Category: Inspiration

Inspiration

Keep Hope!

Ayoka Boyce

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. ~ Psalm 119:147

Have you ever lost hope?

I have lost hope before, and found myself in a desperate state. Whenever I lost hope, I lost sight of my future, I saw no purpose for my past and in my present tense, my life was a descriptive mixture of robotic and useless.

I would eventually dread the mornings. I didn’t have good enough reasons to get out of the bed. I knew what I wanted…I wanted to wake up with hope. I wanted to know early that my day would serve purpose. I wanted reasons to live in joy, yet I couldn’t, because I lost my hope.

But I was a Christian, a faithful churchgoer, serving in multiple roles in ministry. My internal struggle dictated that I continued my church habits, my external struggle showed my battle scars of depression, anger and frustration. Where did this go wrong?

As I look back at those times, I see that I placed hope in a lot of things. I hoped that my job would be secure and make me wealthy. I hoped that my dating relationships would make me fulfilled and relevant. I hoped that attending church would make me untouchable to sin. I hoped that money would make me attractive to “the right people”. I hoped that sex would lead me to a husband. I hoped that glasses of wine would lead me to peace.

It wasn’t until I went back to my first love, the one who loved me first, that I realized that I misplaced my hope. My hope and future would always be best found within His Word. The promises for my future, prosperity, joy could always be found in my fellowship with Him.

I was awake, very early this morning, it was my first instinct to turn on the television, catch reruns to make me “feel good and nostalgic” until I could get back to sleep. Yet, I felt a greater urge to keep the house quiet and spend some much needed time in fellowship with God.

In this scripture, the Psalmist reminds us that it is good for us to have this early morning time with God. It is these moments that His Word ministers to us, where we find help and hope for our day. It is in moments like these, our hope is established and does not become lost throughout the day.

Remember, if Hope can be lost, it can surely be found again! Praying that your day is full of hope and His promises!

Ayoka Boyce

Minister Author Blogger

Devotions, focus, Friday, Inspiration, meditation, morning coffee, new year, power your day, Renewed Mind, Uncategorized

Having a New Mind in 2018

Ayoka Boyce

The scenario…I was at my last job for eight years. For eight years, I signed into the company system using my same login info, only changing my password during the required times.

I didn’t pay much attention to my login routine, until now. I’m at a new job. And every time that I go to login, I automatically begin typing in my login from my former job. Of course, the login that I used prior just dies not work at my new job.

This morning I realized that there was a lesson in my sign-in issues. Although I’m in a new place, my actions and my mind are still in the old place. Eight years vs one month in the new.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2

There is a transformation that has to take place in my mind. My mind has to be changed on purpose. If not, I’ll be typing in the wrong thing for weeks, or maybe months.

On the surface, it seems like it isn’t a big deal. I can always change what I type. Except each time that I use the wrong login, my mind automatically goes back to my old place, instantly visualizing my old desk and computer. Each time I do this, my mind is in the old season instead of my new season.

What worked in the old place is not designed to work in the new place. When we find ourselves doing the same things, but failing to produce results like we used to, it is possible that God has moved us to a new place but our minds and actions are reflective of the old place.

It is the season of change. We have crossed into a new year. What worked in 2017 will not necessarily work in 2018. In order to access and unlock the full potential of this year, we must transform our minds to be renewed and in tune to what God has for us in this season.

It doesn’t matter if I type in the login to my old job one time or one hundred times. The old way will not work in this new place, period. Old habits won’t work in this new season. Old thought patterns won’t work in this new season. Old interactions won’t work in this new season.

Have you identified your new place or your new season? Are you bringing the old mind with you or will you intentionally transform and renew your mind?

Here’s the same scripture in the Message version of the Bible…

Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Romans 12:‬2 MSG

Let us transform our minds so that God can bring out the very best in us.

  1. Acknowledge the new season. You must first recognize that your old methods are not working.
  2. Seek understanding on what is required of you in the new season. Sometimes dieters will call this ‘reaching a plateau’. Understand and calculate the changes that you must make in order for you to successfully arrive at your new destination.
  3. Control your thoughts! Have you ever told yourself, I’m not going to think about ‘this’ right now? If so, then you successfully controlled your thoughts. Take charge of your mind that you don’t revert back to old methods.

Are you in the Greater Richmond VA area? If so, I extend to you a personal invitation to join me in worship this Sunday at The Sanctuary RIC.

Would you like to know more about Christ? He freely gives us the power to transform our minds and actions. Leave a comment, email, or inbox and I will reach back out to you right away.

Enjoy your coffee and Power up your day

Ayoka Boyce ~ Minister, Author, Blogger, Lover of Coffee with a new mind.

Devotions, Good Morning, Inspiration, Monday, morning coffee, power your day, testimony

My News from Last Week

Ayoka Boyce

Happy Monday!

Do you want the good news first, or the bad news first? Well, I’ll just go ahead and get the ‘bad’ news out of the way.

I am no longer employed. I had to turn in my resignation last week, or else the job was going to process me as terminated as of today. I’ve been in leave and I needed to secure another position on the company within 60 days. Today is day 60.

So that is the bad news. You may be thinking, ‘ Oh no, what is Ayoka going to do?’ And that brings me to the good news…

The good news is that I am no longer there. I had a toxic relationship with my manager. I am now officially free from him.

I am also free to apply myself for new and better positions without feeling guilty or unsure of myself.

I am leaving the job with over 8 years of mortgage banking, analyst, and management experience. My Office skills are exceptional. And I also worked for and earned my Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. I did not have any of those things when I walked in the door 8 years ago.

I’m leaving the job as a published author of 4 books. Had I not been there, I would not have been co-workers with best selling author BLUNT, who introduced me to bring an author. She read a Christmas play that I had written for church and told me that I was an author. She then guided me through the process of being published.

Last but not least, I’m leaving the job with hope. The last 2 and a half years there, I felt hopeless. I didn’t see things getting better, and they didn’t. Today, I rejoice in hope.

I’m back to the basics. Applying for jobs, going to interviews and even being turned down. (I was turned down for one just last week) Still, I completely trust God. I would have been miserable on that job. The lady who interviewed me even told me she couldn’t see me staying there working for the wages offered. But, my resume sure looks better than it did eight years ago!

So here’s my Monday Motivation. Just in case you may find yourself in a situation similar to this.

  1. You are headed in the right direction. If you were going full speed in the wrong direction, wouldn’t you want someone to help you get on the correct path? Trust God, He directs your path.
  2. Starting over does not mean that you have to start from the beginning. You are simply starting fresh with more experience and knowledge.
  3. Speak well, with confidence. Your past doesn’t break you, it makes you. Don’t discount your experiences or yourself.
  4. David encouraged himself in the Lord. He was king, he had the promises of God and still, he knew that he had to encourage himself and not let his present situation make him depressed. If David knew to do it, then follow his example. Encourage yourself daily, throughout the day, with God’s Word because He speaks well of you.

And David was greatly distressed;….. but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. ~ 1 Samuel 30:6

I pray this encourages you. Now I’m off to start my day with Prayer, Coffee and Applications. Enjoy your coffee and power up your day.

Ayoka Boyce ~ Minister, Author, Blogger, and Lover of Coffee

Coffee, Devotions, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, focus, Inspiration, Mindset to Finish, Monday, morning coffee, power your day, Renewed Mind, Uncategorized

The Run-Walk-Crawl to Victory

Ayoka Boyce

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward” – Martin Luther King Jr

Dr. King showed us 3 wise choices… Run, Walk, or Crawl

This morning, as I begin my new week, which is full of hope and possibilities, I am ready to take off running.

It sounds great, except I feel this way almost every Monday. Yet by the end of the week, I’m exhausted, mentally and physically beat, and more discouraged than encouraged. Things get accomplished but not everything, and not usually with ease.

The Holy Spirit gently reminded me this morning that I am not a runner. Just as I move at slower paces in my body, I work best when I operate at slower paces in the Spirit.

Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries with his feet [acting impulsively and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences] sins (misses the mark). PROVERBS 19:2 AMP

In other words, If I apply the knowledge and direction that God freely offers, I can make it to the finish line without being overwhelmed, exhausted or mentally/ physically defeated.

Last night, I made my weekly checklist. Today, I begin to execute with His grace and wisdom.

And as for running through this week, I will remember these the lessons from Dr. King…

  1. It’s okay to move at your best speed. I won’t unfairly compare my speed with others. When I go at my best pace, there’s a better likelihood of me reaching my goals.
  • You don’t have to stay at the same speed. I have different levels of energy at different times of the day, evening and week. I will stop expecting to have the same output at 11:30 in the evening as I do at 11:30 in the morning. I’ve tried, it leaves me exhausted with bouts of insomnia. Instead, I will capitalize on my best times and move intently on my slower times.
  • You move to victory, victory doesn’t move to you. Keep moving and make every move toward victory. If not, I will be standing still or going in circles in the wilderness.

The great thing about new mercies, is the opportunity to get it right today. So even though I ran in circles in the wilderness last week, and I didn’t accomplish everything I set out to do, today is a new day.

And in the words of one of my favorite pastors, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, “I do believe I’ll make it”.

Stay on pace! Enjoy your coffee and power up your day. – Ayoka Boyce,  Minister, Author, Blogger, Lover of Coffee

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Coffee, Devotions, focus, Fruitful, Inspiration, ministry, morning coffee, power your day, Thursday, Uncategorized

Be Fruitful

Ayoka Boyce

This morning, the Holy Spirit guided me back to the beginning, the book of Genesis.

And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
Genesis 1:22

I didn’t know for sure why He took me back to the beginning. Genesis 1, I can nearly recite it. Nothing new there right?

But, there was something new there, revelation.

I saw it…the first recorded words that God gave to man, “Be Fruitful”.

I never saw this command. I never realized the power given to us in those two words. And I never understood why this is where the enemy always comes to fight.

Be Fruitful – Be productive in such a way that yields positive results.

Then it was more than a command, God spoke life into us. He defined what our nature should be. “Be fruitful.”

Fruit has seed that replenishes when it is planted in fertile ground. The seed we plant, is expected to grow and not die.

The enemy will try to fight our nature to be fruitful. He tries to keep us still, stagnant, never producing anything or planting good seed in infertile ground.

Then if the enemy doesn’t keep us still, he will keep us busy being fruitful in the wrong areas of life.

Then I peeked a little further in the Word, and I saw that being fruitful comes with multiplication and growth.

And I saw that if I’m not growing then I’m not being fruitful in the manner that God wants me to be.

I am always fruitful but I don’t always acknowledge what is growing? Trouble or peace? Abundance or debt? Heartache or joy?

What areas are producing ‘fruit’? The areas that I give my time, my effort and my attention.

Quick example… I have an author page on Facebook that stayed at 81 followers for about 2 years. I never cultivated it, worked on it, so there was no fruit. Two weeks ago I placed my link on a post and got a few more followers. Then I made it a goal to hit 200. Not only did I make the goal but I exceeded it and this week’s goal is to make 300.

Okay it sounds good but my church membership has not grown. The nature of being fruitful works, but I didn’t apply it to ministry.

So what if I’m fruitful, state my goal this week, go out into the streets of Richmond VA, and introduce them to Christ? What if I put the effort into souls?

Be fruitful. That’s my command, my nature, and my result.

My thoughts this morning, coffee is already brewed. Now it’s time for me to get up and start the day being fruitful.

Ayoka Boyce, a Fruitful Minister, Blogger, and Lover of Coffee

Autumn, Coffee, Devotions, Fall, Inspiration, ministry, power your day, seasons, September

Holding on to the Leaves

Ayoka Boyce

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Happy 1st day of September. Is it me or did the seasons seem to change overnight? I saw a tree this week and its leaves were already beginning to change colors.

And I wonder..what  if the trees were unwilling to lose their leaves.

What if they rebelled against change and held onto their leaves because they wanted to hold on to their colors which draws the attention of men?

What if they said I will hold on to what I have, in spite of knowing there would not be enough water or moisture to sustain the excess?

What if the trees pushed back their assignment to make provision for squirrels and small animals with the nuts that fall to the ground?

What if they said they wanted to stay the same and did not care if there would be no room for the next period of growth in the springtime?

What if the trees that were designed to change said, I want to be like the evergreen and keep what I have?

What if the trees, did not want to sow their leaves into the ground?

What if the trunk decided it did not want to draw from the nutrients and water provided by the leaves, and decided to try to stand on it’s own strength?

What if they did this year after year, held on to the beauty on the outside while dying on the inside?

Change is inevitable. We must be willing to let go of what no longer belongs to us. We must be willing to go bare for a season in order to have life for the next season. We must recognize that God’s plan for change is to sustain us and not to kill us.

Just a few thoughts as I think of the changes that are happening in my life. I have some leaves that I need to let fall to ground. Pondering with my coffee in hand.

Enjoy your coffee and power up your day

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

Ayoka Boyce 31 Writing Prompts for your Blog

Coffee, Devotions, Inspiration, morning coffee, power your day

Stop Riding the Brakes

Ayoka Boyce

Oh, that my ways were steadfast, so I may keep your statutes. ~ Psalm 119:5

It feels like I spent the last week of my life driving.  I drove I-95 from Richmond VA to Queens NY and back, plus all of the driving in NYC. And when I got back home, I had to do another drive to Washington DC and back. It was a lot, but I appreciated the time on the road because it gave me time to think and reflect on life.

On the way back to Richmond, somewhere in Maryland, I somehow managed to get behind this one driver who insisted on using brakes every few seconds. We were in the left lane and with the flow of traffic, I was stuck. After about two minutes of this, I put on my aggressive hat and managed to safely maneuver from behind him. Of course, there was no one in front him! He had no reason to keep putting his foot on the brake. 

The person who rode his brakes, caused me to have to use my brakes, and the person behind me had to also react accordingly. The truth is, the person in front of me was the leader and had the vision, but because he rode the brakes, he caused us danger. We had no way of knowing if there was traffic, if there was an accident, or if this person was going to come to a complete stop.

It gave me a thought. We cannot regulate our speed through life by putting on brakes. Just like it doesn’t work on the highway, it doesn’t work in life. Riding the brakes is an improper use of the tool. I can slow down and regulate my speed more effectively by easing off of the accelerator, letting go of excess baggage and not taking on too many projects at one time.

We all, in some areas of life, are leaders. We see things that the people behind us cannot see. We can slow down our acceleration and regulate the flow, but we cannot effectively lead by riding our brakes. How many times have I had people to follow my example and I got nervous and slammed on the brakes? How many times have I started a project and rode the brakes, never keeping a consistent speed? Is it any wonder that some would not want to drive behind me if I consistently ride the brakes?

I pray that God reveal to me areas where I have been riding the brakes. Something for me to meditate on while I enjoy my morning coffee.

ayokaboyceAyoka Boyce ~ Minister, Author, Blogger, Lover of Coffee

 

Inspiration

Living in the Valley

Ayoka Boyce

No one knew that outside of going to church, necessary errands or planned events,  I have been closed up in my bedroom for a little over a month.You would not have known this based on my social activity. I stayed active on social media. Even did a lot of writing for my next book.

I called it quiet time. This wasn’t true because it was everything except quiet. I allowed the enemy to creep in and whisper his lies. ‘Stay in the room because this is where you can work without anyone bothering you.’

The truth – I was isolating myself. There were days that people who live in the same house as me didn’t see me. I even went as far as taking the doorknob out of the door in order to prevent anyone from getting in.

Thursday morning, I shared this with my doctor. She said that I was going back into depression. Hearing those words sent me into a worse spiral. and I retreated to my bed and purposely slept the entire day.

Why am I sharing this…because the enemy would have loved to keep me operating in the spirit of depression. Even worse, I did not recognize that it was there, the changes were subtle and my isolation quickly turned into my normal.

After much praying, (in my room) it didn’t seem to lift. Then last night my nephew asked if I was coming into the living room to play UNO with the family. I declined right away, but the Spirit told me to get out of my room.

UNO turned into smack talking and tons of laughs. I even laughed as I was losing the games. Then we moved into karaoke and turned up the laughs greater.

I didn’t walk back in my room until about 1:30 am. and this time, it was only because it was time for bed. No isolation, I kept my door open and I slept in peace for the first time in weeks. The bedroom, that I had turned into a tomb, transformed back into my bedroom.

I am thankful that God called me out of that place of death. Depression is a dark place but yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me , Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

cropped-more-than-a-conquerorAyoka Boyce – Minister, Author, Blogger, Lover of Coffee

 

 

Coffee, Devotions, Inspiration, morning coffee, power your day, Saturday, Time Management, Weekends

Close The Door

Ayoka Boyce

Just yesterday, I spoke about having a plan and structure. I failed to say that following the plan is key to making it all work.

I didn’t follow the plan this morning. And I confessed it in an email to my July Writing Challenge Group. This is the email…

Good Morning Writers,

I had a late start this morning, and it was completely avoidable.

Instead of going to prayer and going to my word, I picked up the phone and went straight into Facebook. I started chatting and liking posts… Right after this, the phone rings and my cousin has an ’emergency’ but he really only wanted a ride. While I’m driving through Richmond, alerts on my phone were going non-stop.

And I had the revelation why. I literally forgot to begin my day with God. The moment I picked up the phone and chose social media over Him, I allowed access to distractions, irritation and turmoil.

Lord, close the door! I am beginning this day over. I want this day to fall in line with God;s will.

I share this because as writers, we must develop and stick to the routines. If we don’t stick to routines then we allow access to distractions.

As we finish up this challenge, identify where you can ‘close the door’ so that you can concentrate on writing and accomplish your plan for the day.

Happy Writing!
Ayoka “Author Serene” Boyce

I’m playing catch up, but the door has finally closed. I thank God for giving me the revelation of what I have been doing to block my own blessings.

Enjoy your coffee and power up your day with God first

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

Coffee, Devotions, Friday, Inspiration, morning coffee, power your day

Is there a plan?

Ayoka Boyce

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

What is your plan for today?
I wake up with an amazing vision for my day. 98% of the time, that vision fails within the first hour of me getting my day started.

Why? Because 98% of the time, I don’t have a clear plan for my day. I know what I want to do and I know where I want to be, but I don’t usually get there. And know I know why.

I have not been seeking God’s face for His plans for me.  But He showed me something amazing that came from trusting His plan.

On July 16th I started a plan. A couple of days prior, I went to the library, and God gave me a plan for a book. I wrote the plan, I borrowed books to equip me. I posted on social media to keep me accountable.

The plan was to write 30,000 words in 15 days. Only 2,000 words a day, which is a challenge but far from impossible. Last night, I finished with just over 20,000 words.

The plan is working! No, I am not on schedule. I did not make 2000 words everyday. The work is unedited. But in just a few days, God blessed me to go from an idea, to a blank page, to over 20,000 words.

I hear you Lord! I am going to ask Him for more plans for my days. I want to stop wasting so much time and be productive.

And now, my plan is for coffee and seeking God’s wisdom for a daily plan. Enjoy your morning coffee and power up your day.

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