We went to Florida the weekend. I am not a big fight person, but was able to watch the fight for free where we were staying. When the fight was over, I thought about the underdog, he went the distance, took a stance, and was willing not to give up.
As Christians, we should have the same tenacity. When the enemy comes to attack us, keep going the distance, take a stance, and don't give up. 
To the physical eye it appears he lost, but did he? Right when he could take no more, the referee covered him, protected him, and told his opponent to move. 
When the enemy comes for you and you cannot take anymore, your Father will cover you, protect you, and make the enemy flee!!
Remember as you start this week and the enemy comes for you, God will not let him destroy you. You are not alone, because He will never leave you or forsake you! No weapon formed will prosper! You are more than a conqueror! 
Blessings!!
*** Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Texas and the surrounding areas***

I saw a vision of a gate. What is it about the gate? A gate typically surrounds something or someone and it keeps something or someone from freely walking into an area. 
Guard your gates!
Guard your mind, eyes, and ears! Get dressed daily with the armor of God. Be careful what you allow yourself to take in.
Because you have a bigger purpose, a greater destiny, everyone cannot be a part of your circle, so when God move them out the way, keep the gate closed!
You have a great assignment, so you cannot be at the water cooler at work, a part of the parking lot ministry at church, or the news reporter, getting all the latest gossip. 
Guard your gates!!
When others walk in your gate, they should see the light, feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, and know that they are being fed spiritually with the bread of Heaven and the Living Water. 
​
Darkness cannot dwell in light. You are the light, guard your gates!!
Proverbs 4:23, Philippians 4:7, Ephesians 6: 12-18

In Sunday school, I made some comments. Last night, a young woman told me it blessed her and she was able to bless someone else.
For that, I say thank you Jesus!! Just a reminder of what He does. I can't remeber the words, but I thank God, for using me!
Let Him use you today!
If He tells you to speak, SPEAK!
If He tells you to pray, PRAY!
If He tells you to move, MOVE!
​It is not about you, but the person He will use you to bless!!!

It is okay.
Everyone will not support the vision.
Everyone will not support the vision.
Remember, God makes provision for the vision.
He already have it worked out.
He knows the who, where, why, how, and when.
Just keep trusting and being obedient.
...in due season.....
​

As we begin to go into the weekend, I want to encourage you to keep your mind stayed on Jesus. I know you have a busy weekend planned, I have a busy weekend planned, but we must stay focused on Jesus. There is so much happening in the world today, before you react to what you hear, before you act on what you see, take it to Jesus. Let Him guide you. Let Him lead you. Do not be led by your thoughts or ways. I promise you, He got it. He has a plan. Trust His plan, it is much better than the plan you have. So, keep your mind on Jesus. Have an awesome day!!
Isaiah 26: 3-5, Isaiah 55: 8-9, Jeremiah 29:11 

Change me Jesus, make me more like you. 
That is my prayer. As I was praying those words, I wondered what can I do or how can I be changed to be more like Him. I asked and this is what I received.
First, my prayer was change me Jesus, so Jesus is doing the changing, not me. Make me more like you, again, He is making me more like Him, not me. 
At that point, I presented my body to Him as a living sacrifice and prayed He would have His way, to make me, mold me, press me, and change me, not that I get the glory, but that all glory goes to Him. 
Yes, change me Jesus, make me more like you. 
Is that your prayer?
Romans 12:1,  Jeremiah 18: 3-4, 

 I want to thank you for taking the time to read posts on wordsbymapson.com. One Word for Life Ministry, LLC is a vision, given to me by God, and wordsbymapson.com is under that umbrella. I do not know where God is going to carry the vision, but I do know that I am going to keep going and see what the end will bring. 
You will see some upcoming changes to the site. There is now a prayer request page, I promise you, I will touch and agree with your prayer request, in the mighty name of Jesus and will call your request out before the Lord. Wordsbymapson inspirational cups will be available late August or early September . The second purpose of this vision is to sow seed into other ministries and organizations, so proceeds from the books and cups will assist in that part of the vision.
Again, thank you for your support! I love you and I pray God's continued blessings over your life.
I can't sign off without giving you a word:

Do not worry about the man that tell you "no", but be encouraged by the God that tells you "GO"
Philippians 4:13
Minister Tonie Mapson
One Word for Life Ministry, LLC

I have been in a place. Not a bad place, but a place. I have been functioning but not quite 100%. God has given me an assignment and I was fighting against it. I was caught up in my reasons for not being able to start the task. The funny thing is, I know God is able. I know there is nothing impossible for Him.
I was at a point of shut down. I was going to work, being productive, but would go home and go to bed. I was so consumed with my thoughts, I was drained.
But God!!!!
Yesterday, while driving and praying, God allowed me to see. When I arrived home, it was different. I had strength. I cleaned, washed clothes, cooked, and handled some personal affairs. I was productive because I had peace. I was productive because I am facing the assignments with a "yes" attitude and not a " why me, not me, i can't" attitude. I intended to leave the "i" small because in comparison to my God, "i" can do nothing and it is not about me!!
I want to encourage you. Whatever the assignment, task, job, however you call "it", face it head on.
Do not get caught up in your thoughts. Keep your mind on He, He will give you perfect peace!
Do not get caught up in your thoughts. Remember, it is not about you, He is the great I AM!
Do not get caught up in your thoughts. Trust the provider of ALL needs, His grace is suffient!
Today, I'm better, stronger, and will continue to worship, serve Him, with my whole heart!!
Be encouraged, keep pushing, be obedient to the assignment, God is preparing you for elevation. As my friend often say, pass the test.
Philippians 4: 1-7, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 46: 10-11

Fifteen minutes into my walk, I wanted to quit. My legs were burning and my feet was throbbing. In my mind, I started to decrease my hour walk to maybe a 30 minute walk. As I was thinking of my early departure, my prayer partner called. I began to pray. When I was finished, I looked up, I was by my car and I had completed my hour walk!
My focus changed! Instead of focusing on my pain, I prayed for others. Instead of focusing on my feet, I prayed for the journey of others.
Change your focus! Don't focus on what you feel, focus on God's truth. Don't focus on what you see, focus on God's truth.
​Change your focus!
​Hebrews 12: 1-2, Psalms 121: 1-2