Living a Royal Reality – Book Review

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“What is this Christian walk all about? It seems so hard and burdensome? I don’t feel like royalty”

It was about April 2016, I had recently been baptized and I felt like I could conquer the world, then, the tests and trials started coming. I felt burdened, confused and overwhelmed; I had no idea what to do. The joy I felt just a week ago left me and I felt so unclear about the way forward. In my head I thought, well, now I have chosen this new path, but I am still living in my old body, even though I feel brand new, I don’t look it and what do I do get rid of the old life? Well this was my reality, and honestly it felt burdensome. I began talking to my friend Crystal Daye who told me about her book “Living a Royal Reality”, that was due be released in August 2016. At the time, she needed a second pair of eyes to review the book’s content. I thought I was trying to be a good friend, so I suggested myself for the task, I didn’t know the Holy Spirit set me up. Well, she sent me the raw version of the book to read. I decided since I was crunch for time, I would do my reading while I commuted on the bus. I was so nonchalant in my approach to this book, I was just doing my girl a favour, I had no idea this book would transform my life.

I know wholeheartedly that the Holy Spirit wrote this book using my girl Crystal. I experienced countless breakthroughs, deliverance and healing from the words the Lord spoke to me on those pages. I have read the entire book about two to three times in total and I have specific chapters that I have read up to 5 times. The wisdom and knowledge I have received does not get old, there is always something new that the Holy Spirit does within me whenever I read a chapter. This is my personal review of the book, I will highlight some of the struggles that this book has helped me to overcome and conquer. I hope at the end of it all, you too will get your copy and step into the reality of living like true royalty!

 

But God, what is my purpose? Why am I here? – Chapter 5 – Discovering your purpose

Ever felt like even though you are in Christ you lost out on purpose? Or you’re new to Christ and you want to find out why am I here? This chapter is a good place to begin. When I read this chapter it was such an eye opener. The wealth of knowledge about our primary and ultimate purpose leaped out at me! I read this chapter about 5 to 6 times! Yes! It’s that good.

It is so easy for us to get caught up in running after a ministry life, seeking a stage or serving in church but we are totally missing out on God. We still feel tired, drained and burn-out. What does the book reveal about those who get caught up in the doing? Crystal opens up to reveal,

“When I finally stopped “seeking” my purpose and started to truly seek God and build a relationship with Him, I began to understand who I am in Him. Now I don’t seek anything but Christ. I’ve found my purpose so I don’t have to add meaningless activities in order to feel accomplished.”

She talks about how she always felt the need to be doing something. She was either in school, taking on projects or being in a relationship to cover her discontentment. She accurately nails the point by stating:

“You will never know, “Who you are” outside of having a relationship with Jesus Christ”

The thing is, most of us are busy doing things and we do not have a true relationship with Christ, we are merely trying to satisfy our need to feel content. Even when we do these things, Crystal explains that:

“Our desires are selfish and our motives are impure.”

After reading all this, I had to do a heart check on what it truly meant to be in my God-led purpose life. Through the Holy Spirit, this chapter opened up my understanding which allowed me to focus less on the doing and more on the seeking. This was my favourite chapter in the book.

 

Lord, I don’t think I am beautiful, and I don’t feel beautiful – Chapter 7 – Beauty in the eyes of the Creator

Shortly after I surrendered to Christ, he began to strip me. I wasn’t into makeup anymore. I went on a big fast and lost a lot of weight, I was no longer as curvy as I liked to be. I didn’t wear as much accessories and I was led to change my hair. Boy, it sure made me feel ugly. The person in the mirror was not attractive to me and I hated how I looked. Well, chapter 7 set me straight on this issue and gave me a new perspective on how I viewed myself.

“True beauty radiates from the inside; it is a heart that delights in the Word….this beauty cannot radiate if our heart is not pure. Beauty is a heart motivated by a love for God.”

Once I read this chapter I realized how vain and superficial my ideas were. I finally began to understand why God had to strip me. Because my main focus was on the outward appearance while my inside was filthy. I remember one night after reading the book, the Lord said to me while I was in the mirror looking at myself, no makeup, no nice hair, nothing, “you have never been more beautiful than you are now.” Honestly I hated the stripping process and I complained about it every chance I got. It was chapter 7 that brought me to a place of humility to accept what God was doing. Most people didn’t understand and maybe thought it was extra or silly but in order for God to renew my mind, it was definitely necessary. Chapter 7 also taught me a valuable lesson about not living for others but living only for God. In those moments when no one understood what was happening or commented on my weight lose and it got under my skin, I learnt that God’s approval is more valuable than anything in the entire world and though it was hard, with the help of the Holy Spirit through this book, I became content in my season.

 

Ok Lord, so I gave up sex, I am living pure, USE ME! SEND ME TO NATIONS!  – Chapter 12 – The Pursuit of Purity

Are you eager to be used by God? I was too. Are you truly living a pure and holy life before God? Well here’s a good way to find out, read chapter 12 of this book. By the time I read this book a second time I had broke up with my boyfriend. It was the hardest decision to make but once I did I felt like I could do anything. I gave up the person I valued the most for God, He will use me.

Well reading chapter 12 gave me a wakeup call. I realized God had a lot of work to do on my heart. Though I refrained from sexual sin, this did not automatically make me pure, holy and fit to be used by God. Oh, I got so many convictions while reading this chapter.

“As Royalties, we must understand that pursuing purity is not only a choice, but it is a lifestyle. Purity is about the state of the heart, not just our actions. You can remain a virgin, celibate until marriage and still be impure in God’s eyes.”

Chapter 12 brought me face to face with some hidden rooms in my heart that the enemy used to hold me captive. Unforgiveness, bitter, jealousy, strife and malice, you mean, I have to let all that go before God uses me? Yes! The Holy Spirit worked through the muscles of my heart like a cardio machine and after all that fighting to hold on to it, I had to let that stuff go. I realized through chapter 12 that purity is a heart condition more than anything else. Through this chapter I realized that I had a lottttt of impure motives for doing the things I did and had a nerve to tag scriptures to it. Thank God for grace! I did a lot of apologizing and repenting and finally I was able to heal! I encourage you all to read chapter 12 at least 3 times! Trust me, it will do a work on your heart!

 

The love of God Chapter 13 – Act like a Lady, Think like Jesus

This chapter is the chapter that is closest to my heart. I actually get emotional for this part. This chapter brought my biggest break through and deliverance. I remember for a period in my early walk with Christ I had no peace. I knew I loved Him and desired to please Him, but whenever I messed up, I felt so condemned. There were times I thought I missed the voice of God and I acted out of self and it caused me great anguish inside. Oh boy, I would often worry as to whether I was wrong or right. I just didn’t know what to do. I had no idea it was an attack on my mind. I mean I would constantly be plagued with thoughts of regrets. It was bad. To the point where I even stopped obeying out of fear of being wrong and being condemned or punished. I wanted to please Him but I was crippled. Then I read chapter 13.

I remember the day I was sitting on the subway and the moment I read the passage, I literally felt the spirit of condemnation taking its flight! I was so happy. I called Crystal immediately after to share the God news, I was delivered! I had no idea that when I was doing all these things, worrying about right or wrong I was trying to earn God’ s love.  Once I read that passage I was set free from that bondage.

“Know that nothing you have done or can do will separate you from His love…..we often try to earn God’s love by following laws to “prove” we love Him. God is love. You cannot earn it – you must embrace it.”

That was all I needed to hear! It literally saved me from myself! Glory to God! I can go on, but I implore you, get this book, it is worth every penny! It is a true keepsake and believe me, the Holy Spirit will transform you and challenge you to live this royal reality!

 

You can order a copy of Crystal Daye’s book by clicking here