by Tannika Nikeya

When Love, Raising A Family Together, And Relationship Mattered

It has been so disheartening to watch so many news reports and YouTube videos of so many women of all nationalities being murdered. It is especially scary and disheartening to see the majority of these beautiful ladies are Black women like myself. And even more unsettling is the back to back stories of pregnant Black women murdered and families left wondering why. According to Nature.com article, Homicide Is A Top Cause of Maternal Death In The United States, “researchers found that US women who are pregnant or were pregnant in the past 42 days (the post-partum period) die by homicide at more than twice the rate that they die of bleeding or placental disorders — the leading causes of what are usually classified as pregnancy-related deaths” (Subbaraman 12 November 2021).

We know that this world is experiencing much darkness in these times. We also know that the nucleus of society, family (relationship), is under attack, a severe one for its value, survival, and impact on communities.

So to see women, pregnant women, back to back murdered is shocking, but not so when you remember the enemy hates mankind and our chance for reconciliation with the Father through the blood and sacrifice of The Father’s Son, Jesus. To see us alive, operating in our purpose, and glorifying God are some things the devil scoffs at like the pre-intervention Scrooge at laughter on Christmas day.

When you see or hear another story of a pregnant woman slain, you may also wonder why. You may read comments on a YouTube video of blame, shame, and assumptions. But at the end of the day, we are living in a time where social media and technology have made news of such tragedies more swiftly widespread than ever. And we are living in a time where life isn’t valued as much, and lovers of self are increasing exponentially.

So why can’t there be divine order in many of our homes where men (good, integrous, godly, provider, protector ones) will be the heads of households? Why can’t women, and if I can be frank, why can’t Black women also, be protected? Why can’t men and women value family/marriage, and one that is healthy and thriving? Why can’t bringing a child into this world be one of joy instead of dread? Why can’t wedding day be something anticipated first and prepared for just as lavishly as baby showers? Why can’t both men and women communicate their intentions, goals, and expectations honestly and thoroughly before moving forward to sex, dating, etc.? Why can’t men hold themselves accountable also when it comes to procreating? Why don’t we teach our young adults before they hit that threshold to learn problem solving and understanding consequences and accountability? Why can’t we get back to promoting love over situationships, cheating, and lack of commitment and responsibility?

NONE of us are perfect and none of us have ever made great and right decisions ALL of the time or every time. But, let us be intentional with our relationships. Let us go out into this world having hearts and minds with the intention to bring peace and not division, destruction and harm. Let us heal and grow, and value ourselves and others. Let us learn to see ourselves the way God does to be able to do the above-mentioned. Let us get God back involved in a society that is sick and hurting, needing love and healing.

The song below prompted me to think about how love, raising a family together and relationship mattered. Feel free to listen.

Forever by Jodeci

08.20.20

by Tannika Nikeya

Throwback Thursday: Go To War

Happy Thursday! This throwback originally published on September 9, 2016 is a must read for this season. We must remember that we are in a battle whether we want to be or not. Please read this throwback and make sure you put on daily, besides your mask, the full armor of God.

Recently, while reading the bible, I realized this wasn’t just my daily routine reading (which it should never become just “I read it just to say I read it”). I was reading Deuteronomy 20. This chapter details Moses teaching Israel the laws for going to war. I realized God was speaking to me. In fact, He was teaching me and revealing to me things I had not come to understand until now.

GOING TO WAR

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. ²When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. ³He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. ⁴For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

⁵The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it. ⁶Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoys it. ⁷Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.” ⁸Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.” ⁹When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.

¹⁰When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace. ¹¹If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject to forced labor and shall work for you. ¹²If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city. ¹³When the Lord your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it. ¹⁴As for the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city, you may take these as plunder for yourselves. And you may use the plunder the Lord your God gives you from your enemies. ¹⁵This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.

¹⁶However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. ¹⁷Completely destroy^[^a^] them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you. ¹⁸Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Lord your God.

¹⁹When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees people, that you should besiege them?^[^b^] ²⁰However, you may cut down trees that you know are not fruit trees and use them to build siege works until the city at war with you falls.—Deuteronomy 20

BATTLING

Plenty of times in my life, I’ve let the devil intimidate me. I start to focus on the problems, storms, and the SIZE of my God-given assignments and subsequently my weaknesses and insecurities to keep me from fulfilling the things God has for me to do and overcome. I have went to the battlefield trembling and unprepared to put up a fight. I have had battles at work, in my relationships, and with anxiety and fear. Yet, we all have battles and you probably either just came out of a fight or going in one. Real talk, this is life. No journey is all roses and beautiful green grassy fields. Sometimes, your fields become brown and your grass becomes flat because Goliath stepping all in it and messing it up. But God!

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

As always, here are some Tools to encourage you along your Journey!

You have to remember that although some battles you may lose and some fights may wear you out, Jesus won the war and every believer is on the winning team. You are more than a conqueror and God has given you every weapon you will ever need to beat the devil’s behind and walk victoriously. Here is what I learned about going to war:

Don’t be afraid.

Naturally, you begin to assess your opponent’s strengths as well as your weaknesses. The devil gets you to do that—focus on the problem, focus on how he can retaliate, and what can further go wrong. He loves to intimidate.

God will neither leave you, nor forsake you.

God will fight for you.

Jesus doesn’t just have the solutions; He is the SOLUTION!

Talk with a spiritual authority and especially JESUS FIRST.

A spiritual authority/mentor such as your pastor will help you to get some clarity on the situation.

They will encourage you.

They will intercede for you and pray with you.

Get your affairs in order.

Put things in perspective.

Pray for God’s perspective so you can see it the way He does.

Assess how and when you should be “fighting”. Do you just pray and be quiet? Do you seek outside help? Is this a preparation period or a go period?

Have you forgiven others and have you mended what God has told you to mend? Are you walking in love? Are you providing for your household?

Is this really a battle or a diversionary one? The devil loves to distract us.

Are you pessimistic?

Do you have disbelief that God can move and do what He said He will do? Are you surrounded by other believers like this?

If you are pessimistic, those fears, disbelief and negativity can rub off on others.

Get with people who not only will help you to search God’s Word on the matter but believe and fight with you and vice versa.

Get with believers who remember that they already won because they are on the winning team.

When you are struggling with someone, be a peacemaker.

Don’t go looking to fight naturally.

Handle any wars period spiritually for we wrestle not against flesh and blood. Right? I know some people TAKE you there. Sometimes, I too have to catch even my thoughts because that is where the suggestions of giving someone an old fashioned butt whooping starts. Jesus, help us!

Perhaps that person is too struggling with something and cannot see clearly. Perhaps they are not. In any event, ask God for wisdom.

God will make your enemies your footstool, but the key is to LOVE and don’t be so proud. Love them anyway no matter the outcome.

Check the sin in your life.

Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ Jesus.

Cherish sin no more.

Ask God to reveal the root cause of any sin in your life and give you grace to repent.

Repent wholeheartedly.

Be a life-giver and a fruit-bearer.

When you are hurt and wounded, sick and frustrated, tired and fed up, you can do and say things you regret.

You can make decisions that you would later regret.

You can take every innocent thing a person does and think it was meant for harm, become easily offended, and want to retaliate as well as cut people off for good.

Don’t destroy others around you. Don’t stunt the growth of your love walk and yourself.

Finally, OBEY GOD and saturate in His Word.

His Word is synonymous to His wisdom and His will. You need all three: His Word, His Wisdom, and His Will.

God’s Word is a weapon.

Obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience to God protects you, helps you and brings you prosperity.

JESUS used the Word against the enemy when he was tested. Jesus won! https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4

Bonus: Pray and Praise! Talk with God and praise His Holy Name! Prayer and praise too are weapons!

Now GO TO WAR!

Put your shoes on honey, our journeys await,

Tannika

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To check out my new book, Bring It To The Surface, click here!

08.06.20

by Tannika Nikeya

Use This Time Wisely

Many of us are enduring reopening phases as well as quarantine during this pandemic. It hasn’t been easy but for the most part, we have made adjustments to how we do things from our careers to home life. Nonetheless, this pandemic has served much stress, loss, anxiety, uncertainty and hardships. Yet, many are still holding on despite the turmoil from Covid-19 and even the many issues, like racism and gun violence, that are now on the forefront of our current society that people are waiting and fighting for to finally be addressed.

As in one hand chaos and turmoil increase in the world and in another hand the world slows down. We are left to understand that we can’t approach life as we have been. We may have to make some adjustments that are deep within and that will prepare us for the next season. We may have to reevaluate how we were living before this time. Rediscover some goals and dreams. Realize that God can use this time for our good and He can help us use this time wisely.

Were you burned out prior to the quarantine? Were you in need of some quality time with your family? Did you have a business or foundation that has been on your heart to start? How about following through with writing or face timing a person God has laid on your heart to reach out to remind them God cares? Did you want to finally get healthy mentally and physically? Did you need to learn a second language? Did you need to let go of some things and some relationships? Did you need to get your bank account healthy? Did you need to finally deal with some pain and trauma? Did you need to strengthen your prayer life and faith walk? How about learning patience and trusting God?

Prior to the quarantine, shutdown, Pandemic, I was burned out. Overwhelmed and anxiety through the roof. I had some things I needed to deal with, boundaries to set, and goals to accomplish. One of those goals was to build my trust in God. And I also desired to have more quality time with God in prayer, His Word and presence. Other goals were simply to cook more, be more present with my family, write more, work on and eventually release my book. I also wanted to practice more self-care. I needed more self-care.

Using my time wisely and accomplishing these goals haven’t been easy and I am far from perfectly disciplined, if there is such a thing. However, by the grace of God, I have come to grow in these areas and accomplish some of my goals. I give glory to God because He not only knows what I need and what those around me need, but He works all things together for my good.

I have been cooking more, making sweets and dishes such as cheesecakes, brownies, shrimp and chicken alfredo and more.

I love food and I love cooking and sharing my cooking moments and meals with family have been great.

I finished my book; praise God, and I am enjoying again taking photos of nature. I have also been tackling fear and anxiety by being vulnerable with God, prayer, His Word and grace.

Additionally, I’m learning to rest, spiritually, in the Lord and naturally to replenish and refuel. Walking with family, movie nights, and having pool time or errand runs have helped me to be present with family. I also sought a bit of therapy and started back journaling. God told me a while ago to reprioritize and organize my life. I wish I had started this mission before all of this but it is not too late.

God first and foremost and then everyone and everything else shall fall in their proper place. Learning to trust God and set boundaries will also help me to get some order in my life. Letting the Holy Spirit lead me and doing things with purpose and simplicity in mind will also help. Lastly, I aim to continue with strengthening my faith walk and love walk.

To conclude, I don’t know your goals or what God is calling you to do. I don’t know what you need to heal from, what things you need to part ways from and who you need to turn you attention back to. But I do know that you still have time today right now to choose to use your time wisely and set the stage for God to lead the way in your life. To choose to go deeper in the things of God and dwell in His presence like never before.

To choose to receive the life and life to the full Jesus came to give us as well as receive God’s unfailing love. To choose to live simply, fruitfully and purposefully. Prepare now and pray more. Rest while you can. Ask God to teach you to trust Him and rebuild your life on the foundation of His Son. Seasons will change. Prepare for the next season. Learn from this one and do all that you are supposed to do in this one.

Put Your Shoes On Honey,

Our journey awaits,

Tannika

06.06.20

by Tannika Nikeya

2020

I wrote this poem a couple or few months ago but made a few edits recently. This year has been said to be a horrible year, and we are just five months and six days down. This year started off rough for me and has continued on to be a challenge. In fact these past four years or so have been challenging (I use the word challenging because they were still blessings and I have learned so much). However, I remember when this year had just started a lot of people exclaimed that this would be the year of 2020 vision, clarity, the best year, and so forth. One thing for sure it has definitely been a year of clarity. It is like the curtain is being pushed back. But for me personally, this is another year of learning to trust God, another year of healing, and a year where God is drawing me closer to reprioritize and organize so that He can be first and everything else can fall in its right place. And this is the year for me to understand how to overcome and overcome those things that were draining me as well as distracting me, trying to keep me out of my destiny, and from healing and growing. So, this year is an uncomfortable one for me, and I bet it is uncomfortable for many others but this discomfort is needed. Let God open up our eyes and let God sit us down to have those personal and generational talks with each of us. Be willing and lean on Him for grace to receive His truth and His heart.

2020

I see you trying to be still

Trying to keep joy in the midst of chaos and sinking hill

This world is sick

And all signs point to last days

Some of us are so numb that with every new event we are unfazed

The spirit of deception is

Filling the airwaves and skies

Increasing also corruption and lies

People are dying and life ain’t the same

Coronavirus is spreading and taking lives

And it doesn’t care about your money, fame, or name

The foundation of our land

Is crumbling fast

From the seeds sown today as well as the past

Division and Racism

Pride and ego

Corroding the core of our foundation

Nation against nation

Money and fame are our gods

Fear and emotional disarray

Increasing every day

Everybody wants their own way

Envy and lust for power

The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy

he shows up to work every day ready to devour

The fatherless and the widow, not to mention those whose hope is shrinking

And everyone in between

Authenticity of Identity and Empathy has left the scene

Some of our love for others and ourselves are sour

And some of us trying to find our voice and not cower

There is little respect and more destruction of the Black flower

Fighting to survive every hour

Police corruption and racial bias

My skin is a threat

No empathy or sympathy for me

They would say I deserved my death

Senseless violence

And pent up pain in our hearts

Many of our youth are lost

We must save our children

And receive the abundant life

But some of us are afraid to take up our cross and count the cost

Dreams and destinies fill the grave

Anxiety and depression are soaring

We have a lot of Elijahs hiding in the cave

Fear of persecution

Fear of being alone

We are living in times where wrong is right and right is wrong

We are drowning in despair

Reaching for someone to stop and truly care

We are starving for integrity,

Humility, and real love

And needing answers that only God can supply from above

By Tannika Moore

05.11.20

by Tannika Nikeya

The Enemy’s Trick (Lesson From Walking Dead)

Picture from AMC

I love The Walking Dead tv show. I just recently began watching season 10 which first aired October 6, 2019. I love seeing Rick’s people evolve, persevere, and overcome challenge after challenge. And I can always find a lesson or two in an episode. In episode eight, we see how Ziddiq’s PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that isn’t mentioned but one can conclude that is what he is dealing with including survivor’s guilt) has heightened. Finally, Ziddiq (played by Avi Nash) shares with someone the pain from seeing those he loved murdered right before his eyes. We also find out that there is a traitor in Alexandria. I felt something was off about this person but dismissed it. However, later in the episode and as they flashback to the traitor’s story, my suspicions turned out to be right. He was actually an imposter. When his true identity is discovered, what he tells Rosita made me immediately think of one of the enemy’s tricks. The imposter at Alexandria tells Rosita (played by Christian Serratos) that they are not as strong as they think they are. She expresses her growing fear to Gabriel (played by Seth Gilliam) and is starting to believe what the imposter says. And that is one trick our enemy uses to weaken and disarm us. He wants to bind us with fear and doubt. Fear and doubt are crippling, accusing, and draining. However, we do not have to walk around with fear. As believers, we must remember that God did not give us a spirit of fear but that of power, love, and a sound mind. We do not have to let doubt weaken our faith’s muscle. He who is in us is greater than he that is in the world and we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. The enemy will use trials and tribulations, lies, doubts and fear to cause us to shrink back and lose confidence, feel alone, doubt or forget God’s providential care, unfailing love, and almighty power. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV). The enemy will also send imposters our way like enemies posing as friends as well as distracting and toxic baes and boos when we least expect it. But let us be alert and guard ourselves with the truth and power of God. Jesus guarded Himself in His time of weakness and wilderness during his 40 days and nights of fasting. He guarded Himself with the truth of God’s Word and by remaining confident in His Father.

So, let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus for He is the author and finisher of our faith. God is omnipotent and omniscient. He will protect us and guard our lives from the lies and imposters of the enemy. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31‭-‬39 NIV)

10.20.19

by Tannika Nikeya

Seized By The Storm

For You have been a strength to the poor, A strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat; For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. Isaiah 25:4 NKJV

I recently finished watching Raising Dion, a science fiction/super hero series, in which a mom, who is grieving the loss of her husband, discovers her child has supernatural abilities and seeks to not only protect him but find out the mysteries surrounding her new normal. I was also elated to see a little black boy hero, Dion (Ja’Siah Young), one my nephews can see themselves in. Nonetheless, this series was so good and made me get emotional at times. Nicole’s character, (Alisha Wainwright) the mom, was such a force and relatable in her struggles. The dad, Mark (Michael B. Jordan), was such a force too as well as handsome. Oh and I love Esperanza (Sammi Haney), Dion’s friend, who is bound to a wheelchair but so full of life and character. I think it is awesome to see that representation also for kids who have disabilities. Everyone did an amazing job in this series. But one thing that jumped out to me that had me once again turning a scene or part of a film into a spiritual lesson to my nephew was about Pat (Jason Ritter). Warning: Spoiler Alert.

In Raising Dion, the integrity of Pat’s soul is compromised and corrupted, and I believe way before the storm enters his and Mark’s life. Observing closely, you realize that Pat has some insecurities and issues that fully surface towards the end of the series. And that is how I believe the storm was able to attach itself to him and over time weaken him. He became the Crooked Man.

I understand that everyone has been affected by evil in some way for we live in a broken world corrupted by sin and the enemy’s deception as well as all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I also believe we may ignorantly welcome it perhaps through sin and not guarding our hearts. Moreover, what happens when we get use to it and it feeds off of our pain and insecurities, the issues of our hearts? It fully corrupts us and weakens us. And it can cut us off from dwelling in the presence of God. It can cost us relationships and things that God has for us or has blessed us with. It can rob us of our potential and it can affect others around us. It can destroy us and rob us of our destinies.

But no one wants to be seized by the storm. So, if you are not on the winning team and don’t have the He in you that is greater than the he that is in the world, I encourage you to seek out the only Savior that can overcome not just the storm in your life, but has overcome this world and every evil spirit. Read Romans 10.

And let every believer of Jesus Christ saturate in the Word of God. Let us develop the fear of the Lord and start praying for a life in God’s presence. Let us also allow God to heal us and process us through His unfailing love and Word. Let us bind up, with the Word of God, authority of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, every demonic force in our lives and our children’s lives. The storm wants to rob our children of their destinies, potential, and gifts from God. Don’t give in to the storm or enemy because of convenience and because sometimes it is too tiresome to fight. And don’t be passive or even passive until the stuff hit the fan.

Learn to wage war now. And let us seek the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us and our children how to use our kingdom’s benefits and godly power. Let the Holy Spirit also accompany our children like Charlotte (Deirdre Lovejoy) who not only taught Dion how to use his powers but went invisibly yet greatly present with Dion to school. Sorry for any spoilers if you haven’t watched the series. It is on Netflix now.

So, what can we do to wage war against the storm seizing our lives and destinies? What must we do when evil spirits get comfortable in our lives and weaken us spiritually?

Receive salvation, an eternal, free gift from God. Read Romans 10.
Cover yourself and your family members with the blood of Jesus.
Pray daily.
Read and pray the Word of God.
See your opponent and sin through the eyes of God and fight accordingly as God leads and with the armor of God as a believer.
Pray for God to till the grounds of our souls, to break up the fallow ground in our hearts. Create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us, God, and heal us wholly.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your saving grace and unfailing love. Deliver us from evil. Help us hear Your Word for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Don’t let us prostitute our gifts or use them in a corrupted manner or at Your disapproval. Send people in our lives to teach us how to steward over these gifts properly and to give You honor. Help us to guard our children with the blood of Jesus and prayer. Help us to train them in Christ Jesus who is the Way and the Truth and Life. Suit us up in the armor of God and Father, forgive us of all our sins and for opening those doors we have opened willingly and unknowingly to the enemy. Let us value the things of the kingdom of God and godly relationships. Let us put You first and nurture our relationships with You. Holy Spirit, You are welcomed into our lives, homes, jobs, and families. Have Your way! Heal us and help us to trust You as You grow us up in the Lord. We bind up generational curses and strongholds in the name of Jesus. We bind up everything that is detrimental to our faith, relationships, health, destinies, and spiritual development. In Jesus’ name amen.

If you watched this series, what are some other spiritual lessons you were inspired to learn or take note of?

04.06.18

by Tannika Nikeya

The devil’s Loss

The devil wants me to believe

God’s purpose for me will never be achieved

So he whispers in my ear

he tells me things my flesh wants to hear

his plan is to destroy me

he is at work day in and day out

he walks around and maliciously about

When I was born, he immediately placed a bet

he told Jesus, “I bet I ruin her yet.”

“While she’s young, I’ll make her forget

Why she needed You in the first place.

Her world is perfect and her dreams are ripe;

Jesus, when You’re ready, let me tamper with her life.

I’ll mess it all up, send my demons disguised her way.

She will duck and dodge and forget to pray

And how about her teens?

Let me give her depression

Send her confusion

Fill her with anger

Break her heart and disappoint her too

As she moves one step forward, I’ll push her back two.

I bet You Jesus, she’ll curse Your name

Then run to me and give me Your fame

You protect her too much

and You gave her too many gifts

What will she do then, if she had so much to miss?”

Then the Lord, my God said, “you just wait devil

Stop your ranting

Shut your mouth; you didn’t win with Job

And you won’t win now.

I know my Father’s children, Their weaknesses and strengths

They are not like you

And this one here will remain true.

This faithful soldier of mine I trust her so

More than you will ever know.

I see her faith in Me and attentiveness to My Word

In addition to the prayers I’ve heard

you can take from her But I’ll give

you can try to kill her But I’ll let her live.”

The devil wants to destroy me And take my life

But the devil has already lost the fight

It is God’s strength, grace and mercy

That sustains me

When I am weak

In God’s love, I will suffer no defeat.

Written by: Tannika Moore

03.26.18

by Tannika Nikeya

Dreams

Last night I had a dream that felt and seemed as if I was still awake. An evil spirit came towards me and simultaneously the face of a person flashed in my mind. I felt like also the spirit was the jezebel spirit. It frightened me. I awoke and prayed against any attacks.

I was able to go back to sleep and when I woke up again I graciously thanked God for the second dream I had. This one wasn’t from the enemy but from God. In my dream, I was floating in space. I felt like I was past the realm where Earth, Mars, and Venus dwelt. And there were no planets in sight to be seen.

Instead blackness with billions of stars and their light were all around me. I am afraid of heights and initially for a second I felt that fear. However, I began to feel like I was okay and I sung a beautiful song to God and about God. For the life of me, I can’t recall it but it was words I had not heard or written before. I was at peace and thrilled to be in this space (no pun intended). I felt like I was being drawn closer to God.

Then my dream ended with me singing another worship song, this one familiar and I was still floating in space, being drawn closer to God.

Psalm 100:2-4 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.

This season of my life has been once again stressful to the point I have cried out to God “I am tired.” One thing after the other. Even this weekend, due to certain circumstances, my emotions have been flaring like those flare up lights and I realize that much more prayer with strategies, fasting, and Godly wisdom are needed. The world needs us believers as well as our own spirits need us to be on our A game because there are angry, hurting people out here. There are children who need us. There are evil spirits out here that don’t take breaks. There are believers who went out to help save people but are out here drowning in the sea from our own issues. The devil is working overtime trying to distract us, overwhelm us, make us too busy, and steal our impacts and our joy. Some of us are just as distraught and frustrated as someone who is unsaved. So what needs to be done.

Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.

Get back up and surrender to God. Surrender to God. Love God and obey God, and receive His love back. Receive His love back. God sees our pain and knows we need help. Time to be drawn closer to God.

Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Time to be drawn closer to God. Draw us closer, God. Purify our hearts and renew our minds. When we are ready to give up, like I have been. Remind us, Lord, You are still there. And You will never leave us, nor forsake us. Let us not get weary in well doing.

Coloring Therapy for me!

06.23.17

by Tannika Nikeya

Flashback Friday: The Walls Have To Come Down

Happy Friday! Check out my post originally posted on Decmber 20, 2016.

What a rough year this has been and we keep coming to these mountains and walls. They got to move! So, when we started reading Joshua and then came to Joshua 6, we got the unction to pray concerning those mountains and walls and to pray in the prescribed method the Lord gave Joshua and His people to march around Jericho.

What walls do you desperately need to come down in Jesus’s name? Is it recurring debt, low self-esteem, issues on your job, issues with your children or your spouse, an issue that is recurring in the world that God has moved you to pray about, issues in your church, issues with your health? Gather scriptures concerning the matter because without God’s voice, wisdom, promise, Word on the matter, it won’t happen captain.

Then pray you won’t doubt even when it seems like there isn’t anything happening. We, ourselves, are on day 2 and day 1 yielded no change, but God had to remind us that the wall didn’t collapse on the first day. So keep going! Have courage. Fight the good fight of faith. Pray without ceasing. Sisters and brothers-in-Christ, you are more than conquerors. He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.

March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of ramsʼ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” Joshua 6:3‭-‬5 NIV

What walls got to come down in your life? What don’t you want coming into 2017? Declare it be moved in Jesus’s name?

09.09.16

by Tannika Nikeya

Go To War

GOING TO WAR

BATTLING

As always, here are some Tools to encourage you along your Journey!

Don’t be afraid.

God will neither leave you, nor forsake you.

God will fight for you.

Jesus doesn’t just have the solutions; He is the SOLUTION!

Talk with a spiritual authority and especially JESUS FIRST.

A spiritual authority/mentor such as your pastor will help you to get some clarity on the situation.

They will encourage you.

They will intercede for you and pray with you.

Get your affairs in order.

Put things in perspective.

Pray for God’s perspective so you can see it the way He does.

Assess how and when you should be “fighting”. Do you just pray and be quiet? Do you seek outside help? Is this a preparation period or a go period?

Have you forgiven others and have you mended what God has told you to mend? Are you walking in love? Are you providing for your household?

Is this really a battle or a diversionary one? The devil loves to distract us.

Are you pessimistic?

Do you have disbelief that God can move and do what He said He will do? Are you surrounded by other believers like this?

If you are pessimistic, those fears, disbelief and negativity can rub off on others.

Get with people who not only will help you to search God’s Word on the matter but believe and fight with you and vice versa.

Get with believers who remember that they already won because they are on the winning team.

When you are struggling with someone, be a peacemaker.

Don’t go looking to fight naturally.

Perhaps that person is too struggling with something and cannot see clearly. Perhaps they are not. In any event, ask God for wisdom.

God will make your enemies your footstool, but the key is to LOVE and don’t be so proud. Love them anyway no matter the outcome.

Check the sin in your life.

Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ Jesus.

Cherish sin no more.

Ask God to reveal the root cause of any sin in your life and give you grace to repent.

Repent wholeheartedly.

Be a life-giver and a fruit-bearer.

When you are hurt and wounded, sick and frustrated, tired and fed up, you can do and say things you regret.

You can make decisions that you would later regret.

You can take every innocent thing a person does and think it was meant for harm, become easily offended, and want to retaliate as well as cut people off for good.

Don’t destroy others around you. Don’t stunt the growth of your love walk and yourself.