Can You Survive A Scandal???

Scandals have no respecter of persons.  These days’ scandals seem to go from one person to the next. Sometimes one may have caused the scandal, but there are other times when an innocent person becomes the victim of a scandal.  Scandals in our day and age are very sensationalized by the media. Before an individual is able to make their personal statement about the scandal in their life, the media has already judged that person and delivered a verdict.  Scandals are so popular these days they have even named a show after the word 'Scandal.'  I can imagine that going through a national or international scandal must be hard on any individual.  It is must be hard to wake up in the morning and see your life story all over the World Wide Web.  Condemnation seems to be in style for many (God is not pleased with such).  But, what happens when a scandal finds you? You don't have to be a prominent member of society or celebrity to walk through a scandal.  A personal scandal can be just as challenging to walk through as a national scandal.  The bible is full of characters that have endured scandals and were able to overcome.  

So let's look at the story of Joseph.  In Genesis 27, the story of Joseph begins.  Joseph was Jacob's (aka Israel) son.  Long story short, Joseph was gifted (Joseph had prophetic dreams) and favored by his dad; Joseph's jealous brothers had him sold into slavery.  Later in Joseph's story, we find him living in the home of his master a man named Potiphar (A top ranking official in Pharaoh's army).  Potiphar's wife was a thirsty woman.  She wanted to sleep with Joseph.  Joseph continued to turn down this woman's advances.  Thus, one day he turned down her advances and ran for his life.  She in turn accused him of an attempted rape.  Now let's stop right here.  If Joseph had lived in our times, this incident would have been all over the news.  The headlines would have read,   "A Butler tries to rape his employer's wife."  Most of us would believe it because after all, it sounded like it could have been truth.  We are already programmed to believe the worse in people anyway, right? This indeed was a SCANDAL for Joseph.  He was thrown back into to jail with no hopes of ever getting out.  All of this happened because a loose woman falsely accused him.   The story gets better though, Joseph was later named the second in command over Egypt and was able to save his family from a serious famine that hit the land.   Even though Joseph was able to overcome being lied on and falsely accused, it probably was painful to walk through such a SCANDAL.  Notice that even though GOD elevated Joseph to rule over Egypt, Joseph's name was never clear from being accused of rape.  See sometimes you can be falsely accused of something and you name will never be cleared.  Think about that the next time you believe a SCANDAL that the media has sensationalized.

The last story I want to briefly touch, will be about King David (this story starts at 2 Samuel 11). David was a great man, but he struggled with lust.  David found himself in love with a married woman by the name of the Bathsheba.  He slept with her; she became pregnant.  Instead of admitting his sin to Bathsheba’s husband; David had her husband killed.  This indeed was a SCANDAL.    Our news would have read 'King of Israel caught in adulteress affair...He also murdered his mistresses' Husband!'  God wasn't pleased and sent a prophet to call David out about this sin.  God told David that Bathsheba's baby would surely die.  God also told David that the consequence of his sin would never leave his house.  Thus, we have David's son Amnon raping his own sister Tamar (David's Daughter).  This is a SCANDAL. We then have David's other son Absalom set up Amnon to be killed. Yet another SCANDAL.  In this story, David caused his own scandal due to bad decision-making.  But, David repented and continued to seek after God's heart.

Going back to the original question: Can you survive a SCANDAL???  Yes you can! Now, if the scandal isn't your fault.  God will get you through. Don't worry about those that condemn and believe those lies about you.  The word says, 'For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.' (Matthew 7:2 NIV).  God will handle those that have falsely accused you.  All you need to do is forgive them and continue to pursue your relationship with your Creator.  Now, if you caused a SCANDAL in your own life; first repent and then apologize to those that you have hurt.  Remember that GOD doesn't condemn you in spite of your mistakes, flaws, and etc.  He LOVES all of his children.  Even though SCANDALS can be painful to walk through, allow GOD to use that bad event as a teaching moment to aid in your maturation in him!!!

God Bless you!!! Virtual xoxoxo

Tanika Honey Ward

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Fear Not: All God Needs is One....Are You the One???

A few weeks ago, I spoke about this topic briefly on twitter. Everyone on planet earth was birthed with a calling, purpose, and destiny.  But, it is imperative that you remember God has given us all free will. We can choose to go down any path.  But, this message is for those that have heard the call of GOD.  So, God has shown you this big destiny.  He has also given you instructions to get down this path.  But, now you are doubtful! You are wondering, 'How can little oh me, do this big thing? I am only one person.'  In the bible there were countless times when GOD used armies and groups of people to do big things. But, there were also times when GOD used one person to get his plan accomplished.  So let's briefly analyze some of these events:

When God wanted to birth his nation, he used one man by the name of Abraham..who became the father of the nations... <<It only takes one>>>

When God wanted to save his 12 tribes of Israel from starvation..He used one man by the name of Joseph..... <<It only takes one>>

When God was tired of hearing the cry of his people during slavery in Egypt..He used one man by the name of Moses to set the captives free... <<It only takes one>>

When God wanted to bring his people into the promised land...He used one man by the name of Joshua to lead his people into their inheritance....  <<It only takes one>>

When God wanted to spare his spies from being captured he used a woman by the name of Rahab (Whom was a Prostitute)...  <<It only takes one>>

When God wanted to save his people (the Jews) from being annihilated he used a woman by the name of Esther who became Queen to a kingdom... <<It only takes one>>

When God felt hurt by his people and their paganism…He sent a weeping prophet named Jeremiah... <<It only takes one>>

When God wanted to prepare his people for the coming messiah he used a prophet by the name Isaiah (The eagle eye prophet).... <<It only takes one>>

When God wanted to show Israel that she plays the harlot by worshipping false gods, he sent a prophet by the name of Hosea who married a prostitute to illustrate Israel's sin... <<It only takes one>>

When God wanted to prepare the way of the King of Glory..He sent John the Baptist (The one that cried in the wildness..prepare the way of the LORD)...  <<It only takes one>>

When God wanted to save his people from the sins of this world and eternal damnation he sent his 'only' begotten son Yeshua

(aka Jesus) to die for the sins of the world... <<It only takes one>>

When God wanted to establish his church in the earth...he sent a former persecutor of the Church by the name of Paul.... <<It only takes one>>

I think you get my point.  God can do so much with your life, if you would allow him to do so.  He doesn't need a crowd.  All he needs is your obedience.  The devil is so afraid of one individual that he will seek to destroy generations of folks to avoid one person.  I think that person is you! The bible says that 'one can chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight!' (Deuteronomy 32:30 NKJV).  Today, I challenge you to fear not! Don't be afraid of stepping out and walking as you are called.  Follow the promptings of the HOLY SPIRIT and he will lead you down an amazing path.  "As it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear had heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him." (1Corin 2:9 ISV)  All God needs is One!! Are you that one?????!!!!! 

Tanika Honey Ward

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Short Message For You

Today, you woke up heavy. You said 'If God doesn't come through in this particular situation, I am going to quit!' Let me encourage you to press on! See, satan fights the most what he fears the most.  He hates you! So, he has assigned every abortionist spirit to distract and destroy you.  So, rebuke him! Continue on....GOD ISN'T DONE WITH YOU! Your break through is coming.....'So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued while doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit.' Galatians 6:9-10 Msg Bible

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For the Ladies: What Happened to My Virtue? The Spiritual Exchange During Pre-Marital Sex!!

This topic is for the ladies that are frustrated with relationships.  I have coached and even counseled so many women that have struggled with heartbreak and feelings of emptiness after ending a relationship.   In these particular relationships, pre-marital sex was always present.  We all know that fornication is a sin.  We all know that pre-marital sex can open up the door to unwanted pregnancies and diseases.  But, does everyone know that pre-marital sex is a spiritual exchange only reserved for the marriage bed?  In the Old Testament, the Children of Israel were participating in sexual immorality as pagan worship.  I don't know which part infuriated God more; the sexual immorality or the pagan worship. Nonetheless, God was not pleased that 'his creation,' delighted in defying his laws.  God had reserved sex for marriage and for the purpose of pleasure and procreation.  With that being said, there are consequences when we invite someone that is not our husband into the Temple of the Living God (our bodies).  In order to explain this more in depth, I will have to go into the bible.  Let us briefly look at Luke 8: 40-46.  There was a woman with an issue of blood.  In other words, she had her period for 12 years.  She had gone to doctors and spent lots of money on getting healed to no avail.  As a matter of fact her condition worsened.  So, she heard that the Christ would be coming through her area.  She made up her mind, that she would be healed.  She thought within herself, 'If I could just touch the hem of his garment, I know I will be whole.'  She touched the hem and immediately the woman was healed.  But here is the interesting part, Jesus turned around and said 'Who touched me, because I felt my virtue leave me?'  Let us define this word 'virtue.'  According to the Webster Dictionary, virtue is defined as 'conformity to a standard of right or a particular excellence.'  Virtue is a God given gift.   I will also venture to say that virtue is something that God has deposited into his women.  What is my proof of such?  Well, in the Old Testament the word 'virtuous' is mentioned a few times ('virtuous' is derived from the word 'virtue').   Here are a few scriptures that utilize the word virtuous:

Proverbs 12: 4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband...

Proverbs 31: 10 Who can find a virtuous woman?

Proverbs 31: 29  Many women have done virtuously, but you have excelled them all..

Ruth 3: 11 I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman...

Do you see the pattern here?  Each time that the word 'virtuous' is mentioned, it is in reference to a woman.  Now let's dig a little deeper.   In the scripture about Jesus and the woman with the issue of blood, Christ stated that 'his' virtue was drawn out of him due to the woman's faith. Remember Christ at this point is in his 'Immanuel' suit. He is the God that is with us, meaning he was walking amongst his people.  As his virtue left him, remember that his virtue was replenished because he is God.  So where am I going with this whole virtue thing? Well ladies God has placed a virtue deep inside of you only reserved for your husband.  Each time you have sex with a man that is not your husband, a spiritual exchange transpires.  You have given that man legal right to draw from your God given virtue. It is only a matter of time before he begins to act different.  He may ignore your calls and text messages. He may even start saying mean and demeaning things.  You may begin to say, 'He wasn't acting like this in the beginning.  What has changed? Why is he treating me in such a manner?'   I am almost sure in the beginning of the relationship, that man was chasing you.  He probably was telling you things like 'I want a long-term relationship.  I want to be married......' But, once sex had been introduced, things shifted.  You have now become 'typical' in his eyes.  You are just another girl.  You are no longer special to this man. As he took away your virtue during pre-marital sex, he deposited his weaknesses into your temple.  This spiritual exchange can leave you feeling empty, hopeless, vulnerable, depressed, anxious, angry, and etc.  Meanwhile, that man that you slept with seems strong, boastful, arrogant, and etc.  He withdrew some of that virtue and unlike Christ there is no way to get it back from that man.  To get your virtue back, you must seek the virtue giver.  He is the same one that healed the woman with the issue of blood.  He is the same one that stated in Proverbs 31 that 'your price is above rubies.'  He is the same one that is 'close to the broken hearted and saves those that are crushed in spirit.'  (Psalm 34:18).  If you are going through this right now or you have not healed from a past relationship; let me help you.  First repent for your sins! Next forgive yourself for your role in this situation.  Lastly, seek GOD for healing.  Seek God through spending time in his presence.  Let the Virtue Giver replenish your soul and spirit.  Read God's word and begin analyzing the value of a woman.  God never called us to be ‘Concubines.’ God called us to be 'VIRTUOUS!'   If a man doesn't respect your virtue, welp, let him go. ✌ ✌  Guess what he will eventually leave anyway if he is not whom God ordained to be your husband.  The goal of this post is to remind you that: You are valuable.  So, stop selling yourself short.  Stop moving in desperation but instead move in God!!! God has the best intent for your life.  He won't withhold a good thing from his babies!!! I cover every reader of this post with the blood of JESUS!!! I love you and thank you for reading!!! Be ENCOURAGED!!!!

I would also suggest that you read a blog by Heather Lindsey called, 'Where is My Adam.'  This will help you after you are done cleansing from past relationships. Please copy and paste the link into your address bar:

http://heatherllindsey.blogspot.com/2012/04/where-is-my-adam.html#.Ud4GcByhRlY

TANIKA

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The waiting process (Get Your Mind Right).......

I won't get deep; I just want to share a few things.

Waiting: this topic will never get old.  There are so many Christians that have decided that they will wait on God for the right mate.  Years ago I came to the same conclusion.  I was in my early twenties and was tired of the nonsense.  I would meet a guy and for one week he would talk about his love for God.  As time went on this seemingly 'Godly man' would began talking about sex and etc.  I would find myself frustrated.  I would ask God, 'Do you really have a mate for me?'  God never responded at the time, because he wanted to develop my character.  He also wanted me to finish college and graduate school.  As time passed on, I realized that I was still attracting the same kind of guy.  So, I inquired of God about this thing.  God responded, "Tanika, you attract exactly what you will settle for."  Then, God began ministering to my spirit about elevation of the mind. So, I decided in my heart that I would not settle for a man that lacks a relationship with the Christ.  God also began revealing that there is a mate out there for me.   He also let me know that bringing the mate wasn't hard a thing to do; but instead he was more interested in getting me through the 'waiting process.'  Now into this whole topic of waiting on the promise.   In America, we are taught that we don't have to wait.   When we go to restaurants we get frustrated if we have to wait to be seated, if the food preparation takes too long we get annoyed, if we stand in line for anything for 'too long,' our patience is pushed to the limit.  There is a sense of entitlement when it comes to this thing called 'waiting.'  Most may feel that they don't have to wait.  This type of ideology is flawed and worldly.  God doesn't submit himself to man nor does he submit himself to worldly views or laws.  See God is more concerned about us bearing fruit.  But, in order to do so, we must walk through a process.  There is a danger in walking into anything premature.  One of satan's strategies is to make us rush into things before the proper timing or season.   For example, one of a pregnant woman's greatest fears is to give birth prematurely.  A premature baby is subject to a lot sickness and suffering.  In some cases, these babies die.  The babies that make it are usually in the hospital for months on end.  Where am I going with this? Welp, God doesn't want you to walk into that marriage prematurely.  It is too risky! There is too much at stake!  Marriage is purposed driven.  Therefore the wait is not a punishment.  The wait is necessary for God to cultivate things within you and to extract things from you.  So many of us are damaged due to the issues of life.  God wants to begin the healing process of that damage, so that it won't show up within the marriage.  God desires to bless you with the mate that is not perfect but one that is perfect for you!  God desires to use your marriage to set others free.  He wants to use your marriage to show the world that truly, "What God puts together, no man can separate.'  I know the wait seems long, but if God promised you a mate, please believe that God cannot lie.    He is doing a work in you!  Ladies give God the allotted time to mend broken areas and deposit virtue into you.  The goal is to get you to become a virtuous woman!  Fellas, God takes your role as a husband very serious.   Christ died for his wife (the church); therefore you must be ready to cover the woman that God is preparing for you!  Fellas, you must submit yourself to God in order to find this woman. She is hidden in the arms of her savior!!! I encourage everyone to stand in the waiting process...you are not alone as I am waiting as well!!! I will be doing a blog on waiting and sexual purity soon!

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God's Anointed vs. God's Anointed

Should God’s anointed attack God’s anointed?  Even though the bible was written thousands of years ago, God’s word doesn’t change.   In our times, we see a lot of Christians attacking one another.  There are ministries that delight in exposing other pastors or any other prominent members of the body of Christ.  As I see these things, I often wonder: Is it ever alright to attack God’s anointed? Just because I am saved, does that give me the right to attack my brothers and sisters in the faith?  Well, there are scriptures and great illustrations about this topic in the holy bible.  I will like to briefly discuss the story of David and Saul.  Saul was the first king of Israel.  Israel wanted to be like other nations and asked God for a king.  God angrily obliged his people and made Saul the king.  God also warned his people that Saul would be very treacherous.  Nonetheless, Saul was anointed king.  Years later, Saul disobeyed God; in turn God decided that he was going to make a little Shepherd boy by the name of David the next king of Israel.  In other words God was taking the kingdom away from Saul.  Long story short, Saul got jealous and sought to kill David.   David was able to flee from Saul’s wrath each time.  But, there came a time that David was able to get close to Saul; David secretly cut off a part of Saul’s robe.  David could have killed Saul, but realized that Saul was God’s anointed.  Boy was David wise! David was anointed as well, but he realized that the anointed couldn’t attack the anointed.   Saul hated and persecuted David without a cause; but David knew that he couldn’t touch this wicked man.  Though Saul’s heart had turned towards evil, the fact still remained that he was God’s anointed.   In the end, Saul’s treachery caught up with him.  Saul took his own life.  David hands were clean of Saul’s blood.  What am I getting at? We as Christians need to be more chaste at our mouths and point of views. Biblically God isn’t pleased with us attacking one another.  The world is assigned to persecute the church.  When we began turning against one another, we have now taken on the very characteristic of the ‘evil one.’  As long as the devil can keep us fighting against one another, we will never take the time to pray and cover one another.  This is not to excuse anyone’s sin, but we must allow God to do the exposing, and we do the covering.  The bible tells us ‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.’ 1 Peter 4:8.   We need to get back to the basics and start loving one another the way that Christ loves his church.  These days we allow the media to tell us what our stance should be within the body of Christ.  The bible is our standard, and the bible warns us to cover the naked.  In regards to those saved folks that are doing evil in the sight of God; remember just like Saul they will have their day.   But God still commanded us to not ‘Touch his anointed nor do his prophets any harm!’  (1Chronicles 16:22).  Remember this the next time you are tempted to attack or blog about a brother or sister in the faith.  

Other Scriptures that were used:

Story of David and Saul: 1 Samuel 19- 1 Samuel 31

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God's Grace vs. Man's Grace

Today, I was pondering on this thing called 'Grace.'  I have heard many sermons on God's wonderful grace.  The bible illustrates God's grace from Genesis to Revelation. God even sent his 'only' begotten son to die for this world (this illustrates the undying love and the grace that God has for his people).  Unfortunately, humanity doesn't show the same grace to one another.  These days 'we' are exposed to different scandals.  Most of which are sensationalized by the media.  However, the reaction of the masses to these 'scandals' has become brutal.   In the last four years, we have gone from one scandal to the next.  Sadly, people have used social networks to slander and tear down those involved in scandals.  The times that those involved in a particular scandal have apologized, the reaction of the masses was “He/She didn't seem sincere!" Honestly, the person involved in the scandal hadn't changed, the only thing that has changed is our perception of that person. Now, that you are disgusted and disappointed with this individual, you believe that he/she doesn't deserve grace.   My question is: Who are we to measure those deserving grace vs. those that don't deserve grace?  Have we exalted ourselves above a sovereign God that shows us grace daily? Have we forgotten that it wasn't our decisions or good works that have saved us from eternal damnation but it was salvation through grace?  Interesting enough the business world understands grace more than most Christians.  When I was 22, I purchased my first vehicle.  The car was new and I was hit with a very high car note.  I was a senior in college and working a low paying job; the first few months were an adjustment in regards to the financial impact of paying a car note.   I remember an incident where I  came up short with a payment and was forced to call the lien holder.  I told the customer representative that I wouldn't be able to pay the car note on the due date.  She replied, "Ms. Ward, we give a ten-day grace period to our consumers. Please get the payment into our company within the next ten days!"  I was given grace because I missed the 'mark.'  The 'mark' in this case was getting that payment in by the due date.  The business world understands that each individual may not have

the money on the due date.  Therefore, grace helps the 'undeserving' person make the mark.  The business world is illustrating a small piece of the grace that God gives us.  God loves us so much that when we miss the mark, he will give us chance after chance.  Please don't get me wrong, God does require us to repent daily, but his grace cannot be compared to the grace of man. The grace of man is conditional and based upon the instability of emotions.  So, if you have fallen, remember God's grace is readily available.  If you are the type of person that doesn't believe in giving grace to those that have made mistakes; I challenge you to think of all of the times that you have fallen short (each time God's grace was sufficient for you).  I will leave you with this scripture, " But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more." (Romans 5:20). 

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