Welcome to my Persevere Series. God has been teaching me that perseverance is less about how strong I am and more about how faithful He is. Through these posts, I want to encourage you to keep going, trust His timing, and remember that even small steps count. Perseverance isn’t about perfection — it’s about leaning on God’s strength in every season, whether you’re walking, crawling, or rising again.”
Reflection
Trials are never easy to endure. The pressure, fear, frustration, discomfort, grief, and worry can make anyone feel like giving up. But let us be encouraged: the testing of our faith produces perseverance. When we choose to walk by faith and not by sight, we are strengthened to press forward. As we hold fast to His Word and promises, we build both resilience and deeper trust in God.
One thing we must always remember is this: whether we are facing a trial or navigating a storm, we can not persevere without God Himself. It is His strength and His Spirit that lift us up and enable us to keep going.
Scripture
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” —James 1:2–4 (NIV)
Prayer
Father God, Grant us the grace to navigate the storms and trials of our lives. Cover us with the blood of Jesus, and remind us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Help us to persevere with joy, for the joy of the Lord is our strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Just the other day, I had an impromptu Bible study with the kiddo. I have been inspired recently to study about Joseph and needed to get back to reading about him, so I also invited the kiddo to join me in my Bible reading. As we read about Joseph starting in Genesis 37 leading up to him being placed in Potiphar’s house in Genesis 39, some interesting revelations popped out to us, leading me to praise God for enlightening us with His Word.
Something that stood out, but not a new understanding, is the fact that Joseph had the favor of the Lord. According to Gotquestions.org, the favor of God can be described as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.”
Genesis 39:2-3 states The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was Joseph, giving him success in everything he did.
I believe the favor of the Lord contains the grace of God that allows a person to experience success, guidance, God’s strategies and wisdom, and God’s influence.
Note: Having God’s favor doesn’t exempt you from disappointments or hard times. However, God’s favor allows you to walk with faithfulness, consistency, wisdom, grace, and God’s faithful love. Joseph had the favor of the Lord. Genesis 39: 21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.
If you reread Genesis 39:21 again, it starts with “But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison.” It is a testament that God is with us through it all. The highs and the lows. How many times have we endured someone who has left us in our times of need or are just not capable or able to give us the care, attention, and strength to endure a season of turmoil in our lives. But God. He is a present help in the time of trouble. He is not like man that He should lie. And He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is consistent and faithful. He will never leave us nor forsake us. His grace is sufficient.
Lastly, this last revelation sent me into a smile and praise. Joseph understood his assignment. What do I mean about this? After Joseph was sold by his brothers to Midianite traders, he eventually was led down to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an officer of the king of Egypt. Soon Joseph, with the favor of the Lord and God-given leadership ability, led Potiphar’s house with much success and order that it pleased Potiphar. However, Potiphar’s wife had her eye on Joseph. Joseph was fine and had a nice body. The Bible says handsome and well-built young man. And she tried to catch Joseph, but he got out of there so quickly that he left his coat. She cried rape, falsely accused him, and got him put into prison.
But while she was trying to catch him up, it was something that helped me realize that he understood his assignment. And more importantly, he knew who he was. Knowing who he was allowed him to understand his assignment.
Genesis 39:8-9 But Joesph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. “No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”
So, you see, Joseph was not about to risk his position, his integrity, or relationship with God. He knew who he was and whose he was. He understood his position and assignment.
I started reading the Old Testament recently, and today, I made it to Genesis 29. In it, we learn about Leah, who basically isn’t the woman Jacob was going for. He wanted Rachel and so badly that he worked seven years for Laban, his uncle on his mother’s side. And when Laban tricked Jacob and gave him Leah, the older sister of Rachel, he agreed to work another seven more years for Rachel.
Let me tell you a little something about these two women. Rachel was the younger sister who was “fine” and most likely fit the standards of that time, also I suppose. The Bible said that Rachel had a beautiful figure and a lovely face. Ok, Rachel!!!!! And Leah was the older sister and had something going on with her eyes. According to the King James Version, she was “tender-eyed.” Some believe this meant her eyes had a weakness or even a defect. While Rachel was praised for her beauty, Leah’s most notable feature was a flaw. Poor Leah.
Do you ever feel like that? Like your biggest insecurity is the only thing people see? Do you feel overlooked, like you’re standing in someone else’s shadow, or that you’re simply not good enough?
Do you feel like they are pretty, but you are not? Do you listen to the messages that say, “You have hit the wall? “You’re too old.”
Leah probably felt all of these things.
But here’s the truth that changed everything for her:
God saw her.
In Genesis 29:31, it says, “When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to have children, but Rachel could not conceive.” Leah’s first son was named Reuben, which means “The Lord has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me.”
It went on to say: So Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named Reuben, for she said, “The Lord has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me.”
Leah didn’t feel loved. If we are honest, many women want to feel loved and desired, especially by the one she loves.
She kept having sons, and the names she chose for each expressed just what she felt, was experiencing, and desired. When she had her fourth son, Judah, she gave glory to God, for she said, “Now I will praise the Lord!” She had moved from despair to gratitude.
Your Value isnt Defined By Others
We can find encouragement in this story: Yahweh sees us all. He acknowledges the one who is considered beautiful and desirable, and He also tends to the one who is not. Your worth was established when God created you and was confirmed when His Son took your place on the cross. Your value doesn’t increase or decrease based on external circumstances, what others think, or how many years you’ve lived.
When Others Forsake You, God will not
Leah was given children even though Jacob loved Rachel, and through Leah’s line, God’s plan unfolded in a big way. Similarly, God can bring purpose and blessings into your life even if people don’t see your value.
Unloved or Overlooked
When you feel unloved or overlooked, remember: God notices you, values you, and has a plan for you. Your situation doesn’t define your destiny—God’s love and purpose do.
To every woman—rich or poor, black, Asian, or white, disabled or able-bodied, educated or not, desired or not—you are valuable and loved. God says you are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Walk in that truth and become all that God has purposed you to be. Don’t look down on another woman, and don’t think of yourself as less than. Instead, love her as you love yourself.
Prayer:
God, thank You that You see me. Forgive me for the times I fail to see You or acknowledge Your presence, even during times of hardship. Help me to embrace the fact that I am wanted, seen, and loved by you. Help me to realize I am enough and thank You for Leah’s story that shows You acknowledge every woman— the ones desired and the ones who don’t feel good enough and You love us both the same. Thank You for Your unfailing love for all of Your daughters. Help us to embrace Your love and to receive it along with Your providential care. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Welcome to my Persevere Series. God has been teaching me that perseverance is less about how strong I am and more about how faithful He is. Through these posts, I want to encourage you to keep going, trust His timing, and remember that even small steps count. Perseverance isn’t about perfection — it’s about leaning on God’s strength in every season, whether you’re walking, crawling, or rising again.
Reflection
Sometimes, perseverance doesn’t look like running with strength or getting to the finish line first. Sometimes, it looks like crawling with faith. It’s one day at a time and one step at a time. You take that grain of mustard seed faith and put one foot in front of the other, trusting God with each step. Even in your lowest moments, God sees the effort. As your heart clings to Him, He honors the press, no matter how small. Don’t despise the little steps; they are still steps forward.
Scripture
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. — Galatians 6:9
Prayer
Lord, when I feel weak, remind me that even the smallest steps are seen by You. Strengthen me to keep moving forward, trusting You with every step. And Lord, let me not grow weary in my walk with You or in the strengthening of my faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Welcome to my Persevere Series. God has been teaching me that perseverance is less about how strong I am and more about how faithful He is. Through these posts, I want to encourage you to keep going, trust His timing, and remember that even small steps count. Perseverance isn’t about perfection: it’s about leaning on God’s strength in every season, whether you’re walking, crawling, or rising again.
Reflection
Don’t take someone’s showing up for granted because you don’t know what it took for them to be there. If God wasn’t in the equation, they wouldn’t have made it. Their presence isn’t just them pushing through. It’s God holding them together. It’s His strength in their weakness, His grace covering their broken places, and His love lifting them when they wanted to stay down. Every time they show up, it’s not about perfection; it’s about perseverance through Christ.
Scripture
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
Prayer
Father God, thank You for being our strength when we have none of our own. May our showing up always point back to Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I love cooking and baking. While I’ve made everything from cheese biscuits to cheesecake, my absolute favorite and easiest dessert to make is my banana pudding. I’ve been making it since my early college years, and it has become a delicious and reliable staple in my life.
It’s my go-to dish for any church or family gathering. I even made it for my cousin’s wedding, and it was such a hit that it disappeared almost instantly.
What’s funny is that even though it’s always a crowd-pleaser, my siblings still ask me if I put bananas in it. The secret? Most of the time, I do—I just blend them in so they don’t see them! I also add cream cheese and Cool Whip for extra richness. While I don’t make it entirely from scratch (I do use instant vanilla pudding), the combination of a dash of vanilla extract and a whole lot of care and compassion makes another delicious bowl for the people I love.
Recently, my other new favorite dessert to make is fudge brownies. I love chocolate brownies, and I think from now on, I am going to stick to making my own. I baked a batch from scratch the other night, and my mom said they were my best yet. I’m so excited that I finally perfected the recipe!
I’m even working on a Google Doc to share with my sisters, who sometimes call my mom and me for recipes. I’ll probably share my full brownie and banana pudding recipes here soon, too.
For now, I encourage you to find a dish or two you can perfect and share. There’s nothing like a meal made with love to bring people together.
Banana Pudding cupsI added strawberries this particular time to my banana pudding.Made this banana pudding for one of our family reunions.First or second time making brownies from scratch
It’s a wrap! As summer comes to an end, we prepare for another season—and for many of us educators and our students, that means a brand-new school year.
Every year, I feel like I blink and summer is gone, and this year was no different. My summer was filled with plenty of work, and while our family didn’t take a big getaway vacation, that’s okay.
As a new season approaches, I already know it is going to be a busy one, so I am reminded by God to know when to rest and to do things in His strength, not my own.
So before diving into the busyness ahead, I wanted to pause and share a little recap of my simple summer—through a few highlights and snapshots I captured along the way.
“Can I Depend on You” is an intimate conversation with God — asking, believing, and surrendering. When life gets uncertain, His faithfulness remains. A heartfelt Christian R&B song of learning to surrender and trust God.
This Sunday, I stayed home from church — not out of neglect, but out of necessity. With much work and my body being in a lot of pain this week, I listened to my body and followed my heart and took a rest. And sometimes, honoring God means pausing from our usual routines to care for the temple He’s given us. Today was one of those days, a Sabbath for both my body and spirit.
And with that, I was also led to study the Fear of the Lord. So, what is the fear of the Lord? Is it being afraid that God is chasing you down with lightning bolts and drizzles of fire behind every fleeting footsteps?
No. The Fear of the Lord is not about terror. For “Fear of the Lord” the main Hebrew word used in the Bible is:
יִרְאָה (yir’ah) — pronounced yeer-AH
Root: יָרֵא (yare) — to fear, revere, or stand in awe.
Meaning: Reverence, respect, deep awe, piety.
It’s an awareness of God’s holiness that shapes your behavior and keeps your heart humble before Him. With the Fear of the Lord and God’s love, God wants us to run to Him, not away from Him.
Before I go any further, I want us to read Psalm 34. Then we will walk through what God says about the Fear of the Lord in His Word.
Psalms 34:1-22 NLT [1] I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. [2] I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. [3] Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. [4] I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. [5] Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. [6] In my desperation, I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. [7] For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. [8] Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! [9] Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. [10] Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. [11] Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. [12] Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? [13] Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! [14] Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. [15] The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. [16] But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. [17] The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. [18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. [19] The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. [20] For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! [21] Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. [22] But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
In Psalm 34, David, who pretended to be crazy in front of Abimilech to escape danger, gives his praises and testimony, gives an invitation to experience God’s goodness, gives instruction in the Fear of the Lord and lastly, details God’s care for the righteous.
But let’s delve deeper into the Fear of the Lord. What does God say about it further:
Proverbs 9:10: Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. (NLT)
Proverbs 1:7: Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (NLT)
Proverbs 3: Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. (NLT)
Hebrews 12:28: [Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. (NLT)
Proverbs 29:23 & 25: [23] Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. [25] Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. (NLT)
Psalms 105: 1-8: Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the Lord our God. His justice is seen throughout the land. He always stands by his covenant— the commitment he made to a thousand generations. (NLT)
Now that we have read some scriptures on our topic of study, let’s bring it home with the five pillars of the Fear of the Lord.
The 6 Pillars
Protection – Fearing the Lord is a safeguard, placing you under God’s loving protection. Corresponding scriptures: Proverbs 14:26; Proverbs 19:23)
Knowledge – True understanding begins with reverence for Him. (Proverbs 1:7)
A Heart of Praise, Reverence, and Respect – At its core, the fear of the Lord is respect, reverence, and honor. It’s an attitude of worship that shapes everything we do. (Psalms 2:11; Psalms 33:8; Psalms 130:2-5; Psalms 105:1-8)
Wisdom – Discernment and right choices flow from fearing the Lord. (Psalms 111:10; Job 28:28)
Dependency Upon God – Fearing the Lord means trusting Him completely, rather than relying on our own limited understanding. I’m reminded daily that without God, I can do nothing. (Proverbs 3:5 & 6; Psalm 130:5)
(I forgot this one during the initial writing stage) Godly Sorrow – Godly sorrow is true repentance, and with it comes the fear of the Lord. Because He is holy and worthy of honor, our hearts—growing in spiritual maturity—will turn away from the things that keep us from drawing closer to Him and dwelling in His presence. (James 4:9)
Why does the Fear of the Lord Matter Today?
In a world that encourages self-reliance and pride, the Fear of the Lord keeps us humble, safe, and aligned with truth. Jesus is the truth, the life and the way. As believers, we are to recognize God’s power and holiness and respond accordingly. We must value what He says over what the world says, putting Him first and acknowledging His authority. We worship Him in spirit and in truth, not because He has an ego, but because our spirits respond to His character and His unfailing love. Ultimately, this leads to obedience. We want to honor Him in everything we think, say, and do. Living a holy life is a challenge, but with God’s grace, we can do it one day at a time.
Action Step
Take a moment today to ask yourself: in what ways am I showing respect, reverence, and honor to the Lord in my daily life?
Also, check out the corresponding video up on YouTube now!
Tannika Nikeya 