I’ve probably told this story on here before, but I’ll tell it again. In maybe 2008, I started attending a Redeemed church here in Baltimore. It was my first time ever regularly attending a church that wasn’t Catholic. I was born and raised Catholic. That year, the Pastor declared the next year the year of Joy Unspeakable. So 2009 came, and naturally, I expected joy unspeakable, but I got anything but that. That was my year of graduation, but I thought I wouldn’t make it because I didn’t have the money. That was also the year my mom lost her job. And that was the year we had to give up our apartment because we couldn’t afford it anymore. And that was the year that I, too, was jobless for some months after the job I had went out of business. By the end of 2009, I was devastated. But you couldn’t tell it from this blog though; I never brought my problems to Verastic. I still don’t.
I am not under the impression that I have lived the hardest life ever. I know I haven’t. And I know that there are many people who had it worse than me that year. At least, I was alive. And I was healthy. But I was so disappointed. I had put all my eggs into the basket of Joy Unspeakable, and I had no backup. But how could I not have joy unspeakable, when my Pastor clearly said that I would?
Lesson learned. From that year on, I started making my own declarations for my own life, based on what I felt deep within me (after praying about it). I did not care what the Pastor declared. I did not care who stood on that pulpit and made a declaration. I always said Amen, of course, but I also always went back home and talked with God one-on-one. Just to be clear, the problem was not with the Pastor, it was with me. I hung on to his words and forgot that he was just the messenger, and that I should be looking on to God. Salvation has always been and continues to be personal: between me (you) and God.
2013 was tough. It was so difficult, and so stressful, and so expensive. 2014 also started out stressful, though it was now a different kind of stress. Again, I didn’t mention on here that I was going through a tough time. It was bad. But in spite of everything, I got nothing less than pure joy every time I came to Verastic and read the comments. Some of you leave the most outlandish comments (yes, you, Fad!), but it makes me giggle every time. Keep them coming. To God be all the glory. I do not take for granted every single time that you read this blog. And every time you leave a comment, I sleep better at night. Thank you.
So at the end of 2013, we prayed for favor. Divine favor. And we got it. Things have drastically changed between 2013 and 2014. Sometimes we sit down and reminisce on how hard things were at some point. I haven’t even gotten used to it being so different. But by His grace, this is only the beginning. 2015 will be even bigger. By the time 2015 is over, 2014 will look like practice.
I thank you for riding with me, not just for 2014, but for the past 9 years. Verastic will be 9 years old on January 26th 2015, and I am humbled. I don’t know what your story is, but I pray that 2015 will be your best year yet (and mine, too). Above all else, I pray for life and health and peace and joy. Amen.
P.S. I have a new declaration for 2015. I’ll tell you about it when the year ends, by His grace.
P.P.S. I am happy to report that throughout our stress period in 2014, we never, ever stopped having sex. Ha!
P.P.P.S. Remember that there may be some people and some things in your life that should not follow you into 2015.
Awww Vera *huge hugs from here* Your 2015 will surpass your wildest expectations, it is well. And we’ll get our devastatingly cute identical twins. Wishing you and Igwe all the best.
P.S. If you get more than one of any of those, do be kind enough to pass it down. Cheers!
I encourage you go back to the Catholic church…
Vera Vera, you will not make me break my leg because of this post, okay oh I hear you.
Believe the Lord you will be established and believe His prophet you will prosper. God bless you real good.
I love your blog because you are very practical.
Stay well in 2015.I pray that God grant you your heart desire. Happy new year in advance.
Amen to that Vera but your second PPS though na “TMI” lol
Amen!!! 2015 will be awesome!!! I think you should do a post titled “How to have sex when you’re stressed out”. LOL
BUAHAHAHAHA @ your PPS. Way to go, cos it can be tough!
I think I like your personal approach. I do think that the person has to know that they are in a real relationship with God, to have that kind of revelation though.
Here’s to a great 2015!!!
Berry Dakara Blog
I was once an unbeliever. Believe it or not there are many people like me who hated God, but God has worked in our lives so realistically we would be fools to doubt. But you see why is it only during tough times people find God.
I was once in trouble with the law. I had no where to turn. Friends turned away, everything was going downhill, with bitter anger my last resort was God. I cried out and asked for his help and favour. Nothing came right away, but after a few months, I surrendered my life to Christ. Not to say I am perfect, we are still in work in progress. My life has changed for the better. I know own a sucessful business, my life is way better than it used to be.
Its too much to write here. I just wish I can convince somebody to just give your problems to God. He will deal with them. For after all he is the creator of all things Good. There is nothing God cant handle. Test him in it.
To summarize 3 things that really makes prayers work:
1) Get baptized in the Spirit at a pentacostal Church
2) Believe that you are not a sinner through the blood of Christ as it is through him we are perfect
3) Tithe ( I cannot stress this enough. Place a 10th of all your earnings in a fruitful Church. By fruitful I mean you have to pray about it first and God will give you peace on where to place this tithe. (this is the only thing God asks you to test him).
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I really love this post Vera. Could relate through and through.
I’m estatic you are where you are at now but then, this is just practice.
As I say a big “amen” to your hopes/ prayers/ wishes, I’m also tapping in to the divine favour you experienced last year……
Happy new year Vera.
Please keep sleeping soundly 🙂
Buhahhahahhahahahhhaha @ PPS. Muah.
Huggs @Vera!!!! Every trial we experience is a stepping stone to our success and God has equipped us with the ability to pull through. Thank God u can now look back and smile and it will continue to be so by HIS grace. Lmcbo @ur PPS