Category Archives: Uncategorized

Weaned from Dependencies

When a baby is finally weaned from breast milk, the baby has to learn to depend on solid food for nourishment, strength, and health. This is a natural fact that we can look to in order to understand how to fully trust God. God wants us to progress in our faith and trust in Him. Learning to lean on, cling to, and step firmly into the promises of God and live in serenity is possible through trusting and depending on God’s word.

Let’s examine our hearts today…let’s be sure that we are learning to lean on God in everything we think, choose, and decide. Let’s wean ourselves from dependencies on the world and people and let’s practice by faith keeping the word of God closer than the security of the world.

“In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.-Proverbs 16:9

*Have you gotten my new release yet? So many have already enjoyed and received encouragement from “When A Man is Fed Up: Unlocking the Soul of a Few Good Men”. Get your copy from the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09P6GRB8H/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

The Pain of Rejection

It’s true. The last couple of years has taught me many lessons. One of those lessons is the reality that pain exists in every phase of life. This pain comes with frequency and intensity. Just like labor pains!

One such pain is the pain of rejection. My morning has been filled with prayers for those suffering from the pain of rejection. This pain filters through triggering events and evil voices that speak: “You’re not good enough”, “You’re washed up”, ‘You have no value”, “I do not love you”, and so on. I have dealt with this for many years in my life without really realizing it Believe it or not, it is easy to suppress pain until you are backed in a corner and can no longer hide.

There is an evil spirit employed by satan to cripple, suffocate, and render helpless the person who is the victim of rejection. We must be vigilant and prayerful with this one because of the effect it has on our destiny! One thing I have learned by experience is that we have got to train and re-train the mind to accept the love of God. It’s simple but not so simple. When we suffer rejection from loved ones, whether blood relatives or those who may not be blood but are people we thought loved us and had our backs, it is difficult to accept and get over. I said difficult. Not impossible. With God all things are possible. (Luke 1:37, Genesis 18:!4)

One horrific thing about this spirit is that it creeps in when you are vulnerable and can invade a person’s life in different ways through different scenarios. Such as a teen mother who contemplates abortion but is too far along or is afraid to go along with it. The spirit of rejection passes to the child and that child ends up growing up and suffering from rejection unaware, a divorce, infidelity in a relationship, being passed over for a promotion at work, betrayal by someone who you thought was a devoted friend, family members showing favoritism and not being supportive, etc. The evil spirit takes these triggering events and feeds off of them.

If you are suffering from the influence of the spirit of rejection, take steps to receive soul healing today. Admit that you are hurting. Renew your mind by scriptures that speak to the love that God has for you. Talk to someone. Pray and push through even when it hurts and you do not feel your breakthrough. I promise you will be delivered through the grace and power of God!

I’m rooting for you! You are always in my prayers. (Colossians 4:2)

*Announcement:  It is still time to register for the “A Time to Dance” virtual course! We have enrollees already and I am excited about what God intends to do! Click the link below if you are interested!

https://intercession-worshipful-ministries.dpdcart.com/

Min D

Lord, Give Me a Mind to Work

This morning as I was in prayer and meditation, I heard a word through a snippet of a verse that I had not read in a while. The verse was Nehemiah 4:6 relative to having a mind to work.

“So built we the wall, and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.” Nehemiah 4:6 KJV

God was simply instructing me on how to pray regarding all of the ministry assignments that I have pending. I began to pray for a mind to complete what needed to be completed and that it would be done for His glory. I also asked that He would light a fire in my spirit so that I have the enthusiasm for the work.

What are you attempting to accomplish during the summer months? Is it a book, a home project, a task at work, something for your business, etc.? Regardless of what God has placed on your to-do list, you need the same spirit of enthusiasm that the Jews had when they finally completed the wall. They completed the work despite opposition. I believe we can do the same but we’ve got to have a mind to work. A mind to work is an enthusiastic mind that prioritizes God’s glory and purposes.

I’m praying for you. I pray that you complete all your assignments this summer with an enthusiastic mindset. I pray that if the fire has gone out, that God will light your fire and passion once again.

Blessings and Love,

Denise

Special Announcement!  My next book entitled, “Let’s Go Back to Church-For God is in Her Midst” will be available on Amazon in a few weeks!  We are excited about it and pray that you will check it out.

What is the Plumb line in Your Hand?

Sometimes watching someone else’s successes causes us to grow weary when it appears that we are not growing or being elevated fast enough. We know we have a command from God to accomplish something greater but things seem to be moving so slowly or not even moving at all.

What is the plumb line in your hand today that appears so insignificant? Don’t despise it. God delights in it. Work it and watch it grow.

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.
Zechariah 4:10, NLT

So gird up the loins of your mind and be courageous! God is always on time. He is never too early nor is He ever too late, Be encouraged and keep working for the Lord. Your gifts will make room for you and bring you before great men!  (I Peter 1:13, Proverbs 18:16)

Love,

Minister D

Loosing Myself

The Spirit led life is not one that can be understood by the natural mind. For example, if you want to receive, you have to give something, if you want to grow and experience the glory of God, you have to suffer and so on. It seems there is always some kind of condition that has to be met if we are going to claim the promises of God.

Today as I sat in the doctor’s office I heard this phrase: “loosing myself”. As I began to contemplate why I was hearing this phrase, I realized that it had to do with freedom! Freedom from the traumas associated with my past. I needed to release! I realized that the Lord was using ministry assignments to allow me to be transparent in my teachings. He did this in order for the suppressed pain to be addressed, and at the same time, healing others from their past traumas! Admitting that the hurt exists and admitting our own faults relative to suppression is vital.

Ask yourself: “Am I avoiding confrontation?” Talk to God. Look up scripture references that speak to the past traumas. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you at least one prayer partner that will assist in praying you through.

How bad do you want your emotional healing? Are you willing to lose “you” in the process? I’m speaking of not being afraid to face issues of the heart. This can be frightening, but if we trust God with our hearts, He will guide us through the process. Don’t be afraid of discomfort or shame. Again, God will take care of you through it all. We are loosing ourselves to gain freedom!

Hold On…He’s Coming!

Just when you feel as if life is spinning out of control! Perhaps depression is trying to get into your mind and weigh you down. Hold on…even during times when you feel like you’re not on top of life, and life is on top of you…just keep breathing and believing. God loves you and His plans for you will prevail.

PSALMS 13:5-6 TPT
5 I have always trusted in your kindness, so answer me.
    I will spin in a circle of joy
    when your salvation[d] lifts me up.
6 I will sing my song of joy to you, Yahweh,
    for in all of this you have strengthened my soul.
    My enemies say that I have no Savior,
    but I know that I have one in you!

Just a note of hope! Have a wonderful day.

Love,

Min D

Don’t forget to get your copy of the “Unequally Yoked Series!”  Both books can be obtained from the website or from Amazon. If you are not a regular subscriber to the email list, please locate the “subscribe” box either on the side of the screen or at the bottom of the screen and subscribe today! You will receive a devotional absolutely free.

What’s that in Your Hand?”

In Exodus 4:2, God asked Moses a crucial question. This question came about during the time when God was calling Moses into his purpose of delivering the Children of Israel out of bondage. (See also Exodus chapter 3). Because Moses was afraid, he began to make excuses.

The question God asked Moses was “What is that you have in your hand?”  We know the story. Moses answered, “a rod.”  God went on to assure Moses that He would be with him and also prophetically revealed how the Egyptians would be spoiled or defeated by the Children of Israel. What God wanted me to realize was that sometimes we do not realize the gifts that we already possess.

For the next 30 days I will be posting a challenge on social media in order to encourage us all to use what we have. Our God has invested treasures within us. Its time to stir and shake up every gift in this season. Are you up for the challenge? If so, I will gift you a free e-book but you will need to complete a 3 question survey and provide your email address.  The survey is in the link below.  Blessings to you…

SURVEY LINK BELOW:

https://forms.gle/BfDL1zb1zsRQWe8GA

 

Min Denise

 

How’s Your Prayer Life?

How’s Your Prayer Life?

Hello! I pray that you are well and in the peace of God as we have started a new calendar year. I have started mine with prayer and fasting but also with one of the most challenging trials that I have had to face in a while. Nevertheless I encourage myself in the Lord daily.

During our weekly prayer broadcast, I have been challenging the viewers to examine their prayer lives. I would also like to do that for you. How fervent is your prayer life? How often are you hearing from God?  Are you consistently hearing that still small voice directing your paths?

“Shael” is an ancient Hebrew word that has the meaning of drawing out something hidden. Here’s the thing:  It displeases God when we seek and inquire with the world before inquiring with Him when we need direction, wisdom, and counsel. (See James 1:3, Isaiah 30:1-3, & II Chronicles 16:12)

Take some time to take inventory on your prayer life today. We need communion with God now more than ever.

Blessings to you in this new calendar year!

*Note…Have you read my novel series?  The “Unequally Yoked” series is available on both the website and the author site. If you like Christian Inspiration from drama, then you will be ministered to by both books. I promise. Check them out!

Unequally Yoked: The Pleasures of Sin lasts for a Season: Godfrey, Denise Cook: 9781482649451: Amazon.com: Books

Unequally Yoked: Reaping the Harvest: Cook-Godfrey, Denise: 9781699512470: Amazon.com: Books

Min Denise

Denise with Praying Hands-Backyard

Change it Up!

A little change is good every now and then right? Whether we’re changing our wardrobe or hair styles to changing the appearance of a room in our homes, it’s natural to feel great about positive changes.

But what about spiritual changes? How do we handle drastic changes that occur without notice? I’m talking about COVID-19 positive results for yourself and several family members, lingering symptoms months after recovery from COVID including hair loss, bereavement due to not one family member but three in a three week timespan, and a health diagnosis regarding two major areas that will call forth challenging lifestyle changes! Life is what I like to refer to as “raw” and as Christians we must be able to adapt to the changing climates and seasons in our path. The list i explain above is not a complaint, but an observation. We all are going through tough times but I believe we must acknowledge our pain and embrace suffering for Christ’s sake as a part of the will of God.

So how do we handle change? There are, I’m sure, multiple answers to this question but what comes to mind for me is this: “and be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Above is a snippet of verse two of Romans chapter twelve. I just want to encourage you from that portion. When sudden and overwhelming changes hit tour life, the result is sudden actions that you must take. So, why not follow after the snippet! We must be sure our minds are being renewed by God’s Word each day so that our pattern of thinking and mindsets are healthy enough to weather each storm in our path. This is not always easy but when we intentionally meditate on God and His Word, we can expect change to occur within all stormy and fierce changes are taking place around us. May I pause here to say that in the midst of all that we personally suffer from season to season, I testify that God has been and always is so recklessly good to me!

Blessings to you and enjoy your week!

I Have Not Divorced You

Life as we know it right now is off the chain! Our nation is in chaos. We do not know from day to day what is literally going to happen when it comes to the pandemic, the health of the economy, and so on. We cannot even meet for church as we need to. Some of us are in the fight of our lives and it is NOT surprising that many are falling away and have given up.

Well, as I am reading and preparing for a short sermonette, I realize that I am not exempt from being totally overwhelmed right now myself. I thank God for the Word in Isaiah 50:1—

50 :1—-This is what the Lord says:

“Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce
    with which I sent her away?
Or to which of my creditors
    did I sell you?
Because of your sins you were sold;
    because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.

In this verse, the prophet is continuing from a point in the previous chapter where the people of God questioned God’s love for them because of what they were suffering. (See Isaiah 49:13-18).  Just as God spoke through the prophet at that point to ensure the people that He had not forgotten them, He now was asking a rhetorical question…”where is the paperwork that shows I have divorced you?”  There was no paper work. God did not change HIS love or alter His attitude about the future of His people. It was because of their disobedience that they were suffering.

It is the same way with us. We suffer because of the consequences of our choices. Or, sometimes God will allow suffering when we are in His will for a purpose. Regardless, We must set our faces like a hard flint rock and continue on our path during these dark days. God has not forgotten us and He still has a future plan for us. This is not easy, but we must trust the process.

I believe God will always find a way to confront the soul that harbors a feeling of “Where are You God?”, or “God does not care about what I’m going through”.  Is that you today? Do you feel that God is ignoring your pain or that He is hard to reach right now because of what you are suffering? Well, if it is, go ahead and acknowledge it. Let God comfort you the way He did for the Israelites long ago. You will never be put to shame when you trust your bewildered emotions to God. He’s waiting to comfort your soul. Let Him.