"Walking with a Purpose IN Obedience"

"Walking with a Purpose IN Obedience"

1 Samuel 15:22--But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to The Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. NLT 

About 3 weeks ago my car was down and I had no means of transportation except a ride to church and then back home. Well one day, while waiting on the accumulation of funds(working each week) to get my car fixed, Jayden didn't have a way home from school. My fuel pump was broken and after doing my research it was pretty costly to repair. I called 2 of my good friends knowing they would be able to pick Jay up for me. Both friends were in predicaments and could not come through. Oh my, my world was shattered, they could not produce. Then I heard in my Spirit just as clear as day, "use what you have". Huh?? What I had was the activity of my limbs and mobility to move. Now I could have made more calls, BUT I had to be Obedient. I had to, "Walk with a Purpose, IN Obedience". This just seemed absurd to me, but God had Divine Purpose in so many ways. So I got out of my party of pity and woe it's "Q" and packed my backpack with snacks and water for Myself and Jay. I put on my headphones, shades and put IT into MOTION. To make it plain and personal, The Lord told me to, "WALK"! God is MOST Faithful because that particular day the wind was blowing and it was not hot. What normally took me 7 minutes while driving took me 45 minutes walking. I was conditioned for the process because I walk/workout about 4 to 5 times a week. On my journey of walking it seemed that everyone was passing me and getting to their expected end faster. On the way I saw people running, driving cars, riding motorcycles and whatever else they had. But it seemed I wasn't getting to my destination fast enough. I hit a hill and it seemed as if I would never come down.

But when I began to embrace where I was(cool crisp air, beautiful green trees, the ability to move) it did not seem bad at all. While walking, periodically I would look UP and see an Eagle(strength) soaring over me. I said, "Lord I know You are here". Upon reaching my destination I SEE my neighbor passing by. Oh my, here comes obedience OR sacrifice. She spins back around and says, "girl what are you doing"? I said, "exercising AND picking up Jay". She said, "oh no, get in this car or at least let me get Jay". I said, "I am fine". She left in confusion. It did not make sense to her, BUT perfect sense to me. God said walk! I could have took the ride or even allowed her to pick Jay up(sacrifice). But I was set in my HEART on being OBEDIENT. I kept walking with tears in my eyes, I knew God had Divine Purpose behind this process and episode of my life. When I got to the school, the Principle looked confused and said, "Miss Johnson, are you walking to get Jayden today"? I replied, "yes Sir, my car is down". He looked confused as well and said, "you're going to make Jayden walk that far"? I motioned my head yes because I got choked up about the whole process. By this time, Jay walks out with the BIGGEST Smile on his face. Jayden says, "mommy the car is still not fixed"? I said no, we are walking, he says, "COOL, let's GO"!! While talking and embracing the laughter and fellowship with my son, the phone rings. Out of OBEDIENCE, that was the call that sent a check to cover the entire bill of the car. Come on here GLORY!!! You see Saul pulled a "partial", God does not operate in partial(1 Samuel 15:7-8), He said, "destroy ALL".  Saul did what seemed right to him. People may not understand your reason behind certain things that you have to do, BUT, when God is in the motion picture obedience is a MUST. Out of disobedience Saul lost everything(1 Samuel 15:23). In closing Jayden said, "mommy that Eagle has been soaring over us since we have been walking". I just looked at him and smiled and said, "son as you can SEE, God is with us and has been since I started walking". Hello Somebody!! Good God from Zion!!! Be encouraged today in obedience, it takes a strong willing, submitted heart to walk in obedience. What FEELS or seems right to us, most of the time does not line up with God. 

Walking is slower but has a powerful impact and purpose in the END.  QDJ

Rest in Peace Summer Hillsman!! Gone BUT always IN our hearts!

"THE fear Factor"

"THE fear Factor"

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 2:9 NIV

When I started doing hair MANY years ago, I started as a shampoo technician. Now as the years went on I wanted more because there was much more in me than being confined to a shampoo bowl. Eventually I faced my fear and got cards made and I started promoting my gift. In my early twenties I was a go-getter and I was unstoppable. As time went by I made up my mind(changed my perspective), and went to the owner of the Salon and with BOLDness told her that on a particular date I would no longer be her shampoo technician. I had clients but not enough to make a BOLD move or statement of such. Needless to say I stepped OUT on Faith and Trusted God and started renting a booth that cost me $100 a week. The scripture clearly says that WHEREVER Joshua went The Lord would be right there. That was a reality for me as well, I had no product, supplies or booth rent(money). BUT, what I had was my GOD and what He had Promised. In my decision making the supply man came by, I told him that next week I would be an official booth renter. He said that he was proud of me and that was a HUGE step. So he said, "come out to the product van and get what you need and pay me when you get yourself established". Come on here somebody, Good God from Zion!!! Then one of my friends drove from Atlanta after I told him of my decision and took me to Sally's Beauty Supply and gave me $300 to get what I needed to start my journey. That Tuesday before I started work I went in my prayer closet(back then it was my bathroom), and lifted my hands with tears streaming and covering my face and I said, "Father I stretch my hands to Thee NO other HELP I know." Got to work and on a Tuesday(slow day) 3 persons needing relaxers walked through the door   and as the day progressed a lady came in wanting a shampoo and style. Hello somebody!!! In the words of my Mother, "Won't He Do IT"!! Yes He Did! I gave the Salon owner my booth rent($100), that was due on Saturday on Tuesday. You see if I had let fear trap me, I would have never left where I was. After that Faith Move I opened up my own Salon and the rest has been my process and journey. The fear Factor is nothing more than NOT Trusting in God. Operating in fear causes you to rely on your own strength, knowledge and capabilities. The Bible says, "for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

So if in fact and it is a true fact, that God didn't give us the spirit of fear. Where did it surface from? Past failures and rejection are a MAJOR part of fear. Fear presents the outcome of a situation/circumstance as a foggy day and will not allow you to SEE God. Fear prompts you to walk by sight and stay in a place of comfort, confinement, complacency, stagnation and paralyzation. You become immobile, because you are afraid to step out of what is familiar to you. My God is a MOVING Forward God, not an immovable God. He is the King of Kings and The Lord of Lords! He is my Peace, Fortress, Strong Tower, Refuge, Provider, Comforter and much more. Entail and with BOLD conclusion, He IS Qua' Sonya's EVERYTHING!!!  I Command fear to be Gone, I Declare and Decree with Holy Boldness fear is totally annihilated. Don't let fear define, shape or form your thoughts. As a man thinketh, so is he. Today, be Strong and Courageous and Trusting that when you take that first step forward God is most Certainly with you!

Who is fear? What is fear? In God I have NO fear!!!

Perpetual Peace and Unmerited Favor on your week!! QDJ

Rest in Peace my Friend Summer Hillsman. 

"TRANSFORMED" by LOVE"

"TRANSFORMED by LOVE"

Colossians 3:13-14

Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember The Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14--Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  NLT

Transform--To change in condition, nature, or character; convert. To change in form.

God is Love and Love is God. To be fully and effectively transformed by Love you must undergo Spiritual Open Heart Surgery. On last week I spoke about having the Spirit of Gratitude. Well this past weekend I had Spiritual Open Heart Surgery with no pain meds and no one in the operating room. Lord help me God! It was God my Heavenly Father and myself, I was forced to deal with a level of pain I have not experienced in a LONG time. In fact I didn't think it would ever happen, but the "Heart Check Up" came. After the check up, I was immediately rushed to the Spiritual Operating Table. It was overwhelming and I literally felt like I was dying, in fact I was. I was dying to self. I was in so much pain that although I was smiling and appeared like I had it together, everyone around me felt it too. I could not shake the pain, I was in major disbelief. I tried to sweep it up under my work mat that is used to stand on for comfort but that didn't work. You know how we do, we stand on the comfort of something or somebody in times of discomfort. Well this mat that I spent $300 on, and was designed to give me the GREATEST level of comfort failed me. Here is where the story gets real and transparent. This is how I ended up in Spiritual Open Heart Surgery, with no pain meds. I have a Best Friend that is so close to my heart, we are connected in so many ways, but most importantly we are connected Spiritually. This friend I have known for almost 30 years. This friend knows me better than I know myself, and will call my mess straight up out of me. This friend I can bear my soul to and never judges me and TOTALLY Loves me unconditionally. This friend can pour INTO me Spiritually, and knows what I am about to say before it forms and comes out of my mouth. Yes, that friend, the friend, Qua' Sonya's Best Friend. Well my friend hurt me to the CORE, I believe when it happen I stopped breathing. I thought of all the things I would say and how I would say them upon speaking to my friend. But my Savior, you know Him! The ONE that Loves "Q" in ALL her mess,  redirected that negative energy. I am now being transparent and stepping on the devils head to deliver someone and set them free. I have for many years dealt with rejection, and this does not feel good at times it feels like you are dying. My Best Friend in life took me back to something I thought I was delivered from, and knew in my heart that I would not experience from them. But God!! Ok Qua' Sonya, you have been running around here singing, "For Your Glory, I will do Anything". Really, oh ok!!! Let's SEE!!! I put on my favorite worship song to push me up out of the funk I found myself in, that did not work. I laid in the floor, cried and prayed all that. But the pain still remained. Church was  Phenomenal, but I came out feeling the same way I went in. Good God from Zion. Ok, ok, ok,!!! My car was down for a week or so and it was my fuel pump. My mechanic said it was the hardest job he had experienced in a long time. Reason being, he said, "the straps(stronghold) on the gas tank did not want to come off". He said, "it was old and was holding on tight". It took him 3 hours just to get the straps off. Sweet Baby Jesus!! How many times do we walk in offense and hold on to something that hinders us from moving forward?? Check your heart!! The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "put IT(offense, un-forgiveness, hurt) to death, and I will Resurrect the situation in 3 days". Today is the third and I am FREE!!! Real Love lets go of all offenses and forgives and NEVER to bring it up again. Colossians 3:13-14 says and I paraphrase, let go of the faults of others and forgive the offender. Remember ALL the mess God has forgiven you for. Clothe yourself in your BEST outfit of Love, which Love(God), binds us together in perfect harmony. Lord help Qua' Sonya!!! I was done after I read this because I just opened my Bible and there it was. In all essence, surgery went well and I had a speedy recovery! Thanks be unto God, whom gets ALL the Glory!!! Life is to short to hold on to any offense or  un-forgiveness. One of my friends died yesterday after 9 days of having a baby, the last time we spoke was when I couldn't make it to her baby shower. I did not get a chance to say good-bye. God does not make mistakes, at all. So on today, I say to my BEST Friend(you know who you are) in life, forgive me and I forgive You!!! I Love You and I appreciate Your friendship, thank You for being real and an asset to and in my life! You totally Rock!!

I have been "Transformed by Love"!  QDJ 

Rest in Sweet Peace, Summer Hillsman!! 

"GRATITUDE"

"GRATITUDE"

1Thessalonians  5:16--give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  NIV

Gratitude--The quality or feeling of being grateful/thankful.

On last Wednesday my car stopped in the middle of 5 o'clock traffic on Memorial Parkway with no warning. I was on my way to pick up my son and visit a friend of mine whom had just had major surgery. Needless to say, I did not make either destinations. You see, in life on our journey there are stops(test, trials, situations, circumstances) that causes us to halt for a moment. Many times these things come without warning. But if anybody knows Qua' Sonya she takes a licking and keep on ticking. Thank You Lord! I called Roadside assistance and while on the phone with them I texted one of the young ladies that help me with Jayden. I informed her I was stuck on the side of the road and where I could be found, she came immediately. Thank You Lord! Before I could get off the phone with Roadside Assistance one of my College friends pulled behind me and jumped out of the truck he was in. He said, "are you ok"? I told him, "YES"! Thank You Lord! After that Jayden and the young lady pull up behind me and offered to get Jayden something to eat while we wait. Thank You Lord! Then Jayden gets in the car and say, "Mommy are you ok"? Then he says, "Mommy I need to walk off and talk to God". I looked over and hear him literally talking to God and tears(of joy) began to stream down my face. Thank You Lord! He gets back in the car and says, "Mommy, God said EVERYTHING is alright". Thank You Lord!  Roadside Assistance pull up, load and secure the car. Thank You Lord! While all this is going on three church members stop to make sure we were ok. Thank You Lord! We got home safely! Thank You Lord! In ALL circumstances, we should have a Spirit of Gratitude. God is STILL Good and He is Most Faithful AND in CONTROL. Someone today may feel immobile like their car has stopped(stagnant, like things are not moving). My Friends it is in those times that God IS Moving. Trust Him! Thank Him for the test! God will get the Glory out of your situation. Wait, Be Patient and Trust His Timing! Thank You Lord!

Perpetual Blessings on Your week!!  QDJ

"HARVEST TIME"!!! 

"WAIT"

"WAIT"

Wait--to delay temporarily or be temporarily delayed. 

Synonyms-- tarry, pause, abide, remain, stick around.

Acts 1:4

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 

There are times where we are in a hurry/rush to get things or to places. There is a song that says, "you can't hurry God, you just got to wait". Waiting can be uncomfortable, uneasy and down right frustrating. Good News my Friends, it is in your Season of "Wait" that you gain strength in The Lord and your relationship gets STRONGER. You will literally learn how to put it, ALL in His hands. Your it may not be my it, but His Hands are Bigger and can hold IT All. The song says, "whatever the problem, I put it all in His hands, I know that He can solve it, I put it all in His hands, this and that, I put it all in His hands". Psalm 130:5 I wait for The Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. After you release your it in His Hands, wait, stand on His Word and be hopeful, knowing He has it. Jesus, do you know the Man??  In the book of Acts Jesus commanded the Apostles not to leave Jerusalem( City of Peace), BUT(however, on the other hand), WAIT for the gift the Father promised(paraphrased). Jesus goes on to say, and I paraphrase, you heard me say this before. God has Promised some things to you, but He is getting you ready in your wait for what is to come.  On today be encouraged. Know that while you tarry, pause, abide, remain, stick around that in His Hands there is NO Failure. Your delay is NOT definite it is only to posture you for your Destiny!! 

Read Acts 1 for deeper revelation and it is good reading. Bless You!! QDJ 10/1/13

"Harvest Time"!!!