Holidays – Morning Coffee And Afternoon Tea

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Enduring Faithfulness

January 1, 2017 Ayoka Boyce

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. ~ Psalm 117:2

The LORD is awesome!

Last night, for New Year’s Eve service, we (my church, The Sanctuary RIC) prayed for our families. We prayed for healing and full deliverance for our families and ourselves. I specifically cried out for my sister. She has been ‘away’ for a few months. I also specifically cried out for my cousin. She had a stroke a few days ago.

By the time I got home last night, my cousin was on Facebook. She is talking, typing and doing well! And when the phone rang at 7:15 this morning, my sister was on the other end of the line. “Come get me, I’m free.”

“Wait, what? I’m on the way!”

I read a passage yesterday (I don’t remember the site) that simply said that our prayers are not words to try to convince God to do something for us. He already knows what He has promised to us. When He says that he is faithful, He really is. The last time I saw my sister, she looked near death. This morning she looked happy and healthy. Her life was preserved and I am believing God for her complete freedom.

In every situation, remember the faithfulness of God. He has not forgotten His word and you don’t have to convince Him to love you. He already does.

Happy New Year! Enjoy your cup of coffee and power up your day!

Join me each morning with Morning Coffee and Daily Inspirations

Ayoka Boyce ~ Minister, Author, Blogger, Lover of coffee

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A Great Ending

December 31, 2016 Ayoka Boyce

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.~ Ecclesiastes 7:8

When I lived in NY, I attended Love Fellowship Temple, pastored by Bishop Hezekiah Walker. One of the ministries that I served on was the church choir. During one rehearsal, (there were many) I recall him having us go through the end of a song over and over. We were dragging at the end of the song, just to get it finished. He taught us how to put just as much energy into the end of a song because the end is just as important as the beginning and the middle.

Remember all of the lessons learned, the people met and the people released, the dreams pursued, and the businesses started. Remember every experience where God has kept us. To sum it up, We came out of 2016 better.

Yesterday, I recorded a video on FaceBook Live, titled “What if?” It was a reflection of 2016 and of life questions.

Today, I am going to move with intention. I don’t want to rush through the day, just to get to the evening celebration. I want to intentionally enjoy this day that God has blessed me to see. The beginning was good, but truly, the end of 2016 is better!

Check out the video here!

Happy New Year Eve! Enjoy your cup of coffee and power up your day!

Join me each morning with Morning Coffee and Daily Inspirations

Ayoka Boyce ~ Minister, Author, Blogger, Lover of coffee

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And His Name will be Called Wonderful

December 25, 2016 Ayoka Boyce

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6

I had the hardest time resting last night. I skipped Christmas shopping this year. But how would I face so many people that I love without a gift in my hand?

Why did I skip? Well, I literally just went back to work two weeks ago. I’ve been on leave for nearly 3 months. The small amount of money that I do have, just wasn’t enough to purchase the gifts that I wanted to give. I was trying to make purchases that equaled the love that I have for my friends and family. Except no amount of money or gifts could ever equal my love for them.

Then this scripture began to reveal itself to me. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. That is the true gift of love. The gift that could not be purchased or bargained. The life of Jesus Christ, the predetermined gift of life, born for the purpose of saving us to eternal life.

I’ll get some gifts together this morning. (I won’t stress over it!) and I’ll let everyone know that I love them. But I’ll be sure to remind everyone of the greatest gift that we celebrate today.

Be sure to share the awesome gift of your love today. Let someone hear voice today. Check in on the elederly and shut in. For someone, your presence will be their perfect gift.

Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas! Enjoy your cup of coffee and power up your day!

Join me each morning with Morning Coffee and Daily Inspirations

Ayoka Boyce ~ Minister, Author, Blogger, Lover of coffee

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The Joy of the Sign

December 24, 2016 Ayoka Boyce

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. ~ Matthew 2:10

When you finally see it! When the promise arrives.

Since childhood, I have travelled for Christmas. I say that I know Interstate 95 from New York to Richmond VA like the back of my hand.

Anticipation of great things are exciting. For weeks prior to the trip, there was shopping, packing, and planning all of the wonderful things that I would do with my family. It would seem like the actual travel date would never come.

On Christmas Eve, my mom and I, would finally get on the road. With music in the background, we would sing and talk for at least half of the six hour and half hour drive. We just couldn’t wait to get to Richmond to do this or that. Oh, the trip would seem to take forever.

Then finally, we would see the sign. “Richmond International Airport”. The weeks of preparation, the hours of driving were all wrapped up in the promise of the sign. We were arriving at the expected place, at the expected time.

I imagine the greater Joy the wise men felt when they saw the sign of the star. The years of waiting, for the promise, the preparation and the travel, to finally look up, and see that they were finally approaching the destination.

Now that I live in Richmond, I often tell my family that one of things I really miss about living in New York, is the joy and experience of travelling on the road to see them!

To quote my pastor, Bishop Michael B. Curtis, Jr, “The process of getting to your destined place is just as rewarding as the actual arrival.” I realize that I miss the process but I’m certainly grateful to be here with my family.

As many as are travelling on this Christmas Eve, I pray that your travels are safe and full of joy and anticipation. One more day until Christmas! Enjoy your coffee and power up your day!

Join me each morning with Morning Coffee and Daily Inspirations

Ayoka Boyce ~ Minister, Author, Blogger, Lover of coffee

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The Birth of Promise

December 23, 2016December 23, 2016 Ayoka Boyce

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ~ Luke 2:7

Here Mary, the young virgin, has carried the child of promise. But now that he is born, she has to resort to laying him in a manger.

Both Mary and Joseph received angelic visitation, promising that this child was the redeemer, the savior. He would be the one that the entire nation had hoped and prayed for. Surely, God would have made provision for the promise to be birthed, someone would have a large room, clean and ready for the birth of a king!

In spite of the humble birth, Mary cared for her promise! She used everything that she had to care for her newborn.

When a promise is birthed, it does not always look the way we expect it to look. When we have nurtured and cared for the gifts that God places inside of us, we naturally have great expectation: best selling books, filled auditoriums, people flocking to our businesses.

Encourage yourself this morning by reflecting on what God has promised you. What looks like a humble birth of your promise, may very well be the beginning of great ministry.

Enjoy your cup of coffee and power up your day being confident in promise.

Join me each morning with Morning Coffee and Daily Inspirations

Ayoka Boyce ~ Minister, Author, Blogger, Lover of coffee

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The Importance of “You”

December 22, 2016December 22, 2016 Ayoka Boyce

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. ~ Matthew 1:21

I usually only think about Joseph during the Christmas Season. And before this Christmas, I never realized his purpose. I did not see his value except for being the ‘supposed’ father of the earthly Jesus.

But that’s that point. Joseph served as a father.

As the head of the home, he was obedient to God from the time he found out about Mary’s pregnancy. Knowing the baby was not his, his first instinct was to have a quiet divorce. After being visited by the angel, he understood his purpose. He would serve as the earthly father of the awaited Messiah!

Joseph surely protected the life of Mary and the unborn Jesus. He honored Mary, her body and the child with abstinence until He was born. He moved his family to Egypt to keep Jesus from being killed from the decree Herod made. He was responsible for the life of the life that would save us.

Often, it is the people behind the scenes that perform the most important tasks. And if you are that person, sometimes it can get lonely or even a little frustrating . People do not always recognize your value because they do not see how much effort you put forth.

Whether you are up front or behind the scenes, always remember that the fulfilling your purpose is important to God’s purpose and plan.

Remember your Purpose! Enjoy your cup of coffee and power up your day.

Join me each morning with Morning Coffee and Daily Inspirations

Ayoka Boyce ~ Minister, Author, Blogger, Lover of coffee

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A Small Sign of Greatness

December 20, 2016 Ayoka Boyce

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. ~ Luke 2:12

Discouragement often comes by what we perceive. What we see as being small, is actually the beginning to something great.

A nation of people were waiting for their savior, someone who was promised to redeem them. They received the promise and they knew that the time was at hand to receive a king. Surely there was an expectation of great pomp and circumstance that would occur when savior would be revealed.

But… the promise came small. The promise was not adorned in gold, wrapped in fine linens or born in the richest of houses. The promise came from a baby born among the smell of animals, wrapped in rags. How many did not receive the savior because He did not arrive as they expected?

Great things usually have small beginnings. How do we perceive the promises that God has given to you. Do we despise what appears to be small because we have different expectations?

During this Christmas holiday, remember to reflect on those Great gifts that God has placed in your life. Don’t despise the small beginnings, for these are the gifts that will bring us to a place of great joy.

Enjoy your cup of coffee and power up your day with reflection.

Join me each morning with Morning Coffee and Daily Inspirations