We Have An Inheritance

Brenda Gittens
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Divide the land among the tribes in proportion to their populations, as indicated by the census." (Numbers 26:52-53).

Every ten years the census conducted is to count the population of the United States and they need information from us to describe our families, households, and communities. I thought about the census that was taken in the book of Numbers, the results of it, and what the descendants from the twelve tribes of Israel were granted by God. They received an inheritance back then, and we as His people today have received one, because we're counted in "God's Census."

God required that every man in Israel be counted, because each family was entitled to an inheritance. And when they died, it would only go to their sons. Take notice, a female receiving it was unheard of until these five. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, were the daughters of a man who died in the wilderness named Zelophehad who was a son, grandson, and three-time great-grandson, but he had no sons of his own.

These sisters called a meeting with Moses, Elezar the priest, the tribal leaders, and the entire community to say that they should receive their father's inheritance. "Why should the name of our father disappear just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives." (Numbers 27:4). So Moses took the sisters case before the Lord and it was granted for them!

This was a decision of the Lord, and what a breakthrough for women also! And the LORD replied to Moses, "The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You must give them an inheritance of land along with their father's relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father." (Numbers 27:6-7).

The Lord's granting of the allotments of land as an inheritance, showed His goodness and justice to His people. Today, He still demonstrates His goodness to believers, by granting us eternal life. And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (1 John 5:11). And Paul lets us know that God has qualified us for our share.

"May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light." (Colossians 1:11-12). This right here ought to be enough for all of us to rejoice in, no matter what the economy looks like, or who backs the stimulus package!

WE HAVE AN INHERITANCE!

PRAYER: Lord God, You are a wise and kind God. You extend Your goodness to Your people both now and in time past. We thank You for counting us among Your people, Hallelujah, and we praise You Lord for granting us an inheritance, the gift of eternal life through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [a]
2 I will say [b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

Light of the World

Generational Blessings

Robin Ware
I thank God daily for my family. I thank God for the blessings that come with having my family name. Being in ministry, I often speak with troubled people that tell me they hate being in their family. They share stories that would make a best selling fiction book. Sounds crazy but that's the reality of more people than you think.

When I was growing up, my grandmother and mother used to tell me that I was blessed with good genes. I really didn't believe them because I didn't fit the image of a "pretty girl" as depicted in media. I associated good genes with looking a certain way. I've always been pleasantly plump and had thick legs. I can remember telling my grandmother that I wanted to be skinny so I could get married one day and she told me to focus on my books and I could marry anybody I wanted.

She told me that I was from a line of powerful women. She told me that the women in our family were smart, beautiful and loved by the Lord. Wow! These conversations have molded my thinking to this day.

When I think of generational blessings I can't help but to think about the relationship blessings in my family. My grandparents were married were over 60 years before they died. My mother and father celebrated 50 years of marriage this year. Unfortunately, I must be transparent and tell you that that I made an unwise decision and married someone that came from a family that was a direct opposite of mine.

The statement of "when you marry someone, you marry their family" is very true. You marry everything that comes with them - curses included. I thank God that I got out of that relationship within a year and my life hasn't skipped a beat. I declare, that blessing still is on my life.

In Psalm 103: 17-18, the Bible declares that "from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts."

You can leave your children with an inheritance of generational blessings when we fear the Lord and keep His commandments. It is your responsibility to make sure your family has "good genes". Your legacy depends on it.

Promises Of The Father

Dr. Zachary Tims, Jr.
In Acts 1:1-4, Jesus lovingly encouraged His disciples before He ascended into heaven. "...And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father..."

God is a covenant keeping God. He will keep his promises and the assurance of his Word over your life forever. When Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, it was time for Him to go to the Father in Heaven and be seated at the right side of His throne (Hebrews 1:3).

Jesus told them in John 14:18, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." His divine preparation for the future of the church relied on instilling confidence and assurance in these disciples. Although the Holy Spirit had not yet come, Jesus wanted to let them know they would not go on without His help. He would be with them always.

Jesus, couldn't be everywhere at all times when he was on this earth. He took on human character which had finite limitations. But the promise of the Father, through the Holy Spirit, made Christ able to minister to us everywhere. He is making intercession for the saints of God while we are at work, to our children while they are in school, covering the lives of our spouses on the other side of town, even our mothers and brothers in far away states.

Yes, He is everywhere and ever making intercession from heaven's vantage point. What does this mean for the church today? It simply means that God has your BACK!

It means that the Fatherhood of God covers and keeps us protected under His divine plan for our lives. As Jesus Christ has ascended into Heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father, He is still working on our behalf, praying for us and helping us. He sees the adversities, the trials of life, and how the devil is attacking us.

We don't have to quit, give up, or fall short of the glory because by faith, we can stand the heat and we don't buckle under the pressure or throw in the towel by backsliding. Sometimes it feels like God is not there and we feel forsaken. Remember that God was there with the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace. Although he wasn't revealed until the heat was at its highest, God will also be the fourth Man in our fiery furnaces of affliction.

We cannot live by feelings, therefore we must live by faith.

A good parent starts to prepare dinner for their children when anticipating a time when they will be hungry. Yes, we can believe God is in the kitchen getting things together. He has our best interest in mind. He won't let the enemy destroy us, no matter what it seems like, or how distressed our situation may get. He won't hide from you like some people do when you are going through. People will leave you but not Jesus Christ. He will not leave you comfortless.

In closing, how do we know Jesus is praying for us? We should not be alive today. We deserved to go to hell for our sins. We shouldn't have made it this far. Through all His sacrifice and suffering on our behalf, He gave us the saving grace to be saved, sanctified and set free. Just keep your faith alive, read the promises in the Bible, mark them out for your personal affirmations and declare them over your life daily.

As you keep moving forward and pressing your way, God has your back. No matter what season of life you are in now, the key is to wait, because God will not leave you alone.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31.

Matthew 7:7-14

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Thoughts For the Unemployed

Change Your Focus

Give praise. Take your mind off your life's challenges and shift your focus toward good thoughts and attaining a new job.

Affirmation: I love you God and welcome you into my heart. Thank you for blessing me with a new job.

Tip: For many of your affirmations, affirm as though you have already been blessed with what you are asking for.

Put Yourself in a State of Gratitude

Take a moment and reflect on all the good things in your life and give thanks. Change your thinking from lack to thanks.

Affirmation: Thank you God, you give me power, comfort and strength while I find a new job.

Tip: Affirmations without taking action are just wishes. Take steps forward every day to find a new job and give thanks for everything during the day. There is nothing too small to give thanks for. For example, thank God for the beautiful day, a smile, a kind word, not to mention your health, family, etc.

Connected with Your Higher Power--From Whom All Blessings Flow

Feel God's presence and know that God is within you right now, and that you are connected with God.

Affirmation: God, you are within me right now and you are helping me through my job search and helping me find the perfect job for me.

Tip: When using affirmations, don't beg. Instead, talk as though you are talking with your best friend. Talk and affirm positively, and know that you are loved.

It's Okay to Be Blessed with a New Job

God wants the very best for you..."whatever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive."

Affirmation: I am being led on the right path for me today for finding a new job, leaving all the details to God…I am blessed.

Tip: Some people believe for some reason they don't deserve blessings -- throw this idea out once and for all! You are a good person. You are loved. You deserve to be blessed, so ask to be blessed in prayer, believe you'll be blessed, and you will receive blessings!

Be On the Lookout for "Messengers" and Blessings

Be alert to messengers and events that have been sent your way to help you receive the blessings you desire, which includes helping you through the entire process of your re-employment.

Affirmation: God, because I see you everywhere, I easily recognize it when you are reaching out to bless me. I take continuous action and leave no stone unturned.

Tip: Set a goal. Have a clear picture of the job you want. Put your re-employment goals in writing. There are studies that report that those who put their goals in writing achieve dramatically better results than those who don't. So write down your re-employment affirmations in a journal along with your re-employment goals, and then take ACTION!

Bless and Love Others

"Love your neighbor as you would love yourself". When you are out of a job it's easy to feel very alone and isolated in your negative situation. Again, it's crucial that you maintain a positive mental attitude, and an easy way to do this is to say short, loving affirmations, blessing others.

Affirmation: I love and bless my family and friends. I love and bless all those who are in need of love, comfort and strength.

Tip: Decide to live in the now. Don't fret about the past, don't worry about the future. Don't go through your re-employment alone. Connect with family, friends, people you've worked with in the past, community services and your spiritual circle.

Use Your Talents

Whatever you put into the universe will come back to you ten-fold. You have special gifts. Reflect on these gifts and how they can help others. Be open to a completely different career; maybe a move to a new location. With every adversity there is the seed of an equal or greater benefit.

Affirmation: God, work through me now and help me do your good works. The more I help others, and do your good work, the more blessings I attract into my life.

Tip: While looking for a new job, stay active. Volunteer. Help others. It's the right thing to do and your volunteer work may very well connect you to a person or event that will help you become re-employed.

Moving Forward

Tanya James

While we celebrated Father's Day this past weekend, there were many people upset, depressed, bitter and/or hurt because of their relationships (or lack of) with their fathers. This holiday may bring up old feelings and issues that have never been handled, just buried.

Unfortunately, often times when a person has experienced a bad relationship with their natural father, it's hard for them to fully grasp the love of their Heavenly Father. And that's quite understandable that if the man that stands before you has not demonstrated a father's love - why it would be difficult to understand why God, who you have never seen face to face would be any different.

However, if you are one of those people who don't have a "father-child" relationship for whatever reason - they were not around, you never knew who they were, they were abusive, they died at a young age ... whatever the case may be ... I admonish you to make a decision now to finally let it go. No longer allow it to dictate your life. No, you may not be able to change what has happened but you can change how it affects the rest of your life.

You have the ability and the strength from God to take a stand and say, "no more." Choose to forgive, so that you can move forward.

"Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." Colossians 3:13
Choose to no longer be trapped in a "self-pity" box blaming all your woes on what your father did or did not do. Choose to destroy that crutch and live a joyous life regardless of your past.

"Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

More importantly, choose to allow God to show you what an awesome father HE is - one that loves unconditionally and has only your best interest at heart. God will never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

He has already equipped you with everything you need to step out on faith and in His strength to overcome the pain and no longer allow yourself to be a victim of circumstance!

And to those who grew up with incredible, supportive and encouraging fathers don't miss the opportunity to tell them how much you appreciate them, not just on Father's Day, but every chance you get!



Founder and president of The Master Plan, Tanya James is the author of From Promiscuity to Proverbs 31: Getting Off the Fence of Sexual Immorality. For more information about Tanya, log onto www.armedanddangerous.biz or www.themasterplan.biz.

Men, Lead The Way

Pastor Bryan Crute


I am convinced that men must understand their role within a Godly home. In the book of Genesis it says, "Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it" - Genesis 2:15 (NASB).

God's original intent for man was to give him a role as a CULTIVATOR and CARETAKER. A cultivator is one who fosters growth and who improves things with care--in other words--as men we are to foster growth in our homes and provide care for our spouses, children and families. That's the bigger picture.

Three specific tasks that will successfully contribute in your role as a daily cultivator and caretaker...

1. Men must GUARD the goods in their homes by providing consistent prayer, along with physical and emotional protection. The Bible says in Ezekiel 22:30, "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I have found none."

What an indictment! The Lord is looking for men who will build their families and stand before Him in the gap for their spouses and children. My question for you is, "Does God find you doing that daily?" As cultivators and caretakers, we should guard our homes by providing (1) consistent prayer (not just praying over dinner but leading the charge in covering our families with prayer) and (2) physical and emotional protection.

We should protect both physically (which most men have no problem doing) but also emotionally. Be a man who doesn't abuse his wife and children but knows how to cover and care for them in an emotionally healthy way.

2. Men must GUIDE the growth of their families by promoting Godly values. We lead by example NOT by word only! God told Moses in the book of Deuteronomy, "But as for you, stand here by Me, that I may speak to you all the commandments and the statutes and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I gave them to possess." Deuteronomy 5:31 (NASB).

Moses stayed close to God and in return was able to be promoted and disseminated Godly values to the 'family' of Israel. So, as cultivators and caretakers, we must guide the growth of our families by promoting values that we get directly from our intimate relationship with our Father.

3. Men must GOVERN their gold by prospering with integrity. "Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful" I Corinthians 4:2 (KJV) says. It's not ok to prosper the world's way as men of God. As cultivators and caretakers of our families, it is a man's responsibility to wisely govern all that God has entrusted to him.

As you grow in prosperity (richer relationships with your spouse and children; more money in the bank; more responsibility on your job), it's imperative that you grow in integrity. Integrity is simply doing things the way that God would. In governing the gold, remember what Proverbs says, "Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all your income, and He will fill your barns... to overflow" Proverbs 3:9-10 (LB). And don't forget that, "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it" Proverbs 10:22 (KJV) says.

If we operate by these three principles as committed cultivators and caretakers, then we'll see God bless us as men and we will have no problem leading the way as heads of our homes.

Ever Present

Aqualyn Toi Jones

Every day in America 4,184 babies are born to unmarried mothers (State of America’s Children 2008 Report). Of that number over 1,000 of them are born to teenage moms. Today, over 40% of our children grow up in a home without a father.

My heart goes out to children who grow up without fathers in the home. I’m the quintessential “Daddy’s Girl.” I can’t think of a time when my father wasn’t physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially present in my life. From Thanksgiving Day parades to teaching me to ride a bike and drive. In moments of despair and moments of celebration. He has always been there. Just like another father I know.

Thankfully, we all have a Father in God on whom we can depend. One who promises to never leave or forsake us. One who knows everything about us and yet, still loves us the same.

It’s somewhat easy for me to believe that Father God is concerned about me – that He has plans for my life. I’ve had a biological father who is a great example of that. I can believe that God loves me because I believe that my father loves me. I believe that Father God accepts me as I am because my Dad continues to do that in my adulthood.

Whether we realize it or not, we often transfer our beliefs, disappointments, and thoughts about our biological fathers onto our Heavenly Father. It’s hard to believe that Father God is for me when I didn’t feel that my father was for me. It’s hard to see God as trustworthy when I wasn’t able to trust in my earthly father. If my concept of fathers has been damaged or unstable, my relationship with God will reflect some of that uncertainty.

Fathers have to be ever-present. Children never outgrow the love, affection, and discipline that fathers provide. Regardless of our age, we find peace in knowing that our fathers are still present. Long after we’ve moved out on our own. Long after we’ve obtained a job and can afford to take care of ourselves. We still need you. We always have and we always will.

Let us first question what it is we feel in our hearts towards our fathers. Then, let’s not be afraid to admit what we find there. And if we find some damage and broken areas, let’s take the steps that are necessary to heal. Then, let us ask that same question in regards to our Father God?

What we find there may surprise us but there is nothing too hard for God.

Dreaming For Your Kids

Ron Luce

And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. - Joel 2:28

We hear Joel 2:28 in church and think about how revival needs to come to the younger generation. But, instead of concentrating on that part of Joel 2:28, I want to draw your attention to the "old men will dream dreams" phrase.

I used to overlook that part of the verse most of the time, thinking, "I'm not going to be old for a long time yet, so I'm not going to talk or think much about the old men dreaming dreams." But it is the older people in our society who dream dreams for the younger generation; and so it must be the parents who dream dreams for their children.

They Didn't Ask for This Garbage

Looking at the culture barrage hammering our teens, whether it's what is sold to them, written to them--movies and music--or the point-and-click pornography available to them, there is one thing we can all agree on: Our children are not the ones who invented these things.

Just about every one of these social influences, media entertainment, technological inventions or opportunities on the Web destroying kids, have been dreamed up by the older generation. These older dreamers prey on young people because they have plenty of money. They appeal to young people's most corrupt desires to get them to empty their pockets.

The fact is, the kids didn't ask for this garbage; they were sold it by people trying to make a lot of money without any thought to moral consequences. Of course they will tell us, "If people didn't buy it, we wouldn't make it" as if it's a moral obligation to sell people things that will destroy them just because they buy it.

Here's the question: Are we not dreamers? Cannot we, the people who love God, dream a dream for the young people in our churches? Is it only the secular culture that has a dream for our children?

You can protect your kids from the disaster of being shaped by a confused generation of adults selling media, but it will take deliberation. It will take sweat. It will require emotional and mental engagement with your kids, starting when they are at a very young age.

Dream for Your Kids

Dream a dream for your kids. You can determine if they will be entertainment oriented or service-to-others oriented; constantly appeasing the flesh and desiring the next thing to engage and tantalize them, or those men and women who lay down their lives as a sacrifice for others? As you dream for your kids teach them how to think critically and pursue growth in their relationship with the Lord. If you sacrifice now, you'll reap a blessing for the rest of your life; and the world will never be the same.

Not only must we be the dreamers, but we must also teach our kids to be the dreamers for their own generation. These will soon to become the leaders who will soon determine the culture and morals of America. You can help them get a vision of how God could use them to change their generation and make a difference in the world.

Every time we allow our kids to watch, see, feel, touch and embrace this culture, they become a part of a dream belonging to someone else. The fact is, we must either be the dreamers or we will be a part of somebody else's dream.

Merely giving birth does not make you a parent. Sacrificing while your children are small, laying down your "deserved" freedoms and deeply thinking about how you're shaping your children will ensure their lifelong freedom from the chains of slavery to our culture. It's called loving your children.

It's called being a parent.

May God Bless You

Reaching Our Children

Elder Marquis Boone
"Young people are tormented by loneliness, saturated by sex, fascinated with the dark side of the supernatural and prone to suicide. We cannot abandon them. We must reach them." - Ron Hutchcraft

So many things define this generation but the one that stands out is loneliness; which runs deep. They are home alone,; and are raised by their music, television, and video games. They will do anything to get a loving feeling, even if only for one night. A lot of what's going on sexually isn't about biology; it's about feeling close to someone for a few minutes.

With today's youth having so many labels placed on them such as "Generation X", "The Lost Generation", "Generation Me", "ghetto", "alley" and many more names; it has been said that the generations prior have dropped the ball and let our community down. Yes, the ball has been dropped, but it is not our duty to ponder on who dropped it; it is our duty to pick it back up and run with it.

I don't think that this generation is lost, but that the people who are trying to reach them are lost. I say this because many don't know how to minister to them. We must minister to our children on their level and love them until they change.

So how do we reach our children today? How do we as parents and church family take back our youth from the streets, destruction, youth pregnancy and disease, disrespectfulness, promiscuity, and from the hands of Satan himself? Here are a few things:

1. A sense of realness. Our children need to know that we too are real, struggle, and have been where they are.
2. Learn to listen. We have to listen so that we can find out where young people are today. Don't just speak to the head without addressing the heart.
3. Speak their language. Young people are interested to know if you can identify on their level and within their cultural framework, while not distorting God's truth.
4. Just be yourself. Don't think you have to be something you are not in order to reach youth. Let God's truth, love and grace come through the personality He has gifted you with.
5. Pray. Prayerful people are able to minister to youth with the power of God's hand upon them.
6. Speak life. Young people often think that life is pointless, has little meaning, and wonder why they are here. We can't approach them by saying words like you are worthless. We have to speak life.
7. Spend time. Children trust and open up when they have spent ample time with a person. When you spend no time with them you will not have the key to their heart. That's why many say to children "why didn't you tell me?" or "you know you can talk to me about anything", but they never open up because you never spend time with them.

These are just a few things for thought that may help us reach our children. Always remember:

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity". 1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV)

To Reach Them Is To Love Them

Lisa Birch
I visited my 7-year-old's class for a special parent program. I entered the room to see a bunch of smiling faces, children and adults. But my eyes couldn't help but be drawn to one little boy who was crying quietly but intensely.

The teacher said a few things to him, but the boy continued to cry uncontrollably. I noticed there wasn't an adult with him, but he wasn't the only child without family represented. Surely something else was wrong, I thought. Then another parent confirmed what I suspected. He wanted his mom there.

My heart just couldn't let me stay in one spot and enjoy my son who was beaming with his mother by his side. I walked across the room, moved the little boy's chair next to me and my son, and I embraced him until he stopped crying.

I watched and cheered my son during his performance with the other kids, while the little boy stayed close to me with a tissue box. He never participated in the student presentation; he couldn't pull himself together. But after only a few minutes of compassion and a prolonged hug, the little boy eventually calmed down. Tears soon dried up and he slowly began to catch his breath. Finally, I felt him exhale deeply.

What surprised me is that out of all the adults in the room--moms, dads, grandparents and Aunts--nobody reached out to comfort the little guy beyond a tap on the shoulder or a few nice words. He was crying so hard he obviously needed a hug, and not a quick one.

I wondered if the boy's parents had a clue of how much their absence affected him that morning. Sure I started to judge, but then I got a spirit check. Yes, I'm fortunate to have a flexible schedule now, but it hasn't always been that way. I totally understand the obligations of work, and I also realize emergencies happen at the worst times. But I also know that if I'm not able to show up to support my child and he's distraught about it, I sure would want someone who genuinely cares to step in, help him get over it, and let him know it will be ok.

Some will say that I took precious time and attention away from my own son that morning by not totally focusing on him. But I say that I added double value to his life by not only being there for him but also being there for another child in need. If my son doesn't fully get it now, he will get it--and appreciate it--one day.

I know our world is crazy and we can barely love on other children without paranoia setting in. But God is love, and He requires us to love each other--especially His children.

So I really didn't care as those adult eyes gawked at me for responding the way I did. As parents, we can't always rise to the occasion. It truly does take a village to raise a child. But how will we ever reach our children to raise them right if it's taboo for someone other than the parent to show them love?



Publisher of Vertical Fix online magazine, Lisa Birch has a passion for music with integrity. Along with her husband Chris, Lisa is the co-founder of Vertical Fix internet radio. A 15-year writer and editor, Lisa has contributed writings for corporate, creative, editorial and several ministerial environments. For more information about Lisa, log onto www.verticalfix.com.

Praise

ON THE BEATITUDES

ON THE BEATITUDES


"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Poor in spirit" means to be humble. Humility is the realization that all your gifts and blessings come from the grace of God. To have poverty of spirit means to be completely empty and open to the Word of God. When we are an empty cup and devoid of pride, we are humble. Humility brings an openness and an inner peace, allowing one to do the will of God.

It is pride, the opposite of humility, that brings misery. For pride brings anger and the seeking of revenge, especially when one is offended. If every man were humble and poor in spirit, there would be no war!


"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
If we are humble and appreciate that all of our gifts and blessings come from God, we grow in love and gratitude for Jesus Christ our Savior. But this can only produce mourning and regret over our own sins and the sins of this world, for we have hurt the one who has been so good to us.

St. Gregory describes another reason to mourn: the more one ascends in meditation of Divine Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, and then realize the poverty of human nature, man can only be left in sorrow. When one contemplates that we were made in the image and likeness of God and lived in Paradise, the Garden of Eden, and compare that to our present state after the Fall, one can only mourn our present condition. But the sentence continues that they shall be comforted, by the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, and hopefully one day in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Mourning in this context is called a blessing, because mourning our fallen nature creates in us a desire to improve ourselves and to do what is right!


"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
St. Gregory of Nyssa taught that the Beatitudes build one upon another. A humble person becomes meek, or becomes gentle and kind, and exhibits a docility of spirit, even in the face of adversity and hardship. St. Augustine advises us to be meek in the face of the Lord, and not resist but be obedient to him. Obedience and submission to the will of God are certainly not in vogue these days, but they will bring one peace in this world and in the next.


"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
A continuous desire for justice and moral perfection will lead one to a fulfillment of that desire - a transition and conversion to holiness. This is true for all the virtues - if you hunger and thirst for temperance, you will head towards the goal you have in mind. St. Augustine, in his discourse on the Lord's Sermon on the Mount, notes the correspondence of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and their necessity in fulfilling the Beatitudes. For example, one must have the gift of fortitude so one may be courageous in seeking justice.


"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
Mercy is the loving disposition towards those who suffer distress. Love, compassion, and forgiveness towards one's neighbor will bring peace in your relationships. We say in the Lord's Prayer: Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. As we are merciful to others, so our Heavenly Father will be merciful with us! Jesus reminds us that whatever "you did to the least of my brethren, you did it to me (Matthew 25:31-46)." St. Paul calls for the obedience of faith in the beginning and end of his Letter to the Romans (1:5, 16:25-27). The following are ways to be merciful to your neighbor, as well as obedient in faith to Christ our Savior.

The Corporal Works of Mercy
1 Feed the Hungry
2 Give drink to the thirsty
3 Clothe the naked
4 Shelter the homeless
5 Comfort the imprisoned
6 Visit the sick
7 Bury the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy
1 Admonish sinners
2 Instruct the uninformed
3 Counsel the doubtful
4 Comfort the sorrowful
5 Be patient with those in error
6 Forgive offenses
7 Pray for the living and the dead


"Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God."
Moses (Exodus 33:20), John (1:18), and Paul (1Timothy 6:16) all say that no one can see God here on earth! But Jesus says the pure of heart shall see God! To be pure of heart means to be free of all selfish intentions and self-seeking desires. What a beautiful goal! How many times have any of us performed an act perfectly free of any personal gain? Such an act is pure love. An act of pure and selfless giving brings happiness to all.


"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."
Peacemakers not only live peaceful lives but also try to bring peace and friendship to others, and to preserve peace between God and man. St. Gregory of Nyssa calls a peacemaker a man who brings peace to another; but one cannot give another what one does not possess oneself. Hence the Lord wants you first to be yourself filled with the blessings of peace and then to communicate it to those who have need of it. By imitating God's love of man, the peacemakers become children of God.


"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."
Jesus said many times that those who follow Him will be persecuted. "If they persecute me, they will persecute you" (John 15:20-21). Stephen, Peter and Paul, nearly all of the Apostles, and many Christians in the Roman era suffered martyrdom. The twentieth century with its two World Wars has seen its share of martyrs such as Maximilian Kolbe, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and the Central American martyrs. But the Lord promised those that suffer for his sake will be rewarded with the Kingdom of Heaven!



Jesus
Mary
The Bible



REFERENCES

1 The Navarre RSV Holy Bible. Four Courts Press, Dublin, Ireland, 2001-2005.
2 St. Gregory of Nyssa. The Lord's Prayer and The Beatitudes. Ancient Christian Writers, Paulist Press, Mahwah, New Jersey.
3 St. Augustine. The Lord's Sermon on the Mount. Ancient Christian Writers, Paulist Press, Mahwah, New Jersey.
4 Pope John Paul II. The Splendor of Truth, the encyclical Veritatis Splendor. Pauline Books & Media, Boston, 1993.
5 Pope Benedict XVl. Jesus of Nazareth. Doubleday, New York, 2007.
6 Brown RE, Fitzmeyer JA, Murphy RE (eds): The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990.
7 Spielvogel JJ. Western Civilization, Sixth Edition, Thomson Wadsworth, Belmont, California, 2006.

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10

Psalm 27

Psalm 27
Of David.


1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.

13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Time to Take a Stand

Time to Take a Stand


Tanya James
A few days ago, I picked up a copy of a local community paper and was delighted to see a positive story about families. They highlighted a few local fathers that made family priority in their lives ... it was such a great change from what we usually see in media about family.

Unfortunately, it has become the norm to read about broken families, abusive parents, dead beat dads, alcoholic moms and unruly children. What's even more unfortunate is we see this just as much in the Body of Christ as we do outside.

So what do we do as Christians? Do we sit back and allow this to continue and just accept it as the way things are? Or do we take a stand and work to put family back in its proper God ordained order? The Bible equips us with the needed guidelines for families to come together as a strong unit ... the question is ... will we follow those guidelines?

Here are just a few ...

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her with the washing of water by the word that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing that she should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25 - 27

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord." Ephesians 5:22 Colossians 3:21 Ephesians 6:1-3

"Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord." Colossians 3:20

"Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."

If we began to follow these and all the other family guidelines outlined in the Bible - can you imagine the changes we would see in our family structures? The Body of Christ could finally become the standard instead of following what the world says the standard is.

As strong family units, we would be able to live a life filled with joy and peace knowing that even when storms arise, we are surrounded with a support system in place to help us get through it. We would be able to share Christ with unbelievers through our actions and not just our words ...which is always more powerful of a testimony anyway.

And the best part about God is ... it doesn't matter how messed up things may seem within your family today ... if you turn it over to HIM ... He will meet you right where you are and show you how to rebuild your current situation.

It's not too late ... and things are not too screwed up ...nothing is too big for our God. We just have to make the decision that it's time to take a stand for families and build according to God's direction and instruction.

Give Thanks

Tell a friend or loved one a story about something for which you are grateful. Don’t be surprised to find yourself smiling by the end of that story.

How to Walk in Your Blessings as a Family

How to Walk in Your Blessings as a Family

Dr. Betty R. Price
The Christian life is an awesome, wonderful experience, but you have to grow up in your Christian walk. So many Christians want to grow up too fast and so they miss out; they let go of their faith confession before their blessings ever materialize. Jesus says in John 14:21-24:

21 He who has My commandments [that's His Word] and keeps them, [that means to obey them], it is he who loves Me. And he who loves me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him [if you want to know Jesus].

22 Judas, [not Iscariot] said to Him, Lord how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world?

23 Jesus answered and said to him, if anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word and My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him.

24 he who does not love Me does not keep My Word and the Word which you hear is not mine but the Father which sent Me.

Jesus said if you love Him, you will keep His Word. That's the way you get to know Him; you get to know what He's all about. The Word of God must be received into your spirit first. At this point the manifestations are not yet received, but you have to believe the Word and act on it by faith. Then you will receive the promises of God by faith. Jesus and the Word are one according to Ephesians 3:14-21:

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named [we are family],

16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height;

19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Now the way you accomplish this by being filled with the Holy Spirit. You must build yourself up in the inner man by praying in the Holy Spirit and spending time in God's Word. These things cause your spirit man to grow. Your spirit man needs to grow in order to get your spiritual blessings out of the spirit realm into the material of physical realm.

First, you must find out what He says about marriage, children, finances, peace and all that is yours in the spirit realm. Secondly, you have to use your faith to bring these things out of the spirit realm into the material realm. Keep in mind that whatever His Word is saying to you and you act on, that's Jesus dwelling in your heart by faith. You receive it by faith before it is materialized.

You see, if God is dwelling in your hearts by faith (through the Word) then you'll know the love of God. You'll be rooted and grounded in love, and then it says you'll "...be able to comprehend or come to know what is the width, length, depth and height... of His fullness..." Until you start walking in God's Word you can't even imagine how awesome these blessings really are.

We have experienced that as a family as we have given our lives to Jesus Christ, but we had to learn this information like everybody else. We had hard times like everybody else, but we stayed with God. We didn't know that much in the beginning of our Christian life, but because we had Jesus Christ and we would read and see the things that He would do, well we were able to put up with each other until we learned better. I can tell you this, if we had not had Jesus at the center of our lives, we might not be here right now.

Psalm 112 is my favorite family chapter, and if you follow this you will have a blessed family too. Verses 1-3 read:

1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments.

2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever.

We live by this and we have proven that this Word works. These blessings were once in the spirit realm and now we have brought them into our physical lives. And, you can too if you will get this Word in you and then do the Word to the best of your ability.

Are You A Big Deal?

Are You A Big Deal?
Cindy Beall


To your family, that is.

Sure, people may know you. They may know about you. They may be aware of something fancy you did. That's all fine and good. There's nothing wrong with people thinking you are special.

But when you walk through the door to the place where you call home, do the people who live with you think you hung the moon? When you go visit your parents, sibling, nieces or nephews, do they smile when they see your face? When you kiss your spouse at the end of the day, do they know they are loved?

Today is my firstborn's 10th birthday. Before he entered my world in 1999, I had no idea how unexplainable and unimaginable the love I'd have for him would be. It is truly something that I wouldn't trade for anything.

It doesn't matter how many people read my blog. It doesn't matter if someone thinks I've hung the moon because I extended forgiveness. It doesn't matter if someone enjoys my company. It doesn't matter if I shared something with a group and they had an a-ha moment.

While I like that people read my blog and think I'm nice and enjoy my company and think that I have something important to say, there is one thing that is more important.

My family. I want to be a big deal to them.

Peace

Family Matters

Bishop Vashti McKenzie

Light, color, sound, images, music and movement came together in a creative documentary motion picture entitled The March of the Penguins. It was a surprise box office success a few years ago.

What seemed just like a Discovery Channel or National Geographic type of presentation turned out to be very instructive in many ways. It showed the importance of family. It showed that family matters.

The March of the Penguins shows the journey of the Emperor penguins marching single file across the frozen wilderness from the seas to their mating area 70 miles away. The emperors persistently waddle through the blowing snow. They go through an elaborate courtship of dances and songs. The couples unite and the female lays one egg.

The female returns to the sea for fish to eat, while the male sits on the egg for 120 days. The male penguin does this without food. Upon the return of the female emperor, the male takes his turn to journey to the sea for food. Finally, both parents leave the chick. They will not return until the ice melts as summer approaches. The sea is now close enough for the baby chick to make the journey and begin a life in the sea for the next four years. Then the journey begins all over again. The mature penguin returns to march to the mating grounds and procreate.

Lesson #1: If God can take care of these birds, then God can also take care of us. If God counts the hairs on our head, knows when a sparrow falls, and designs perfectly individual fingerprints, then God surely is able.

Any number of natural hazards could prematurely end the journey. The family could fall prey to hungry predators. This is true for the human family, as well as the emperor penguin. Natural disasters, physical and spiritual enemies, as well as the sheer magnitude of bringing children into the world and seeing them to maturity, could cut the journey short.

Lesson #2: It takes everyone, both male and female to make survival work. There is and interrelatedness and interdependent relationship to this survival. We tend to refer to this lesson as it takes a whole village to raise a child. In our cultural context, both parents may not be present to participate, that's when the church, community and friend network pitch in to help our young chicks make maturity.

Lesson #3: Our creator is an excellent choreographer. "For to everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; God has put a sense of past and future (eternity) into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know there is nothing better for them to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God's gift that all should eat drink and take pleasure in all their toil." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2; 11b-13.)

There was a season for everything. A season to march, dance and sing. A season where all you can do is to sit and wait. There is a season for each penguin to become the sole breadwinner or fish retriever. There is the season to trust God to look after the chick the same way we trust God when we send our children to school or to the store, or when they take the family car alone for the first time. There is a season to take the chicks to the sea to teach them to fish for themselves, until it is time for them to return to the mating grounds.

In a bleak harsh environment, the emperor penguins manage to make family. In the harsh uncertain environment of the 21st century, we must make family, the Lord being our helper!

God's Guidance

God's Guidance
Tanya James


So often when crisis occur or when we find ourselves at a crossroad and need to make a decision about something - we begin trying to reach out to people for advice. We call our spouses, our friends, our siblings ...sometimes we may even talk to our co-workers. We do all of this in hopes of discovering the correct path to take in a given situation.

So we get the advice, and things take a turn for the worst, and then we sometimes even get a little upset with the one we received advice from - as if it their fault things worked out the way they did.

I have news for you ... it's time to seek the "Master Guider" of our lives. Who better to seek counsel and guidance from than our Creator? No longer do you need to call and email everyone in your address book when you have a problem. No longer do you have to dump your burdens on your loved ones to find relief.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord ..." Psalm 37:23a
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you ..." Psalm 55:22a
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105
"Direct my steps by your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me." Psalm 119:133

God wants you to trust Him with your whole heart. You shouldn't feel the need to pick and chose what you take to Him. There is no issue too big or too small.

One of the best parts of going to God for me is how He is always available. I can remember times when I was going through certain things and it seemed like I couldn't reach anyone by phone, text or email. It was at those times, that I began to depend on God for the guidance I needed. And in time, I didn't go to Him as the last resort but instead He is the first place I turn. To the point now when crisis has come and gone and people find out about it - I often hear, "I had no idea that was going on" or "You should have called me."

We have to learn to look up, when things look down ...you can NOT go wrong when you receive your guidance from the Lord.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3: 5-6

Direction, Not Intention

Direction, Not Intention

Milan Ford


This past weekend, my wife and I took our kids on a road trip to Washington D.C. to attend the high school graduation of their uncle. As the parents of two daughters (ages 3 and 2), and a 6 month old baby boy, I'm sure you can imagine just how difficult that road trip was for us.

If it wasn't for our children's godmother (who came along with us), we would have certainly had to check into a psychiatric ward once we got back.

During this trip, I learned a few things about myself that I hope (after reading this) will help radically reshape the way you and I have long perceived the direction and path God may be leading us to follow.

My wife and I go absolutely nowhere without our GPS system. From locating the nearest restaurants and gas stations, to discovering what roads and highways serve as the best shortcuts, our GPS has been like a distant cousin to us both. So much so we gave it a name: Anne.

Although we had been to D.C. a few times before, navigating in and around the city has always been a daunting task. Not only are the multiple Beltway interstates (I-95, I-295, I-395 & I-66) a never ending maze, the number of two-way streets that turn into one-way roads will make your head spin. So needless to say, having Anne around with us on this trip was extremely vital.

On the morning we were set to return, I had the bright idea of stopping through downtown to take some pics of the family in front of a few monuments; been a big fan of them ever since I was a kid.

We packed up the car, fastened all the kids in their seats, and then took our favorite person in the whole wide world (Anne) out of the glove compartment. I turned her on, overwhelmed with joy to begin entering in the addresses for the monuments we wanted to visit before leaving town. But suddenly, my joy quickly turned into shock as Anne uttered these four very frightening words:

Unable To Locate Satellite.

This message from Anne was something (I'll admit) I had seen once or twice before. It happens every time I would forget to charge her up over night. Without a full battery, Anne became useless.

So being the revolutionary man that I am, I decided to take matters in my own hands, and tried to drive downtown without Anne's assistance. (In my mind) I didn't have the time to wait on Anne to charge back up; I wanted to get there by myself.

I'm sure you can just imagine where this story is heading now, right?

It never ceases to amaze me how we as believers find it difficult to wait on the guidance and direction of God concerning our lives. Despite the fact that He has proven time after time that He will never lead us astray, many of us still seek to take the wheel of our lives in our own hands and navigate along certain paths that He may (in many circumstances) never intended for us to take.

I learned a very valuable lesson nearly two years ago from a message by Pastor Andy Stanley. It serves as the underlining message of his brand new book, The Principle of The Path.

Here it is: Direction, Not Intention, Determines Destination.

No matter how much you and I intend on doing the right things in life, we need to assure that it is God who is directing and guiding our decisions, and not our individual pursuits and desires. More often than not, the paths many of us find ourselves on are driven by how we feel, and what we see, rather than the paths God may have for us, which are never bound or dependent on our senses.

Is there anything wrong with wanting a better job? Absolutely not. Is there anything wrong with wanting a bigger home, or nicer car? Again, not at all. And yes, I realize the timetable you set for getting married has come and passed, but before you try to grab the wheel and make something happen, allow these words to redirect you as they did for me this weekend:

Direction, Not Intention, Determines Destination.

If you're heading down the wrong direction, it doesn't matter what destination you intend on reaching, you will never get there (no matter how hard you try or how hard you pray). God's laws of guidance do not bend towards us. We bend towards them.

Funny thing happened once we finally got downtown to visit one of the monuments (a 45 minute trip that on any other day would have taken less than 10). As soon as I parked the car, Anne (our GPS device) found the satellite and prompted us to enter in our directions.

God is quite the comedian, isn't He? Gotta love Him.

Morning Scripture

Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint."

Psalm 34:19 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all."

Beauty

Whoever walks without blame, doing what is right, speaking truth from their heart; - Psalm 15:2)

I've been lied on, cheated, talked about, mistreated, i've been used, scorned, talked about sore as bone,
I've been up, down, almost to the ground

But long as I got king Jesus, long as got king Jesus, long long long as I got
I don't need nobody else

Mother, father sister, brother, no doctor
nor lawyer, nor preacher, nor teacher,
No father, mother, sister, brother, no doctor nor lawyer, nor preacher, nor teacher,


I've been lied on,lied on, lied on, lied on
Have you ever been lied on
Do you know what I mean

Long as I got king Jesus
I know he's a burden bearer,
I know he's a heavy load sharer,
I know, a bridge over water,
Oh lord, a doctor and a lawyer
Good God, a friend when you're friendless,
Oh lord a mother when you're motherless,
he'll be, bread when your hungry
He'll be, a comfort when you're lonely,
Long as i got, long as i got king Jesus
I know he's a burden bearer,
I know he's a heavy load sharer,
Good God, a bridge over water,
Oh lord, a doctor and a lawyer
Long as i got King Jesus x2
Wait a minute, wait a minute hey,
I got him Jesus, I got him Jesus
He's a lily of the valley,
he's a praying morning star
He's a rose , i said,
He's a grave, i am
He walks with me, and talks with me
He's Jehovah,Jira,Jehovah, raffa,
Jehovah,Jhama
He's the alpha and the omega

-Vickie Winans-

Morning Scripture - Psalm 119

Psalm 119


1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.

2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.

3 They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.

4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.

5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!

6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.

7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.

8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.

Which Way to Go, Lord?

Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Which Way to Go, Lord?


Dr. Creflo A. Dollar
God wants you to know exactly where you're going in life. He doesn't want you to stumble around, unsure of whether the steps you are taking are the right ones. Instead, He desires that you have crystal-clear spiritual hearing so you can receive specific instructions regarding the path He wants you to take in life. In other words, God wants you to stop and ask Him for directions daily!

Like the prophet Jeremiah, you have a God-given mission (Jeremiah 1:4-10; 29:11). The key to carrying out the mission, or vision, God has given you is your ability to receive directions from Him and your willingness to immediately obey what He tells you to do. God wants to give you detailed instructions about which way to go as well as every situation that concerns you. He doesn't just want to deal with you in vague impressions either, but in specifics. When you increase your awareness of God's voice, you position yourself to step right into His perfect will for your life.

Proverbs 6:23 says, "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life." God's directions give light to your vision. They are the steps you must take to accomplish His master plan for your life. The greatest asset you have as a Believer is an unbroken connection with God. Through daily fellowship with Him and the study of His Word, you empower yourself to recognize His voice and obey Him in even the smallest act. Like pieces of a puzzle, each step you take gradually enables you to see the bigger picture.

The will of God for your life is not something that is handed to you on a silver platter-you must discover what God desires for you to accomplish. That means quality time communing with Him and making His Word the final authority in every area of your life.

Being born again is the prerequisite to discovering your God-given assignment. Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior is the doorway to your destiny. Without Him guiding you, you won't reach your final destination. But once you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life and begin seeking Him daily, He will begin revealing your purpose to you.

In locating your purpose, consider those things for which you have a passion. What is it that you could do all the time, even without being paid? What attributes and characteristics do others consistently notice about you? Determine the abilities God has given you and the areas in which you get consistent results. These are signposts to help point you in the direction of your destiny.

Praying in the Spirit is another helpful tool in determining the direction God wants you to take in life. When you pray in tongues, you allow the Holy Spirit to pray through you, and release the wisdom you need to move forward in life. Proverbs 20:27 says that the spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord. The Holy Spirit Who is within your born-again spirit will guide you into all truth, including what it is you are supposed to be doing. When you pray in tongues, you also build up your spirit man and sharpen your spiritual discernment. The more you pray in the spirit and spend time listening for God's voice, the more confident you will be when it comes to stepping out on His instructions.

The apostle Paul said, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain" (1 Corinthians 9:24). There is a set race for you to run, and God wants you to discover it. Make a concerted effort to pray and yield to His instructions daily. Before long, you will find yourself walking in your divine destiny!



Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is the senior pastor of World Changers Church International, 25,000 member church in College Park, Georgia. He is committed to changing the world one person at a time, and his award-winning "Changing Your World" television broadcast reaches nearly one billion homes worldwide. Visit www.CrefloDollarMinistries.org to learn more. Click here to browse and purchase Books, CDs, and DVDs by Dr. Creflo A. Dollar!

© Dr. Creflo A. Dollar all rights reserved.

How Great Thou Art


Great art thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised. Great is thy power and thy wisdom is infinite. And thee would man praise, man but a particle of thy creation, man that bears about him his mortality, the witness of his sin, that thou resistest the proud. Yet would man praise thee, he but a particle of thy creation. Thou awakenest us to delight in thy praise. For thou madest us for thyself and our heart is restless until it rest in thee. Grant me, Lord, to know and understand which is first--to call on thee or to praise thee? And again, to know thee or to call on thee? For who can call on thee, not knowing thee? For he that knoweth thee not may call on thee as other than thou art. Or is it better that we call on thee that we may know thee?

-Saint Augustine