About God Inspirational Devotions
Experiencing God
Sonja Wilder
Joanna DaSylva
Yarrell Ametewee, Age 8
John E. Mitchner
Rena Bell
Annie Collins
Ethel Trent
Russell Langhorne, Jr.
Reginald Moore
Lana Randall
Carolynn Ross
Virginia Mungin
Lois Langhorne
Annie Jackson
Dana Rollins
Jeffrey Langhorne
Eva Faison
Brandi Jones
Diane Jackson
Sophie Brown
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Sonja Wilder
Joanna DaSylva
Yarrell Ametewee, Age 8
John E. Mitchner
Rena Bell
Annie Collins
Ethel Trent
Russell Langhorne, Jr.
Reginald Moore
Lana Randall
Carolynn Ross
Virginia Mungin
Lois Langhorne
Annie Jackson
Dana Rollins
Jeffrey Langhorne
Eva Faison
Brandi Jones
Diane Jackson
Sophie Brown
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
John 17:21
that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Church has been the center of everything for all of my life. As long as I can remember, I was always in church. It was something that I did automatically. I went to Sunday School and BTU (Baptist Training Union). I served on the usher board and sang in the choir. My father was a deacon and my mother was a deaconess and we lived only a block or so from the church. Whenever the pastor and church visited other churches, my family always went and I loved it. I loved singing in the choir the most. Until the age of 26, I had no fear of anything and from the age of 12, I considered myself a believer.
In 1974, on the fourth of September, my father died. I knew that something had changed but I didn't fully feel the impact because I still had my mother and I knew that she would still protect me from anything that could happen. I felt that she could and would fix everything. As an only child, my father was the kind of provider who gave me everything I needed without having to be asked. After my father died, I experienced fear for the first time. That fear produced insecurity and I did not know how to handle it. Looking for someone to take care of me, I got married, not for love, but out of a need for security. Apart from my parents, I did not know love as I have come to know it. I now know that there is natural love and then there is God's love.
For my own selfish reasons, I asked God to release me from my marriage. It just wasn't what I thought that it would be. I further asked God, that if it was His will that I remain in this marriage, then help me to grow up.
God did release me from the marriage but I was still living in emotional fear of the unknown. I had not completely overcome the feeling of insecurity and fear of the unknown when once again my whole life turned upside down. On July 18, my mother died. The enemy spoke to my mind and told me, "Now you're totally alone with no one and nothing. Once again, I took refuge in the church or maybe just church activity. My body was active but I was no longer there. It was not until 2004, that I really began to experience God and show signs of spiritual growth. I lost my job and had to move. I had to learn to totally depend on God because I had no money, no medical insurance and no safety net. I had always read the Bible but I never fully did what it said although I said that I believed.
In 2004, I took seriously Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
I would recite this Scripture every day along with other Scriptures until I learned to totally surrender my mind and heart to the spirit of the Scripture rather than just the letter of the Scripture. By studying, I began to really understand the Scriptures this time. In 2007, I began to feel a change. My goal was to become a "doer of the Word" and really allow the Holy Spirit to take me beyond the physical into the realm of the Spirit.
In 2007, the Revival here at Friendship emphasized what it meant to be yoked and in bondage. I began to learn what it meant to be free in the Spirit and a lot has happened to me between then and now. I am more free than I have ever been in my life. What is that freedom? It is the freedom to praise my way through.
I must say that through Pastor's teaching on "How to Pray in the Spirit", coupled with a better understanding of God, the Holy Spirit, I have learned to just let go of self.
I set a special time (5:30 AM) to sit in the presence of God every morning. This time includes prayer, study and praise.
There is a great deal more that I could say but this is just some of the ways that I am experiencing God.
I encourage you in your experience with God to just trust in Him and allow your faith to become your reality.
Prayer:
Lord God,
Lord God,
It is with a grateful heart and a peaceful mind that I say thank You for all You have done for me. Thank You for being my keeper and my guide. Holy Spirit, bless the words of my mouth. Help us to keep Your Word in our hearts that we may glorify you forever.
It is in the name of Jesus that I pray. Amen
“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been there, my brother had not died. But I know , that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, thy brother shall rise again” John 11:21
God is with me everyday. I don’t always feel him, I don’t always pay attention to him, I don’t always listen to him, but he’s always with me. My life has been full of challenges, that keep coming and if God weren’t here to give me hope, strength and love, I would not be where I’m at today. I was born from a Belgian mother and an African (Senegalese) father so I grew up in two extremely different cultures. It was difficult at times because I never felt I belonged anywhere and very cool at the same time to be part of two different worlds. I remember my mother telling me: “Take the best from both cultures and make your own honey.” Both of my parents were Christians and through their stories and explanations I learned about God.
Unfortunately, when I turned 10 years old, my parents got divorced. I was too young to understand why and too angry with my parents to care why. My mom and I went to church sometimes on Sundays and I loved it because it gave me hope and because the communion bread was soooo good and I got to taste wine, or the blood of Christ. At first I thought I was really eating the body of Christ and drinking his blood until my mother explained to me that it was a way to show our faith and receive Christ’s presence.
At 14 years old, my mother and I moved to the United States and that is when I met Mrs. McElroy. The first night we were here, the real estate let us stay in one of their houses until all the papers were signed…but we could not find that house. It was in January when the snow was falling down, the cold air was so strong and it was 11Pm. After an hour of trying to find that house, mom and I stopped…started crying and then prayed to God and Mary for a miracle. Two minutes later, we saw a police car who helped us find the house. Ask and you will receive. I missed my dad but we would talk to each other very often. High School was very difficult for me because I was so different from the other kids, so I focused on my school work and I started singing with Mrs. McElroy…who wasn’t just a teacher, she was always giving me advices, and helped me get through the hard times.
After High School, I went to college, where I found my mission and discovered what I wanted to do in life. I thanked God everyday for giving me that opportunity. I graduated a year ago and my dad came for graduation and I felt like we were a family again…I loved it. Then, in January, I went to Barcelona…by myself to learn Spanish. The first week was hard…I didn’t know anyone, I couldn’t speak Spanish, and I was all alone! I called my mom crying and she told me I could get through this and I needed to ask God to help me. So I did! And he gave me strength and courage to do this. Then I met awesome people from all around the world and I didn’t feel so lonely anymore.
Unfortunately, on February 6, 2008…something terrible happened. My father passed away. He wasn’t sick or anything, but he had a heart attack. I didn’t have time to say goodbye and I couldn’t believe it at first. I asked God “Why?” Multiple times and I never got and answer. I'm still in pain...I don't always know what to do...and I’m a little lost. But I am lucky to have my mother, who has been with me all the way. I am angry at the world...and at God for taking him away from me. Deep down I know God didn’t take him away, but I needed somebody to blame. It was too soon, I had so much more to learn from him. I had questions that were left unanswered! I am finally realizing that he's gone and he will never come back. I will never hear his voice again and I will never see his smile again.
During that time, my faith was greatly tested. I stopped praying because I thought it wouldn’t change anything…I would talk to God and tell him he didn’t exist. Now, clearly if you talk to somebody, he exists…so I knew he was there deep down! I wanted a reaction out of him. If your faith is never tested during your life, it is very easy to believe…there’s nothing challenging that thought. But when you encounter challenges and tragedies and in the end you find yourself praying for strength and hope…that’s real faith.
The past six months, have been the hardest times of my life, yet I received a lot of strength to go through this and I think that God gave this strength to me…AND my dad who I believe is with Jesus chilling in Heaven. I know he isn’t dead…his physical form is gone but his spirit will live on forever and he is in my heart everyday. God is everywhere. You can see it in the beauty of nature, the goodness of the people, and in your heart.
Prayer:
Dear God,
Give us strenght to help us deal with the death of a loved one
Give us courage to go on when things are very difficult and our hearts are heavy
Give us hope for tomorrow, so that we can move closer to you
And when our hearts are empty, please fill us with your endless love.
In the name of Jesus. Amen
Rene Bell
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Phil 4:13
My experience began on July 22nd, 2004 when I received a phone call at work that my grandmother was seriously ill. I left and went to her house and I saw that she needed to go to the hospital. I told my mom to call 911 this is serious. They admitted her. The doctor said we are going to have to do the surgery. I prayed to God and I told him I could not live without her I need her. The next morning she had the surgery, and when I went to see her in the recovery room I began to cry. They took her to ICU where I sat and watched her and talked to her. I began to thank her for all she has taught me. Then I spoke to her about God and how I could not understand his love for me or how he gives me the strength to endure some of the things I have been through. I thank God for her for teaching me about him and I thank him for the strength he has given me. I prayed and cried, “God why? Not yet.”
Then the call came Saturday night at 10:55pm. I was on the computer talking to Vincent and the doctor said to call the family, because she was not going to make it. Sunday morning came and we went to the hospital and the doctors said they had done all they could do. The pain medicine was not working, and she was not responding. We went in her room and she was lying there. I said, “NaNa,” and she just looked. I said, “Are we going to fight this fight?” and she shook her head” no.” I kissed her and said, “I love you so much.” As I was leaving the room I felt a peacefulness over me. When I looked back she raised her right hand and waved to me. As we were downstairs having breakfast they said code blue ICU I knew it was for her. I knew God had come for her. As I was in the elevator I began to shake and to cry. I asked God to strengthen me to bare this as we went to her room.They were working on her. The doctors came out after a few minutes and said they were sorry. As they allowed us to go back into her room. The tears continued to fall and I said, “No God.” Then I heard, “You asked me for strength.” As we left the hospital to prepare for her home going service I had so much strength. That was God. I expected myself to be at her funeral crying and falling out, but I was not. I could just feel God’s presence all around me. Once again I had experienced God.
This was nothing but God, because on July 25th I was flying to N.C., and she had asked me, Who’s going to take care of me?” And I said to her, “NaNa, you will be fine. God will take care of you. He told me so.” And to really think He did take care of her! He took her home with him
Prayer:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
Savior, Savior, Savior.
I thank you for the strength you have given me. I thank you for all the learning experiences with you. I ask your continued blessings upon me and my family.
Savior, Savior, Savior.
I thank you for the strength you have given me. I thank you for all the learning experiences with you. I ask your continued blessings upon me and my family.
Amen.
John E. Mitchner
“Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
Matthew 7:7
When I was asked to give a testimonial about experiencing God, I could not think of a single thing God had done for me. However, I could readily think of MANY things God has done for me. I considered, how could I place more weight on one experience over the other? Then, I thought, I would need several hours to really give God all the glory for all He has done for me. I felt I must praise him for a combination of miracles and blessings. However, I will be brief, yet thorough, in the allotted time.
I was first exposed to who God is by growing up in a religious family. At a very early age, I attended Sunday school, prayer meetings, morning and afternoon worship services. As I grew older, I would often hear my mother and sister say, “My Lord.” They seemed to say this in a manner which meant, “I need you Father, come see about me.” I did not realize, at the time, that I was being prepared for trials and tribulations which would come later in my own life. I was taught to listen and obey the teachings of my mother and family, which kept me from some of the problems of the world (such as smoking cigarettes, using drugs, and drinking alcohol). I learned the Ten Commandments and tried my best to live my life accordingly. Many, many times I experienced the magnificent miracles and blessings of God.
The first major event I would like to share with you is when I became 21 years old. After boot camp in CampPendleton, Ca., I was suddenly flying for 26 hours and landed in Southeast Asia (AKA: Vietnam). The initial experience was like been plucked from a safe, secure environment and thrown into a jungle, with fierce lions surrounding you, waiting to eat you up. I experienced many trying moments in Vietnam, but the one I remember most was the day I was supposed to go out on a mission into enemy territory, when suddenly I became very ill. Another medic readily and eagerly volunteered to go instead of me. He said, “I’ll take your place.” Later that same night, as our men became overpowered by the Vietcong, all that went out on that mission perished, even the medic who said, “I’ll take your place.” I began to wonder if God had spared my life for something he had planned for me in the future.
After two tours of duty in Vietnam, I finally returned home, unlike many of my comrades, without mental, physical, or emotional scars. I was grateful God had seen favor in me, because out of 400 men on the plane with me going to Vietnam, only 2 from that same group came back alive, and I was one of them!
My next very significant experience with God occurred four years ago, when I developed a large mass on my right side. The tumor began to grow rapidly, and several doctors thought it was most likely cancerous. After undergoing a 4-hour operation at Sloan Kettering, it turned out to be non-cancerous. Then, after coming home from spending a week in the hospital, I experienced unbearable pain at the wound site. Refusing to take the narcotics prescribed for me by the surgeon, I lay in bed early one morning and I prayed to God to relieve my pain. As I lay there with my eyes wide opened, I saw an angel suspended in the air above my head, and I heard a voice say, “I want you to tell them at FriendshipBaptistChurch that I, God Almighty, relieved you of all your pain.” And, from that day forth, I have never suffered any pain from that surgical procedure.
The most recent event occurred in my life six months ago, when, after 13 years, my lease expired. I was no longer able to practice medicine in that present location. I began to search high and low, far and near, for a new space to lease. Several months passed, without finding any place suitable. Finally, I found a building across the street from the old location. After inspecting the building, I realized it would be an enormous task and would cost a small fortune to render this building suitable. I contracted with the carpenters, electricians, and plumbers, and they began their renovations. The building was so badly in need of extensive repairs, that several people from across the street started coming around, poking fun, and making statements like, “This could never be made into a doctor’s office.” There was no bathroom, no heat, no water connection to the building, no electricity, no walls, and the floor was almost totally destroyed.
The carpenters would promise to be there for long hours of the day, but would only work 2 to 3 hours of the day, then would disappear, to return only 2 to 3 days later.
Time was passing for me to vacate my present location, and it seemed nothing was getting done to renovate the new location. The enormous financial burden became too much for me alone to handle. I became overwhelmed and drenched in debt. For the first time in my life, I began to lose sleep. Night after night, I lay awake wondering, “How could this project ever get finished?” For a brief moment, I thought about giving up. The carpenters and builders did not seem to know or care about the approaching deadline for completing this project. Also, the longer it took to complete, the more it cost in time, as well as money. Finally, with help from my friends, Deac. Walker, Bro. Joe Langhorne, Bro. Anthony Thomas, and Bro. Luther Williams, we began to help with the building process, moving furniture and charts from the old building to the new one, and four months later the building was finally complete.
The mountains I had to climb during this time in my life would seem insurmountable. However, even though I was completely financially drained, I never stopped tithing. I continued to pray daily, and I often found myself saying, “My Lord!” When asked what I was going to do, being in the terrible situation I found myself in, I said, “I’m going to pray and I’m going to stay close to God, because I know he will stay close to me.” I prayed continuously and I knew that being a faithful servant to God, my prayers would pay off after awhile. I would NOT give up! I knew that when my problems seemed more than I could bear, God was there all the time.
After it was all over, I received a financial blessing that brought me back to the point I was supposed to be. When the office was finished, people came from everywhere to see what the Lord had done. The new office was bigger and better in every way, compared to the old one. The people who stood across the street and doubted it could be done, came around to see what they later called, “A diamond in the ruff, and a jewel in the town of Roosevelt.” Every patient and every official from the Town of Hempstead entered the building with amazement at how this old, dilapidated, run-down building had been miraculously transformed into an amazing place for healing. They simply stood with eyes wide-opened and stared at what God had done. And, I remembered to say, “My Lord!”
God has truly blessed me down through the years, and I am truly grateful for God saving me, as well as giving me the gift of healing the sick. I just want to say, “Lord, I thank you!”
Yarrell Ametewee
Give Thanks unto the lord call upon his name.
make known his deeds among the people.
2) Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk of all his wonderous works.
make known his deeds among the people.
2) Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk of all his wonderous works.
Psalms105:1,2
As many times that I have been through sickness and in the hospital, there was one time in particular where I felt God the most. I was in the Intensive care unit. I was very sick, and did not know if I would live. They had to put me to sleep so they could do surgery. I felt a heavy hand on my chest, and someone whispering that everything would be ok, and that I would live.
I know it was God because no one else was in the room except me and the machines. Within an hour I was awake and feeling fine. They moved me out of Intensive care within an hour.
Prayer:
Lord, we thank you for all the blessings you have given us. We thank you for the healing, we thank you for your love. In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
28) Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29) He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31
Life is a challenge! Let’s just start by being honest. Most of my worse experiences occurred due to bad choices on my part; especially when I was younger. Young people, you need to be reminded the God will forgive you for your sins; but you must pay the consequences for your choices. God is good. I believe that the only reason that I am alive today is by the grace of God. When I was doing wrong, I was trying too hang on for dear life to what was right. I spent much time not doing what God wanted me to do.
I got married young because I got pregnant young. My ex-husband and I grew at different paces. He decided that violence would be the equalizer. I acquired some defenses back then that I sometimes find resurfacing at inappropriate times. In the midst of that turmoil, his uncle, my son’s Godfather, said that God told him to tell me, “Your life will not always be this way.” I am convinced that you should be obedient about dispensing encouraging words, as those words were to ring loudly in my heart and mind through many trying times. They rang out during the death of my grandmother, with whom I had lived all my life. They rang out when I became very sick for a while. When I was accepted into the Masters of Theology program at New York Theological Seminary I was thrilled. But, the words again rang out when the tuition fees quickly turned to attorney’s fees when my son got in trouble.
I have learned that you must be careful about asking God to give you such things as a guy. I like a good joke as much as the next person, but some of God’s moves are so not funny. Just when I was about to “bust out,” I got custody of a bi-racial grandson. That presented a huge life change for both of us. I had been happily living alone for three years, and he had been happily living with his mother for eight years. I wanted an adult to argue with. Since he was about four years old, he has been adamant about wanting to have braids. I argue that we have nothing to work with there. He says golf is the best sport. I argue that golf is not a sport. He says heavy metal is the best music. I argue that heavy metal is punishment, not music. God knows that I live to learn. But, I now know more about those last two subjects that I ever hoped to know.
I can honestly say that I do get tired of trying to be all things to all people, with little or no help from others. Sometimes I just feel totally overwhelmed. Though those times are shorter, fewer, and farther between now, some people at Friendship have seen me worn right down to the ground. Some things I just can not do any more. I will not support grown kids, grown kids’ kids, and the habits that keep grown kids from supporting their own kids. I’m not as stupid as I look.
At times, I’ve given in to all the vices. I’ve tried drugs, alcohol, men, shopping sprees, being a workaholic, etc. None of them solved anything for me. I’ve learned that sometimes you must just stop and listen. Experiencing God is an individual thing. To each his own. I’m so high strung to begin with, that meditation has always benefited me more than a good shout: more listening...less noise inside and out.
One thing I feel strongly about is freely giving. Down through the years, God has been so good to me. I’ve been showered with blessings in every size, shape, and form. I always say that the last thing I can afford to be accused of is being stingy, because you don’t know how good God has been to me. Surely, He’s thinking, “What else would I need to do to convince you that I’ve got this?” I am persuaded that He is in control.
As Marvin Sapp says: “I never could have made it. I’m stronger. I’m wiser. I’m better.” When I look back over all that God has brought me through, I know I would have lost it a long time ago.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before you just as humble as we know how. I acknowledge you as my All-in-All. I pray that you forgive me for all of my sins, past and present. Cleanse my heart and my mind, so that you can use me in Your Kingdom. Thank you for the countless unmerited blessings that you have showered upon us. Thank you for the privilege of prayer and total access to abundant life. Give us the wisdom to know what to ask of you, what to do for ourselves, and what to stay away from. Give us the weapons that we need to meet the challenges of this life. Help us to be agents of love and encouragement to one another. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
by Ethel Trent
As a child, I never felt that I fitted in anywhere. I was always alone but I never felt lonely. I didn’t know human love but there were always trees, plants and animals that I enjoyed seeing and studying.
I really didn’t know who God was. I remember getting dressed up for Easter and going to church but I really didn’t know why. At twelve I joined RuthAMEZionChurch. I was sprinkled with water and joined the choir just so that I could go on the bus trips and skate with the other children. I still did not have any idea of what Christianity or church was all about. Basically, the only scripture I ever heard from my mother was, “Honor thy mother and thy father that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord, thy God, giveth thee”. At the time, every word came at the end of a lash of the strap while being beaten for one thing or another. When I heard the name of God, it was usually in the form of a curse. The only thing that seemed to reign supreme in our home was the vodka bottle.
As a young teenager, I was surrounded by verbal, physical and emotional abuse. At fifteen, and in the family way, I dropped out of church, dropped out of sight and dropped out of the main stream of life. I really felt like and outcast. I couldn’t fit in no matter how hard I tried. I was always out of place. Often when alone, I would ask “why”.
My first search for an answer to this question began after the death of two people who were dear to my heart when I was seventeen. I remember my friend teasing, just days before his death, by saying, “When I die, I will be in the back of the church laughing at all of you crying”. He also told his mother that she would follow him in death. The double death of two people so dear to me was devastating and in my ignorance, I believed that I could bring them back so I began my first study of the “dark side”. There was a bookstore in the next town from where I had my first job as a teenager that aided me in the study of the underworld. I saw nothing wrong with this due to a lack of true spiritual guidance. I read about all kinds of rituals, which included palm reading, taro cards and the like. I was searching for something but I wasn’t sure of what.
In my early twenties, I came across a family that said their son was possessed and that they were taking him to a revival center to be exorcised. I wanted to go because I wanted to see a demon. It was through this experience that I first “experienced God”. Week after week, I would sit and listen to the minister and testimonies. The more I listened, one name stood out. It was the name of Jesus. For the first time in my life, I opened the Bible and read the words. No, I didn’t understand what it all meant at first, but God’s love of me stood out. God loves me!
Ten years later, although I had long left the RevivalCenter and had no church home, I still didn’t give up searching. I went to a Pentecostal church and the level of praise and the excitement just swept me away. I just knew that this was it. I was baptized and began my walk with Christ in 1978. I attended and graduated from the O. M. Kelly Religious Training Institute in 1991 with honors. I faithfully attended and worked in my church on committees, auxiliaries and I helped with dinners. I thought that being a good Christian worker was my calling. However, was still missing. I didn’t fit in. I’m quite sure that I was given the right tools but I didn’t know how to use them. I somehow missed my footing and took a hard fall.
Before I knew what had happened, I was turned out and hooked by the world. I turned against everything that I had been taught. I gave myself one of the biggest pity parties ever. I was too proud to admit that I had sinned and fallen. I was too ashamed to pick myself up and face the people I loved and had worshipped with. The more I thought about my fall from grace, the angrier I became. With my anger came stubbornness and a “I don’t care” attitude that kept me where I was.
Truly lost and alone in a strange world of darkness, I was unable to see my way out. I didn’t know how to get out. I tried to walk away – to get away – but it didn’t work. I didn’t even know how I really got in so deep but there I was scared and confused.
One night, at the risk of looking silly, I began to talk to myself – out loud. I said the things I was too proud to admit to anyone. I had, long ago, stopped making promises that I couldn’t keep, even to myself. I made one promise, that night, in the darkness of a flooded out and musty old cellar, too afraid to close my eyes, as the tears rolled down my cheeks, “For God I will live and for God I will die”.
I don’t know how or when I fell asleep, but when morning came I opened My eyes to a new day with a song in my heart that said, “I’m going home”. From that very moment, my experience with God has been one step at a time. Each new day is a brighter day because it’s by the grace of God that He opens my eyes. I say, as David said, “His praise shall constantly be in my mouth”. Everyday, God orders my steps because my feet no longer walk the streets in search of sin. – (Thank you Jesus) I praise Him because I’m no longer blinded by the darkness. I know the He is “the way, the truth and the light”. I thank Him because I can look in the mirror and not see the ugliness of sin that use to dwell on the inside of me. I now hug the Spirit of the living God within myself and as I shout “I love You, Lord”. I thank God for every young person I see involved in the service of the Lord and I praise God for His goodness because, although I didn’t know it at the time, even in my youth, He was always with me, protecting and guiding me into this present moment.
I thank God for His blessed leaders that help me understand the “truth”. I’m not ashamed to raise my hands to praise my God for picking me up and turning me around and setting my feet on solid ground. I thank God because everyday with Him grows sweeter and sweeter in Him. I thank God for turning my fears into faith. I thank God for teaching me who I really am and my true purpose in this life. I thank God for the “spirit of service” and the “heart of obedience”. I thank God because “God is Love”.
Let us pray.
Russell Langhorne, Jr.
The written gospel contains such a multitude of scripture that encompass our physical and spiritual lives that no single passage can describe or capture all that we are as children of God. Nonetheless, because of my recent illness, I chose the following reference to “faith”.
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
James 5:15
James 5:15
Reflection
When I first learned of my illness, I asked the Lord, “Why me?” I felt sadness, fear, anxiety and concern for my wife and children who would go through the rest of their lives without me. I began to pray to the Lord to increase my faith. As time passed, there came a time when I noticed that others around me with the same affliction or similar disease, were much worst off. I asked the Lord again, “Why me? Why am I so blessed?” You see, no matter what, never lose your faith. Faith makes all things possible but not necessarily easy.
Prayer:
Lord, I praise Your name. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. Keep me within Your grace and mercy. Lord, help me to hold out until my day has come. Father, You helped me fight this battle and if there is another, I know that You will be there to shield me. I know that if I pass the test, You will take care of the rest, Lord. If I can just touch the hem of Your garment, dear Father, I know that I will be made whole. Father, I shall always praise Your holy name. In Jesus’ name – Amen.
Reginald Moore
Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.
Psalm 51:10
I was brought up in church from a young age but I never felt connected to God. I guess I never really felt fully connected to anything.
By the time I returned to church, as an adult, I had been through drug addiction. I started when I was about fifteen years old and by the time I was about twenty-one, turning twenty-two, I was addicted to heroin and was using a bundle of heroin a day with no problem. I had been selling drugs throughout the entire time and had hurt so many people in so many ways. I was numb.
At twenty-one, turning twenty-two, I entered treatment for drugs for the first time. I was so sick that I could not even dress myself to enter the hospital. Later, I entered a long- term treatment center and after finishing the program, things still didn’t feel right even after getting married and having children. I then began attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and this proved to turn me to God once again. After almost ten years of being off drugs with a wife and children, I still felt that something was missing. I thought that God was pleased with me because I was an honest guy.
Through all the years of being clean from drugs, I often felt that if I didn’t have my family that might be the one thing that would push me back to my old lifestyle. In spite of lingering doubts, I continued to attend church. At first, I felt really awkward and out of place. It seemed that a lot of my demons of the past were being stirred up. At times it was hard for me to sit through service. My dad would always talk with me about life and marriage. Sometimes things felt better and other times worse but I found myself relying more on God. I believe, now, that through these times, the Holy Spirit was busy quickening my spirit and transforming my mind. I was still having problems in my marriage but somehow I saw things differently. I know now, that God was preparing me for what could have been, for me, the difference between life and death. God prepared me to stand up, do and say the things I never thought possible. I was able to endure some of the deepest pain and loss that I had never even considered in all of my life.
It was through separation from my family that I truly experienced God. He revealed Himself to me and showed me the love that He had for me as His son. It seemed that the greatest pains, hurts and wounds of my life was only an experience and not a tragedy that would crush me.
Today, I am not perfect but God is doing a new thing in me that I might one day be all that He intended for me to be. I truly know that He has adopted me as His son and has given me the gift of salvation. I’m sometimes so overwhelmed when He chooses to use me to help others – “little ole me” among so many. He has decided to favor me with enough of His grace to witness to others. It’s a privilege and an honor because in those moments I can experience God in me and know how much He loves me. Today, led by the Spirit, I can stand tall knowing that God stands up in me.
Let us pray.
by Lana Randall
“For as you know him better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living a truly good life: he even shares his own glory and his own goodness with us! (2 Peter 1:3 TLB)
I am just beginning to truly experience God. To believe Him at His Word that His plans for me are good. He has given me a future and a hope. I am learning how to participate with Him in my walk. His Spirit leads me to act upon His word and when I act my faith increases and grows stronger. I used to think that all I had to do was pray and ask God to help me in the rough times and He would fix everything. I didn’t want to go through because I wrongly thought that I had to go through on my own. I was spiritually immature and lazy. Now I know that God wants me to actively participate with Him in His good plans for me. He wants me to do what I’m responsible for and deal with life’s issues as best I can with the confidence and assurance that He is going through with me not for me. I know now that He feels whatever I feel. When I hurt, His heart hurts with mine. My joy brings Him joy. He feels what I feel because He loves me. Not because of me, but because of the Jesus in me. He knows my past and He doesn’t hold it against me. He has banished it from His memory and sees only what I might become in Christ Jesus. Experiencing God has meant change. A change in me from the inside out. The more I get to know Him the greater my desire to change. Today I stand as a citizen of the kingdom. I’m living as a follower of Christ in the world. Situations and circumstances are what they are; nothing more, nothing less and they no longer dictate how I live for Christ. The fullness of Christ dwells in me. I know it because I sense His divine closeness and it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him. I live expecting to be empowered by God so that I can be used by Him - any time, any place. God’s Spirit has opened my spiritual eyes (what the Ephesians called the “eyes of understanding”) helping me to see from God’s perspective. His Word enables me to see where I belong in His plans for me. I was created to fellowship intimately with God, to listen when He speaks to me, to be alight in the darkness, to be His witness, to spread the Good News and to bring Him glory through Christ Jesus. My purpose is to participate in kingdom building. This includes loving others with the love of Jesus, praying with and for them, witnessing to non-believers and encouraging saints who are struggling with their faith. Yet, it is not I but the Christ in me who consistently desires to glorify God. I am a willing participant because I am empowered by the Holy Spirit. That God would bless me for my active participation in His plans for me was not anticipated. I am not talking about material blessings. He has already provided for that. I’m employed; my basic needs are met. I’m talking about the blessings that come when God enlarges your territory. Spiritual blessings. I find that intercessory prayer calms my spirit and keeps me humble and grateful. Encouraging someone in their faith strengthens my own. Reaching outward instead of retreating inward keeps me focused on Christ. Focusing on Christ frees me to share in God’s kingdom and make it my vision for living. Trials, chastening, tearing down and building up have all been part of His plan for me. He had to prepare me for this level of experiencing Him. And God has promised that I will grow to a place where I will experience Him fully if I do what I’m responsible for. (2 Peter 1:5, 8 TLB) says “You must learn to know God better and discover what he wants you to do...The more you go on in this way, the more you will grow strong spiritually and become fruitful and useful to our Lord Jesus Christ.” To God be the Glory!
Our Father, who art in heaven. Holy is your name. Forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. You are our loving Father: perfect in every way. Your word plants seeds of joy and peace within us. We are free today because Christ has set us free. We are not enslaved by sin, but free under your favor and mercy. You have given us new life through Christ Jesus and it is life to the full . Thank you that we are being transformed by your Spirit - transformed into Jesus’ likeness. You have made us children of your kingdom granting us access to your unlimited spiritual wealth. Your word gives us life. We need it as much as food and drink. In your word we find whatever we need knowing that as you have spoken it, you will also bring it to pass; as you have purposed it, you will also do it. You have a plan for each of us and your plans are for good and not evil. Help us, by your Spirit, to become participants with you in your good plans for us so that our lives may consistently reflect your glory. In the name of Jesus we pray.
Amen.
by Carolynn Ross
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.........correct your son, and he will give you comfort; he will delight your soul. Proverbs 29:15,17
I was introduced to the Lord at an early age. But my personal relationship began with Him a couple of years after having children. I knew the job of raising two black, male children was the most important thing I'd ever had to do. It appeared that the task was insurmountable. As hard as I tried I could not get a hold on my boys. The more I tried the more overwhelmed I became. The more effort I put into raising my boys the more I failed.
I was in a place where I needed guidance like I needed air to breathe. And no one could help me-not my mom, none of my freinds, or self help books. My grandmother, who to me knew everything couldn't help me. I was at the end of my rope, knowing how important raising these boys were-and knowing I was failing. I fell to the feet of the Lord and begged Him for help. And as quickly as I called Him, He came to me. Jesus Christ took my hand and He and I have been raising my children ever since.
I'd like to say that since I invited Christ into my life and my home that I don't have anymore problems with my children. But that is so not the case. Those boys seem to stay into something. But now when something comes along, instead of feeling overwhelmed or defeated I simply go to God and ask Him what to do. And I listen, and I follow His direction.
My kids are tough. But every time they give me some "tough" I give that "tough" to my Father. And because of that I have developed such a close relationship with Jesus. I address all my children's issues, and I pray to respond to each one the way God tells me. And while I address every issue I don't focus on them. My focus is always on God and His promise to me.
When it comes to my boys, I refuse to believe anyone, or anything but God. The school says that because they challenge and test the system, they'll grow up to be deviants. And I say, but God says " All your sons will be taught by the Lord and great will be your children's peace" (Isaiah 44:3)
Some of my own friends and family whisper that I have unruly kids and I say ,but God says "He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress and for his children it will be a refuge." (Proverbs14:26)
My boys themselves even say I expect too much from them; they don't see their potential and I say ,but God says" Sons are a heritage from the Lord, Children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."(Psalm127:3-5)
I believe the Lord has important work for my children to do. I'm waiting for Eric and Darrell's testimony to be complete. I'm watching a miracle unfold. And in watching and waiting I am loving the Lord more, I am trusting Him more and He and I are becoming closer and closer.
When I reflect on my relationship with God I thank my children, because they are the ones who drove me into his arms.
Prayer
In the name of My savior Jesus Christ I come to you My Lord with a spirit of thanksgiving. I thank you for a relationship. I thank you for your Mercy and Grace, neither of which I take for granted. I also thank you for the confidence I feel with respect to my childen's future. I am confident, but not arrograntly, for the ability to stand on the promise of goodness you will display evidently in my boys. I thank you for using my children to demonstrate how to stand on the Faith you've given me and not on the world. I am now and I will continue to give you all Glory, all Honor and all Praise for all you do for me and my family. My hope is that I will show myself approved to You for your Love. In the name of Him who is most Holy and speaking on my behalf.
Amen.
Amen.
Experience: All of the actions, events or states which make up the life of a person, a community, a race, etc.
In experiencing God, I have encountered some awesome mountain top days, some stressful & low valley days, some expected and unexpected good days and also some unexpected bad days (as we would consider bad). The thing to know and learn is that "We walk by faith and not by sight" - feelings. It's not about how we feel, what we do or what others do or don't do - it's about God. It's about loving God and having faith and trust in God for whom He is and believing that He will supply our needs. It's about loving God with all of our heart, soul and might and loving our neighbor as ourselves. It's about seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and believing that all these things (food, clothes, shelter, etc.) shall be added to us. It's about studying His Word to know who God is, what He requires of us, what His promises are and what He will and will not do. It's about renewing our mind with the Word so that we may walk in fellowship with Him daily while being led by the Spirit and making godly choices instead of decisions based on emotions and what we see or hear.
In August 2007, my husband made a decision based on the flesh and it changed our lives. We were emotionally devastated because we were focusing on what happened and what we were seeing and hearing. We were not looking at it from God's perspective as spiritually mature Christians.
I lost it for a while because I wasn't focusing on God but after much time spent with God, I realized that this too was a learning experience in my walk with God - "Experiencing God"! I had to use my faith and trust in God to see us through this hour of testing. As I go through this test, I am learning so many things that it's hard to name just a few. I have learned that God wants us to glorify Him & live out the purpose that He created us for. He wants us to spend time with Him daily just because we love Him and He loves us. He wants us to get to know the real "Love" of our life who loves us unconditionally. As we get to know Him we are able to share with others the awesomeness of our God who can do anything but fail. No matter what the situation or circumstance, I'm learning to stay focused on God and the Word and to continue to walk by faith and not by "feelings".
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart - Lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3: 1-26)
Let us pray:
Most holy and all wise God, thank you for Jesus your gift to the world. Thank you that through Him and by faith I have access to You. Thank you for walking with me & revealing so many awesome & wonderful truths to me. Thank you for the power to overcome the world through faith in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. I love You, I trust You and I am leaning & depending on You because there is no other way. Without You I can do nothing. Thank you for loving me so much. In Jesus' name!
Most holy and all wise God, thank you for Jesus your gift to the world. Thank you that through Him and by faith I have access to You. Thank you for walking with me & revealing so many awesome & wonderful truths to me. Thank you for the power to overcome the world through faith in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. I love You, I trust You and I am leaning & depending on You because there is no other way. Without You I can do nothing. Thank you for loving me so much. In Jesus' name!
Amen.
By Lois Langhorne
Romans 12:6-8
“6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Ephesians 4:16
16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
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My spiritual gifts are the gift of gab and acting. I never thought of them as gifts until recent years. Growing up in a house of six with a single parent wasn't easy.
There was a lot of things we went without. My sister and I played together with the toys we had. We liked to play with ours dolls and imaginary friends. We pretended we were school teachers teaching class or somebody’s mother. I guess that’s where I learned to talk so much and play act. Who knew that years later that shy little girl would grow up and stand on a stage acting in front of people. At the time, I didn't know where I got the courage to do it because all of the people I used to stand in front of were stuffed or make believe. I’m not comfortable doing this and at times I’m nervous and my stomach gets upset. It doesn't get any easier the more I do it. There are times when I ask Ms.Jackson to ask someone else or make excuses that people are tired of seeing me and I’m tired of hearing myself talk. Although people have said how good I was or asked how I remembered all that stuff I was still reluctant to do it. But now I realize that God give us spiritual gifts to share and to use. Everyone has a spiritual gift. For some it's singing; others preaching and teaching. Mine are the gift of gab and acting. Through my experience with God I had to learn this. I always like to sing, but that is not the gift he had in store for me. Way back as a child God was preparing me to be an angel to let someone know there name wasn’t in The Lambs' Book of life; preparing me to teach someone about Mary Ellen Pleasant or Rosa Parks; preparing me to be Mary the mother of Jesus pondering about his birth and what it would mean to the world. We have to learn to appreciate what gifts God has given to all of us and to not think one is bigger or better than the other. God has taught me that people can be saved through different experiences. It may be the word through a play, a sermon, or a song that someone comes to Christ. Through my experience with God I’ve learn to embrace my gifts because it's what he wants me to do. He gave me gifts and I have to share them. A footnote in the new believers Bible says "It is possible to let a gift go unused. In doing this, however, you disobey God and cheat the Church of a blessing. For this reason, we must use those unique gifts he has given us. In fact it must be insulting to God for us to demean some gift his Holy Spirit has instilled in our life by saying it just isn’t important enough to use." My experience with God teaches that all gifts are important and should be used to uplift his church and that one is no more important than the other.
THANK YOU, LORD, FOR MY GIFT!
THANK YOU, LORD, FOR MY GIFT!
PRAYER :
LORD I THANK YOU FOR MY GIFT. I THANK YOU FOR MRS. MCELROY ASKING ME TO DO THIS. I THANK YOU FOR MY FAMILY AND I THANK YOU FOR MY INLAWS AND THEir HEALING. I THANK YOU FOR BRINGing US THROUGH 2007 AND I KNOW 2008 WILL BE A BETTER YEAR FOR US all. IN JESUS' NAME I PRAY. AMEN.
By Annie Jackson
James 2:18-20,26:
18) Yea a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble.
20) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
26) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Several times over the last two years +, I have talked about my healing. It focused primarily on my eyes, but today I would like to testify to another dimension of my healing.
When I first discovered I had an impairment, I didn’t know what to do, I didn’t know what it was and I was afraid. It was four months before I was diagnosed with Thyroid Eye Disease.
All that time I had been praying that the Lord would heal whatever was wrong. It didn’t happen as I expected it to. There was no change. I was going from doctor to doctor
Then I had a revelation, an eye opener, a mind opener, a soul stirrer. I took on the shield of ‘FAITH’. I decided to put it all in the hands of the Lord, totally trust Him.With this revelation, I knew I was going to be alright. The fear was gone. Faith was no longer just a word I said, it became a feeling that permeated my whole being. It became a lifestyle. I began expressing it. I wasn’t the least worried. and I started walking toward the evidence of His promise. Thank God, He gave me a spiritual awakening.
In my prayers , I said “ Lord, heal me anyway You want to heal me.” I began seeing things as I thought God would want me to see them. I was more determined than I had ever been to do and go where He directed me. Now the focus was no longer on the eyes, but on areas, I didn’t know needed healing. When I looked over my inventory of life, God showed me that some of my shelves needed additional stock. I started doing more positive things. Mending relations, showing more love, more concern, giving more, sharing more, praying for others more, visiting, more bible reading, forgiving more, more evangelizing and on and on. family and friends had to se that I was walking through by faith. Non-believers had to see this. With my faith in God, I acquired a greater trust in the doctors. I trusted that God had given them the skills and knowledge and directed me to them to care for me. That goes for any health problem, I may have.
After a year or more my physical eyes started improving. I went from a 20/85 vision to a 20/25 .I wish I could say that the impairment was completely gone, but not yet. So I’m determined to wait on God and be of good courage. I still maintain that I have been healed. He has given me a new attitude, new vision and a new spirit. I am a witness that He will heal in His way and in His own time.
Prayer:
“ Heavenly Father we come with grateful hearts, as we thank You for all You have done in our lives, Your healing power, Your changing power Your love and almighty power.
I pray that those who do not know You, will desire to know and feel the very essence
of Your presence and power in their lives. I pray they will surrender it all to You.
We thank you, adore You, and give You all the honor and praise and it is in the name of Jesus that we pray.
by Dana Rollins
“For I know the thoughts I think toward you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Like many of you I was born and raised in this church. I began learning about the mystery of God at a young age; but what really made my relationship with God personal was prayer. I was taught that prayer was talking to God, and you do so as if he is physically in the room with you. And that is exactly what I did. I prayed every night before I went to bed, sometimes with my parents or even alone and I prayed for EVERYONE. I called out individual names of the people I that knew and also people that I did not know. I prayed that the Lord would keep and bless EVERYONE.
On February 1, 1998 at the age of 12, I was baptized here at friendship. My relationship with God grew closer because now I was able to partake in Communion. I marveled over the way God had blessed those in the bible and my own family as well.
But on December 31, 1998 everything changed. I was awaken by my parents to be told of the passing of my 17 year old cousin Norma Vestal. This turned my world upside down. I couldn't understand why this had happened. Not only was she a kid but I PRAYED FOR HER EVERY NIGHT! DIDN'T GOD HEAR ME SAY HER NAME!
I immediately became angry with God. I questioned everything and anything that had to do with God and church. What made it more difficult was that the adults in my family needed to be comforted themselves and were not able to comfort me and the other children in my family. It was rough on all of us.
But even though I questioned my relationship with God, he never gave up on me. He would not allow me to sabotage myself. God continued to put positive people and opportunities in my way to help me stay on track. One that really had a big impact was when I was asked to become an officer in the EBA and I accepted. I was able to travel and meet Christian children just like myself who had also experienced hard times of their own and were able to overcome them. I realized that God had prepared me for the obstacles that I would face and that he would not put more on me than I could bear. Since this experience with God I have grown spiritually in many ways. I still continue to pray as I always have if not more; but now with more conviction and sincerity because I now know for MYSELF what GOD can do and I KNOW he can do the same for YOU.
“Let us pray: Dear Lord Father God in the name of Jesus, thank you for letting us gather here together in your name. Thank you for continuing to love us even when we do not show you love. Lord, your word says that you have a future and a hope for all of us and we ask right now Lord that you will order our steps so that we may stay grounded in you when obstacles come upon us. Lord, I ask a special blessing for the youth right now. I ask that you will build a fence around them because there is so much negative energy and negative people after them and myself included that it is easy to get unfocused and lose your way. I also ask that you not only bless them but their families as a whole. Help us to keep our families together because together we stand but divided we fall. We love you Lord. And we thank you for all you've done for us and what you will do. All these things we ask in Jesus' name . AMEN.”
By Jeffrey Langhorne
“When Things Look Blue”
[27] O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? [28] Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. [29] He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. [30] Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. [31] But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. ISAIAH 40: 27-31 (New Believer's Bible)
As a child growing up I could never understand why my mother would always make me go to church. I mean Sunday school, morning service, afternoon service, cherub choir rehearsal, usher board and every other function there was. I can remember getting up early every Sunday and hiding one shoe, thinking that she would give in and say, “Son, if you don’t find that shoe you can stay home.” But she would never say that. Instead she would always say, “You're going to church barefoot or with those dirty sneakers on. Then, of course, I would go back to my room and pull out that hidden shoe.
As I grew older and was still living under my parents’ roof, I would think, “Now that I’m older and a man, she can’t tell me what to do. I’ll go when I want to.” Sunday after Sunday, I missed. She would always ask, “Jeffery, are you going to church this morning?” “No, Mom. Not today,” I would reply. And that was it.
I never really went back to church unless there was a funeral or special occasion. To me that was enough. I figured I had all I needed: a job, a place to stay, money, food and my health. What else did I need?
Later, I was in a bad car accident. I broke my leg, lost my job and had a lot of other things happen in my life. I didn’t know what to do or which way to turn. My mother came to me and said, “Son, you have got to turn your life around. You're heading down the wrong way.” I started back to church, and as soon as things got better I strayed away again. But this time God didn’t let me stay away that long. Things started to happen in my life that only God could help me with. My father got sick. Then my mother and brother got sick, all in only two months time.
For six months I cried, felt bad for myself and had pity parties. I even made myself sick, until one day I came back to where I should have never left: the Lord. I started praying, believing and giving my all to God. He has picked me up, turned me around and put my feet on solid ground. I’m doing things now that I thought I couldn’t do, and I owe it all to Jesus. Thank you, Lord! My mother is doing well. Thank you, Lord! My father is doing well. Thank you, Lord! My brothers are doing well. Thank you, Lord! And my sister is doing well. Thank you, Lord! Last but not least, thank you for sending me a angel in the way of my beautiful wife who knows you too. THANK YOU LORD!
PRAYER: DEAR GOD, MY FATHER, I COME TO YOU TODAY BECAUSE I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO IN MY LIFE. THANK YOU FOR STRENGTHENING ME. THANK YOU FOR PICKING ME UP WHEN I AM DOWN. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME WEATHER THE STORMS IN MY LIFE. GOD I KNOW THERE ARE GOING TO BE MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB AND MORE STORMS TO WEATHER. I THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME KNOW YOU'RE JUST A PRAYER AWAY. GOD, AS I PRAY TODAY, I ASK YOU TO CONTINUE TO BLESS MY WIFE AND MY FAMILY. LORD, I ASK YOU TO HAVE PATIENCE WITH MY ENTIRE FAMILY LIKE YOU HAD PATIENCE WITH ME. I PRAY THAT THEY WILL FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO YOU. GOD, I ASK YOU TO BLESS THOSE WHO KNOW YOU AND THOSE WHO DON’T. THESE AND ALL OTHER BLESSING I ASK IN YOUR NAME. AMEN.
Titus: 2:7-8- In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
My pilgrimage with God began many years ago, but at that time I didn't have Him in my heart. I was taught about God at an early age. I had God-fearing parents and good role models in my life. So, when I veered, it was not a result of my not being taught; rather, it was a result of my "leaning to my own understanding." The Bible tells us to "trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to our own understanding." (Prov. 3:5). It further states that we must cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (11 Corin. 1:5) …not to be conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of one's mind, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." I believe one renews one’s mind by studying the Word of God, which teaches us to have the mind of Christ. It became transparent to me that the only way I could have the mind of Christ was to study His Word, believe in my heart and act upon it. I endeavored to know Christ intimately. I wanted to know Him more than just Creator. When I began to realize who God was, I discovered that I desired to be more like Him. I discovered that He was light. He offers me direction. God is love; I wanted to know God better so that I could have a greater capacity to love, to reach out, to be what I needed to be for other people. When I began to identify with the purpose of why Christ came, which was to serve and, not to be served, to minister, not to be ministered to, I realized that as I try to imitate Him that I will be more effective in contributing to my family relationships and relationships in society. As I learned about His nature to love, I learned how to really love. As I began to know Christ better, I learned that He is Spirit, and He cannot be confined by space and time. He is with me to assist, to comfort, to love, to provide peace. I am the created being, He is the Creator. I needed to know God better because without Him becoming a part of me, I would fall on my face along with my plans and goals. I cannot function without the instruction, guidance and expertise of my Creator. I am cognizant of the fact that I am a complicated, integral creation that needs to be developed mentally, socially, physically, and spiritually. That is not possible without knowing the Creator. I am glad I am experiencing God to a higher degree and I know who I am and whose I am, and I realize who God is -- that for fulfillment, peace and hope. I need to keep learning about God, for my value and worth is defined by who I am in Christ Jesus. When I first came to Christ, my faith was as a flickering amber, but He fanned it into a raging flame. Thanks be to God that when I went through wilderness experiences, He didn't allow me to become a victim. He had anointed me for "such a time as this." He pruned me because He wanted me to bring forth a good harvest. Often times we have no control over situations that happens to us in life, but we can control how we react to them. Thanks be to God that troubles don't last always, and they bring us closer to Jesus' suffering. I am experiencing unspeakable joy and I have had sorrows as well. But in each, I keep this writing in mind:
At the turn of the century, there lived a poet, Kahill Gibran, who wrote a book called "The Prophet." In this book he wrote of Joy and Sorrow, it contained the following: The deeper sorrow carves into you, the more joy you can contain. When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight, joy, and sorrow, are inseparable. Together they come; and when one sits at your table, remember, the other is asleep in your bed. Verily, you suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy. Only the people who can make you happy can cause you sorrow, and only those who can cause you sorrow can make you happy!
At the turn of the century, there lived a poet, Kahill Gibran, who wrote a book called "The Prophet." In this book he wrote of Joy and Sorrow, it contained the following: The deeper sorrow carves into you, the more joy you can contain. When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight, joy, and sorrow, are inseparable. Together they come; and when one sits at your table, remember, the other is asleep in your bed. Verily, you suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy. Only the people who can make you happy can cause you sorrow, and only those who can cause you sorrow can make you happy!
By Brandi Jones
2 Corinthians 4: 8-9:
“(8) We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. (9) We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.”
I remember being eight years old and praying to God that He bring my mom back to me. I didn't understand that the sickness that she had didn’t enabled her to take care of my brothers and me. Now that I look back on it, God blessed me by placing me in my aunts care. At the time, all I wanted was my mother. I had a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and people that loved me; but that meant nothing. My aunt made sure that I had everything I needed and wanted, but that meant nothing to me. I use to be so angry on Sunday mornings when she made me go to church. I couldn't understand why I had to go and praise a God that wasn't answering my prayerss.
As I got older, I thought I had grown out of wanting my mom. I started having this “I don’t care” atitude. Sometimes I did things, knowing that I shouldn’t. But at the time, I wanted to fit in with other people, so I did them anyway. I started looking for love in all the wrong places. I think I wanted love from my mother so badly that I started relationships with people that were not healthy. I put faith in people that should have been in God. I've been manipulated and used up. I've cried so many nights. But it wasn’t until I actually saw my mom for the first time in twelve years that I realized that God had been by my side all the time.
I've learned that things are not always going to go my way. There are many more hardships to come, but as long as I give my situations over to the Lord, everything will be okay. I am twenty-six years old with four kids. To many, that might be the biggest mistake that I could have made. But I know that God is going to make sure that they will always be alright. They have always had a roof over there heads. They are always fed, and they have so much love around them that I know it is by the grace of God. There were times when I did not know how to love myself or my kids. Now that I have God in my life, I have joy. I still cry sometimes, but thenIi remember that God is going to work everything out. He may not come when you want Him, but He is always on time.
God knew that I would have four kids. He also knew that I would need help with them. So, not only did He give me my mom back, but He gave me a whole new family; and for that I am grateful.
Let us pray:
Father God, in the name of Jesus, I come to you right now, just thanking you. Thanking you for letting me see yet another day. God, I come giving you all the praise. God, I know that if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be standing here right now. Lord, I thank you for all the blessings you give to me. Lord, I pray that you help me to be more like you. I ask that whatever is in my life that is not supposed to be there, You will take it away. God, I pray that you work on my family. Keep us together, in your name. God, help us to love one another and be there for each other always. Lord, I ask that you keep my kids, and help me to be a better mother. Lord, I ask that you help me to be a good role model to my nieces. Lord, I know that your Holy Spirit lives in me. I just ask that you let it shine through. Use me to bring others to you. Lord, I love you. I love you with every good and bad day. I ask that you help me to remember that as long as I praise you, I can come through anything. Lord, thank you for bringing me and my mother back together. Keep us close, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN
by Diane Jackson
Psalm 34
1) I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2) My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3) O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. 4) I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5) They looked unto Him and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6) This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7) The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them. 8) O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. 9) O fear the LORD, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him. 10) The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. 11) Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12) What man is he who desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? 13) Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14) Depart from evil, and do good : seek peace, and pursue it. 15) The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry. 16) The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17) The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18) The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19) Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 20) He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. 21) Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 22) The LORD redeemeth the soul of His servants: and none of them that trust Him shall be desolate.
I grew up in the church, but for a time I strayed away from it. I made some choices in life that still affect my life and health today. With choices come consequences.
For years I had to endure experimental treatments as a consequence of choices I made. The first treatment didn’t work at all. The second treatment worked until I came off. The disease returned. The third and last treatment was successful and I have been disease free for three and a half years. A cure came, but not before the disease had damaged my liver.
When I was first diagnosed I was afraid. I had to face my own mortality. But I was reminded of who I was and whose I was. I went to GOD in prayer asking, “ If it be Your will, don’t let me suffer.” GOD answers prayers. The cure was worse than the disease.
Things happen in my life, and a lot of the time I don’t understand why. But it is said that if GOD was small enough for us to understand, HE wouldn’t be big enough for us to worship. I know HE makes no mistakes and I know HE loves me.
I know I am not all I should be, but I am not what I used to be, either. But GOD is not through with me yet. Like most of GOD”S children, I am still a work in progress and I thank HIM for HIS grace and mercy. But most of all I thank HIM for HIS love.
LORD, I come humbly to YOU to say thank you. Thank you for YOUR grace , mercy and love. Thank you for keeping me thus far; through seen and unseen dangers. Build me up where I am weak and let me stay focused on YOU, FATHER. Make me worthy of YOUR love. Cleanse me. Clothe me in YOUR love. As YOU continue to bless me, bless my family. FATHER, I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, and I will forever praise YOU; and it’s in the name of JESUS, I pray. Amen
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
I chose that scripture because I thought it was fitting for what I had to face. In 1998, I was stricken with colon cancer. As Pastor says sometimes, “You need to have a heavy hitter,” so I chose Isaiah. Then I spoke the words, “Lord, you know all about me, because you made me. You promised you would be whatever we needed you to be. So, right now I need your healing power. It’s not enough to know in your heart what God promised. We have to speak it out loud and call Him on His promise.
It came down to taking chemotherapy and the doctor wanted me to take it for a year. I was going every Wednesday. The nurse kept saying every time I went, “It is a shame you have to work with this disease.” Each time I’d look up and say to her, “I don’t have no disease.” Finally, she stopped saying that.
Here is where God’s healing power stepped in. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and told me not to take the shots any more. My sister said, “What are you going to do?” I replied, “I’m not taking it.”
After that I went to Doctor Kim’s office and said to him, “I’m not taking any more chemo.” He said to me, “Your life is in your hands.” I said, “No, my life is in God’s hands.” I only took chemo for four months.
Let us pray:
Father God, the Creator of all good and perfect things. We come today, Lord, just to thank you. Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to ask for whatever we need and for the faith and trust that it will be done. Thank you, Lord for everything that you have been in my life. I pray for Friendship today, Lord. And bless everyone under the sound of my voice.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.
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