond the east or lived in the farthest place in the west, you would be there to lead me; you would be there to help me. I could ask the darkness to hide me or the light around me to turn into night, but even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you. You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother’s womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there—you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began. O God, how difficult I find your thoughts, how many of them there are! If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.”

If you cannot understand the fact that He sees you after reading that scripture! Part of seeing is also knowing us–true intimacy that cannot be obtained from anyone else. He created us, so He knows each and every one of us. Pretty amazing, right! As this year comes to a close, I pray that you would either use these scriptures or seek your own to stand on. I encourage you to check out all of the names of God and incorporate them into your prayer time. He sees us, He hears us, He knows us, and He loves us!

Father, we give thanks for you. You are all knowing, all sufficient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. You have the power and ability to be all things, to all people, at all times. Help us to take our rightful place as your sons and daughters as we seek our father. Help us to understand that you are El Roi, the God who sees us. You see our struggles, triumphs, disappointments, joys, and flaws. As we draw closer to you, show us your strategy, give us your wisdom, help us to be encouraged, and lead us to a place of deep and meaningful connection with you. Not only do we want to acknowledge that you see us, but we also want to see and know you in a greater way as well. We are in awe of your constant love towards us. Help us to hide your word in our hearts so that we can stand firm in your assurance that we are always seen by you. As stated in 1 Corinthians 15:58, we will be strong and immovable. Always working enthusiastically for the Lord, for we know that nothing we do for the Lord is ever useless. We are grateful, we love you, and we adore you. Amen.

Thank you all for your amazing support this year! I appreciate you all! Have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season and an Amazing New Year!!