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SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING TRIPS FOR 2004 Coming along on one of our upcoming events Heavenly Tours will be sponsoring in 2004 as we go back to some of the old favorites & some new hot spots. We will sponsor several recreational Christian activities for you to enjoy & fellowship with other saints throughout the year. Trips will be leaving from the Washington, Metropolitan area. *Cost for all trips include: transportation, event, meal, prize drawings, gift bags & most important, fellowship. Contact us for more information at 301/602-7536 or visit our website at www.heavenlytours.us. *Cost for some trips will be determined by November 2004.

March 14, 2004 Sight & Sound-”Behold The Lamb” Lancaster, PA

May & September 2004 Fishing on the Sandra Marie - $90 Wynne, MD

July 21 - 31, 2004 Christians Cruisin’ With Jesus to Hawaii - $2700

10-day cruise around the Hawaii Islands $300 Deposit Due: October 31, 2003 $375 Deposit Due: December 1, 2003

October 9, 2004 Sight & Sound-”Noah-The Musical” Lancaster, PA 2 Dec eb Dec. 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004 P.O.. 200 Box3/F 6177, Largo,

August 2004 New York Shopping Trip New York City, NY Christian Entrepreneur Expo 2004 Marriott Wardam Park Hotel Washington, DC August 2004 Free to General Public Exhibitors Fee: $200 Due By December 15, 2003

December 4, 2004 Christmas Shopping at Rehoboth Beach Outlets- Fax Free Rehoboth Beach, DE

MD 20792-6177 Phone: 301/602-7536 Fax: 301/341-1338 WWW.HEAVENLYTOURS.US

Table of Contents 10

Co ver St ory: The Principles & P ower o Cov Story: Po off Vision

Dr. Myles Munroe, a multi-gifted Leader/Visionary, Motivational speaker/Educator/Lecturer/best selling Author and business consultant was called by God to teach the sons of God that their natural born by L.C. T ar dy position is to be leaders...b Tar ardy

TESTIMONIALS

5 MIRA CLES CAN COME MIRACLES IN BEA UTIFUL P ACKA GES BEAUTIFUL PA CKAGES Dad lived with his uncle and worked for him on the far eastern border of Russia in the city of Vladivostock. His uncle owned a precious stones and metals factory where they fashioned jewels and articles of gold and silver. ...

seeking out our purpose... by Nikki Jones

28 VISION-SIGHT OF THE

TESTIMONY One woman’s deliverance from prostitution, alcohol, drugs and depression....

by Melissa Speight

FEA TURES FEATURES 8 GOD’S DIVINE PUR PUR-POSE FOR OUR LIVES God’s Divine Purpose For Our Lives is critical because without it you are slowly progressing to an inescapable death....

by Rickey E. Macklin

by Athena Thomas

Vision is the source and hope of life. The greatest gift ever given to mankind is not the gift of sight, but the gift of vision vision...

18 FOCUS

b y Dr oe Dr.. Myles Munr Munroe

29 UNVEILING Y OUR DESYOUR TINY What is your vision? What have you always wanted to do? What is your heart’s desire? What is your dream? When you can begin to see your vision clearly, you will be able to fulfill your life’s purpose...

b y Dr oe Dr.. Myles Munr Munroe

3 0 THE JO YS OF F ATHER JOYS FA THER-HOOD Fatherhood, then, is an awesome role, responsibility, and duty in the overall plan of God for mankind...

by K e vin W a yne Johnson Ke Wa

9 PRA Y F OR Y OUR FIPRAY FOR YOUR

36 IN THE GARDEN

NANCES

Surrounded by fragrant flowers, ancient olive trees, and lush green grass, I was pondering on the anguish that Jesus Christ surely felt in this same place two thousand years ago ago...

Money matters concern us even as Christians, yet we seldom spend the amount of time necessary to pray and meditate about our financial concerns....

by Mary Grate-Pyos

by Linda Ryzenga

40 TAKE UP Y OUR CR OSS YOUR CROSS AND F OLL OW HIM FOLL OLLO

My question to you would be, if you are blessed, what did you do to obtain favor from the Lord and finally, what have you done to show the Lord how much you appreciate His blessings? ...

The cross is symbolic of our trials and tribulations... b y L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy

25 FR OM BECOMING FROM INT O BEING INTO At some point in all of our lives, whether saved or unsaved, we all come to a place where we are

We must be focused on God and be about our Father’s business...

by Chicago G. Long

POETRY CORNER 20 ““A A CHRISTIAN VISION” by Joe Floyd

20 “THE PEA CE OF GOD” PEACE by L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy

18 “DON’T QUIT” by Unknown Author

BIBLE STOR Y OF STORY THE MONTH 32 ““A A BRIDE IS CHOSEN” A Dawn Associates Publication

VISIONAR Y VISIONARY LEADERS 2004 42 Apostle Betty PP.. PPeebles eebles eebles,,

14 ARE Y OU BLESSED? YOU

b y Deacon Curtis O O.. Gill

As you travel through this journey to overcome the fear that has been holding you hostage, you begin to realize that the road is rather rough. When we first started, you were energized and felt a sense of power. Now, as you come closer to the actual showdown you are beginning to feel the added pressure....

HEAR T HEART

by T an y a Spect or ov Tan any Spector oro

7 MELISSA SPEIGHT’S

17 THE EFFECTS OF FEAR: THE SHO WDO WN- Part Thr ee Three SHOWDO WDOWN

COLUMN/SERIES 16 CAN Y OU HANDLE THE YOU

oe Dr Dr.. Myles Munr Munroe oe,, Jo Joy yce Me y er ast or Har old E. Mey er,, P Past astor Harold Tr ammel, Bishop C.L. LLong, ong, Past or Sheritha Bo wman, astor Bowman, Apostle Shirley Holloway Johnson, & Apostle Nike Daramy

TR UTH TRUTH O, the tongue, the tongue, the tongue. So much we say and shouldn’t. So much we should say and don’t...

Upcoming Events...(inside cover)

by P ast or Sheritha Bo wman Past astor Bowman

54 SUBSCRIPTION ORDER... Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004 3

www.visionschristianmagazine.com

e-mail: [email protected]

L.C. T ar dy Publisher Tar ardy Publisherss President/CEO Executive Editors Penelope White Columnist Past or Sheritha Bo wman astor Bowman Chicago G. Long Athena Thomas Writers/Regular Contributors Joe Floyd Deacon Curtis O O.. Gill Mary Grate-Pyos Nikki Jones Kevin W ayne Johnson Wa Rickey E. Macklin Dr oe Dr.. Myles Munr Munroe Linda Ryzenga Tan ya Spect or ov any Spector oro Melissa Speight Graphic Designers Cody Beasley Fred Booker Chauntika Broggin Joanne Nicolls (Dr oe A d design) (Dr.. Myles Munr Munroe Ad

Er esa T ar dy Eresa Tar ardy Photographer Kevin Lucas

Visions Christian Magazine is available through subscription. Please give us a call at 202-398-2317 VCM is also available online at visionschristianmagazine.com Revelations 2:1-5 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Print Coordinator TCG Printing/W ashingt on Times Printing/Washingt ashington

Layout/Production Chauntika Broggin Bible references are from the KJV and NIV

Main Office

Visions Christian Magazine, Inc P.O. Box 7066, Largo, MD. 20792-7066 202-398-2317

www.visionschristianmagazine.com e-mail: [email protected] 4 Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004

Copyright 2003-2004 Visions Christian Magazine, Inc

Te s t i m o n i a l s




Tanya Specktorov

Miracles Can Come in Beautiful Packages

I grew up in Siberia, but that’s not actually where my family started out. Dad lived with his uncle and worked for him on the far eastern border of Russia in the city of Vladivostock. His uncle owned a precious stones and metals factory where they fashioned jewels and articles of gold and silver. In fact, my Jewish family has a history of working in this trade for the emperors of Russia, until the 1917 revolution, when the last emperor was assassinated and the Bolsheviks took over. When my father, whose name was Ascolt, was 15, the Communists came to their home and killed his uncle and every single member of his family except my dad; the neighbors had warned him not to go home that day. His uncle’s business was nationalized by the Communist bosses. Ascolt found out that the authorities were aware he had survived and were looking for him. When they did catch him, instead of killing him, they sent him to a place called Yakutsk, a town in a vast, wild plain far north of China, on latitude with Alaska. And there he lived some years in wretched poverty. The cold and misery were beyond description. There was no running water then, no cars or other means of transportation. The only contact with the outside world would be when planes could land in the warmer months. The fact was that there were a lot of rich Jews living there - or more accurately, formerly rich Jews. They now had nothing. Or almost nothing. Incredibly, there were still people who wanted jewelry made or repaired, so Dad would go to work at 4:00 a.m., doing the only thing he knew how to do - create jewelry and repair watches.

BORN ON A FROZEN PLAIN I was born in 1953, the youngest of three daughters. It was the same year that Stalin died. Restrictions eased andit became possible to travel (with permission, of course) from place to place. Yakutsk was a relatively free area simply because it was so desolate and bleak - a place the police just didn’t bother people much. My parents left Yakutsk for a little town near Irkutsk, Siberia when I was five - a far more progressive area, and there were many Jews living there. The Siberian climate there was much better than Yakutsk’s and the Jews prospered among the large number of universities and cultural institutions. I was a sickly child, diagnosed with a heart disorder and was in and out of hospitals and children’s recuperation centers. I remember praying as a child, “God, if you know I exist, please let me be well.” My father continued to create jewelry in Siberia. However, the KGB questioned him several times about his clients until he finally vowed Tanya Specktorov he would never work in precious stones and metals again. Knowing that working in such luxury items could be very dangerous for the Jewish community, he, from then on, kept his regular business strictly to repairing watches.

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Te s t i m o n i a l s

However, my father was known as a very straight and honest man, and people who had jewels hidden from the Communists would need their expensive things fixed from time to time. They entrusted their jewels to my father who, behind closed doors, continued to repair and create specialorder pieces for his clients. Whenever I was able, I would go to my father’s shop and help him repair watches and even build them from scratch. Slowly my health improved and I began to feel better. My mother was the director of all the beauty salons near Irkutsk (remember, that’s the way they did it under Communism.) After graduating from high school, I went to work in one of those salons, but my passion was my classical piano, which I studied for 15 years. My father was, by now, retired with a very low pension. He learned that if he would return to Yakutzk where they paid four times as much and work there for another three years, his pension would be much higher. So my mother and father left for Yakutsk, and I found myself left alone at 19. At times, I would talk to God. When I heard about Yeshua for the first time, I didn’t cast him away. Once, I came across a book about Yeshua who lived in the land of Israel. There was nothing in me that was against Him. My parents returned from Yakutsk after three years; my father was very sick - obviously from the ruthless temperatures and brutal conditions. He came back only to spend a year in the hospital and then died.

I MARRY A HYPNOTIST I fell in love with someone by whom I had a child - my daughter, Nikol. However, the two of us soon parted ways. I then met another man, Vadim, twenty-four years older than I, who asked me to marry him. He was good to me and loved my daughter. Vadim was a hypnotist and although it was illegal for him to do so, he found plenty of people who were ready to have him hypnotize them in the hope of receiving healing. We traveled from city to city applying his techniques, and I learned his expertise and worked alongside him for six years. However, I began to have serious attacks from some kind of nerve disease where my body would become frozen - the muscles of my entire body constricted with panic attacks. For four years I was afraid to be left alone for a moment. Even before I was aware of the truths of the Bible, I felt there was some spiritual cause Tanya Specktorov making jewelry and effect, and that this man was increasingly in control of my every move. I found I was afraid to even leave his presence for a moment, and he made it clear he wanted me with him at all times. I was sick and felt myself a virtual prisoner. Somehow, I gained enough courage to find a psychiatrist who told me to change locations, change husbands, change everything. I went to the authorities to seek permission to leave for Lithuania (in those days, one could not travel from city to city without permission from the Soviet authorities.) Then one day when my husband was out, I grabbed Nikol and ran for my life. At 29, I started life over again in Lithuania. I was able to secure an office job as a secretary in a large television factory, because even though Lithuanians have their own language, all official documents had to be in Russian.

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A NEW LIFE IN ISRAEL Eleven long years I worked in Lithuania and then in 1994 Nikol and I were able to immigrate to Israel. I think that the Lithuanian authorities thought that I was going to Israel to die. I was 5’7" and 90 pounds. I had no appetite and struggled to live through the day. A Lithuanian doctor had just looked at me and said, “You have thyroid cancer.” That was his diagnosis with no examination whatsoever. I said to myself, “I don’t have cancer!” I would talk to God, and I felt I would find help in Israel. Actually, my dream had been to come to Israel since I was 15 years old. I read books about Israel and longed to come back to my ancestral home. And now, we were here! I quickly landed a job in a Tel Aviv jewelry factory where I worked for six and a half years, producing beautiful jewelry. But as the economic situation in Israel plunged, I was laid off of my job and unable to find work. I was at the end of myself, with no hope and no future. My appetite disappeared completely and I continued to go downhill until I weighed 85 pounds. I was in deep depression and had lost the desire to live. The Israeli doctors tried to regulate my thyroid, but nothing seemed to help. At one point I actually felt I saw my spirit floating outside my body. AND THEN CAME THE GOOD LIFE My sister, Galina, who had come to Israel before me, invited me to her Messianic congregation, Tiferet Yeshua (the Glory of Yeshua), that she had been attending for five years. She had spoken to me many times about the congregation and had been praying for me those five years, but I was afraid to be in a crowd. However, she kept telling me that Yeshua was the answer to my problems, and that I could be healed through Him. When I finally walked into the congregation, I was in much pain with the nerve disorder and muscle constriction, and literally crept into the meeting room stiff legged, like a robot. But when I heard the singing and worship that day, I knew instantly I had come home. I immediately fell in love with my living God, and I adore worshiping my King! I am now a new person. I am slowly gaining weight (now 104), and have no sign of any nerve disorder and have more energy than I have had in

many years. My face no longer looks like a face of death. God has brought me to the land of Israel and here I have found. Him! I can hardly fathom that I have received help from istandwithisrael.com to start my own business and have been given the opportunity to once again create beautiful jewelry. And to know that with every piece I create, I am helping to fund the future coffee house ministry for our congregation! God has given me more than I could ask or think! VCM

Melissa Speight’s Testimony My name is Melissa Speight I am 37 years old, I have two teenage girls who are 14 & 17 years old Valencia & Tameka. When I came to the House of Help program I had low self-esteem, no relationship with my children, didn’t trust people, and didn’t know how to cope with everyday situations. I thank GOD for the House of Help City of Hope program and the Holy Ministries Church of Christ; I thank GOD for Pastor Shirley Johnson and First Brian Johnson for allowing GOD to use them as a tool for getting me on the right path. I thank GOD for delivering me from prostitution, alcohol, drugs and depression. Now I have a better relationship with my children, GOD has found favor for me to be the leading usher. I have an apartment at the City of Hope (Graceview Apartments) I also went to a school for food service and receive my food-handling license. The House of Help, City of Hope has provided assistance to over five thousand individuals since it started in 1997. We have assisted single men and women, single parents and children who need help to make their lives whole. As well as meeting the needs for such necessities of food, clothing shelter, and medical care. We also provide Bible study, internal guidance, career counseling, narcotics anonymous meetings, parenting classes and life skills to allow residents to return to society as whole productive citizens. This a faith based ministry that look forward to the donations of the people in order to continue the work of the Lord. If you are interested in becoming apart of the House of Help, City of Hope Ministries, please call us at (202) 610-3116, Ask for Ms. Rachel Brown.

Please send your donations to: The House of Help, City of Hope 2310-2322 16th Street S.E. Washington, D.C. 20020 VCM Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004 7

God’s Divine Purpose for Our Lives G

od’s Divine Purpose For Our to do. Child of God, you must understand Lives is critical because without that you do not even become a real threat to it you are slowly progressing to the devil until you are walking in this calling. an inescapable death. Wow! It is this calling that He has anointed and How can I start an article with such a appointed you to. It is this calling that He harsh prediction? Because I’ve learned equipped you from glory to handle. It is this by Rickey E. Macklin that the discovering of your purpose is what calling that makes the devil tremble and gives you passion to live. It is the appredemons fall to their knees. How do I know hension of it that becomes the fuel in your tank – your this? Because the plans and purposes of God cannot drive – your passion – your ambition – and your reason be subverted. God’s will can’t be changed by mortal for living. men or any other created thing. God never purposes a thing that doesn’t come to be. In the book of Genesis, David’s purpose was sealed long before he slew God’s purpose was to fellowship with mankind and to Goliath. Read Psalms 139 verses 14–18. Jeremiah’s shower him with love, affection and attention. His was sealed before he entered his mother’s womb. desire was that we would lack nothing! What happen? Read Jeremiah 1:4-8. And just in case you’re wonder- Sin entered the scene and the devil thought that he had ing, yours is sealed, too! In John 15 verse 16 Jesus spoiled the plan of God. But little did the devil know confirms this calling by stating “Ye have not chosen me, that God had a plan that preceded his. God will never but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should be caught by surprise. Jesus came and settled the sin go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should issue once and for all. Now, even though a lot tranremain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in spired between the books of Exodus to Jude, if you my name, he may give it you. Please note that your take a real good look at the book of Revelation, you will calling is not your decision but it can be your discovery. discover that what God purposed from the beginning finally comes to pass in the New Jerusalem (chapter Paul said, “Not as though I had already attained, 21-22). The bottom line is when you walk in what God either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that has called you to do you are literally unstoppable. This I may apprehend that for which also I am appreis why we can read Romans 8:28 with confidence. hended of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12) My God! I know I haven’t arrived at my final destination, but I’m “And we know that all things work headed in the right direction. My desire is to appretogether for good to them that love God, hend. I’ve got to catch up with Christ. I must detain to them who are the called according to Him for a moment. I need to take Him into question his purpose.” because there are some things I need to know. Why am I here? What is it that you want me to do? Where Yes, we know that mankind’s primary purpose is to do you want me to go? How long do you want me to bring God glory, but this will best be demonstrated by be there? Only God Himself can answer these types finding out our individual purposes He assigned to us of question. Essentially, knowing the answers becomes long before we were released from His assembly line. VCM the key to fulfillment.




It is a fact that if you were to ask five people, Christians and non-Christians alike, what their God-given purposes were, at least four would say I don’t know. What a tragedy it would be to live your whole life doing what you desired to do and not what God wanted you

“Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee: and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

Rickey E. Macklin, son of Reverend and Mrs. Arthur Macklin Sr. of Camden, S.C., is a graduate of South Carolina State University and Jericho Christian Training College, and has his Master’s in Theology from National Bible Seminary. Minister Macklin is coleader of the Jericho Singles Ministry, and serves as leader of The Mighty Men of Valor. Minister Macklin teaches “Christian Courtship” at the Jericho Christian Training College and has produced a book to supplement the course. He is the author of “God’s Whole Armor” and has completed work on his next Spirit-filled masterpiece entitled, “Daddy’s Waiting On You.” He is also President/CEO of Ambassadors For Christ Ministries (Temple Hills, Md) 8 Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004




by Mary Grate-Pyos, MBA

Pray For Your Finances

od cares about everything that matters to us. His word tells us that He cares for us, but often we fail to seek the face of God regarding our finances. Money matters concern us even as Christians, yet we seldom spend the amount of time necessary to pray and meditate about our financial concerns. If only we would take our financial cares to God in prayer. The same scriptures that empower us to heed the word of God for our salvation have the same power and peace to prosper us in our finances. God’s word says for us to cast our burdens upon Him for He cares for us. I encourage you to pray about your finances and to make prayer a priority prior to spending.

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that we are wise in managing our finances in a manner that pleases God. Yes, God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ever think, ask or imagine. Imagine great dreams of how you can use God’s resources to be a blessing to His kingdom. Ask for the finances needed to spread the gospel of Christ in our community and abroad. Think that you are the powerful individual that God has blessed this day and this moment to be a financial blessing. Prayer changes things, situations and people. Prayer can also change our money habits that do not please God.

If it matters to you, it matters to God. If it is a lack of finances, pray that God will multiply what you have. We must be wise to ensure that when we seek God’s Pray to God that He will teach you how to become the face to powerful steward bless our that He has finances, ordained for your “It is important that we always pray to God about we are life. If you are our finances. If it matters to you, it matters to God. “ overwhelmed with seeking the love debt, pray that God and will teach you how wisdom of the Blesser - God, and not just the to get free from this bondage. God’s word says that blessing - money. When we ask for and are granted we are to “count the cost” prior to engaging in actions. promotions, it is to glorify God in that position as we Why not consider the word of God and what it says accomplish the duties assigned to us. When we ask about your finances? Pray is the key and the answer. for God to bless us with a financial ‘miracle,’ we should always remember to honor and thank the I challenge you to come boldly before the throne of Blesser and not put our trust in the blessing. grace to receive help and power in the time of need. Everything that we receive, including money, is given Always remember that even as you are blessed for the building of God’s kingdom and to spread the financially, God is more honorable than the blessing. gospel at home and abroad. Seek the face of God concerning your finances and listen to God as He speaks daily to you about your It is important that we always pray to God about our money matters. You have within you the power to do finances. If it matters to you, it matters to God. Pray well, even in the area of your finances. God has that you are a good steward who honors God in all of ordained blessings for your life concerning your your financial transactions. Pray that you are finances. It is through prayer – through consistent in returning the tithes and offerings back to communicating with God that all of His rich blessings God, the rightful owner. We are to constantly ask God will be revealed to you. VCM for guidance and wisdom to manage the remainder of our finances after the tithes and the offering. It all yW oman – Wise Mary Grate-Pyos is the Author of Wealth ealthy Woman belongs to God – the tithes and the offering. God Choices and President of Financially Focused, Inc. Her web takes pleasure in our prosperity and it is imperative presence is www.financiallyfocused.com. She can be reached at [email protected] or at [email protected]

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Cover Story


by L.C. Tardy

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Cover Story “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:2-3 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Romans 8:18-19.

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he Lord calls his sons and daughters to be stewards over the great gifts and talents that He had birthed in us before the world began. We are called according to God’s purpose. So we begin this journey by building the foundation for our foreordained purpose or vision. Dr. Myles Munroe, a multi-gifted Leader/Visionary, Motivational speaker/ Educator/Lecturer/best selling Author and business consultant was called by God to teach the sons of God that their natural born position is to be leaders, and not followers, to understand who you are in Christ, and what your foreordained purpose and vision is in life.

Eve; that subject was based on something that we all need to examine within ourselves. “Rediscovering the human Mandate.” Dr. Myles woke up the crowd, his anointing ripped through the body of Christ like a bolt of lighting; his words were, “Any attempt to control another human spirit is “witch craft,” it is not natural, it is unnatural.” “Dr. Myles further explained that, “The original purpose & plan of God was the extension of His heavenly Kingdom on earth.” When these words were spoken by Dr. Myles there was a strong sense of joy and freedom that moved throughout the entire congregation. Most importantly replied Dr. Myles, “God created man as a spirit species to manage His administration on earth,” we are earthly administrators, humanity carries out the dictates of God.”

Respectfully admiring the obedience of Dr. Myles to carryout the dictates of God, the I had the pleasure of crowd jumped for joy, running fellowshipping with Dr. throughout the church, praising Myles Munroe at my God on their knees, speaking in church home, Jericho City tongues; his message to the of Praise, Landover, people was powerful and life Maryland. A crowd of sustaining. Dr. Myles Dr. Myles Munroe over 10,000 people filled continued to enlighten the crowd the seats, awaiting the by addressing “Kingdom living,” he further explained presence of a great brother and son of God. There that, “God created one to be a king over the was a spirit present on this day, a spirit of unity, the earth.” We were created to have “dominion,” over body of Christ was thirsty, hungry for finding our the earth, and that a Kingdom is simply a king purpose, and knowing who we are in Christ. Dr. dominating, replied Dr. Myles. He explained that we Myles’s motivating anointed-spirit was filled with a were not built for sin, and that we have our Fathers great word from the Lord. As Dr. Myles arrived the genetics. Therefore, mankind means, “sons of God.” entire congregation stood up and clapped, (females-sons of God) generically speaking. “ If we acknowledging the great calling on Dr. Myles’s life. are sons of God, we` are given “dominion” which Dr. Myles was led by the Lord to speak on a subject that has plagued our nation from the time of Adam and Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004 1 1

Dr. Myles Munroe in Russia means to rule, govern, manage, lead, to have a spirit of control.” “ Our responsibility is to restore government administration on earth, this is the reason Jesus came, replied Dr. Myles.” We are citizens in the kingdom of God, and in the Kingdom, a kings reputation is based on the standards of the people (citizen), says Dr. Myles Munroe. Dr. Myles Munroe activates the leader in you. “Within each of us lies the potential to be an effective leader, says Dr. Myles. He also states that, “Eyes that look are common, but eyes that see are rare,”

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Sight is a function of the eyes, but vision is a function of the heart.” You need to understand why vision is essential to your success, and make your dreams and hopes a living reality, states Dr. Myles Munroe. I believe this is something that we all should keep in mind, as we venture through this journey: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) and God created you to be king over the earth. Dr. Myles Munroe is a great man of God. It is truly an honor and blessing to have learned from such a great son of God, and all praises to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dr. Myles has proven to the world how to carry out the greatest responsibility of all mankind: Matthews 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33. VCM Linda C. Tardy is a Freelance Writer/Author. She is the Publisher of this magazine, Visions Christian Magazine.

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often hear people proclaiming that they are blessed. Frequently, when I ask people how are they doing, they often respond, “Blessed by the best.” Other times when I ask people how are they doing, they simply reply, “blessed.” Others say, “I was blessed to wake up this morning. He didn’t have to do it, but He allowed me to wake up amongst the living and I consider that, being blessed.” Still others say, “I was blessed to be able to get up, cloth myself and be in my right mind.” Even when I talk to the homeless, the alcoholics, the drug addicts, the prostitutes, the homosexuals, the ex offenders, the runaways, the dropouts, the welfare recipients, the overworked mothers and fathers, many of them say they are blessed.

I

turned your TV or stereo to a gospel station? When is the last time you used the phone in your house or your cellular phone to call someone and asked if they a needed prayer or a ride to church? When is the last time you used one of your cars to pick up someone and give them a ride to the house of God? Are the things you possess “blessings from God or gifts from Satan?” I don’t want to take anything away from you, but I would like to set the record straight. After talking to many of you and hearing what you had to say, I am convinced that we don’t understand what being blessed is all about. I feel that there are many who use the word blessed without understanding the meaning or the prerequisites for

I know that some of you have a big house in the suburbs, a good job, good health, degree(s) of higher learning, money in the bank, three or four cars in the driveway, by Deacon TVS in every room, the Curtis O. Gill latest stereo and sound systems throughout the house, camcorders and video equipment, cellular My question to you would be, if you are blessed, what did you do to phones and many of the obtain favor from the Lord and finally, what have you done to show the other latest technological Lord how much you appreciate His blessings? developments to include game boards. A closer walk with God yields revelation, knowledge, and wisdom. Understandably, you advertise that you are blessed. obtaining a Blessing from God who created Heaven My question to you would be, if you are blessed, what and Earth. did you do to obtain favor from the Lord and finally, what have you done to show the Lord how much you When you look at some of the situations and appreciate His blessings? circumstances surrounding some of the people described above, you must ask the question, “Are they With your big house, when is the last time you blessings or have they been given a chance to be dropped to your knees and proclaimed, as for me and blessed? Are the things they have blessings from God my house, we will serve the Lord? When is the last or gifts from Satan? A greater question would time you took the opportunity to witness for the Lord probably be, with the God of the universe and having while you were on your good job? When is the last all power and owning everything, why do people feel time you used your good heath to help some of God’s that they are being blessed with so little or just living? people who are suffering from ill health or being God said in his Holy and Righteous word, “Behold, I physically challenged? I ask you, when is the last time stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will you exercised your degree of higher learning and mentored some of God’s children or took time out sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 Our to rightly divide the word of truth to those who don’t Bible tells us that God shall supply for all of our needs, know how to read or have an understanding of His according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Holy and righteous word? When is the last time you (Paraphrased Philippians 4:19) God’s word even

ARE YOU BLESSED?




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instructed us on what we are required do to receive his blessings. When you consult God’s word, you find that we are to . . . first seek the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) Let us come together with an understanding of what the word “Blessed” means. Blessed is a word used in the Bible 302 times and with many different meanings. The most important of these meanings is: to set apart and hallow, or make holy; to confer happiness upon; to bestow good or grant favor to; to express a wish for happiness for some other person; to invoke special attributes upon; and to praise or glorify. Can we all agree on this as a definition for blessed? Which element of this definition covers or describes you as recipient of God’s Grace, Mercy and Generosity toward you? Let us examine the definition of chance: Chance is a 14th century word and is defined as something that happens unpredictably without discernible human intention or observable cause. The assumed impersonal purposeless determiner of unaccountable happenings the fortuitous or incalculable element in existence. A situation favoring some purpose: the possibility of a particular outcome in an uncertain situation; or the degree of likelihood of such an outcome. Chance is found in the Bible only 6 times. My favorite scripture in the Bible which chance appears is, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:1012) After examining the meaning of blessed and chance, I again ask you, are you blessed or have you been given an opportunity to be blessed? You alone can answer that question. You know within your heart what you are all about and what your relationship with God is and no one else. “ . . . For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) What does God see, when he looks at your heart? Is the reason you are doing so bad or achieving so little because God knows your heart and have seen you differently than man does? Let us look now at some of the qualifications for being blessed. Who is blessed? When you examine

the Bible, you will find that those who are chosen, called or chastened by God are blessed. Those who trust, fear and delight in the Lord are blessed. Those who hear and obey the voice of the Lord are blessed. Those who know, believe in and suffer for Christ are blessed. There are also those who received special blessings. I ask you again, “Are you blessed or have you been given a chance to be blessed?” Please review some of the examples of those who were blessed during biblical times. We know there are other examples, but these will allow you to evaluate yourself in light of God’s Blessings. Who is blessed? Those who are chosen called or chastened by God. God’s word tells us that, Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Accordingly, as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. Blessed are they, which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, these are the true sayings of God. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; (Psalm 65: 4) (Ephesians 1:3-4) (Isaiah 51:2)(Revelation 19:9), (Psalm 94:12) There are others who will find favor and receive blessings from the Lord. They are those who trust, fear and delight in the Lord. The Bible gives us examples in the following passages: Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them . . . . Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. ...Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. My question to you is, do you trust, fear and delight in the Lord? Be honest with yourself, for the Lord our God knows your heart and He knows the (continued on p. 2 1) 21) Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004 1 5

Columns PASTOR SHERITHA BOWMAN’S COLUMN

CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH? Lord, help me with my tongue. That I might speak the words that You would have me speak. Not of flesh. Not of anger. Not of other people’s persuasion. Rather, those words that would edify the Body of Christ magnify Your sovereign power and exalt Your holiness and righteousness. Lord, let my heart be clean and my spirit be right when my tongue speaks.

reduced to mealtime conversation. And the person who needs to hear it is nowhere at the table. We become captive to untold truths. We pretend not to see, not to know and not to be affected by an undisclosed truth. Feeling that by withholding, we are keeping the waters calm. Sparing feelings. Protecting the innocent. When in fact, we are creating the very bondage that we so wish to avoid.

O, the tongue, the tongue, the tongue.

Some people will forever walk in bondage because they just.....don’t.....know. Nobody ever told them. Some people don’t even realize that their actions hurt people. Some of them don’t even care. However, voicing the truth will undoubtedly prick their hearts causing them to think, reconsider and who knows, eventually they may be moved to change their ways.

So much we say and shouldn’t. So much we should say and don’t. I grew up in a family where a child wasn’t supposed to utter the word, “lie or lying.” My grandmother and my great aunts interpreted it as being too mature a word for a youngster. You were trying to be “grown” if you used the word “lie.” It was almost as if it were a profane word. It was alright to say that a person was, “telling a story” which wasn’t what the person was doing at all. They were telling a boldfaced “lie.” But God forbid you speak the word. So years later when my own children would say, “You’re lying!” I would shudder from the flashbacks of my elders telling me to watch my mouth. Nevertheless, I let my children’s words fall where they may. Because they were speaking proper English. They were speaking truth. Speaking truth. Though it stings the ears and causes shivers up and down the spine, the truth must be spoken.

So much we should say and don’t. There are people who have hurt you and will never know unless you tell them. There are people who make the same mistakes over and over while you watch on the sidelines shaking your head with your arms folded. There are people in various positions who promote falsehoods and cause discord. Living lives far from the roles that they have been entrusted. But we dare speak up. Afraid of confrontation. Afraid we’ll be called the trouble maker. That we’ll be accused of troubling waters. When in fact all we’re doing is speaking the truth. Lord, help us.

The truth spoken might ruffle feathers, break hearts and sever relationships, but the truth must be told. Jesus tells us in John 8:32, “that you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” When the truth is spoken it not only sets the hearer free, but it sets the speaker free. Many of us walk around with much unspoken. Things that have been on our hearts for weeks. Months. Years. We hold it in. Thus creating within us stress, high blood pressure, anxiety attacks and worst of all, pent up bitterness and deceit. We’ll tell everybody else other than the person who needs to hear it. And what started out as a truth that could have set a captive free, ends up being gossip. The truth is

When God lays something upon your heart to share with someone. Be obedient. Don’t second guess God’s timing. Don’t worry yourself about the aftershock. Tell the truth. You can give the truth hard and fast or you can give it nice and easy. Allow the Holy Spirit to give counsel concerning the delivery, yet be obedient to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help us God. Jack Nicholson said in one of his movies, “YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!” Maybe they can’t. But one thing for sure, when it’s all said and done, you my beloved will have “found favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” (Prov 3.) “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11) VCM

“Can You Handle the Truth?” is an excerpt from the book, “Emails for the Christian Soul: 102 Messages of Praise, Hope and Revelation” by Sheritha Bowman. Pastor Bowman is a wife, homebuilder, author and senior pastor of Soul Inspiration Church Ministries in Germantown, Maryland. To order the book, please contact www.iuniverse.com. To learn more about the ministry, please visit www.soulinspirationchurchministries.com or call 301.353.0602. 16 Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004

special series/column




by Athena Thomas

THE EFFECTS OF FEAR The Showdown

Part Three

As you travel through this journey to overcome the fear that has been holding you hostage, you begin to realize that the road is rather rough. When we first started, you were energized and felt a sense of power. Now, as you come closer to the actual showdown you are beginning to feel the added pressure.

have felt like those huge walls of water would come crashing down on them at any moment. But when you look up and see that pillar of fire and cloud, you begin to feel an inner peace and know that those walls will hold up.

During this phase you are beginning to question yourself as to why you decided to take this road. Can you turn back? Is it really worth it? Where is that rock you used to hide under? You have probably realized that in order for you to conquer this fear and move into the calling God has for you, you will have to make certain sacrifices and be willing to walk blindly by faith.

The second event is told in Genesis 22:1-19 but I would like to focus on it’s meaning as described in Hebrews 11:17-19. Abraham has been called and God has promised him a son. Abraham moved into his calling and after some time God fulfilled the promise with the birth of Isaac. Later God tested Abraham by telling him to offer his only son as a burnt offering unto him. Abraham obediently followed God’s word and proceeded to do as he said. But before he could carry out the act, God stopped him.

For our discussion this month, I would like to reference two important events from the Old Testament. The first is found in Exodus 14 (entire chapter) where the Israelites were scared because Pharaoh was pursuing them and they had reached what they thought to be a dead end, the Red Sea. Even though God was with them on this journey the people

“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even thought God had said to him, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’ Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from

were still scared and did not trust in his word to deliver them to the Promised Land. When they were facing the sea they began to wonder why God had led them this far only to let them die in the wilderness. As you proceed through your journey now, you may be starting to ask yourself similar questions. Things are looking rather hopeless and your enemy is closing in on you. What do you do?

death.” (Holy Bible, NIV Hebrews 11:17-19)

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians [whatever is causing your fear] you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Holy Bible, NIV Exodus 14:13-14) As you move closer to the showdown with your fear remember that the Lord is with you as a “pillar of fire and cloud” ready to take on your enemy. When he shows you the road toward your freedom you will still feel quite overwhelmed. This journey is much like the one the Israelites made as they traveled through the floor of the Red Sea. It was a long journey and at times I know they may

This journey will bring you to your showdown with fear. You will have to make a decision to stand or go back under the rock. Sometimes it may mean you will be tested, as Abraham was. But you have to be willing to go if God tells you to go. This test is of your faith not your weakness. It may seem like the hardest thing you will ever face in your life. But if you have focused on the promises that God has fulfilled in your life, are obedient and have faith you will move even when it doesn’t seem to make logical sense. So, is it over now? No, and the fear is not gone. But you have been delivered from the bondage of that specific fear. It is still there. If you have chosen the way of the Lord, now you can STAND, look it in the eyes and know by faith that it cannot control you anymore. Your path is clear now. VCM Athena Thomas is a writer currently working on her first book. She is also the owner of Host U 4 Less, a web hosting company in Maryland. She can be reached at [email protected] Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004 1 7

Columns he Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. This is the day that you have made oh Lord and I will rejoice and be exceedingly glad in it. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forever more. Thou wilt perfect that which concerns me. Blessed be the name of the Lord. (Hallelujah!) In him I live, move and have my being. Who shall say amongst the saints and before a dying world these words? I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoiceth. The word of God says that “A man’s heart deviseth his own way: But the Lord directeth his steps.” Yes, this means that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Having said that I must ask you, “Are you focused? and what or who is your focus set on?” “Are you walking with God, behind God or ahead of God?” (Yes! It’s very possible.) Do you find yourself more submissive to your flesh or the voice of God. Lastly, do you feel

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FOCUS


Brother Chicago G. Long

While Walking the Straight and Narrow Words of Exhortation weapons of our warfare to maintain, take by force or even so possess those things which are do to us. When the children of Israel finally came out of the wilderness, into the land that God had promised to their fathers, there was a report that giants were dwelling there; but God still told Joshua to go in and possess the land. Likewise we to in this day and time will sometimes have to move ahead with no delay; fighting this great fight of faith and standing on God’s word alone. Because if he said it, that finishes it. He’s omnipotent, omniscient and well able to bring what he said to pass. The word of God also says in 2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed

“W ocused on God and be about our FFather’ ather’ e “We ather’ss business business,, just lik like e must be ffocused Christ Jesus our Lord and great example setter…He always prayed, worshipped, taught, walked in love toward others, and always went about doing great works.” the connection to the flowing firepower of the Holy Spirit of our Almighty, holy and righteous God? Saints of God there is a place where the devil ceases to trouble you. When we begin to seek the face of God, not just his hand of provision, but I’m talking about the face of God. When I can see eye to eye with God, and know that He sees me in secret, and hears my cry in His ears, He can smell the sweet savor of my praise in His nostrils, I can hear the plans and the answers that he has for my life from his lips (not anyone elses) all within a one on one encounter in his presence, and in his Holy Word. You have got to know how to stroke God with your worship, invoke his presence, command your angels to go into warfare on your behalf. It should be your desire to have the closest walk with God. While walking this blind walk of faith you must stay in tune with the Holy Spirit who is to lead and guide you unto all truth. The bible says: “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober (pray).” We must utilize the 18 Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004

to him.” We must be focused on God and be about our Father’s business, just like Christ Jesus our Lord and great example setter…He always prayed, worshipped, taught, walked in love toward others, and always went about doing great works. He always said, “I speak not of myself but of him who sent me.” He also said, “When you see me you see the Father, he and I are one.” (Did you hear that!) Jesus was one with his Father; they were synonymous…Jesus said that he would make his abode in us; him and the Father would become one with us, if we receive them. (Glory!) God wants us to walk that straight and narrow path to life, lo he’s with us always, and he will never leave us or forsake us. It takes focus on God, commitment to him and his way, and faith in his Word to receive a vision and to know your true purpose. Once you’re at this point you must not look to the left or the right. Just stay up in God’s face looking to be changed, filled and empowered by him. He shall supply all your need. Also, while on this path its imperative that you first

come under a ministry and grab hold of the vision and run with it, with faithfulness. Submit yourself under the authority of the leaders and learn how to be a servant of God first in the household of faith amongst the brethren. The bible says to wait on the Lord and be of good cheer. Amen! You will find out that the method never changes to staying focused, moving forward and going higher in God. Just stay in his face…Keep talking, keep listening, keep being obedient in all things, by all means, keep praising him, and worshipping him individually, and corporately in humility, and with fear and trembling. Only the pure in heart shall see God. We must worship him in spirit and in truth. The bible says that God seeketh after worshippers. Glory! You hear that? Yes Sir! God seeketh after worshippers. You want God to begin to chase you. Just become consistent in your worship. He inhabits the praises of his people. When

you fill like you’re ready to go to another level let God move you. Less the Lord build the house, man buildeth it in vain. Stick to these two scriptures: Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Use these frequently and you should be fine. Remember, stay focused on God, and he will make provision for the vision, so rest in him and with prayer and supplication and thanks giving make your request known unto him. So I say to you now the race is not given to the swift but to those who endure even in the hardships. Finally saints be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. God bless Forever yours in Christ Jesus VCM

Chicago Garfield Long born and raised in N.E. Washington, DC. He was lead back to the Lord in November of 1997, being delivered from eight years of drug and alcohol abuse along with stress, oppression and …even jail time. He has steadfastly completed a four-year Christian Discipleship program at the Jericho Christian Training College. He is diligently working as a Teacher in the Children’s Church Ministry. He was recently married over the summer of 2003 to the beautiful and anointed Mrs. Michelle Long whom he met at Jericho College and she’s mother of two sons and a daughter. He also brings a son to the marriage, making him a proud father and step daddy of four beautiful children…He enjoys spending time with his family and spreading the gospel through evangelizing, and his written work. His goal is to bring God glory in all that he says and does here on earth.

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Poetry Corner “A Christian Vision” words by Joe Floyd Each individual must connect with God Building a relationship with a strong foundation Fortified with strength, trust and love Working towards eternal salvation. The connect with others with strength through unity Supporting and encouraging each other Work in small groups to reinforce the message Jesus’ teachings instruct us to love our brother. Contribute your talent to one of the ministries God has given each of us a special skill Donate time, knowledge and dedication To collectively fulfill God’s will. Collectively the ministries strengthen the Church The key mission is too reach lost souls All ministries working a common process The ministries are striving to reach Church goals. The goals of the Church is a Christian Vision Transforming the community towards Christian life The road map for this process is found in the Word And in the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ. VCM

“Don’t Quit”

words by Unknown Author

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will When the road you’re trudging seems all-uphill When the funds are low, and the debts are high And when you want to smile, but you have to sigh When care is pressing you down a bit Rest if you must, but don’t you quit. Life is queer with it’s twists and turns As everyone of us sometimes learns And many a failure turns about When he might have won had he stuck it out Don’t give up though the pace seems slow You may succeed with another blow. Success is failure turned inside out The silver tint of the clouds of doubt And you never can tell how close you are It may be near when it seems so far So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit It’s when things seem worse That you must not quit. Praise God! 20 Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004

VCM

“The Peace of God”

wor ds by L.C. T ar dy words Tar ardy

Dear Lord, Thank you for being God. I can’t touch you or see you, but I know that you are there. I know this now because I prayed, and you answered me. I asked you to send your angels out from the archives of Heaven, to protect my family, and heal my friends, and myself, and you answered. I know now that you are real. Today I realized that more than ever. Someone prayed for me, and I prayed for someone else, and ministered to a friend today, and shortly after, the attacks came from satan. But I remembered that you taught me to pray, and how to protect myself, by wearing my armor, and covering myself with the blood of Jesus. I remembered the things that you taught me Father, and I used them to fight today. I remembered that you told me that you didn’t give me the spirit of fear, but love, power and a sound mind, to girt my loins with truth, wearing the breastplate of righteousness, to have my feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, to take with me the shield of faith, wear the helmet of salvation, and carry with me at all times the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. (Ephesians 6:14-18) Father God, I used that armor today, and you answered my prayer. As I watched the things that satan tried to destroy be restored in my life, I jumped for joy, spoke in tongues, and cried non-stop. I am still crying Father, but these are tears of joy, because now, I know that you are real. I am protected wherever I go, whatever I do, no matter what the circumstance, you will always dwell in me. You are my light in darkness, my pillow, when I need to be comforted, you open my eyes in the morning to witness and hear the birds sing. I know now, that you Father God, is real, and you will love me through all eternity. I have a peace and love in my life now that surpasses all understanding. Thank you Lord, for being God. To God be the glory! Bless His Holy Name!

VCM

(Ar e Y ou Blessed...continued fr om p. 15) (Are You from

truth. If not, make a change today; tomorrow might be too late. Your blessings depend on you. (Psalm 2:12), Psalm 34:8O, Psalm 40:4, (Psalm 84: 4, 5, 12), (Psalm 128:4), (Psalm 112:1) Lastly, we have those who hear and obey the voice of the Lord being blessed! When you explore God’s Holy and Righteous words, you see that, blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. ; But he said, . . . blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. ; But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Psalm 119:1, Matthew: 16, Luke 11:28, James 1:25, Revelation 1:3, Revelation 22:4. I ask you today, do you hear and obey the voice of the Lord? What is he saying to you? If you are doing wrong knowingly — then you are not listening to the Voice of the Lord. The Lord will never tell you to do something harmful to yourself or others. God is Love and those who believe in Him must go about living in love. For in His words, God’s word tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves and if we love our neighbors as ourselves, we have fulfilled the law. Those who know, believe in and suffer for Christ are blessed. And then there are those who received special blessings. God Bless the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. He also blesses the man whose strength is in Him and in whose heart are the ways of them. God blesses those who keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. He blesses the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (Ps 1:1, Ps 84:5 KJV, Ps 84:55 KJV, Ps 119:1_2 KJV, James 1:12 KJV)

Blessing. Have you carried yourself in a way that the Lord, our God, have found you favorable? If not, what are you going to do about it? You know what is required of you, so don’t stand in the way of your blessings that the Lord is waiting to Bless you with! There are many who think that because they cry Lord Lord, they are going to receive a blessing or they are being blessed. My Bible tells me, that, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Are you doing the will of my Father or are you doing your own will? (Matt 7:21 KJV) Are you blessed? If you died today, would you be found favorable with the Lord? Would you enter the kingdom of heaven of pass through the gates of hell? If you know that your lifestyle will keep you from entering the Kingdom of Heaven, what are you going to do about it? You must decide today for tomorrow may be too late. The Bible tells us that we should always be ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Paraphrased Matthew 24:44) We must be prepared to meet when He comes! Remember, in hell, there is no way out! THE END DEACON CURTIS O. GILL EDITED BY BROTHER ROBERT CHILDRESS

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Cover the Laps of God’s Leading Lady with Heavenly Care - 1Tim 2:9-10 Pamela Brown, Owner PO Box 6177 Largo, MD 20792-6177 Phone: 301/341-1338 Email: [email protected]

After reading all that, and prayerfully, with understanding, I ask you, “Are you qualified for a Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004 2 1

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From Becoming Into Being
by Nikki Jones

t some point in all of our lives, whether saved or unsaved, we all come to a place where we are seeking out our purpose. We ask ourselves the million-dollar question, “why am I here or what am I supposed to do with my life?” Unfortunately, many people live their lives never realizing nor fulfilling the purpose that God has ordained for them, and as a result, the greatness that God had assigned to their lives never comes to pass.

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real devotional time in the word of God, the living word that speaks to us and gives us guidance and direction for the very purpose we are searching for in our lives. In reading the word of God, our God given purpose is revealed to us, which is one of the reasons the devil fights us so hard when we try to read. So we must ask ourselves, are we really seeking God’s Divine purpose for our lives or are we seeking what culture and society tell us we should have?

** I was talking with a man once Who was looking for In searching to find God’s purpose for my own life, God his purpose. During our conversation, he very proudly began to deal with me in the area of my devotional told me that he was a member of a very large, prominent time. I would get up and read for 20 minutes or so and church in Houston, Texas. So I asked him what was he that would be the summation of my personal devotion contributing to the ministry; what was his role in this for the day. But one morning, as I awoke, and began to large ministry read John 1, I full of vision, paused and “ Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. that he has began to ask And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the been a member God what would of for well over He have me to Lamb of God.”The two disciples heard him speak, and a year now. His gain from this they followed Jesus. (John 1:35-37) One of the two who response, “I am time of heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon devotion. Right waiting on my call from the Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and in the midst of Lord. I am my prayer, the he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, waiting for God Lord began to He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be to tell me what deal with me called Cephas.” (John 1:40-42)“ He wants me to about the do.” How many of you have difference this same testimony? The testimony of waiting for your between just reading His word and studying His word. call or your purpose to be revealed to you, before you In order to make His word the lifestyle by which I live, begin to do the work that God had called all of us to, the I cannot continue to simply read; I must thrust myself work of an evangelist, which is to go out spreading the into the commitment of study, which allows me to go good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and making into a deeper level of understanding and revelation. disciples. Reading gives you the ability to understand at a certain *** Too often as Christians, we go out searching for “surface” level contextually. Studying, however, is a our purpose in secular places. We find purpose in our state of mental absorption. Studying allows you to apply careers, our financial status, and our education, rather your mind purposefully to the acquisition of knowledge than in the word of God. So how is it that so many of or understanding. It allows you to go deep. So I said all us get caught up in cross-dressing our God given of this to show you how God gave me a lesson on how purpose with our own selfish and self-fulfilling to find His will and purpose for my life, by truly getting purposes? One reason that I have found is the lack of into His word and seeking His will, rather than seeking Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004 2 5

how to rearrange His will to fit how I thought my life should be. On my journey towards finding purpose, the Lord led me to look at Peter and his brother Andrew. There were two things God showed me in looking at this passage of scripture in the first chapter of John. First, He needed to point out to me, so that I would understand that His purpose for my life had nothing to do with my current status. I was reading an analysis of the character of Peter, and it began by stating that the author of 1st and 2nd Peter, was not the “original” Simon Peter. At first glance, I was like not the original Peter! What does this mean? Was there another Peter? God quickly gave me clarity; this was a “before walking with Jesus and after walking with Jesus” picture of Peter. When Andrew first brought Peter to Jesus, Peter was “impulsive and full of weakness”, but it was at that same point, Jesus said to Peter that he would be called Cephas, which translated means a stone or rock. This was Jesus prophesying about what Peter would become; not what he currently was, and to “become” is to grow or come to be; to pass from one state to another, receiving new properties or qualities or a new character. So it was when Peter gave his life to Christ that his journey towards becoming began. It was a character reshaping process that most definitely involved many trials, tribulations and sufferings. The second thing God showed me in looking at Peter and Andrew was that Andrew brought Peter to Jesus. What does that make Andrew? A soul-winner. Verse 41 says, “he first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah”. Andrew was witnessing to his brother, and as a result, Simon Peter came to Christ also and gave his life to following Him. When is the last time you witnessed to someone about how you found the Messiah? How many people are saved as a result of you being a laborer of the harvest? Matthew 9:37 says, “the harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Our purpose is to be laborers of the harvest. Before we can even begin to think of our own personal lives, we must think of the call that we all have to go out and make disciples. Many of us cannot find purpose because we are sitting around waiting for it to manifest out of our secular work. We 26 Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004

labor and slave all day for the world while people are walking around spiritually dead and never coming into the knowledge of Christ. If we want purpose then we must allow God to make us fishers of men. Being who God says you are going to be does not happen overnight. In order to move into that new character, with new properties and qualities, we have to become Kingdom minded people. Kingdom-minded people understand that our purpose is to be soulwinners; to fulfill The Great Commission by going out and making disciples. When we begin to do that we will see our divine purpose for our individual lives being fulfilled also. We must try and remember that when we decided to give our lives to Christ that was just the beginning of our journey from becoming into being. We are all on a journey to becoming what God designed us to be. I am sure that Andrew had no clue of the greatness that Peter had assigned to his life, and think of the tragedy it would have been for him to not witness to Peter and allow him the opportunity to walk with Jesus also. Peter would have not come into his purpose had he too, not met Jesus. We never know what kind of greatness we pass by on the street and in the grocery stores. So on our personal journey to divine purpose, let us remember our Kingdom purpose. NOW GO GET A FISH! VCM

PS ALM 13 0:5-7 PSALM 130:5-7 I wait for the LORD , my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD , for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

God Bless

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Vision-Sight of the Heart




by Dr. Myles Munroe

ision is the source and hope of life. The greatest gift ever given to mankind is not the gift of sight, but the gift of vision. Sight is a function of the eyes; vision is a function of the heart. “Eyes that look are common, but eyes that see are rare.” Nothing noble or noteworthy on earth was ever done without vision. No invention, development, or great feat was ever accomplished without the inspiring power of this mysterious source called vision.

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Civilizations were born and developed through the driving power of a visionary leader. The canvas of history is painted with evidence of the creative, tradition-defying force of vision. Social, economic, architectural, medical, scientific, and political achievement and advancements owe their conception and birthing to the power of vision. Any civilization that is trapped in a time warp of the past, suffocated by the traditions of past experiences and buried in the grave of the glories of past successes, is doomed to die. Vision is the key to unlocking the gates of what was and what is, to propel us into the land of what could be, and has not yet been. Vision sets you free from the limitations of what the eyes can see and allows you to enter into the liberty of what the heart can feel. It is vision that makes the unseen visible and the unknown possible. Vision also makes suffering and disappointment bearable. Vision generates hope in the midst of despair and provides endurance in tribulation. Vision inspires the depressed and motivates the discouraged. Without vision, life would be a study in cyclic frustration within a whirlwind of despair. Vision is the foundation of courage and the fuel of persistence. It was the vision of flight that inspired the Wright brothers to invent the airplane. It was the vision of light that possessed Thomas Edison to invent the light bulb. It was the vision of a desk-sized computer that motivated Stephen Jobs to invent the desktop computer. It was the vision of giving every person access to people-friendly software that inspired Bill Gates to develop and invent the Microsoft global empire. Vision is the energy of progress. You were born to achieve something significant, and destined to make a difference in your generation. This personal purpose is the source of your vision and gives meaning to your life. I, therefore, encourage you to believe in your daydreams and to reconnect with your passion; your vision awaits your action. Your future is not ahead of you–it lies within you. See beyond your eyes and live for the unseen. Your vision determines your destiny.

DR. MYLES MUNR OE MUNROE DR. MYLES MUNR OE is a multi-gifted, international motivational speaker, lecturer, educator, MUNROE government consultant, advisor and businessman, addressing critical issues affecting every aspect of human, social and spiritual development. The central theme of his message is leadership development, the discovery of destiny, purpose and the maximization of individual potential – “Transforming followers into leaders.” Recognized not only for his dynamic speaking, Dr. Munroe is also a widely acclaimed author of our time with a number of best selling books which are sought after for their crisp simplicity and suit o our P otential; Becoming practical principles. His books include: In Pur Pursuit off Purpose; Maximizing Y Your Potential a LLeader eader; The Bur den o anding the Purpose and P ower o st anding Burden off FFrreedom; Under Underst standing Po off W Woman Underst standing st oman; Under the Purpose and P ower o st anding LLo ove – Marriage Still a Good Idea, The Purpose and Po off Man, Under Underst standing the P ower o ayer ower o Po off Pr Pra er,, and his latest release, The Principles and P Po off Vision. 28 Dec 3/F eb Dec.. 200 2003/F 3/Feb eb.. 2004