Be Careful What You Do in the Storm

By adminon Mon, 29 Jul 2013

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8 (KJV)

Have you ever heard the saying, “never make temporary decisions based on permanent circumstances”? When we are in the middle of a stormy situation, often the natural response is to react emotionally rather than respond properly. So we cut people off, cut off from groups and organizations, and even cut our hair. We forget that storms don’t last forever.  Every trouble and trial we face in life has an expiration date. It will end one day and the sun will shine again. The important thing is not to not do something in the storm that you will regret once things are better again. The friends we cut off are the friends we may miss when things change. Learn to whether the storm because joy will come and the sun will shine.

Prayer: Father God, I am so thankful for Your wisdom.  Whatever I face in life, help me stay reminded that it is only temporary. You have my life in Your hands and You are faithful to deliver. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A sincere thank you to our Daughters of the King Daily Devotional Writers.

It Is Written

By adminon Thu, 25 Jul 2013

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

Jesus used the Word to combat the enemy. He could not hope or wish Satan away. Satan tricks are still the same. Satan knows what can cause you to stumble. He knows the Word and how to twist it to get you to unwrap that package. He knows what to pull from your past, what to whisper in your ear, and what to place on your path to keep you from reaching your God-given destiny. God has told us how to defeat the enemy. It is still by three words, “It Is Written”. A sword lying on the desk, a table or a nightstand is no help at all. As long as it is laying, you are vulnerable and Satan will do whatever necessary to keep you focused on anything but your destiny in Christ. As you meditate on scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal His truth to you, you sharpen your weapon. Beloved, pick up your sword and allow the Holy Spirit to make His truth your truth. So when you are confronted, you can boldly say “in the name of Jesus It Is Written.” (Read Matthew 4)

Prayer: Father God, thank You for the power of Your Word. Lord, help me to spend time in Your Word daily so that more of You will develop in me. Father, I seek this to defeat the enemy daily so that I may be counted as one who completed the race in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A sincere thank you to our Daughters of the King Daily Devotional Writers.

Why pray?

• Prayer not only establishes a relationship with God, it is vital to maintaining our relationship with Him. To illustrate, two friends who are in constant communion learn about each other, do things together, and share problems with each other. Thus, the key element of prayer is that it establishes a relationship with God. Abraham experienced this in Genesis 18:16-33.
  
  This is evidenced in the life of Jesus. He constantly went before God in prayer to determine God’s will and direction, resist temptation, ask for courage, discover what His Father in heaven would do, offer thanksgiving, pray for others, etc. Matthew 26:36-39 and Mark 14:34-41 describe Jesus being very distressed about His crucifixion. He brings this matter to His Father, seeking His will.
  
  Other Scriptures have Jesus directing believers to pray. Mark 13:33 tells us to watch and pray, for we do not know when the time will come for His return.
  
  Jesus offers thanks before feeding the crowd in Luke 9:16. In John 11:41-45, Jesus thanks God aloud for hearing His prayer for Lazarus “for the sake of all these people standing here, so they will believe you sent me." John chapter 17 describes Jesus interceding in prayer for his disciples and all believers. John 17:20 says, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony.”
• Prayer is recognizing who God is and offering Him glory, honor, and adoration. Examples of this are found throughout the Bible, especially in the Psalms. Jesus illustrates this in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.
• Prayer is seeking direction from God. In Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus talks about asking, seeking, and knocking, “For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” Jesus encourages us to ask God for things. “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him?”
• The Apostles reflected Jesus’ attitude toward prayer and encouraged and commended prayer in their writings. In Philippians 4:6, Paul tells believers to pray for everything with thanksgiving. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul writes, “Keep on praying.” Prayer, for Paul, is the ultimate lifeline for the believer to God. James 1:5-7 says, “If you need wisdom -- if you want to know what God wants you to do -- ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”

Why pray? Jesus is a prime example of a life lived by prayer that offers relevance, purpose, answers, and most of all, a relationship with God the Father. Jesus prayed wholeheartedly for every move He made, asking God for guidance, leading, and direction. He prayed prayers of thanks, prayers for healing, prayers for His disciples, and prayers for believers -- present and future.

Prayer is essential to fellowship with God. Not just to have our prayers answered by God, nor just because the Scriptures tell us to, though that is reason enough. God is the Father of the entire human race, and God cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7) This means the child of God can pray, ask, and cast all his care upon God, his Father. Paul states in Romans 8:15, when we are His children, adopted into His family, we can begin calling him, "Father, dear Father."

Why Pray? James 5:16 provides another worthwhile answer. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” Why pray? God says it makes quite an impact!

A War For Your Soul-Birmingham version

Very Powerful Video

http://vimeo.com/3658572

Our Father

I am your Father-God. Listen to Me! Learn what it means to be a child of the everlasting King. Your richest duty is devotion to Me. This duty is such a joyous privilege that it feels like a luxury. You tend to feel guilty about pushing back the boundaries of your life to make space for time alone with Me. The world is waiting to squeeze you into its mold and to crowd out time devoted to Me. The ways of the world have also warped your conscience, which punishes you for doing the very thing that pleases Me most: seeking My Face. Listen to Me above the clamor of voices trying to distract you. Ask My Spirit to control your mind, for He and I work in perfect harmony. Be still and attentive in My Presence.You are on holy ground.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
—Isaiah 9:6

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
—Zechariah 9:9 nkjv

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
—Romans 8:15–16

“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
—Exodus 3:5

Educational and Job Opportunities

1.Wake Forest university has an opportunity for minority students to attend its MBA program for FREE, and so far, the response has been very poor. Please pass along this opportunity to your friends, families. This is a great school and a tremendous opportunity to attend a top graduate school. See the details below the contract person is:
Derrick S. Boone, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing, Rm. 3139, Worrell Professional Center, Babcock Graduate School of Management - Wake Forest University - Winston SalemN.C. 27109-8738
email: derrick.boone@mba.wfu.edu or visitwww.wfu.edu
Phone number toll free (866) 925-3622.

2. Black male Teachers needed. Do you know any black Males who are seniors in high school who want to go to college out of state for FREE? The CALL ME MISTER program offered by 4 historical black colleges in South Carolina, Benedict College, Chaflin University, Morris Collegeand South Carolina State University.
Details onlineapplication visitwww.callmemister.clemson.edu/index.htl or
Call 1-800-640-2657.

3. Harvard University is offering free tuition to families of HONOR STUDENTS and their income is less than $125,000 per year.
Visit www.fao.fas.harvard.edu or call 1-617-495-1581.

4. Syracuse University School of Architecture is desperately seeking young women and men of color interested in pursuing a 5 yr. Professional degree in Architecture.
Contact: mark Robbins, Dean School of Architecture, 201 Slocum Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244-1250or go online atwww.soasyr.edu/indes.php

5. A free pair of eyeglasses from Target for any child ages 12 and under brings a valid prescription for glasses from their doctor. You can find stores with optical departments at
www.target.com

6. APPLY NOW - If you have/know young adults between the ages of 18-31 with a High School Diploma. Can earn up to $100,000 and earn benefits. The Federal Aviation Association is taking application for AirTraffic Controller School visit the website at
www.faa.gov/jobs_opportunities/airtrafficcontroller/
 

The Verdict Is In...

Watch: http://vimeo.com/70303281

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. (Jude 1:20-23 NLT)

Come, Sit.

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made….”Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

Canine trainers say that “sit” is the most important command a dog needs to learn.  It is a reminder that the owner is in charge of things and not the dog.  Trainers tell their puppies to sit before they feed them, play and go out the door.  This teaches the growing dog that he must respond to his master and that his own desires are simply not the most important thing in his life.  Not to compare us to dogs, but there is a spiritual principle we can learn from the dog trainer.  Sitting still with the Master requires discipline.  It reminds us that God is in charge and as a growing Christian, the time we sit with the Master is of most importance.  It is in the sitting that our agendas are exchanged for His agendas and we walk away with peace and joy to accomplish all of our daily tasks.  God is not looking for perfect, workaholic, stressed out people like Martha.  He wants some Mary’s.  Choose which is better.  It will make you more productive and effective.

Prayer: Lord, I love you. I thank you that I don’t have to do it all or get it all perfect for you to love me.  Remind me when I get overwhelmed to pause and sit at your feet.  As I listen, I will watch you give me peace and joy to know what to let go of, what can wait and what is important to you, me and the people in my life you call me to serve.  I thank you for teaching me the principle of sitting with you first, even if it is just for a few minutes, it makes me more effective and productive.  In Jesus Name!  Amen.

The Gospel is NOT SPECULATION...IT IS FACT

Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” John 8:31-32

“The gospel is not speculation but fact. It is truth because it is the record of a Person who is the Truth.” – Alexander MacLaren

The truth pill can be hard to swallow at times. The Bible is full of truth. The Christians Jesus is talking to are the ones who attend church, but their faith is not important to them.  Jesus is not the most important person in their lives. They agree with what Jesus taught but they do not allow this to affect their attitudes or their behavior in their daily lives.  Jesus required them to not only read the truth but they had to obey the truth.

When people follow Jesus, they will know the truth because Jesus is the truth. The truth frees us from the results of sins, death and shows us how to have eternal life with God. The truth shows us the ways we deceive ourselves, how other people deceive us and how the devil deceives us.

The freedom Jesus gives us is real freedom. It is not the freedom to do what we want, but the freedom to serve God. Then and only then, we can become the kind of people that God created us to be.

30 Day Challenge: August 1-August 30 2013

WATCH: 30 Day Challenge
K-LOVE challenges you and your friends to listen to nothing but Christian music for 30 days and see how it changes your life! This challenge will run from August 1-August 30 and on August 31 I would love if you would share what God has done in your life during those 30 days! :) The stories will be posted on the blog.

Encouraging Verse:
I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5 NLT

Where are Your Boundaries? Exodus 19

WATCH: http://vimeo.com/69641008

Sermon Notes:

·          Set Boundaries and keep those boundaries and preserve them because they are important

·          You should be saying: “No I am a believer and that doesn’t belong in my life.”

·          How are you different than the world? Where are your fences?

o   Read: Hebrews 13:7

·          We use to have barriers, but now we are just like everyone else.. what’s the difference from when you didn’t have Christ in your life and now?

·          Parents you need to set boundaries for your children, set the standard and remain consistent

·          Setting Boundaries will preserve your family 

You have to have a standard:

• You have to have Personal values (they may not be black and white, stick with the word)
• You have to have Traditional values 
• You have to have Core Values (your integrity, your character, who you really are when people aren't around) Proverbs 4

If you don’t put up boundaries, then you could be on the wrong side of the barrier.

As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. Proverbs 26:11

Lord Jesus Cleanse me and forgive me. I want to be what you have called me to be, Lord allow me to set boundaries in my life and be consistent at upholding them. In Jesus Name Amen

Changes with Women's Release

Hey there Beautiful!!! I hope you had a very exciting weekend with your friends and families for the 4th of July! Until further notice Women's Release will be held once a month on the 2nd Thursday of each and every month. That means this Thursday July 11th Women's release is ON!! I hope to see you at 8 at the Broad Creek Community Center!!!1343 Herbert Collins Way Norfolk, VA 23504 Hope to see you! As always make sure you stop by the blog for your weekly encouragement! 

THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

Daily Devotional

What Your Speech Says About You

By Bishop E. Earl Jenkins
This week's topic: The Power Of The Tongue

You can try to disguise your identity by changing your looks, your social circle and your address -- but how you speak will give you away every time.
It happened to Peter. When a servant girl saw him warming himself by the fire, she said, "'You...were with Jesus of Nazareth.' But he denied it...And the...girl saw him again and began to say to those who stood by, 'This is one of them.' But he denied it again...later those who stood by said to Peter again...'you are one of them...your speech shows it'" (Mk 14:67-70 NKJV). So in order to convince his accusers that he wasn't a friend of Jesus, Peter "began to curse and swear, 'I do not know this Man of whom you speak'" (Mk 14:71 NKJV).

It worked! After that nobody else accused him of knowing Jesus. Isn't it interesting how public profanity, in any language, has a way of making others question the quality of your relationship with Christ?
Paul says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up...that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph 4:29 NIV). If you want to win people to Jesus, start with how you talk. Paul said, "Let your speech always be with grace...that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Col 4:6 NKJV).

Words are powerful things. They build up or tear down, add to or take from.
It's not important that people can tell from your accent where you're from, but when they can't tell by the way you talk that you're Christ's disciple, something's seriously wrong.

Scripture Of The Day: "Let your speech always be with grace...that you may know how you ought to answer each one." - Col 4:6 (NKJV)

“Got Accountability”
Just make sure you are walking with someone that will help you in your commitments (whatever they are) and not people that will encourage you to go against God's word.

Proverbs 13:30 says "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed."

Find yourself an accountability partner, but make sure you use wisdom; don't have a fool holding you accountable! And once you find that person, be open, transparent and totally honest and watch how God will use them to make you a better person!

Scripture Of The Day: "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." - Proverbs 13:20 NASB

Habitual Lateness (Apply in Any Area of Life)

Everyone is late once in a while - flat tires, kids, bad directions. Habitual lateness, however, is unhealthy in the workplace/ministry. Please read the following notes to better understand this issue.

Prayerfully review your own habits as you consider continuing your respective tasks. We are committed to pursuing excellence in all areas, including how we approach our  job/ministry responsibilities.

Habitual Lateness is often a sign of…

Pride

Being late (without a valid reason) communicates, “Your time is not as important as mine,” or, “I don’t need to work as much as you do.” Both are issues of pride. Scripture is very clear on how God feels about pride - He despises it! Pride is often a primary cause of habitual lateness.

• "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled..." Matthew 23:12 (See also Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 16:18, Daniel 4:37 and more…!)

Selfishness

Being late displays our tendency to want to be served, rather than be a servant. “I’ll come once you guys are finished setting up for me,” or, “It doesn’t matter if you guys need me here, I’ll come when I want to.”

• “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Phil 2:3-5; see also vs. 6-11 & Matthew 23:11)

Laziness

Being habitually late may be due to not putting forth the appropriate effort that should be afforded to any act of ministry.

• “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Col 3:23)

Disorder

When others are relying on you and you consistently miss the assigned arrival time, you are impeding the order that is necessary for a service to be effective. People’s lives and souls are at stake.

• “But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40 (Referring to a church/worship setting.)

Disrespect

How we treat others is very important to God. When others are on time and you consistently show up late, you are showing disrespect toward everyone on your team.

Finally, please do not let the tardiness of others influence you. It does NOT matter what anyone else is doing - how you act out your faith and obedience is your responsibility, not anyone else’s.

Thank you for your careful consideration of this issue!

Prayer That Makes A Difference

Prayer That Makes A Difference

Clues to Your Assignment

Declaration:
I am unique, God has his hand on my life. He called me from my mothers womb. I have an assingment from Heaven, it is not a small thing! I will not allow peoples faces, funny faces, mean faces, facebook or anything else stop me from my assingment. I know who I am and I know what God has called me to do. I am not arrogant I'm not proud I just understand that God doesnt want me to be intimidated! He has not given me a spirt of fear, GOD HAS NOT GIVEN ME A SPIRIT OF FEAR, but of Power, of Love, and of a Sound mind. I am going to become an expert in my field, and they will come ask me how HE did it in my life! In Jesus name Amen.

Watch:
Part 1: 
http://vimeo.com/65845453

Part 2:
http://vimeo.com/67338904

Deception of Compromise

Being "in the world, but not of the world" means that we are called to shine brightly for Christ while not compromising our convictions. Luke 4:5-8

http://www.joycemeyer.org/BroadcastHome.aspx?video=Deception_of_Compromise