It's here, it's here, it's here! It's my baby's first birthday. Happy Birthday to the Flourish In Purpose blog! I can not believe that it is here! It has been such an amazing, self-reflecting journey that has been nothing short of amazing!

As I reflect on what starting this blog has taught me, the biggest thing it has taught me was change! When I started my blog, it was strictly a business based blog. At the time I was finding a strong interest in learning about business, I originally wanted to share what I was learning and help others. Along that journey I began to have an urge to share more lifestyle based content. So I began to share business and lifestyle content. In June 2018, I felt a tug on my heart to share Christian based content. Christ is the core of who I am and what I do!

Through out all of those changes, I have learned that it is important to stay true to what your passion is and not the passion of other people. While business always interested me, it is not my passion, Christ is. So that brings me to where I am here and now. Flourish In Purpose is changing, yes CHANGING.

The Flourish In Purpose brand will remain, but I am going to share what I am truly passionate about at my core, and that is Christ. Starting 2019, I will no longer be sharing business based content, this blog will exclusively be Christian/Lifestyle based, and boy am I excited. If you have been around for the last month for the #Prayermas series, you have already started to see the beginning of these changes. This journey of blogging has taught me that when you stay true to who you are that will reflect to your audience, providing you a better way to connect with your readers/listeners.

My prayer is that throughout the changes, you are inspired. I am so excited for this journey. My readers are the most important part of this blog, so I would like your feedback. Comment below what Christian/Lifestyle based content you want to learn about. I look forward to blogging more Christ centered content. Friends, we are going on this journey together.
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The world of blogging is one of the most amazing things that I have ventured into and I am so thankful for the things that I have learned and for having the courage to go on this new journey together.

Well guys, I will see you next year haha! I am so excited for what's next! Stay tuned for what is to come.

​-Tamika

Today Lord, I want to say thank you. Thank you for the Christmas season and what it represents, the birth of your son, Jesus Christ. As we celebrate this holiday season, never allow us to forget what it is about, Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 is a reminder that you are the everlasting God. Lord God allow your eternal spirit to rule and abide in the hearts of this generation today. I pray that your love pours out and that your people know they are never alone.

Lord your word also reminds us that you are the prince of peace. I ask that you be peace in this season. Protect the hearts and minds of those who are facing loneliness in this holiday season. Many have lost loved ones and are hurt and confused. Lord, I pray that your peace will pour out and that they will feel your stillness even in the midst of sorrow. Please comfort the hurting and lost heart in this holiday season. 

Lord finally, I ask that this holiday season brings reconnections. Allow us to reconnect with family and reconnect with friends. Allow hurting relationships to be mended and allow love to abound. Let our hearts also to be reconnected with you. Let this time be a time that we reflect on your goodness, your faithfulness and find joy in knowing that you sent your son for us. Let this holiday season be one of love, happiness and joy. Let your light to shine! Amen.

Heavenly Father, today I thank you for life. I thank you for breath in my body. Lord, I understand that as long as I have breath in my body, I have the opportunity to get it right with you. Lord, I realize that I am a sinner, and my sin keeps me from you. Lord God today, I want to renew my relationship with you. I confess that I am a sinner, but your word reminds me that you are a God of forgiveness. Today I say I am sorry and I ask that you forgive me of my sin. 

Your holy word is a love story. It is a story that shows me how much you love and care for me. You love me so much that you sent your son to die on the cross for my sins. I believe your word; I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I know that Jesus not only died, but he rose again three days later. Jesus died, Jesus rose, and Jesus lives. He lives and walks with me every day. Lord Romans 10 says that if I confess and I believe, I shall be saved, today, I accept the gift of salvation.

Today I open my heart today and invite you in. I ask Lord that you have your way in my life. Lord, I understand that I need you and that I can not make it in this thing called life without you. I pray that you change me from the inside out. Help my life to reflect you more and more each day. I ask that you rest, rule and abide in my heart and my mind. Amen.

 
"This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary" Hebrews 6:19
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​Most gracious heavenly Father, I come before your throne of grace. Today as I reflect on Hebrews 6:19, I reflect on the hope that I can find in you. Lord, I know that it is easy to hope in the things of this world, but your word reminds me to place my hope in you. Lord, I understand that hope requires me to trust. It requires me to believe that what you said you would do and to reflect on your faithfulness.

Lord, let your word and truth be the anchor to my soul. Lord teach me how to love you, and show me how to trust you. I understand that I am not in control, I relinquish my control to you. You are good; you are mighty, you are magnificent. Let my soul find hope in that truth.

Whether times are good or bad, let my soul find rest in you. I know that no matter where life may take me, I can find my rest in the fact that you lead me, you guide me, and you are with me. Let my hope and trust be in you and you alone. Allow me to be steadfast and unmovable, knowing that you will do just what you said you would do. Lord you are my strength, you are my hope, you are my salvation, and I put my trust in you. Amen.

​Lord as I come before you today, I am reminded that you are love. Your word reminds me that you love me and that you call me to love others. 1 Peter 3:8 is a reminder that you call your children to display love, sympathy, and compassion unto others. The love and compassion that we show is a direct reflection of the way that you shine it upon us. 

When those around us are suffering, Lord remind me to have patience and to be kind. Never allow me to forget that everyone is on a personal journey and throughout the path of life, people require patience and love. Help me to love those around me as you have instructed me to. As your love shines through me, allow that love to lead others to you.  Amen.
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"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)

God, throughout your word it reminds me to present myself with a heart of thanksgiving. And today Lord I just want to say thank you.  Your word says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that I am to give thanks in ALL things. I am thankful because, throughout all things in my life, you have remained faithful! Lord, you are good even when life is not. 

I want to thank you for health, life, and breath in my body. I know that it is not by mistake that you have woke me up and allowed me to see another day. I thank you for clothing me in my right mind. I thank you for giving me a mind to get up and to serve you day in and day out. Lord, I thank you for the people in my life, and right now I pray a prayer of protection over all of them. I thank you that I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food in my stomach. 

And Lord, most importantly, I want to thank you for my relationship with you. I thank you that even when things do not look or feel how I think they should, you are working things out for me. You are the driving force in all that I do and in who I am. And I ask that you continue to lead me and guide me, allowing me never to forget who you are in my life. Lord you are good, you are faithful, you are constant, and Lord I thank you. Amen!

Heavenly Father, I come to you once again. Today I come to you filled with gratitude. I have a heart of thanksgiving as I know that I can rest in the fact that you are with me. God there are times when I may feel alone, but your word is a sure reminder that I am never alone. Matthew 1:23 reminds me that your name is Emmanuel, and that means that you are with me. Lord God I pray and ask that in the times that I feel alone that you remind me that I am never alone. Lord I ask that you comfort my heart in times of doubt and fear. Allow me to have peace in knowing that I do not have to walk through anything alone. 

When I go through good times you are with me, when I go through bad times you are with me. In all stages and in all seasons, you are with me God. I thank you God that you are the constant in this thing called life. You not only died to save me, you died to be with me. I thank you Lord that you allow me to have a relationship with you. As you walk with me Lord, allow me to never forget to continue to walk with you. Lord I thank you that you are Emmanuel, and that you promise to be with me. Amen.
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Lord, throughout the Bible it talks about having faith. While faith is an essential part of my relationship with you at times, I find that my faith is lacking. At times I allow the issues of life to distract me from the goodness of you. God, you are faithful when my situation looks good, but you also are faithful even when my circumstance is not. No matter my situation, I am reminded that you can do exceedingly above what I can imagine or think.

Lord I pray right now asking that you restore my faith. Jeremiah 32:27 reminds me that there is nothing too hard for you. Since there is nothing too hard for you Lord, I know that with you I face anything in my life. Your word also reminds me that if I have faith even the size of a mustard seed, you are able to move in my life. Fill my heart with the truth that you are good in season and out of season. Only you God know what tomorrow may bring. Allow me not find rest in my problems but rather in the one who is over my problems, you Lord. As I close this prayer, I place my faith and trust in you and you alone. In Jesus name, I pray Amen.
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​Lord today I reflect on Philippians 4:4 that reminds me to rejoice. Lord your word does not say to rejoice just when things are good, it reminds me to rejoice always. Your word reminds me that I make a choice to have joy. Lord when life gets tough, joy may not always be my hearts original response but Lord I ask right now that you speak to my heart and remind me to have joy even in the midst of sorrow.

Life is full of ups and downs, but in the midst of life's uncertainties, allow me to find my certainty in you. I pray that you in down seasons you give me strength to look up and look to you. Lord I ask that you fill me with a joy that overflows. Let your joy radiate not only on me but to those around me. Refresh my soul with the joy that you give oh God. Teach me to have a joy that no man can take away. Lord, I need your joy. Your joy is overwhelming, your joy is everlasting, and your joy will keep me in and through all seasons and situations. Lord, I thank you for your joy today. Amen.

Lord, your word is full of promises. The thing about the promises in your Holy Word, is those same promises apply here and now. Lord God, your word promises protection, it promises that I do not have to fear or be afraid because you are with me. While I know that your promises reign true all the senseless violence and hate in this world leads me to a place of fear instead of faith. Lord, I ask that you comfort my troubled heart and allow me to walk in boldness knowing that you are my protector. 

Your promise in Deuteronomy 3:16 reigned true then, and it reigns true now, you will NEVER leave us or forsake us. Your word reminds me that I can find my refuge in you and you alone. Lord, I recite 2 Timothy 1:7 which says: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (KJV). Lord, the spirit of fear does not come from you, and it does not have to reside within me. I speak peace to my soul right now; Lord allow me to rest with having a sound mind and knowing you are in control.

I ask that you protect me in my going and my coming. Lord be a shelter of protection and a safe haven. When I find myself in a place of fear, replace my fear with rest in knowing you are in control. Lord I give this to you right now. In Jesus name Amen.
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