L-Bo's World

God is Love. Love conquers ALL...

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Just in time for the summer! LIMITED EDITION #Jesustanks Check out the website. We are consistently creating new merch. nationmovement.com #nationmovement #nationmerch #AskMeAboutJesus #Yahweh #wiselifeapparel #Christianfashion #Christianclothing #Jesuscomingsoon #boldforChrist

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Honestly @lavoniabobo is the funniest person ever. And her and @mylifeasbri together is pure comedy. Haven't seen the Part 2 of our trip to the bay? Check it out. Episodes premiere every Saturday @12PM. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb0U3XrQtd8 Definitely working on getting Lavonia her own show this summer. 😂

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When you thought you had to take four classes to graduate, but find out you only need one! Great last, first day of school. 🙌🏾P.S. I love my sister ❤️ @_lavoniasworld Follow her! #FeelsLikeYaBirthday #LavoniaBobo #BlackBruinGrad #Masters #MFA #GodIsGood #Screenwriter #Filmmaker

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#BriNTeeshTV #BriNTeesh #vlogs #YoutubeChannel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgQolSOvyTLJlJ5Qs42v60g

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If you ask her about Jesus, she knows what's up. Happy Birthday to @_lavoniasworld There's a lot I can say, but world, just know she's amazing!!! Love you boo 😘 & if you wanna be cool like her and rock this shirt visit nation movement.com

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I'm In the bay. Hit me 😁 (at CREAM Berkeley)

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A Spiritual Study Guide: How to Excel in ALL Your Classes

When the time of year for finals comes around, students are known for pulling all-nighters, eating junk food, or not eating at all and being stressed out cramming for h o u r s. 

Sidenote: The point of attending a lecture is for us to be learning throughout the quarter or semester, so having to cram shouldn’t really be a thing. Now whether this is on us or the school system, ...well that’s for another blog. 

Something in my spirit just doesn’t sit right with this. If this is normal for all college students, then something has to be different for Christian college students, right? If God is a God of peace, who has ALL knowledge and is FOR His children, I have to believe this applies to EVERY area of our lives, especially academics. 

What’s unfortunately another common trend, because we get so busy and stressed out with studying, is that we somehow get too busy to pray or to read our Bible, or go to church. Our routine, if we had one to begin with, goes completely out the window.  

Now, if we think we are too busy to pray because we have an exam to study for or paper to write, we are clearly deceived. The worst thing you can do as you study is neglect to pray. Why, you ask? Well if God created your teacher and gave them the knowledge, and God sees everything, meaning He knows EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO BE ON THE EXAM, and He is FOR His children and desires they should prosper in all things... I have to believe consulting Him can only lead to good. That He can direct us and tell us what to study and what not to study. That He can give us a creative approach to take on a paper that no one else has thought of. That He will literally speak through us as we give a presentation. 

To some people, this may seem like a stretch. But I am confident in all of this because, ONE I have seen in scripture this is in line with the character of God. TWO, I have seen it with my own eyes. Recently, as I was reading through the book of Deuteronomy, seeing how God interacted with the children of Israel further confirmed this for me. 

Sidenote: Any debate about why God would make them kill other people, why God only chose Israel in the Old Testament and what that says about God, well we can talk about that later... or you can read this https://www.gotquestions.org/Canaanites-extermination.html

Consistently, throughout the history of the children of Israel God warns them to steer clear of relationship with foreign peoples. And initially God’s warning seems really cruel and unfair: 

However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. Completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you. Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 20:16-18

We can focus on the destroying or we can focus on the significance of it. If the Israelites do not destroy everything in the land, it leaves room for them to adapt the mentality, the gods, and the way of life of the people of the land they took over. And we see this happen numerous times throughout their history. 

So I know you’re thinking it, “Latetia, what does this have to do with this Life Science final I have.” Well thank you for your patience and for asking. 

My friend, it has everything to do with it!!! As children of God we are called to stand out. To be different. But what happens, most of the time, in college (and I am specifically talking about finals, but this can apply to any area of our lives) we adapt to the land. See, why they were supposed to destroy everything, consecrate themselves, is so they would not be distracted . So they would not turn to other gods (life stress, which takes many different forms during finals). The point was to never forget God. Because God knows His children. And He knows any small thing can become a big thing for us and make us forget Him. 

So, let’s talk about your final, or your college life, whatever God wants to speak to. We take on the mentality of “normal college life.” So while we are called to conquer our university and excel, we end up blending in and looking like everyone else. Can I tell you, you were made for so much more than this academically? You were called not only to pass, but to excel. When God says He does exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask or think, that includes our academics. 

So I know you’re thinking, wow this all sounds great and this girl is talking a really big game, but she still hasn’t proven this works. 

Well it’s TESTIMONY TIME!!! 

One of the ways I spend my study breaks, is reading the Bible. And when I get stuck I literally ask for the Holy Spirit to help me. Well I had a presentation the other day. It was on a topic of my choice and because I am the only Black person in this class, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to talk about Black people. You know consciousness. So I chose to talk about the history of intersectionality (gender, race, class, sexuality) in Black TV and how that paved the way for Obama (that’s a stretch, yet intriguing). Now, I promise you I am not that smart! But by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this presentation flowed so well together and was just so fun to create. But what was even more amazing to me was the confidence I had during the presentation. As I was speaking, I started to get even more revelation and made connections I didn’t originally think of. The whole class was engaged, and my professor loved the presentation and it helped inspire him and the book he is working on. He even commented that this needs to be something I research, and more work needs to be done on this topic. Need I remind you: I  AM NOT THAT SMART. 

Now to clarify, I do not think I am dumb. I just know my limits when it comes to the knowledge I have. And I know in that moment, in that classroom, because my persistence to seek the Holy Spirit before and during the presentation, I stood out. And I only stood out above the rest, because God flowed through me. And I firmly believe people saw Jesus. 

So yes, during this season of studying, we can get by stressing ourselves out and worrying like other people do. But we will not be people who stand out. And we may pass, but we will have a hard time excelling. 

Sidenote: Now there are other people who do very well the typical college way. And that gets at a principle, in which you do A and B has to happen no matter what, but that is for another blog. In sum, you can still do well the college way, but there is a better and simpler way, which causes people to glorify God working through you. 

One more thing, I know some of you must be thinking, Latetia, you’re a UCLA North Campus major, you all don’t have to do any REAL WORK. 

Sidenote: North campus = Humanities and Social Sciences, South Campus= Life Sciences.

Well you are right. I am not a South campus major. I am not called to be a South campus major. If you are a South campus major and God has called you there, this means you are called to excel there, just like North campus majors excel. On both ends, the call is for us to not rely on our own strength. North campus, South campus, your call is to rely on the power of God working through you. So that you stand out and show people Jesus. 

One more scripture before we get to some practicals: 

“and shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.'” Deuteronomy 20:3-4 ESV

I read this scripture this morning, and it really stuck out to me. God encouraged the children of Israel not to worry about a war. We’re talking about war. Meaning their lives are at stake if they fight, I’d be scared too. But God says they have no need to worry because God is the one who fights and gives them victory. As adopted children this must also be true for us. We are not fighting a literal war, but we are fighting. Fighting to excel. And if God is with the children of Israel and tells them not to worry about a war, he must say the same thing to us. That means that we don’t have to stress, we don’t have to worry, and we indeed have nothing to fear. GOD GOES BEFORE US AND HE GIVES US VICTORY!!! But this requires us to trust Him. To see our studies as a means to glorify God. And to put God first knowing He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek them. You have nothing to lose by taking a moment in the presence of God, but you have a whole war to lose if you don’t. 

So what do we do? Here are some practical steps.

1. Make it a habit, rhythm, lifestyle to spend time with Jesus regularly.

 Not begging or asking for anything but sincerely recognizing who He is. Keep this up when finals come. This will help remind you of who God is which will remind you of who you are. You are a conquerer and you were made to excel and you will excel. 

2. Read over scripture that affirms this is true about God.

https://www.openbible.info/topics/school

3. Take care of your temple.

 Keep up rhythms you normally have. Eat well. Exercise. Get good sleep and rest. 

4. Ask God for guidance.

When your stressed remember God is above time and can teach you anything quicker than anyone else. So when you get stuck pray for divine inspiration. Here’s a sample prayer: 

“Holy Spirit please give me guidance and direction.”

Yes it’s that simple.

5. Take breaks. Productive ones. 

Read you Bible. Pray. Spend time with friends. Laugh. Exercise. etc. 

6. Ask for help.

 If you’re struggling ask for someone to pray for you. Ask the community around you if you don’t have time to get food, need some encouragement, or need someone to study with.

7. Serve other people.

 The best sacrifice we can give is when we serve other people. God rewards this. Remember God is the author of time. He knows how much time you need. So even if you have a final the next day, if God asks you to pray for someone or go out of your way for someone, do it. God will bless you and will not leave you empty for what he has assigned you. I had a paper due the same day I wrote this. And barely started it. But I stopped to write this blog because I firmly believed that people needed to hear this. And that me doing this was just reminding me of these same truths, which I needed. And you can be sure I finished the paper in perfect time. And it went really well. That’s just how God works!! 

8. Listen to worship music.

Study better with no words, but still wanna worship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUoAvDWal9Y&t=6862s

Need some worship to motivate you and get you pumped. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMts1iJZLLGilmQB-CjIN9KcTCZR2ShtM

Just need some songs to remind you of how good God is and that you can make it through. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL38699F80B71E62CD

9. Pray before the exam.

 Ask God to bring things back to your remembrance and that you will glorify Him in your work. 

10. Give all the glory back to God!

 When you do well remember it was God. If you respond with a posture of gratefulness it will remind you the next time how God came through and give you confidence that He can do it again. And this will encourage others to do the same! 

When the Israelites consistently fought and won wars people saw something special about them. They stood out. And it made the people they fought against realize the God of the Israelites has power. The God of the Israelites is real and truly fights for them.

I promise this will really make a difference. We are called to perform at a supernatural level. God desires for us to do so. We just have to seek Him in everything. 

We will be students who stand out above our classmates and peers. They will say “Something is different about this person. Their God must really fight for them!” Or something like that LOL 

Trust me, this works! And if you don’t trust me, try trusting Him and see how that goes. Stress, late nights, tons of coffee hasn’t done too much for you. So give God a shot. (no pun intended) 

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Tomorrow morning! GLORY 🙌🏾 & if you can't make it in the AM, we have worship, word, and fellowship @8PM. Can't make it in the AM or PM, follow @nation.movement to tune into the livestream #nationmovement #nation #worship #prayer #AskMeAboutJesus #faith #needprayerjustask

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I know some of you have been wondering where you can get these Ask Me About T-shirts. Well our website is up. You can order them online. We will ship them to you!! Let’s start a movement of bold believers who share the love of Jesus! nationmovement.com/nation-apparel #AskMeAboutJesus #NATION #Nationmovement

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UCLA! Want to get a jumpstart for your day? Before heading to class or starting your day, join us for morning worship and prayer tomorrow. Drop in anytime between the hours of 7-9AM. Whether you would like prayer or just want to have personal time of prayer and worship, come by! #prayer #worship #NATION #the5thwatch (at UCLA Hedrick Hall)

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#ReviveLA #AskMeAboutJesus Make sure you grab a Tshirt tonight we're selling them for $20. If you're not able to make it tonight, contact me for how you can get a shirt. You don't want to miss it tonight!!!

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@lavoniasworld said “Ya’ll two are really boring. All you do is put on makeup and pray.” Well those are the only two things you can do when a big Revival is happening!! #ReviveLA You don’t wanna miss this. The Holy Spirit is going to fall and spark revival in this generation. UCLA will never be the same. Share this flyer and tag @nation.church and you’ll be entered in a raffle for some cool prizes. Link in bio for the full YouTube video.

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Last year we had a unity prayer. We believe a big key 🔑 to unlocking Revival begins with breaking down the issues that divide us as a body. I promise you do not want to miss this service. Please watch the live stream if you cannot attend. And contact me directly if you would like us to help you plan a service like this in your city!! #ReviveLA #ReviveDC #ReviveSF #ReviveUSA (at Ucla Northwest Campus Auditorium)

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#ReviveLA is a few days away. THIS MONDAY 7PM. Get ready SoCal. Tell your friends and family, everyone is welcome!Worship will led by Hopes House's own @thtsorae and @pastortamarabennett will be ministering. If you share this flyer and tag @nation.church you'll be entered in a raffle to win some cool prizes. Here's some photos from last year! (at Ucla Northwest Campus Auditorium)

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New vlog!! @mylifeasbri Comment. Share. Subscribe. Link in bio. #supportindependentart #SYWL #surroundyourselfwithlight #MGIG #myGodisgood #LNF #loveneverfails #Selah #Selahlive #selahentertainment #independentartists #myfriends #goodmusic #music #musicwithpurposeonpurpose #BriNTeeshTV #youngChristians #UCLAalum #faith #askmeaboutJesus #NATION

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Check out what @mylifeasbri I did for Valentine's Day. And stay updated by subscribing to our channel. Shoutout to @the.wav for the song Halelooya. Check out their new album on iTunes, Soundcloud and Spotify. #supportindependentart #SYWL #surroundyourselfwithlight #MGIG #myGodisgood #LNF #loveneverfails #Selah #Selahlive #selahentertainment #independentartists #myfriends #goodmusic #music #musicwithpurposeonpurpose #BriNTeeshTV #youngChristians #UCLAalum #faith #askmeaboutJesus #NATION

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How I'm feeling about Valentines Day... ❤ #BriNTeeshTV