GOD, I’M STAYING ON THE HIGHEST ROAD WITH YOU!!!

That’s me to God yesterday after He found two unique ways for our number “311” to show up on a messy day. I’ve written so many times about this “311” as God communicating with me, saying that I should stay on the high road with Him. That I should BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD and that He is behind the scenes of my life fighting battles for me. So, when I want to stress, get frustrated, and anxious about anything, He sends this “311” to beautifully say, ‘Nik, I got you! Relax and enjoy your life!’

Yesterday turned about to be one of those frustrating days, but God was right there with me every step of the way. I told you how God picked a special white Audi Q5 for me that I love so much, but I had to sell it with the intention of getting it back by purchasing another vehicle for this customer. I did that, but the bank that approved him for the Audi didn’t like the new purchase. So, we forgot about it until he came by again and saw another vehicle that he liked, and I ended up getting my Q5 back. Yayy!!

But, here’s the part where God comes sweetly in. The customer had left the vehicle full of gas, and when I finally went to fill it up yesterday, the pump stopped all by itself to exactly 17.311 gallons, with God sweetly coming through to remind me that He was standing firm with me as I took on some difficulties for Him that day, asking me NOT to turn into the crazy lady, but stay on the high road with Him.

That was that morning, but by that afternoon, when the crazy lady wanted to return, God amazingly found another way for the “311” to incredibly show up. This one started with my son, Joshie, coming to work with my husband and insisting on posting ads on Offerup. I didn’t want to discourage him from getting involved in the family hustle, so I allowed him. The next thing I knew, in the middle of an appearance from the crazy lady within me telling me to spew out everything I was angry about, I got a call from Offerup saying Joshie asked them to call me. Honestly, guys, I was so blown away by God’s attention to my life because as I explained to the person calling me that we already had an account with them, I smiled with God as I remembered how much we pay them every month to post our vehicles there: $311!!! (Wink! Wink!) The crazy lady went away, and I stayed on the highest road with God, reminded that NOBODY WILL LOVE ME BETTER THAN HE CAN and that I shouldn’t expect too much from other humans but hold them in their proper perspective.

I’m sticking with God, and I want the entire world here! After making that decision, God even had a lady selling roses to give me some for free. I kept telling her that I didn’t have the cash to pay her, and she insisted that I should have them. The roses are God’s way of reminding me to enjoy the beautiful life I have, despite the thorns and weeds that show up regularly. Even as I type this, I have a shirt from my son, Emmie, filled with roses as my constant reminder to focus on the beauty in my life. AND THERE IS SO MUCH!!! I enjoy reading emails from Julie’s dream university in New York that accepted her and I’m reminded of how God exceeds my expectations when I stick with Him on the high road. WE NEVER LOSE WITH GOD!!! Everything is between God and us! Let’s make Papa God happy by seeking to be the loving, patient, calm, enduring (the glue holding our families together), faith-filled and faithful people He would have us to be. IGNORE the weeds and FOCUS on God!

WEROLLWITHGOD.COM

“IN GOD WE TRUST”

Those were my words to a friend a few minutes ago! This life gets crazy, but I want us all with our focus on God, knowing He is in control of everything and everyone. Wink! Wink! It’s just for us to stay calm, pause, pray, and ask God for His involvement in every move we make. Super tough, let me tell ya, but sticking with God is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS the best way to go, even when He asks us to do difficult things. I love this old post:

“Come to me all you who labor and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, here you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

She (a priest) called our attention to the image of the yoke, a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals such as oxen are joined at the heads or necks for working together. She said she could imagine Jesus (God) already wearing the yoke and inviting us to let Him be our Partner as we bear our burdens together with Him. She said when things get harder (and they will get harder) Jesus (God) would not let his side of the yoke go.

I loved this part so much that I listened to it repeatedly, imagining God and I clasped together with this piece of wood holding our heads together. I especially loved it because now I’m WISELY learning to let God lead the direction we go in, on a moment-by-moment basis. It’s not always easy, and at times it takes serious DISCIPLINE not to be the crazy, drama Nik who wants to make an appearance. But God’s ways always lead me to make the utmost best decisions no matter the tough situation. I never regret following His leading, even when He takes me out of my comfort zone on some treacherous paths.”

Are you going to God in your sad, frustrating, painful, anxious, and other awful moments? Let’s bear all our burdens with Him.”

Like today, in a conversation, I told a bank rep that I actually pray to God for the strength to be patient. It’s not something that comes easy for me, but I’m asking God to help me to be the patient person He would have me to be in dealing with some tough stuff He has put on my plate to handle. I knew it was God who had me at 1:10 in this bank reading page 110 of our family’s website to speak to me:

“I WAS HURT BADLY!!!

This life is FULL of disappointments, let me tell ya! But the way God shows up to comfort and guide me through them makes up for all the letdowns the world may throw my way. Like late last night, He had this to say to me through my meditation book, He and I (written as if He is speaking to me):

“If you only knew what compassion really is—the compassion you must strive to imitate! Overlooking everything to stoop to a heart’s needs, paying no attention to any disappointments or ingratitude, BEING EVEN KINDER TO THOSE WHO HAVE HURT YOU. Just be your Christ for them. If you make this your intention, I’ll be seen in you.”

God knows every thought I think, and He is the only one who knows how I’ve been feeling. So, for this to show up was Him giving me specific directions as to how He would have me moving forward. I simply smiled with Him as He took away all the hurt I’ve been feeling. ‘Yes, Boss. Anything for You. I will let everyone see You in me.’”

I wrote this almost exactly three years ago, and God figured out a way to say to me today, ‘Nik, I don’t only want you to be patient right now, but I want you to BE EVEN KINDER TO THOSE WHO HAVE HURT YOU. Let them see Me in you!’ God is a tough Boss! But again, HIS WAYS ARE ALWAYS BEST!!! Wink! Wink! Obey God and leave the consequences with Him, like Dr. Charles Stanley taught me!

IN GOD WE TRUST

“… AND ALL THAT SURROUNDS YOU ARE SECRETS AND LIES”

Those are the lyrics of a song I said describe exactly my life at the moment. It is what it is, folks! We have to take the joy with the pain, the sunshine with the rain (that’s life!), continually asking God for the grace and strength to deal with whatever comes. So, in asking God how to wrap my mind around the secrets and lies, I went for a talk with Him under my God tree. No shame in my game! I need God! Can you believe I saw the number 23, and I went to page 23 of our family’s website and this message from years ago showed up at the very top of that page:

“… but more in the sense of what we mean by “trust.” THIS GOES BEYOND SIMPLY PRESUMING THAT THE OTHER IS NOT LYING OR CHEATING (Wink! Wink!). Such basic trust recognizes GOD’S LIGHT SHINING BEYOND THE DARKNESS… This trust enables a relationship to be free. It means we do not have to control the other person, to follow their every step lest they escape our grip. Love trusts, it sets free, it does not try to control…

…This means that love bears every trial with a positive attitude. It stands firm in hostile surroundings. This “endurance” involves not only the ability to tolerate certain aggravations (or like I put it, putting up with some things we may not like), but something greater: A CONSTANT READINESS TO CONFRONT ANY CHALLENGE. IT’S A LOVE THAT NEVER GIVES UP, EVEN IN THE DARKEST HOUR. It shows a certain dogged heroism, a power to resist every negative current, AN IRREPRESSIBLE COMMITMENT TO GOODNESS.” – The Joy of Love by Pope Francis

Is that amazing or what? I’m asking God how to deal with the secrets and lies, and He gave me specific instructions to see His light shining beyond the darkness and confront this challenge from a loving and positive space of never giving up and having an even stronger and passionate commitment to goodness. God is the best therapist! I stopped everything I was doing to go and have that run so I could have some alone time to chat, and He had the perfect post there waiting for me. We love because God first loved us. (HUGE SMILE)

That’s why I say, ‘Don’t mess around with your relationship with God!’ We need His help! See the loving way He showed up to help me with my struggles today. He is in the fires of life with us! I ran back from that tree super happy and ready to stand firm and confront any challenge that comes my way, knowing God is intimately involved in every moment. He is with you, too! Nothing we face is too complicated for Him. It’s just for us to seek Him and ask for His perspective on whatever challenge we’re facing. And then start paying attention to His answers. He is pretty talkative!

These posts I hope help us all to get stronger: tougher, more confident in God, brave and courageous, but I want us to also work on getting softer: more loving, gentler, patient, kinder, humble, compassionate, supportive, understanding, lighthearted, joyful, merciful, faithful, enduring and putting up with stuff we may not like, devoted, generous, and thinking less of ourselves and more of others. So help us, God! Amen!

“GOD SPEAKS TO ME THROUGH MUSIC”

Those were some of the last words from my daughter, Ember, before she left back to university life in New York. Fast forward a couple of hours later, God sang to me! I was under my tree, holding on to it extra tight, begging God to give me the strength to do the difficult things He has asked of me (and, no, I don’t look at all crazy holding on to this tree!), and this song, out of hundreds of songs on my phone, incredibly played as I jogged away:

“When the visions around you
_ Bring tears to your eyes
_ And all that surrounds you
_ Are secrets and lies (Exactly my life at the moment!)
_ I’LL BE YOUR STRENGTH (Wink! Wink!)
_ I’ll give you hope
_ Keeping your faith when it’s gone
_ The one you should call
_ Was standing there all along” – This I Promise You by NSYNC

No coincidence that I prayed to God for extra strength, and this song plays with those lyrics less than a minute later, ‘I’ll be your strength, My Nik! Just stick with me! I got you!’ God sweetly is saying to me. And that’s the great news I have to share with you guys! We have God with us in every moment giving us His strength, help, support, joy, wisdom, strategies, guidance, influence, angels, and the entire resources of heaven working for us in the supernatural realm on our behalf. God asks some difficult things of us, though, but we can do all things with Him by our side.

I love this voice note from my brother, Kevin:

“Every day. Every day. Every day, my sister. Every day. Accumulate a little more strength, and you will see the most powerful woman you’ve ever seen in your life. Don’t mind all the noise around you. Work on that which you just sent me. You have to work on being a stronger person. And I don’t mean because you feel good today. The more strength you build up, the more muscle mass you build up, the stronger you are when you need that strength. I told you before you don’t pray for things not to happen; you pray for strength to deal with things when they happen. And things are happening. Every day. Every day. Every day. Every day. Take care of yourself.”

I told Kevin that I’m wearing this green bracelet from Joshie that I want to take on his character of joy, lightheartedness, goodness, strength, kindness, patience, gentleness, forgiveness, love, and support after he has been holding my hands for the last three years to help me through a rough time. I want to be that person you were for me,” I told him today. As I type this, God just gave me the nudge to read my meditation book, and look what just astonishingly showed up:

“With your good humor, your understanding, and friendliness, with the meekness of Christ as part and parcel of your life, not only should you be happy, but you should bring happiness to everyone around you. In the people you meet on the road of your life. As you go along you should leave behind that good aroma of Christ (2 Cor 2:15) – your constant smile, your serene calm, your good humor and joy, your charity, your understanding. You should become like Jesus, ‘who went about doing good’ (Acts 10:38).” – Jesus As Friend by Salvatore Canals

May we all be more like Jesus and Kevin! God is our strength! Amen!

CAN YOU STOP TALKING ABOUT YOUR BROTHER, KEVIN, SO MUCH?

This was a comment I got yesterday, and I did an entire video about it, but it had a technical glitch, and I had to throw it out. So, today, it’s all about my brother, Kevin, and all the remarkable advice he is giving me. It’s my privilege and honor to share with you guys my top six pieces of advice from him:

1.

“NEEKS, ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS TO GET CLOSER TO GOD. MAKE HIM YOUR PRIORITY!” I ran with this by listening to Dr. Charles Stanley on YouTube, and he has taken my FAITH in God to an entirely new level. FAITH CHANGES EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR LIFE!!! I had a terrible night sleeping, and I replayed his sermons repeatedly, reminded that I’m to follow God’s will. I’m with Jesus, asking God to give me the strength and the grace to do His will, not what the crazy lady inside of me wants to do:

“Jesus faced his trepidation over the upcoming suffering he would endure on the cross by praying for strength to do his Father’s will. Instead of letting fear overwhelm him or sink him into despair, Jesus dropped to his knees and prayed, “Father, not my will, but yours be done.”

I will joyfully and lovingly carry my crosses all for the glory of God! My reward is with Him, who exceeds my expectations! When I die, I want Him to say, “Well done my good and faithful servant! Amen!

1.	“NEEKS, I WANT YOU TO WORK ON BEING A WISE WOMAN” For me, that means constant conversations with God about everything. To constantly look at my life from God’s perspective: What would He have me to say? Where would He have me to go? What would He have me to do?

“The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” – Psalm 32:8

1.

“NEEKS, ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS TO BE PATIENT RIGHT NOW!” Those words continue to carry me through a rough life patch. I’m learning to be patient with everyone, including myself. Yesterday, I got goosebumps all over talking with our business manager about how we were so busy. So many times, I quoted to him, “It’s all about patience, bro!” The patience is working so much that you guys can call me, “Nikki So Patient! Kevin explained that he made many good decisions because he was patient. I’m in total agreement. I’m praying for God to continue to give me the strength to be patient. Amen.

2.

“MARRIAGE IS LIKE A TEAM. WHEN ONE PERSON IS WEAK, THE OTHER SHOULD BE THE STRONG ONE AND VICE VERSA.” Hubby and I go through our ups and downs, but we’ve been having each other’s backs and supporting each other for the last 20 years! We have our share of dark nights, but always with the hope that our best days are still out ahead of us. I say we ain’t perfect, but we’re pretty close! All glory goes to God, who makes everything beautiful in His time.

3.

“IF JESUS CAN ASK GOD TO FORGIVE THE PEOPLE WHO NAILED HIM TO THE CROSS, WHO ARE WE TO WITHHOLD FORGIVENESS FROM ANYONE?” Forgiveness is something you don’t do for the other person, you really do it for yourself. I’m learning to hand over all disappointments to God. When others are unfair, I remember God’s ways with me are more than fair! NOBODY CAN LOVE ME BETTER THAN HE CAN! I suck up His love and approval while I endlessly forgive everyone else for everything!

4.

“DON’T ASK GOD TO FOLLOW YOU; YOU FOLLOW GOD! BE GOD’S ANGEL! And following God has led my life on a pretty gorgeous path! Not always easy following God’s will, but always so worth it. God’s ways are so much better than our human ways! I’m to the point that I use all the negativity in the world as fuel to up my game in being a better wife, mother, and person, SUPERHERO STYLE. GOD IS LOVE!

Thanks, K! I will forever be thanking God for you!!! Everyone needs a K in their life!

“DON’T EXPECT ANYTHING SPECIAL FROM THIS WORLD”

But do expect God to give you more than you can ever ask or imagine! That’s my testimony, baby! I’m living a life that was designed by God Himself! I look back to the key moments of some significant decisions I’ve made through the years, and let me tell ya, God has been my Guide and Partner before I even developed this close relationship with Him. And this is why I try to be here every day sharing this GREAT NEWS that God’s invisible Presence is intimately involved in our lives. It’s just for us to learn His ways and walk with Him. I have a lot going on with hubby around, but this old post has some crucial info I hope you guys are picking about rolling with God and living your best life with Him as your first love and priority (Wink! Wink!).

“SO LET ME BE FOR REAL WITH YOU…”

To tell you about this remarkable friendship I’ve developed with God. That we all have UNLIMITED access to the Creator of the entire universe at every moment! His guidance has led my life on a gorgeous path where He EXCEEDS my expectations. I call it the sweet life with God!

So, every morning, I wake up to have an appointment with Him reading from our family’s website, werollwithgod.com. This morning I read about a conversation with a friend where I used the word SYNERGY. Minutes later, I go to have an appointment with God, and astonishingly, this very word “SYNERGY” shows up in my meditation book. And because I’ve gotten to know God so well, I knew this was all orchestrated by Him to give His girl here a tiny glimmer of His invisible Presence that is ALWAYS with us.

I’ve known this friend for over ten years now, and it’s a relationship that we’ve developed through spending time together. Not one moment has been wasted because her influence on my decisions has been extraordinary. She’s been this shining example of a person who has most importantly pointed me closer to God (The best kind of friend to have, by the way!). I’ve gotten to know her personality. I know her likes and her dislikes. And the same thing with God. I’ve developed a strong relationship with Him through having devoted alone times with Him and seeking Him continually throughout the day. I’ve learned His personality as well. But most vitally, I’ve learned His voice and HIS INFLUENCE on every decision I make is beyond human comprehension. You just have to experience it for yourself!

Incredibly, on a moment-by-moment basis, I can pick up on what He is saying to me. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me,” is the Bible verse I run with. I’ve beautifully learned His voice, and I’VE WISELY LEARNED TO FOLLOW HIM! And I want everyone here with me, following THE BEST LEADER EVER: GOD.

Like yesterday, I was talking to one of my kids, and I importantly asked them, “What is God advising you to do?” I said how I’ve learned to listen to Him in my spirit, and feelings of doubt usually mean “don’t” from Him. If I think of going in a particular direction and I don’t feel peaceful about it, I know that’s God’s way of again saying, “Don’t do that!’ However, when I hash out doing something in my spirit with Him, and I feel peaceful, happy, and enthusiastic, then I know that’s His way of saying, “Yes, Nik, this is the way to go.” No peaceful feelings, no move! I stay put! Got all that?

In fact, I’m in a conversation with God all day. I constantly pray for His direction, clarity, and help to sort out any situation I’m facing. I continually receive His answers that are always coming to me through His whispers, nudges, cues, and thoughts that magically pop to mind as to what He would have us to do. This sheep KNOWS God’s voice!

He’s my Shepherd in this crazy world! My phone’s screensaver says, “Let me (God) be the meaning of your composure.” It’s my reminder that I can be calm, at peace, and joyful regardless of what is going on around me because God stands STRONG with me. He’s with you, too! Start making Him a priority and seeking Him first thing every morning, asking, “What do You have to say to me at this moment?” and continually throughout the day asking, “God, what would You have me to do here!’ I promise you, a life lived close to God is the best life! Don’t miss out! Our Shepherd always knows best, and He has great plans for our lives! Say this prayer with me, “God, I want a closer walk with You!’ Amen!

GOD, I’M AT YOUR SERVICE!

I loved a conversation with my son, Emmie, yesterday. He said his dad, NOT ME, works hard to provide for our family financially. I got to share with him how his father and I have come up with a beautiful synergy (combination) where he has his role to play (he is an excellent provider!), and I have my role of being the wife who supports him and our kids, along with doing my work for God in the world.

This is a life that God and I have designed TOGETHER, and I love it! Yesterday, I didn’t go out to the office, but I had a great day with our kids. I brought Emmie to my home office to show him the university brochure where our daughter, Ember, will soon attend. He had asked me what the big deal about it was, and I showed him all the internship opportunities she would have access to, like working with Apple or working on Wall Street in New York city. “She won’t just graduate with a regular degree; she will have experience on her resume working with the top companies in the world. This is where I want you to go as well! You have everything it takes to live a successful life, and it’s my job as your mom to help you become all God has created you to be. While daddy goes out to work, you are my important work, my son!”

And speaking of Ember, I pushed her to go to work even though I didn’t. It’s the essential family values that I want to be instilled in her, like going the extra mile by giving her best at every moment as if working for God. There is a report that I gave her the responsibility of sending her dad every week. “Overwhelm the leaders who work hard for you with love, respect, and appreciation,” I constantly tell her. “Be faithful and dependable with that report. Ask your dad what you can do to help him and give your best!”

In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, which he promised to his people. You are serving the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24

I found out that everyone was keeping from me a mistake Ember had made. So, I said to her, “MISTAKES ARE OK! We just have to fix them when they happen.” She proudly called me later to say that she had taken care of the mistake. But just to show me (and hopefully you) how deeply God is involved in our lives, minutes after talking to Ember, I had an appointment with God taking a breather on our coach, feeling so exhausted from being Julie’s driver, housecleaning and cooking for the boys, look what incredibly showed up after me telling Ember that mistakes were OK:

“I cried yesterday listening to a freshman in high school, Madison, pray this prayer at Bel Air’s church in California:

“Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for waking us up this morning. And thank You for everything You give us. I pray for us to help know Your BOLDNESS. That we will be able to move forward in our faith, in our prayer life, and in everything that we are doing. That You will be at the center of every move we make and KNOW THAT MISTAKES ARE OK (Wink! Wink!). To know that we can move forward and that YOU ARE BY OUR SIDE THROUGH ALL OF IT. And that we will be able to prosper and have abundance and growth and help other people to grow as well through knowing you and knowing your faith and boldness… Amen.”

To tell you the truth, I needed that reminder because I haven’t been the person I would like to be lately. Fall a million times, get up a million and one! But God also told me in that appointment that it doesn’t matter how long we’ve been going in the wrong direction; we can always turn around. (HUGE SMILE) God, may we all be at Your service knowing that you are by our sides through all of it, backing us up with Your strength, wisdom, love, guidance, favor, approval, and faithfulness. Amen!

WEROLLWITHGOD.COM #love #God #faith

GOD COMFORTS ME ON A TOUGH DAY

Life is undoubtedly NOT easy! But that’s where a relationship with God comes sweetly in to help us navigate through the rough and challenging times. Like yesterday, I was really down from a cold that was trying to get the best of me, and in all my weakness, God figured out a sweet way to let me know that HE is my strength when I’m weak. This God wink began a few weeks ago when I wrote about this tag showing up:

“Like yesterday, my daughter Julie and I had to go the extra mile in delivering a vehicle we had sold to a customer (the family hustle is on!). As I’m driving, there is a car directly in front of me with a tag saying, “ALI3N.” I tried taking a picture of it when traffic had slowed down to send it to a friend who I refer to as my “ALIEN” because of her out-of-this-world kindness to us. The picture didn’t work, and I was so busy yesterday, I decided to call her this morning to tell her about it, but she was busy. I sent her the following text:

“Just telling you how I was behind a car yesterday with a license plate that said “ALI3N.” You are in God’s thought! No coincidence! Laters!”

Can you believe that yesterday that very “ALI3N” tag showed up again in front of me? Like of all the millions of license plates that could have shown up, God had this very one that was special to me to show up again to remind me that His invisible Presence is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS with me. There was no way this was some random coincidence, but God Himself orchestrating for this vehicle to meet up (a perfect alignment!) with me to remind me that no matter what life throws my way, I can relax, be full of joy, and KNOW that His Presence is there to guide me through any storm.

Obey God and leave the consequences with Him was the needed reminder I got from Dr. Charles Stanley. It’s like God wanted me to have that weak day just to spend that time relistening to my fav sermons from Dr. Stanley, who gives me such great advice like being obedient to God and following whatever it is He would have me to do. That’s where I want us all! Life is pretty complicated and messy, but we have God’s help guiding us once we learn His voice.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

Learning His voice is one of the best things we can possibly comprehend. Every day I go to my tree asking God what He has to say to me, and He constantly figures out some way to reveal some glimmer of His Presence. Like when my mom rushed me off the phone yesterday because she was watching a documentary about Joseph, and I told her that Joseph is my fav Bible character. Can you believe this showed up under my God tree in my alone time with Him today (AGAIN, NO COINCIDENCE! ALL ORCHESTRATED PERFECTLY BY GOD!):

_”“Eyes on God _

“But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.” – Genesis39:21

…A good example of suffering because of other people is Joseph of the Old Testament (Genesis 37-50). After being sold by his brothers into slavery, Joseph found himself in a foreign country, alone and hurting. He had every right to ask, “Why me?” How was Joseph able to hang in there?

First, Joseph recognized that God has given everyone free choice. No one is a puppet or a robot. We can choose to ignore what is right, and God does not force his will on us.

Second, Joseph knew that God saw everything he went through. He never doubted that God cared about him. There is an important phrase that is found five times in the story of Joseph, each time after a major crisis or defeat: “But the Lord was with Joseph.” Even when everything was going wrong, the Lord was still with Joseph.
Remembering these truths allowed Joseph to survive the pain and forgive his brothers in the end—because he kept his eyes on God.

Prayer: Lord, I need to remember that you are with me through sadness and joy, just as you were with Joseph. Thank you for caring for me and caring about me.” – A Purpose Driven Life Devotional For Kids by Rick Warren

And that’s been my testimony! No matter the challenges and problems I face, God stands with me. The best solutions would pop to mind when I know I’m not that smart. People I need will magically show up to assist me. God’s total guidance, strength, wisdom is always there as my backup no matter what comes my way. I just have to show up with my eyes on God, listening to His direction in every moment as to what He would have me to do. (I WILL NOW ADD IN: AND BE OBEDIENT TO HIM, EVEN WHEN IT’S DIFFICULT – CRAZY LADY AND DEVIL, PLEASE GO AWAY, I’M STAYING ON THE HIGHEST ROAD WITH GOD!)

“Trust the Lord with all your heart,
and don’t depend on your own understanding.
Remember the Lord in all you do,
and he will give you success.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

WEROLLWITHGOD.COM

“NIKKI, I’M GOING TO PRAY FOR GOD TO REMOVE THIS FROM YOU”

That was from my new friend, Kathy, the other day when I explained to her the significance of the “311” that showed up in her car. That God wants me to be still and allow Him to fight my battles for me while I stay on the highest road with Him. She said I can call into a prayer line, and they will also pray for this issue to be removed from me. I explained to her that God had already told me no and that He would not remove it and His grace was sufficient for me. That this was my cross to carry for Him and that I should lovingly and joyfully take this cross on His behalf, shining bright all for His glory. And I say, ‘God, no problem! I got You!’

Fast forward to the very next morning, can you believe God confirmed what I said. I was looking at the alarms that I had already set up on my phone. The one for 7:00 am got my attention, and I decided to read page 70 of our family’s website to see what God had to say to me. Look what incredibly showed up, just hours after my discussion with Kathy:

“GOD DOESN’T ALWAYS GIVE US WHAT WE ASK FOR!

That’s the message I’m learning, and CONFIRMED by T.D. Jakes last night. It was a sermon picked by YouTube’s Autoplay, but picked by God specifically for me, entitled, ‘Trusting God When He Says NO.’ Pastor Jakes particularly got my attention when he talked about having days when he didn’t want to get out of bed when I recently entitled one of my videos, ‘I Didn’t Want To Get Out of Bed.’ LOL! So, I definitely related, and I PAID ATTENTION.

It was incredibly a sermon from five years ago but spoke directly to my life TODAY. Like in me praying (begging!!!) God to take an extremely HARD issue away from me, and He has repeatedly said, ‘Nope, Nik, I’m not!’ It’s an issue that gets me so angry and upset that God seems to bring directly to my face to deal with constantly. I say, ‘God, I did not need to know this!!!’ Pastor Jakes even brought two of my fav people in from the Bible, Jesus and the Apostle Paul, and how God told them “no” as well.

Let me tell you, I even have a picture of Jesus in my bathroom, y’all, carrying his cross because it’s my constant reminder that God has asked me to carry my cross – this very issue that keeps me so crazy, sad and depressed where I keep asking, ‘God, what is wrong with me?!?’ Even though I’ve asked God to take it away MANY times, He doesn’t, and I eventually just repeat what Jesus said, “Your will not mine be done.” Then, the Apostle Paul asked three times for a thorn to be removed from his side, but God told him “no” and said His grace was sufficient that when we are weak, His strength will come through for us.

Right after listening to the sermon, I go to have an appointment with God reading my meditation book, He and I, and can you believe God confirmed that it was a sermon picked by Him for me? As I continued reading from where I had last left off, these words showed up, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Then as I continued reading some more, Jesus’ words also miraculously appeared: “My Father—‘Your will not Mine be done.’ That was a double God wink after both of these quotes had just shown up in Pastor Jakes’ sermon.

Do you guys like how God sweetly told me, ‘NO?’ Nik, I’m not giving you what you’ve been praying for, but I do promise that My Presence will always be here to help you deal with this situation, and my grace is sufficient for you – when you are weak, I will be your strength. And by the way, as you deal with this FRUSTRATING issue, I want you teaching others about all the hard lessons you’re learning from having to deal with it too. My response, the same as Jesus’: “My Father—‘Your will not Mine be done.’

As for those difficult lessons, Apostle Paul summed them up perfectly:

“But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong.” – Galatians 5:22-23

And if God wants me to carry this cross, I will do so joyfully, lovingly, and patiently. God, anything for You! Thanks for taking such excellent care of my family and me. Everything is between You and me, not between me and anyone else.”

Last night, I had the pleasure of dropping off my sons and their friend, Sammy, at Calvary Church. I stayed in my car for a little bit telling God that I will follow Jesus who carried His cross to Calvary, asking for His will to be done in my life, not my will. Amen.

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