Whitnee's journey with Christ

And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. 

Jeremiah 29:7 

Yesterday we talked about what shalom will look like in a new world era and what pieces of shalom look like through our actions, our hope, and by trusting in the Lord. Today, I want us to look at how even though God forced a rebellious people to Babylon, He instructed them to trust Him and to pray, and He wanted to bless them with peace while in Babylon. So in other words, I want us to focus on reaching shalom while in the midst of our individual circumstances. We don’t know how long we will be in this place and we do not know when God will deliver us from this place so we MUST FIND PEACE IN THE NOW like those who were held captive in Babylon. We’ve got to come to a place in our lives when we can come out of the fire not smelling like smoke. Y’all get where I’m coming from?

Scripture says, for in its peace you will have peace. It didn’t read once you get out of captivity you will have peace but IN ITS PEACE, you will have peace. I’m drawing inspiration from Jeremiah’s letter to the captives (Jeremiah 29). This passage of Scripture talks about peace and how to deal with situations while in troubling times.

If I could just have a few moments of your time where we talk about the wholeness, the justice, the righteousness, the complete mind, body, and soul, and the purpose of God’s design of shalom. I’m not talking about the poverty, sickness, or unjust conditions some of us live in today, NO I’m talking about sitting at the table of shalom unbothered or unscathed.

Some may ask well how am I supposed to be at peace and my lights are about to get cut off, I don’t have no food in the refrigerator, I just got served an eviction notice, my husband or wife is filing for a divorce, the kids don’t listen, I just got laid off, etc. It’s the same way that God wanted the people to have peace while being held captive. How many of you are in your Babylon season? How many of you are held captive by depression, unsettled grief, health problems, financial issues, doubt, fear, etc.? Let’s go to the Word!

For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 
Then you will call upon Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity;
I will gather you from all the nations and from the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. 

Jeremiah 29:11-14

I want to share a little bit about Madison’s resilience, kind heart, and love and knowledge of God’s word freed her from the captivity of being bullied. To go a step further how even while being bullied at school she showed those who picked at her grace and pointed them to God. Madison’s strength and boldness in Christ is a great example of what being unscathed means. Whether she rocks her natural, has braids, or has the “long hair don’t care” vibe going on it doesn’t stop her! Sure she gets sad, may have shed a tear or two BUT overall she doesn’t suffer from emotional injury, scaring damage, or physical harm. Note to self: ask Madison how she does it because I Clare some days I look like “the hell” I’ve been through or feel like I was hit by a Mack truck.

So as some of you may or may not know Madison has eczema. Like most kids she has a list of things that she is allergic to and it affects her skin. Often times her mother, Faith, will say throughout the day “Madison put some cream on your face!” The kids at school can be so cruel calling her all kind of names that are harsh, ungodly, and really hurtful. Although she faces such unfriendliness at times, she is always eager to go to school, learn new things, try new things, and read Scripture or pray for the people who are mean to her.

One day Madison comes home from school and tells Faith about what one of her “friends” said to her. Faith replied, “She is not your friend because friends don’t pick at one another or bully one another.” An innocent Madison replied, “Mom she is my friend she just uses bad words and says things that aren’t nice sometimes.” Oh the innocence of a child! I know some folks who would have did a quick jab to the stomach and a right uppercut to the jaw! And I’m talking about grown people lol!

Although Madison deals with this on a regular basis, she presses on! Madison does what God instructs the people in Babylon to do, find peace in the midst of it. She has to go to school, she has to live in the skin God gave her so fortunately for Madison, she finds ways to have peace with it all and it doesn’t turn her heart cold or she doesn’t repay evil for evil.

Out of this situation, Madison has pressed on and is focusing on her entrepreneurial goals of having her very own lemonade stand, becoming a chef, starting her very on YouTube channel that will encourage little boys and girls who are bullied and work on a skin care line (we are prophesying over Madison and we decree and declare that this will come to pass in the name of Jesus, Amen.) that is for boys and girls of all ages with sensitive skin.

I know some of us are still trying to figure out how to get to place in our lives where we are unscathed, trust God and His promises over your life and you will get there. I know from personal experience it is easier said than done BUT when we get to that place where we no longer are held captive by our thoughts, our circumstances, or where we are on this journey we too can sit at the table with Madison at God’s table of shalom.

God’s word will not return to His people void. The Word tells us in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

My brothers and sisters do you believe without a shadow of doubt that God is the God of the impossible? Do you believe that He is very much well alive and capable of doing exceedingly and abundantly more than our hearts desire? Do I have at least one witness that can take that leap of faith and lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus? Can I get somebody to just stop what you are doing and give God some praise for 10-15 seconds? Pause

God placed it on my heart to encourage you this morning that it’s time to move past feelings of defeat, misery, complaining, confusion, depression, anger, etc. and stop being bound and fall for the tricks of the enemy’s plan to kill, steal, and destroy but to trust God and receive His peace this surpasses all understanding.

Like I mentioned earlier, we don’t know when we will be free of our current government, our current health care system failures, and other things but we can be held captive and be stagnant to the things out of our control- it’s about mind over matter! Tell that devil to shut up with his debilitating, funky, negative Nancy attitude. This is your sign to fill up on Jesus and keep on pushing baby! This is the moment to stop sitting at the tables with all your freenemies and cling to Jesus and pull a seat up to His table.

It is my prayer that you loosen the chains that have held you bound and captive for far too long and that you speak words of encouragement, hope, love and peace over you and your families life. There is power in the tongue! What you feed your mind, your heart will believe so plant good words of faith and freedom. 2026 coming up, gather your homies and y’all sit down and work on some positive affirmations for you and the kiddos- good exercise that will set you up for success.

I dedicate today’s message to Beautiful Madison. Madison thank you for allowing me to see how important it is to always remember God is for us, not against us. Thank you for better understand my need for the Lord and to seek His face in every aspect of my life. Thank you for pointing me back to His love and promise over my life and my family. Madison I want you to know you are Beautiful and you are PERFECT just the way God made you! You don’t need make up, a slim waist, or hair down your backside to be beautiful because God made you in His image and He makes no mistakes!

Be blessed as you strive to reach and sit at God’s table of shalom. May He grant you the peace that surpasses all human understanding. May He loosen your chains of hopelessness and may you show yourselves grace as you deepen your dependence on Christ- it always doesn’t look easy because of the trials and tribulations that can come come, but just don’t give up! Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Be blessed.