I left my home yesterday on my way to a class and realized I left my phone. I refused to go back because I would then be late, then my mild OCD would kick in. Plus I had to mail a package at the post office on the way. (By the way I’m on foot) and in my neighborhood everything is scattered. So I go on my merry way. I’m in the post office and reach for my phone, it had the info I needed to mail the package. Right! Strike 1. So my workaround was my memory and my mild OCD again I had the item prepared. I just like double checking lol. I go catch the bus to my location and gratefully I checked the directions and mapped it out earlier on my phone because I’m a visual learner. Strike 2 I can’t check my mta app because I left my phone. So old school vibes kicked in. I no longer wear a watch yet I have several, nice ones too, my phone has the time. I asked some kids hanging at the bus stop. Social media has our kids in the land of make believe. They looked at me weird because I was standing across from the pjs with noticeable mild designer accessories at the bus stop asking one of them for the time. They had a look like who is this lady talking to us like she knows us, but really does she know us. Yeah I know you all young black men. I used to teach you in middle school, not literally. Eventually one of the three responded by checking their phone not a watch. The teacher in me said in my head can they read analog time. I hope so. Any who I check the time so the bus was on it’s way according to the bus map. I realized they are still up to date. Go MTA! Strike 3 I ask the bus driver about the cross street bus stop. He had no clue. He was about half my age and like I, relied on his technology to tell him. I find the bus map on the bus surprisingly and not graffitied (new word) and find my stop. It’s a newer bus that talks to you regarding your stop. I miss the seasoned drivers that know their routes even if they were covering a shift. I listened for my stop as I know he wasn’t and upon leaving I said the normal socially acceptable salutations and of course I had to school him by regurgitating the stop stated by the tech wizard that sounds like the GPS girl. I’m gone from home 4 hours without my phone to entertain me during the class, which I so needed, and my daughter had plans after work. So she’s calling me off the hook, blah blah blah. It’s the norm for us. She just wanted to make sure I was good. Of course I got a lecture when I returned home. Who’s the parent? It was a good experience. Something I will do more often, planned of course.
“Don’t Be Entangled with Life”
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Psalms 95:8 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.95.8.KJV
It always amazes me how God speaks through us just at the right time. His timing is oh so great! When I meditated on this scripture this morning, as I sit in my designated seat, on my designated day for dialysis treatment, I realize I have more joy in this lifetime than I’ve ever had. He loved me enough to chip the old Malaika away, in order to let the new Malaika win. Yes I said it, I’m a winner. I have more freedom now than I’ve ever had in this 47 years of life, I’ve been bitter, miserable, complacent, unloved, broken, disgusted, cast aside, deterred, complex, angry, ostracized, jealous, forbidden, but God. As I sit in this chair, with my blood flowing out and in my body being cleansed today, my soul is clean, my thoughts are clean, my heart is clean. I am truly becoming who God has purposed me to be in this position called life. All that I’ve been through I can not and will not take it in vain but I will stand on that solid rock that birthed me in my purpose as never before. We can either live out this life as planned by God or we can continue to be “The Walking Dead”. Who do you choose to be today?
#TrueEvangelism
#B.Y.O.B.M.
#MalaikaRay
God Has A Plan-Salvation
Choices, choices, choices. We choose everyday. We choose unapologetically. We choose without gaining knowledge of our choices. We choose just because it looks good. When are we going to take our time to choose. As I’m dealing with my personal issues: financial, emotional, physical, mental, social, or spiritual, I realize that I have the authority to choose the outcome. I can choose depression or I can choose joy. “Joy comes in the morning.” I can choose lack or I can choose to prosper. “Even as my soul prospers.” I can choose confusion or I can choose peace. “The peace that passes all understanding.” Through all formats of media and viewing everyday life from a spiritual lense, the world appears to be winning. How much longer do we, the people of God have to wait for our time to manifest. In this choice of Salvation, are we winning, because it looks very bleak. We have so many distractions as we are only tempted as much as we can handle. Why are so many of us falling back into the world and accepting what the world is offering? Is it a new day as a new creation or are we just saying it because it sounds good. Our faith that makes us whole is buried in so many world changing colloquialisms. Our leaders have to change with the world but remain seperate. It’s a new day literally but we are not prepared to take it on by ourselves. We need fresh new armor to combat the new tactics. We need to be refreshed, reborn, renewed. We need the brave leaders to step out and be the chosen because many are called.
#TrueEvangelism
#MalaikaRay
Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder-Lacking Godly Vision
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Proverbs 29:18 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.29.18.KJV
How often have you set out to accomplish a task and you realized when it was not completed that God was not in the midst? There was so much difficulty with the process that we forgot to include God. He is the only reason we are alive. God’s our source and provider. It’s through His son Jesus that we have a chance at eternity in Him. What makes us so full of adulting that we omit the Father. When we seek out God, He gives us the vision daily. He will lead us through the process and will send the comforter to guide us through it. Why do we after all our know how, religion, theology, and churching do we still lean on our own understanding. God gives us the right path because it’s related to His vision over our lives. We have to see it as that also. That’s the part where we depend on the vision to manifest. If we are led astray what does that say for those that are attached to us. Are we leading them where God wants us to, or are we so caught up in what the world values as right and what others will say? Trusting God with our whole hearts means it may not look like it should but it’s God’s Way, and ultimately the vision will prosper.
#TrueEvangelism
Malaika Ray
Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholderder-God’s Love
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Galatians 5:14 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.5.14.KJV
We have heard it sermon after sermon, preacher after preacher. How can we love God, but don’t love our sister or brother from our God give families. How do we not love our cousin that runs her mouth too much. Or that jealous friend who we still keep around because it makes us feel powerful. How about that lady that lives on your floor with all those kids that make too much noise. Or the older woman that watches every move you make. When you turn your head you feel her presence. Or what about that man you picked and married but God was no where in that. It’s 2.5 kids later and you are more alone than you’ve ever been. How about the homeless man you pass everyday but you have avoided him by walking across the street every chance you can. What is Love? The love of God is pure, holy, righteous, non-judgemental, sacrificial, unwavering, determined, respectful, giving, and open. If we make a concerted effort to love on one person a day, what an awesome way to move our hearts in the direction of Our Father. Start with the home because charity starts there. Ask God to show you what He sees in them, then love on them.
Malaika Ray
#TrueEvangelism
Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder-Training God’s Way
God is the one who leads us and guides us as we submit to Him daily. I know which way to go because He shows me the way. My parents have been the ones who have taught me the basics of knowing the difference between right and wrong from an early age. As I grew into an adult the world showed me a different way. Going through my growing pangs I realized there had to be more than what the world showed me. I knew of God, but I had no genuine relationship with Him. Not knowing He was waiting patiently on me! But as I persevered and sought out the truth and began to place myself in situations to be educated I allowed God to train me up in His way. My parents were my first teachers and I am grateful because what they knew they taught me. But when God got ahold of me, things were very different. I was a child all over again. I had to learn His way because His way was righteous. His way was sovereign. His way was holy. When I do it His way, it’s as if I’m putting on a brand new pair of designer shoes and they always look good on me.
Malaika Ray
#TrueEvangelism
Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder-Thirsting After God
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
Psalms 42:1-2 KJV
http://bible.com/1/psa.42.1-2.KJV
As I call out to my Father this morning my soul is longing to be closer everyday. While He allows me to grow closer to Him, I realize I want more. In my gluttony in desiring the things of God I imagine what it’s like to not have Him in my life. I once too was the unsaved. How can one survive without realizing who and what He is? There’s a constant yearning in my spirit man to be quenched by Him. He fills me up everyday I call out, because I have learned to submit my all to Him. If I don’t call out, I can’t submit. If I don’t submit, I can’t receive. If I don’t receive, I can’t and will not grow. As I mentioned from the beginning I want more of the Father. I pray you desire the same, if not more.
Malaika Ray
#TrueEvangelism
Malaika Ray 