Saved Magazine - May/june Issue

executive editors letter EDITORIAL To Our Friends,

practical solutions to everyday problems PUBLISHER

Victor Morales EDITOR

Diana Morales CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne Joyce Meyer Staff Sgt. Jose Ramos ART DIRECTORS

Tony Geers Lesley Geers

To obtain additional copies, or to read current issue on-line, log on to www.savedmagazine.org or call (956) 328-6117 CUSTOMER SERVICE

(956) 686-9925

TO ADVERTISE

Contact Advertising Director Victor Morales • Phone: (956) 328-6117 • E-mail: [email protected] • Log on to www.savedmagazine.org ©2009

All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from Saved Magazine and/or its affiliates. Saved Magazine reserves the right to edit, rewrite and refuse editorials and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors, omissions, or consequences arising from it.  Saved Magazine shall be held harmless indemnified against any third party claims.   Advertisements appearing in Saved Magazine present only the viewpoint of the advertisers.  We assume no responsibility for advertising claims made in this publication.  All correspondence and submissions by readers/advertisers to this publication become property of Saved Magazine. Printed in the U.S.A.

Welcome to the “Tribute to Freedom” issue of Saved Magazine. Sometimes it is easy to forget that there are people today fighting for the freedom we enjoy in this great country of ours. If you have a loved one fighting for our country, or one who has served our country in the past, or if you yourself have served in the military--our gratitude and prayers are with you. The greatest freedom was bought for us at a dear price over 2,000 years ago, and it is available for you today. What do you need to be free from today? God’s greatest desire is to see Himself magnified greatly in your life. Can you trust Him this day? We pray that you are inspired, encouraged and lifted up this day. Remember, God has great things in store for you. The best is yet to come! Blessings,

Victor and Diana Morales // Publishers

Celebrate! Christian Revival Center

contents saved magazine | may/june 2009

6

8

The High Price of Freedom God declared us free long before the Constitution was signed. Today, many are still paying a price for us to enjoy the freedom we have in this great country.

The Power to Create Wealth The most important step you will ever take toward building wealth.

10

Leadership Through Compassion Love never fails, and you can never fail when you genuinely care for those you have been entrusted to lead.

12

Marriage 101

14

God In the Midst of a Soldier’s Battle

A basic course from the Bible for a successful marriage – God’s way.

The riveting account of a soldier wounded in battle, his unwavering trust in the Lord, and a recovery that has left many professionals amazed!

16

18

Walking in the Perfect Will of God By Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne Have you ever asked yourself, “What is God’s will for my life?” Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne removes any questions or doubts as to what this really means, and gives you a straight biblical answer to this question.

26

It’ll Cost You By Joyce Meyer Climb on board the journey of obtaining victory with great courage and by making a firm decision to over come any adversity that may come your way—paying the price now to reap the greatest benefits later.

Developing Your Child’s Gifts Learn simple, yet long lasting parenting tips for developing your child’s gifts

To advertise in Saved Magazine, please call (956) 328-6117

the high price of

FREEDOM

By Victor and Diana Morales

free•dom –noun • the state of being free

or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint. •exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc. •the power to determine action without restraint. •political or national independence. •personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery. •exemption from the presence of anything specified (usually fol. by from): i.e. freedom from fear. •the absence of or release from ties, obligations, etc. Freedom has always had a price. Throughout history, whenever anyone has fought for freedom, there have been lives lost, blood shed and a very high price paid. Today, our country is fighting for the peace, security, and freedom we currently enjoy as Americans. Thomas Jefferson once said, “My God!  How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!”  Did you know that we live in the most blessed country in the world? The most impoverished American is truly richer than most of the world’s population, in every way possible. War is never nice, yet Jesus talked about war in the Bible as something inevitable: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come” (Matthew 24:6). In our own lives, we are in some kind of “war” daily. Whether we are fighting for our lives, our children, or our marriages—there is always a sacrifice, some kind of dying to self that we do each day. We do all this with the hope of coming out with a victory--a liberating victory that will lead us toward a more peaceful life. There are men and women giving their lives each 6

May/June 2009

day for our own freedom. Let us remember to pray for them daily, thank the Lord for their courage and strength, and never forget that we are able to breathe the air of freedom, to rejoice and laugh, and enjoy our lives because someone has paid or is paying a price. Jesus demonstrated the greatest sacrifice for freedom’s sake. He is the single most important man that ever walked the earth. His impact is still resounding throughout the world. He gave His life, shed His blood and paid the highest price so that we might enjoy the ultimate freedom! John 8:32 says “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Jesus paid the greatest price to see to it

that you and I would live in the greatest liberty. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He makes a way for you where there is no way. He is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. In Him, you will only find life— and life very abundantly (John 10:10). If you can trust Him, you will begin to enjoy the best life you have ever had. There were two thieves crucified on either side of Jesus. One of them recognized that He truly was the Son of God. He recognized that the only shot of living in freedom forever was through Jesus. The other only mocked Him. Each of them had a decision to make in a moment’s notice.

Only one made the right decision saying, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). God has a divine plan of freedom for you today, to live life wonderfully and gratefully. We also live in the greatest country where freedom still rings. As you go about your day, remember the words of Lee Greenwood: “And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” Don’t forget all those who have given you the opportunity to live in this amazing country. And especially, don’t forget the One who paid the ultimate price for your life—Who gave you the greatest right to be free.

To advertise in Saved Magazine, please call (956) 328-6117

“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God! ”

­--Author Unknown

THE POWER TO

By Diana Morales

Create WEALTH

Did you know that God deposited “greatness” in you even before you were born? Did you also know that God deposited everything you would ever need to have great success on the earth? Sometimes you may not even feel that you possess any kind of gift or ability. Maybe you were raised with the idea that you would never make it big in life, or maybe you have let circumstances that surrounded you in childhood dictate who or what you are today. The Bible says in Psalm 139 that you were “fearfully and wonderfully made.” In the Hebrew language, this means that you were made with great reverence, made to be distinguished from anyone else, and made marvelous. In other words, God made you with very specific, very big plans to do great things! Many people stressfully talk about the current economy, but most people don’t know or understand God’s economy. We tell people all the time, “If no one wants to hire you, hire yourself!” Several years ago, my husband, Victor and I were on a long highway contemplating and complaining

8

May/June 2009

about our professional and financial situation at that time. As we were driving, I heard the Lord speak these words to me in my spirit, “Take out a sheet of paper and write down everything you are each good at. The things that you are good at are gifts that I have given you and that you have possessed your whole life. Take any one of these gifts or a combination of them and take the time to further develop them.” I shared this with Victor and he told me to quickly find a piece of paper. I began to write two lists— one for me and one for him. While on that highway, God began to give us a plan for developing those gifts and bringing them to fruition. We got so excited that we said to each other, “We need to hire ourselves! Why didn’t we ever take the time to see what God Himself has deposited in us?” People around you will always “suggest” to you what you should be doing with your life. You will not be satisfied until you are doing what God has called you to do. Deuteronomy 8:18 says “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” This power comes only from God. It is His ability, His strength,

and His gifts that will help you get wealth, and establish you. I don’t know what you have been called to do, but whatever it is, dig deep within your soul to figure it out. I know a young woman who, many years ago, cleaned houses for a living. She was quite the fashionista—with an amazing eye for clothing and accessories. She used to tell me how she loved anything having to do with fashion—yet at that time she was cleaning houses. A “good eye” for clothing and fashion was one of her gifts. Today she owns a successful clothing store. Part of the wonder of life is seeing your own life unfold itself into the beautiful tapestry God created it to be. “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven played music, or

Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” Martin Luther King Jr.   If cooking is your gift, then do everything to develop that gift and be the best chef ever. If sewing is your gift, then take some classes and be the best seamstress/tailor ever. If carpentry is your gift, then be the best carpenter ever. Most of the greatest names known today in any of these categories started out in their kitchens, spare bedrooms or garages. God’s Word says in Proverbs 12:14 “From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.” Today, why don’t you take out a piece of paper and make a list.

To advertise in Saved Magazine, please call (956) 328-6117

Leadership Through Compassion By Victor Morales

“’I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.’ So he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand” (Mark 8:2-3,6-9). Jesus had a purpose when He walked the earth, and that purpose was to help people. Even if He had several places to go and people to see, He somehow always seemed to take care of people’s needs, especially if the people seeking him were persistently pressing upon Him. He never regarded status, nor did he let anything come between Him and those needing help. As a matter of fact, when He looked at the people, the Bible tells us that he simply had compassion on the multitude, and that was enough for them to qualify as recipients for His assistance. I’m sure He saw all kinds of people, good and bad, happy and sad, healthy and sick. There was no red tape, no CEO signature, no chain of command, no picture session or recognition of special groups to wade through before the people received help. Jesus simply helped people in the name of compassion. Talk about a leader for the ages! 10

May/June 2009

Can you imagine Jesus having told his disciple, Peter at that time, “Peter, find us a great sketch artist. Oh, and make sure we get the best scribe in the land to write about this honorable act I’m about to do.” No, as a matter of fact, on many occasions, Jesus told his disciples and even the people who received a miracle from him, “Do not tell anyone what happened here today.” The Bible instructs us, “Do not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). Just help where you can--this is God’s way. Do it in the name of compassion. What role does compassion play in our modern day business structure or within employer-employee relationships? Many business leaders have found that without compassion and kindness to employees, customers, suppliers and even competitors, short-term results cannot be maintained or converted into long-term positive results. In other words, we have to be kind and compassionate to those placed in our path. In the book, “Leadership Secrets from the Bible,” the author, Lorin Wolfe explains how Isaac Tigrett, founder of Hard Rock Café, upheld compassion as a number one priority or principle when he opened up his first restaurant. He set out to hire society’s outcasts who would not have fit well into more traditional organizations. He eliminated all staff meetings and called them “family meetings”, instead. Tigrett said, “I didn’t care about anything but the people. Just cherish them, look after them, and be sensitive to their lives.” His compassion paid off in many ways. A few years later, he sold

his business for $100 million. Famous business philosopher, Napoleon Hill said in one of his quotes, “It is literally true that you succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.” All of us placed in positions of trust or authority, will be tested to make sure we are capable or humble enough to lead those placed under our care. In Biblical times, Moses would sometimes throw himself on the ground and plead for the lives and well-being of his people. He would entreat God with heavy crying and supplications in order to divert God’s plan of destroying many of the Israelites because of their disobedience. Every one of those people was a treasure to Moses. As modern leaders, we’ve also been entrusted by God and by those placed under our care. We are to cherish these

people, and remember that without them, we have no one to lead. In Biblical times and in modern times, people have enthusiastically followed leaders who have cared about them. Time and again, it has been shown that true caring creates more employee loyalty, and ironically better results in production, than cold exhortation or the old “ruling with an iron fist”. Robert Galvin, former CEO of Motorola, addressing his successor and son, Chris, said, “My philosophy of business? Five words: to love and to achieve. And the second will never happen without the first.” So remember, love your employees and those placed under your trust, just as if they were family. They, in turn, will take care of you and your organization.

To advertise in Saved Magazine, please call (956) 328-6117

“SUCCESS IN MARRIAGE does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate.”

-Barnett R. Brickner

MARRIAGE 101 In 20 years of marriage, the biggest regret I have is not having had more time in the day to do all the things I would have enjoyed doing with my wife. I once went to a job interview, and the interviewer asked me, “Who is your best friend?” I didn’t hesitate or pause when I said, “My wife”. He then asked, “Why ‘your wife’”? “Well,” I said, “When I’ve been down, my wife has been there to lift me up. When money’s been scarce, she’s been content with what she has. When I’ve been sick, she’s always made the perfect tea. When I’ve been scared, she’s been the perfect inspiration, and when I’ve felt insignificant and alone, she’s made me feel like I’m the greatest person in the world.” Many people have come and gone in my life, but the only one that is still with me through thick and thin, better or worse, richer or poorer, is no one else but my Godgiven wife. Even during my worst times, she has remained constant. Is our marriage perfect? Far from it, but we are perfect for each other, as far as God’s Word is concerned. The Bible tells us, “Wives, submit unto your own husbands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church” (Ephesians 5:22-25, 28-29). 12

May/June 2009

By Victor Morales

More marriages might survive if the partners realized that sometimes the better comes after the worse.  -Doug Larson This is the foundation for any marriage. God created us in His image, and He created us for each other. In this scripture, you find out why the church (like a wife) follows after Jesus (like a husband). Paul sums it up like this, “Christ first loved the church”. In other words, a husband is to first love his wife. Christ treats his church as his own body, and the church, in turn, submits to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Can you imagine it any other way? Can you imagine Jesus abusing the church, or viceversa, the church not wanting anything to do with submitting itself to the Lord? In other words, he instructs us why the church follows after Jesus Christ, and will not follow after anyone else. The reason is that Jesus first gave himself to his church by willingly sacrificing his life for it. Marriage works the same way. If either party is abusing of the other, it can’t work. Husbands, we are to give ourselves to our wives completely. It’s never 50-50. It’s all or nothing at all. When we are married, we are to give ourselves to one another 100%. In marriage, if we follow the foundation found in the Bible, wives should submit themselves to their own husbands as unto the Lord, and the husbands ought to love their wives. Husbands, if you don’t show proper care and concern for your wife, she will not be able to care for you the way she was intended to. One of the greatest things that a husband can do is take care of what God has given him, by being

supportive, encouraging and remembering to water your wife with gestures and acts of love. There is no one else out there better for you, but the wife that you made a promise to. The grass is never greener on the other side--and if it looks greener, it is probably Astroturf! Take care of what you have and your wife will continue to grow to be the woman of God that she was intended to be. Wives, submit yourself to your husband, respecting him as a man. One of the worst things a wife can do to her husband is lose respect for his authority as head of the household, and to counter every decision he makes. According to the Bible, in a marriage, it is the husband’s responsibility. Wives, if you fully put your husband in the hands of the Lord, and ask God to

guide him, in time you will see him steering your family in the right course. My wife has always told me that she understands that God has called her to pray for me as the head of our household. Regardless of how long you have been married, if you employ these basics from the Bible, you will see your marriage take a course for the better—God’s way. Victor and Diana Morales with Victor Morales Ministries International have been called to bring encouragement, hope and revival through Jesus Christ to the lives of the people in the Rio Grande Valley. They are Pastors, Evangelists and Publishers of Saved Magazine.

To advertise in Saved Magazine, please call (956) 328-6117

God In the Midst of a Soldier’s Battle By Staff Sgt. Jose Ramos

Pictured: Staff Sgt. Jose Ramos in Afghanistan

On March 9, 2006, the sun had already hit its blistering pinnacle in Musaquala, Afghanistan. I was enjoying my midday brunch before preparing for my afternoon tasks. I was not scheduled to be on patrol that day, but a convoy was shorthanded and I volunteered to help on that routine convoy patrol. Little did I know the events that would follow in the next few hours would change my life forever. At about 1 p.m. local time, our hummer vehicle was ambushed by enemy fire. My platoon and I were somewhat secure in our vehicle, but there was a sliver of open space about 1½ inches wide where I was sitting. Through that seemingly insignificant crevice, two bullets pierced through my arm at the same time. It was now approximately 1:13 p.m local time. We had seen no helicopters in that area that whole day, but suddenly one happened to be flying over us en route to pick up a wounded K-9. Within 30 minutes, we had air support. I just lay there in a daze. All I could think of was, “If they end up sending me home, I want to go home complete—with no missing limbs.” I was transported to a M.A.S.H. (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital), and I heard the doctor saying to me, “Pick up your arm.” I said, “It is up!” I couldn’t really feel my arm, and all kinds of thoughts were racing through my head. I asked, “What time is it?” Someone responded, “It’s 3:45 p.m.” I thought that if I was about to die, I at least wanted to know my time of death. I have no recollection of the 2½ days that followed. I finally woke up and called my wife back home to explain what had happened 14

May/June 2009

to me. I was eventually transferred to Brooks Army Medical Center at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. The doctors advised me that I had two severed nerves along with a severed main artery. I had no control of my arm. I was mad at the world! I was especially mad at myself because I had let this happen to me after 20 years in military service. The prognosis from the doctors regarding the use of my arm was very dim. They advised me that it would take at least 18 months to possibly regain 40% use of my arm. My mind began to shoot back to 10 years prior, in 1996, when my daughter was diagnosed with a very serious kidney problem. I surrendered my life to the Lord during that time—yet with my current situation looming over me, I could not think or see straight, let alone believe God the way I needed to. Right about this time, my uncle brought me the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr. These words reverberated through my entire being. My mind was filled with the promises that God had made to me 10 years prior—promises to bring me out and through any challenge. I began to retort back to the doctors, “I will prove you wrong!” Within myself all I could think of was, “Actually, GOD will prove you wrong.” My “faith fight” response made me push myself to double my therapy to twice a day for 2-3 hours. I even made my wife park my truck right in front of the window where I

would do therapy, as a point of contact. I would tell my therapist, “When I get out of here, I’m driving myself out in that truck parked out there.” All he could say was, “You’re crazy! How do you think you’re going to do that?” Well…six and a half weeks, 13 surgeries, and six months of therapy later, I had done in the Lord what nobody expected me to do. I had full use of my arm within six months! The protocol for therapy was 13 months. I spent the last seven of those months going to my Case Manager each week just to tell him, “Hi! I’m alive and doing great!” I’d sign a sheet proving I showed up and then I’d leave again. I don’t know what you are going through today, but God can do greater things than

you can imagine! God’s Word is true when it says that God is “…able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20). A respected Sergeant Major of the Army once presented me with a Military Excellence Coin. He posed a question and made a statement to me that still remains in my heart to this day. He said, “Do you understand that 98% of Americans enjoy the freedom that only 2% of Americans are willing to die for? You are one of those 2%.” Editor’s Note: Staff Sgt. Jose Ramos, a resident of the Rio Grande Valley, received 26 Military Excellence Coins in the 13-month period at Ft. Sam Houston. Most notably, he received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. After 22 years of dutiful military service to our country, he retired from the U.S. Army in 2008. We thank God for men and women like Staff Sgt. Ramos. Without them, we could not enjoy the freedom we have today.

To advertise in Saved Magazine, please call (956) 328-6117

IT’LL COST YOU! By Joyce Meyer

We will all go through situations in life. Many times, we think the phrase “I’m going through something” is bad news, but if we view it properly, we realize going through is good—it means we’re not stuck! We may be facing difficulties, but at least we are moving forward. You may have heard the name Wilma Rudolph. Perhaps you know of her as an outstanding female athlete whose story was told in the television movie Wilma and whose image appeared on a United States postage stamp. Indeed, this phenomenal runner, coach, and sports commentator gained remarkable recognition and acclaim, but do you have any idea what it cost her to achieve her goals and live her dreams? She was born prematurely, the twentieth of twenty-two children in a poor family reeling from the impact of the Great Depression. In addition to suffering scarlet fever and double pneumonia as an infant, she was afflicted with polio from birth and had to be driven fifty miles twice a week to a hospital for African-Americans, where she received treatment. In addition, her mother had to rub her legs four times each day for years. At one point, the doctors told her she would never walk, but eventually she proved them wrong and walked with a brace until she was nine years old. By the time she was twelve, she could finally walk normally, and within four short years, at age sixteen, she won her first Olympic medal. Four years later, at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, she earned gold medals in three events and became an international superstar. The little girl who was told she would never 16

May/June 2009

walk ended up learning to run better and faster than any other woman in the world. But she did not do it without pain, without sacrifice, without discipline, or without paying a price. She wanted to see her desires fulfilled and she did—because she never gave up. To be people who never give up, we must learn to press past both natural obstacles, as Wilma Rudolph did, and unseen forces such as anger, unforgiveness, guilt, shame and fear. We need to learn to overcome these issues in our life so we can press through anything that is holding us back and go on to be everything God intends for us to be. Press in, press on, press through, and pay the price now so you can reach your goals and your full potential later. The Bible even tells us that we will suffer and encounter trials, so we must learn to deal with them in ways that help us overcome them instead of letting them overcome us. We need to be balanced in our approach to growth and adversity because growth is not an automatic result of difficulty. Hardships do not necessarily

produce growth or strength in us—it’s just not that simple. Some people shrink back or fall apart when difficulties arise. They don’t always realize that there is a cost that comes with victory. We grow when we determine to think and behave in godly ways in the midst of adversity—when we do what we know is right, even when it is difficult, uncomfortable, or inconvenient. We grow spiritually, and we are strengthened. We may have to do what is right for a long time before we feel it is paying off, but if we stay faithful and refuse to give up, good results will come. Once we get through the adversities and challenges we face, we emerge as better people than we were when we went into them. I want to share a verse with you that has given me courage and comfort through

many battles in my life. I believe it will also encourage you. Habakkuk 3:19 says, The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! (The Amplified Bible). Determine that you will go all the way through every difficulty you might ever face in life, recognizing that it will cost you something. Make the decision now to keep going forward, no matter how difficult it is. I can guarantee you’ll be glad you did. Author/teacher Joyce Meyer has been helping people overcome life’s problems through biblical keys to practical Christian living since 1976. Her radio and television programs are broadcast throughout the United States and much of the world. For additional information, you may contact Joyce Meyer Ministries at P.O. Box 655, Fenton, Missouri 63026 or visit www.joycemeyer.org.

To advertise in Saved Magazine, please call (956) 328-6117

WALKING IN THE PERFECT

WILL OF GOD

God burned this message in my spirit several years ago. It changed my life and I greatly desire for you to learn its truths, too. Let us begin by looking at Psalm 127: “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Psalm 127:1). This doesn’t mean that you can’t build a house, but the Bible tells us that unless the Lord builds or blesses it, they labor in vain that build the house. God’s will for us is that we walk in His will! It’s one thing to say, “Lord, I know that your Word is your will.” It’s another thing to consecrate your life and say, “God, I’m not going to go my own way.” Everyone wants to go his own way, irrespective of what God has to say about the matter. They shake their finger at Almighty God and later wonder why they have come up against a brick wall in their life and why everything goes wrong for them. They’re on a collision course with the will of God for their life! The Bible contains more than 30,000 promises and each of those promises has a condition. If you keep the condition, you will get the blessing. If you do not keep the condition, a cursing will come on you—not from God, but from the enemy. Many people are binding the devil when they themselves need to be bound! “Oh, brother,” they complain, “my finances are in a mess because the devil attacked them.” No, it wasn’t the devil. He doesn’t have access to your checkbook or your charge 18

May/June 2009

By Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne cards. Go look in the mirror and you’ll see the devil who did it! Several years ago, a man had a heart attack while I was preaching. I ran into the congregation, laid hands on him, and God touched him. The next day, I visited him at his home, as I was pastoring that congregation. He sat there in his living room, lit up another cigarette, and said, “The devil’s getting hold of my lungs.” I replied, “Brother, listen—don’t attack the devil. With what you’re doing, you don’t even need the devil!” Too many people whine, “Well it’s because of this one. If that person hadn’t done that, then I wouldn’t have done this.” As long as you blame the devil or other people for everything bad that happens to you, you’re never going to look at yourself and see if you’re to blame. God’s will for you and me is that we do His will. People say, “If I do the will of God, I’ll lose out.” Yes, it may look like you’re making a sacrifice, but actually it does not cost to serve God; it pays to serve Him. When you lay certain things down to serve God, you take up the cross of victory. You take up the crown of righteousness. Jesus asked in Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and los his own soul?” What is your priority? When your priority is God first, number one, come what may, it doesn’t matter what your inlaws or outlaws say. God, God, God, God, God is the authority in your life. “Except the Lord build the house…” All rights reserved. Used by permission. Source: Walking In The Perfect Will of God by Rodney M. Howard-Browne Drs. Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne with Revival Ministries International are currently on a nationwide crusade to bring REVIVAL to America with their Great Awakening Tour. To attend one of these life-changing events and find a city near you, log on to revival.com.

saved magazine Advertising with Eternal Rewards and Consequences! When you advertise with saved magazine, you are not only getting noticed, YOU are making an eternal difference in the lives of PEOPLE! God’s very heartbeat is PEOPLE, and anything we do toward blessing His creation, enriching it and lifting it up is a

partnership with God.

Imagine…

partnering with God for the growth of your organization, partnering with God for increase in your life, partnering with God for personal and family blessings, partnering with God for whatever you need from Him according to His Word. When the plowman plows (breaking forth ground) and the thresher threshes (supports), they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest (the benefits or consequences of an action). -1 Corinthians 9:10 No other tool of advertising promises blessings, peace, and immeasurable rewards.

Make an eternal difference today!

For advertising information, please call (956) 686-9925 or E-mail: [email protected]

To advertise in Saved Magazine, please call (956) 328-6117

Where do you want to be when you're 65?

Member FINRA and SIPC

The Vision… The Valley… The VICTORY!

With God ALL things are possible! Matthew 19:26 If you have never given your life to the Lord or received Jesus into your heart—this is a prayer you can pray and receive His free gift of salvation. God’s Word says that If you confess with your mouth that “Jesus is Lord” and you believe with your heart He rose from the dead—you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10) This is the only way to get to heaven. If you want to experience this hope to live forever with God, pray this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Take away my stony heart, and give me a heart of flesh. I repent of my sins and receive your free gift of salvation for my life. I turn my back on the world’s way of living and turn my life over to you. Thank you, Jesus for coming into my heart today. If you prayed this prayer for the first time, we would love to give you a free gift. Please call us at 686-9925 or e-mail us at [email protected] and tell us, “I just prayed the prayer of salvation.” The Bible says that all heaven is rejoicing over YOU! Praise God! To advertise in Saved Magazine, please call (956) 328-6117

2009

Saturday June 13, 2009 1PM - 9PM Isla Blanca Park, South Padre Island, Texas www.IslandOfPraise.com

IslandOfPraise.blogspot.com

Business Empowerment Luncheon for Leaders, Employers & Employees Learn God’s Scriptural Answers for Success Last Wednesday of the Month 12 noon - 1 pm Celebrate! Christian Revival Center (see ad on page 4 for location info.) For more information, please call (956) 686-9925 Hosted by Victor Morales Ministries International

DEVELOPING YOUR CHILD’S GIFTS

By Diana Morales

“Children are likely to live up to what you believe in them.” -Lady Bird Johnson

“If you raise your children to feel that they can accomplish any goal or task they decide upon, you will have succeeded as a parent and you will have given your children the greatest of all blessings.” -Brian Tracy Did you know that as parents, we will one day have to give an account for how we raised our children, and how we helped nurture and develop the best in them? In the Amplified Bible, Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.” We have the powerful ability to either help bring out greatness in our children, or stifle the gifts that God has put on their lives. This scripture basically states that when we notice certain gifts that our children possess, we are to help them along by encouraging and helping further those gifts. Genesis 1:26 says that God made us—and that includes our kids—in His image! He has absolute greatness, power and might. Our kids were also born with greatness, regardless of their character or any setback or handicap that they may possess. In most families, no two children possess the exact same gifts. In the same way that we possess completely different fingerprints and DNA, we possess completely different gifts and abilities. Sometimes we hear of parents telling one child, “Why aren’t you more like your brother (or sister)?” Did you know that is the quickest way to break a child’s spirit? Whether our children are young or adult, we must seek the wisdom of God to recognize each individual gift, and take care of nurturing it. We also know of other parents that tell 26 May/June 2009

us that they want their kids to become what they did not become. Our primary job as parents is to train them up in “the way”. What way? God’s way: His plan, His purpose and His will for your child. What is the outcome when we follow God’s instructions? The Bible says in Psalm 128:3 that if you, as a parent walk in the ways of the Lord, your children will be like olive plants all around your table. What does this mean? First of all, the word “olive” in this scripture means “illuminating oil”. God literally desires for your child to illuminate the lives of others. Historically, olive trees have always symbolized abundance, glory and peace. Amazingly, there are still olive trees in the regions of Galilee and surrounding areas, that are over 3,000 years old—all of which are still producing fruit! As parents, our words and actions will make or break our kids’ futures. You have no idea how God may want to use them—so trust that God has a plan and purpose for each of their gifts. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” He has great plans for your children’s future! This should bring peace to your life. If you trust Him, He promises you that, 1) like an olive plant, your children will have long fruitful lives; 2) they will be filled with abundance, glory and peace; and 3) they will be an illuminating light to everyone around them until their old age. Today, I pray that the Lord guide you as you help guide your children into their very bright and hopeful future. Your eternal rewards will be priceless!