Tag: believe god

Have More and Thrive!

On January 22, 2018

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: Live YOUR Dreams Part 3)

HAVE MORE AND THRIVE! WHAT DO YOU IMAGINE YOURSELF DOING?
God wants us to pursue those desires HE has placed in each of our hearts. What do you often imagine yourself doing? What is your passion? God says, “That’s not happenstance. It’s not a pipe dream. Your fantasy can become a reality if you believe Me, step out on faith and do what I’ve instructed you to do. Stop sitting on your gifts. I gave them to you, not only so you can bless others, but so that you can be blessed!”

Let me ask you: What do you do for a living? Is it something you’ve dreamed of doing all your life, or is it just a job? Is it just something to compensate you so you can pay your bills, and is that all you do? If so, then you’re not fulfilling your purpose. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not faulting you for working. You have to work to survive. However, God wants you to know that you don’t have to settle for just surviving. Rather, you can have more and thrive!

Now having more does not always equate to having more money. You may currently have a job which pays you well, but you work long hours. You’re always exhausted and stressed out.

When you go home, all you want to do is sleep. You barely have time for your family. Your job keeps you away from the house of God. Although you have the money, you’re still unfulfilled because you’re not walking in your purpose. So, why aren’t you walking in your purpose? What are you afraid of? If God has ordained you to do a special work and granted you certain gifts, then there’s no need to be afraid.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO STEP OUT ON FAITH?
In order to live your dreams, you must believe God and step out on faith. Bishop TD Jakes says stepping out on faith means stepping out of your comfort zone. In fact, because Bishop Jakes chose to step outside his comfort zone and trust God, he is now pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas. He is an author of many books including, Reposition Yourself: Living Life Without Limits, Maximize the Moment: God’s Action Plan for Your Life, and his book Soar! Build Your Vision from the Ground Up , which was just released in October 2017.

Bishop Jakes has also produced films like Not Easily Broken, Jumping the Broom and Sparkle. His faith in God has also motivated him to host numerous conferences which have gained worldwide popularity. Some of these conferences include Woman Thou Art Loosed, ManPower, and MegaFest. I had the pleasure of attending MegaFest in Atlanta over ten years ago. Christians from all over the world took over the city of Atlanta that week. People of various races and from all walks of life were eagerly filing into the Georgia Dome. It reminded me of my first visit to Manhattan, New York. People were literally walking shoulder to shoulder. Needless to say, when you choose to follow faith like Bishop Jakes, instead of fear, God will do amazing things in your life and enable you to be a blessing to many people.

Before you step out on faith and take action towards your dreams, you must pray for God’s guidance. Proverbs 3:6 (New Living Translation) says:

“Seek [God’s] will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”

Consider Noah in the Bible. In Genesis 6, God was disgusted with the wickedness on the earth and decided to destroy it with a flood and start over. So, He instructed Noah to build an ark, which was like a cruise ship, that would keep himself, his family and two of every kind of animal safe. Noah did exactly as God told him. He didn’t just build an ark, but he built it according to God’s instructions. He didn’t take any shortcuts or listen to the opinions of others. Instead, he allowed God to guide Him.

Simply fulfilling his purpose by building the ark wasn’t enough. He had to build it on God’s terms. If Noah had deviated from God’s construction plan, he, his family and all the animals would more than likely have been destroyed in that flood along with the rest of the population. Like Noah, God’s purpose for your life is designed to bless you and those around you, only if it’s done His way!

SHOULD YOU BEGIN BIG OR SMALL?
James 2:26 lets us know that our faith in God must be accompanied by action. So as you step forward in faith and take action, God may have you begin small. For instance, if you’re currently working a full-time job, but you have a dream of owning your own business, God may instruct you to begin your business on the side.

I want to give a shout out to my sister-in-law Tamika Thomas. Just a few months ago, Tamika began her own online business. It’s called Designs on a Dime, and she sells custom design t-shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs and water bottles. Even though she works as a Behavior Intervention Specialist for Clayton County Schools in Georgia, she desires more.

(Tamika and Me at the family reunion)

I’ve known Tamika for twenty years, and I can say that this business venture is perfect for her. She has an eye for good quality and fashion. She’s reliable and friendly. Moreover, she knows how to manage money. Although it’s currently a side business, I believe that as long as she remains focused and committed and keeps God first, Designs on a Dime will grow tremendously.

If you are in need of custom design t-shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs or water bottles, you can follow Designs on a Dime on Facebook and Instagram. You can also visit her website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/designsonadimebyme.

It’s time to walk in your purpose and live your dreams! Don’t be afraid! Don’t settle for less! Rather, trust God, step out on faith and allow Him to fulfill His divine purpose in your life!

THE PRAYER OF SALVATION
If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you can do so right now. I then encourage you to find a good Bible-believing church that will help you grow in your relationship with the Lord.

Romans 10:9 (NIV) says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Please pray the following prayer:

Dear Jesus, I come to You confessing I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I believe You shed Your blood on the cross and died for my sins, were buried and rose again so I could be free! Please forgive me for my sins and the life I have lived. I confess You Jesus as Lord and accept You as my own personal Savior. According to the Word of God, I am now saved! Hallelujah! I AM FREE!

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!!!!!

If you find value in this article, please share.

To subscribe to The Kimberly Joy Blog and receive new articles by email, please leave your email address in the box marked SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG VIA EMAIL provided at the end of the article.

Please follow The Kimberly Joy Show on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

A Praise Report: The Healing and Resurrecting Power of God

By Kimberly Joy

On January 19, 2018

In Faith, Freedom, Healing, Jesus, Prayer

A PRAISE REPORT: THE HEALING AND RESURRECTING POWER OF GOD
By: Melvyne and Benita Florence

Early last week, my husband Melvyne and I received a phone call stating that a family member had just had a severe heart attack. As a result, the doctors concluded there was no brain wave activity noted. The plan was to cool the individual’s body temperature for 24 hours to give the heart a rest and then warm the body to assess brain activity. Of course, the individual had numerous medical tubes in place and was in the intensive care unit (ICU). Throughout the night, Melvyne and I took turns praying intensely. It was decided that we would drive to the hospital the next morning and pray for this individual.

Our church Power and Faith Ministries is a deliverance church. Thus, we are accustomed to people being healed physically and set free spiritually in the name of Jesus! We have also had experiences with praying and calling people back from the dead, one being my very own mother. The doctors had concluded and declared my mother brain dead. They, therefore, asked me to consider pulling the plug to allow her to expire. One doctor even threw his hands up in the air and stated, “There is nothing more we can do! She is brain dead!” However, when you are weak, God is strong (II Corinthians 12:10)!! Melvyne (who was my fiance at the time) came to the hospital and prayed for my mother. He began calling her name and called her spirit back into her body. To the doctor’s amazement, my mother woke up the next morning and lived for many more weeks! After this experience, I knew there was nothing impossible for God, if we believe!!

Believing in the power of God, we drove to the hospital the next morning to pray for our family member. Once we entered the hospital room, our sole purpose was to bombard Heaven in prayer. We weren’t discouraged by all the medical devices in the room. Immediately we started praying and calling the individual back into her body. In addition, my husband anointed the hospital room with oil. Believing God had completed the work, we left and went home.

A couple of days later, we received the news that our family member was now fully awake, disconnected from most of the medical devices and asking questions! To God be the Glory for the wonderful works He has done!!! Jesus declared in John 14:12 that we, the believers, will do greater works!! We praise God for our pastors Apostle Ron and Pastor Gerri Banks and for their faithfulness over the years. Through their ministry, God has healed, saved and delivered many out of the hands of Satan. As a result, we, their spiritual children, are operating in the same power. Hallelujah!! Amen!!!

Melvyne and Benita Florence are the assistant pastors of Power & Faith Ministries in Fairfield, Ohio.

THE PRAYER OF SALVATION
If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you can do so right now. I then encourage you to find a good Bible-believing church that will help you grow in your relationship with the Lord.

Romans 10:9 (NIV) says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Please pray the following prayer:

Dear Jesus, I come to You confessing I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I believe You shed Your blood on the cross and died for my sins, were buried and rose again so I could be free! Please forgive me for my sins and the life I have lived. I confess You Jesus as Lord and accept You as my own personal Savior. According to the Word of God, I am now saved! Hallelujah! I AM FREE!

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!!!!!

If you find value in this article, please share.

To subscribe to The Kimberly Joy Blog and receive new articles by email, please leave your email address in the box marked SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG VIA EMAIL provided at the end of the article.

Please follow The Kimberly Joy Show on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Be Set FREE!!!

By Kimberly Joy

On August 28, 2017

In Jesus

(The Kimberly Joy Show: God Says, “You Are FREE!!!” Part 3)

HOW CAN YOU BE SET FREE?
God wants you to KNOW who you are in Him. He wants you to BE true to the person He has created you to be, and He wants you to LOVE yourself wholeheartedly. However, before any of that can happen, you have to be set free from your sins and made new. I John 1:9 (King James Version) says:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Once you are cleansed, II Corinthians 5:17 says you become a new person. Inwardly you are not the same. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, whether you were a liar, a cheater, an adulterer, a fornicator, a thief, or even a murderer! Once you confess your sins and receive Jesus into your heart, He forgives you, and God now sees you as His child.

Although you may have to suffer some consequences for your past sins, while doing so, you can still develop a strong relationship with the Lord and allow Him to get the glory out of your life. For example, if you committed murder before you got saved, you will still have to pay for that crime. After all, someone lost his or her life at your hands. Nevertheless, while serving your sentence, you can be a beacon of light to others, especially other prisoners. Consider the apostle Paul in the Bible. Before he surrendered to Jesus, he was responsible for the deaths of some who had professed the name of Jesus Christ. Despite all that, God was still willing to forgive, save, and use him. And God did just that. Paul was set free and, as a result, many souls were saved!

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HEALING?
If you have already accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you are free. You are now free from sin, and as I discussed in my previous article, “Child of God, You Are FREE!!!”, you are also free from sickness and disease. In fact, as a child of God, you don’t have to settle for being sick. You don’t have to view the doctor’s report or even how you feel in your body as the final outcome. Whose report will you believe? God’s report or man’s report? I hope your answer is God’s report!

Throughout the Bible, God lets us know that healing is ours.

Psalms 103:2-3 (KJV), “2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;”

Jeremiah 17:14 (KJV), “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for Thou art my praise.”

I Peter 2:24 (New Living Translation), “He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed.”

That’s the Word of God! We only need to believe what GOD says!

I’m reminded of my uncle and his wife. Several years ago, they each were dealing with life-threatening illnesses. First, my aunt flat-lined three times. In other words, her heart stopped beating. Then later my uncle wound up in a coma on life support. Nonetheless, despite their conditions and what the doctors were saying, their daughters never gave up! They prayed and prayed and prayed some more! They even had a conference call line so friends and family from all over could come together and pray for their healing. I was even blessed to be a part of that prayer line. As a result of their constant prayers and never-ending faith, their parents are both alive and well today!!!

(Uncle James and Aunt Polly enjoying life!)

WHAT DO MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY ABOUT HEALING?
Medical experts say there is a correlation between positive thinking (faith) and healing. According to author Donald Cole of the Institute for Work and Health in Toronto, Canada, “Across a wide range of clinical conditions, from lower back pain to heart surgery, patients who felt they would do well in recovery did. Patients who were scared or pessimistic (who lacked faith) about their recovery did not recover as quickly as the optimists or as well,” (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=117317&page=1). If people in the secular arena understand that a person must BELIEVE in order to be healed, then we as children of God should definitely have faith. We should serve as prime examples of what it means to have faith.

If we were to be honest, unfortunately, sometimes we as believers walk in fear, instead of in faith. Although we claim to believe God, we yet worry and stress. However, faith and fear can’t co-exist. I can’t say I have faith in God, but still live in terror. I can’t pray to God about a particular situation and then, after I say “AMEN!”, continue worrying about the very thing I had just prayed about. Prayer and worry can’t co-exist. I either believe God or I don’t! Personally speaking, I’ve discovered that the prayers which tend to get answered more quickly are the ones I don’t ponder over once I’ve prayed. I don’t think about those particular issues anymore. I give it to God and move on!

Did you know that fear, worry, and stress can make you ill? I wouldn’t be surprised if many of our illnesses are directly related to our thoughts, emotions and words. For instance, you may notice you have a sore throat. Instead of praying against that soreness and declaring your healing, you say, “Uh oh! I hear the flu is going around! I must have the flu!” Consequently, you wind up with the flu. Now, it could have gone the other way. However, you chose to believe the worst instead of the best.

As believers, God doesn’t want us entertaining such thoughts. He wants us to know we are saved, healed and delivered! So, I encourage you to change the way you think and speak, and move forward in God. Live your life knowing you are free in Christ Jesus!

THE PRAYER OF SALVATION
If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you can do so right now. I then encourage you to find a good Bible-believing church that will help you grow in your relationship with the Lord.

Romans 10:9 (NIV) says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Please pray the following prayer:

Dear Jesus, I come to You confessing I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I believe You shed Your blood on the cross and died for my sins, were buried and rose again so I could be free! Please forgive me for my sins and the life I have lived. I confess You Jesus as Lord and accept You as my own personal Savior. According to the Word of God, I am now saved! Hallelujah! I AM FREE!

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!!!!!

If you find value in this article, please share.

To subscribe to The Kimberly Joy Blog and receive new articles by email, please leave your email address in the box marked SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG VIA EMAIL provided at the end of this article.

For daily inspiration, please follow The Kimberly Joy Show on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Child of God, You Are FREE!!!

By Kimberly Joy

On August 21, 2017

In Jesus

(The Kimberly Joy Show: God Says, “You Are FREE!!!” Part 2)

CHILD OF GOD, YOU ARE FREE
Knowing who you and I are in God, being who we are with no apologies, and loving who we are wholeheartedly involves recognizing that we were set free the moment we accepted Jesus into our hearts! As I discussed in the previous article, “You Are FREE!!!”, God recently reminded me that every child of God is free!

When we lack knowledge and understanding of this truth, it makes it easier for Satan to fool us into thinking we are still under his control. He’s able to convince us that we are still messed up. Thus, we worry that we’ll never get beyond our past. We continue to believe the negative things people have said and may still say about us. Essentially, we still feel bound!

WHAT DOES GOD SAY?
When we believe such lies over God’s Truth, we are more inclined to surrender to the devil’s suggestions. Therefore, we need the Bible, which is the Word of God or God’s Voice. The scriptures tell us who we are in Him. What does GOD say?

Romans 8:37 (King James Version) says:

“…We are more than conquerors…”

Philippians 4:13 (New King James Version) says:

“[We] can do all things through Christ…”

Why?

“…[He] strengthens [us].”

John 8:36 (New International Version) assures us that:

“…If [Jesus] sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Indeed means “without any question, truly, undeniably”. So, once we surrender to Jesus, He sets us free from sin and everything attached to it. It’s settled…..a done deal! We can move forward in Him and not look back.

Consider ex-convicts. Although many are released from prison once they serve their time, some eventually return. Why? Mentally they are still in prison! In other words, they still view themselves as criminals and convicts. They have difficulty seeing themselves as people who are now free to live as productive citizens in society. So, does this mean they can’t learn? Absolutely not! They CAN learn! They can develop new mindsets with the right guidance, education, and tools. Basically, their minds have to be changed!

HOW ARE SOME BELIEVERS STILL HELD CAPTIVE?
As believers in Christ, I believe much of our “captivity” is mental! It’s only in the mind! We often give Satan more credit than he deserves. What do I mean? The devil plays mind games. When we’re not sure about who we really are in Christ, we fall for his lies. John 8:44 (New Living Translation) says:

“[Satan] has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Satan and his demons are liars. They’re incapable of telling the truth. For instance, in Genesis 3, the serpent, who was Satan in disguise, deceived Adam and Eve into disobeying God. In Genesis 3:1 (NLT), the serpent approached Eve and said:

“Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

The serpent asked Eve this particular question to plant a seed of doubt in her mind. Then he said in verses 4-5:

“4 You won’t die…..5 God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

Despite the fact that the serpent told a blatant lie, Eve was still convinced and ate the fruit, along with her husband Adam, who was also present. They may not have expired that day, but they did eventually lose their lives, although they were originally created to live forever. The only reason the serpent was able to deceive Adam and Eve is because they doubted God. They doubted what they had been told and what had already been placed inside of them.

As believers, we are deceived or Satan is able to play mind games with us when we doubt what God has told us OR when we don’t know what God has said—–when we don’t know His Word. Consider Jesus! After fasting in the wilderness for forty days and nights, Jesus was presented with temptations from Satan himself (Matthew 4:1-11). In other words, the devil was trying to play with His MIND. However, because Jesus knew who He was—–a man free from sin—–He didn’t yield to the devil’s suggestions. Nor did he run away and hide. Instead, He stood on God’s Word with undeniable confidence! Matthew 4:8-11 (NLT) say:

“8 Next the devil took [Jesus] to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

9 ‘I will give it all to you,’ the devil said, ‘if you will kneel down and worship me.’

10 Jesus then said, ‘Get out of here, Satan! For the Scriptures say, You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.’

11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.”

Satan left Jesus alone because he realized he couldn’t play with His MIND.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO A BELIEVER BEING HEALED?
It’s so important that we as believers know we are free! Not only has Jesus set us free from sin, but He has set us free from sickness and disease. There are stories in the Bible, particularly the ones involving Jesus and the apostles, about people who were healed. Those stories weren’t included to serve as fairy tales, but to let us know that we can and should experience the same. Truth be told, we should all be healed!

IMAGINE……….

What if we were never sick?

What if the illnesses and diseases, which tried to attack our bodies, left as quickly as they came by us just speaking a word of healing?

What if we saw healings and miracles in every church all around the globe?

What if the hospitals were virtually empty and the pharmaceutical companies went out of business all because of our faith?

I want to see that! How about you?

I believe there will be an increase in healings and miracles as we grow in our faith recognizing that we are free. Furthermore, Jesus said it’s going to happen. In John 14:12 (NLT), He said:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works…”

The key word in the above verse is BELIEVE! You have to believe. I have to believe. We have to believe that Jesus has set us free and live like people who are free from sin, sickness, and disease. We are now free to be what God has called each of us to be as He orders our footsteps and gets the glory out of our lives.

THE PRAYER OF SALVATION
If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you can do so right now. I then encourage you to find a good Bible-believing church that will help you grow in your relationship with the Lord.

Romans 10:9 (NIV) says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Please pray the following prayer:

Dear Jesus, I come to You confessing I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I believe You shed Your blood on the cross and died for my sins, were buried and rose again so I could be free! Please forgive me for my sins and the life I have lived. I confess You Jesus as Lord and accept You as my own personal Savior. According to the Word of God, I am now saved! Hallelujah! I AM FREE!

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!!!!!

If you find value in this article, please share.

To subscribe to The Kimberly Joy Blog and receive new articles by email, please leave your email address in the box marked SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG VIA EMAIL provided at the end of this article.

A Tribute to Mom

By Kimberly Joy

On May 12, 2017

In Prayer

A TRIBUTE TO MOM
Let me begin by wishing a Happy Mother’s Day to ALL mothers, including those who are like mothers to someone! I honor YOU today, as well! I believe it takes a heart of selflessness to take someone else’s child under your wing to encourage them, teach them, coach them, help them and, especially, love them. I want to also honor the women who have chosen to raise someone else’s child…..or children. Your act of love is so greatly appreciated!

I want to now pay tribute to my own mother Pastor Geraldine Banks, also known as “Gerri”.

Over the years, I’ve seen my mom endure some difficult situations. However, through it all and in spite of it all, she has maintained her integrity and relationship with the Lord.

THE YOUNG BELIEVER
The youngest of seven children, my mom was born to Jeremiah and Eunice Ealey in Collins, Georgia, where she was also raised. If you’ve never heard of Collins, it’s a small town located in Southern Georgia, not that far from the city of Savannah. My grandparents were prayer warriors and ministers, and they taught their children to live for God. Mom accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior and was filled with the Holy Spirit at the tender age of 16.

Because of the teachings my mother received at a young age, she learned the importance and necessity of being devoted to God.

Do you realize that it’s NECESSARY to be devoted to God—-God, our Creator, the one who knows all and sees all? In the midst of a corrupt world, it is NECESSARY to know Him. It is NECESSARY to know Jesus because through Him our lives are made right! My mom and her siblings were taught those valuable, life-changing lessons, and I thank God every day that they instilled those lessons in us—-their children. I am who I am because of my mother’s teachings. I am who I am because of my mother’s prayers. I am who I am because of my mother’s LIFE!

THE SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVER
As a child, my mother excelled in school. She was even honored as the salutatorian of her senior class and graduated from high school at the age of 16. Soon after, she relocated with her mother and siblings to Cincinnati. Mom went on to receive her Business Management education from Southern Ohio College. She then received certified Accounting training from Cincinnati Technical College (now Cincinnati State). Moreover, she received computer training from Scarlet Oaks.

While a student at Southern Ohio, Mom was hired by General Electric Company, where she worked for 34 years before retiring. During her time at GE, she witnessed co-workers and close friends lose their jobs due to layoffs and cutbacks. However, instead of losing her job too, God always blessed her to get moved to a different position. In John 15:7 Jesus says:

“If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

Although Mom has been retired from GE for a number of years now, she still works seasonally as a Tax Professional for H&R Block. As one of her devoted clients, I can say that she is excellent at what she does!

THE PRAYER WARRIOR
As I stated before, my mother has endured some difficult situations. One incident was when my brother BJ almost died when he was just a baby. Although his health seemed to be failing, my mother didn’t give up! She called on my grandmother, aunts and people at the church to pray for his healing. Today, she even talks about the time she sat up with him all night rocking him and praying for him. James 5:16 assures us that:

“…the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (woman) availeth much.”

Because of the constant prayers of the believers, God healed my baby brother! Now at the age of 39, he is a successful husband, father, teacher and varsity basketball coach.

(Mom, BJ, Me)

THE OVERCOMER
Another difficult time in my mother’s life was when her marriage to our father ended in divorce. I love my dad very much, but as a woman myself, I can acknowledge that my mom was devastated by the break up. Her marriage was supposed to last forever! NEVERTHELESS, she never walked away from God or the church. Through the pain and, even the embarrassment, each day she continued to get up! She put on her good clothes, high heeled shoes, and make up, and she pressed forward!

Mom continued being a devoted mother, sister, cousin, niece, and friend. She continued shopping at the mall, getting her hair done at the beauty salon, going out to eat with family and friends, and taking trips to places, like Florida and the Bahamas. My mother continued living her life! Most importantly, she maintained her relationship with Jesus Christ. She continued lending her beautiful voice to the choir, ministering the Gospel at church and on the radio, and winning souls for the kingdom of God.

THE EVANGELIST
Mom has some awesome testimonies of how God has used her throughout the years. For example, during the late 1980’s while working at GE, she led one of the CEOs to the Lord while sitting in his office. This particular man was secretly dying from the AIDS virus, and through Mom, he came to know Jesus Christ. On another occasion while at work, she noticed her manager slipping away at his desk. In other words, he was dying right before her very eyes, and she called LIFE back into his body! Some years later, she also called LIFE back into the body of a complete stranger while we were at Kings Island Amusement Park. In John 11:25 Jesus says:

“…I am the RESURRECTION, and the LIFE: he that BELIEVETH in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he LIVE…”

Had life totally turned out the way my mother planned? No, not at all! Nevertheless, she was determined to persevere anyway! In fact, she looked past her disappointments and her pain and pursued God even more!

She completed a two-year course in Theology with a focus in Evangelism at Cincinnati Christian College and received certificates in Catechism and other Christian courses. Mom wasn’t going to allow anything or anyone to deter her from her God-given purpose!

THE FAITHFUL
In my previous blog post “Relax! God Is Doing It Now For You! Just Continue in His Work!”, I share the story of Ruth from the Bible. Ruth didn’t worry about what or whom she had lost. She didn’t concern herself with the family and country she had left behind. Instead, she focused on the mission God had assigned her—to take care of her mother-in-law Naomi. As a result of her obedience and faithfulness, God blessed her abundantly.

Just like Ruth, Mom stayed focused. While she was busy working, taking care of my brother and me, and ministering to others, God blessed her with another husband. My mother married Apostle Ron Banks on June 25, 1994. Three years later they founded Power and Faith Ministries.

Through Power and Faith Ministries, many souls have been saved, bodies have been healed from life-threatening diseases like cancer and AIDS, and people have been delivered from the bondage of satan. As they adhere to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is their mission to touch and change the world one family at a time.

Ladies…..my sisters…..women of God, I know that everything has not turned out the way you had hoped or planned. But, don’t give up on God and don’t give up on you! People, including your own relatives, will let you down. They’re not perfect. Only God is perfect, and He will NEVER let you down! So, just like my mother Pastor Geraldine Banks, stay FAITHFUL to God and TRUST that He has an even BETTER plan for your life.

(The Kimberly Joy Show: A Tribute to Mom)

If you find value in this blog post, please share.

To subscribe to The Kimberly Joy Blog and receive new posts by email, please leave your email address in the box marked SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG VIA EMAIL provided at the end of this post.

A Little Girl Who Believed: The Wilma Rudolph Story

By Kimberly Joy

On February 6, 2017

In Black History

A LITTLE GIRL WHO BELIEVED
In honor of Black History Month, this week I would like to recognize Wilma Rudolph, a woman who began her journey as a little girl who believed! What did she believe, you ask? She believed that she would overcome every obstacle life had thrown at her from the time she was born. Because of her undying faith, she made history becoming the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field in a single Olympics.

Wilma Rudolph was born on June 23, 1940, in St. Bethlehem, Tennessee, to Ed and Blanche Rudolph. Born prematurely, Wilma had a few serious health problems in her early years, including double pneumonia, scarlet fever and polio. The polio virus is “a disease that attacks the central nervous system and often causes developmental problems in children.” As a result of the virus, she suffered paralysis. When she was finally able to walk, she had to wear braces on her legs until she was about nine years old.

After enduring years of hospital visits and treatments, Wilma stunned her doctors when she began walking without the use of leg braces. Not only did Wilma start walking normally, but she began running and playing basketball with her brothers and sisters and other children her age. Considering all that Wilma had gone through as a child, she was living proof that God performs miracles! Wilma said, “My doctors told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.” Talk about faith! One of the things I always admired about Wilma Rudolph was her faith that one day she would be able to run, jump and play like any other child.

Matthew 17:20 says:

“…If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

A STAR ATHLETE
Later in high school, Wilma began proving herself as a star athlete when she set a new state record scoring 803 points in twenty-five games as a sophomore on the girls’ basketball team. During this time, she also began attending summer track camps at Tennessee State University with coach Ed Temple. In 1956, at the tender age of 16, she won a bronze medal at the Summer Olympics in the 400-meter relay event. In fact, she ran on that relay team with my high school freshman track coach Mae Starr.

At the 1960 Olympics, Wilma became the first American woman to win three gold medals in the track and field competition. She won the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash and the 400-meter relay. To add to her accomplishments, she tied the world record in the 100 meter dash and set a new Olympic record in the 200.

A GREAT INFLUENCE
A couple of years later, Wilma chose to retire from track and field and focus on her new career as a teacher and raising her family. Although Wilma retired, she continued to be a great influence. She definitely influenced me! Her autobiography Wilma, which was also made into a television movie, was published in 1977. The movie starred Oscar winning actor Denzel Washington in his first movie role. He portrayed Robert Eldridge, the man Wilma later married. I can’t tell you how many times I watched my VHS tape of that movie throughout junior high and high school!

In addition, Wilma contributed to inner-city sports clinics and university track teams. She also founded the Wilma Rudolph Foundation which was dedicated to developing young athletes. Wilma was inducted into the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame in 1973, the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1974, the United States Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 and the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1994.

On November 12, 1994, at the age of 54, Wilma Rudolph died of a brain tumor in Brentwood, Tennessee. I remember when I got the news that she had passed away. I was living on campus at Miami University (Oxford, Ohio). It was either a Saturday or Sunday morning when my dad called to tell me the sad news. After we hung up, I just lay on the bed and cried. You would have thought I had known her personally. Next, I looked up at the pictures of her I had on my dorm room wall. I then thanked God for allowing me the opportunity to meet Wilma face to face.

THE DAY I MET WILMA RUDOLPH
The day I met Wilma Rudolph was a day I will never forget! I was in the 10th grade, and our track team was at the district track meet at Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Ohio. While a few of my teammates and I were standing down by the track to support one of our runners, our former track coach Mrs. Starr surprised us. We were so excited to see her, but we were even more excited when she told us she had THEE WILMA RUDOLPH in the car. I didn’t realize until that moment that she and Wilma had remained friends all those years.

When Wilma walked into the stadium, I couldn’t believe my eyes! She was tall, slender and beautiful just like in all the pictures I had seen of her! Naturally, I asked for her autograph. She agreed to give it to me after the track meet. Well, since I was finished with my events for the day, you know what I did! I sat right next to her until the end of the meet. Then I followed her to the parking lot where she signed an autograph for me (and my brother BJ), which I STILL have in my photo album. It’s too bad we didn’t have camera phones back then because I would have definitely taken a picture of the two of us!

MY HERO
I share the story of Wilma Rudolph because she was my hero. Being a sprinter myself, I connected with her. I also admired her faith and perseverance. It amazed me that a young girl, who always seemed to be sick and could barely walk, later became an Olympic champion. Her story taught me that man doesn’t have the final say. Doctors don’t have the final say. But, GOD has the final say! God chose to heal a little black girl from a poor community in Tennessee simply because she BELIEVED! Young Wilma believed that she would one day walk. Think about that! All it took was her believing! And I believe that not only did she have faith that she would be healed, but she SAW herself healed! I believe she had visions of walking and playing with the other children.

I remember a scene from the movie, in which Wilma was at home with her mother and father while her siblings were off playing somewhere like children typically do. Instead of sitting in the house and feeling sorry for herself, Wilma grabbed the basketball and went outside to the homemade basketball hoop in the front yard. While she was shooting baskets, she removed her shoes and leg braces. When her parents noticed what she had done, they didn’t scold her for taking off her leg braces, but they watched with amazement. James 2:26 says:

“Faith without works is dead.”

Young Wilma understood that she had to put her faith into action!

Another thing I appreciate about Wilma’s story, is the support she received from her parents and siblings. Again, Wilma believed that she would walk because her mother said she would. That says a lot about parental influence. If you are a parent, it’s important that you speak LIFE into your children. You are their biggest influence, especially during their formative years. What you say to them, how you treat them, if you support them, whether or not you love on them, will influence them in a positive OR negative way.

HAVE FAITH
Just like Wilma Rudolph had faith that she would one day live the life of a normal child, I encourage you to have faith that your life is going to turn around for the better! If you need healing, believe God! If you want to go to college, believe God! If you want a better job, believe God! If you want to move into a better neighborhood, believe God! If you want to buy your own home, believe God! Wilma Rudolph was a sickly, physically disabled little black girl from a poor community who grew up to become a world-renowned Olympic champion. If God could do it for her, He can certainly do it for you! You just have to do as she did, remove those hindrances and step out on faith!!!!

Sources:
notablebiographies.com
biography.com

(“The Kimberly Joy Show: Honoring Wilma Rudolph for Black History Month”)

If you find value in this blog post, please share.

To subscribe to The Kimberly Joy Blog and receive new posts by email, please leave your email address in the box marked SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG VIA EMAIL provided at the end of this post.

Archives
Archives
Categories
Categories