BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT!

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

As Christians we have a duty to encourage the saints of God,in many ways we are responsible one for another. While being and encouragement and lifting one another up we are giving glory and honor to God. We are more likely to leave an impact on someones life by showing them compassion, acceptance and love rather than belitteling them or making them feel unworthy of His prescence. This is a dangerous place to be in. The Bible tells us to "let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen".(Ephesians 4:29) As quickly as you can encourage, you can discourage someone in their walk with God. It is important that we not take this lightly. I believe God wants us to use wisdom when we speak, meaning your opinion is not always necessary to state. "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification" (Romans 14:19). If an opinion is offensive or causes a spirit of strife of conflict them we should hold our tongue. Some times if we have an out spoken personality and we are known for voicing our opinions, we can use this as an excuse to disregard sensitivity of others feelings. Remember the Bible tells us if we offend a child of His, He would rather we have a mill stone tied around our necks and be cast into the sea! Well I think we are all aware of the size of a mill stone. This scripture reaffirms to me how strongly the Lord feels when a child of His is offended by another. One of the greatest attributes of a Christian is knowing when to speak and when not to speak! This takes constant prayer and binding of the tongue. "The tongue has the power of life and death" (Proverbs 18:21). I want to go before the Lord knowing that I have not knowingly set out to offend my brother with my words, but to lift and encourage my brother in their time of need. Our words are a testimony of the change God has made within us! Showing all the difference the Lord has made within us and being thankful for that great change; "be conformed to the likeness of his Son" (Romans 8:29). We should surround ourselves with godly company, because this could only benefit us and our walk with God! Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25). We should be encouraged by those that serve the Lord, and live by His ways. We should avoid those who stir up strife and who live a life of rebellion seeking after their own ways instead of the ways of God. I have learned this can be very dangerous for a Christan, we must separate ourselves from the world. We should love the lost with the love of Christ, we should not conform to their ways but encourage them to conform to His ways! There is a saying that I live by and have found to be very true, "you are as good as the company you keep". Most people tend to develop relationships based on their common interest. If you spend the majority of your time with a person who likes to gossip and is known for their gossiping nature, more than likely people will assume you must have the same gossiping spirit as the friend you spend so much time associating with. We must be careful that we surround ourselves with loving friends who bring out the best in us and in return we should seek to bring out the best in them! We must preserve a reputation of godliness, because we will be judged according to how we represent the Lord. The Lord has called us out amoung the world to give light through His word to all who are lost and in darkness! Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if any-thing is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).

Let us pray throughout our days for an attitude that is pleasing to God and a blessing to those around us!

THANK YOU LORD FOR BEING A FAITHFUL HEALER!

Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
I am so thankful for the Lord and all his goodness and mercy. My son has been sick for the past few days with fever and a severe cough. He has been using an inhaler or ventilator to help him breath because the smallest cold seems to cause him severe wheezing and bronchial trouble. So like most Christian mom's I have spent the last few days in constant prayer over my little one. Well, tonight has been extremely difficult and as I was giving him the breathing treatment, Tylenol, saline for the nose, Baby Vapor Rub on the chest, I found myself in desperate need for reinforcement! I know who to call on when I'm in trouble or in need! As I started praying over my baby I was reminded of Mark 10:16 when Jesus took the little children in His arms and laid His hands on them and blessed them. So I did like Jesus did and laid my hand upon my baby and asked Jesus to wrap my baby in His arms and touch Him with His hand and heal my baby tonight! After just a few minutes into prayer I felt sickness lift from him, as I was praying I could actually envision it as if my eyes were open and I was seeing if lift off his little body and leave him. The presence of God filled the room and His spirit fell upon me and my child. “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8). “...Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). When I opened my eyes and looked down at my beautiful baby and there he is just sleeping peacefully! God gave my inconsolable baby who was in a great deal of pain and discomfort rest and healed him instantly while his mother prayed for him. Not because of who his mother is, but because of what HE is! Jesus is my healer, comforter, peace in a storm, my refuge and strength, He is my love, my everything!
Lord,
I am so thankful to know you, and of your goodness and mercy! I love you because you first loved me! I am so thankful for the gift you've given me in my little William, and I am thankful you took him tonight in your loving arms and laid your hand upon him. Thank you in advance for the continued healing you are doing throughout his little body! I love you and please Lord help me to never forget tonight and what can be accomplished through you, hallelujah! In Jesus name, Amen!

GOD'S UNLIMITED PROTECTION!

In Genesis 32 we read of Jacob's experience with God's angels. Genesis 32:1 "And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim." Mahanaim translated means "God's camp"! God had sent a host of angels to protect Jacob throughout his journey. The Lord so graciously allowed these Angels to visibly appear before Jacob so he would be encouraged by the assurance of God's presence and protection! From Laban to Canaan, God's protection over Jacob never ceased! That same presence and protection given to Jacob we inhabit to day. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. God's love and word never changes or fails. His word is the only sure substance given to man that is infallible. He places hosts of angels around us to protect us, comfort us, and encourage us! God's people are sent through trials, but their is never a trial greater than the comfort that comes from our Comforter! He always brings us through our trials safely, stronger and wiser. Psalm 61:7 "May he be enthroned in God's presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him." There is nothing or no one we should ever fear, because scripture plainly reveals the truth of His word. Romans 8:28-31 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He alos justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Those that come against God's chosen people shall not prosper. All we have to do is call on His name and He will come to us. He promises that you will find Him... if you seek after Him with your whole heart (Jer. 29:11-13).
Remember He hears our faintest cries, and answers the prayers of the righteous! God has authority, power and dominion over our circumstance! God's grace, mercy, love and goodness is limitless!

LET ALL WITHIN US PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!

The Birth of Jesus
(Matthew 1:18-19) The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
20-23 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—'God saves'—because he will save his people from their sins." This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term:

Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us")

A group of scholars asking about Jerusalem, "where can they find the newborn king?" They had observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth, while in search for Him. (10)Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

(11)They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

Christ/Messiah as "the Word made Flesh"

LET ALL WITHIN US PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!

Church Choir Wins National Ttile | FOX 5 Atlanta | myfoxatlanta.com

Church Choir Wins National Ttile | FOX 5 Atlanta | myfoxatlanta.com visit link!!
So proud of our Church Choir! They represent the Lord well!!!
John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 14:17
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Deuteronomy 14:2
For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

GOD PLANS WITH PURPOSE!

Ecclesiastes 3:1
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Christmas is the time of year that God reminds me of His goodness and mercy. All that He has prepared me for in my life. You know, it is quite remarkable to think of the way the Lord orders our steps throughout our lives. He plans our future in a way that will glorify Him. When I think about what the Lord has done for me and spared me from, I am eternally grateful and can't help but to feel the overwhelming love of Jesus. He loved me that much!!! This is how my past unfolded to my present and I know God is not through yet! I am anxiously anticipating my future with Him!

When I was twelve years old I seeked God for the Holy Ghost...God delivered and filled me with His spirit! I was also baptized soon after in the one and only name of our Savior, Jesus Christ! Just two years later, after an awesome district youth camp meeting that to this day I'll never forget, God spoke to me and told me He wanted me to start a children's choir at my church. I later spoke to my Mom about what the Lord had laid on my heart to do but told her I was embarrassed to ask my pastor for such a position considering I was only fourteen years old at the time. My Mother lovingly told me to pray and seek God and if it was God's will, doors would open and it would come to pass. Later after much prayer I spoke with my pastor and he gave me a couple of weeks to organize a group of children at the church to sing during a Sunday morning service. He told me we would see then if this is something we would continue. Well....I ended up leading that children's choir for seven years. During those years God blessed me and taught me so much about perseverance and prayer. God allowed me to pray with many children over the years while He filled them with the Holy Ghost. Those memories are some of the most precious gifts God has ever given to me, just allowing me to witness Him moving in their little lives was an awesome experience I'll never forget. What I did not know was all though in my mind I was leading children in song and worship, God was preparing me for another ministry that would soon unfold in my life. Soon after the age of twenty I began visiting the church I currently belong to now where I also met my husband. My husband was a single father of two little girls when we met. God knew my future before I did, we tend to think we are in control of our own lives but there is one much greater than us who is in control of all. My faith in God grew, along with my love for Him. My husband and I were married just a couple years after we dated I then became a wife and instant Mother! This was incredibly terrifying for me being so young and not knowing how to mother two children. I became overwhelmed with thoughts that flooded my mind, "did I do the right thing", "what if I fail", etc,etc. The Lord in His on time way always intervened and lovingly guided me through every step of the way. One day the girls and I were driving home from my Moms house and one of the girls looked up at me and said, "Mom are you glad you married Dad even though you now have us?" At first I remember thinking, Lord how do I respond in a way you would have me to? I was so thankful for them but God has always showed me that my children are not my husbands, they are not mine they are His. I want to teach my children in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, not my way but His. Then God revealed Himself to me right there in that car, He reminded me of all those years I taught those children in that choir. And how they were the same ages of the little girls in my backseat that I was now a mother too. God took over my mouth at that very moment, and I told her that God has a purpose and plan for everything in our lives. I told them about that children's choir, and how God had taught me to pray with those children, and how to love, lead and guide them in His ways. He taught me that I was a huge influence in their lives and that I would be accountable for the the way I represented Him. I told her that God had taught me and prepared me all those years for her and her sister. He knew that one day I would be praying for them and leading them in His ways. My time with those children in my choir was part of His plan but her and her sister were His purpose for that plan! To this day I will never forget how God revealed Himself to me and explained His purpose to each of us in that very moment! He revealed the truth of His miracle!
Our third child my husband and I prayed for and once again God delivered. He gave us a beautiful, healthy baby girl. I know God has great things in store for her life, he filled her with the Holy Ghost at the early age of four years old, she was baptized soon after! After our daughter I became pregnant again just two and a half years later, but had complications and our son was still born. God used that time to minister to me greater than He ever had before. He gave me so much strength, and the experience taught me to lean on Him for understanding. I believe I prayed like Job possibly prayed to the Lord, I prayed with desperation, but my love for God never wavered. Not because I am something great but because I knew God was the only comforter I needed to get me through! My pastor said once in a sermon that God knows whats best for you and only wants the best for you. Those words I clung to through that time in my life and God proved His unfailing love through it all. I delivered my baby on December 30th of 2005 and almost two years later I delivered our very healthy son Will on December 31st of 2007. He is our miracle and testimony of what God can do! I have felt from the moment I conceived my son Will that He was going to be born not just for my own pleasure but that God had big plans for Him with great purpose! I know Jesus is the reason for all things good, and pray that all my four children continually draw close to Him all the days of their lives. I pray that they listen and are obedient to the Lord, I pray they put their trust in Him and depend on Him for answers and understanding! I love them more than words can express and am thankful for the benefits that come with serving the Lord fervently! God has a plan and purpose for each of them, it doesn't stop with me and I am so thankful for the miracles and blessings to come! Jesus was sent here on earth to fulfill a purpose! He was born on earth for the purpose of dying on the cross so that we could be forgiven for our sins. There was a plan for Jesus that He had to fulfill, more importantly was the purpose for that plan. I am so thankful for the love of Christ in my life, for His guidance, and His plan for my present and future! Jesus is the miracle in my life, without Him the blessings in my life would not exist! !

LOVE GOD FIRST, THEN LOVE YOU!

God desires for us to love Him first but to also love ourselves. I do not believe one can model their behavior after Christ if they do not love his most prized possession, you! God loves you and wants you to love yourself. Not with a spirit of vanity or haughtiness, but loving and respecting yourself the way God intends for you to. If you feel guilt ridden and bound by feelings of worthlessness, what can you accomplish for the Lord in that mind set? Very little!!! When we first come to God we do so with a spirit of acceptance. We must first accept the fact that we need God in our lives. Without this vital step we surely would be lost for ever. What good would repentance be without the acknowledgement that one needs to be forgiven? Leviticus 19:18 “Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself." Holding a grudge against someone only allows a spirit of grudge to take hold of you! If your angry with yourself, you will be angry toward others! If your unwilling to forgive yourself, you will be unwilling to forgive others. One who is critical of others normally is quite critical of them self. If you love God first, then yourself, you will transition that same love towards others. Satan is a liar...he wants to feel our minds with thoughts of worthlessness, shame, and guilt. Holding to something in your past that makes you feel condemned. God did not come to condemn the world but to save it. It has been said that 75% of people who are mentally disturbed would be diagnosed as mentally stable if they could only be convinced that they are forgiven. When God forgives us, He really does just that...HE FORGIVES! Why is that so hard for us to sometimes grasp? Repentance is a changed heart and mind that in return changes us entirely! While praising God, He gives confidence. Through faith in God we become strong. Through Him we gain patience, through Him we obtain wisdom and understanding. Through His love and acceptance we are able to love and accept ourselves and others around us as well!
"I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever" Psalm 52:8
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38-39
"But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Him even when we were dead in transgressions and sins-it is by grace and mercy you have been saved" Ephesians 5:4-5
"This is love: not that we love God, but that He first love us, and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" 1 John 4:10
"God is love" 1 John 4:16
These are God given attributes that make you a better you!Let's thank Him and praise Him for who we are through Him!