Month: February 2025

Holiness Ain’t Optional!

February 20, 2025 / Erica / 0 Comments

A Call to Live Set Apart

Holiness ain’t optional.

But you wouldn’t know that by looking around.

Seems like we’ve traded set-apart for fitting in, exchanged righteousness for relevance. We don’t wanna be peculiar—we wanna be palatable. But last I checked, Jesus wasn’t out here trying to make everybody comfortable. Nah. He came flipping tables, calling out hypocrisy, loving the unlovable, and demanding that we follow Him fully.

Not halfway. Not with conditions. Not when it’s convenient.

All the way.

A Call to Come Higher

See, God ain’t just calling you to church attendance. He ain’t just asking for your Sunday morning or your worship playlist. He wants your heart. Your mind. Your body. Your scrolling habits. Your late-night thoughts. Your dreams. Your desires.

That means holiness is more than just what you don’t do—it’s about what you pursue.

“Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

That’s not a suggestion. That’s a command.

But somewhere along the way, we started treating holiness like an old-school dress code—outdated, unnecessary, legalistic.

So we stopped pursuing purity and started normalizing compromise.

We excused what we watched. What we listened to. Who we entertained. We got so used to the world’s noise that the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit got drowned out in the process.

And now, we’re confused about why we don’t hear God like we used to.

The Lie of “Not That Deep”

We tell ourselves, “It’s not that deep.” But it is.

That show you love but grieves the Spirit? It’s that deep.
That conversation laced with gossip and slander? It’s that deep.
That habit that nobody knows about but keeps you from praying like you should? It’s that deep.

Holiness is not about perfection, but it is about direction.

Are you walking toward God or away from Him? Are you resisting sin or justifying it?

‘Cause make no mistake—sin don’t just sit there. It spreads. It seeps into your thoughts, your desires, your affections, your heart.

That’s why we’re told to flee from sin, not flirt with it.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

Sis, what do you need to lay aside?

What’s slowing you down, keeping you from running full speed toward the God who calls you His own?

Holiness Ain’t Just What You Say No To—It’s What You Say Yes To

Holiness is a whole-life pursuit. Not just avoiding sin, but pursuing righteousness. Not just emptying yourself of what’s wrong, but filling yourself with what’s good.

Holiness looks like:

Choosing prayer over pointless distractions.
Filling your heart with truth so lies don’t take root.
Cutting off relationships that pull you away from God.
Watching your words because they carry weight.
Loving like Jesus—even when it costs you something.

This ain’t about legalism. This is about freedom. ‘Cause contrary to what culture says, real freedom isn’t doing whatever you want—it’s being untangled from what keeps you bound.

It Starts Here. It Starts Now.

The call to holiness is not for the super spiritual. It’s for the single mama juggling work and Bible study. It’s for the wife trying to love her husband like Christ. It’s for the woman leading in the boardroom and the one serving in the background.

It’s for you.

So today, make a decision. Lay aside every weight. Choose obedience over opinion. Let go of what pulls you back.

Holiness ain’t optional.

It’s the way of the called. The set apart. The redeemed.

And sis, that’s you.

🔥 Reflection Questions:

What weights do you need to lay aside to run after God more fully?
Where have you been compromising and calling it “not that deep”?
What’s one step you can take today to pursue holiness?

Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s grow together. 💜

#FaithfulFemmeNoir #HolinessAintOptional

Faith & Femininity: Walking in Faith as a Modern Woman

February 17, 2025 / Erica / 0 Comments

You ever feel like being a woman of faith in today’s world is like walking through a field of landmines—in heels? It’s like one wrong step, and BOOM—somebody’s got an opinion about how you should be living, dressing, speaking, or even thinking. We live in a culture where femininity is often misunderstood and where faith is sometimes dismissed as old-fashioned. But here’s the thing: faith and femininity ain’t contradictions—they’re a divine collision.

Faith That Walks, Not Just Talks

Modern culture has convinced us that to be strong, we gotta be loud. That submission means weakness. That biblical womanhood is outdated. But when I look at the Word, I see women who were both faithful and fearless—women like Esther, who walked into a king’s throne room knowing she could die, but still said, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). Or Mary, who carried the Savior of the world in her womb despite knowing she’d be talked about and misunderstood.

Faith isn’t just about belief—it’s about movement. It’s about saying, “Lord, I trust You enough to walk in obedience, even when it’s uncomfortable.” And let’s be real—living for Jesus in 2025 is uncomfortable. When purity is mocked, marriage is devalued, and submission is seen as a dirty word, it takes faith to live counter-culturally. But sis, you were made for this.

Femininity is Not Weakness

Somewhere along the way, the world started equating femininity with fragility. Like softness and grace are only for the weak. But have you ever seen a woman pray her children through a crisis? Have you ever watched a mother or wife hold a household together in the midst of chaos? That ain’t weak. That’s power.

Femininity, when rooted in Christ, is strength clothed in gentleness. It’s knowing that submission to God doesn’t strip us of power but positions us for purpose. It’s the Proverbs 31 woman who runs businesses, makes investments, and still comes home and creates a space of peace and love. It’s not one or the other—it’s both.

Living This Out Daily

So how do we walk this thing out in real life? How do we balance faith, femininity, and the pressures of modern womanhood?

Start with the Word, Not the World. Social media will have you thinking that being a “boss” means abandoning biblical values. But the Bible reminds us that our worth is found in Christ, not clout.
Embrace Your Design. God didn’t make a mistake when He created you as a woman. Your emotions, your intuition, your nurturing spirit—those are strengths, not weaknesses. Walk in them boldly.
Set Boundaries Without Apology. Whether it’s relationships, career, or social media, guard what influences you. You don’t have to engage in every debate, entertain every DM, or say yes to every opportunity that doesn’t align with your faith.
Find Your Tribe. A faithful woman walking alone is vulnerable. A faithful woman walking in community? Unstoppable. Get around some women who love Jesus, who will pray with you, correct you in love, and remind you of who you are when the world tries to make you forget.
Remember Who You Belong To. The world will try to define you, label you, and tell you how to be a woman. But the only identity that matters is the one God gave you. You are His daughter, His masterpiece, His beloved. Walk like it.

Faithful, Feminine, and Unapologetic

Walking in faith as a modern woman ain’t about choosing between being strong or being soft—it’s about choosing Jesus in a world that constantly pulls you away from Him. So let them call you outdated. Let them misunderstand your convictions. At the end of the day, we don’t live for the world’s approval—we live for the applause of Heaven.

And sis, that’s a standing ovation worth walking for.

5 Ways to Build a Sisterhood in Christ That You Should Try (And 1 You Shouldn’t)

February 6, 2025 / Erica / 0 Comments

Let’s be real—Christian community isn’t always easy. We talk about “sisterhood,” but sometimes it’s messy, complicated, and hard to maintain. Why? Because we’re human. And without intentionality, our friendships can stay surface-level, filled with “I’m praying for you” texts that never turn into actual prayers.

God calls us to something deeper. A real sisterhood in Christ isn’t just about brunches and Bible study aesthetics—it’s about faith, accountability, and love that looks like Jesus. So, here are five ways to build that kind of community—and one thing that will destroy it every time.

1. Pray Together—Even When It Feels Awkward (James 5:16)

Prayer isn’t just a solo activity; it’s a sisterhood builder. James 5:16 tells us, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” There’s power in getting real with each other before God.

And look—I get it. Praying out loud with friends can feel weird at first. But that discomfort fades when you realize that interceding for your sisters is an act of love. A group chat is nice, but a group that prays? That’s where transformation happens.

Try this: Next time a sister shares a struggle, don’t just say, “I’ll pray for you.” Stop right there and actually do it—on the phone, in person, or over voice memo. Watch how it deepens your bond.

2. Show Up for the Hard Stuff (Galatians 6:2)

Anybody can celebrate with you when life is good. But real sisters? They’re there when things fall apart.

Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” That means showing up when your friend’s marriage is struggling, when she’s grieving, when she’s battling anxiety or doubt. Not with clichés, but with presence.

Practical ways to carry a burden:

Be the friend who checks in. A simple “How’s your heart?” goes a long way.
Offer practical help. Cook a meal, babysit her kids, help with errands.
Sit in the silence. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just be there.

3. Love Your Sisters Enough to Keep It Real (Ephesians 4:15)

Let’s be honest: Sometimes we want friends who hype us up, not friends who call us out. But a sisterhood built on flattery isn’t love—it’s fake.

Ephesians 4:15 calls us to “speak the truth in love.” That means telling your sister when she’s walking in sin. It means saying, “Sis, I love you, but that relationship? It’s not leading you closer to God.” Or, “Hey, I notice you’re pulling away—what’s going on?”

It’s uncomfortable, but true love corrects. The goal isn’t to judge; it’s to see each other grow. And if you’re on the receiving end? Don’t get defensive—thank God for friends who care enough to sharpen you.

Real talk: If nobody in your circle ever challenges you, you might be surrounded by fans, not sisters.

4. Make the Bible Your Common Ground (Colossians 3:16)

A sisterhood built on vibes and mutual interests won’t last. But one built on God’s Word? That’s unshakable.

Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.”

This isn’t about being “super spiritual.” It’s about making Scripture part of your conversations—sending each other verses, asking, “What’s God been teaching you?” and actually opening the Bible together.

Ways to make this happen:

Start a weekly or bi-weekly Bible study. (Even if it’s just two of you.)
Memorize Scripture together—one verse a week.
Share what God is convicting you about. Transparency fuels growth.

5. Serve Together (1 Peter 4:10)

You know what strengthens a bond? Serving side by side. 1 Peter 4:10 reminds us, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

God didn’t give us gifts to keep to ourselves. When we serve together—whether in church, our communities, or simply loving people around us—it deepens our unity in Christ.

Ideas for serving together:

Volunteer at a local ministry.
Support a single mom in your church.
Help a struggling family with groceries or bills.
Be intentional about meeting needs in your circle.

Friendship grows when it moves beyond us and focuses on others.

And 1 Thing You Shouldn’t Do: Build on Gossip (Proverbs 16:28)

If you want to wreck a sisterhood fast, gossip will do it. Proverbs 16:28 warns, “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”

Gossip disguises itself as “venting” or “concern,” but it always leaves destruction. If someone is talking to you about another sister, best believe they’re talking about you somewhere else.

How to guard against gossip:

Shut it down. “Hey, have you talked to her about this?” will end most gossip sessions real quick.
Be a safe place. Your sisters should know their struggles won’t become your next conversation piece.
Pray instead of speculate. If you’re truly concerned, go to God, not the group chat.

A sisterhood built on whispers and rumors won’t stand. But one built on truth and love? That’s unbreakable.

Final Encouragement: Go First.

Want this kind of sisterhood? Be the one to start it. Initiate prayer. Show up in hard times. Speak truth. Open the Word. Serve. Cut off gossip.

It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it. And if you don’t have these kinds of friendships yet? Ask God to bring them—and while you wait, be the kind of friend you’re praying for.

Do you have strong, godly women in your life? If not, what’s one step you can take today to build that sisterhood?

And as always—stay connected to your local church and godly mentors who will encourage you in your walk with Christ!