God is awesome!! Hold Fast to your Confession.

Last week Wednesday morning, while I was cranking up my car, I realized that I didn't have my wallet. Being in a rush, I dashed back in the house to get my wallet. I assumed I put it on my dresser. But it wasn't on the dresser, so I looked all over the house, which I really didn't have time. I was already running late for work. So I thought maybe, I left it at the store that I stopped to on my way home. I got back in my car and I went to work. I said to myself, "Well, I just call the store when it opens and ask if anyone found a wallet."

I must admit I was starting to worry, but one of the teachers I worked with, Joyce, reminded me to pray for my wallet to come back to me. She even told me about how her daughter lost her permit on a mission trip. Joyce's daughter prayed to God to return her permit. Then three days later, someone found it and gave it to her pastor.

When the store opened, I called and the manager told me that no one had found a wallet. I was cool. I just thought it's home in my house somewhere. I was in rush trying to find it, so I must have been overlooking it. I must tell you this. I didn't have any money in my wallet, which I rarely carry cash on me. But I did have my driver's license, library card, credit/debit card, and an ATM card. After I got off of work, and pick up my two boys, I went home to look for my wallet. No wallet. I went to the store that I last stopped to and asked the manager again. No wallet. Then the manager had the audacity to say, "If somebody was behind you, they probably got it. And you will never see that wallet again." I thought to myself the devil is a liar. I cast down what she said immediately. How dare she said that. Does she not know the kind of God that I serve.

I began to pray in my spirit for God to return my wallet to me. I went back home to call my bank to make sure there were no unauthorized charges on my account. There were none. Praise the Lord. I did not cancel my credit/debit card right away because I just thought my wallet was somewhere in my house. I checked my car inside-out. I had my kids looked all over the house. You be surprise how fast they can stuff when you offer to pay them to find whatever you're looking for. :)

The next morining (Thursday), I told my prayer group about me misplacing my wallet. We prayed and came into agreement that God will return my wallet. By Friday afternoon, I decided to cancel me and my husband's (Larry), bank cards. Please undersand that I did not doubt that God will return my wallet. I wanted to be wise because I did not want to risk someone else charging my bank card and have overdrawn purchases on my account. Everyday I was confessing my wallet back into my possession. I was holding fast to my confession of faith.

I told God I said it would be nice to have my wallet back soon. Therefore, I would not have to go through the process of standing in the long at the DMV to get another driver's license. Today, I told my assistant teacher (Liz), whom I am close friends with and live only about 2 minutes away from, that if I didn't have my wallet by tomorrow, I would go on Wednesday, after work, to get me another license. The last thing I needed was to get caught by the police driving with one.

About 2 hours after I got home today, my friend Liz called me and said, "Toia, guess what? My son and his friend found your wallet on the ground in the bushes while they were walking through your neighborhood."

I said, "For real! God, you are awesome! Hallelujah!" When she brought my wallet to my house, I looked through it and everything was in there, including my driver's license. I can't wait to go to work tomorrow and share this awesome praise report with my morning prayer group and fellow teachers.

I give all glory and honor to God. Great is the Lord and He is greatly to be praised. No matter what it looks like, you have authority in Jesus name to hold fast to your confession and believe that God is more than faithful to answer our prayers. Not one time I doubted God returning my wallet. I stood my ground. I did not tell everybody about me losing my wallet. I told only those who would immediately speak postive, not negative, words to my situation. Most importantly, I told those who can get a prayer through.

Let us hold fast the confession of [our] hope without wavering, for He who promised [is] faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)


Your Sister in Christ,
Toia

Scripture Sunday

Psalm 95:1-7

(NLT)

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us give a joyous shout to the rock of our salvation!

Let us come before him with thanksgiving. Let us sing him psalms of praise.
For the Lord is a great God, the great King above all gods.
He owns the depths of the earth, and even the mightiest mountains are his.

The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too.

Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker,
for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the sheep under his care. Oh, that you would listen to his voice today!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for so many things. God has truly been blessing me and my family. I am also thankful to be part of Thankful Thursdays.

I am thankful for God's grace and mercy. "My grace is sufficient for you.." - (2 Corinthians 12:9)

I am thankful for God's favor. "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life." - (Psalm 30:5)

I am thankful for living to see another day.

I am thankful for a roof over my head and food on the table.

I am thankful for having clean water to drink and bathe in.

I am thankful for me and my family's great health.

I am thankful for legs to stand on and arms to wave in the air.

I am thankful that my mom is still alive and well.

I am thankful that the love in my marriage is increasing everyday.

I am thankful for everything we tend to take for granted.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." - Philippians 4:6

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." - Psalm 84:11


Your Sister in Christ,
Toia

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Anxious, for what?

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; - (Philippians 4:6)

What does anxious for nothing means? It's simple. It means don't worry about anything. It seems easier said than done. Bottom line, God does not wants us to worry. He wants us to come to Him in prayer and to supplicate or transfer your anxieties to Him. However, you must do it with thanksgiving and prayer. Jesus said in Matthew 6:25 & 34, "I say to you, do not worry about your life. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

If Jesus said not to worry, then we shouldn't. You have to let your requests be made known to God. Tell God what you want and need. Even though God knows, hears, and sees all, He still wants to hear your heart's desire straight from your mouth. You have to open up your mouth and ask. Read what the bible says happens, when you ask God what you want or need,
"Ask, and it will be given to you;... For everyone who asks receives,." (Matthew 7:7-8) "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:22)

When you are anxious for nothing, but in everything you pray and supplicate with thanksgiving, and let your requests be made known to God, then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)


Your Sister in Christ,
Toia

It's all good!

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

When you are in the midst of a storm, it seems there is no way out. You may feel like there's no hope. Your situation becomes too hard to bear. The thing is God wants you to come out of the storm. He wants you have hope. He doesn't want you to carry the weight of your problems on your back. That's His job. God can't bear what you don't cast. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - (1 Peter 5:7)

Realize that no matter how grim your circumstance is God is in the midst. Even if your marriage seems like its falling apart, God is in the midst. Even if your children are misbehaving, God is in the midst. Even if you can't make ends meet right now, God is in the midst. Even if there is a lot transitions on your job that you are not too happy about, God is in the midst.

God is in the midst because He is working it for the good. He is working it out for the better so that He can get the glory, which He is more than worthy of. Hallelujah!! Things work out for the good for those who love the Lord. That means you have to trust God to make a way out of no way, regardless of what your circumstances are. You have to express your love daily to Him by praying and spending time with God. "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength" (Deut. 6:5).

The storm that you are currently facing is not a coincidence. It's your destiny because once God works your situation on your behalf for the best, you will see God's purpose for you going through the storm and overcoming it.

Your Sister in Christ,
Toia

Don't Conform. Transform.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is thatgood and acceptable and perfect will of God."- Romans 12:2

Secular TV shows, magazines, and movies have a way of making the world seem like paradise. All you can see is the glitz and glamour. Everyone seems happy and full of joy with no care in the world. At least that's what satan wants you think. Satan wants you to conform to the world so that you can become more vulnerable to his traps. You see, when you conform to the world, you are conforming to satan. You are conforming to the ideas and principles of the world, which are total opposite of the ideas and principle of the kingdom of God. You will begin to think, talk, walk the world ways. That my friend, is no way, shape, or form, pleasing to God.

Do not allow yourself to get caught in satan's deadly traps. I'm telling you right now, do not be ignorant of satan's devices. He means you no good. Satan cannot approach you in his true form. Otherwise, you will not give him the time of day. So, he has to think of other ways to get your attention. That's where the secular world comes in to play. It's all in the presentation. If satan can just get you just observe or conform to one worldly point of view that's not of God, he got you, hook, line, and sinker. And, it can be downhill from there.

To avoid conforming to the world, you have to stay alert, by praying and speaking God's word on consistent. Stand on guard. Put yourself on guard duty. "So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be sober" (I Thessalonians 5:6). "Be sober, be vigilant; *because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5:8).

When it comes to the world you can't conform, but you can transform. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. You renew your mind by renewing your thoughts. This is where you delete the ideas and thoughts of the world and program ideas and thoughts of God's Kingdom. In the process of your transformation, you will began to see that the real paradise is the kingdom of God.

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5).

Yours in Christ,
Toia

Enlighten Your Vision

"The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" - Matthew 6:22-23 NASB

The eye in this scripture is referring to your spiritual vision. Clear vision is full of light. A clouded or bad spiritual vision is full of darkness. We must be very careful not to allow anything or anyone cloud our vision.

You need your spiritual vision clear so that you may be able to see God's plan for your life. Also, that you may see yourself in a more postive outlook. How do you see yourself? Where do you see yourself 1 year, 2 yrs, or even 5 yrs from now. Can see yourself being happy and successful?

If your eye is clear, your whole body is full of light. A positive vision gives you joy, because you have a good idea of what you want out of life. When you are full of joy, there's a glow about you. Your have a radiant smile. You love to live life and have fun. People are drawn to your joy. You walk with confidence. You are reflecting light because you are full of light.

On the other hand, if you always visualize sadness, failure, and negativity, your soul will absorb nothing but darkness. And I doubt it if anyone would want to be in the same room with you. How can you reflect light, if your vision reflects things that are gloomy and depressing. If your eye is dark, light it up with the word of God and visions of joy, love and happiness. The bible says, "God's word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path." God's word is what guides and leads us. It lights the way. As the word is a lamp to your feet, so is it to your eye. As the word is a light to your path, so it is to your sight. In other words, God's word is a lamp to our eye and light to our vision.

God created us to light up this dark world. In the midst of darkness, we should be shining bright. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV

I encourage you to clear your vision. Confess this day that you do not have a bad eye. I, also, encourage you to be full of light and shine brightly before people all around you. Refuse to let darkness take up residence in your spirit. Read and meditate on God's word daily. Commit yourself to God and His purpose for your life.


Your sister in Christ,
Toia

Mountain, Get Out of My Way!

So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." - Mark 11:23-24

There can be moments in our lives when we feel like there is a big, gigantic mountain blocking the road to our true destiny. That mountain can be anything from financial troubles, co-workers on the job, family members, health issues, and so on. Because the devil knows that we have a bright and wonderful future in Christ, he is going to do any and everything to stop us. But, we cannot let that happen. We cannot, under any circumstances, be ignorant to satan's devices.

We must have faith in God without any shadow of doubt. We must open our mouths and tell that mountain to move and get out of our way! We can do that because we have authority and power in Jesus name. Besides, why ask God to give you strength to climb the mountain when you can simply speak it out of your way.

Whatever mountain that you are currently facing, speak it and pray it into non-existence. Most importantly, know that whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Faith moves mountains, not fear.

Fear No More

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

"There is nothing to fear, but fear itself" is a familiar and famous quote. Fear corrupts your faith in God. Having God as your light, your salvation, and your strength, allow you to stand up, be strong and conquer all fears.

*Remember that the word of God says in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind." Fear does not have control over you; instead you have control over fear. Having the power of God dwelling in our hearts, allow us to be victims no more to fear.

When I was growing up, I was afraid to speak my mind. I would let my peers pushed me around and talk to me any kind of way. Because I was afraid, I was considered weak It took me awhile to overcome the fear of speaking my mind. But I did! (With God's help, of course) In every and any situation, we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. So, there's no need to fear.

If you have any fears, no matter how big or small, ask God to help you conquer them. If anything, we should fear God and that's it. Be bold! Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! (Ephesians 6:10)

Your Sister in Christ,
Toia

"You are fearfully and wonderfully made!" -Psalm 139:14

Freeze! Don't You Move!

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT

When God places a business or idea in our hearts, it is so easy to become enthusiastic at first. You become very excited and begin to visualized the successful ending result. You even begin to map out goals and plans on how you are going to bring the vision that God place in your heart to past. As you begin initating your plans to accomplish your goal, everything seems to be falling into place. But then, all of a sudden, you hit a dry spell! Nothing is going according to plan. Every door you try to walk in seems to slam in your face. Things seem to be getting harder and harder. Then you find yourself not so excited about the plan God want you to carry out. You begin to question your relationship with God as far as whether or not the vision God gave you is truly of and from Him. You, even, feel as if you are about to lose all hope and a sense of direction. Then, if that is not enough, you fell yourself about remove your firm & planted feet off of God's word say about doing His will and His work.

Have you ever been there? I have. It is easier to sit than stand on God's word without wavering, especially when everything else around you seems to be crumbling down. If you currently in this predictament, I am telling you to "Freeze and Don't move!" There were so many times I fell short of my blessings because I was willing to give up instead standing strong on God's word in order to see the ending result of His plan. I want accomplish every goal and plan the easy way. I didn't want to be rejected or fight for the vision God gave me. I expected it to be smooth sailing without any hang-ups or hindrance. I was not determined. As soon as an obstacle came my way, I was quick to give up all hope of completion. As a result of my ignorance, I missed out so many times in the past. But, not anymore!

I am no longer ignorant of satan's devices. I know that God has great things in store for me. However, in order for me to see or experience those great things, I have to follow through with God's plan for my life, including the ups and downs, the highs and lows. That's why it is important to stand firm on God's word. Don't you dare move. You might not get those quick and fast results to God's plan for your life. However, you must continue on with God's work and know with out a shadow of a doubt that every work that you do unto the Lord is not in vain. So, I encourage you to never give up or never give in. Hold on tight to God's word.

Before I close, I want to leave you with a few scriptures of steadfastness:

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
(Hebrews 13:20-21)

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. (Ephesian 1:11)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Your Sister in Christ,
Toia

God is Awesome!!

God is awesome!! Have you ever just sit back and reflect on your life past or present. And realized that you are truly bless! It does not necessarily have to be any thing big. Praising God for the simple things like, good health, food on your table, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, a sound mind, activity in your limbs, and so much more. If we learn to be more appreciative of things versus complaining about the things we don't have, we see how good God is.

God is good all the time. All the time God is good. "Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world." - Psalm 31:19

If you know God to be an awesome God, shout "Hallelujah!" and give God the praise.


Your sister in Christ,
Toia

Count it all Joy!!

"Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." - (James 1:1-4) NLT


In the midst of trials and tribulations, it is not very easy to be joyful or even put a smile on your face. However, James tells us to let trouble, obstacles, or problems be an opportunity for joy. How is that possible? It is very possible. You see, there is no joy, when you focus on the problem that is at hand. But there is joy, when you focus on the solution and the one person (Jesus) who can give you the strength and courage to get you through any and everything. Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:20. No matter what you go through, Jesus will always be by your side. That alone should be enough to give you joy.

Joy is so important because it sustains and strengthens you. Nehemiah 8:10 says, "Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!" Now, don't get me worng, it's okay to cry out to the Lord, when you feeling sad, down, or hurt, but only for a little while. You will never experience joy, if you do not stop crying. Psalms 30:5 says, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Your tears of sorrow will turn into tears of joy.

Many people who go through a lot of ups and downs seem to always wonder, "Why me?!?". My theory is instead of asking, "Why me?!?", ask "Why not me?". You have to realize that trials are here to make you strong, to help you grow, to increase your faith, and to give you endurance. Trials are God's way of training and perfecting His sons and daughters.

No matter what you go through, it will all work out for the good. God will turn your mess into a message and your test into a testimony. You must remember to focus on Jesus, who is the author and finisher of your faith. When you see a battle about to take place in your life, don't run or coward down in fear, instead take your stand, suit up for battle, and fight! "Finally, my sisters, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." - (Eph 6:10-11)

Heavenly Father, please give me the strength to count it all joy in every situation. I know that trials are here to make me strong, to increase my faith, and to help me grow. Thank you, Lord for everything you are doing and everything You are about to do in my life. In your Jesus name I pray, Amen.

If know of a time where you had to count it all joy in a situation, please share by clicking on the comments link below.

Your Sister in Christ,
Toia

About the Designer's Original Blog

Hello! My name is Toia Thompson. I am a wife, mother of three children (2 boys and a girl), and a teacher at christian child development center. Above anything else, I'm a servant of the Lord. One of the many gifts that God had bestowed upon me is the gift to encourage people, especially women. So, I wanted a way to encourage women, not just in my community, but all over the world. As a result, God place upon my heart to create a blog as well as a website called Designer's Original.


Designer's Original is about helping women embrace their God-given unique qualities. If all of us were the same, the world will be a dull and boring place. Besides, as believers, we are supposed to be different. We should embrace our unique qualities as special gifts from God.

*Designer's Original is also a tool to instill into women that we are all God's Masterpieces. We are His daughters, His princesses, and we are created in His image. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). "We are His workmanship (His Poem) created in Christ Jesus for good works, that God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). God is our Designer. We are His Original Creations. We are Designer's Originals!

*I am so bless to have God entrust me with this vision. I pray that He will continue to bless me and this ministry indeed and enlarge my territory, and that His hand will be upon me so that no evil cannot harm me or this ministry (1 Chr. 4:10). I will always pray for you as well as go forth into your destiny in Jesus' name.

Your Sister in Christ,
Toia