One Reason that Satan Hates You..........The Story of Being Fatherless!!!

As Christians, some of us either dwell too much on the enemy (Satan) or some of us pretend that he doesn't exist at all.  I think there must be a balance of the two.  The bible is clear in that the devil is real and is aiming at killing, stealing, and destroying us.  But, the premise of this post is to illustrate one of the things that Satan hates about you! Let us first look at what two of the Major Prophets had to say about Satan's position in Heaven before his fall.  As most may know, Satan's name was Lucifer before his fall.  Check out these scriptures:

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!  For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'  Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit."  (Isaiah 14: 12-15)

"You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.  You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald and gold.  The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes, Was prepared for you on the day you were created.  You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.  You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you.  By the abundance of your trading, You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore, I cast you as a profane thing, Out of the Mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub,  From the midst of the fiery stones.  Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you.  You defiled your sanctuaries, By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth, In the sight of all who saw you.  All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, And shall be no more forever." (Ezekiel 28: 13-19)

Now that we have illustrated Satan's prior position and fall, let us analyze this topic.  After Lucifer fell from grace, he became Fatherless.  He also took 1/3 of the angels with him.  Now, before Christ's birth in the earth, the people of Israel needed a redeemer to reconcile them back to the Father.  There was a veil between God and his people.   So, Jesus arrived on the scene and died for a lost world.  This indeed put us back into  right standing with God.  In other words, we are no longer 'Fatherless!'  Ha! See, when Jesus died for us, he didn't die for fallen angels.  Those angels decided to rebel against God and there is no recompense for them.  Instead, they will be thrown into the lake of fire on Judgment Day.  Do you see why Satan hates you so much?  He no longer has a Father! He is a fatherless misfit! You have a Daddy that loves you so much that he sent his beloved Son to die for you. Satan hates you because Christ didn't take the time to die for him; Christ took the time to die for you! 'For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.' (Hebrews 2:16) Now, Satan wants to destroy you because he wants you to be just like him: Fatherless!  He wants you to be eternally separated from God! He wants you to spend eternity in the lake of fire.  He has even gone as far to break up marriages and family.  Why? He wants everyone to experience separation and isolation! He is so jealous of you!  He is mad because humans have been given free will.  We can choose to serve God or not? He made a choice not to serve and guess where that landed him? Lost forever!  So, today, I want you to choose life! Choose Christ! Repent and return to God.  He is waiting on you! He adores and loves you! You don't have to be Fatherless!   Make a choice today; time is of the essence!!

Tanika Honey Ward 

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The Danger in Slandering Others.... (Brief Nugget)

In the past few weeks, I have gone on several rants via twitter about the danger in slandering others.   These days, people seem to confuse 'righteous judgment' with 'slander.'   I will not go into a whole spell about the difference in the two.  But, the purpose of this posting is to remind the saints of God about the dangers in slandering others.  According to Free Dictionary, slander is defined as 'A false and malicious statement or report about someone!'  It is simple; if you bear false witness against someone then you are a slanderer.  Furthermore, if you believe false witness you are a slanderer.   Just because someone says something is true about someone doesn't make it true.  So, what does the bible have to say about slandering?  In 1 Corinthians 6:8-10, Paul exclaimed a few things that God doesn't tolerate.  But pay close attention to the word slander in this scripture.  'Do not be deceived, neither sexually immoral nor idolaters adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.'   Christians love to pick and choose which sins are deemed more punishable to GOD.  People love to bash homosexuals, but God made it very clear that he doesn't like liars.  Have you ever told a lie?  So, the point I am trying to make is that slandering is dangerous.  Slandering someone is like shooting 'friendly fire.'   We become agents of satan when we slander people.  We are doing the very works of the enemy.  After all, he does stand in the presence of God daily accusing us about our sins. (Refer to the book of Job)  I will venture to say that when we slander others, we look just like satan.  Thus, the truth isn't in us.  People love to hide behind discernment and say 'God, revealed that such and such is in sin!'  But, if God revealed this to you, then why are you spreading that information instead of praying?  See, a true slanderer will always try to convince one that God gave them some deep revelations about someone else's sins.  Confessing your sins is Godly, but confessing the sins of others, makes you are slanderer.   As the Body of Christ, we need to focus on taming our suspicious minds and our vile tongues.   One of these days, God will call us home.  We will have to take account for every wasted word that came out of  our mouths.  Guess What? On that day, the Judge (GOD) cannot let us slide.  The Lord will render us righteous Judgment.   Our tongues will be buried in a graveyard with our bodies.  But, our individual souls will be held accountable for the works of the flesh.  So, if you have slandered someone in the past, then repent.  God forgives! But, we must remember to guard our tongues on a daily basis.  I will leave you with this scripture:

'Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. 

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?  Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.'

James 3:3-12

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When Your Spiritual Baby Leaps: It is a Call of Destiny...(Brief Nugget)

When you are called to do something in this life, you can deny destiny if you want, but it will chase you.  I am reminded of the story of Mary (Mother of Jesus) and Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45).   After Mary received the revelation from the messenger angel Gabriel, she visited her relative Elizabeth. Elizabeth was old in age and God had finally blessed her with conceiving a child (She was the mother of John  the Baptist).  As the story goes on, Elizabeth came into Mary's presence, the baby inside of Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy.  The baby knew that Mary would be the mother of the coming Messiah.  The baby had come in contact with destiny.  When the baby felt this destiny, it made him jump for joy.  

Now on to you.....  What is that thing that GOD called you to do?  You have been on the run for way too long.  You have tried to do other things in life but have yet to experience fulfillment.  Every time you think about this destiny thing, your baby leaps.  Today, I encourage you to walk towards destiny.  Don't be afraid!  When Mary found out that she was going to have the Messiah, she said, 'I am the Lord's servant, May it happen to me as you have said.' (Luke 1:38 GNT).  In laymen's terms, Mary was saying to God, 'Have your way!'  Don't fear destiny, instead walk in it.  GOD has already given you the tools to fulfill his master plan.  That spiritual baby leaping inside of you is an indication that it is not over for you, continue to pursue destiny!!!!

Tanika 

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Does GOD speak to US through DREAMS?

For some odd reason, there are groups of people that don't believe that GOD speaks to his people in our days and time.  The question I have for these individuals is: How can a relationship work if there isn't two-way communication?  GOD yearns to commune with his people.  The bible illustrates this throughout the 66 books that make up the Holy Bible.  Ever since I was a child, I have had vivid dreams about future events.  As a kid, I didn't know that GOD was actually trying to communicate with me via dreams.  But, as I got older and searched his word, I realized that he communicated with many of his people through dreams.  In the bible, both Joseph and Daniel had prophetic dreams.  Daniel in particular had apocalyptic dreams (most of which have yet to be fulfilled).   God also communicated with King Saul via dreams.  When Saul sinned against GOD and lost his kingdom, Saul began seeking a psychic/medium to conjure up the spirit of the Prophet Samuel.  When Samuel's spirit was conjured up; Saul explained to Samuel that GOD'S hand was no longer on him (Him: Meaning Saul).  Saul went on to say that GOD stopped communicating with him in dreams (Reference 1 Samuel 28:15).  When Samuel was the prophet of Israel he was also called a SEER.  A SEER is someone that GOD specifically speaks to in dreams, visions, and spiritual trances.  Basically a PROPHET speaks as GOD and a SEER  sees as GOD.  These are powerful gifts from a wonderful GOD.  

Let me stay on topic.  I know for a fact that GOD can speak through dreams.  As I stated prior, I am gifted in this area.  Let me share a story about a dream that was fulfilled.  Over three years ago, I had a prophetic dream about a childhood friend.  In the dream, he was murdered, specifically shot about 7 times.  In the dream, I was sleeping and rolled over to read a text message that he had been killed.  When, I woke up from this dream, I refused to believe or receive it.  I pleaded with GOD and began rebuking the devil.  See dreams can come from GOD, our sub-conscious mind, or the devil.  I thought it was a combination of my sub-conscious mind and the enemy.  Little did I know that the actual gun had already been cocked and it was only a matter of time that my friend would be murdered.  If I was more focused on praying and asking GOD for more revelation on this matter, then I probably would have been more prepared for his death.  A year and four months had passed in silence. Then, I woke up one morning from a weird dream.  I dreamt of a graveyard and it felt like people were weeping but I couldn't see these people.  Then my eyes zoomed in and I saw this description on a grave "When you died, you left a string of broken hearts."  So, I got up and started my day! Later that day, I dozed off again.  When I woke up, I saw my phone blinking.  I rolled over and read this horrific text message from another childhood friend.  She stated that our friend had been shot about 7 times and he passed away.  I could not believe that the entire dream had been fulfilled.  Most of all, I couldn't believe that he was killed.  I took it very hard because I had the warning but I just refused to believe what GOD was showing me.  I discounted this dream because I simply thought that I was crazy (one who flew over the cuckoo's nest lol).  I repented for being disobedient and I learned a lot from that dream.  Where am I going with all of this dream talk? It is clear that we are in the last days, GOD wants to share future events with his people.  He wants to share world events with us and personal events as well.  Dreams are a great way to do such, because they go pass the fallen mind.  Sometimes you can dream something powerful and know without a shadow of doubt that GOD is speaking to you.  So, the point of this post is to encourage you to be more sensitive to the Spirit of GOD.  Instead of discounting some of your dreams, pray and ask the HOLY SPIRIT for an interpretation.  It could literally be life or death that GOD wants to share with you.  But, I also want to put out a disclaimer, I have also dreamt beautiful things as well.  GOD has given me dreams about specific friends getting engaged, married, and etc (all of which have come to pass). I have also had dreams about about my future mate (one day soon we will meet lol).  So, if you are a dreamer, I want you to be encouraged about what GOD is sharing with you.  After using discernment about the source of the dream, be prayerful, because GOD could be speaking to you.  I will leave you with this, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." (Joel 2:28 KJV).

Be edified my dear dreamers...

Tanika

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My Story of Grief: Losing Loved Ones to Death....You Can Be Healed.. (My Most Transparent Blog to Date)

'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted' (Matthew 5:4).

If you haven't lost a loved one due to death, keep living honey it will eventually happen.  It is the cycle of life.  The bible tells us that we are born to die.  In other words, this life is seasonal.  I can talk in depth about grief because in the last 11 years, I have lost roughly 20 loved ones (this includes close family and friends).  I must admit I am not the most emotional person, but grief has a way of breaking down the toughest people.  I will tread lightly with this story because I am writing the full story in my book.  In 2010, I lost 4 family members; three were due to disease and one was murdered.  But the one death that was the hardest to cope was the death of my biological father.  I won't go into our history.  But, he wasn't apart of my life until my mid 20's.  Even then our relationship was strained.  Interesting enough, I got a call from a friend two days prior to his death.  She and I were on the phone praying.  After we finished praying, she stated 'God wants you to know that something will happen in two days, but you will get through it.'  I didn't know what to make of this prophetic word, but I received it and continued on.  It was early one Saturday morning (two days after that prophetic word), I was awaken out of my sleep with an urgency to check my facebook page.  This was an unction of the Holy Spirit because I couldn't care less about checking facebook especially that early in the morning.  I logged on to the site and had an inbox from a cousin on my father's side.  She stated that my father had passed away suddenly.  I was numb.  Later that day she called me crying.  I just let her cry and still didn't have much of a reaction.  I called my mother and she sent her condolences (She left my father when I was 4 months old).  I was still numb.  I called my siblings  and they seemed to have the same reaction.  No one cried.  It was so weird.  I guess it stemmed from the fact that none of us had a real 'father to child' relationship with our dad. 
The funeral was planned by his sisters. They sent his body back to be buried in his home state.  My siblings and I attended the service and again no emotion from any of us.  It was so strange.   The next day, I drove back to Georgia (where I was living at the time) and started to feel some emotions.  I started having feelings of guilt, regret, and grief.  The year up until that point was simply horrible.  I was still in pain from losing other family members.  I was questioning God on his timing of these events.  Why wasn't I given the opportunity to have an active and present father in my life?  I started to blame myself for the strained relationship I had with my father.  I was overcome with grief.  I couldn't sleep at night.  I felt a hole in my heart.  After all, I was bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh.  It literally felt like something was ripped out of my soul.  It was painful.  To make matters worse, I felt guilty for caring.  How could I love someone that never invested his love into me? All of these emotions came over me.  For three weeks straight, I cried myself to sleep.  I didn't want to go on.  A friend of mines (that happens to be a clinician) asked if I was blaming myself for his death?  I think I was blaming myself for the failure of our relationship.  I have always succeeded in so many things but I couldn't succeed in solidifying a strong relationship with the person that fathered me.  When he died, I felt like I had been abandoned twice.  He abandoned me in life and now in death.  My grief felt overwhelming.  I couldn't pray or clearly hear from God.  Then one day, I heard a voice say "Daughter, you cannot stay here.  He is gone and isn't coming back.  Live!"  A few nights later, I had a dream.  In the dream, my father apologized for everything he did to me.  He basically told me to stop blaming myself because everything was his fault.  When, I woke up, I realized I had an encounter with God the Father and my biological father.  The healing process had begun.  I never cried again over his death.  I laid before God, day and night, until I felt set free.  I pursued God in my brokenness.  He showed up for me in the darkest hour of my life.  No one understood the inner pain I felt, but God did and heard my cry.  There are stages of grief that you will probably go through and please believe God will get you through each one.  First you must be vulnerable with God.  If you are mad with him about losing that person then cry out.  He understands our grief.  Remember he watched his son get crucified for a dying world.  Next, have a good support team (preferably people that have endured grief).  A good support team could provide the physical and emotional support.  Sometimes you truly need a shoulder to cry on.  Next, be patient with the healing process.  It will take time for that broken heart to mend.  Indeed you will miss that person and it okay to verbalize such.  Lastly, don't turn your back on GOD.  His name is Jehovah Rapha (The GOD that Heals).  Remember he is close to the broken-hearted.  He wants to heal every ache of grief that is in your soul.  If you are going through grief right now, I pray that GOD sets you free from the pain and anguish, In Jesus Name! Amen!!! I hope this post helps you a little bit....

Tanika Honey Ward

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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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