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You Are Welcome Here

/ LaShona Sellers / 4 Comments

Whoever you are and however you’ve come to this space,..Welcome to Barnabas Blessings. I pray here your heart is encouraged and your hope is renewed.

You may ask…Why Barnabas Blessings? Let me explain.

Who is Barnabas?

Acts 4:36 introduces Joseph, nicknamed by the apostles, Barnabas, meaning Son of Encouragement. He was known for his service to others, a good man, full of the Holy Sprit and full of faith. He gave generously of his resources. He encouraged those around him in their life and faith. He cheered for the underdog and offered acceptance to the outsider. He was a grace giver. He didn’t just talk the talk, he walked the walk. Read more about Barnabas here.

Who is Jesus?

Just in case there was any question…Jesus is the reason for everything. I am who I am and this space exists because of my faith; a personal, committed relationship with Jesus Christ that I pray informs every expression of my being. Some would have you believe you have to jump through hoops and make yourself worthy to come to Jesus, but He says simply, “Come.”

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” -Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.” -John‬ ‭6:37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” -John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” -Romans‬ ‭10:9-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

No matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, He loves you and invites you…baggage and all. You are welcome here!

The Shadow of Doubt

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

“Without a shadow of a doubt”

Are you familiar with that phrase? Spoken with complete confidence that whatever it is, there is no question of truth or certainty. But what if there is a shadow of doubt. What do you do with it? What do you do with doubt?

Some bulldoze through with a “just do it” attitude. Doubt is a dirty word and a near heretical thought.

Some are paralyzed, unable to take a step forward, backwards or sideways. Doubt leaves them at a complete loss for what to do next.

I have found myself at both extremes and somewhere in between. But with time I’ve learned to view doubt as an invitation.

Doubt is an invitation. An invitation to check my motives. An invitation to dig at the roots of what triggers me and makes me tick. An invitation to seek wisdom and guidance. An invitation to stop and re-evaluate. An invitation to draw nearer to God.

The shadow of doubt is an invitation to rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1 NIV).

What is doubt’s invitation to you?

Every Little Step

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

Perfectionism can be an exhausting, heavy thing. We overthink everything and move on nothing because…well, it has to be perfect- perfect time, perfect place, perfect circumstances, the perfect plan, perfect execution, perfect people (whew, that’s a lot!) But with small intentional steps we push back, combatting illusion with the Truth & acceptance. With every little step we free ourselves to be all God created us to be and show up in this world the way He intended.

And with that, my steps have lead me here…

COMING SOON TO AMAZON…

Barnabas Blessings, the book, is on the way. Stay tuned for updates. Cover art & design by Ronaldo J. Sellers.

Messy Blessings

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

Order & organization, methods & plans…this is what usually makes me tick. But on this faith journey I’m constantly reminded of and blown away by the “messy” blessings. The blessings found in the unorganized and the unplanned. The blessings I might have missed because a person, place or situation didn’t render on my “perfection” meter. The “perfect” and the imperfect…God works in it all. Don’t miss Him.

What’s Your Name?

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

My name is LaShona with a “La” for melody, a capital “S”, and a long “o” . But I’ve been called LaShonda, Shalonda, Shalona and (a favorite) Lasagna.

Like a mispronounced name, sometimes we are labeled as something or someone we are not. Those labels can be hurtful, demoralizing and relegate us to boxes that can’t possibly contain all of who we are.

That label? That’s not your name. It’s not who you are. Just because it’s what you’ve been called doesn’t mean you have to answer.

“But now, this is what the Lord, your Creator says, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1‬ ‭AMP‬‬

This Way

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

Sometimes faith looks like walking in the opposite direction, going against our natural tendencies and everything we think we know. It’s uncomfortable, intimidating and…like a breeze of fresh, brisk air awakening the senses. Listen carefully, walk closely, God is doing something great.

This is your…

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

“This is your reminder to blog today”

This message pops up in my notifications every Friday. But lately, my drafts never seem quite finished. So, today I salute perpetual works in progress…

“This is your reminder to see purpose in the process today. “

Continue

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

Isn’t it funny how we attribute our own characteristics to God? We change our minds all the time so God must change His mind too, right?

How often do we embark on a mission, project or task only to let it fall by the wayside? We become distracted with other endeavors or discouraged by imperfect progress. We even begin to rationalize reasons for not continuing on…”Well Gods it’s too late now, too much time has passed” or “It really wasn’t going the way I thought it would” or “I don’t think it really makes much of a difference anyway.”

God isn’t moved by our excuses, He is moved by our obedience. When He directs us to move, He fully understands the intricacies of our life and the challenges along our journey. We just have to trust He will give us grace for each step.

What have you let fall by the wayside? What needs to be continued? God has not changed His mind.

“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)

God’s Goodness

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

When I think of God’s goodness, I alternate between tears of gratitude and dances of joy. But maybe you’re thinking “God is good? How is that true with all that’s happening in the world? With all that’s happening in my life?”

Because God’s goodness is not conditional. Goodness is His nature. He is always present, providing ways, offering grace and giving comfort.

I pray you see and experience His goodness today.

“O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:8‬ ‭AMP‬‬