Author: Vanessa Moonkie

•Faith-filled🌼 •Love-driven🌺 •Spirit-led🌸
Heyyyyyyy ! I am V OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. Welcome to the Yielded Center. Through my reflections on faith, my meditations on scripture and intimacy with Holy Spirit, l aim to inspire my readers to cultivate an authentic transformative walk with God. We yield by living a spirit led life.
Do you desire this? Then keep showing up here and let’s get practical.
And hey, God loves you. 💞 [ We laugh and love here]

Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Reflection Friday

rEFLECTING ON YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE

“To reflect is to look back with the desire to grow from the past by correcting mistakes or celebrating the achievements thereof.”

-Vanessa Moonkie

Happy Fridaaaaay , how are you? How’s your heart? How do you feel? How’s your mind? Okay, racing, steady? Would you rate it 50% , 80? Or a little over 90? Let’s try regulating your emotions a bit ;

  • Be conscious and in this moment right now . Say , “Help me Holy Spirit.”
  • Now breathe in and hold it for 5 seconds and breathe out. Say , “Help me to trust You Lord.”
  • Breathe in again and hold for 10 seconds then breathe out. Say ,”God is my ever present help in times of trouble.”
  • Now drop your shoulders , unclench your jaws, hear yourself breathing then say , “Lord l know You are here with me. Hug me. I need it today.”
  • Laugh in the spirit for a bit. You don’t need any joke. Just laugh.

Okay now let’s get into it! What a year it has been for us believers. The spiritual side of it was giving David and Goliath. Honestly I felt like my Goliath was two in one. Two Goliaths in one Goliath. The Giant of all Giants that have ever Gianted. The soldier in me ran out of bullets. The David in me had a squint 😣😬 so the stones hit elsewhere BUT the giant. That’s how I know l made it thus far by grace. The spiritual attacks were on another level my dhiyerest. At some point I was slacking in my prayer life, literally falling asleep on duty. Imagine a watchman that’s sleepy. Yho x 789!

One area where I reaaaalllly grew is the area of fasting. This is the first year of my life where I was fasting and not cheating . I didn’t even want to. I have never been excited to fast tbh because I love food and I believe food and l have a good relationship. Yeah not like you and the young man. 😂 okay let me be serious. This year l intentionally wanted to, l did it and I’m so glad l allowed God to stretch me in that regard. So if you see me looking all skinny just praise the Lord and leave me alone. What about you? The fact that you just giggled 🤭 let’s try again next year shall we?

My Bible Peopleeeeee!!! Did we keep to the planned routines of bible study? Or were you on fire on Monday then Wednesday you read messages on WhatsApp but the Bible? Zero. So for me, I have a tendency of re reading some books before I read others. I could re read say maybe Corinthians and yet I still have Hebrews to read. It’s good for understanding but I do it from a bias point and ITS GOT TO CHANGEEEEEE! How’s your studies been? If you only relied on you version to send you one verse a day my dhiye we listen and we GEORGE! We must jodge!

Did you go to church at all in 2024? Or are you still part of the “God knows my heart , l worship from home,” team? You do know that there’s a verse that says to not forsake the gathering of believers right? That some have gotten into the habit of doing so. The same way people get into the habit of lying and stealing etcetera is the same way some have gotten into the habit of missing church and making excuses of God knows my heart. He does. Oh He surely does but He also knows His word. Do you? Many people who dodge church are actually dodging authority. They don’t want to be told what to do. They don’t want to submit anywhere. If you were hurt in the church, understand that carrying it all your life will never help you even if you they actually did it to you. I am sorry it happened to you. Very sorry. But darling, for how long will you use this weapon that has turned from pain to bitterness? God has an address and it’s not your house. Selah.

Reading Yielded Blogs! Yes l said it. You know sometimes people come to me for advice and I’m like ,”I literally just posted a blog that could help you with that.” People just don’t wanna read even if there was a salary for it. The keys to breakthrough are found in words. That’s why you go to school. That’s why it’s called THE WORD OF GOD. Words! If you hate reading you hate life. But also you don’t hate reading bc you read paragraphs from your boyfriend and girlfriend mos. Telling you many many things that won’t take you to heaven. Ai let me leave you.

Do you listen to sermons? Or it’s amapiano or nothing. Even your ears don’t understand anything else but the pians. 😂 Sermons have helped me. YouTube comes in handy.. Next week I will list my favourite preachers and sermons maybe they’ll also help you. I found that when I listen to sermons , by the time I want to start praying I’m already fired up. On days when I don’t, I’m even lazy to open my mouth. The word fuels us to pray. Anyhoo, I am just grateful that l started the year as a believer and I will finish it as one. I’m not counted among the lost and I’m so glad! Isn’t it great?! We had our share of persecution but we are still ABBA’s children. Here’s a verse before you say ehhh we read and we didn’t even see one verse

“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬

We keep pushing. Until Christ is formed in us! You can listen to this song and meditate

BASED ON THE EVIDENCE

I enjoyed typing this by the way. I wish you a great weekend! I love you and yeah

Bye!❤️

Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Chilled Thursday

Congratulations! 🥳

Maybe today, or tomorrow BUT definitely this very December , we will surely say to you; congratulations!

“When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, We were like them that dream.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭126‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Let’s watch this together

Click on the video to watch
Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Worship Wednesday

“God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start. Now I’m alert to God’s ways; I don’t take God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I’m watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭20‬-‭24‬ ‭MSG‬

Are you aware that God is still God? You may think or feel like nothing much happened for you this year but do you know how many times the devil tried to take you out but couldn’t because GOD IS STILL GOD? How about the times when you thought you’d perish because the persecution was too much but you’re still here! Just think about it, really selah, hasn’t the Lord been good to you? Honestly we don’t need to be in a mansion to see this. We don’t need to be holding a million dollars (that’d be great though Holy Spirit – hint hint) to finally see that the Lord is good! We don’t have to be in those cutesy pyjamas for us to see that God is good! He is good , was good and will always be good.

I saw some of your playlists on Spotify, put Beyoncé aside for a bit and let’s praise the Lord. “I am just jamming.” Ai ai relax. Time that we should be using to give thanks you’re using to get emotional with songs that open doors for the spirit of lust and depression. You start triggering unforgiveness from an ex because you listened to some love song by whoever. We see we judge. We listen we judge . 😂 I just laughed so hard saying that. Okay I’m not judging anyone but Yho you guys also. 😂 And you pick the ones that stick to your brain , the whole week you’re humming that song but gospel songs you sing wrong lyrics , it’s not right 😂😂 anyways let me leave you because you’ll start saying “They judge us.”

I don’t even want to start with pianos. That’s when you have dance moves. We play any praise song , you just chill. No it’s fine. Actually it’s not but eh. 😂 Let me stop playing and plug you into glory filled songs. But yeah guys, praise the Lord. Personally, I know that I’d be so dead right now because the attacks I go through in a year by just leading mpg eeiii! So no one will shout my shout oooo! No one will dance my dance! I WILL PRAISE AND WORSHIP THE LORD MY GOD!

Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Four Days Late

Lately I’ve found myself postponing my faith. By that I mean, l am believing God for next year. It’s as if l have accepted that this year is done and there’s nothing more that could ever happen or change. Maybe I reduced God to “man” because man usually needs time to fulfil a vow or promise but does the same apply to God? Does God need 12 months to bless me? Certainly not.

I remember a friend of mine calling me out on this last week. He said, even in December. Even now. I realised that oooo l wrapped up the year before God told me it’s over, meaning l was acting like the omega with a small o. Starting the year with God only to finish it alone, that too before the 31st because my faith is reserved for 2025. Do you still believe that God can and will do it this December? Yes with 21days to go! That the Boaz can still show up? That Ruth could be on her way to Bethlehem – to you? That the name Marah is not your identity? That the Lord is sending ravens to feed you? That you can still buy the house or car? Do you have faith or have you postponed your own testimony?

In the book of John 11:1 the bible narrates one of the most interesting stories. The story of Lazarus. Lazarus became gravely ill and the bible says even after Jesus was told about this, He did not show up till after the man was buried four days. I thought Jesus understood that this was an emergency 🚨. I thought Lazarus was the one He loved according to vs 3. Why then did Jesus wait so long to solve that situation especially because He had the power to do so? Why has He waited so long to give you your testimony in 2024? You’ve heard the saying, delay doesn’t mean denial.

Many of us don’t have any expectations anymore. “It’s December maybe it was meant to be a 2025 resolution.” You are wrong. Even now. Even after 4 days and Lazarus is stinking. Even after mourners have gathered and they’re saying “Don’t worry sis, 2025 is coming.” Even though everyone’s shaking their heads saying ,”You should’ve compromised, you waited in vain.” Others are saying, “We knew it. Where is your God? We knew that Lazarus would die.” Yeah others go as far as saying, “We told you so.” Even when it looks like you’ve lost your Lazarus forever. Darling even when the whole neighbourhood knows that the one who loves Jesus has no results. No major testimony. No laughter. Even now.

Don’t postpone your faith. Don’t switch off your lamp. It’s coming. This is not to motivate you, this is the word of the Lord! At some point we’ve got to have faith even at 23:59! Faith even on the 31st! Faith even on the day we really need a performance! Faith even at the last minute. Faith even when it’s been days and we are not hearing the sound of abundance of rain. Faith EVERYDAY. Faith EVERY SECOND! I want you to list three things you really need before the end of 2024. Declare that you will see a performance this very year.

“Jesus said, “Move the stone away.” Martha said, “But, Lord, it has been four days since he died. There will be a bad smell.” Martha was the sister of the dead man.”
‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭39‬ ‭ICB‬‬

Move the stone away. Stop with the many words as to why it can’t happen. Stop entertaining negative thoughts. Stop murmuring. Let’s believe our God. Let us stand by the integrity of His word. Let us look to the One who helps men.

“Then Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?””
‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭40‬ ‭ICB‬‬

If you believe, you’ll see the glory of God even now.

“After Jesus said this, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭43‬ ‭ICB‬‬

You will receive your testimony even now.💓

Categories
The Overcoming Believer

What’s the hold up?

Hey my Yielded Family! I just want to say l love you and I’m so happy to have such a wonderful family. I’ve never met most of you, I only see the reader’s statistics and I’m blessed to know that you’re taking time to read this blog from different parts of the world. Thank you.

As a writer I’ve faced so many challenges. One of them being writer’s block. Someone may say but Christian writers can’t face that. I disagree. Sometimes you know what to do but not the how to. Sometimes you know both but you have no flow. There are times I write and from the first word to the last I am flowing to the point where I’ve to stop myself seeing the paragraphs are a lot. Thennnn there are times like this morning where I write and I’m like nah. Road closed. We will try again. I did try again and again and now we have a Monday blog. I have soooo many drafts that were trial and failure. It’s more than just making sense to people, it’s about what transforms people and if I’m just blabbering I’d be wasting your time right?

Where am l going with this? In your skills, talents, giftings, you may find yourself second guessing your potential. Can l really sing? Can l really write? Am l doing things right? Since I keep failing , I must be bad after all. Then you park your gift and start doing things that are not in purpose. What is it that you know you’re so gifted in but you stopped doing it because you had “writers block” and many “drafts” of “failure” and you started thinking “maybe I am not a good minister.” Let me tell you something….. okay I’m always telling you something but let me tell you something else 😂

If people have to always encourage you to do something, you have a problem. If you need cheerleading to pursue purpose, you have a problem. “No one said eish you write well so I can’t write anymore.” Or “No one said well done so l can’t do this anymore.” There are times God Himself allows that so that you don’t have an arrival mentality or pride. What can you do without anyone paying you for it ? Would you do it gladly because you love it? What can you do without cheerleading or having a “fan/supporters base” – for me? It is writing. That’s how I have been showing up. I write as part of my intimacy with God.

2025 … I know right. You’re probably thinking , “I will do this and that. I will finally start this. I will start doing such and such in 2025.” Should l remind you that you probably 90% said the same thing 2023 into 2024. What did you do? The waiting for the “perfect moment” has made people lose their zeal and drive and eventually, vision. What you are waiting to do in 2025, unless God Himself has said pause and wait, why don’t you start this December? The blog, the talent, the business. Why are you waiting? What are you waiting for? Who are you waiting for?

“If a person waits for perfect weather, he will never plant his seeds. And if he is afraid that every cloud will bring rain, he will never harvest his crops.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭11‬:‭4‬ ‭ICB‬‬

Some of us are waiting but according to God you are triggering the spirit of delay. You are opening the door for the spirit of delay. According to God you should’ve started by now. I know for a fact I delayed starting yielded by a full month. That’s 20 days of blogging thrown into the bin. Who knows how many people could’ve been transformed while l was counting stars? I delayed pursuing my education in counselling by 3 years. Imagine that kind of thing! The wait is only good if it’s by the Lord. If it’s about “feelings” you are not waiting to renew strength. You are waiting and losing strength. Only those who wait UPON the Lord renew strength. Check the reason and purpose for your wait. Did God say wait? Or do you feel like waiting because you are afraid, hesitant and have no faith or maybe you’re just lazy?

“You’ll see me doing big things in 2025!” Okay but we can still see you doing it now? I’m not in any way saying rush the process. I’m saying BE IN THE PROCESS. Be conscious of the times and seasons. “I will finally go to church in 2025.” You are okay with losing the information you could learn over the remaining Sundays of 2024? Look at what you are losing now and not the latter! “I will start therapy in March.” Why? “No reason. I just feel like next year is the year.” So what about the next couple of months where you’ll be functioning as a broken person? Capable of breaking others? Are we okay with living without peace because we postpone confrontation? Men are beings of time. Born in time. Living in time. Dying in time. Time is something you can actually lose. This year taught me this – procrastination has never been of God.

If creation should take 6 days why take 20 days?

Why take 2 years to do what according to divine time you should’ve done in 6 months? This addresses every area of life. Education, saving, marriage, health, spiritual life, gifts, EVERYTHING! Time is not your friend. If it was, it would wait for you. We pray for restoration of the years because time didn’t give grace to say “Right now you’re crying so let me wait for you to finish”. Did God say wait or do you like procrastination and so saying ,” I’m waiting upon the Lord” makes you feel better for your poor decisions? We want to soothe our hearts by pointing it to God . “I think God says I should prepare so timeeee.” That time God is saying “You are already prepared for this.” There are people waiting upon the Lord that even the Lord is like “No. You are waiting upon yourself.” You need to find out , that too, as soon as possible,

What’s the hold up? 🤷🏽‍♀️