The Good Fight of Faith

January 11, 2016 - I wrote...

My experience with the Lord in my journey of faith is that He has faithfully delivered me from a lot of things. He has also prevented many things from happening that would’ve been disastrous. I am grateful for that. But in the area of financial needs… not so much. I believe trust is built up over time (from faith-to-faith), and I have been let down enough times that my foundation of trust has a few cracks in it (forever leaning like the Tower of Pisa). My anger is increasing more and more where this is concerned; because the more I pray and see no results, the angrier I become. I believe His word that He shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, but I don’t see the manifestation of it. I have also read, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. I have a lot of failed prophecies and empty confirmations, but no real manifestations. Perhaps I am expecting a certain result and God is not responding in that way, so I’m offended. My understanding is unfruitful and has set a snare for my soul. I love my Lord and want to move forward in our relationship but it is hard as each day passes and I continue to be let down. As I stand at the crossroads, I don’t feel like Job’s wife (to curse the God that I love), but neither do I feel like Job (to hold fast my integrity). My inclination is not to run fast toward my Lord, but to slowly back away – even though my heart is breaking. I remember passages like… nothing shall separate me from His love and I believe THAT will be the saving grace. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God and no one is able to snatch us out of His hand. He will surely see to that. Pray for me. God bless.

January 13, 2016 - The Lord's Response...

My princess warrior,
I know there will be days you feel as if there is no fight left inside of you. All My chosen children have had times when they wonder where I am and if this faith is worth fighting for. I am your loving Father and I know why My girl needs to keep fighting the temptations of this world. Don’t give up. Just call out to Me and you will feel My Spirit rise up inside your soul. I will help you find the strength needed to win any and all battles you will ever face. I know this life is not easy, but I have not called you to a life of comfort. I called you to combat and adventure! Your battles won will not be wasted; so keep fighting for the things worth fighting for. I promise you, My princess: your life lived for Me will bring new hope and strength to your generation!
Love,
Your King who fights for you

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

1 Tim. 6:12

Fight the good fight of faith,

lay hold on eternal life,

to which you were also called

and have confessed

the good confession

in the presence of many witnesses.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

True Fulfillment

John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled."

The people saw through the fulfilled prophecies that Jesus was the awaited Messiah. But instead of following Him for that reason, they followed Him because they were getting their wants met. The Christian journey is about having an up close and personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. If that is not our first priority, then we have missed the mark. Some follow for fame and fortune, or to escape suffering, or to ensure their rightful place in heaven when they leave earth. If our aim is for the fish and loaves, then we are off our target. Our sights ought to be set on the kingdom of God and His righteousness then, Jesus said, the fish and the loaves would be added.

Matt 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Philippians 3:8 (NLT) Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.

Our Sacrifice

 ❤ Verse of the Day ❤

Matt. 16:24-25 (Weymouth New Testament)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If any one desires to follow Me, let him renounce self and take up his cross, and so be My follower. For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it."

 Expression of True Commitment 

To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Praise the Lord!

 

Psalm 150 (NKJV)

Praise the LORD!

Praise God in His sanctuary;

Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts;

Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;

Praise Him with the lute and harp!

Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;

Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Praise Him with loud cymbals;

Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD!

To God be the Glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Songs of Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Psalm 28:7 (NLT)

The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart.

He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.

 I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

I Am That I Am

When God called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt, he asked God who shall I tell them sent me? God's response was Yahweh, Hebrew name for the God of the Israelites, representing the biblical pronunciation of “YHWH”.

God is the author of all life. His "I Am" expresses the fact that He is the infinite being, and original personal God who is behind everything; and to Whom the origin of everything is traced back to. Nothing else defines God but God Himself. He is God alone. There is no one like Him. Other than Him, there is no other God.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob knew God as Yahweh. The Israelites would recognize that name when Moses said that Yahweh has sent me to you.

Jesus identified with God as being the Second Person of the Trinity. Because He is both Son of God, and Son of man. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God (I Am).

Many Christians today use the word Yahweh to address God, because Jesus taught believers to speak in a familiar way to God. He is not the God of the Jews only but also the Gentiles, and to all who believes in Him. We are the children of Yahweh... joint heirs with Christ.

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Verse of the Day 💖 Exodus 3:13-14 (American Standard)

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM (Yahweh): and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

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Verse of the Day 💖 John 8:58 (New KJV)

Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

Yahweh (feat. Chandler Moore & Osby Berry)

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

The Power Within

🌸 Verses of the Day 🌸

John 14:12 NKJV Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

Acts 1:8 NKJV But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Ephesians 3:20 AMP Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.

Holy Spirit activate!

To God be the glory!

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

About My Father's Business

Jesus In The Temple

When Jesus was 12 years old, He and His family went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. When they had finished everyone headed back to Nazareth. Jesus’s parents thought He was with some of their relatives or acquaintances. When they completed a day's journey, they looked for Jesus but couldn’t find Him, so Joseph and Mary headed back to Jerusalem. They sought for Him three days, when they finally found Him in the Temple Court engaging with the teachers and religious leaders.

Mary asked Jesus why He had done that to them, and He said, “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they didn’t understand what He meant.

Even at age 12, Jesus was aware that He was God’s Son, and there was a calling on His life. The depth of His wisdom astounded the teachers and religious leaders. He was strong in spirit and the grace of God was upon Him. He mistakenly assumed it was time to go into full-time ministry, so He stayed behind in Jerusalem to pursue the call of God on His life. But it wasn’t God’s time.

Jesus went home with His parents and was subject to them. He even learned Joseph’s trade of carpentry, and increased even more in wisdom, and stature, with the favor of God on Him.

We hear nothing else of Jesus from that time until He turned 30 years old. He was led by Holy Spirit to meet His forerunner John the Baptist and be baptized by him, and thus began His full-time ministry.

People had been telling me for years that God had a calling on my life. I tried this, that, and other things only to have them fall flat every time. God is orchestrating our calling and He has it well in hand. He does not need us running out ahead of Him. It is easy to get off track and misunderstand God’s timing, but we must stay focused on God’s leading while we seek to fulfill His will for our lives.

Psalm 37:23-24 (NLT) The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Bloom Where You're Planted

Excerpt #1 From a Facebook Post
God uses imperfect vessels. He's using one to write this page. So please don't wait for "perfection"  before you get started doing something for God. Start where you are. Be as transparent and humble as you can be. Don't worry about a title or a platform. Start just as you are,  right where you are with what you have. Start with the person in front of you and go from there. God can use you in your current state because He can still work THROUGH you. He's orchestrating everything and you're just the conduit. I am so imperfect despite years of seeking and wanting to be perfect. But one day I realized my true state. The difference is I decided not to wait any longer. I realized that God could still use me, so I stepped up and into my assignment. Don't wait until you get to a certain point in your life or place in your life or station in your life.  If God is tugging on your heart to do something, the time and the place is right now! Remember God uses imperfect vessels... you and I are one of them. Let God use you.

Excerpt #2 From a Facebook Post
Whatever it is that you're trying to FORCE to make happen in your life, just stop that today. First of all, it may not even be God's will for you.  Secondly,  if it is, God doesn't need your help to make it come to pass. Relax. Let go. See what happens. There's no need to "force"  anything that is already PREDESTINED for you. It WILL come to pass and is already in motion!

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The above excerpts from 9/3/2017 were written by a very sweet sister, Sharmaine, who publishes When Women Write on Facebook.  When I saw Excerpt #1, my immediate reaction was, "I have been sitting on ready for years, but it seems like the Lord is not ready for me. An imperfect vessel I truly am but how to move forward is a mystery to me and God is not giving me the resources to make that move. I am baffled by the whole ministry business. Maybe I am the one confused about what the Lord wants to do with me.

After Jesus was crucified and rose from the grave, and was about to ascend to heaven to sit on the right hand of God the Father, His apostles asked Him, "Will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" They were still confused about the Lord's plans. Jesus was going to build a church body and they were preparing for the restoration of the nation of Israel.

God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.

In October 2015, I saw a sign on a church marquee that said, "Do God's Work and Will". I had been praying about whether to go back to work or enter ministry. I took this as a sign from God. I had been trying for two years but couldn't seem to get in agreement with the Lord as to what that actually looked like. I was trying to write, blog, and teach on YouTube. I tried publishing on Facebook, and none of that seemed to be the way. His will continued to baffle me. What is God's work and will, and why won't He tell me so I can be about it?

In Excerpt #2, Sharmaine said, "Whatever you're doing to force it to happen, stop that today. God does not need your help to carry out His will."

"God's work and will" is to bloom right where He's planted you. Be an open vessel... His chosen vessel, and an instrument of His will. Let God take the lead, and follow close behind.

I asked the Lord a long time ago... "Lord, what is it that You require of me?" His response was a Bible verse in Micah 6:8, "He has shown you, O man (or Dee), what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Do the right thing.

Be good to others.

Walk humbly before God.

Bloom where you're planted. When God opens a door go through it, and bloom there till He opens another one.

Philippians 2:13 (NKJV) It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NLT) That's the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone's duty.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

The Right Path (2)

Verse of the Day 🎵 Psalm 25:8-10, 4-5 (KJV)

Good and upright is the Lord therefore will teach sinners in the way. The meek will He guide in judgement the meek will He teach His way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenants and His testimonies. Show me Thy ways O Lord and teach me Thy paths lead me in Thy truth and teach me for Thou art the God of my salvation and on Thee do I wait all the day.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

The Right Path (1)

Verse of the Day 💜 Proverbs 4:14-15 (NKJV)

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Anchor for the Soul

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pastor Tony Evans said, “I’d rather cast my lots with a God that I don’t fully understand than with any other thing. We’re going to have trouble any way it goes. But if you take God out of the equation then you’re just left with trouble, and no anchor.”

Anchor: someone or something that provides strength and support, as an anchor secures a ship in place so it will not drift away.

Verse of the Day ⚓ Hebrews 6:19 (NKJV)

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

both sure and steadfast,

and which enters the Presence behind the veil.

To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Stand Still and See

Something I Wrote Five Years Ago On This Date

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the time I wrote the above note I was very depressed and feeling very hopeless. I hated the job I was on and didn't know what to do. My history with the Lord was sketchy when it came to feeling disappointed about unanswered prayers. Less than a month after I wrote this, He closed the door on that job and opened the door to a better one that I was with for 4 years. I didn't have to quit and I didn't get fired. The company moved to a new location, and I chose not to make the transition in the middle of all the chaos.

In my 22-year relationship with the Lord, many times He chose not to answer my prayers in the manner I was expecting, but in the end it worked out. In this case, He took me out of a depressing situation and I didn't have to do anything... but not return. I stood still and the mountain moved.

Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord who is with you to deliver you.

Brian Courtney Wilson -- Still

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

The Breakup

One day (a long time ago), I up and decided to break up with the Lord, since it seemed that He and I could not see eye to eye. I went down on my knees to say my last good-bye-it's-been-nice-knowing-You-Lord prayer. When I got up to walk away, I took two steps and collapsed onto the floor in a heap of tears and wailing as never before seen. I couldn't do it! No matter how offended I was, I could not walk away from my Lord. The issues He and I wrestled over has long since been resolved, and I am confident in my eternal salvation... and His ability to heal me everywhere I am hurting.

Verse of the Day 💚John 10:28-29 (NKJV)

I give them (My sheep) eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand (not even me).

To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Run, Run To The Light

Verse of the Day 🌄 John 8:12

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,

“I am the light of the world.

He who follows Me

shall not walk in darkness,

but have the light of life.”

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Running With Endurance

 

The Finish Line

Verse of the Day (1) 💜 Heb. 12:1-2

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Verse of the Day (2) 💚 1 Cor. 9:24

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run,

but one receives the prize?

Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

Link to Previous Blogpost called Overcoming Stupidity

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

You Were Chosen

 

Verse of the Day 🌳 John 15:16 (NKJV)

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

You were chosen on purpose, with a purpose. No accident.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Dare to Be a Misfit

Island of Misfit Toys

Verse of the Day 👸 1 Corinthians 1:27

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world

To put to shame the wise,

And God has chosen the weak things of the world

To put to shame the things which are mighty.

Link to a Previous Blogpost called Ms. Imma Misfit

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Righteousness, Peace and Joy

 

Verse of the Day 🍂 Romans 14:17 (NKJV)

The kingdom of God

is not eating and drinking,

but righteousness and peace and joy

in the Holy Spirit.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Thirsty for God

 

Verse of the Day 🌻 Psalm 42:1-2 (NKJV)

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Found By Them That Sought Me Not

My Baptism

Feb. 7, 1999... Ours is a rather large family, and had been invited to True Faith Church for a Sunday morning Celebration of Life service in loving memory of my deceased grandmother.

I had not attended church for many years but I was excited to go, and decided to attend again the next Sunday, and the Sunday after that, and again the Sunday after that. I seem to want more and more, so I began to attend weeknight services too.

Sometime during the Spring months I went down to the altar and gave my life to Christ, and officially joined as a member of the church.

Some years had past when I stumbled across Isaiah 65:1 which says, "I was sought by those who did not ask for Me, and I was found by those who did not seek Me." That is my testimony... He was sought and found even though I didn't know I was looking.

I was raised going to church my entire life but when I left home, I stopped having anything to do with the church and went about living life without God and was okay with that.

I didn't know at the time I was attending my grandmother's memorial service that God was drawing me all the time. I just kept feeling like I needed more.

Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV) The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

God drew me to Himself with cords of lovingkindness and I have never been the same since. To live life without God now would be intolerable and extremely heartbreaking.

One of my favorite pastimes is working jigsaw puzzles, and I finished one the other day that was by far the hardest puzzle I ever tackled. But all the time I sensed God right there nudging me not to give up on it, and helping me see pieces I was missing. He helped me fix a jigsaw puzzle. This is my life now. Even working puzzles is no longer the same. I'm never alone because He is always right there.

Someone sang a song, " Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before."

Thank You for saving me Daddy.💖

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Throw That Monkey Off Your Back

Command To Renounce Satan's Attack

Satan, I speak to you by the authority of God, and by the blood of Christ Jesus, and by the power of Holy Spirit. I bind every principality, power, ruler of darkness, and every wicked spirit in high places that comes against me, my spouse, his family, my family, and the brothers and sisters in Christ in the mighty name of Jesus… the name above every name.

I rebuke every curse spoken over my mind, health, finances, possessions, relationships, safety, and welfare. I plead the resurrecting life giving blood of Jesus over my entire being (body, soul, and spirit) and declare that Satan is defeated in my mind, he is defeated in my finances, he is defeated concerning the call of God on my life, he is defeated in my marriage, he is defeated in the church body, he is defeated in my neighborhood, and in every area of my life.

I decree and declare that by the blood of Jesus, and the word of my testimony, that the powers of hell are broken and destroyed off my life in the name of Jesus… the name above every name.

Yokes of depression are destroyed, yokes of financial curses are destroyed, yokes of strife and misery are destroyed, and all yokes that originate from darkness are destroyed in my life forever in the powerful and precious name of Christ Jesus.

I am now walking in the favor and grace of Almighty God. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. For the Lord will go before me and hand me the victory today, for He will be my shield and buckler, and His right hand will protect me. He gives His angels charge over me to protect me in all my ways.

I decree and declare today that I will no longer be the victim, but I am the victor, because greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. (2 Cor. 10:3-4) 💖

In Jesus’ holy and mighty name. Amen.

You Matter to God

 

Strut Your Stuff

I was looking at some different species of birds and noticed how some are incredibly striking in color and beauty. Still others are not so beautiful, or striking, or memorable. But all were made by the same Creator... the beautiful ones and the unattractive ones.

Scientists say there are roughly 9,000 to 10,000 species of birds in the world. Some are strikingly beautiful and some are very unattractive. Does that make the unattractive birds inferior to the beautiful ones? I think beauty might give some an advantage over others. I would probably tend to attrack beautiful birds to a bird feeder, than unattractive birds. But it does not make either inferior to the other. They each have their strengths and weaknesses.

Does that bird who is not striking say, "Lord God why have You made me like this, and not like the peacock?" I think God appreciates beauty. Whatever He does is just and good, whether we have a good understanding or not. There is no unrighteousness with God.

In the ninth chapter of John the disciples asked Jesus, "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (There are passages of Scripture that teach the iniquities of the fathers were visited upon their children to the third and fourth generations.) Jesus responded to His disciples, "Neither sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him." Then Jesus proceeded to heal the blind man. I believe that God made it up to this man in the latter part of his life, as He did with Job after his trials were over.

Job 42:12 (NLT) So the LORD blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning.💖

Not all are peacocks, not all are woodpeckers, not all are eagles, not all are doves, not all are swans, and not all are birds of paradise. But all are equally loved by the Creator, no matter what they look like on the outside. Not a single sparrow falls to the ground without our Heavenly Father knowing it.

Acts 10:34 (NLT) Then Peter (the apostle) replied, "I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism."💖

Please know that God is good, and you are loved. Aren’t you far more valuable to Him than birds?

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove