Visions

April/May 2003

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Heavenly Tours is a Christian based & operated coach/tours Bus Company. Along with providing bus rentals for your traveling needs, we will also be sponsoring different tours/trips & recreational Christian activities for you to enjoy & fellowship with other saints throughout the year. Trips will be leaving from the Washington, Metropolitan area. Heavenly Tours is the Washington, Metropolitan areas true Christian tour company. Founded by Co-Owner, Harold R. Spencer Jr., Heavenly Tours…allows saints to travel their Christian experience, in an anointed atmosphere of fellowship & love. DATE

TRIP

LOCATION

April 12, 2003

American Music Theatre Lancaster, PA “One Voice: The History of Gospel Music”

June 7, 2003

The Tabernacle

Lancaster, PA

June 2003

Fishing

TBD

August 2003

Sight & Sound “Daniel”

August 16, 2003

New York City Shopping Trip

New York City, NY

October 2003

Sight & Sound “Abraham & Sarah”

Lancaster, PA

December 2003

Sight & Sound “Miracle of Christmas”

Lancaster, PA

Lancaster, PA

For more information about our trips or to schedule a trip please give us a call or email us at [email protected]. 2 April/May 2003

Look for more information as we go live in April at our website: www.heavenlytours.us

Table of Contents

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Cover Story: LOVE OF THE CONQUERING KING Interview with Bryan Lynch, Landscape & Christian Artist b y L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy Artw ork: "A Sense o ." b y Bry ant LLynch, ynch, Artist Artwork: off Beauty Beauty." Bryant

TESTIMONIALS 5 VISIONS After reading the article I started visualizing having my own magazine called "Visions," I knew right away that the Holy Spirit was speaking to me... b y L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy

6 MIRACLES WITH PRA YER PRAYER Prayer from family members has truly healed me in difficult times. While I was walking to my dorm in the hallway, a piercing pain went through my back. This was a pain so sudden and powerful that I had to stop walking and lean against the wall... by Cedric R. White

31 ARMY OF THE LLORD ORD How we can are in a battle to fight off the wickedness of the devil ... by Rickey E. Macklin

35 WHO I AM IN CHRIST

Embracing new technology... by B.R. White

37 HOW DO I GROW?

17 CHRIST IS ENOUGH FOR ME

POETRY CORNER

Testifying to the fact that Jesus Christ is all you need to be satisfied and fulfilled... by B.R. White

18 REAL LOVE What is the meaning of “real love”... b y L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy

19 GOD OF MY SILENT TEARS

7 BEAUTY FOR ASHES: THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE LORD

Book review of the new book, God of My Silent Tears by Yvonne Majett Cooper... by Nikki Jones

6 OUT OF THE OVERFLOW OF THE HEART

Each of us our on a God-driven path ... by Penelope Allen White

O WARD 16 PRESSING T TO THE MARK OF THE HIGH CALLING IN CHRIST JESUS

ARTICLES

The story of one girl’s transformation through the power of Lord... by Lisa Horan

27 WE W ALK B Y F AITH WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT

21 GOD A T W ORK IN AT WORK YOUR LIFE What it means to be borne again and living God’s way... b y L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy

by Chicago Long

b y L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy

12 POEM OF THE MONTH: “REMEMBERING MY FIRST LOVE” by K armen Y ork er Karmen York orker

12 ““ANO ANO THER D AYS JOUR ANOTHER DA JOUR-NEY” b y L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy

12 & 13 “THE EPITOME OF THIS JOURNEY b y L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy

13 “CHILD OF GOD” b y L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy

13 “JUST AS THE ANGEL SAID b y L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy

21 & 3 1 F ello w shipping... 31 Fello ellow

Examining how what we say out of our mouths is actually what is in our hearts... by Penelope Allen White

22 FIT BY GOD’S DESIGN

38 CHRISTIAN AUTHORS CORNER...

How we can fight temptations ... by Sherise L. Shields

48 MINISTRIES...

14 AD VANCING IN GOD ADV

27 HOW TO INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN

Upcoming Events...(inside cover)

How to raise our children in Christ by Gloria C. Okoro

49 SUBSCRIPTION ORDER...

Explaining how we can grow by studying God’s word... by Karmen Booker

April/May 2003

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Visions Christian Magazine L.C. T ar dy Publisher Tar ardy Publisherss President/Founder Executive Editors Penelope White

Managing Editors Karmen Booker

Columnist Pastor Sheritha Bowman

Writers/Regular Contributors L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy Karmen Y ork er-Book er York orker-Book er-Booker Sherice Shields Lisa Horan Gloria C. Okoro Nikki Jones Penelope Allen White Cedric R. White BR White Darius E. White

Artist Bryan Lynch

Graphic Designers Cody Beasley Fred Booker Chauntika Broggin Minister Rickey Macklin Er esa T ar dy Eresa Tar ardy

Proofer Jennifer R. Stovall Karmen Booker

Print Coordinator TCG Printing/W ashingt on Times Printing/Washingt ashington Circulation Coordinators Bible references are from the KJV and NIV

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Main Office L.C. Tardy Publishers Landover, Maryland (301) 324-4975

is available through subscription. Please give us a call at (301)324-4975 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.

Te s t i m o n i a l s On December 3, 2002 searching for a job and cannot while relaxed I read an article find one, you need to start working in “Life in the Word,” a magazine in your purpose, and your purpose will produced monthly by Joyce finance your future.” I realized that Meyer Ministries. The the Lord had used Jennifer to by L.C. Tardy article was called, “Get speak a word to me concernComfortable Not ing my future, and God’s Knowing.” Joyce Meyer said, “I purpose for my life, as well challenge you to fast from reasoning as speaking to me through for thirty days—make a commitment Joyce Meyer’s articles. to yourself and God to stop trying to I immediately sat b y L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy figure things out, and I believe that as down at my computer and Freelance Writer/Author you do this, you will enter a new level started putting together a of God’s rest, begin to experience more of draft of the magazine called, His peace and joy, and when you least expect it, “Visions.” The Lord had put me in He’ll give you the heart revelation you’ve been remembrance of His Word, Proverbs 16: 9 “A searching for all along.” I had decided to just relax and mans heart deviseth his let the peace of God rule in my way, but the Lord heart on that day. directeth his steps.” After reading the article And my Lord also said, “My Soul wait thou only upon God, I started visualizing having my “The steps of a good for my expectation is from Him.” own magazine called “Visions,” man are ordered by the I knew right away that the Holy Lord.” Joyce Meyer Psalm 62:5 Spirit was speaking to me. The had referenced a Holy spirit told me to read two scripture in her article, books called, “Answering the Proverbs 3:5,6 “Lean Call Discovering on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all Your Purpose,” your heart and mind and do not rely on your own written by insight or understanding. In all your ways know, Jennifer R. recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will Stovall, and direct and make straight and plain your paths.” “Woman Thou Joyce Meyers said, “As long as you and I are Are Called,” by trying to figure everything out on our own, we are Minister Bessie proving that we are not trusting God. But when we Ashworth; good choose to rely on God to let us know what we need to friends and know, when we need to know it, we prove that we Sisters at my are trusting Him and we put ourselves in position for Church home, Him to move miraculously.” Jericho City of On May 3, 2002, which was my birthday, I Praise. So I attended the Joyce Meyer Praise Fest at the Capital decided to Center, Landover, Maryland; on that day I was “Answer the baptized with the Holy Spirit, and received my prayer Call.” The Holy language. This is the best gift and miracle that I have Spirit told me to ever received, and this magazine called, “Visions,” is Top: Co v er ffor or the pr Cov premier off use all of my emier issue o proof of another one of the Lord’s miracles maniVisions Christian Magazine talent that He had fested in my life. given me, and put it into the magazine called, “Visions.” In fact, fifteen TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!! VCM minutes earlier I had spoken to Jennifer Stovall about “Waiting to hear from God,” and the day before that Jennifer had called me, and ask if I was at the Linda C. T ar dy is a F riter/A uthor Tar ardy Frr eelance W Writer/A riter/Author uthor.. She is 8:00’clock Sunday service, because Assistant Pastor the Publisher of this magazine, Visions Christian Magazine ar dy curr ently liv es in LLando ando v er Ms.. T Tar ardy currently lives andov er,, Magazine.. Ms Joel Peebles had preached on “Working In Your Maryland and attends Jericho City o f Pr aise-85 01 of Praise-85 aise-850 Purpose.” Spectrum Driv eL ando v er , Maryland. DriveLando andov er, Pastor Joel Peebles said, “If you have been

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rayer can change anything! “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with olive oil in the name of the lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up…pray for another, that ye may be healed. (James 5: 14-16)” Prayer from family members has truly healed me in difficult times. While I was walking to my dorm in the hallway, a piercing pain went through my back. This was a pain so sudden and powerful that I had to stop walking and lean against the wall, this did little to ease the discomfort that I felt. I entered my room and collapsed on the bed, having difficulty breathing and feeling a numbing sensation come through my left chest and left arm. I was afraid to fall asleep not knowing what could happen next. As the week passed I thought that the pain was going to only be temporary. After about four

a total lung collapse. As I went back to my room that night, I called my parents. The first thing I told them was what had happened the past few days and what the doctor diagnosed. After prayer on the phone with my

Miracles with Prayer by Cedric R. White 2nd year FSU student

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days of returning pain and short breathing I went to visit the doctor. After taking some breathing test and x-rays I was diagnosed with a probable leak or hole in my left lung. The situation could persist and lead to

aaaaaaaaaaaaaa “Is any sick among you? Let him call for

mother, I was still concerned about how the situation would turn out. I continued to pray privately and my parents prayed for my health status also. Over that weekend there was a difference in how my chest felt. The next Monday I reported to that same doctor again to get more x-rays taken to see if there had been any improvements or not. When the doctor viewed the x-rays, the first thing he said was “There are definitely more blood vessels reaching to the end of the lung sac.” From that day on I have had very little pain, if any, in my left chest and back area. No medications were taken, just the prayers of my family and myself. I know for myself God’s miracles can and do happen with prayer! Thank you, Lord!

the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with olive oil in the name of the lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up…pray for another, that ye may be healed.” Prayerfully submitted, James 5: 14-16

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Cedric R. White

VCM

c2000 by Cedric R. White. Permission for use granted upon request 6 April/May 2003

oneliness. Rebellion. Desperation. If you had to describe the first two decades of Angela by Lisa Horan Hansen’s life in three words or less, these would be the ones. It wasn’t that Angela didn’t know God; she just turned her back on Him for a time. But God never turned His back on her. He knew her heart, and He had plans to use the very struggles she endured to bring glory to Himself.

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person I ever really loved and the only person who made me feel accountable for my choices,” explains Angela. “Somehow, that little boy always made me stop and think about what I was doing with my life.” His death at age nine launch signaled the beginning of a life-changing transformation process for Angela.

Beauty for Ashes: The Transforming Power of the Lord

Born in Washington, D.C. to a single mother, Angela was sent to live in Mississippi with a grandmother she had never met when she was just two years old. As a young child, she never felt she belonged. Then, after four years, her mother, of whom she had no recollection, moved Angela back to the Washington, D.C. area. For Angela, this meant moving to a strange place with a stranger. “I remember crying out from the darkness in my new room asking Jesus to come into it and stay with me,” recalls Angela. “I never doubted the Lord’s existence. I just didn’t have any Godly role models around me.”

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One of the most significant events in that process took place at a Christian retreat she was attending. “I wanted so desperately to believe I was a Christian, but I just couldn’t believe that God had forgiven me,” remembers Angela. “It was during quiet reflection at that retreat that I relived every horrible thing I had done over the years. Each time I recalled an event from my past, I heard a voice saying ‘I know. I was there. And I still love you.’”

“I wanted so desperately to believe I was a Christian, but I just couldn’t believe that God had forgiven In the absence of such role models, Angela’s struggle to fit in during her high school me,..” Months later, Angela heard another call. and college years only intensified her own un-Godly behavior. She turned to alcohol, drugs, and sex as a way of finding acceptance and masking her pain. However, few people knew the real truth. She managed to hide her addictions by doing well in school, in fact receiving a B.A. from Colby College and, years later, a law degree from George Washington University.

One aspect of her life that she could not hide, however, was her failing health. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 13, Angela struggled regularly with excruciating pain. During her sophomore year of college, she was also given the grim news that she would never be able to bear children. Later, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a debilitating condition that causes severe swelling and pain. By the time she turned 23, Angela was at a crossroads. Her health was declining, her rebellious behavior was soaring, and she was reeling from the devastating loss of her younger stepbrother. “He was actually the first

This time, the call was not aimed at her salvation, but rather that of others. “At one of my Emmaus meetings, a woman began talking about Kairos, a program that brings God into prisons, and the spirit immediately jumped from within me,” says Angela. “As I talked to the women prisoners, my life and all that I had gone through began to make perfect sense. I knew then that God’s plan was to use every hurt I had ever experienced to help these women.”

Today, Angela is a living testimony to the transforming power of the Lord. She lives happily with her husband and their two adopted children in Silver Spring, MD, and continues to share the Good News with women prisoners in the area. In spite of the constant physical pain that she endures, Angela’s exuberance is hard to miss. “The joy that I have has nothing to do with how I’m feeling, nor does it have anything to do with me,” she says. “It’s all about the spirit God has placed in me. Only He can give me the strength, grace, and inclination to do that which He has called me to do.” VCM April/May 2003

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Cover Story

Love of Our Co How Bryan Lynch Brings Hope through

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Bryan, was truly humble and honored to have his Work of Art on the front cover of a magazine. He expressed t’s truly amazing how God brings his children that he is currently seeking out publishers, and believes together when he needs to bring forth his that there is a company out there that will find merit in Word. He searches the hearts of those with his work of art. He talked about the power of the Lord a thirst to express the spiritual gifts and and how God can do a mighty work in his children. We talents He has given to us. The Lord set a vision in my stayed in touch through email, and I kept him up to date heart to do this magazine, “Visions.” regarding the development of the After I received this vision from the magazine. I had no idea that I would Holy Spirit, I decided to search the eventually do an article on Bryan Lynch, Internet for a “clip art of Jesus,” or Landscape & Christian Artist. It was art that resembled heaven, to put on then that I realized the Lord had spiritually the front cover of this magazine. I lead me all the way to Roseville, stumbled across a website that was California in search of a gifted artist, with selling “Paintings,” I decided to a thirst to express his talent that the Lord browse the site and view the had given him, and promote the Word of paintings. All of the paintings were God through his beautiful Christian Art. breathtaking and beautiful. But One of Bryan’s favorite scriptures sums there was one particular painting it all up: “For the eyes of the Lord run to that stood out from the rest. It was and fro throughout the whole earth, to a beautiful image of Jesus with an show himself strong on behalf of those illuminated cross in front of his whose heart is loyal to him.” (II face. The work of art was entitled, Chronicles 16:9) As I stated earlier, it is “Love of Our Conquering King, truly amazing how God brings his Top: Bryan Bryan Lynch, Artist. I was stunned. I couldn’t Lynch, Landscape children together, and the Lord said, take my eyes off of it. I double-clicked the “And we know that all things work & Christian Artist painting so that I could view a larger version of it. together for good to them that love God, Then, I just kept starring at it. I started to feel as to them who are the called according to though Jesus was starring back at me, and speaking to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). me. I knew then, that the Holy Spirit had lead me to that website. I immediately searched for the artists BRYAN LYNCH email address to ask his permission to use his Artwork on the front cover of my magazine. Bryan Lynch is a young gifted 24 year old Landscape It was a pleasure communicating with Bryan & Christian Artist. Bryan is a graduate of Sacramento Lynch, the Artist who displays his God-given talent and State University, where he received his Bachelor of gifts with excellence. I expressed how God had given Arts Degree in Art Studio, and minor in Business me a vision to develop this magazine called “Visions,” Administration, in May 2001. He has been married to by L.C. Tardy

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nquering King his Landscape and Christian Art Work Kim Lynch for three years. Kim and Bryan were (high medium of choice was oils. During Bryan’s first year in college he studied many subjects, but in 1998 school sweethearts) they have no kids right now, but Bryan’s passion for painting was once again desire to in the future. Bryan currently works for Pinnacle Telecommunications, as a CADD drafter. He reinforced. He was inspired by the work of “Thomas Blackshear,” a well known artist whose work of art, and his wife live in Roseville, CA (15 miles above called “Forgiven,” had Sacramento) Bryan had lived aroused Bryan’s passion in Los Angeles until he was for painting. Bryan ten years old, then his parents expresses it this way, “It moved to Auburn, CA. His wasn’t just the artistic parents are Mr. & Mrs. Craig ability of the artist that and Lorette Lynch. Bryan has struck me, but the two younger brothers, Keith emotional aspect as well, and Jay. Bryan explained that I can’t quite put it into he received Jesus when he words, but I felt the tug was a little boy, and that he in my spirit that art was renewed his faith and was something that God baptized when he was 18 wanted me to do.” So years old. Bryan also the next three years explained that it was when he Bryan had intensely had recommitted himself to studied art, and fully the Lord that brought him developed his skills in where he is today, and now the art field. Bryan the Lord is unveiling the many began to take a stand in talents within him. Bryan faith and believe that attends Celebration God had given him this Community Fellowship, a gift. Bryan said, “I church that is 2½ years old, finally explored my own and has 300 members. artistic voice that God t was a pleasure had set in my heart.” being able to Top: Sense of Bryan began getting his name out in the interview Bryan Lynch. I would like to Beauty by public by taking part in art shows, share with you how the Lord has ordered Bryan Lynch exhibitions, concerts, and presenting his Bryan’s steps. Bryan expressed that he artwork at his church home. In May had been creative in art since he was a kid, and seriously began pursuing it when he was a freshman in 2002, Bryan really began to promote his artwork to the high school. He was able to explore different mediums public, and God’s blessings started to flourish in many ways. His Christian prints are currently being sold in and styles, ranging from pencil to pastel, but his several

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Cover Story Christian bookstores in the area that he lives. Bryan stated that he trusts that his artwork will expand outside the area, and he believes that God will enlarge his territory in God’s time frame. Bryan is currently apart of various websites that sell his art. His landscapes have recently been accepted into some galleries, and he will continue to explore more galleries. I asked Bryan what inspires him and he replied, “To pursue and create the type of art that God desires of me, and the plans that I believe God has for me, inspires me to seek him more in everything I do, especially art. He desires to do great things through us, but if we don’t seek and honor him, we will miss out on his blessings and plans for us.” These are just a few of Bryan’s favorite scriptures: Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your ways to him, trust in him also, and He shall bring it to pass.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 “God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his spirit, He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and act prompted by your faith.” Ephesians 3:20 “And to Him who is able to do immeasurably more that we can ever dream or imagine, according to the power that is within us.”

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ryan further explains what inspires him, “It amazes me to think that as I strive to be loyal to God that He Top: Love of A desires to show himself strong on my Conquering behalf. This changes the way I think King-shown on as far as not putting limits on what cover-by Bryan God can do. God’s promises give me Lynch hope, faith, and purpose in my art. It is my desire to use my time, talents and treasures for him and his kingdom. It may be a cliché at times, but I really believe this. Thus, it gives me great joy to create and serve God with my artistic 10 April/May 2003

‘Love of Our Conquering King’ Prints available: 16x20" - $55.00 8x10" - $22.00 Iris-Giclee Prints on Arches Paper Contact Information: [email protected] Phone Number: 916-772-4948 www.absolutearts.com/bryanlynch

talent.” Bryan states that God writes our skills, abilities and talents in us, and it is our responsibility to develop our talent and use iit to bring glory to God. I thought that Bryan’s “Work of Art,” “Love of Our Conquering King,” was simply a Masterpiece, and I know that others will too, so I asked Bryan to explain how this piece came together, and here is what he said:

LOVE OF OUR CONQUERING KING This piece came together while I was working on another piece entitled ‘Blessed Nation.’ As I was working, I began to visualize Jesus’ face that I had previously drawn, with a transparent, illuminated cross over it. The piece is a combination of pencil drawing and computer enhancement. To start, I scanned my pencil drawing into my computer. On the computer, I began to develop the cross, color and light. When I include aspects of art on the computer, it is my goal for it to not look computer generated. I believe that this can be somewhat distracting and lessen the emotional aspect of what one is seeing. I use the computer program Painter 7. The important thing for me is creating something that emotionally interacts with the viewer. Creating the piece was very smooth and everything just came together incredibly well. Summarizing, I wanted the overall emotion of ‘Love of our Conquering King’ to speak on a deeper, intimate level. One can feel both the love and power of Jesus as He senses the agony ahead, yet also the victory in store, as He will conquer death and the cross by resurrecting from the grave.” Here are just a few of Bryan’s favorite Contemporary Artists, Danny Hahlbohm, Ovanes Berberian, Robert Wee, and Impressionist Masters:

Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne. I asked Bryan what he does when he is not painting, he explained that he spends time with his wife Kim, and they both enjoy music, movies, spending time with family, outdoors, traveling, and most of all finding time to praise God for the gifts and blessings he has given to them. I also asked Bryan was he a leader or a follower? “I would describe myself as a leader by nature. I am not afraid in taking chances and going against the flow of culture. I want to be the artist that God designed me to be, and I thrive on the challenge of trying to develop my own individual artistic voice. I attended Promise Keepers in October 2002. Something that one of the speakers said really struck me. He expressed how important it is as Christians to pursue significance over success. When we put success over significance, we can miss out on some of God’s plans and blessings that He has for us, but when we pursue significance, He can use us in a powerful way and we can experience more success than we could imagine.” “I try to keep this in mind everyday with my artistic endeavors.” VCM Linda C. T ar dy is a F riter/ Tar ardy Frr eelance W Writer/ uthor.. She is the Publisher o off this A uthor magazine, Visions Christian es Magazine ar dy curr ently liv Magazine.. Ms Ms.. T Tar ardy currently lives in LLando ando v er andov er,, Maryland and attends Jericho City o aise-85 01 Spectrum off Pr Praise-85 aise-850 Driv e- LLando ando v er Driveandov er,, Maryland.

Out of the

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of the Heart

by Penelope Allen White

ave you noticed that sometimes we say things from our mouths that are not really in our hearts? The prophet Jeremiah said that the heart is deceitful. If we listen to people long enough, we will eventually hear what’s in their hearts. This verse tells us that what comes out of our mouths is a spillover of what’s in our hearts. There is a connection between the two. Always know that God sees the heart. Though we may try to cover up what’s in our heart-

because we feel we “Out of the overflow of the have to be heart the mouth speaks” guarded and not MATTHEW 12:34 NIV let people know “Out of the heart, the mouth how hurt, angry, speaks”-KJV rejected, disappointed, or even how happy we are. One of the matriarchs of our church had been bedridden for many years. Her speech was very limited because of a stroke; yet, I always knew what was in her heart because her mouth said ‘THANK/ THANK/THANK-anyhow Thank God” and GOODGOOD-GOD” she’s saying God is good. What a testimony -that even in what we might call trying circumstances, what’s in her heart and in her mouth was PRAISE TO OUR GOD. Sometimes when I overhear my students say something that is inappropriate (and I seem to hear everything), they immediately want to apologize and say, “I didn’t mean that “or “it just slipped” when in reality the words have only reflected what the heart condition is. If we say they slipped out-it’s because we have been trying so hard to keep them in, but the words were in the heart all along. Let us then submit and admit. Acknowledge that we can not clean our own hearts-only the blood of Jesus can do that and then submit our hearts, mouths, and every part of ourselves to the authority of the Lord Jesus. Then and only then can wholesome and holy things come from our mouths because that is what will be in our hearts.

PRA YER-Let the wor ds of my mouth and the PRAYER-Let words our heartt be acceptable in Y Your meditation of my hear sight, O Lord. PRAISE GOD! Amen VCM ©2002 Penelope Allen White. Permission for use available upon request

Scripture “The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” 1 Samuel 16:7 April/May 2003

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Poetry Corner Poem of the Month

“Remembering My First Love” words by K a r men Bo o k e r Before you were born I prepared a journey For you; I lifted up the Sands To cover you gracefully So that when you Arise! You will have the Inheritance of your Father;

Jesus Christ is my first love. I've got to keep pressing, pressing my way, For Jesus Christ is my first love everyday. I love Him because He first loved me. He has been a true and faithful friend, Since I accepted him as my Lord and Savior. He is always there, And never leaves me with burdens I cannot bear. He leads and walks with me, So I can spiritually see. He comforts and talks with me along life's stony road, Which helps me press toward the finish line - my heavenly abode. What an honor to experience His awesome glory. His Word is the most beautiful life story. VCM

Yet, you propelled to journey A Universe of iniquity Now my brethren It’s Another Days Journey! ©Copyright June 2001

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“Ano ther Days Jour ney” w or ds b y L.C. T ar dy ords by Tar ardy

You walked upon The works of my hand And played in it’s mist! You wandered in the Fields of green foliage In the Garden of Eden You ventured through The streams of Ethiopia I instilled in you My laws; that which You obeyed; In you I created Sapphire, emeralds And Gold, you withheld The Glory; 12 April/May 2003

We have step over into God’s world now We are no longer conformed to the things of this world. We have been saved by grace, and not by Our own good works, we are covered now by the blood Of Jesus, we are being raised by God the Father Into the Children of Obedience When we were once the children Of disobedience, not knowing the covenant of promise, without hope, living in darkness, held in captivity Before God can move us to a high level in Him Before we see our breakthrough We are tried in the fire We are shown the things in which God

“EPITOME OF w or ds b y ords by

of G d l i h “C

od”

“As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the rd s wo day of rain words by Penelope White You are a Child of God so was the appearance of Marvelously made the brightness By God round about. This was the Although things are not perfect If you can feel appearance of the likeness Because of trial or pain The work of God’s hand There’s a rainbow in my of the glory of the Lord.” Continue in thanksgiving The stars room Do not begin to blame The Moon across the ceiling, above Ever since that day, Even when the times are hard In Your heart I looked for the bow in the window Fierce winds are bound to blow Spiritually in vision the sky. it’s pink, blue God is forever able God’s light upon One week after talking to Hold on to what you know and white The water, then the lady, I know it’s Imagine life without His love You are a Child of God as I was leaving Joy would cease to be there to protect me Marvelously made home Keep thanking Him for all the By God I met an lady on the it had just things Handcrafted from train finished Love imparts to thee Head to toe who carried a message raining, Placed in a garde Move out of “Camp Complaining” from God for me I looked up, and there it Where the Nile No weapon that is known she said, “On the day of was, River Flow On earth can yield the power Rain” “On the day of Rain, You are a Child of God Praise can do alone look for the rainbow Marvelously made a pink, white and blue Quit looking at the future so I did By God rainbow, Redeem the time at hand Divinely setup to lead the same as the one in my Start every day with worship I went home and the Marvelously made room. lady called To “thank” is a command By God and prayed with me, and I knew that it was there Until we see Him coming Saved by the blood as a sign of protection, said, Victorious in the sky Of the Lamb with a and promises from “God wants to protect, We’ll run the race with gratitude Christ-like mind the Lord. establish and ground you Xalting God most high Fearfully, wonderfully, turn to his Word and Yes, there’ll be good times and yes Marvelously Just as the Angel said... read,” Ezekiel 1:28, and some will be bad, but... Obviously, designed © Copyright May 2002 VCM VCM it said, Z ion waits in glory...where none By God… wor ds by L.C. T ar dy words Tar ardy © August 15, 2002 are ever sad! VCM d Ta r .C. L by

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And God sends his angels, more than 72,000 angels charge over my life, to keep me and bare me up in their hands before I dash my foot against the stone Psalm 91:11-12.

“Untitled”

“just as the angel said”

Has delivered us from, because God the father Don’t want us to forget where he brought us from,

many prayers, Penelope White Numbers 6:24-26

For this reason we are able to see the widespread of work That still needs to be done to those who are held in bondage, living in darkness, Then are we able as Children of Obedience to minister effectively the Word of God. It is through our faith, testimonies that we are able to bless others, win souls, and bring God glory!! which is the epitome of this journey.

THIS JOURNEY” L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy

To God be all the Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! April/May 2003

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ADVANCNG IN GOD God’s desire is for us to grow. This is clearly indicated through the Bible. Some scriptures that reflect this are:

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by Karmen Booker Author

not consistently inconsistent. It is not only important to

read and study the Word of God, but to meditate on the Word of God.

II Peter 3:18 I Peter 2:1-3 Ephesians 1:17 Hebrews 5:13-14

Joshua 1:8 reads: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shall meditate on it day and night, then thou shall have good success, and thou shalt make thy way prosperous.

HEBREWS 5:13-14 SAYS:

The Hebrew word for meditate is “haw-gaq” which means to ponder; to think about carefully; deliberate.

Strong meat are principles that are beyond the foundational principles of the doctrine of Christ. Hebrews 6:1-2 outlines these principles. It reads: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go in unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of Eternal judgment.

A. Walking by Faith - Habbakuk 2:4; Hebrews 11:6 B. Fulfilling our God-give obligation Ecclesiastes 12:13; I Samuel 15:22 C. Walking in God’s footsteps Jeremiah 7:23-24 and II Thessalonians 2:15

God’s desire is for us to grow.

The Greek word for “perfection” is telesphoreo, which means to be a hearer to completion; maturity. So you see God wants us to strive for maturity in the knowledge of Him. How Do We Do This? By reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God. II Timothy 2:15 admonishes us to study. It says: Work hard so God can say to you, “Well done.” Be a good workman, one who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work. Know what his Word says and means. The Greek word for “spoudazo” means to make effort, be earnest, be diligent, labour. So we must seek to make time to read the word with understanding, on a consistent basis. We must be consistently consistent, 14 April/May 2003

After using the R=reading, S=studying, M=meditating method, we must obey the Word of God. This requires:

When you attach yourself to God, you follow (obey) where he leads. God becomes the leader, instead of you. However, you can detach yourself from God by disobeying his Word. Disobedience causes one to digress (go backward). As long as you are going backward, you cannot walk forward. The two directions are diametrically opposed. Once you start going backwards, you open the door for Satan to wreak havoc in your life through deception and confusion. James 3:16 says: For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. However, there is a way to turn and go forward and get back on the straight and narrow path that leads to life - eternal life. That way is REPENTANCE. Benefits of Maturing 1. Discernment between things of God and the things of the Devil. I once heard a pastor say this on the radio, “Once you know the truth, you can recognize a life.”

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2. Greater Revelation

PRESSING TOW ARD THE MARK OF THE TOWARD HIGH CALLING IN CHRIST JESUS

3. Wisdom Definition of Wisdom

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(Embrace New T echnology) Technology)

Wisdom is knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6 and Proverbs 1:5 and 7)

Purpose of Wisdom A. To be able to walk uprightly in honor to God. God is pleased and greatful when you follow His commandments (Proverbs 4:5-6 and 7-9) B. Benefits of Wisdom are: 1. Avoid a lot of problems and negativity in your life by making right choices. 2. Bless other people through the wisdom you have gained through counseling and praying with others. 3. Help others to change their lives. Continue to Seek Wisdom A. Stay on the straight and narrow path that leads to righteousness and peace. If you don’t you’ll veer off the path, and on to the path of darkness, that leads to much trouble and total destruction. (Matthew 7:1314) B. Seek wisdom like you would a hidden treasure. Keep searching until you find it, and once you do, apply it in your life daily. (Proverbs 8:10-11 and Proverbs 4:7) VCM

by by B.R. White

Attention church leaders!!! It is very important that the body of Christ is up to date with technology that is here now and technology that will be arriving in the near future. For the past eighteen years I have been a sound engineer/ audio consultant in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area. As new technology come and go, one thing that I have found that remains consistent is that churches in general are reluctant to embrace new audio technology. On average it takes between five to ten years for audio technology used in the entertainment industry to be used in the church. We have CD players and DVD players in our home, let us now as churches begin to utilize these new technologies? For the past 25 years cassette tapes have been the media of choice for communicating God’s Word in the church. Excluding houses of worship, when was the last time you purchased a cassette rather than a CD? Has your teenage daughter or son ever purchase a cassette recording? One of the purposes of our church audio ministries is to communicate and disseminate Gods word. How can we accomplish that with a media that fewer and fewer are using? Let’s consider the facts. A good quality blank duplication cassette, with case and preprinted label cost about one dollar. For that same amount of money two CD with cases and labels can be purchased. A high-speed stereo cassette duplicator (the selection are becoming fewer and fewer) that make two to three copies in seven minutes cost about $2,200. For a few hundred dollars more, about $3,200 you can purchase a high speed CD duplicator that can make seven CDs in three minutes. With CD you have digital sound, no tape hiss, no tape breakage, and a greater audio frequency range. CDs are sold at the retail level at a price higher than cassettes. My last encouragement is to begin considering DVDs now. It has been estimated that within the next five years or so the VHS tape with go by the way of the Beta tape. Have you noticed that fewer and fewer movies are available on videotape at your local video rental outlet? Recordable DVD will be the replacement technology. Now is an opportunity for the church to be leaders in media technology and not followers as we get the gospel of Jesus Christ out to the world. VCM ©2003 B.R.White. Reprinted with author’s request.

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Christ Is Enough For Me The Lord can also be your caretaker and doctor in time of sickness He can heal any wound or take away any sickness.

q by by B.R. White

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hrist is all I need in life. He is there when no one else is there. He provides me with all my necessities or He places people in my life that will help provide for me. He is my friend I can talk to him at any time and He can provide me with advice like no other can. He can give me advice through reviling it through His word or by examples in life. His word and guidance to me is complete and straight to the point unlike others. Earthly advice can be incomplete or inexperienced unlike the advice from my heavenly Father. Christ can also provide nourishment for my body. We cannot survive on food alone to survive. We need the word of God to nourish our souls. I thought I needed three meals a day to survive and be healthy. When I choose to fast for one week and only eat one meal a day and concentrated on the goodness of God and what He has done and is going to do for me I was not hungry during the day. I realized that reading the Word was all the nourishment I needed. The Lord can also be your caretaker and doctor in time of sickness He can heal any wound or take away any sickness. The only thing that is required of us is faith and belief in Him. He will also provide all you need that is ok according to Him. There have been a lot of things I have wanted in life. Some I have asked

for and others I have tried real hard to get. I learned that God will provide your needs in His own time. There is no rushing Him at all if you’re not ready for what He has in store for you then you will not receive it. There are a lot of things I sought after in life and wondered why I was not getting those things but through growth and maturity I realize that I am not ready for those things and I may never be ready. In conclusion, I want to tell you about the necessity that God can offer which no one else can. That is the gift of eternal life. This is the only thing that’s worth living for- it is everything you need. The things of this earth will pass away but eternal life is for an eternity. The simplest thing about it is that it is the only thing God will consider you are ready for if you ask. If you ask, you are ready. Other requests you may have to mature for them, but not this one. God is love and life and everything I need to prosper. He is everything I need in this life and the life to come. ©1999 author, Darius E. White. Permission to use granted upon request VCM

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Without the love of God in your life, ever ything you do, everything ever elationship that you encounter will be in vain. everyy rrelationship adies and gentlemen! It is time for a wake-up call! The way the world has taught you to love is not “real love.” The kind of love we have known most by L.C. Tardy of our lives have been a “Selfish love,” that’s right! A selfish love. Every one of us is looking for someone else to love us the way we want to be loved. Our relationships are based on self-gratification, expectation and role-playing. We have actually forgotten how to love and, I will tell you why. This is because when we left our first love, or broke off the relationship from our very first love, which is God. We became useless, so now we look for others to make us feel useful, and loved. When that person is not available, or we don’t get what we are expecting from that man or woman, we start to feel alone, depressed, unloved, unwanted. Here’s the worse part, when that woman or man comes home, there is a lack of communication because your desires were not met; then you both get into role-playing, pretending that there’s something there, when it’s not. You become mentally drained. So what do you do now? You start to look for love outside of your relationship, setting yourselves up for failure and pain again. Let me tell you sisters and brothers something for your own good, something that will benefit you for the rest of your lives. First, let me ask you a question, “Do you think that you could sacrifice your one and only child to die, to save someone else’s life? That’s unimaginable! Right? Well, God loves you so much that he gave his one and only son to die for you, that’s right, for you, and whosoever believe in him shall not perish, but have eternal life, John 3:16. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Until you decide to open your hearts to the greatest love ever, you will live in vain. You are never going to know what “Real Love” is until you are fulfilled, happy and content within yourselves. The only way to obtain this kind of love and happiness is through the love of Christ Jesus. Without the love of God in your life, everything you do, every relationship that you encounter will be in vain. Pastor Joel Peebles at Jericho City of Praise said, “The area of your misery is the area in which you lack a relationship with Christ.” Again, I will say, until you decide to open your heart to the greatest love ever, you will live in vain; you will continue to live as bondwoman or man, held in captivity of your own mind, living in complete darkness. (Until you are satisfied with the love of God

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alone, learning to spend time with yourself and God) You will never be free. This is your only path to freedom in your life. Romans 12:2 “And, be not conformed to the things of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” to prove what is good and acceptable to God. Christ wants you to feel loved at all times, not just part-time, but even when you are alone, you will never feel alone because you will know that Christ dwells in your heart at all times. Christs love is unconditional (Agape-Love) He said, in Matthew 28:20. “I am with you always, even until the end of the world.” Now, sisters and brothers, has anyone ever told you this in your lives, and meant it from their hearts? Our total existence is nothing without Christ, for without Him, we are simply living a life without purpose. Did you know that we were created with a purpose in God’s mind and made in his image? That we are his masterpiece, Wow! Do you really know what that means? That means that we are “Heirs of God,” and “Joint Heirs,” with Christ Jesus, which means we have an “Inheritance.” That inheritance is wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, (redeemed from the curse of the law) so that we can follow the law of God, unconditional love, peace, freedom, salvation, and prosperity for all eternity. All of this comes in a “Grace-package.” Now, this is something that we will never get living in this world without Christ. Do you understand? God’s love is real, and so is his love for you, but we must obey his commandments. The Lord said in Deuteronomy 11:13 “So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today-to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul- then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.” If you do not know Christ, you need to take the time right now, and repeat these words: I (say your name) come to you in the Name of the Lord Jesus. I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus. I believe in my heart that you (GOD) raised Jesus from the dead. I now invite Jesus into my heart as my Lord. Thank You, Lord, for saving me. Amen. Fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace longsuffering, goodness, faith, loyalty, honesty, gentleness, meekness, and temperance. VCM Linda C. T ar dy is a F riter/A uthor Tar ardy Frr eelance W Writer/A riter/Author uthor.. She is the Publisher of this magazine, Visions Christian Magazine ar dy curr ently liv es in LLando ando v er Magazine.. Ms Ms.. T Tar ardy currently lives andov er,, Maryland and attends Jericho City o aise-85 01 off Pr Praise-85 aise-850 Spectrum Driv e- LLando ando v er Driveandov er,, Maryland.

“GOD of My Silent Tears”

q by by Nikki Jones

God of My Silent Tears, by Yvonne Majett Cooper is an up-close and extremely personal story of how, in the midst of the storms, God will never leave you nor forsake you. Cooper tells us in blatant detail how God took her through a wilderness experience, the test, to take her to the life that He had purposed for her, the testimony. This story gives a true account of how the Lord can turn our Test into our Testimony, and touch the lives of a multitude of people, regardless of race or religion. The foreword done by Cynthia D. Lomax of Spread the Word Ministries, truly captures the entire essence of the book: Hebrews 13:5-6, Let your conversations be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may bodly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. As a reader, and a Christian, the amazingly consistent level of faith that Cooper demonstrated from beginning to end inspired me. I believe that when most people hear of charges being brought against them, they usually moved into a panic mode. Forgetting all about the fact if God is for us, who then can be against us? Cooper sets the stage of the story by giving us a bit of history about the prestigious career and lifestyle she was living. she seemed to esteem herself highl,. “based on the premise that she was a good person.” Cooper states, “My family and friends held me in high regard, and I held myself in high regard. If you want to know the truth, I thought I was a honey bun and a bag of chips.” In her mind, although she knew that accepting gifts for favors, regardless of whether it was before or after the deed,she rationalized her behavior by telling herself that she was just helping people out. Then God stepped in and allowed her to fall from her self-proclaimed throne. Sometimes, when God wants to pull us closer to Him, and remind us that He is in

control, He has to push us out on the edge where we have to rely on Him. For Cooper, I would say this was the edge. But God knew what she could handle and what she needed to give Him, the glory. God could have allowed Cooper to just be thrown into jail, but He showed her a continuous flow of favor. God allowed her to literally go through this thing step-by-step. There were people being used by God, even the prosecuting attorney, to demonstrate that it would be only Him that could bring her through. Cooper’s journey to purpose led her from being a prestigious Administrative Law Judge, to a convicted felon, and into a Woman of God. The woman that God called her to be. Over her eight months of incarceration in four different jail systems, you will experience a very up close look at that journey. After reading this wonderfully inspirational work, the readers will find themselves rededicated and motivated to continue in Faith in God and His promises. As I was reading about Cooper’s jail experience, one scripture kept coming to mind: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”(Romans 12:2, NKJV). Because of Cooper’s obedience, and her humbling of herself to share her testimony with the world, many people, including those she shared cells with, will be able to reflect on areas in their lives an walks with God that need to be dealt with. Reading God of My Silent Tears has been a truly eye opening experience. VCM

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“GOD AT WORK IN YOUR LIFE” q

When you are born ashamed? For again, a whole new the end of those process of birth begins. things is death.” The Spiritual process of birth Romans 6:21. Now my is similar to the physical Father God has taught me process of birth, yet spiritual. God that I am to perform for him raises you from a babe, to a child, to in the Spirit, and to be a servant a mature adult in Christ. You began to for Christ, and not a servant of see the works of God manifested in your men, but to always be obedient and life. You no longer conform to the dochumble as if I am serving the Lord. I trines of the princes of the air, or the things of have been called to liberty, and will only this world. “And be not conformed to this refrain liberty, only for an occasion to the b y L.C. T ar dy Tar ardy world,” but be ye transformed by the renewing of flesh. It is through my faith that I am justified your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and by God, and receive his blessings. Therefore, acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2. You Galatians 3:14 tells me that I have received the become a new person, and the old person no longer exists in promise of the Spirit through faith.” Knowing this, I know you. You are now saved by grace, and delivered from the that God is at work in my life, because now I have access by darkness of this world, and placed into God’s marvelous faith into the grace, and he said in his Word, “Therefore light. You are redeemed from the curse of the law, and being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our released to the blessings of Abraham. “Christ have reLord Jesus Christ,” by whom also we have access by faith deemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the us.” Galatians 3: 13. What this means is that we are no glory of God. “And he also said in Romans 5:1-5, “And not longer under the laws of this world, but God’s Law, so only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that whatever we do, we are performing for an “Audience of tribulation worketh patience, and patience, experience, and One,” and if it is not pleasing in the sight of God, you are experience, hope, and hope makes us not ashamed, because convicted by God, not the world. Now don’t get me wrong, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy I’m not saying that you can go rob a bank, and because you Ghost which is given unto us.” It is through the grace of are not under the world’s law, that you won’t get arrested or God that I no longer bear the works of the flesh, but we convicted. People in the world will chastise you, while God should bear the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, is at work in your life. You see, God can’t come down here longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and and speak to you face-to-face, so he uses those in the temperance. Galatians 5:22. Lastly, I have seen the power of world, be it saved or unsaved. He will speak through the the Spirit of God at work in my life, he said in 2 Corinthians biggest sinner on the streets, just to tell you that you need 10:4-6 “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but to “Humble yourself.” so you need to know when God is mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, speaking, as well as whom he is speaking through. Therecasting down imaginations, and every high thing that fore, no matter what the circumstance is that surrounds you, exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing by performing for God, you are being humble and obedient, into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, and having respect for God’s authority. You are being raised up having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when the righteous way; God is establishing and grounding you your obedience is fulfilled.” You know that God is present to be mature adults in Christ; thereby knowing how to when you can rejoice in the midst of being attacked by the respond to worldly matters. You can only know God’s enemy, because God told you in Deuteronomy 1:17 “Be not presence when you are walking in the Spirit, because the to be afraid of their faces that he is with me always.” God flesh cannot understand the things of the spirit, and the has taught you the “Power of Prayer in Ephesians 6:18 spirit cannot understand the things of the flesh. So during “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the the course of a day when you communicate with those who Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and are carnal, (have not submitted himself to Christ-walking in supplication for all Saints.” the flesh) you have to keep in mind the things that your So you need to let the power and peace of God rule in your Father God has taught you, and bear the infirmities of the heart, know when God is at work in your life, and perform for weak, and not please the flesh. Before I was “Born again” I him only. After all, God’s purpose in raising you again is so cared only about the things that pleased my flesh. I had no that you can deliver others who are held in captivity, living shame or regard on what I did, but now my Father God in darkness, and offer them hope. Your primary purpose is worketh in my life, and I obey because I am ashamed to do to shine your light in the lives of others, win souls for God, what is unrighteous in the sight of God. Our Father said, and bring him the glory. That’s why we say: “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!! VCM

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by Sherise L. Shields

They seemed to be calling me. Tostitos. Key Lime flavor. Sesame seed sticks. Carbohydrates. Any kind. Crackers. Bread and peanut butter. These are healthy snacks, right? So what’s the harm in eating them? Even if I did finish almost half of the package in one sitting. No one was watching. I’ll put them away if someone comes down the stairs. No one will know, right? Sure, they’ll notice that a bunch were gone, but what does it matter? No one will think it was me. Who cares that I had a piece of cake at work? No one saw what I had there, right? And no one knows what I had here, right?

children. So many promises. So many temptations. And so many disappointments. That is the enemy’s task: to get us to do the very thing that we promised our Heavenly Father and ourselves that we would not do (often many times before). And after we fall into his trap, the enemy tries to make us feel guilty about it. Why do so many of us fail? Why do we keep falling into that same trap? Often many of us go through this cycle over and over and over and over… often ending with the same promise: “Lord, I promise I will not do this again.” And this prayer for forgiveness: “I know—my body is a temple, and right now, my temple is defiled. Lord, please forgive and deliver me.” Yet, two weeks later, it happens again. At the time that I am writing this, I am facing the enemy’s particular attack on me to try to get me to overeat. Why? Because he knows God has preordained designated plans for my life and my body. (Romans 8:29-30) So he attacks my appetite, making me think I am still hungry, when I actually am not. Instead, I am walking in his form of hunger: gluttony. Also because my flesh wants to do what it wants to do, and what I want it to do, in my spirit, it will not do, as the Apostle Paul said. When I want to do good, evil is there. I want to do God’s will, but there is something waging war against the law of my mind and making me prisoner to the law of sin. (see Romans 7:14-23)

FIT BY GOD’S DESIGN No one cares... Only me. And God. Oh, I feel so bad. Why did I do this? Why did I eat so many? Now my body feels icky and my spirit feels shaky. Why did I do that? Father, please forgive me! I didn’t intend to do that. They were good, but I tried to stop. I’m so sick of this happening! Why me? I just wanted a few chips. But as I watched that “Cosby Show” episode on Nickelodeon and then “As Told By Ginger,” I just sat here, snacking. It’s like a tradition. And then I had some dessert to have something sweet. Just me, “Ginger” and my dessert. And You, too, Father. I feel so baaaaad. I promised before that this wouldn’t happen again, but it did. Why? PLEASE forgive me!!! I did not intend to do this— again! I’m so sick of this! This scene may be familiar to you. It happens over and over again to many women—and men. Even 22 April/May 2003

Knowing these things should make it somewhat easier to attack him, since I know that he is doing this out of fear. Yet, since the love of the Lord is more than enough and He has equipped me to handle temptation, to be honest with you, it makes me feel worse about not following through with my promises to my Abba Daddy. So I just feel badly. “I know He wants nothing but the best for me, and I have fallen. Again.” I say this over and over. Then what began as the conviction of the Holy Spirit (which had ceased once I laid a repentant spirit before the Lord) becomes twisted by the enemy to become guilt, which I feel towards myself. Then I begin to wallow in it. This time it lasts for an hour. After feeling guilty for an hour, I realize (yet again) that this was not of God. He loves me. It is not His desire to make me feel guilty after I have already

asked Him for forgiveness! Only the enemy does that. Jesus came to free me from shame and guilt. (Romans 8:1-2) Since it is not from Him, I shake it off. Or I try to. I pray. I sing praise songs. I read the Word to find Scripture to free me up from this bondage that keeps coming up over and over. After 20 minutes, it is over. Until the next time.

temptation.” “Place no other gods before Me.” “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

Yes, this is a cycle that I lived for years. When I had my own apartment, it was a ritual. Tostitos and TV. When I moved back home to live with my parents for a bit, it became dessert and cartoons.

In retrospect, I am glad that He allowed me to see that period. Sure, the temptations still come, but I attack in the same way: with The Word of God. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of Life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)

Yet through it all, God sustained me. He kept me from gaining weight. He kept me healthy. He knew the battle I was up against. I could not fight it alone. So He always gave me the power to resist temptation. He always provided an out. Yet, for some reason, I did not want to take that out. I did everything I could to stay in the will of my flesh; in my will. I felt helpless, yet I knew that God was doing something behind the scenes. Though it resulted in the same thing, each time I knew I was closer to a breakthrough.

Several times, I even went to the altar for deliverance. I WANTED TO BE FREE FROM THIS DEMON OF GLUTTONY! I hated it so much. I knew God would deliver me. I was not alone. Freedom! Several times, I even went to the altar for deliverance. I WANTED TO BE FREE FROM THIS DEMON OF GLUTTONY! I hated it so much. I knew God would deliver me. But what was taking so long? I knew He would deliver me again, like He’s done so many times before. In my spirit, I could see it, but what do I dountil it is manifested? I kept taking the spiritual tests that kept coming my way. Some I passed. Others I failed. In the meantime, I soaked up every lesson about self-control, overeating—anything that would strengthen me against that thing. I had heard once before that in order to fight, you’ve got to be prepared. You’ve got to be strong. You’ve got to be able to stand against the enemy’s tricks—WITH THE WORD OF GOD. So that’s what I used against it: “I am more than a conqueror.” (see Romans 8:37) “Flee from

Then one day, my desire to sit in front of the television stuffing my face ceased. God had taken away my desire to overeat!

And I feel so FREE! “Why allow something to bind you up that cannot help you, but only hurt you?” I realized. “For if you live by the sinful nature, you will die…” (Romans 8:13a)… Diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression-the list goes on… From this experience, I learned an important lesson: Find the ROOT of that issue and attack it. “…But if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:13b) God does not want us to be in bondage. Sometimes we overeat because we are depressed. Ask Him to show you the root of that thing. He will reveal that root to you and He will remove it, showing you what to replace it with. “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Romans 6:18) Joy, peace, self-control are yours. Good health is yours. It may take a lot of prayer and fasting and belief that He Who promised is faithful and just to perform it. Just believe. Walk in it. I stand in agreement with you that the Lord will give you a release from that bondage—or any other stronghold that is holding you back. It is not yours. Speak life over it, take authority over it, give it to the Lord and watch Him work! You see, we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but principalities. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) There are some demons that are trying to hold you back. You know them as addictions. The enemy wants us to be hurt and depressed because he is simply jealous of the place that we have in God. So he throws things at us that we think are unconquerable. Let me tell you what I heard Pastor Tony Evans April/May 2003

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minister so eloquently recently: the term addiction is the world’s way of telling you that you are not able to control the thing. (The enemy actually tricked us into thinking that these “addictions” are things that we have to just maintain or simply get counseling for. But we know that the devil is a liar, right? So anything that comes from him or belongs to him is wrong.) These things are actually strongholds. For example, when we eat for emotional reasons like fear or to relieve stress, we’ve trained our senses to believe that food is meeting an emotional need in our lives, instead of turning to God. A stronghold can be drugs, alcohol, or sex as well. Think of your mind as an open field. Next, imagine the enemy tossing building materials like bricks and wood to build the foundation, then the first floor of a house. We can either hit those bricks and wood slabs into the sea, using the Word of God or the NAME OF JESUS (and never let satan build) or we can allow the bricks and wood to pile up. If we let him build, the enemy has set up shop in the mind. He has a nice, cozy little bedroom inside of the house and a kitchen where he can cook up whatever he wants and feed it to you. Literally. Those pieces of wood and bricks are the thoughts that he throws to tempt us to eat a little more of we know we shouldn’t have. Our flesh wants to take the road of least resistance, so we often do not stop him, said Marty Copeland, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s daughter-in-law, during a recent series on Health and Nutrition on the “Believer’s Voice of Victory” program. We now have a stronghold. And it is hard for Christians, because everything we plan—all of our events—are centered around food, as Copeland also pointed out. The world has other outlets, like drugs and alcohol, that become their strongholds. But for Christians, who tend to not turn to sex, drugs or alcohol for relief, food becomes our stronghold. We need to realize that we do not need the food, but we need to turn to God and pray about a situation. (I’m speaking to myself too) and the Holy Spirit is going to begin to remind us to do that. “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature,” so they are in constant battle. (Galatians 5:17) During this period I learned a vital lesson: Often, it is not even the enemy who is turning us to food, but our own sinful nature-our flesh. 24 April/May 2003

What You Eat is Essential. Now it’s time to MOVE!!! Tae Bo founder Billy Blanks uses this Scripture to remind you of a way to view fitness: “You Walk By Faith; Not By Sight.” The Surgeon General says that more exercise will be the difference between a healthy adult/child and a non-healthy one. Here are some ways to spruce up your day with exercise: • Take a brisk 15-30 minute walk daily • Walk the dog, sweep the floor, • take the stairs, wash the car, • play tag with your kids, bike, swim, • play sports, walk with a pedometer. First, it starts off as a little extra piece of cake. Then it becomes not wanting to take a walk but to sit in front of the television instead. Before we know it, we are allowing him to build more and more, as we eat whatever we want, not consulting the Lord first. Eventually, we become too tired to exercise. This continues for a week, a month, two months, a year… (I’m speaking to myself too!) The stronghold has grown. Some of us have allowed him to build apartments in our minds; others ramblers, and a group of us, mansions. But the Word of God says that no matter how much we have allowed the enemy to set up shop, the Lord is more than able to free us from it. Watch the sweet Hurricane Holy Spirit blow that house to shreds, from the foundation to the top floor, and blow all of his remnants into the sea. Then He will guide you as you use the power that is inside of you to overcome any temptation. That means we can rebuke them, cast them into the sea, ask God to remove them from the ROOT, so they will never return again, in the Name Lord Jesus. Then we can simultaneously release the sweet virtues of self-control, peace and joy to work in our lives. Remember: We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who loves us. And we are not to conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2a) You see, the world’s way is to believe that the addiction is something that we cannot control. That

SOME WORD TO HELP YOU FIGHT THE ENEMY AND CONTROL YOUR FLESH FLESH:: 1 Corinthians 6:19 Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Galatians 5:17-18 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Galatians 5:22-23 (particularly self-control) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

we have to live with it, hide it or be ashamed of it. But the Apostle Paul said he gloried in adversity or weakness. Because where we are weak, God makes us strong! (Another lie of the enemy has been dispelled. HALLELUJAH!!!) Also, look at how the world glories in fast food and food items that are not healthy for us. These things are killing our bodies slowly. People say that it is okay to eat it if we do it in moderation. Sure, moderation is the key, however, so many of our foods are so chemical-laced that I am not certain of their true identities. When I read the backs of packages, my question is: Am I eating Food or someone’s Science Experiment? “Why would I even want a smidgen of that inside of me?” I ask myself. I know. It is difficult to change behaviors that many of us have grown up doing. You’ve been there. You decide: “This is the day that I am going to stop eating junk.” But no more than two minutes later, you see that burger joint on the corner a few blocks away from your job, where you shared so many fond memories with a bacon and Swiss burger. Then you pass by a fried chicken shack, your usual dinner spot. Next to that is the Chinese place where you’ve spent many dollars for “Fun Fridays.” Forget

about the oil, grease and other stuff that dominates the recipe, masking the vegetables that we think are healthy. Add to that the huge portion sizes… HELP! “But I made a promise to stop…” You think to yourself, unconvincingly. “Oh, one more won’t hurt.” So, you make a turn into one of your favorite spots. The flesh won one more time. These foods would be fine to eat this if it was truly created in the way that God intended our bodies to digest it: with olive oil and other natural ingredients. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Sometimes these foods are made to make you eat more than one serving—so you can buy more. Fast food restaurants are set up to make you return over and over, making the doctors richer and richer off of sick people. It is a set up of the enemy. But, being in Christ, we see all of his tricks and can act accordingly. I am not claiming any of that for you, because the devil is a liar. But I see you eating healthily, for your body, in the Name Lord Jesus. It is my desire that you know the truth and for doctors to see less diabetes and heart disease patients as a result of diet—something that we can control. A December 2001 U.S. surgeon general’s report stated that More than 61 percent of American adults are overweight, and 27 percent of them-50 million peopleare obese. We can stop the threat to our health. The Framingham Heart Study shows that obesity doubles the risk of heart failure in women. Other facts show that a man with 22 extra pounds has a 75 percent greater chance of having a heart attack than one at healthy weight. Gaining just 11 to 18 pounds doubles the risk of developing Type II diabetes-an illness that has increased by nearly 50 percent in only the past decade. Weight is also affecting our children. The percentage of 6-to- 11-year-olds who are overweight has nearly doubled in two decades, and for adolescents the percentage has tripled. Pediatricians are treating conditions rarely before diagnosed in young people, according to an August 2002 U.S. News article. Lynn Swann, Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, stated that America spends $117 billion a year on medical costs related to overweight and obesity . . . And an additional $100 billion on the costs associated with Type II diabetes. What if we had that $200 billion available for other things? Swann asked. He mentioned needs of the country, like schools, roads and public transit. I would like to throw in this: What if we had those additional funds to build up the Kingdom of God?! April/May 2003

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In January 1961, newly elected President John F. Kennedy said “….ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.” I’d like to change this to: “…ask not what God can do for you, but how you can honor Him with the body He blessed you with, until He returns to take you home.”

me, with the guidance of Your Holy Spirit, a dietary and exercise program tailored especially for me and my body-one that is based on my past experiences and present and future needs. Thank You for helping me to continue this new way of life. In the Name Lord Jesus I pray. So be it. Amen.”

Today, our battle against obesity is another major threat to our well being as a Body of Christ. We can be healthy to help those around us. But we cannot do it as a law. That’s what dieting becomes, according to Marty Copeland, fitness instructor/nutrition counselor and wife of Kenneth Copeland’s son, John. But instead, allow the Holy Spirit to have His way. And train ourselves, like children, to follow Him. And if you already have diabetes or heart problems, exercise can increase your blood circulation and aid in the healing process.

Now, please allow me to pray for you: “Dearest omnipotent Father, thank You for creating us. Thank You for desiring sweet fellowship with us. Thank You for salvation. Thank You for Your love for us. Lord, I pray, in the Name Lord Jesus, for my brother or sister who just prayed that prayer with me. Lord, I know that it is your desire that each and every one of Your children walk in perfect health, as their soul prospers. And it is definitely my desire, as You have placed that passion inside of me. So many of Your children are hurting and their bodies become the conduit of that hurt. Now that Your son or daughter just prayed this prayer that they would do better at loving themselves and others, and that the enemy would no longer hold onto them, I thank You for their DELIVERANCE! I thank you for their PEACE! I thank You for their completeness in YOU! Lord, in my spirit, I see millions of men and women and children no longer slaves to the bondage of overeating, no matter the root of the situation. And I thank You for starting with these precious ones who just prayed this prayer with me. Lord, You who are just, mighty and righteous, want nothing more than our love. And this we pray to freely give to You. Thank You for loving us when we aren’t always so lovable. You are always true to Your Word. Thank You. Now, Father, You said that You would provide an out for us whenever we are tempted, so Lord, when these precious ones (including myself) are tempted, I pray that we will see that way out and take it, without hesitation. Thank You for sending Your sweet Holy Spirit to remind us that we do not need to fall to temptation. And thank You for His sweet, gentle guidance. Please help us to follow Him. Gratefully, In the Mighty, matchless and righteous Name of Jesus we pray. The Name that holds ALL power. So be it. Amen.

Ask God to reveal to you His dietary plan for your body. “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2b) And watch God manifest it Himself. You do not need to live in bondage of addictions, no matter the root. Jesus sees you FREE. So do I!!! Please pray this prayer with me: “Father God, in the Name Lord Jesus, I thank You for everything You created, including me. Thank You for loving me. Please forgive me for my sins, including not always loving myself—Your Spirit’s temple—in the way that You want me to. In not truly loving myself, I have done some things that do not take care for Your temple in the way that I should have. Please forgive me. At the same time, I speak over my body and I reclaim it for You. I rebuke you Satan, in the Name Lord Jesus, for all of the lies you have told me about my body. I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139) and I have been created for God’s purpose—not yours. Therefore, Satan, I cast you into the sea and all of the plans that you had for me, never to resurface. They will not prosper, for no weapon that is formed against me shall prosper. Thank You, Lord, for pulling up the root of the overeating situation and any other product of the enemy’s schemes. At the same time, I simultaneously release the sweet virtues of Heaven into my life. I release self-control. I release joy. I release freedom to live for Christ, doing what He has called me to do. I release clarity of purpose and I allow Your love to infiltrate the areas that were hurt, broken and bruised because of the lies of the enemy. At the same time, I accept that I am to love myself so that I can in turn love others, and I thank You for teaching me and helping me to do that. Please give 26 April/May 2003

I praise God for you and for your new, free life in Christ! As in all other changes, be sure to support this change with the Word of God. Remember: With each level there is a new devil. Be ready! VCM

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sherise L. Shields is a writer and minister of Christ from Largo Maryland. She attends the Jericho City of Praise, a mighty ministry where Jesus is the Lord, which reaches out to hurting people through the Word of God. She has written for many newspapers, including USA TODAY, The Oakland (Calif.) Tribune and The Kansas City (Mo.) Star. This article is an excerpt from one of the books she is working on. It was originally written on January 16, 2003, as a personal testimony, and has been amended for immediate publication in Visions Christian Magazine, Inc.

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by Gloria C. Okoro

How to Raise Our Children In Christ. The Word of God says that our children are a heritage from God

HOW TO INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN

[Psalm 127:2]. They are “reward” and a “blessing” from Him. He commands us to “train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” [Prov.22: 6]. In John 14:6, the Lord Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…”, and He thus commands us to “suffer” them to come to Him, for of such is the kingdom of God. This command God gave us over our children is a responsibility, and as a responsibility, we have the authority to raise our children to be the entire the Father has planned them to be. We start by leading them to make the decision to accept Jesus into their lives to be their Lord and their savior as early as they can speak. In my book, How Do We Invest In Our Children?, I gave some illustrations on various visual aids that can help us explain salvation message to them. This includes the illustrations on the condition of the heart and the life of the sinner [the life where Satan reigns as king] before he invites the Lord Jesus to be the Lord of his life. In the Bible, the Lord Jesus gave illustrations of the prodigal child and the lost coin. The use of the visual aids helps them to understand the condition of the life without Christ and then, invites Him into their lives. In this case, we lead them to confess with their mouth the Lordship of the Lord Jesus over their lives, and to believe in their hearts that God has raised Him from the dead. The Word of God says, If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation [Romans 10: 9,10].

Having surrendered their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ, we begin to train them in the Way they should go [the Way of the Lord, Who is the Lord Jesus Himself]. The Lord God commanded the children of Israel concerning His word saying, You shall teach them to your children, speaking unto them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your

gate [Deut.11: 19-20] NKJV.

This is the Lord’s command to us parents today. It demands diligence and consistency. We therefore teach them the Word by reading it to them always, teaching them memory verses [I illustrated many interesting ways to teach memory verses to our children using visual aids in my book], and sharing with them the stories of the heroes of faith. As we diligently teach the Word of the Lord to our children always and in accordance to the Lord’s instructions, this will help our children and us to keep the Word in the midst of our hearts and in our eyes always. In Hebrews 10: 16 The Lord says: “This is the agreement [testament, covenant] that I will set up and conclude with them after those days,…’I will imprint My laws upon their hearts, and I will inscribe them on their [minds [on their innermost thoughts and understanding]’”

Thus, the Lord will cause His word to be imprinted in their spirits. and He will be teaching them by Himself, guiding them in life through His Word which He deposited in their inner mind. His Word in them will be a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their part. And because they are founded on the solid Word of God, they will not depart from the Way the Lord Jesus, but they will be fruitful and always flourish like trees planted by the rivers of water. Those stories of the heroes of faith teach them lessons of perseverance, faithfulness, patience and steadfastness in spite of pressures. This include the stories of Joseph, the young man who resisted the ungodly advances of Potiphar’s wife and was falsely accused and thrown into prison. He like Daniel determined in his heart not to defile himself and sin against the Lord. Daniel and the three other Hebrew boys also each faced times of great trial, but they all determined in their hearts not to deny their faith in the Lord in spite of the fiery furnace and the lions’ den. Esther the young Jewish virgin girl who was made the queen of King of Persia also took a risky step of faith affirming “If I perish, I perish”, and thus saved her April/May 2003

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We start by leading them to make the decision to accept Jesus into their lives to be their Lord and their savior as early as they can speak. people from the law that was established for the destruction of all the Jewish people. All these people trusted in the Lord in spite of the pressure that came against them to do otherwise, and the Lord faithfully honored their faith in Him. This shows that God is faithful. Our children will therefore learn that God is faithful and will put their trust in the Lord who will never disappoint all those who put their trust in Him. In teaching them the Word, we are also mindful of their environment, the kind of friends they keep and the things they watch on the television and on the Internet. All these have great influence on their development both psychologically and mentally. Many programs we see as children programs do not help them because of the kind of things such programs teach them. This includes those pokemon shows, and all those shows that teach them lessons on violence, occultism and rebelliousness. When we listen to them closely at times, we see and hear them role play those pocket monsters of pokemon, and saying things that are strange, such as “mesmerize”, “my Psychic powers”, which they all pick from television. All these games teach them horrible lessons on occultism, which the Lord forbade. Pokemon means pocket monsters which they even put in boxes of cereal so that children will always carry these monsters which would fight for them against their enemies. This is witchcraft. The Word of God warns: “There shall not be found among you any one who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination…or a witch… or a wizard…’[Deut.18: 10]. God drove out those Hittites, Canaanites, and Jebusites from their land and gave their inheritance to His people because of such practices. And He warns them not to practice those abominable things lest the land vomit them. They disobeyed God, and were carried into captivity. We have to be careful what we allow our children to watch, pick, or read. They don’t need to watch those Harry Potter magic shows or read such books and so forth for all these influence them. Christian children videotapes and software are very good substitutes... As we teach the Word to our children, we also depend on the Lord through our prayers to continue to do His great work in their lives. A pastor used to say that any failure in life is a failure in prayer. Prayer is a great tool that releases the power of God in our lives, circumstances and in the lives of our children as we 28 April/May 2003

continue to intercede for them. The Lord Jesus, in one of His parables of the kingdom says: The kingdom of God is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servant came and said, “Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where did the weed come from?” “An enemy did this,” he replied [Matt. 13: 24-28]

An enemy did that because the owner of the field was sleeping. This is what happens in the life of our children when we are not diligent in praying for the spiritual lives of our children. We will not know when the enemy will go and sow contrary seed in their lives, which will start manifesting when we cannot control them. As we pray diligently for them and listen to their conversations, the Lord will continue to reveal to us a lot of things that is happening in their lives. He will so much alert us each time the enemy tries to strike in their lives so that nothing ever takes us unawares. As we pray for them, we need to stand on our authority as believers and as parents. The Lord says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge”. When we understand our authorities as children of God who have the power to use the name which is above all names – the name of Jesus, we can stand upright at all times. Also the Lord Jesus says to the believers in Luke 10: 19, “Behold I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]: and nothing shall by no means harm you”. Our authority as believers is our legal ground to stop the enemy in our lives and the lives of our children. Also, as parents, because the Lord gave us responsibility over our children, we have authority over them. The centurion understood the issue of authority when He asked the Lord Jesus Christ to speak the Word only,

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for his servant will be healed. He understood his authority as a commander and as one who have all his subjects under his control. In the same way, the Lord Jesus has authority over diseases and that the diseases would obey the voice of Jesus. The Lord Jesus marveled on his faith and the centurion’s faith, which he placed on the authority of Jesus over diseases, saved him. We parents need to understand that the enemy cannot operate in our children’s life except he goes through the authority of the parents – that is except parents gives him room to do that. This includes fear, anger, frustration, ignorance of the Word of God and disobedience to the Word of God. But the Word of God warns us not to make any room for the enemy. We are rather to resist him steadfast in faith. This is also why we need to teach our children to obey their parents in the Lord as the Word commands them in Eph. 6:1-2, so that it will be well with them. For when they obey their parents in the Lord, they will stay under their authority of their parents, which also is their protection. Let us also remember the place of the blood of Jesus in our prayers, and the Word of God. The word says that they overcame him [the enemy through the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimonies. The word of God in our mouths is the Sword of God in our hands. The word {Jesus] defeated him on the cross and the victory of Jesus Christ on the cross is our victory. The Word of God encourages us in our obedience and our diligence in raising our children in Christ not to be weary in well doing for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not. The Lord shall cause our children to fulfil their destinies and He will reward us parents. Our nation shall be great and God Himself shall be glorified. For more information on raising our children in Christ, order How Do We Invest In Our Children? by Gloria C. Okoro. [for Ordering information turn to page…]. VCM

Scripture “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shal bring it to pass” Psalm 37:5 30 April/May 2003

We walk by faith and not by sight…

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by Penelope A. White

“We walk by faith and not by sight...” 2 Corinthians 5:7 God’s grace and peace to you, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, As you travel on this Christian journey, please know it is my blessing, privilege, and pleasure to have traveled with you and my, my, my- how the Lord has indeed blessed! God used your Pastor, my dear friend, Rev. Dr. Diane to be tangible evidence of His answer to my urgent prayer. Thank you seems so inadequate to express all that is in my heart, perhaps the Lord will reveal to you my heartfelt appreciation for your role in this phase of my journey. Remember that each step is planned by our Guide, Who is also our Destination as we continue on this God-ordained path. He has traveled from the beginning to the end of this road, so graciously put us on the path, and leads us step by step to insure our safe arrival (with lots of joy and adventure along the way)! It is not a dull journey ! When you seek the Lord for guidance and ask “Lord, which way?” May you hear His voice say, This is the way, walk in it”. Many sojourners have gone before us to show us the way, yet so many are lost and can’t find that way. If we but stay alert to the road signs, encourage those who journey along side us, determine to not take one step off the right way, and invite others to walk with us, we can hasten the day that level paths can be made for other travelers. Please keep a journal so that when we met again on the next leg of this journey, I will know all the details of your travels. My heart rejoices in anticipation of all that we will share. In the meantime, know that the Lord longs to be gracious to you and that He rises to show you compassion on your journey. Numbers 6: 24-26, Your sister and roadmate, Penelope White

VCM

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by Rickey E. Macklin

Army of the Lord

“JUST ST AND” STAND”

nbeknown to most Christians, spiritual attacks are waged against us everyday of our lives. Unfortunately, out of ignorance we commit to fighting a spiritual battle using carnal methods. We quickly forget the principle Jesus shared with Nicodemus. Although the content of this passage of scripture deals with being born again, Jesus makes it plain that there are two natures at work within man. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6)

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You must understand that your fight is not against the devil per se. The Lord Jesus has already made an open show of him, and he is a defeated foe. Your battle is against his wiles, tricks, deceptions, illusions, concealment of the truth, and the evil spirits that he sends on assignment to your life. Say — you’ve been around for a long time and you know every trick in the book? Well, my dear friend, I submit to you that Satan has been around much longer. He has 6,000 years of experience under his belt. He’s been studying mankind from the Garden of Eden - through the crucifixion of Jesus - to our present age. He knows every trick in the book as it relates to pulling man off course. Don’t fool yourself! Listen to Paul’s words to the Corinthians who thought they had arrived at a specific mark in life. I Corinthians 10:12 12 - Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. So then, Satan operates undisturbed by your ideas of spiritual awareness - regardless of your title or age. He focuses most of his attention on your mind. It is his desire to allure you to question your identity. You see, if he can get you to question your identity, then he can and will use this to cause you to forfeit the inheritance that the Lord Jesus has made available to you. However, the Bible says that the devil is a liar and the father of them. (John 8:44) We cannot continue to succumb to the devil’s lies. We must walk in the truth of whom God has called us

and by faith in Him, allowing Him to bring us to His expected end. These two principles of spiritual warfare demands us to study the Word of God to discover who we are and what God has predestined us to become in Him. The word of God tells us in Hosea 4:6 that God’s people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge. This does away with the old adage, “what you don’t know won’t hurt you”. The truth of the matter is “what you don’t know could kill you”. We must understand that there is a constant battle going on and that as Christians, we cannot just sit back and expect to gain the victory. Please, keep this principle in mind: There can be no victory without confrontation. As my Late Bishop, James R. Peebles Sr., would say, “That which you compromise you are going to lose” and “if you don’t stand for what’s right, you will fall for anything.” I wrote the book “God’s Whole Armor” out of my very own struggles with right and wrong. As a Christian and one brought up in the church from youth, I understood God’s requirements from his people but how to perform them I found rather difficult even at the age of nine. Well, some years later after graduating from college I joined the US Navy. At that point, I did not realize that God was going to teach me a lesson that I would never forget. During the time that I joined we were engaged in the Gulf War. God began to teach me through the victory we won in the Gulf how to win wars. What I discovered was that we win wars because of the 5 P’s principle I had heard someone quoted years ago. “Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance” The US win wars not just because we have the latest and greatest weaponry and have been trained well in how to use them, but also because we study our enemies, learning of their strengths and vulnerabilities. I would have to apply these same principles to our enemy the devil to be as victorious. Well, this was good for me but the burden was not removed because many other Christians I knew were experiencing this same struggle. Thereby the book was birthed. This book discusses with practical application: April/May 2003

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(1) Who is our enemy? (2) What is in the mind of our enemy? (3) When will our enemy attack? (4) Where is our enemy located? (5) How will our enemy attack? (6) Why does our enemy so desperately want to destroy us? Now, I do want you to realize that you have an enemy whose name is Satan and the Devil but he goes under several aliases. Some of which are “the anointed cherub,” “son of the morning,” “angel of light.” Other names include Abaddon, the accuser of the brethren, the adversary, Apollyon, Beelzebub, Belial, the dragon, the enemy, father of lies, god of this world, King of Babylon, ancient serpent, prince of the power of the air, son of perdition, the tempter, the wicked one and the devil. The word devil is an English translation of the Greek word diabolos, which means to slander. But you must understand that you have power over all the power of the enemy. Let’s take a look at Luke 10:19,20. 19 - Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 - Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. The first power mentioned in verse 19 comes from the Greek word exousia which means authority and the second comes from the Greek word eunamis which means ability and might. Jesus is saying unto us that even though the enemy has power you must understand that it is limited. You ask me how I know? Because every thing that is created has limitations. The only entity that is not limited is God Himself. He alone is Jehovah the Self-existing One. So, Jesus says that I have given unto you authority (the usage of the name Lord Jesus) over all of the ability of the enemy (Mark 16:17,18). Jesus goes on to set the record straight by saying that this known fact is nothing to get excited about (demons and evil spirits are suppose to listen to you). But if you are going to get excited, get excited over the fact that your name is written in the Lambs book of life! Now, Soldier you need to get into the word of God and find out who you are and what has been made available unto you. And as I use this term soldier I do not use it lightly because the biblical phrase that identified a man as a soldier was that he “drew the sword.” 32 April/May 2003

1 Chronicles 21:5 5 - And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword. For the Christian, the sword is the only piece of offensive weapon he has. Yet like the Hebrew writer puts it, the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword! (Hebrews 5:12) So if you are not drawing your sword you cannot be considered a soldier. In Genesis 1:26-27, God created mankind in his image and likeness and gave them dominionship over all the works of his hand. Then in Psalm 115:16, He further reiterates this by saying that the heaven belongs to him but the earth has he given to the sons of man. God has literally taken the title/deed to planet earth and has put it in the hands of his most capable sons and daughters to occupy it until he returns. And hey, just like Daddy God rules heaven we should also be ruling earth. We should walk like him; make decrees like him; act like him; and love like him. In Matthew 18:18 Jesus says that I have given unto you the keys. The keys represent a few things – two of which are access and authority. Now, here’s a problem that many have. They have allowed the enemy to come up in their God-given homes; sit back in their God-given lazy boy chairs; prop his feet up on their Godgiven stools and command the believer bring him a drink from their God-given refrigerator. But the Devil is a Liar! You must arrive at the point where you can boldly say that, you’ve had enough of that stuff – kick the devil out and command the peace of God in your home – in the name Lord Jesus! So how does he get in there in the first place? Remember that he’s the master deceiver. When I was a little boy, I remember the older folks saying that if you aren’t a good little boy “the devil is gonna gitcha!” I was told that he lives way down under the ground in a place called hell, and that he had a long fork with a sharp end which he used to rule Hell. They said he was an ugly old creature that was black and red and had a long tail that followed behind him. They also said, “Be good or else the Boogie Man is gonna gitcha!” However, when I became grown, I found out to my ultimate surprise that the devil could be bodaciously fine! There are times when he has the body of a sculpture’s dream; and then walks with the grace like the stroke of an eagle’s wing. We must not forget that the word of God describes Satan as an angel of light. What am I

saying? Don’t be fooled! The devil knows how to camouflage the hook by putting the right kind of bait on it. He will also adjust the bait accordingly. According to what? According to your desires. As a believer however, remember that God would not have you ignorant of Satan’s devices – his plans and his modes of attack. What is his desire? His desire is to distract you in an attempt to take you out of the fight. What is a distraction? It is simply, a momentary tool used by the devil to pull you out of the presence of God. How shall he get you off the battlefield? Let’s see … how about sicknesses? Loneliness? Death? Suffering? Tragedy? Women? Men? Ungodly positions? The lottery? Family members? – I believe you got it! All of these are attacks on who you are and who God has ordained for you to be. He manipulates situations and circumstances that bring distractions to set you up for the kill. But again, I say unto you that God would not have you ignorant. Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10 – 18 says to stand. It reminds me of what one famous gentleman called God. He referred to God as the “Unmoved Mover”. God says I want you to respond like me when things began to happen in your life – be unmovable and unmoved. When sickness does visit your

body – when you experience a bad marriage – when your children become unruly, be determined within your spirit not to be moved. Regardless of the situation – just stand! For you football fans, it reminds me of what my coach use to tell us down in the red-zone; we called it goal-line defense. We would defend our goal line at any cost. Sure the battle will intensify at times – sure the evil days will come but when we suit up with the whole armor of God, we receive God’s ability to STAND. Paul tells Timothy in his second letter to endure hardness as a good solider of Jesus Christ. Then he states why. He says because no man that warreth entangles himself with the affairs of this life – because he has the prime mission to please Him (God) who has called him to be a soldier! After you’ve done all you can, Just STAND! VCM

Scripture

“From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15

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WHO I AM IN CHRIST Composed by Brother Chicago G. Long

Who are you? I’m the righteousness of God, in through, by and because of Christ Jesus, I am an heir of God, I am a joint heir with Jesus Christ, I am more than a conqueror, I am a soldier In the army of the Lord, I’ve got my feet shod in and With the preparation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I’ve got a helmet of salvation, the breast plates of righteousness, I’ve grown a great shield of faith, above all I’ve got the word of God that stands on Its own, Its sharper than a double edge sword, I command over 72,000 angels, I am a prayer warrior, In The spirit and in the natural, I am indeed a worshipper, I control my atmosphere with God’s praise, I been given the keys to heaven, that whatso-ever I bind on Earth shall be bound in heaven, I am the Image of God, I’m created in His Likeness to do like things, I’m purpose filled, spirit filled, I’m full of the Faith, God has giving me great talents and wisdom and I use it to his glory, I am The called, I am a peculiar person, I am a royal priesthood and a holy nation, I am a child of the most High God, I am the light of the world, I am rooted and Grounded in the word of God, I am God’s hands and feet; reaching out and walking Out to this dead world, I am humble, I am meek, and I am slow to speak that which I want to Say and swift to hear what thus smith the Lord, to say to myself or to minister. I am a flame of fire, I am good, I am great, I am all that God says I am, I am A servant of the great I am, I am patient, I am loving, I am my brother’s keeper, I am forgiving, I am God’s anointed, I am heavily equipped and dangerously Loaded with the word of God, ready to rightfully divide it and speak it in love, I am compassionate and I do have the mind of Christ, therefore I am a leader in The kingdom of the most High and holy God................I am not like anybody Else but my Heavenly Father ........God bless !! And peace be unto you in the Name of the Lord of lords and King of kings! Now go give God some praise! Just for who you are! And who He is to you! VCM

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q by L.C. Tardy

HOW DO I GROW?

irst, we as brethren have confessed with our mouths the Lord Jesus Christ, and believed in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead. Romans 10:9. Now we also have trusted and heard the “Word of Truth,” the gospel of our salvation. We have believed and now we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is our inheritance. Ephesians 1:13. We are brought with a price, and our peace have been paid for by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore, by grace we are saved, and we walk not as children of disobedience, but as Children of God. “We are raised up together and seated in heavenly places with the Lord Jesus Christ.” “We are no longer gentiles in the flesh, nor aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, or strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and with out God in the world.” “ Through Christ we have access by one Spirit to the Father.” “We are built upon the foundation of the Apostles,” Ephesians 2:20, who have been called to setup the church, the Pastor, who is the under Shepard lead by the Chief Shepard, the Teachers, who breaks down the “Word,” for application, the Prophets, who hears from God. We as brethren grow into a holy temple in the Lord. Since we have tasted the “Grace of God,” we should no longer be “babes,” in Christ, and need to put aside all malice, guile, hypocrisy, envies and evil speakings, and let no corrupt communication proceed from our mouths, but build up a Spiritual house, a holy priesthood, and offer up Spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Growth is a must and a requirement in God’s work. Paul let us know that it is not enough just having imparted into our spirit eternal life, but we need to grow so that the works of God will be manifested in our lives. Hebrews 6:1-2. Therefore, those Apostles, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers and Prophets who are chosen by God for the Saints to be perfected through the working of their ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, who also are Leaders. Ephesians 4:11. We as saints will learn from our leaders, to come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. We need to grow from “Childhood,” having not a weak-will, unstable, unreliable, wavering, and changeable spirit, nor torn between the carnal (fleshly) and the spiritual things, attempting to worship God by clinging to the things of the world, nor being tossed to and fro, carried away with every wind of doctrine, Ephesians 4:14, but we will grow up in Christ Jesus from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part that makes increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love, and Christ will dwell in our hearts by “Faith,” so that we will be rooted and grounded in love. Therefore, we must understand that it is through “Faith,” acting on God’s Word, that we now understand that the worlds were framed by the “Word of God,” so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. So “Faith,” is the substance, belief, trust and loyalty. We now believe that He (GOD ) is. Therefore, we can trust in the things we hope for, because our “Faith,” is the evidence of things not seen, and the things that we believe in God for will come forth. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11: 6. Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12. VCM

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