"Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." Revelation 2:4

We have left our first love. We have turned our back against Him and pursued the world. It is time to get back to our rightful place. In Psalm 139:15-16, the psalmist was praising God and acknowledging how the Lord knew of Him before there was even light on this earth. "Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed." Wow! He knew about you before mom, dad, or anyone knew about you. While these are all wonderful truths, we have to be aware that there is an enemy who wants to take our identity. The key to getting back to our rightful place will be in knowing who we are in Christ.

The word says, "You are a chosen generation, royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people…" (1 Peter 2:9). This is what the word says you are my sister, but in order for us to know this, we have to look in the mirror of the word to see who the Lord says we are. The enemy who is the devil comes to do one of three things. He wants to kill, steal, and destroy. He wants to kill your destiny, steal your identity, and destroy your purpose. God says He wants us to have abundant life (John 10:10). It would be so sad if we leave this earth and the enemy knew more of our potential than we did. Do not let that happen. I know you might be wondering how to get to that rightful place. Let’s see what the word says.

If you go back to Revelation 2:4-5, the scripture tells to repent. We have all fallen short (Romans 3:23), but the Lord is calling us into His marvelous light out of the darkness (1 Peter 2:9). My dearest, you have been given keys to unlock everything that has been taken away from you. The Lord does not need us, but He wants us. How much better it is to be wanted than needed. What will you do with what you been given? What will you do with the keys? It is time to unlock your destiny.

Before I go, The Lord wants me to give you some keys:

Meditate on His word. Meditating on something allows it to not only get in your head, but your soul. Think on His word. Look in the scriptures to find out more of who you are. (Psalm 1:2-3)

Know who created you. In order to know who you are, you have to know who created you. For you are one with Him once you accept Him (Hebrews 2:11). He has made the mystery known. We have a responsibility to be caretakers of the word (Colossians 1:26-27).

Be encouraged my sisters!!

In Him,

Nakesha Grayson

About the Author: Nakesha Grayson was born and raised in Corinth, MS. She is currently finishing her last year of college at Mississippi State University with a bachelor of social work. Nakesha became very serious about her relationship with the Lord during her freshmen year of college. She has been serving Him, and Him alone, since then. Nakesha says her calling is to women and to encourage them to chase after God like no other. As her Savior sees fit,  she says she shall do just that. Please enjoy the words God has given Nakesha to you. Thank you!

There was a time that I wasn't the person I am now...

There was a time when my smile masked internal tears...
...leaving room for those tears to flow on my pillow at night.

Now, I've overcome that hurt, nearly two years later after having a talk with God about guarding my heart. You're probably wondering guarding my heart against what? Well, obviously what most of you are going through at this very moment- being involved with a man that God had no intention of you being with. Someone that drags you through the mud day in and day out. Someone that takes full advantage of you. Someone that's undeserving of the husband benefits you're giving to them. Ladies I have one word for you, if you're in any of these situations.


                                                                     STOP!

Yes, I know it seems easier said than done. But trust me, it can be done and must be done! If not you're allowing yourself to be open to more wounds and a connection to ungodly soul ties that become more tangled than you can imagine. I only say this, because that girl was me. Being young and experiencing just a tad bit of freedom at 18, I fell for a guy that eventually treated me like the dirt under his shoe, after I'd been there for him through anything you could imagine. What did I end up with? Absolutely nothing! It was a lesson paid for not only with my heart but with stolen innocence, money, tears, and conviction from God, that allowed me to make up my mind that I didn't want anything to do with man not after God's own heart. I definitely had to take a step back and realize that giving my self away mentally and physically was NOT what God wanted from me. Needless to say the conviction was real and heavy on my shoulders.  After years of investing my heart into someone I thought would do the same and thinking I would mend my heart awhile later with yet another "boy" that was just another snake in the grass stringing me along, I finally said that's enough! You would think during the time I would have saw red flags in both of those situations and listened to God. But I didn't. I didn't learn my lesson, the first or second time of guarding my heart. Ladies the point of this post is, there has to be a time where you make up in your mind that you don't want to be hurt again. That you would rather save your body and heart for your future husband, not "randoms" as my favorite speaker, Heather Lindsey would say.

You're probably asking how do I overcome? How did you overcome years of hurt? Easy-Surrender everything to God. Stop running to your friends that you think have expert advice and start casting all your cares in the one that knows you best-God Almighty. Realize your worth in Christ. You're the daughter of the king. Believe it or not, I was called everything but a child of God at one point from a guy because I wouldn't do as told. Ladies you're special and random guys that aren't serious about you (but serious about ruining you) shouldn't be getting close to you. When you truly realize your worth, you'll begin to let go of some guy that wasn't worth your time. You'll know that God has something better for you.  Let me remind you God is Love and he's not a God of confusion. So the next time, you're tempted to answer calls or text messages from someone that doesn't have your best interest at heart, think about that. Trust and believe it will save you  plenty of headaches. God wants you to be at peace not lingering around in hurt. If you don't overcome, that wound will never heal leaving you scarred with bitterness, scaring off blessings. If you're someone reading this and doesn't truly realize what love is, I encourage you to read my post, "Love Is..." here. Furthermore, I pray you have the strength to move past your hurt. Brighter days are ahead for you. God already has your story written. You only need to let go...of the past.

"He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."~Mark 5:34

Its your body right? You can do as you please...you can place as many souls in it and look for an abortion when things just don't go right. Right? Think again. Your body is a temple and should be treated as such...A baby shouldn't have to pay the price for your one night of pleasure...


I say this as an adoptee. Because I had the chance for life 27 years ago. I was adopted by my amazing parents straight from the hospital and sometimes I think what if the birth mother wouldn't have given me the chance of life? What if my parent's heart didn't yearn to do something noble? Well, for one, I wouldn't  be spreading God's word through this site to countless young ladies. There's no doubt in my mind that I'm here for a purpose, yet sometimes I wonder what if I didn't exist.

What if the woman that chose adoption for me was the next patient in line for a quick fix to her life's problems?

Each time I hear of someone getting an abortion, not only doesn't my stomach cringe but I'm crying on the inside to my heavenly Father wondering how could someone do something so cruel to an innocent human being. Ladies there has got to be a point where you stop and reflect on your actions. Stop listening to yourself when you're suddenly pregnant and don't want the baby or the guy you're involved with doesn't. Its time to be responsible. If you feel as though you can't take care of a child at the moment, do the right thing and seek adoption agencies that will assist you in finding a good home for the child. Anything, but abortion or other methods that leave a child's life gone. I can assure you that there are plenty of loving families on waiting lists around the world eager to invite a child into their home.

I recently read an article that said, people should stop saying a mother is "giving up" her

child for adoption.Ladies giving up sounds like you've been defeated by the enemy. If you choose adoption for your unborn baby you're being responsible. You're not a failure if you choose adoption. I pray you choose wisely. Because it truly saddens me as I look at statistics from the Guttmacher Institute that reports, "half of pregnancies among American women are unintended, and about four in 10 of these end in abortion. Also, "Nine in 10 abortions occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy."

Ladies choose wisely! Save a precious life!

For more information or statistics on abortion visit the Guttmacher Institute at www.guttmacher.org.

If you're seeking to find a family for your unborn baby, as stated before SEEK adoption agencies that can assist you in your area. 

If you're a family searching for information on adoption visit www.adopt.org. I love their motto, "There are no unwanted children, just unfound families." Their mission is to find homes for children in foster care. I applaud this organization and others similar to it, because not only did my parent's adopt me but our home was also a home for several foster children while I was growing up.

I'll leave with the following scripture, as it reminds me we were all brought into this world with a purpose:

 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."~Psalm 139:13-16


 Love and blessings,
      

Photo Credit: Shelby Steckbaur
shelbyraephotographs.com

                       

The following was contributed from Micaela Adams.

This afternoon I began cleaning out my room . As I did it the thought occurred to me how often do we leave our messes to accumulate . Now I could've attempted to clean earlier in the week before it got overly messy but I chose to wait and let it become so overwhelming that it has taken me the whole day to unclutter and make presentable.

I could hear God saying to me, this is what I'm doing with your life when you come to me. I'm removing the big messes and the small messes that you add on.In order to do that I have to get to the root of the problem. I have to get to where the mess began.

Now, we all know when cleaning it can be tedious and overbearing even sometimes causing aches and pain sometimes we walk away from it just to get rest and get back at it again.

Thankfully, our God never takes breaks never leaves messes and works through our problems even when we can't feel him cleaning out our system . Thank you Jesus for your consistency ! Being a wife, a woman of God, or just even a soldier of faith requires consistency . That's what God is doing with his Queens . Before he decides to give you a spouse or even a life of abundance we first must learn to be content with him in all things and trust that he is cleaning up our messy situations.

So if your struggling and feeling like God I need you too fix me up trust me that he is. He is working all things out for your good. He loves his leading ladies and sometimes transitioning to his will takes a little stretching pulling and rearranging but you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you . He will never leave you forsake you or give up on you . You are permanently his and he yours.


Connect with Micaela on Instagram at Micaela_thelioness_

The following guest post has been contributed to "Memoirs of a Virtuous Woman" by an anonymous writer that hopes you're encouraged by her words of incredible strength from a painful past. She reminds you that God is always waiting on you to find your way back to the cross, no matter how far lost you have walked away from the narrow path. He's waiting. He's listening. He's watching. And his unchanging hand will always welcome you back.



Hey ladies! First, I would like to thank God for allowing me out of my past and giving me the opportunity to minister and speak life into you! I'm here to tell you; no matter the circumstance, you are not your past, there is always a Road to Redemption. By His stripes we are all healed and He died for our transgressions. We have been reassured that our past is forgotten and our iniquities forgiven. Trust me, the news gets better! Not only will He forget your past; He will set it up in a way that others will not remember. Once you have repented and began your Road to Redemption, he will recreate you, make you anew, give you a new life. Isaiah 43:25 reminds us two truths:

                                              1.) He will blot out or erase our sins. 

                                              2.) He will no longer remember them. 

It is stated, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. " I'm here to tell you the life God has destined for you can not and will not be held back because of your past. Although you may get discouraged and life may get you down, there is power in the name of Jesus and there is strength in His word. I want you to know, NO MATTER what you have done, you can go to Him in prayer.

Which leads you to my story...

I grew up in the church and very connected to God. When I was sixteen I lost my virginity and most of my self esteem and self respect went with it. As time progressed my 'body count' had risen to about four in a matter of months; in the teens over two years; and now close to twenty. Beginning my freshman year of college I wanted to reinvent myself from the promiscuous spirit that I had developed. Little did I know, habit was oh so hard to break. I made myself feel better though by making sure that I only slept with a man if I were in a relationship with him ... well, that's after I had slept with two guys who were in relationships themselves. I remember I would 'talk' to a guy for a week then think it's ok to be with him. All because I felt like I was not being 'as promiscuous'.

Soon enough, I had fallen into a party lifestyle and I had been placed on academic probation. I was really living 'the life': you know, sex, drugs, and alcohol. I would still go to church every now and then; you know, to keep the lines of communication open; between me and God, so he didn't forget about me. Soon enough I had met my match. He was charming, sweet, hard working, a praying man!

But he didn't mind me smoking, drinking, partying, or our premarital sex. I trusted him, and fell for him. I fell pretty hard! FLAT ON MY FACE that is!

I had trusted him so much that we had stopped using condoms and never thought to use protection during oral sex. From that relationship, I contracted Chlamydia, Herpes, HPV, a broken spirit, a broken heart, a spirit of depression, a spirit of suicide, and a heart not willing to open up.

One night, I had taken sleeping pills, liquid sleeping medicine, about two or three shots of vodka, and slipped in the tub. I was ready for whatever would happen. It didn't work and over the course of about a month of battling to stay with him, praying to get through it, and about two more suicide attempts, I won. So, I began to heal, or so I thought. I went out with my girls and found me a man ... to sleep with

Why did I think the same way I got in this mess was the same way I'd get out?

Anyway, me and my girls went back to his place with him and his boys. They brought us alcohol and weed. We smoked and drank and was all feeling good! Me and the guy went into the back room and started to ... well, you know. Certainly I felt instant conviction. I told him to stop and he wouldn't. I was crying and asking him over and over to stop. I convinced myself that if I hadn't been drinking and out looking for trouble that would've never happened. Yes, that may be true, however, he also should have stopped. Since that night I have forgiven him. Simply because holding onto hurt much more than letting go.

One night after I thought I had healed (without the REAL help of God by the way), I found myself broken, yet again. Lonely. Scared. I wanted to smoke, I needed to get high. I didn't have any weed and couldn't find any on campus to buy. At that point, as I lay in my bed, I looked over and saw my Bible. I picked it up and started reading. It was then I realized when I had nothing I still had God. It was also then I realized I should never allow myself to be in a place where I say well, if I have nothing else, God I have you.

Since then, I have grown in ministry and I am definitely still growing in His name. You see sister, He will deliver you from your darkest places, because you have a calling on your life and you must fulfill your calling.

Romans 8:28-31 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" 

My sister! How glorious is it that we are reassured that our destiny is set in stone, that no one can erase our name and replace it with their own, my sister! How marvelous is this word that it comforts us at our darkest hours? He never said the weapons wouldn't form, He only said he wouldn't let them prosper my sister. My journey has not been perfect; however, my purpose is! I am blessed to go through what I have gone through. I'm stronger, more resilient, more loving, understanding, and kind. It's brought me back to My Father!

I am here to let you know today that it's going to be all right. Your breakthrough is coming, you have to hold on and wait until the morning to see it. You must understand your destiny is greater than your downfall! Speak life over yourself, cry it out in the shower, STAY in your word, have faith, and be be encouraged.

~Anonymously, GRlorious Redemption

Wow 2-7! Its a blessing to see you! My God has been so good to me! If I had a thousand tongues it wouldn't be enough to express how awesome he's been on this journey of life with me. He's been better to me than I've been to myself and I thank him for keeping me on the narrow path at this very moment. Remember few find this narrow path along the way and I'm thankful for

staying on the right track.

Now, ten years ago, just what was I doing? Graduating high school and preparing for college. Not knowing what "life" had to offer me, I was only concerned about getting an education with an ending point of capturing a degree to fulfill my goal of a career in news. I honestly thought "life" wouldn't happen. I pushed the thought of sadness and disappointments out of my mind, in hopes of everything to be sunshine and butterflies. One of the reasons behind that was, after my 10th grade year of losing my father, I didn't want sadness to follow me. Instead I wanted to remain strong and make my mother proud of me. Now, looking back there are so many things that if I could have whispered in my ear to do better, I would of. But guess what there was a bigger voice whispering in my ear, after the mistakes and after the tears had been shed. That voice was God Almighty, steering me along the way, telling me to "Be still and know that he is God!" Leaning on to my own understanding can only get you so far as I get closer to 30, I'm very aware of that.

So what would I tell the girl that clung to her journals with bright dreams of the future? First of all, be anxious for nothing. Instead be patient and thankful for the things that at my feet. There were numerous times during my senior year, in which I couldn't wait to get out of my parent's house to experience freedom. I, like most teenagers was anxious to grow up, without realizing the cost along the way. Life was so simple in high school compared to the years of facing the trials of being an adult. We, on the other hand make things so complicated with the idea of wanting to rush everything. Secondly, be slow to speak and quick to listen. Who listens to their parents as teenagers? Not many right and I was one of those that didn't like to listen. Once again at the time I just wanted to lean onto my own understanding. Even the smallest things my parents would say, are beneficial in my life today, and they would definitely been beneficial if I would have had their voice in my head during my freshman year of college. Thankfully now, I can hear my dad saying "Jus keep on livin." Next, I would have definitely in my younger years have kneeled to God more when problems or decisions arose, instead of confiding in others that weren't on the same spiritual path as me. When I was 17, I was into my second year of taking the step into exercising my Christian beliefs. There were things, I still didn't know when I was baptized at 15, but I thank God for guidance along the way. If I had known what I know now, my thoughts would have been left solely at the throne of God and in those that had my best interest at heart, not friends that didn't have a problem with sin or anything else that didn't truly represent God. Those three things may seem small to you, if you're not a believer in Christ or simply because you haven't walked a mile in my shoes. But, they're big to me. 

Since the days of being 17, I've learned some valuable things whether school related, work related, friends, and capturing discernment from past situations where my heart was taken advantage of and played over. Remember, when you know better, you do better! If you're a young lady reading this realize, yes you'll encounter problems on the journey of being a Christian but the important thing is, how did you learn from it? How do you react to it? God doesn't want us to walk in confusion, but instead joy! I'm proud of the young woman I've become-a woman of wisdom and filled with drive, living this earthly life with a purpose. That purpose is to serve God wholeheartedly. I know we fall off track. We're human, but I have no desire to purposely live wrong. Again I'm thankful for the lessons that have molded me into pure gold!

 "But now O Lord, thou art our Father, we are the clay, and thou our potter, and we are all the work of thy hand."~Isaiah 64:8