How to Instill Faith with Your Child at a Young Age

 

 

Hello! Welcome to AuthenticallyZ, where I help you refuel your faith, work on your image, & tackle motherhood. I did a Live on IG on how to instill faith with your child at a young age. This article is not to tell anyone how to parent their children but simple tips to train up your child so they won't depart as the word of God says.

 

As I think about motherhood, the first thoughts for me are the future. I think about the day my baby leaves for college and start his new life. I never want to be that mother that doesn’t have a life without baby. In order for that to happen I want my son to know how he can solely lean on God, not always me. I will always have an open communication with my baby but I want him to have direct connections with God. Below are some tips on how to instill faith with your child at a young age.

1. Teach them about God and who he is. 

I used to make jokes about how God sees all with my baby but I don't want my baby to be scared of God but have respect for him so he won’t rebel against himself. God told me to teach him who I am and show him the way, my truth and my light.

2. Create a daily routine

Pray every night and morning with them. Trust they will begin to remember. Around eating time. I started praying with my baby at 6 weeks and he is now 3 and know how to pray. Take the time to train them, the impact will make a difference in their lives.

3. Live out faith in front of them.

We are our children's first heroes whether we want to or not. Our job is to introduce God to them so they can have a relationship with him. That starts with surrendering our kids back to God. One thing I never want for my baby to do is not known what real emotions are and try to hide my feelings. I want him to know emotions but understand how to turn worry to God instead of focusing on the problem at hand.

4. Incorporate Christian music in their lives

Instead listen to songs that can destroy them. Try listening to Christian music from time to time. So they begin to understand the difference. And explain the difference between secular/ Christian music.

5. Heal if you have hurt within.
 

"Heal before your child has to heal from you."

By healing and allowing God to do work within you. Your children will see the fruit of it. And get to experience something better. With these kids, you can't say it's what I say, not what I do. They will not go for that. They are coming out asking questions, and demanding answers and I don’t blame them.

5 Things that Can Alter Faith in Your Child

These are tips based on the damage I felt I experienced as a child. Also, from surveying family and friends with questions. Think about what happened to you as a child and do your best not to plant the same seeds.

1.What they're watching

Certain TV shows have subliminal message that sits in your child mind. One thing I love to do is monitor what my baby is doing and watching. Back in December I started realizing an aggression with my child began to have over YouTube kids so I pulled it. The stuff that was coming on and the things he was clicking on truly disturb me as a mother. See…. Watch what their watching and see how they are responding

2. Not keeping a child in a child's place. 

Don't get upset if your child is reacting a certain way based on the responsibility you've put on them.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

3. Not watching their surroundings.

I remember I had to change school 6 months because my baby’s old daycare couldn’t provide my son with some of the disciplinary, I needed him to have as I was at home like saying no sometimes to things he didn’t’ need, babying him, and showing him how to clean up after himself.

4. Disciplining them out of constant anger.

Are you whooping them because they are just being a kid or are you beating them? To me, if you are beating them, remember what beating did to you. Some of us are in therapy now for those beatings. Never release anger on them, this is an easy way for a kid to retain generational curses and instill rebellion in them. Go back to the scripture below.

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.


5. Not practicing what you preach.

Not practice what you are preaching is a sure way for your child to do the opposite of what you’re telling them. So, if you are not exemplifying the instruction, don’t expect them to do so as well.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog today. If you need some encouragement in faith, mother, and image, don’t sign up to the tribe to receive weekly encouragement and get a BTS of me in the process of writing my book on my story. XOXO Zak

5 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Child Daily

 

Happy Friday! I hope your day is filled with love, peace, and productivity. Lately, God has had me in a state of deep intercession for the little ones, especially my baby because I don’t know about you guys but growing up as an adult, I had to relearn a lot that stemmed from childhood trauma. In my journey of faith, I have made it a priority to make sure I intercede for my baby now for later attacks that may try to arise. During this process, God spoke that this needs to be a daily routine as mothers, grandparents, aunts, teachers, or even a Godparent.

Today we are diving in a few scriptures you can pray over your children daily. One thing I’ve learned when it comes to prayer is that we may not always see immediate results or the results we expect but God will always change something in us. These are a blessing to me so I know they will be a blessing for you. I literally cried.

 

5 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Child Daily

 

1. Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

 

Prayer: Father help me to begin training up my children in the way they should go, so they will not depart. In Jesus name, Amen.

           

2. Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 

 

Prayer: Father help me to be more like your son Jesus so I won’t provoke my children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of you.  

In Jesus name, Amen.

                                                            

3. Proverbs 20:7

The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! 

 

Prayer: Father, thank you for being my father, my protection, my love. Holy spirit, thank you for guiding me to walk in integrity each and every day so that my children are blessed and my children’s children’s are blessed. In Jesus name, Amen.

 

4. Psalm 115:14

May the Lord give you increase, you and your children! 

 

Prayer: Father, Thank you for increase! Increase in my heart, increase in my mind, and an increase in my soul and that because you have instilled these things to me, you will bless my children. In Jesus name, Amen.

5. Proverbs 13:24  

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. 

 

Prayer: Father thank you for this gift you have given me. Thank you for motherhood, thank you for giving me the ability to birth this child. Father when it comes to disciple, help me to discipline my child to your liking how you would discipline me. Father may all anger, agitation, and disguise leave my spirit and renew my mind to see my children the way you see them as precious gems from heaven even when they don’t act like it. In Jesus name, Amen.

Click below to grab you a copy of “5 Scriptures to Pray over your Child Daily” and watch how this blesses you as much as it did to me. You can put this in your prayer closet, your fridge, your work desk, your bathroom, even your car.

 

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How to Overcome Anxiety

 

Hi sis! I did a live Instagram post this past Tuesday that talked about How to Identify the weapons, so they won't prosper that led to a Q&A session of someone dealing with anxiety. God led me to tell one of the listeners a strategy he gave me after I had my baby boy. Did you know google has 265 million searches on this top. All that tells me is that we have some work to do.

I remember being so anxious and feeling jittery that I couldn't control myself. I just had my baby boy, just got out of the hospital from chronic pneumonia, and my husband told me he wanted a divorce. My stress levels were so high for about 6 months until I began healing.

Anxiety came from the multiple emotions from breastfeeding, I didn't feel safe in my own home, and I didn't know what was going to happen next in my life. But God! Thank you for your peace, grace, and mercy.

During that time, I asked God to heal me from this cup because I knew that this wasn't the life and mentality he wanted me to live. So he gave me this small strategy that made a huge impact in my life. See below.

1. He told me to take the negative word I was feeling and look up the antonyms for it. After I saw the antonyms he told me to take the opposite of what that word means and apply scriptures that can back them up.

Example: If you are feeling like you are dealing with anxiety. Look up the antonym which is: Belief, blessing, calm, calmness, confidence, ease, faith, happiness, joy, peace, trust, peacefulness, assurance, and tranquility.

Whew!!!

2. Read those scriptures daily until something changes and even after

3. Meditate on the scriptures

4. Pray that God will heal you from that negative feelings.

When I tell you that was everything to me. To this day from 2019, I am totally healed from fear, anxiety, depression, and suicide. I thank God for his healing.

Final advice:

• Make sure you stay in your word and learn God for yourself.
• Find a church home.
• Find a therapist near you to help with these emotions.

If you need to know where you can find scriptures, try the following below:

• Biblehub.com
• Biblegateway.com
• Gotquestions.org

Want to deepen your victory in overcome emotions/feelings? Grab the guide below to start the process of healing from negative feelings below.

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How to Not Get Overwhelmed by the New Year

 

Happy New Year sis!

Last week I logged into social media and I immediately got overwhelmed by the number of people telling me how to run my year. That instantly disturbed me. On Thursday, I was instructed by the Holy Spirit to speak about How to not get overwhelmed by the new year to help you. You can watch it here.

With this ever-changing system, social media can be a lot. Sis, do not get overwhelmed about how someone else is moving. It's their journey. It's nothing wrong with taking notes but do just that and test the spirit of everyone you encounter. 1 John 4:1 states to, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

You have no idea what people are dabbling in and who their true source is. Anything that is rooted back to a person is out of selfishness and is a lie from the pit of hell. If they are not leading you to God, test it. What are the fruit they are producing.

Remember most people who are all excited about the new year, fold in mid-February. So take these steps and remember God got you, that you have no worries. 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-8

So why not take this time and build whatever strategy God has for you for your new year. 

Top 3 Steps to Overcome

 

1. Start with God. 

 

Matthew 6:33 talks about seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

For me, when I anchor myself with God, his peace always surpasses the noise the world is projecting. I noticed in my live I didn't give you the tools to know how to seek him. What does that look like? Seeking God starts with practice. It's a practice that I started in October and has been a blessing to my life. It alleviates error, wrongdoing, and His timing. If you are looking for a great resource. Check out the practice of the presence of God here.

All you have to do is take a moment to calm your spirit and set with God. God showed me that a lot of times it's not about receiving insight or instructions. Seeking Him and setting in His presence can sometimes be about calming your spirit back to Christ, where the words says our eyes should be. This leads me to the second note.

 

2. Take a social media break

 

If your mind gets cloudy and overwhelmed quickly, take a social media break for a few days. And don't just get off to say you got off, gear back to the #1 and seek God on how to utilize these platforms. When you come back, clean up your social media. Go through your friend list, and ask God who needs to be removed and do a thorough cleaning. 

If you feel you will miss something from another person's life, that is rooted in something much deeper and I would ask that you check your spirit as to why it's important for you to keep with another person's life. A lot of these stars you follow have a lot of problems and bring them to the media which is transferring straight to you. Yep, I said it. Don't praise others because remember why you are here in the first place. Go back to the promises God has instilled in you and focus on the purpose God has for your life. Don't do what everybody is telling you to do. 

Ask God:

• What is He speaking to you about? 
• What are some goals that He want you to focus on in your life?

This world is getting worse and we have to protect our minds and eye from the enemy because he is planting seeds in your mind. Remember he is here for only three things and that's to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. John 10:10.

3. Take it Easy. 

 

I cannot stretch this enough. One thing God spoke to me about is that it is OK to give yourself grace and relax. I think as a believer because it can feel like you are behind on the knowledge. It's like you're in a race to catch up. For me, waking up from a 20 year dead space can make you feel behind but oh no honey, God will restore everything back to you as stated in Joel 2:25.

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

All we have to do is follow his lead, not our own.

In your journey, I pray a spirit of execution over you that you become not just a hearer of the word but a doer. I speak a doer spirit over you that you will allow God to order your steps into this new year. 

I hope this blog has blessed you, happy new year to you and I want to invite you to my first Live MasterClass How to Redefine your Image in God on February 12th at 10:30 am. 

 

Join me live for a moment of redefining who God says you are, on understanding your image, confidence to keep pushing on the things God has instilled in you.

 

Register here.

My Divorce Testimonial Part 2 | How to Move On

 

Hi guys,

Here is the coutinousion of my divorce story.

This video is for you if you are:

• Currently going through a divorce
• Looking for hope in the midst of divorce
• Wondering what to do during the process of a divorce.

 Book updates: https://marvelous-composer-1043.ck.page/6cb6431105

My Separation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYhVkJZffnE&t=998s 

Subscribe to my Authentic tribe: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/j9t4r5 

Scripture reference: 

Isaiah 40:31 ESV But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 

Galatians 5:14 ESV For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

My Podcast: The Virtuous Women

 Connect with Zak! 

• Instagram: @authenticallyZ
• Twitter: @authentically 

 https://youtu.be/szK_yR6Eelw

 

 

My Divorce Story Part 1 |How God Turn Beauty from Ashes

 

Let me first say that I am not a fan of Divorce but when you rush the promise God has for you, you settle for a counterfeit. Don't rush God's timing.

The things I went through, I don't wish on anyone. Please be careful who you open yourself to because the enemy is here to steal, kill, and destroy (Read John 10:10). And to be honest I almost let him kill me. I got married to a person who I thought was my forever, I'm a fighter so I thought I needed to fight for my marriage but when you're the only one fighting, you'll never see the glory of restoration in it.

“It's OK to fight for someone who loves you but it's never OK to fight for someone to love you.” 

 

Big difference. I'm grateful for the journey and don't regret anything because I had to meet him, marry him, learn a lot of lessons, have my baby, and I had to get to this point of awakening with Christ. Painful but necessary. So I'm grateful for the journey and I thank God for seeing me through.

I’m FREE...Free from bondage, strongholds, and manipulation. Let me add that marriage can be heaven or hell on earth but its how your flourish it. It also can be a beautiful thing when both parties put the work every day, every moment to stand in harmony.

Remember: All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

For me, my previous marriage was a lesson for me that had to take place but my future hubby will be a blessing from God (speaking into existence).

Subscribe to the tribe here to get more information on my book announcement coming soon. 

 

See the video below for my Divorce Story| How God Turned beauty from Ashes.

 

 

5 Top Ways to Face Adversity

Top 5 Ways to Face Adversity

 

Hey Sis,

This past week was a doozy for me and if you don’t know, I am in the mist of a divorce and dealing with your past spouse and lawyers can be a lot. My advice “ Allow God to choose your spouse, not you”. 🥴 If I can be authentic with you, ya girl broke down about 3 times in the last week. But guess what I learned‼️ Breaking down is good because God is close to the brokenhearted. Psalm 34:18

If you know me, you know I don’t like to be down for too long. I like to go through my process, get my lesson and dip! So I jumped out my funk real quick, prayed, apologized to people, and have been keeping my spirit man high.

As you guys know, life always happens but we have to learn how to respond to our issues a little different. So I wanted to help someone who may be going through issues in this current season.

This is something you may want to pin 📌 in your notes for future reference.

1. Breath.  

Seriously take a moment and breath. Breathing (sometimes called diaphragmatic breathing) is a practice that enables more air to flow into your body and can help calm your nerves, reducing stress and anxiety. It can also help you improve your attention span and lower pain levels.

2. Alert 🚨 God on the situation. 

You may say but God knows/ sees what’s going on but he gives us free will to seek him first and involve him in our every day life. We just don’t let our true father know and as women we like to control the outcome instead of lay it at his feet. Learn to give it to him and as pastor T.D. Jake's said this past Sunday at Lakewood,  Go to God with a idk spirit and humble yourself to receive his instructions https://youtu.be/z8myjTKf6qA

3. Listen to his instructions.  

Sit in silence and listen. This is hard but with practice it can be done. Period 🙏🏽

 

4. Wait & Be Still.  

During this separation heading to divorce, being still has been one of the hardest things I had to do and to this day I am still learning and understanding what it really means to "Be Still" and God has been revealing to me specifically how to implement these steps in my life.

 

5. Find Scriptures about your situation and go over them daily. 

This helps renew your mind daily and also a good way to remember the the word.

Sis, you have to do this every-time because one thing I have learned, is that life will happen but how you respond to it will show growth in your walk. My therapist gave me some good advice in our last session. She said to use every situation as a guinea pig experiment to better myself.

I hope this encouraged you to use the authority you have and combat them issues with the word of God.💞

Mom Edition: What Should be Included in a Emergency Kit

 

 

 

 

Hey girl! Let me tell you what happened to me last week. One day last week, My baby was home sick as I was working from home. During his nap time, our fire alarm went off causing a quick panic of running and rambling around the house.


As I was getting ready to leave the house, I realized I had nothing prepared for me and my baby in case of emergency and it bothered me to be in that position to only have my important documents in place with no other items.


Over the weekend, God put it in my heart to get a few things in place in case of an emergency for my and my baby. Below could include the following recommended items that I currently have. If you have other items in your emergency backpack, comment below and let other moms know what's in your bag.

Everything you need to have in case of emergency. 

This list is more for in the house, have the leave in a hurry scenario not a end of the world type of bag.

 

A Backpack

Extra Flashlights

Batteries

Emergency Blanket (warm)

Important documents

• Passports

• Birth certificate

• Social security for both me and baby

• Apartment insurance

• Car titles

• Bank account information 

Machete or gun( if you have a registered one)

Outfit for me

• Shirt

• pants

• socks

• sports bra

• panties 

Outfit for baby

• Shirt

• pants

• socks

• drawers 

Tampons/Pads

Small first aid kit

Charger for phone

Back up chargers

Granola bars

Wipes

Gloves

Pack of mask

Notebook and 2 pens

Pack of garbage bags

Walkie talkie

Crayons and coloring book for kid

Local map and Us map

Portable generator

Click here to get access to my Amazon list I created with a few items from the list above. 

I hope this helps you. As a mother, prepare yourself in case of an emergency.  

Let me know what you have in your bag that may not be listed above.

3 Ways to Wear a Oversized Shirt Dress

 

The Best Way to Style a Shirt Dress

Hey guys! I hope your week went well. In this post we are discussing a trend that I think any mompreneur would love, Shirt dress.

 

I don’t know about anybody else, but your girl picked up some quarantine weight and in the process of working on this body, so the summer will have to get whatever body I give it without no shame, Okurrr

 

Shirt dresses this season are cute, comfortable, and affordable and with everything that you have been through I think its time to get out the sweats and show some legs. Below are three ways you can style a shirt dress.

 

Style with some cute heels

 

 

Add a belt.

 

 

 

 

Style it with your favorite tennis shoe.

 

 

Outfit details

Dress: Ross (similar)

Shoes: JustFab

Purse: Aundi Purse

Earrings: UniqueEditions

 

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