Marriage

TalithaCumi3

What’s in your playlist?

Dear Beloved,

Hope your day is going well. At this moment, may I ask what are you thinking about or what have you been thinking about?  Have you ever noticed how difficult it can be to keep your thought process in line with what God commands?  With social media, and technology advancing, the noise levels in our mind space is now at an all-time high.  In the midst of everything, and everyone vying for our attention, the question of the day is, where is the balance?  Think about this for a moment.

Our thought process is very important. How do we bridge the gap between what we think and how our thoughts lead to actions? Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:5, KJV). The life that you and I are living are the direct results of what we have said, thought, or done.  Beloved, we must be careful, of what we think, feel, and speak.  What if God exposed every thought that ran across your mind?  Picture a small screen, above your head and each thought that you think would appear.  How many people would truly know how you feel about them? What would those thoughts reveal?

There’s always room for a fresh start, right? Today and moving forward, let’s aim to practice discipline, and self-control with what we think, feel, and speak. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8, KJV). Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21, KJV).  Until we meet again, I love you to life!

Xoxo,

Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, The Risen Warrior

Setback for a SetUP

© Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, and TalithaCumi+3, [2016]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s/ website’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Mrs. Candace A. Stevens] and [TalithaCumi+3] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

TalithaCumi3

Service: Privilege or Obligation?

Dear Beloved,

How art thou?  I hope and pray that thou art well!  It would seem obvious for me to write about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, right?  The Holy Spirit is leading yours truly in a different direction and I have no choice but to be okay with that.  Here’s a quick word of advice: you don’t have to wait until the church doors swing open this weekend to either give your life to Christ, or reconcile with Him if you have lost your way as a Christian.  At any moment and time, you can simply confess, believe, and repent, (turn away from sin)…That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (Romans 10:9, KJV).  Stay tuned, I’ll break that down real soon. 🙂

Life has a way of pulling us in every direction.  If we’re not careful, we can lose our way in our daily routine.  Have you considered that each and every thing that you and I do are opportunities to serve God? As you can clearly see, God is everywhere at the same time, and worthy to serve in more than just the four walls of a church.  Consider this:  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men (Colossians 3:23, KJV).  The main idea here is to serve, honor, and aim to please God, not men.  In those moments of rushing to cross off the many things we feel we need to accomplish, remember to pause, breathe, and thank God for all He has done and what He’s yet going to do.  Beloved, before we start to complain about our laundry list, remember that your service to God is a privilege, not an obligation.  Until we meet again… I love you to life!

xoxo,

Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, The Risen Warrior

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Founder and CEO, of Talitha Cumi+3, a.k.a. “The Risen Warrior”

© Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, and TalithaCumi+3, [2016]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s/ website’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Mrs. Candace A. Stevens] and [TalithaCumi+3] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

TalithaCumi3

Come on…you’re not that grand!

Dear Beloved,

Hope all is well.  Please see below for a small Public Service Announcement from yours truly.  I hope this blesses you like it blessed me.

We shouldn’t throw stones and shade at other people because they don’t measure up to our own “sick” righteous standards (Not in the Holy Bible). You know those secret idols that we set up for ourselves, thinking that we’re “right” and just as wrong as two left shoes? Thank God that He’s loving and doesn’t expose our (hidden) sins, as we deserve.  Instead, He consistently wraps us in his loving arms of mercy and grace.

We should adhere and follow His lead.  It’s no secret that Jesus was the only clear picture of perfection that has ever walked this Earth.  Let’s face it, we’re all human and flawed, but that’s no excuse to mistreat others.  God’s most prize possession-are PEOPLE!  Let’s be careful on how we handle each other, for we shall reap whatever we sow, good or bad.

Mercy and grace is what we seek from Jesus on a daily basis.  We should mind our own business, pray, and genuinely love people according to (1 Corinthians 13). The next order of business would be to ask God for forgiveness, and deliver us all from being arrogant and self-righteous. Deception is real.  Until we meet again…I love you to life!  Thanks for all of your support and hanging out me with at “The Warrior’s Corner”.  Spread the love and share this article with at least one person you love.

xoxo,

Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, The Risen Warrior

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It’s always a blessing for me to bring you content with substance!  Nothing like service with a smile.

© Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, and TalithaCumi+3, [2016]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s/ website’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Mrs. Candace A. Stevens] and [TalithaCumi+3] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

TalithaCumi3

Thorns…that make you say OUCH!

1977146_1167243109971280_8987631998118866611_nDear Beloved,

Hope all is well. I had something planned for us to discuss today, but the Lord is leading me a in a different direction.  Sometimes one of the hardest lessons in life is not to repeat cycles of insanity.  If we’re caught off guard its then and only then that we fall prey to the devil’s same old tricks.  Let that marinate for a few seconds and I bet you can think of a few scenarios even in your own life.  Have you thought of any thorn (s) that you wish would just go away? Bishop T.D. Jakes, said this recently: “God is not going to remove the thorn, He’s going to show you that it will not stop you, it’s going to make you stronger (2016).”

The uncompromising Apostle Paul wrote this: And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:7-9, KJV). 

Beloved, the question for the day is: What are your thorn (s)?  Could it be physical, emotional, or spiritual? God loves us all unconditionally, and because of that He will allow unforeseen events to occur in order to keep us basking in a state of humility.  Check out verse 9 (a), And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. What I love about God is that He’s literal.  He’s not fake, fickle, phony, or one to try and figure out.  The good news is this:  No matter what your thorn (s)/weaknesses may be, humility will drive us to our knees to pray and cause us to remember that we need God to accomplish His purpose and plan for our life.  Allow His grace and His perfect strength to stretch and rest in your weaknesses, now and forevermore.  Until we meet again, I love you to life!

Xoxo,

Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, The Risen Warrior

© Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, and TalithaCumi+3, [2016]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s/ website’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Mrs. Candace A. Stevens] and [TalithaCumi+3] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

TalithaCumi3

Greetings and Happy New You!

Greetings Beloved,

I bid you peace, favor, joy, and most of all love in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  It’s the 11th day of 2016!  How’s it going so far?  Hope all is well with each and everyone of you.  I was thinking of my fellow beloved and had to get on here and say HELLO!  I’m interested to see what you would like to experience/see more of on this blog/website.  So don’t be shy.  Thanks for your patience and continued support.  Please do me a favor comment below or send me an email at candace.stevens@talithacumi3.com.

Now that’s out of the way… :).  I’m in great anticipation for what this new year has to offer.  What about you?  Have you resolved to lose weight, feel great, and be an overall better you?  Beware of unforeseen twists, turns, and the possibility of things not working out as you have planned.  When this happens, steady yourself and make the necessary adjustments accordingly.  Remember that nothing takes God by surprise.  He’s so good that He has strategically set you up for success-no matter what!  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD (Isaiah 55:8, NIV).

Personally, I have jumped off the bandwagon of creating resolutions.  One thing I have learned is that self-reliance, and trusting in my own limited abilities is a real way to fail every time!  Sometimes we can become full of pride and forget that we need Jesus all day every day.  We must remember to practice and remain in humility.  So with that being said, I encourage us all to truly make Jesus the Lord of every aspect of our lives and watch His perfect plan for us manifest in this new year!  Cheers to a New You Warrior! Ready. Set. Grow.

xoxo,

Candace A. Stevens, The Risen Warrior

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© Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, and TalithaCumi+3, [2016]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s/ website’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Mrs. Candace A. Stevens] and [TalithaCumi+3] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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I’ll Cry If I Want To

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Good morning warriors,

Hope your morning is well thus far.  You know a setback for all of us sometimes never looks or feels good.  In the heat of the moment you may feel like all hope is lost.  God may place or send people in your path to remind you that it will be okay.  I don’t know about you but there has been plenty of times where God has spoken to my heart and I still decided to remain in my place of “oh poor me.”  I’ve recently experienced this in my own personal walk with God.  I won’t go to much into right now, but I will later.:) Remember God’s timing is always best.

From my recent “what about me” mountain top experience, as Joyce Meyer would say, I learned something.  It wasn’t until I strategically positioned myself to hear God that he would deliver not only a plan, but a SOLUTION.  My God! My God!  I obeyed HIS specific instructions and it was then and only then I started to see a turnaround in my situation.  Personally, I seem to forget that setbacks are necessary for spiritual maturity.  Oh my, I can’t wait for the comeback results though.  I’m reminded that no matter what we go through the lesson is not only for us, but we are meant to go back and help others along the way.

Until we meet again…I love you to life!

xoxo,

The Risen Warrior

© Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, and TalithaCumi+3, [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s/ website’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Mrs. Candace A. Stevens] and [TalithaCumi+3] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

 

TalithaCumi3

Fight, Lay Down, or Die?

Good morning warriors,

Hope you’re well my friends. I hope you guys had a blessed weekend.  I had this on my heart this morning and I just couldn’t keep it to myself!  Consider this: The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies (Isaiah 42:13, KJV).  Yes there’s a warrior within you and I.  My goal is to remind you and I of just that.  We were created in God’s image right? And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1 26-27, KJV).

Do you think the “fight” is against the person you look at in the mirror everyday, the person you’re married to, or your boss?  Or you may even believe it’s all of the things that you are seeing on the news. For the Bible says this: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12, KJV). We must know and understand that there’s a real battle going on in the spiritual (unseen) realm vs. the natural (This world) realm.

If you’re going to be engaged in a battle, there’s two main things (among many) to consider:  being prepared, and your weapons. Prayer and the Word of God is what you need to mitigate the forces of darkness.  Our relationship with God is not that we pick up on where we left off when we feel like it.  If you’re in a marriage, how would you feel if your husband/wife dealt with you when it’s convenient for them?  Pay attention and catch this principal I’m trying to show us here.  Don’t be rocked to sleep my brothers and sisters with the cares of this world or the media!  Time is of the essence and Jesus is on His way back a lot sooner than we think.  Will you be ready?  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8, KJV).  Until we meet again….I love you all to life!

xoxo,

The Risen Warrior

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© Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, and TalithaCumi+3, [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s/ website’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Mrs. Candace A. Stevens] and [TalithaCumi+3] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

Additional Resource (s):

http://www.charismamag.com/spirit/spiritual-warfare/17649-understand-the-spiritual-realms-of-authority

 

TalithaCumi3

Tell it Like it Is or Nah?

Dear Beloved,

I pray this brief missive finds you well today.  What are your plans for the weekend?  Are you planning to spend time with family or friends?  Well friend I hope that whatever you do you squeeze in some quiet time for yourself.  Invite yourself into the presence of the most High God.  He’s always willing and waiting to hear from you.

I usually have a topic to expand from when I post to this blog.  For some reason I don’t today.  I just wanted to come on and tell my friends hello.  Will you allow me to share what I have learned recently? Transparency is powerful guys.  I was blessed to share a brief portion of my testimony unashamed.  I realized that everything that I have gone through was not in vain.  God used my a portion of my past in that brief moment to help set someone else free.  What a feeling of joy that was inexpressible!

Trust the process!  Allow yourself to cry, scream, whatever you need to do to release yourself from your past.  We all come from a past that we would rather not expose. You know the things that you and I have told ourselves that only God above and you will know?  Am I the only one? Beloved, our experiences in this life are there to teach us not TORMENT us.

If you are struggling with something, I want to encourage you to allow Jesus to set you free.  Afterwards, walk in your freedom.  You must own it!  You and I have gone through things in order to help others like “us” along the way.  Use your pit, problem, or circumstance to your advantage.

Until we meet again…I love you to life!

Xoxo,

The Risen Warrior

© Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, and TalithaCumi+3, [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s/ website’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Mrs. Candace A. Stevens] and [TalithaCumi+3] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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Take your Rest

Dear Beloved,

Hope all is well. Renew, refresh, and restore, are only a few words that I can think of when it comes down to being weary, suffering with brokenness, and pain in our spirits. Why don’t we retreat when necessary? We must not get so busy that we neglect feeding our spirits the word of God. The word of God is like a cool refreshing drink to our depleted, worn, and thirsty souls.

Take a moment and look at your calendar. Why is that we can intentionally plan meetings, weddings, parties, or vacations but can’t take a few minutes to spend quality time with God? It’s so easy to become busy, yet not be productive. Many of us live life full spend ahead and don’t leave time to refresh ourselves in God’s presence.

Remember not to become so busy that you ignore those gentle nudges from God to enter into his presence. He created us and knows what we need before we ask Him.  God is so good.  The Bible says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak, (Isaiah 40:29, NIV). I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint (Jeremiah 31: 25, NIV). The good news is that Jesus walked the Earth for a period of time and understands how easy it is to become depleted and worn out from life. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

Until we meet again…I love you to life!

Xoxo,

The Risen Warrior

Image courtesy of:

joycemeyer.org

© Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, and TalithaCumi+3, [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s/ website’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Mrs. Candace A. Stevens] and [TalithaCumi+3] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

TalithaCumi3

Or Nah.

Dear Beloved,

Hope all is well with you. The way we view ourselves are results of some of the decisions we make whether positive or negative. If we vow to settle for anything beneath than what God says we’re entitled to, the result is total disregard to His plan for our lives. In the book of wisdom (Proverbs) there is a scripture that says, “There is a way that SEEMS RIGHT to man, But its end is the way of death/destruction (Proverbs 14:12, NKJV). It’s also mentioned again in Proverbs 16:25! God has a way of warning us doesn’t HE? When arrogance floods our spirit, we deceive ourselves into thinking that OUR own way is the best way. I guarantee you that every selfish pursuit without God’s blessing and consideration will always fail miserably. Don’t ask me how I know.  There’s a large number of us that live on how we “feel”. Friends, just because it “feels” right doesn’t it mean it’s from God and God-ordained. He will allow certain situations to happen just to bring you back to HIM.

Many of us spend our lifetime desperately trying to cross over into territories God never intended us to be in. Do you want to know what’s at work? Most of the time it’s envy or jealousy. We tend to lust after what others are blessed with instead of focusing on being content with what God has blessed us with. Friends, patience pays handsomely! For example we may crossover into a career, relationships, friendships or marriage (s) just to name a few. If anything brings you consistent, heartache, pain, fear, doubt, anxiety, then LEAVE IT ALONE, because that’s not God’s best for you. Friends, this doesn’t apply to marriage. Don’t get it twisted folks. We are bound to our husbands/wives as long as they LIVE. However, separation maybe necessary in some cases. We are to be reconciled to our spouses but we are never to marry again.  It’s truly until death due us part.  Divorce is never an option! See Malachi 2:16/1 Corinthians 7 (Entire Chapter).  I’m not sure who this is for, but take heed.  Now read on…

I heard T.D. Jakes say in a sermon, that we are loyal to dysfunction. Why? We all have to a tendency to gravitate to what’s comfortable even if it means compromising ourselves in our relationship with God, ourselves, and others. Let’s not forget that we will be accountable for everything we say and do. In our world today, there are some that are walking around in deception. Many believe that they don’t have to be accountable for anything. 2 COR 5:10) “FOR WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST; THAT EVERY ONE MAY RECEIVE THE THINGS DONE IN HIS BODY, ACCORDING TO THAT HE HATH DONE, WHETHER IT BE GOOD OR BAD.”

I want to encourage us all to not make hasty life decisions without considering the eternal consequences or out of desperation. As the old cliché’ says, if you make your bed hard you will have to lay in it. I believe that if we all really obey and take heed to the signs, and warnings that God sends we can save ourselves a lot of heartache, pain, time, money, and resources. Friends, when it’s all said and done you won’t be able to tell God I didn’t tell you so! Until we meet again…I love you to life!

xoxo,

The Risen Warrior

© Mrs. Candace A. Stevens, and TalithaCumi+3, [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s/ website’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Mrs. Candace A. Stevens] and [TalithaCumi+3] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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