FAITH AND DOUBT CANNOT DWELL IN THE SAME HOUSE (PART 2 of 2)

Pilot Mountain, N.C. (Photo by Pastor Davis)

As we begin lesson two we begin with precept two on doing the ABSOLUTE IMPOSSIBLE.  Now listen to how Jesus teaches us to overcome the IMPOSSIBLE.  He says, “Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”  (Mark 11:23-24 ESV)

Jesus then moved swiftly in teaching them a lesson about answers to prayer.  Jesus had cursed the fig tree; the fig tree had died; the disciples had expressed surprise.  Then Jesus explained that they could ask anything of God and receive an answer.  This mountain (referring to the Mount of Olives on which they stood) could be sent into the sea (the Dead Sea that could be seen from the Mount).  Jesus point was that in their petitions to God they must believe and not doubt (that is, without wavering in their confidence in God).  Remember, “FAITH AND DOUBT CANNOT DWELL IN THE SAME HOUSE.”  The kind of prayer Jesus meant was not the arbitrary wish to move a mountain; instead, he was referring to prayers that the disciples would need to endlessly pray as they faced mountains of opposition to their gospel message in the years to come.  Their prayers for the advancement of God’s Kingdom would always be answered positively in God’s timing.

However, as we look at the straight forward teaching of Jesus concerning the character of God and that God’s character never changes, Jesus told them that there was no guarantee that simply by asking him anything they wanted and believing they could get it.  Now don’t you become discourage in what Jesus is saying to the disciples, but listen how he instructs them on the moral high ground of God.  He says to them, “God does not grant request that violate his own nature or will.  Jesus statement was not a blank check.  To be fulfilled, requests made to God in prayer must be in harmony with the principles of God’s Kingdom.  They must be made in Jesus name.

Now turn with me for a moment in your Bibles to (John 14:13-14).  Listen to what it says, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. The stronger our faith, the more likely our prayers will be in union with Christ and in line with God’s will; then God would be happy to grant them.  God can accomplish anything, even if it seems humanly impossible.

Impossibility is not a word that should be used in our lexicon.  In understanding this text we should be moved into action.  Know that in our minds we can do anything in the name of Jesus.  There is no mountain to high that we cannot climb, no valley to low that we cannot walk through.

We should not become like the motions of the ocean.  Always going back and forth, but we should be so rooted and grounded in our faith that no matter what comes after us we will always be able to with stand it.  We are built of strong timber, the timber of Jesus Christ.  When God says that nothing is impossible, we must learn to trust God in his word.  Knowing that God can never tell a lie, if he does he will deny himself.  God never makes a promise that he does not fulfill.  Our faith must be rooted and grounded in the word of God.  Our spirit must be one of can do.  Having a can do spirit will remove the mountains of impossibility from your life.

When the doctors says to you that you only have six months to live, and there is nothing else they can do for you.  Your attitude must be one of faith.  Faith in Jesus, Faith that if Jesus said it, it is a done deal; Jesus said that if you believe in God without doubt in your mind, nothing is impossible.

Change your thinking and you will change your life.  Tell the doctor that my God said not until he says it is time for me to go, that I will leave this world.  I can overcome this, I will overcome this because I am leaning and depending on my God.  I am an over comer, I am born in the Spirit of the living God.  For me nothing is impossible.  Today not only do I talk the talk, but I am walking the walk.  I am walking out my faith in the name of Jesus.  I know that my God did not bring me this far to leave me.  He promised me that He would never put on me more than I could bear.  I am standing on that promise, because I know that this check that my God has given to me, I can deposit it into my bank account and it will never bounce.  Faith, Faith, Faith, it is my faith that will always see me through.  Come on now let’s walk it out, talk it out.  Let’s tell the devil, devil get thee behind me, because I am holding onto My God’s unchanging hands.

Faith, Faith, Faith, there is nothing that is impossible in my world.  Step by step I am moving closer to where My God is trying to take me. It was nothing but Grace that brought me through the tribulations of this life.  It was nothing but God’s grace that brought me up on the rough side of the mountain and planted my feet right here where I am standing today.

Now sing this hymn with me, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!  I once was lost but now I am found, I was blind but now I see.  Taws grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!”

It was God’s grace that gave me the opportunity to change my thinking, It is my faith that has sustained me, it is my faith that has healed me, and I know that it is my faith that will move any mountain in my life, because I believe in the true and living God and I know without a doubt that “FAITH AND DOUBT CANNOT DWELL IN THE SAME HOUSE.” What about you?

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PUT A ZIPPER ON YOUR MOUTH AND LEARNTO LISTEN

Zipper Mouth

WRITTEN BY DR.VIRGINIA MORGAN

Learning to listen to others requires much discipline, and discipline requires patience.  We have gotten so use to babbling that we forgot how to listen and understand what others are saying.  Now if you understood anything about those first two sentences, and are ready to listen to the words that are being  to spoken you today, you might be able to walk in the newest of life and find much more joy, peace, contentment and happiness in your relationships.

Our mouth and that little thing called our tongue gets us into a world of trouble at times.  If we would put a zipper on our mouth and be swift to listen and slow to speak, we can transform our lives in ways unimaginable at other times.  For believers, this is a lesson you must practice daily.  For non-believers, you must seek the Lord for guidance and salvation in order to begin the process, because God‘s perfect law must be put into practice in our speech.  Why? Because God’s law is truth, and the law sets people free.  It is only in obeying God that true freedom can be found.  As Christian’s, we are saved by God’s grace, and salvation frees us from sin‘s control, speaking and not listen.  As believers we are free to live as God created us to live.  Of course, this does not mean that we are free to do as we please.

This image was selected as a picture of the week on the Czech Wikipedia for th week, 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now let us clearly understand this one truth, and that is, we must be swift to listen and slow to speak.  The expression be quick to listen is a beautiful way of capturing the idea of active listening as it is taught in (James 1:19).  James explains to us that we are not simply to refrain from speaking; we are to be ready and willing to listen.  This “quick” listening is obviously to be done with discernment.  We are to check what we hear with God’s word.  If we don’t listen both carefully and quickly, we are liable to be led into all kinds of false teaching and error.

Quick to listen and slow to speak should be taken together as sides of the same coin.  Slowness in speaking means speaking with humility and patience, not with hasty words or nonstop babbling.  Constraint talking keeps a person from being able to hear.  Wisdom is not always having something to say, it involves listening carefully, considering prayerfully, and speaking quietly.  When we talk too much and listen too little, we communicate to others that we think our ideas are much more important than theirs.  James wisely advises us to reverse this process.  We need to put a mental stopwatch on our conversations and keep track of how much we talk and how much we listen.  When people talk to us, do they feel that their viewpoints and ideas have value?

Putting a zipper on one’s mouth and learning to listen requires the same set of skills as an athlete.  In order for an athlete to achieve greatest he must persevere in training in order to improve their abilities and endurance for competition, so do we, in order to persevere in spiritual training our senses need to be swift to listen and slow to speak, as we patiently endure testing that will bring maturity and completeness.

We must come to a point in our lives where we know that God’s long term goal for us is maturity and completeness, but his eternal goal for us is the crown of life, a rich expression of hope.  We can only arrive at this point we learn to be obedient to the word of God.  Know the truth and the truth will set you free.  Be swift to listen and slow to speak.  PUT A ZIPPER ON YOUR MOUTH AND LEARN TO LISTEN!

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HOW THE ENEMY ATTEMPTS TO DESTROY YOU WHEN YOU ARE MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

FREEDOM-A LESSON FROM THE BIRDS OF HOW TO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

Today is a brand new day, and the beginning of a brand new week.  You attended the Church of your choice and you were fed the spiritual bread of life by your Pastors that spoke the word of truth and sent you back out into the world to serve that others may be saved from their sins and torment of the old devil.  But now you are standing at the gate being falsely accused of crimes against humanity that have no barreling on your life.  And you ask WHY?  Why me, I am a child of God, I am His Servant, I have not done any of those things that others are accusing me of?  I have been minding my own business and doing what has been commanded of me.  But still I stand falsely accused of wrong doing, when I am out and about doing the will of God.

Hostile accusers appear out of nowhere; they stand up and badger me. They pay me back misery for mercy, leaving my soul empty. When they were sick, I dressed in black; instead of eating, I prayed. My prayers were like lead in my gut like I’d lost my best friend, my brother. I paced, distraught as a motherless child, hunched and heavyhearted. But when I was down they threw a party! All the nameless riffraff of the town came chanting insults about me. Like barbarians desecrating a shrine, they destroyed my reputation.  God, how long are you going to stand there doing nothing? Save me from their brutalities; everything I’ve got is being thrown to the lions. I will give you full credit when everyone gathers for worship; when the people turn out in force I will say my Hallelujahs.

 Don’t let these liars, my enemies, have a party at my expense. Those who hate me for no reason,

winking and rolling their eyes, No good is going to come from that crowd; They spend all their time cooking up gossip against those who mind their own business.

They open their mouths in ugly grins, Mocking, “Ha-ha, ha-ha, thought you’d get away with it?
We’ve caught you hands down!” Don’t you see what they’re doing, God? You’re not going to let them get by with it, are you? Not going to walk off without doing something, are you?

Please get up—wake up! Tend to my case. My God, my Lord—my life is on the line. Do what you think is right, God, my God, but don’t make me pay for their good time. Don’t let them say to themselves, “Ha-ha, we got what we wanted.” Don’t let them say, “We’ve chewed him up and spit him out.” Let those who are being hilarious at my expense be made to look ridiculous. Make them wear donkey’s ears; Pin them with the donkey’s tail, who made themselves so high and mighty!

But those who want the best for me, Let them have the last word—a glad shout!— and say, over and over and over, “God is great—everything works together for good for his servant.” I’ll tell the world how great and good you are, I’ll shout Hallelujah all day, every day. (Psalm 35:11-28 MSG)

BE ENCOURAGED, do not allow the enemy to still your joy, keep your hands in Gods’ hand and allow Him to fight your battles.  Stay focus on the prize, and always MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

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SUNDAY PRAYER-PRAISE AND WORSHIP SERVICE 19 (TRUSTING GOD)

FINDING PEACE AND STRENGTH BY TRUSTING GOD

Good Morning Children of God, if it’s Sunday, it is time for you to get your Praise on and we are here to help you do just that.  God wants us to praise Him not just some times but at all times.  We must be willing to lift Him up in high Praise no matter what the situation may be in our lives.  Now let’s begin our praise Service with Psalm 150 performed by The Jubilation Gospel Choir.

This is truly a powerful message, and when you learn to praise God in the manner the Bible teaches us to do, don’t be surprise when God opens the windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing that your bank account cannot contain.

SISTER SHIRLEY RHODES

Our Messenger for today’s service is:  SISTER SHIRLEY RHODES

LET US PRAY!  Heavenly Father, we lift up our Holy Hands and Bow our Heads before the throne of grace in honor of you Father, giving you all the Praise and Glory, for you are truly worthy to be praised.  We thank you Father for this special honor of being placed in a position to minister your word of truth to all the people you bring into this ministry week in and week out to receive your word of truth.  Father we pray that you will pour a special blessing out over each one of their lives, strengthen them where they are weak, healing them that are sick and flicked,  fill the stomachs of those that are hunger and thirsty.  Bring Salvation to those that are loss and drowning in sin. Use me Heavenly Father as your Servant, that all your Children may see in me your good works that they too may come before the throne of grace and cry out, “I yield, I yield, I yield, take me Father, for I too want to serve you anyway I can. In Jesus name, Amen!

God has brought us through the trials  and tribulations of another week, giving us one more opportunity to praise and worship Him.  He gave me a message to give to you, and this is the Message that God placed on my heart and commanded me to speak it to all His Children where ever they may be.  The Message God has given me is titled:   FINDING PEACE AND STRENGTH BY TRUSTING GOD

Joy (gladness):  God is your salvation, strength, joy, and a  song in your heart when you know that he is in every-thing you set forth to do.  You can say to your soul, God is my salvation; I will trust him, I will not be afraid; therefore, you will draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah: 12: 2-3).

As you set aside time to study and pray, free of distractions you find yourself in a position of revelation and receiving strength to move forward within the obstacle course of life. Even in the process there will  always be moments you will  feel the intense presence of the Holy Spirit, that’s when you are assured  God’s favor is life, weeping may endure for a night but joy (singing) comes in the morning along with peace.

In Joy trust the Lord because he has made it known, I will instruct you and teach you in the way you are to go, I will guide you with my eye (Psalm32:8).  No weapons formed against you shall prosper when you allow God to be the center of your life.

Joy should be one of your first praises when you wake and arise in the morning. Ask God to bring rain into drought stricken lives so that we all are able to start our day with praise and thanksgiving for his blessings. Thank him for your wellbeing and insight into his unlimited mercy and grace.

Look at your physical body and be thankful that he chooses your temple as a place for his Spirit to dwell in. Let joy flow freely through your thoughts, attitudes, and character filled with fresh anointing as you embrace the splendid blessings of how beautiful and special you are in Gods’ eyes.

Joy allows us to awake every morning to directions and life filled with promise. You may face obstacles that seem unbearable through-out or at some point during your assigned journey and think “How in the world am I capable of accomplishing such a task?”

Think on this: The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain… (Psalm: 19: 7-9, MGS).

Trust God, release whatever it is that seems to cause you to struggle, relax  and watch him work, he will fulfill your joy at the time appointed; not your will but His will be done.

So, when you’ve come to the close of your day, week, month, and year, allow words of praise to flow freely to the One who has been your guide along the way. Better yet; Come, let’s shout praises to God, and let’s march into his presence singing praises, worship and bow before him because we are the people he pastures, the flock he feeds (Psalm: 95: 1-7). He is so worthy of all praise!

LET US PRAY!  Father I thank you for using me as your messenger in this Prayer, Praise and Worship Service today. I thank you for all the people who took the time to fill their minds with your word of truth this morning. We ask you Heavenly Father to bless our leaders and our Nation and the World Body that we all may live in Peace and Contentment. In Jesus name, Amen!

Now let us leave you with this short Inspirational Video that it may fill any void that may be in your life at this very moment.

Thank you for visiting with us today and everyday that you enter into this ministry.  We are here as Servants of God to serve you and for-fill the Great Commission of Matthews 28:19-20.  We love you and truly do appreciate each one of you, may God add a blessing to your life this day.  In Jesus name, Amen!

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PEACE AND CONTENTMENT PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES

HOW TO FIND YOUR GIFT OF CONTENTMENT AND PEACE

WRITTEN BY SHIRLEY RHODES

We as Children of God are living in a fasted paste time frame, and as we live and breathe in all that God has set before us, we seem to find little time for the most precious gift of them all, and that is the gift of CONTENTMENT AND PEACE.

Now let me explain, what the word of God says about CONTENTMENT; “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)

Therefore, I encourage you to understand that CONTENTMENT destroys jealously and helps celebrate success in others, it is a trait found deep within and shines forth as light. Through your own CONTENTMENT you’re able to find peace and strength to endure what otherwise would push you to the breaking point.

CONTENTMENT unclaimed, un-recognized hinders ones’ FREEDOM; therefore, they will never truly be free unless this treasured source is tapped into; as the saying goes, “CONTENTMENT is great gain.” The amazing thing about CONTENTMENT is that it is instilled in each of us. Jesus has taught and given the gift of love and that love is unconditional love for all people.

CONTENTMENT is thankfulness for what God has already done in your life; with that, your gifts will bud and blossom touching lives in many ways some in which you may never know. Always remember this one thing; never allow anyone or anything to take away your confidence (faith) in God because he loves you without restrictions, when you allow him to become who you are. It is in Christ you can find PEACE and CONTENTMENT, much different than what the world offers.

Now I Encourage you to Find CONTENTMENT is all you are purposed to do and be at PEACE.

IS YOUR LEADERSHIP VISION CONSISTENT WITH GOD PURPOSE?

Jesus a visionary Leader-In-The-Wilderness-Ivan-Kramskoy

Few things are more important to effective leadership than a VISION.  Godly leaders foresee something out there, vague as it might appear from the distance that others do not see.  Godly leaders who are followers of Christ must first have a VISION of who God is and the future he holds for them.  They must also have a sense of what God has called them to do.  Once they understand it, then they must take hold of the leadership role that has been given to them and begin to fulfill the role with a godly vision.

What is the focus of your life?  Are you a person of passion for the things of God, or is that passion just a sporadic experience for you?  If you had to describe the compelling treasure as a visionary leader in your life, what would it look like?

It is crucial for a leader to know how to identify and cultivate a personal vision.  However, where does such a visions originate?  When you are in God’s will, understand God’s purpose for your life and are truly ready to follow God’s directions, he will create in you the vision for His will and His purpose for your life.  When the Prophet Habakkuk was attempting to understand God’s purpose, he question God and this is what God told him to do, God said, “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”  (Habakkuk 2:3-4 ESV)

In his book Visionary Leadership, Burt Nanus defines a VISION as “a realistic, credible, attractive future for your organization.  It is your articulation of a destination toward which your organization should aim, a future that is better, more successful, or more desirable for your organization than is the present.”  Nanus contends that the right vision “Is an idea so energizing that it in effect jump-starts the future by calling forth the skills, talents, and resources to make it happen.”

Over the course of his ministry, Jesus consistently cast an energizing vision of the coming kingdom of God.  He repeatedly described the character and conduct that would define
citizens of that kingdom.  The Lord’s vision was so compelling that the twelve disciples left everything to follow his lead.  Thousands of others also took their direction from him.

Yet, in spite of the Lord’s consistent message, the disciples had a hard time grasping the fact that ushering in the kingdom of God would require suffering.  When Jesus clearly explained his impending death, Peter rebuked him for making such an assertion.  He was probably shocked when the Lord abruptly turned the tables and said, “Get behind me, Satan!”  Peter’s problem was that he allowed his personal and self-centered agenda to box in God’s plan.  Ultimately, such self-serving visions are satanically inspired.

Leaders need to be sure their vision is consistent with God’s purpose.  Moreover, when cross currents threaten to sweep the vision into another channel, they must work to keep it heading in the right direction.  They cannot allow self-serving interests—their own or someone else’s—to distort their vision of the future and prevent God’s purposes from being fulfilled.  That is why we must continually ask the question, “IS YOUR LEADERSHIP VISION CONSISTENT WITH GOD PURPOSE?” 

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LEADERS NEED TO LEARN HOW TO FOLLOW THE PATTERN OF JESUS

YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN Jesus said “Feed my sheep”(John 21:15-17).

WRITTEN BY SHIRLEY RHODES

Mt Airy Presbyterian Church Mt. Airy, Ga. (Photo by Pastor Davis)

Our Church leaders are Chosen Leaders, handpicked by God and called to suit up and go into the mission field on their assigned task to shepherd and guide, and then placed in the unique position to make defining decisions and choices that can have a profound impact on a few or many. Our leaders in the church are called and expected to keep diligent watch over the flock. That is the pattern and design expected when one accepts their calling knowing it comes with incredible responsibility.

Placed in their care are people who bring many loads of heavy burdens, looking for a way to find peace and joy as they are about this earthly journey. People from all walks of life seeking hope, lost, weary and tired wanting rest, a release from those things that keeps them in bondage.

Our leaders are therefore placed in position to minister to those souls as directed by the Holy Spirit, knowing they hold very fragile children in their hands. They are now given the authority through Christ to shape and mold lives for the kingdom of God, to feed the flock.

Remember, Jesus and how he was crucified outside the city gates–where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God’s alter to cleanse his people.  His sacrifice is a reminder to our leaders as to their purpose and calling, who must walk in obedience, faith and be examples of godliness as he accepts the torch to carry out his mission as assigned. The mission of kingdom building is not one to be taken lightly or for granted because souls are at risk.

Our Leaders are to be visible and able to relate to the needs of their followers, meaning that in order to accomplish their assigned mission they should follow the pattern of Jesus. Scripture puts it this way; let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is–not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our Share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name  (Hebrews 13:13-15, MGS).

We as seekers of peace and righteousness are to be responsive to pastoral leaders, listen to their counsel because they should be alert to the condition of our lives and work under the strict supervision of God. We are to contribute to the joy of their leadership, not drudgery; we are to pray for them that they be diligent in their assigned mission.

Our Leaders are accountable to God and its plain in Gods’ Word the responsibility expected of them.  God says,” My sheep were scattered because they were without a shepherd and they became prey when they were scattered; I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock”. (Ezekiel: 34).

After Jesus had risen from the dead and before his ascension as he gave final instructions to his disciples: Jesus asked Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these”, three times.  When he responded “Yes”, Jesus said, “Feed my sheep”(John 21:15-17). This is a reminder to our Leaders, don’t take your calling or position lightly. YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED, CHOSEN.

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 LEADERS IN AMERICA NEED TO DEVELOP THE COURAGE AND STRENGTH OF THEIR CONVICTION TO LEAD THIS NATION

LEADERSHIP IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

In America today, our nation seems to be at a cross road.  We the people elected our individual Representatives from districts in which we live in and sent them to the Nation Capital to join hands with other Representatives from all around the country to become a team of one and lead our Nation in all areas of life as the people’s Representative.  Now we see that theses Representatives have become a body of separative individuals during their own thing with no concern about the people they were elected to represent.

Leadership takes real courage and it takes the strength of ones’ convention to be a bold, strong and courageous leader in difficult times.  Now the question I will ask is simply this, “Where are our elected leaders today?”  

I understand that Leadership is hard work, and in order for any leader to lead a great nation such as this one, he are she  must be strong, have a sound moral character, and develop the courage and strength of their conviction to do what’s right and show themselves to be the leader the people deserve.  A great number of today’s business leaders, government leaders as well as our spiritual leaders seem to be morally corrupt and are standing in opposition of what is truly needed in a leader to lead the people out of the wilderness that we now find ourselves in.  Now pause for a moment and watch this short video clip of a true story of courage, compassion and real leadership.

We live in the greatest country on the face of this universe, however, we find ourselves falling behind many smaller nations in the way they are developing their young people to become great leaders in their own right.  Our education system, the system that is designed to develop the leadership that can truly accomplish great task is falling apart due mainly to our current crop of leaders that are lacking in their strength of courage, to properly fund and develop the type of education system that is now needed in times of trials and tribulation to help develop a new generation of leadership.

Real leaders need real courage to make the tough decisions they will faced every day.  They need to stand on the word of God, and stop being like the motion of the ocean, always going back and forth.  They need to learn how to trust and stand on the word of God.  Know in their hearts that God’s word will never fail them.  Learn to believe without any doubt that they can be assured of good success when they fill their hearts and minds with God’s Word and obey it.

Now listen to how God gave his word to his servant Joshua.  He said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9 NIV)  These are the words that every leader or wanted to be leader should study and meditate on day and night.

Let me share with you the true leadership and success of Joshua, God’s Servant as he chose to obey God, trust God, lean and depend on God and God created in him one of the world’s great military leaders of all times.  You too can become a Joshua.

Joshua faced crisis in his leadership role, just like many of the crisis we face in our leadership roles today.  Not only did he have to contend with the military powers rooted in the Promised Land, but he also had to face them with an untrained band of nomadic shepherds.

God realized Joshua’s need for courage and gave him guidance that would strengthen his faith.

First, he reminded Joshua of his faithfulness to keep all of his promises.  God had pledged to give the land to his people and he would fulfill that pledge.  Joshua’s success did not rest on a military strategy or well trained army, but on the faithfulness of God.

Second, God commanded Joshua to meditate on his words that Moses recorded in the five books of the Pentateuch.  The “Book of the Law” would give the wisdom and encouragement Joshua would need to courageously lead the nation.

Third, God promised to be personally present with Joshua.  No matter how intimidating the enemy or how rebellious the people, Joshua would not have to face them alone.  God would always be at his side.

The same sources of courage that empowered Joshua are available today for any leader who will accept them.  When faced with a risky business decision, the godly leader will look to God in prayer and to God’s revealed Word for the perspective and courage needed to make the right choice.  What situation are you now facing that requires courageous leadership and risk taking?  Let God’s words to Joshua supply you with the courage you need.

Now as we conclude this lesson for today, it is our hope that it will ignite the spark needed for you as a leader to be strong and courageous, take the word of God on leadership serious and do what’s right and pleasing in God sight.  We as the children of God and America need strong and courageous leaders.  Leaders who are willing to put Country first and come boldly before the throne of grace and speak truth to power, be a real leader by developing the strength of courage and the conviction of your character and lead this country in the right direction.

We minister to you today from a position of peace, purpose, power and prosperity.  I remain your brother in CHRIST JESUS, PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER!

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HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY MOM SUNDAY AFTERNOON PRAISE SERVICE

WRITTEN BY SHIRLEY RHODES

A good woman is hard to find and worth far more than diamonds (Proverbs 1:10-31, MGS).

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in Fear-Of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her with praises.

Flowers are known as the reproductive organ in plants and when combined into a bouquet there’s beauty and sweet aroma to enjoy. This represents essence and strength of a Mothers’ Love.

GIVE MOTHER HER FLOWERS (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)

This Mothers’ Day do something different and special for Mom; set a table for two, share in some good conversation, laugh and give her a big old fashion strong hug because she deserves it. Do not ever forget, “Mothers are a Gift to be treasured and that means your Mom is included.”

TEA FOR TWO (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)

Remember, your Mother is many women; she is a teacher, she is a doctor, a lawyer, a business executive, a stay-at-home mom; the list is endless as to her capabilities. The role of Mother follows many paths and is done so in such a way that she is able to understand the needs of others. Strength, dignity, and grace are her badge of honor; she is adored by her family. Gods’ design for Mother is not determined by labels of who she is because he has created her for his purpose.  As she grow in wisdom and grace her beauty shines through as a tower of hope and strength for those who may not have as of yet mastered the skill.

MOTHER IS A WOMAN WHO PLAY MANY ROLES (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)

Our Mothers’ worry about us in ways that we can never understand, while we are off during our own thing, mother is lying awake at night, silently praying to God to hold our hand, walk with us, keep us safe and bring us back home to them.  Click on this video clip and, “REMEMBER!”

A Mother seeks answers when she asks questions:

When a Mother asks, “How can you say you love me?

How often do you call, write or text message?

How often do you ask if I’m well?

How often do you visit, sit and talk for “a spell?”

How often do you think to send flowers or a card?

Do you ever wonder if I worry about you?

Do you ever wonder if I’ve had sleepless nights because I’m concerned about you?

Do you ever wonder if I pray for you and keep you close to my heart?

She ask these questions because she is able to see that we live busy lives and have very little time to share. She ask these questions because  she  see through the eyes of a Mother who loves enough to set you free, but  loves unconditionally.  She is your Mother.  HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY MOM!

This is a song of praise by Kirk Franklin taken from my Gospel Praise Playlist.  It contains 30 plus songs of praise that are listed on my utube channel.  Click on the link below and subscribe to and listen to many great songs and teaching that are featured on my Channel. Click on playlist on the left side of the page and enjoy:  http://www.youtube.com/user/davistheteacher?feature=mhee

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SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER- PRAISE AND WORSHIP SERVICE 18 (HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY)

Good Morning to all God’s Children and especially to all the Beautiful Mothers of the World, today is your day to be honored and praised for God has designed it that way.  So as we enter into our VIRTUAL CHURCH Service this morning, we do so with the unique blessings of our Lord and Savior.  We give Him the glory for He has provided us the opportunity this day to bring honor to our Mothers who He has

SISTER SHIRLEY RHODES

given to us as a Special Gift by Design.

LET US PRAY:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this very special day, and we honor you this morning for our unique gift of life and the opportunity to lift up all our Mothers and honor them with our blessings of praise, thanking them for all they have done and the many sacrifices and hardships they have had to endure for being a Mother.  But through it all, you provided them with a unique way of experiencing pure love, joy and happiness for being a Mother.  Today, we lift you up Heavenly Father, in our Prayers, Praises and Thanksgiving for this honor that you have bestowed upon our Mothers and all that you do day in and day out to make our lives richer, more loving, joyful and prospers while we live on this earth.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen!

Now let us honor all Mothers’ everywhere by giving her flowers that expresses her true beauty while we have the opportunity to do so.  Click on this short video clip, it is for you and all Mothers’

HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY TO ALL YOU BEAUTIFUL MOTHERS,  

YOU ARE TRULY GOD’S GIFT BY DESIGN!

SISTER SHIRLEY RHODES GOD’S SERVANT AND MESSENGER

I AM SISTER SHIRLEY RHODES GOD’S MESSENGER FOR THE DAY 

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE OF PRAISE GENESIS 17:15-17

And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.  I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”  Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

LET US PRAY:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings of Abraham, thank you for my blessing as your Servant and Messenger for this day. Use me to bless the lives of all the people that take the time to partake of this message, in Jesus name, Amen!

Today I just want to take a few minutes of your valuable time as a Mother that understands what it is like to be a Mother and raise her Children in these very difficult times that we live in.  I speak to you on the subject, “Mother is God’s Gift by Design!”  When we study the scriptures, starting with Eve the Mother of all living, we quickly discover that a Mother is a gift that often goes unseen, a chosen vessel of service, created  with tenderness of heart, a loving spirit, filled with dignity, instilled with wisdom, firmly rooted in faith and love, and is known by her attributes  of strength, patience and endurance that enables her to carry out her assigned mission. Many words can be used to describe Mother, because she is a gift from God. A gift: to be honored, respected, loved and cherished, through admiration of character.

When a baby is born the first instinct of a Mother is to inspect, touch and hold the baby close, she often will shed tears of joy. Throughout biblical history there are stories of Mothers and their sacrifice; Mothers who gave birth to kings and queens, royal linage passed down through-out generations.

THE LOVE OF A MOTHER (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS) MY GRAND DAUGHTER MAXINE ALEXANDER BYARS

Consider Moses’ Mother Jochebed, who, when the order came from Pharaoh to kill all male infants, hid him for three months, but, was then forced to abandon him in a basket of bulrushes among the reeds beside the banks of the Nile, only to be the one to nurse him as belonging to someone else.  Elizabeth,  Mother of John, known as the precursor of Jesus who was later beheaded  and Mary the Mother of Jesus, who was hung on a cross, were all women of distinction, a Mother, God’s Gift by Design.

A mother is chosen to carry the baby in her womb and through that process a bond occurs that nothing or no one can take away. Mothers may give their child up for adoption or may choose to not be an active participant in their lives through circumstance or choice, but that does not remove their status as Mother.

Gods’ design for Mothers is to be models of goodness by setting examples as the keeper of home, to be virtuous and pure, loving and kind always encouraging others.

A Mother is a model of discipline and strong character and she reverence God in her teachings. A Mother avoids idleness, gossip, always setting an example and helping to guide others she may encounter.

A Mother is many women; teachers, doctors, lawyers, business executives, stay-at-home moms; the list is endless as to her capabilities. The role of Mother follows many paths and is done so in such a way that she is able to understand the needs of others. Strength, dignity, and grace are her badge of honor; she is adored by her family. Gods’ design for Mother is not determined by labels of who she is because he has created her for his purpose.  As she grow in wisdom and grace her beauty shines through as a tower of hope and strength for those who may not have as of yet mastered the skill.

Remember it’s Mothers’ Day, take a moment to pick up the telephone and call, stop by for a visit and take her something special, sit and talk for “a spell, ”you never know where you will be next Mothers’ Day. Make the moment magical and watch her smile, you’ll be glad you did, because she is your Mother, Gods’ Gift by Design.

Thank you for your attention and comprehension of this message, may God bless you throughout this Mother’s Day. As you attend your local church this day, take the time to hug a Mother and tell them that they are special and that you love them.  May the grace of God watch over you and keep you ever so strong, in Jesus name, Amen!

Now let us close with Israel and New Breed, singing Jesus at the Center.

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OUR NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE BECOME SATINS BATTLEFIELD

DEEP INTO THE FOREST (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

Have you ever stopped to observe what was around you?  For most of us we are so busy trying to earn a living to support our families and life style, it makes it very hard for us to see the forest because we are always looking straight ahead into the trees.  Nevertheless, if we ever took the time to observe what was around us, we would then realize that the battlefield is wherever we are.  It does not matter if we are at our homes, school, job, library, concert hall or church, the battlefield will always be where we are.  Satan is and will always be an enemy of God.  His job is to recruit, recruit and recruit, and believe me; he does his job very well.  Satan does not discriminate on the basics of race, creed, color or national origin.  He is out to destroy God’s kingdom, and that means anyone who is a believer of God is a target of Satan.

Therefore, when we understand our purpose and mission in life, we then know that the enemy we are fighting is a very smart, cunning and truly an elusive devil.  His territory is very large and continues to expand every day.  So finding the battlefield for us should not be very hard as long as we are committed to staying the course and following in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The battlefield for us will always be close by.  Our neighborhoods are filled with gangs, drugs, prostitution and all sorts of petty crimes.  In some major cities, people are prisons in their own homes.  They have still bars on their windows and doors.  Their homes are like a fort.  In order for them to enter in or come out, they have to struggle to unlock the bars they are locked behind.  Some people have even died in their homes from fires because they could not get out from behind the steel bars they had locked themselves behind.

Our schools from all over the country, which are located in almost every neighborhood in America, has become one of the most potent battlefields in America today.  Each day more than 250,000 kids carry some type of weapon into our schools to either defend themselves or threaten someone else with them in order to show how big and bad they themselves really are.  Kids are shooting and killing other kids because the evil that the old devil has been able to penetrate into our perimeter around the battlefield we have established for ourselves.  When we stop and consider for a moment that our children are our futures, we cannot but to conclude that the enemy has brought the fight to us.

This to me is unacceptable in the 21st century. We must not continue to allow evil to dedicate our destiny.  We have a King that roars like a might lion who is our protector.  He does not know or accept defeat.  We must believe that we as a chosen disciple of the one living God has been given the power to change the course of our destiny by changing the way we view the people that are committing the evil crimes within our communities.  We should never forget that evil survives because we choose to let it rule over us.  We must resist it on every hand, using the power that God gives us, and believe me, we do have the power to stand up and take the fight to the enemy.  God has given us that power if we choose to use it.  All we have to do is call on him.  He said that he would never leave us or forsake us.  He will always be right there with us even until the end of time.

Standing up to the enemy may not be the way you would view your mission in this world, but if you don’t, who will?  Sometimes we have to just say no to the enemy, and do what is unpopular at the time even if our life depends on it.  This world is not our home; we are just passing through on our way to our eternal home.  We must be prepared to face the enemy with all our strength and might.  Then and only then will the enemy have a sense of who we are.

The enemy will always feel that he is the biggest and baldest bully in town as long as we allow him to back us down.  There comes a time in our lives when we must say no backing away or running away from a situation that I can no longer tolerate.  This enemy is threaten my family, my community, my way of life, and if I don’t do something about it right now, I will no longer have a family or community to live in, because he is taken it all away.  It is up to me to end this right here and now.  It is time to take the battle to the enemy, no more turning my back and saying it’s not my problem.  I am the child of a King, and the King gave me power over the enemy.  I will take a stand and do my part.  I will do it NOW!  Together, we can bring a change into our Communities.

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A TRIBUTE TO MOTHERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR CHILDREN TO GUN VIOLENCE

WRITTEN BY SHIRLEY RHODES

TRAGEDY IN NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT PHOTO BY SHEER INVESTIGATION.COM 03

Just a few months ago, a deranged individual with an assault weapon walked into a school located in Newtown, Connecticut and took the lives of 26 young people.  Since then more than 3,900 Mothers’ have lost their children to gun violence and will not be able to hug their children this Mothers’ Day, nor receive a Mothers’ Day wish from their children.  This is truly a tragedy that none of us can comprehend unless we are one of those Mother’s that have lost a child to gun violence.

So many hearts have been broken; so many tears have been shed because the family chain has been broken. Gun violence has taken many young lives and those Mothers have come to know the meaning of shattered and broken.

For those Mothers who have experienced such tragedy and pain, let me encourage you as one Mother to another, please allow this Mothers’ Day to be a time of release and reflection. Take a moment and look around you and you will see your child in the elements of the world God has created.  Look at the flowers as they bloom and beacon you to come closer, see the beauty of the birds as they cross your path, excited and having fun with one another, see the brightness of the sun as the raise beams down upon your body, feel the gentle breeze of the wind as it sweeps across your face and you here in it a soft and sweet voice that says to you, “Hi Mommy, I love you, then you pause, look all around you, and say, I love you also baby!” Now embrace it as a memory of the child that once occupied your space.  Know that they are always there ready to wipe away the tear drop from your eyes and give you encouragement and strength to carry on and fight the good fight that will help others survive the tragedy that took their young, tender and precious lives.

Remember the words of Job: We are all adrift in the same boat: too few days, too many troubles. We spring up like wildflowers in the desert and then we wilt transit in the shadow of a cloud (Job 14: 1-2, MGS).

Allow the memories of your loved one to linger as long as you like but rest assured your child was blessed to you for a season and within that season take the memories and cherish them.

Allow yourself time to mourn and then embrace life as it is given each day because it is a gift that cannot be replaced.  God bless each Mother who have lost a child to violence and may your journey be one traveled in the assurance that at any given moment you will greet your loved one in a unique way, that’s how God have designed it. May you be blessed abundantly this Mother’s Day, 2013?

MOTHER’S DAY ROSE (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)

We send our love an appreciation to all Mothers’ for a happy and joyful celebration.  Let there be Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards all People.

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THE JOY OF MOTHERING NINE CHILDREN

 TODAY WE HONOR ALL MOTHERS AS WE CELEBRATE THIS SPECIAL MOTHERS’ DAY WEEK… 

AUTHORED BY MELANIE JEAN JUNEAU 

I wanted to be a missionary when I was in my early twenties and was not interested even in dating at university. Suddenly, in a space of a few hours I knew God’s call was marriage;  His presence was so strong, I received an inner image of Jesus’s hand on Michael’s and my heads.I was disappointed but I said yes to becoming a mother even though I had never held a baby before my first child.

My children literally saved, healed and set me free. They have shaped my whole spirituality . My life in Christ is simple and full of Joy.

With so much to do, I was forced to let go of control and let God take control. We are cash poor and He has provided for us, even performing a multiplication of heating oil. One tank of oil lasted for 4 months instead of refilling 6-7 times.

Living on a hobby farm helped us raise kids with a good work ethic, who learned how to work and play together. Today they  socialize with other regularly and help look after each other

Melanie Jean Juneau is a petite wife, writer and mother of nine children who blogs at melaniejeanjuneau.wordpress.com. When the words “The Joy of Mothering on a Hobby Farm” popped into her head as a subtitle for her short stories it was like an epiphany for her because those few words verbalized her experience living with little people. The very existence of a joyful mother of nine children seems to confound people. Her writing is humorous and heart warming; thoughtful and thought-provoking with a strong current of spirituality running through it. Part of her call and her witness is to write the truth about children, family, marriage and the sacredness of life, especially a life lived in God.

We thank our Dear Sister in Christ for sharing her beautiful story of The Joy of Mothering Nine with us.  We encourage all our readers to click on this link and visit her Website and get her complete story.  http://melaniejeanjuneau.wordpress.com/author/melaniejeanjuneau/

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MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME THE LESSON OF FORGIVENESS

A Mother’s Arms (Photo by Pastor Davis)

MY MOTHER was truly an inspiration to my soul.  Whenever I felt someone had hurt me, she would simply say, “Son, don’t hold a grudge against them, you must find in your heart the words to forgive them.”  I would say, “but Mom, it hurts, how can I forgive them, they hurt me.”  Son, if you truly want to stop the pain, you must release it and let it go, forgiveness is the only way to your personal peace.

MY MOTHER was a godly woman, she loved and feared the Lord, and she made sure that I understood what she meant when she said I must forgive those who would seek to do harm to me. Now let me share with you the lesson MY MOTHER taught me on FORGIVENESS.  She begin by saying, “Son if the LORD can forgive us of our sins, why do we have such a difficult time of forgiving others when we perceive them to have done us wrong?  Getting rid of our heart aches and pains begins with us.  We must learn to free ourselves of all the negative baggage we carry around each and every day with our unforgiving spirit.

FORGIVENESS works the miracle of change.  When Lincoln was asked why he did not destroy his enemies, he replied:  “If I make my enemies my friends, don’t I then destroy them?”  When you forgive you change others and you change yourself.  You change discord to harmony.

FORGIVENESS should span the years.  You should first forgive yourself for the wrongs you’ve done to yourself and others, for the mistakes you’ve made.  Then you should forgive and bless all those who have wronged you during your lifetime.  Thus you release others and you release yourself.  You break the chains of regret and remorse that bind you.  You free your mind from the burdens of the past so you may walk victoriously into the future.

FORGIVENESS works two ways.  You must forgive to be forgiven.  “He who cannot forgive others,” wrote Edward Herbert, “breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass; for every man has the need to be forgiven.”

FORGIVENESS should become a habit.  When THE MASTER was asked how often we should forgive, he answered: “Until SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN.”  He who forgives to infinity will never hate.

FORGIVENESS should start now.  Putting off forgiving only deepens the wound.  Clinging to bitterness postpones happiness.  Life is short, time is fleeting.  Today is the day to forgive.

FORGIVENESS is the way to personal peace.  It is performing mental surgery in yourself, probing deep within to remove hurts, grudges and resentments.  It is forgetting wrongs as though they had never been.  It is flooding your mind with the powerful medicine of forgiveness that cleanses and heals.  It is discovering a serenity you’ve never known before.

Then with her big beautiful brown eyes, looking and penetrating deep into my soul, the softness of her voice changing, she said, “you may not understand all that I am telling you at this moment, but when the time is right it will all come to you and you will get it and use it to help your own children and others to understand that we all must learn the art of forgiveness.

So on this Mother’s Day weekend, I salute My Beloved Mother for teaching me the art of forgiveness.

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LESSONS LEARNED FROM MY MOTHER

WRITTEN BY SHIRLEY RHODES

Photo of Me and My Mother

I see my mother as a Spirit created by God with purpose; a tower of strength, patience, and humbleness.  She selflessly met the needs of family as well as others whom she encountered.  Her home was one with plenty of activity as children found solace as part of the family.  She never turned away anyone who came to visit.  She was always willing to share of her bounty.  She was a disciplinarian, a firm glance with eyes that could see the truth in you.  There was no way to avoid issues you may have thought private, it was almost like she was a mind reader.  She always offered encouraging words to others while pushing her own children to move beyond their own capabilities.  She had a heart that loved you no matter what she saw on your face or heard from your lips.  She would gently instruct and give guidance to all children of the community.  Her large heart was so full of the lives of others, held dear with barely enough room for herself in there.  Her legacy today is remembered by those who had the opportunity to meet her and her love will always guide us as a family to do what’s right, simply because she was a living example of godliness.  She was my Mother, my friend and I loved her dearly.  Happy Mothers’ Day Mom, I know you are watching.

What about you, what are some of the lessons you have learned from your Mother that you would like to share with others?  Just click into the comment box below, or you can email me at:  davismbyarsjr@gmail.com  I respond to all my emails.  May God add a blessing to all the Mothers of this world?  You are so unique and will always hold a special place in all our hearts here at this Ministry.  We love you and truly do appreciate you, and will always be lifting you up that others may see the light of God shining from within you.  May Gods’ Peace be with you throughout this Special Mothers’ Day Week Celebration in your honor?

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THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF A MOTHERS’ LOVE

THE BLACK ORCHID IS A SYMBOL OF OUR BEAUTIFUL MOTHERS (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)

THE BLACK ORCHID IS A SYMBOL OF OUR BEAUTIFUL MOTHER’S (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)

Today marks the beginning of our week long Celebration Honoring all Mothers for their many great contributions to all of us in this Universe.  One of the problems that too many of us have is that we take our Mother’s for granted.  This week’s long Celebration is meant to bring attention to the Women of the world and especially the Mothers.  If you are not a Mother today, one day you will be, therefore, we all must learn how to share in your pain and suffering as well as the joy and pleasure you receive and we receive from being your Sons and Daughters.

When we come into the full knowledge and understanding that you are truly one of God’s greatest creation, and He endowed you with many gifts, the greatest gift of all was the gift to conceive the seed of a brand new life.  For that reason along, we take this time to stand back and reflect upon your uniqueness to the world and all that you bring to the table that helps to transform this world into what it is today.

LET US PRAY:  Eternal God, our Heavenly Father, we thank you for sharing with us the gift of a Mother’s

WOMAN OF PRAYER (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

Love.   A gift that has brought so much joy and pleasure into our lives, by allowing us to have a voice this day to say to our Mothers; thank you for my life and all that you have done to allow me to be lifted up on the wings of an eagle and experience the power and joy of your love and blessings, AMEN!

We invite each of you to share your thoughts and opinions here daily honoring all the Mothers of the World.  When you bless our Mothers, God will add a blessing to you.  The choice is yours.  Give and it shall be given unto you.  Thank you for reading and sharing.

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER PRAISE AND WORSHIP SERVICE 17 STOP LIVING IN FEAR LACK AND LIMITATION

PASTOR DAVIS SPEAKS BEFORE THE THRONE OF GRACE

Good Morning Children of God, if it’s Sunday, it is time to enter into our Virtual Church for our Prayer, Praise and Worship Service.  Are you ready to give God your heart, worship Him and Praise Him this Morning?

LET US PRAY!  Eternal God, our most precious and Holy Father, the Father of all life in the Universe, we enter into your present this morning, seeking your blessings over our Nation and all its inhabitants. Father, there is much trouble in the land, your children are suffering from fears of their safety been invaded, and lack of the basic substances of not enough food to feed their families, clean fresh water in short supply and being able to find jobs that will help them provide  shelter for their families.  Our government leaders seem to be paralyzed when it comes to making the correct decisions that will help the least among us to lift them out of poverty and bring this nation together as one people.  Father I pray for divine intervention into the lives of all your Children this day.  I speak healing into their physical bodies, I speak revelation over all that they desire to have changed in their lives.  I speak restoration for our Nations and its leaders to be lifted up into the light that they may see the suffering and harm that they are bring into the lives of your children and this great nation of ours.  And in seeing, they will be transformed by the renewing of their minds and they will become Spirit filled in ways that would be unimaginable in other times.  Let the power of your divine Spirit invade our Nations as it provides all your children with peace and joy for another day.  It is in the name of Jesus that we seek these blessings this day, as we lift you up Heavenly Father, in Prayer, Praise and Worship.  Amen, Amen, Amen!

Now it is time to lift up our Holy Hands and Praise God.  Join me with my favorite Praise Team leader, Brother Ron Kenoly as he lifts us up higher on the SOLID ROCK.

Now it is time for our Message for today, delivered by God’s Messenger, Pastor Davis speaking to you on the subject, “STOP LIVING IN FEAR-LACK AND LIMITATION!” 

LET US PRAY:

Most Holy God, our heavenly Father, open our hearts and minds that the lesson you have for us today will penetrate deep into our souls and heal the wounds that have been inflicted upon us. Bind up our broken hearts in order that our Spiritual Eyes and Ears may be open to the truth of your teaching this day, in Jesus name I pray, Amen!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE:

In today’s lesson, this is what the Scriptures teach us, it says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 KGV)  Do you believe this truth of God’s Holy Word?  If you believe,  I encourage you to hold onto that thought and listen to the message God wants you to partake of as you study his word today and the rest of this week.  Click on this video clip and be blessed.

LET US PRAY:  Heavenly Father, we thank you for opening the windows of Heaven and pouring out a blessing upon your Children that took the time to be a part of this Sunday Prayer Praise and Worship Service.  Now may the Holy Spirit watch over them, guide them and teach them your ways as they walk out their purpose in this life, in Jesus name, AMEN!

Let me remind you that beginning Monday Morning, we will begin a week long celebration service honoring our dear Mothers from around the globe.  Please join with us each day and share your thoughts and prayers with one of our most precious resources and that is our Mothers.  For the Bible teaches us to honor our Mothers that our days will be long upon this earth.  Each one of you can be a part of this celebration by returning here daily and sharing a word with out tens of thousand readers from all over the world.

Thank each one of you for been a part of another Sunday Prayer and Praise Service. If this service has blessed you, why not share it with others as your blessing over their lives this day.  For this is truly the first day of the rest of your life.  Be Blessed My Friends!

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BE BLESSED MY FRIENDS BE ENCOURAGED LET ME SPEAK LIFE TO YOU

THE BLESSINGS OF GOD OVER HIS CHILDREN (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

Wherever you are in this world, whoever you are, whatever condition you may find yourself in right now, I want you to know that you are my friend.  Let me speak life to you, let me share a blessing with you, let me encourage you to be strong, stay focus and know that God created you to be loved and to be a blessing in someone’s life this day.  For truly I say to you, that you are blessed and Highly Favored in God’s sight and no one can take that away from you.  I see you walking in favor, no more darkness, for brightness of the light of God is beginning to shine through.  Now arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.  Lift up your head and praise God, for He is truly worthily of your praises.

My friend Bishop Paul Morton is one of the most anointed men of the Gospel I know.  When he stands before the throne of grace and pours out the word of God unto you, the power of God will move you in praise and worship.  Therefore, I encourage you to click on this video clip and Be Blessed with the anointing voices of the Children of God.

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WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO SACRIFICE?

WRITTEN BY SHIRLEY RHODES

THE FLOWER MAKES HER SACRIFICE (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)

In today’s lesson, I set before you a very important question for you to ponder, and that question is; “What Are You” Really” Willing to Sacrifice for the price that has been paid for your FREEDOM?”  Pride, distrust, envy, hatred, anger, lack of commitment, and unwillingness to love those who strive against you in every way are just a few of the obstacles encountered in life, even when up against such odds, “What are you willing to sacrifice?”

Deciding to step out or move forth requires an in creditable amount of will power and self-discipline, much more than many of us are able to envision in our minds. Making sacrifices requires us to rethink our own agenda, knowing that in life there are no quick fixes. Jesus made that sacrifice in order for us to see and understand that it is possible to reroute the way we think in terms of our daily lives. It is the mission of “the Dark One” to create in each of us self-doubt and when we surrender control of our will we find ourselves on loosing grounds, where we become like a rubber band stretched and pulled so that there is no more room to expand.

So, the question is, “What Are You Willing to Sacrifice?”First of all you must be willing to admit that you are not your own, we are all sinners saved by grace. To sacrifice your will or desire to get to know more about Christ and his many teachings will become one of the greatest accomplishments of your life.

We live as mortal beings, yet we are spiritual, awareness brings about enlighten and we come into that knowledge by submission and change of attitude, no longer conditioned by how the world dictate who and whose we are.

What Are You Willing to Sacrifice?  In Christ we become new creatures with meaning and purpose, willing to surrender our lives to a Savior who patiently waits. Admitting that we are sinners and in need of salvation is a start, acceptance, and total surrender of our lives brings us into an intimate relationship with Christ. We set aside “sacred moments” to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to our needs, learning to live in expectancy.

We must remember that God is not someone we bargain  with; think of your relationship with your parents as a child, how you trusted them in all innocence, or your children dependence on you to meet their needs; Christ is the spiritual connection that brings wholeness, a sense of direction, and is the supplier of all that we need.

Knowing and trusting God to guide you as you journey places you under grace, when its sin verses grace, grace wins. Sin threatens us with death and that’s it. Grace, through Jesus gives us life that is never ending (Romans 5: 20-21).  This means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives.

THE BIRD LIVING FREE (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)

What Are You Willing to Sacrifice? A relationship in Jesus gives us freedom, but we must first be willing to make the Sacrifice.  When we do, He releases us from our chains of bondage that have been placed upon us by the world.  He allows you to lift up your head towards the sky, straighten up your back, stiffen up your spin and provide you with the freedom to walk through the path of rigorousness and fear no evil.  He will prepare a table before you in the present of your enemies, and take you to places that you could only begin to experience in your imagination.  Yes, when you begin to live in the freedom of God, and surrender in obedience to His will, the chains of bondage will be removed and you will be free as a bird.

The question is, What Are You Willing to Sacrifice?  It is well worth the sacrifice to allow the Holy Spirit to come into your life and learn in obedience the way of Jesus, follow the pattern he has so graciously left in place for all of us to follow. Always keep his teachings at the forefront of your spiritual mind and you will journey this life in peace no matter the obstacles.

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WE ARE PROCLAIMING THE I AM THAT LIVES IN EACH ONE OF US

GOD IS THE I AM AND THE LIGHT OF THE UNIVERSE (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

“I AM WHO I AM.”  These simple words have been an enigma to man for centuries.  He has reasoned that there must be a great mystical significance in them, and has meditated at length in hope that the enigma might be resolved.  At the risk of oversimplification let us alter the tempo, the emphasis we put on the words.  In doing so, they may well give depth of insight to us.  “I AM WHO I AM.” Perhaps the infinite wisdom of our one transcendent God is saying to us that the “I AM” in you has arrived at some degree of self-awareness.  Could it be that He is saying, ”I Am not something apart; I am that something in you that has perceived of identity”?

The Lord has spoken to us, and He has proclaimed, that He is, the, “I AM!” He said, “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness (Isaiah 42:6a ESV)

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9 ESV)

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 ESV)

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25c,d ESV)

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (John 6:35 ESV).

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. (John 10:11-13 ESV)

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  (John 10:14 ESV).

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  (John 15:1-4 ESV)

 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bear much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

I am the Vine and you are the Branches.  When you learn the truth of who the “I AM,” that lives in you and come into the full and complete knowledge and understanding that, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1:4a ESV,”) then you will know the truth of these final words spoken by Jesus when he said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my DISCIPLES. (John 15:7-8 ESV).

We bless this word to you that it may stir up the Holy Spirit that is alive inside of you and seeking the release of its full and unlimited powers that will propel you to any place or heights that you may desire.  The choice is yours, what do you believe?
 

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