Scott Sisters-1/18/10 EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT!

Mrs. Rasco just received a phone call from Gladys Scott
that both of Jamie Scott's kidneys have shut down and that
she has been in the prison infirmary since last Saturday
hooked up to IV fluids with a heavy build-up of
toxins in her body. Jamie has yet to be sent to a
hospital due to "paperwork." Jamie pleaded that Gladys
not contact their mother because she didn't want to burden
her with anymore worry on top of caring for all of the children.

Gladys has offered to donate a kidney to Jamie and
was told that she cannot because she is a state prisoner
and that it would be too expensive. The greatest
heartbreak of all is that Jamie has asked to be allowed
to die because she wants to come home so badly
and no longer believes that it will ever happen.

JAMIE SCOTT, #19197, MUST BE TAKEN TO THE
HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY! Her physical and mental
state require the highest levels of professional care.

Margaret Bingham, Superintendent of Central Mississippi Corrections Facility
(601) 932-2880
mbingham@mdoc.state.ms.us
FAX: (601) 664-0782
P.O. Box 88550
Pearl, Mississippi 39208

Christopher Epps, Commissioner of Prisons for the State of Mississippi
601-359-5600
CEPPS@mdoc.state.ms.us
723 North President Street
Jackson, MS 39202

Emmitt Sparkman, Deputy Commissioner
(601) 359-5610
esparkman@mdoc.state.ms.us

Please reply back to us and let us know of every response you
get so that we can keep track of what people are being told.

=============

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Facebook Group: Free The Scott Sisters
Petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Free-Jamie-Gladys/index.html
Flyer: http://www.scribd.com/doc/22154749/Scott-Sisters-Flyer
Legal Transcripts: http://www.scribd.com/Scott%20Sisters

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Scott 1/18/10 EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT!

Scott 1/18/10 EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT!

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His Eye Is on the Sparrow

Civilia Martin

1. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
* Refrain:
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
2. “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
3. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Out with the Old, In with the New

Brent Barnett

Luke 5:36-39 says, "And He was also telling them a parable: 'No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, "The old is good enough."'"

Jesus' ministry came at a time when Judaism had been severely perverted into an outrageous system of rule keeping with self-righteous teachers presiding as rulers over the people of Israel. Rather than look at how the Old Testament foretold of Christ's coming and sacrifice, they ignored what had come in the person of Christ in exchange for what had been.

The Pharisees and many of the Jews had become enslaved to a thinking process that loved the old ways. Now, there is nothing wrong with being nostalgic or reflecting upon the past, but it becomes wrong when it controls us to the extent that we are unable to put it out of our minds. The Jews were so consumed with Moses and the Law that they could not recognize God Himself in their midst. Though they wanted a Messiah, they wanted it their way.

They wanted a Messiah Who would bring back the glory days of an earthly kingdom as it had been under David and Solomon. They wanted the past, and because they thought that the old was good enough, they missed the future which was right before their very eyes. They were satisfied with the old wine, and their clouded view of the past led them to miss the new wine in Jesus which was far better.

In order for them to receive the new wine, they needed to realize that they would have to lay aside their system of self-righteous Law-keeping. Jesus preached a message of forgiveness, healing, grace, and life. He didn't come to set up an earthly empire, but He came to demonstrate His eternal power and overcome the world. He didn't come to show that Law-keeping was the way to eternal life, but He Himself fulfilled the Law because no man could do it (Romans 3:23, 8:4). The Law brought condemnation and showed man his inability to keep it (Galatians 3:24). Jesus came to bring life, and life to the full (John 10:10).

Old wineskins were fitting for the old wine. The Law did its job, and it did it well (Romans 7:12). But its job was to point people to the cross and to Christ, Who had come in the flesh. If new wine was available in Jesus, then it made no sense to put it into old wineskins which would break as soon as the wine was poured in. The Law had done its job, and the new wine needed new wineskins.

The new wine of forgiveness in Christ needs to go in the new wineskin of grace. We were under law, but now we are under grace (Romans 6:14). The old covenant is over, and the new covenant has been established. Christ is the centerpiece and the focus. We must drink of Him (John 7:37).

If we find ourselves still trying to earn our way into God's favor, we need to lay aside the old and receive the grace and forgiveness of Christ. If we are attempting to manipulate God into giving us what we want in life, we need to stop drinking of the old wine and simply receive the blessings which He graciously gives as He knows best.

Trying to do things on our own strength apart from Christ is like pouring wine into a leaky wineskin. It will never work. Do we want to be full in Christ? Do we want to experience the promised abundant life? Life to the full is found in abandoning the old wine, taking hold of the new wineskin by faith in Christ, and allowing Him to fill us and empower us as He pours the new wine of His grace into our hearts.

Follow And Trust Your Heart?

Cindy Beall

Um, I don't think so.

Pretty sure that is not what the Bible instructs us to do. Why?

Because our heart can really jack with stuff.

It can lead us into situations simply because it feels right especially when an old boyfriend enters the picture. It can cause us to make decisions that are not thought through completely when those new pair of boots are screamin', just screamin' at us.

Our heart can be dangerous which is why you'll find this verse in Proverbs 4:23:
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

The Hebrew word for "wellspring" is towtsa'ah. And in its simplest term means "goings out, going forth." Meaning that basically what is in our heart is where our life will lead.

I've been in that place where you battle thoughts left and right and oftentimes entertain them. And entertaining them can and usually leads to destruction, which pretty much scares the living daylights out of me.

Just being honest. So, I have really taken this to heart and am making sure that my heart is where I want my life to begin.

Make sure you guard that heart of yours and "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Cindy Beall is a Christ follower who uses her gift of exhortation by writing and mentoring women. She uses her past experiences, including the near death of her marriage, to encourage people that God truly does redeem. For more information about Cindy, log onto www.cindybeall.com

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All Things New

by Dr. David C. Cooper

One of the greatest needs in our lives is the need for restoration. To restore means, "to bring something back into existence or effect again; to bring back to a former or original condition; to put back in a former place or position; to reinstate; to return." We talk about restoring relationships, renovating antique furniture, reinstating a political leader and returning something that was stolen or lost. These all demonstrate the idea of restoration. The essential meaning of salvation is restoration. To be saved means that we have experienced the miraculous restoring power of God to make all things new in our lives spiritually, psychologically, emotionally, and relationally.

From Genesis to Revelation, we see the God of restoration. We hear God's message to the nation of Judah: "I will restore your judges as in days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City" (Isa 1:26).

The Psalmist prayed, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me" (Ps 51:12). God promises, "I will restore you to health and heal your wounds" (Jer 30:17a). Paul the Apostle declares, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are new" (2 Cor 5:17).

When the Apostle John received the Revelation on the Isle of Patmos concerning the restoration of all things and the beauty of the new heaven and the new earth, he says, "And he that sat upon the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new'" (Rev 21:5). As you surrender your failures, problems and challenges to your Heavenly Father in faithful prayer, He will make all things new for you.

Dr. David C. Cooper serves as Senior Pastor of Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta, GA. He received his bachelor's degree from Lee College, his Master of Education from the University of Georgia, and his Doctor of Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary. Currently, Dr. Cooper serves as chairman of the Board of Directors and as an instructor in Counseling at the Psychological Studies Institute in Atlanta, Georgia.

© Dr. David C. Cooper all rights reserved.

The New Edition

Aqualyn Toi Jones

When was the last time you purchased or received something new? Maybe it was a cell phone, a car, or an outfit. It could've been a new pair of shoes, a job, or even a relationship.

There's just something about the newness of things. You value it more. You take better care of it. You can't wait to tell others about it. However, that eagerness doesn't last.

Simply think of all the old things you have acquired over the years. Soon, just like all the old "new things", the newer "new things" becomes a little boring. We settle down into the humdrum of business as usual. Now, it's just a cell phone, a car, or a pair of shoes. Our affection for it fades as we start to focus on the next new thing.

We can upgrade our phones, trade-in our relationships and change jobs when we're bored. We can just get the new edition. Unfortunately, this same mentality spills over into our lives with Christ.

Have you ever heard someone say?

"Before I was saved." or
"When I was still in sin."

If you're like me, you've said it yourself.
As Christians, we like to think of our lives in two categories: Before-Christ and After-Christ.

If you and I were to finish the sentences above, I'm sure we could fill a book. One of the best things about being a Christian is the new life we have in Christ. It trumps the old life every time.

Sometimes and somewhere along the way, we are tempted to exchange the new life in Christ for the old way of living. Life starts to happen again. It rains on your parade more than once. Things that you thought you wouldn't experience as a Christian seem to resurface after Christ!

How do you handle it when the old life threatens to choke the newness out of life in Christ? And what does this new life really mean anyway?

I love Merriam-Webster's definition of the word new. It means having recently come into existence. Is it possible that we never truly existed before coming to Christ? When you accept Christ in your life, you come into an existence that you never knew about.

You never really understood the measure of His sacrifice. You never had a Father like God. You didn't think it was possible for someone to know everything about you, and still love you. And yet, He does. You thought you were free, but liberation has taken on a totally different meaning. Life is not the same.

I want to challenge you (and myself) to remember that there is no new edition of the new life in Christ. There is nothing better. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us that "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new."

This scripture doesn't simply say that anyone in Christ could or will be a new creation. It guarantees that he is. You and I are new in Him. The life we now live has greater understanding and subsequently, greater responsibility. We should never settle for anything routine in our relationship with God.

Every single day is new. Every single old thing is just that old. It's useless and ineffective. After all, it's called the old life for a reason and this edition is just fine.

Toi Jones is a writer and an advocate for youth, underdogs, and all things (and people) that are broken and overlooked. Compassionate at her core, Toi is also an educator, a mentor, and a supporter of multiple initiatives for South Africa. For more information about Toi, log onto www.bewrite-livewrite.typepad.com.

God Is Doing A New Thing

Image via Wikipedia

Dr. Creflo A. Dollar

It is a new day and God wants to do something new in your life! If you are a Believer, you have a right to receive the manifestation of every word God has spoken over your life. As you lay hold of it by faith, it will come to pass. It is easy to become discouraged when you don’t see things happening quickly enough, but as you seek His face through praise, prayer and worship, He will begin to reveal more of who He is to you. The more you know about Him, the more confident you will become in His ability to do exactly what He said He would do.

You may have been going through some troubling circumstance or struggling with a certain situation for some time now. But the good news is that your days of strugg ling are over! If you want to experience the power of God in your life, it is critical that you find out what God promises in His Word. He doesn’t want you to stay in your current situation; He wants to take you to new levels of glory every day! All it takes is your unwavering belief in what He says in His Word.

Isaiah 43:19 (AMP) says, “Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it?” God is a God of new beginnings. That’s right! He is multifaceted and always wants to show you an aspect of Himself that you have never seen before. In addition, He wants to do some new things in your life. He wants you to see and experience abundance like you’ve never before experienced it.

Expectation is key to receiving the new things God desires to do in your life. Whether it is healing, deliverance, financial breakthrough or restoration of a relationship, God will come through for you if you expect Him to. He is a loving Father Who wants to bless you.

As you expect to see the goodness of God manifest in your life, you must lay hold of it by faith. Nothing in the Kingdom of God works without it. Habakkuk 2:4 says, “…but the just shall live by his faith.” In addition, you must be sure that you are walking in love—first toward God, and second toward others. These two commandments are the keys to activating your faith and confidence in God.

Finally, your words—specifically the Word of God that you confess—will connect you to a new reality of living, one that is characterized by God’s glory overtaking you. If you’re not saying anything, you’re not creating anything! You have to use your God-given authority in order to begin experiencing something new.

Your “new thing” may be debt freedom or buying a new home. Whatever it is, find scriptures on those areas and begin meditating on them. Get them in your heart until they become so real to you that you can’t see things any other way than through God’s eyes. Having the blueprint of a new reality and way of life in your heart and mind through consistent meditation will fuel your faith. Then when you speak the Word with boldness, it will come to pass. But first, your heart must be established in the truths that are contained in it.

I want you to begin thinking differently about your life. It’s time to get rid of the old attitudes, habits and lifestyle that you have been living and holding onto and usher in the new! By standing on God’s Word, walking in faith and love and using your authority, you can literally change your reality. God is ready to reveal His glory to you in a new way; the question is, are you ready to receive it?

Are There Any High-Jumpers In The House?

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Bishop Wiley Jackson

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. - Joshua 1:9

A lot of times we wait for an event or special day, such as a new year, to start working on ourselves or to try to work something out of our systems. We do ourselves a disservice though, because we really should not wait for a special day or a new year to fix what is not working for us. There are areas in each of our lives that we need to retool.

For those not familiar with retooling, the automobile industry and some others shut down annually for a certain period and retool. They are not changing what they are producing - they are still making cars. They are transitioning and getting re-equipped for new models and greater productivity. It's the same way with life. What was working for you last year might not necessarily work for you this year. What was good last week might be obsolete this week. We are living in a time where the future is changing quickly and it is important for us to retool ourselves so we will be up to date with all that God is doing in the earth.

Imagine what Joshua must have faced in his retooling. He had been under Moses' leadership and he was walking around with a whole lot of people that were used to doing things the old way. You know how it is - whenever people are trained under one leader and somebody new comes along, the first thing they say is "Well, the other person did not do it this way.

Joshua had a problem. Everybody had an opinion about the way things should go. Nobody wanted change. The thing about retooling is it's really not about change. It's about transition. If you change something you can always go back to the old way. When you make the transition, you understand there is no going back. One of the first things God told Joshua was that Moses was dead. Before Joshua could move on to anything new, he would have to bury the past.

It's a new year, but some people are still moaning over past mistakes, thinking about how they messed up in 2009, wondering why they got hurt so bad last January, asking why they did not come thru for you in October. You need to bury it. You made it through anyhow, and God has got something new and better for you. Stop crying over spilled milk - just clean up the mess and go pour yourself another glass.

God has something special for you, but he can not bless you with you dragging your past behind you. Retool. Loose your past and let it go free. Ask God to forgive you, then repent. Repent means to go in the opposite direction. It is hard to go in the opposite direction looking back. You have to look ahead and focus on where you are going, because if you keep looking backwards you will find yourself in a wreck.

In 2010 there is no middle ground. You need to make up your mind to be on one side or the other. It's time to quit trying to play it safe. Step out and see what God has in store for you. There is an abundance of untapped possibilities that wait in front of each of us - we just have to move toward them.

Retool your vision. Retool your associations. Stop living in a place of depression caused by negative vision.
Stop running with people that feed your negative vision. Stop setting the bar so low that you can step over it. It's time to retool, be courageous, and raise the bar.

Are there any high-jumpers in the house?

For a New Beginning, Forsake the World

Image via Wikipedia

Bishop Keith Butler

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. Hebrews 11:23 (KJV)

Do you want this new year to be have some new beginnings? Then you're going to have to forsake the world system. The world will bombard you with the easy way out. However, you have to decide that by faith God's way is the only way for you.

Moses is a good example of a man who forsook the world. You see Moses was raised in Pharaoh's house. He was someone of privilege and authority. Yet, he had compassion for his Jewish brethren and killed an Egyptian for beating one and he was driven out of Egypt.

It seemed as though Moses was going to spend the rest of his life in the desert, then God approached him and called him to be the deliverer of His people. But there were some steps that led to Moses having his new beginning:

Verse 24, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. In other words, he made a decision that he was not going to accept any benefits by any other means than God. If you're going to have an anointed new beginning, you have to refuse to do it any other way than God's way.

Verse 25, Moses chose to go God's way than enjoy the pleasures of sin. You have to make up your mind that as for me and my house; we choose to serve the Lord. This has to be your attitude even if you don't get blessed--to go God's way.

Verse 26, Moses esteemed God's blessing higher than anything man could give him. His attitude was, I would rather get it all from God and nothing from man. You see, you have to stick to this regardless of what men offer you. Yes, you may have to wait a little longer, but that's all right. If I can't have it God's way, I don't want it period.

Then verse 27, Moses forsook Egypt and followed God. When you decide to follow God, many times you will have to go against the wind. Egypt represents the easy way, the sinful way, and the crowded way. It's the way everybody wants to go. But Moses made a decision, and he did it by faith, that was to forsake Egypt.

Listen, God is about giving you a new beginning, but you have to determine that it's going to be God's way or no way.

Scripture References: John 8:12; 12:25; Matthew 16:26; Mark 4:19

Step Away From the Blender

Milan Ford

I'm pretty confident that what I am about to share with you is going to make you laugh. But, I pray it will also make you think as well. So please be prepared to do both.

I'll never forget an email I received one day from a friend of mine who was struggling with the terms of a New Year's fast and consecration her church had recently begun.

Although she was a devoted believer, and understood fully the importance of fasting, she honestly did not know if she was going to make it through the entire journey.

This is what she sent me:

"Milan, this may sound crazy, but I came real close to putting a piece of chicken in my blender the other night. Not to sure if I can keep up this liquid-only thing. Pray for me..."

{Insert Big Laugh Here}
Although I'm sure you'll agree with me that her email was a bit extreme, I can't help but wonder how many of us as believers, now only a few days into the New Year, have already given up on some goals we set out to accomplish this year?

Are we really (as believers) this undisciplined?

This year, what bad habit have you already returned to that you know you need to get rid of?

Or have you returned to a relationship you know God has already told you to leave alone?

And after all the pep talk many of us received on New Year's Eve, are you still going to sit back and believe that your boss, your spouse, or some wrinkled up bank receipt is going to control your destiny in God?

Again I ask: Are we really (as believers) this undisciplined?

I realize this phrase may be getting a little old now, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway.

Happy New Year Everyone!
It is now 2010. It is time to move beyond where you were last year.

I refuse to allow myself, my family, or anyone within my reach, settle for less than what God has already empowered them to accomplish this year. And neither should you.

So, just in case you're feeling a bit discouraged today, and have already begun to cast doubt on some of the goals you had set for this year, feel free to read this over and over again today.

And please. If you don't do anything else...

STEP AWAY FROM THE BLENDER.

New Beginnings

Tanya James

Every year around the beginning of December, people around the world implement a list of new action items in their lives effective January 1st. We decide to start working out or eating better. We vow to finally launch that business or go back to school. We promise to give up smoking or drinking or some other addiction that we have.

We re-dedicate to a lifestyle of prayer and worship or to be nicer to everyone around you; the list can be endless.

However, many times before the month of January is over, we’ve already forgotten about or given up on many of the action items on our list. And for some of the items, we wont even reconsider them again until the end of the year when its time to start thinking about the new year.

We also tend to put God on our schedule – declaring what He will do (or wont do) in the new year. And doesn't it seem like these declarations tend to come in the form of a statement 'rhyming' with the current year?

For example: "We will win in 2010!"
I'm sure you can name a few others you've heard lately as well.

This cycle has always been perplexing to me, Why do we tend to only equate new beginnings with a new year? Who decided that January 1st was the date to renew goals and to dream bigger? And if these things are important beginning January, why aren’t they important enough to start immediately?

And why do we place a timetable or time limit on when God can move in our lives? Using the above example, do we only want to WIN in 2010? How awesome would it be if instead of having this time of “reflection” and “renewal” only once a year...we did it daily?

What if we claimed the promises of God on a regular basis and not just for our new year’s declarations?
“Behold I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?” Isaiah 43:19

Will we miss that new thing because it’s not the first of the year when we expect new things? Or will we be open to receive and embrace what God has for us AND what God is calling us to do right now, regardless of what the date is?

I challenge you to let go of the “new year’s” resolutions and instead make “lifestyle” resolutions. Daily, make it a priority to strive to be more Christ-like. Daily, implement Psalm 34 into your schedule (I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth). Daily, move forward in those things God has called you to do and be!

And let’s stop putting God in our yearly boxes. He has things in store that we can’t even begin to think of, and those things may not “rhyme” with entrance of every new year.

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” Lamentations 3:22-23

New mercies daily...
...now that sounds like the type of new beginning that I want to grab hold of!

A New Beginning

Image via Wikipedia

David Turner

During the course of the past year, many of us have faced some sort of trial, test, setback, or disappointment. Some of us have even experienced failure. But in spite of all of that, God has prepared this year, this moment in time for you to have a new beginning.

The enemy’s objective is to keep you locked in yesterday, the place where the pain originates from. God has a different plan for your life. He knows all about the things that have gone wrong. He’s not surprised at some of the questionable decisions that you have made. He’s knows that you have let Him down. He is not shocked at all.

The good news is that He also knows your future. “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away and all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17)

When you have life in Christ you have the ability to experience new possibilities in life. There is a season of new opportunities that await you and you must be willing to pursue it. Victory in this new year takes some understanding.

You were not created by accident. You were made by God himself. God is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He designed you to live for a unique reason. When He made you, He pulled out all the stops. You are His prized creation.

You were made to overcome obstacles. You were made for victory. He didn’t create you to blend in with the scenery. Out of over 6 billion people in the world, there is only 1 like you. So, don’t be shut off or boxed in by traditions or customs. Don’t be held back by someone else’s expectations. You were created for brilliance and excellence. You were made for success.

Before planting seeds, the ground must first be prepared. The ground must first be dug up and turned over in order to receive seeds. In the same way, we must cultivate our lives so that we will be able to yield a successful harvest. We must do some work in order for our lives to be ready for a new beginning. We have to make choices and not yield to the power of sin. As we choose God’s way the Holy Spirit will strengthen us even more.

There are some spiritual disciplines that we must develop to cultivate our lives:

1. Prayer – Not just asking God for things but communing with Him.
2. Giving – We must change our perspective on our possessions.
3. Studying the Word – We must take in His promises daily.
4. Serving – We should always look for ways to improve someone else’s life.

There is a lot of noise in this world. There are people shouting from every angle, trying to get your attention. To be able to distinguish between the voices you need to be able to listen very closely. God is always speaking; we just have to listen for Him. The time is come to get your hearing in order. The alarm has sounded.

What is the sign that you are waiting for? The light has already turned green and you are clear to begin your journey. Step away from the crowd. Separate yourself from the average people who don’t want anything other than what they have always had. You have been called out to make a difference. You have been called out reclaim territory for God and live out your destiny.

It’s time for your New Beginning.

Time To Meet Your Maker!

Ben Komanapalli Jr.


Another year has come to an end, and here we are starting a new one. For almost everyone reading this, we have been at this place at least a dozen times. Looking back at our lives, some of those moments were great but some were pretty bad. In fact they were so bad that we wanted to forget all about it when we entered the New Year.

As this new year begins, most of us close certain chapters of our lives and open new ones; we also plan on changing things. All of us have want to become better than we were in the past year.

As we come to that time of the year again, I have a simple question to ask: Who is making you?

Let me explain. In Acts 26:13-18, we see Paul recounting his conversion story to King Agrippa. In verse 16, it is important to see what Jesus says to Paul during the encounter. Jesus says, "I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness...."I want you to focus on the words 'to make you.'
My question to you as a leader is more specifically this: Are you letting Jesus make you?

All of us live in a very fast paced world. There are many responsibilities that we as leaders have in the world today. There are things that need to be accomplished, vision to be cast, money to be raised, conflicts that need to be resolved etc. We need to do all of these things as good leaders.

However, the most important thing is to let Jesus make you the man or women He has called you to be. We can only lead other people as well as we can lead ourselves; the most important thing in leading ourselves is to let Jesus make us the people He has called us to be.

There is always the temptation for us to do the work of God more than we let God work in us. Bill Hybels once said, "The way I was doing the work of God was destroying the work of God in me." I heard that statement about two years ago and it has stuck with me. I believe it is a dangerous place for us to be when we are more excited about a book, album, project, program or an event than about spending time with Jesus and letting Him work on us.

As we plan, strategize, evaluate, set goals and recharge our batteries to make ourselves better leaders for next year, make it a priority to make this year the year where you let Jesus make you the person He has called you to be. Planning and setting goals are very good things but letting Jesus make you is the God thing. He desires to make each one of us. He sees much more in us than we can see for ourselves. We must stop resisting the things God wants to do in our lives. No matter where you live or what kind of organization or ministry you might be leading, if there is one thing we are to do as Christian leaders it is to let Jesus make us.

We might not have had an encounter with Jesus in the way Paul did on his journey to Damascus, but we can all remember the time when we received Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our lives or the time when the call of God became very real. This is a good time to go back and remember the purpose for which Jesus saved you and to let Him make you.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Take some time to think about the moment when the purpose of God became clear to you. What is it that He has purposed for you?

2. Become very intentional to let Jesus make you into the person He has called you to be during the next year. Write down some of the areas that He really needs to work on.

3. Thank God for the opportunity He has given you to serve people for His kingdom and Glory.

The Power of Inner Peace

Bishop Walter S. Thomas

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

There is no substitute for inner peace. The human quest for things and possessions cannot compete with the joy of a quieted spirit and stable mind. In this age of chaos and confusion, the hope of the saints is for inner peace.

When I was a child, our home was filled with happiness and excitement. It was just the four of us, Daddy, Momma, my brother and myself, yet the house resonated with excitement about the day and the things we would do or get into. Each evening we would press our khaki pants and starch the collars of our shirt and then go outside and spend the evening with neighborhood friends. After momma blinked the lights we would come into the house and the family would watch the one television we had.

We would pop Jiffy Pop Popcorn and drink soda as we start together in the living room watching the television. Life was so simple and we were sop happy. We did not have a television in every room. We did not have air conditioning. We only had one car. Momma cooked every night, my father drove the family to church each week, as he and my mother were officers. We prayed before meals, before bed, and before we started each day. We read scripture at mealtime. We talked about our day and our hopes and dreams.

We loved God, each other, God’s world, and ourselves. In our little home, we grew up with the assurance that God would be with us and that God would always be there for us. I know no other truth that has been so embedded in my spirit.

Isaiah’s world is intended to give us the stability and the security. He gives us a promise that God will keep us in the peace we need and the peace we have enjoyed as long as our minds are stayed on him. When our hearts are once again turned to simple fellowship and intimate communion, we will know God’s peace and it will pass all understanding. AS a child I remember the joy and the peace of feeling that we were safe and secure.

As an adult, whose earthly father is now deceased and whose mother is almost 90 years old, I have found the peace that the Father promises. I have found that meditating on God’s love and grace has given me the inner security that translates into inner peace. This is God’s gracious gift to each and every one of us. We can sit in our world and know that all is well. God will take care of us.