Tag: dreams

They Are BL3SSED!

On August 7, 2018

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: BL3SSED Through Perseverance)

THEY ARE BL3SSED
The year…..2012. The place…..Cincinnati, Ohio. Three twenty-something year old African-American men, with a passion for music, had a vision of one day singing on stages and in front of cameras all over the world.

Inspired by Gospel greats like The Clark Sisters, 21:03, Mary Mary, The Walls Group, and Kirk Franklin, these three young men Davosk Lavizzo, Ke’Vaughn McDowell and Jamaal McMullen agreed they wanted to form a Gospel trio. After much discussion, they convinced their mentor Aunt Syl to sign on as their manager and their godfather Mel Rob to be their assistant manager and vocal coach. Soon after, the group was born, and they are now BL3SSED!

WHAT DOES PERSEVERANCE LOOK LIKE?
I have known Davosk, Ke’Vaughn and Jamaal for a number of years from the time they each stepped foot inside our beloved church Power and Faith Ministries, and have had the pleasure of watching them grow into men. The past six years for BL3SSED as a singing group have not always been a bed of roses. With three different personalities, they occasionally butted heads. There were even moments when they wanted to throw up their hands and walk away. Why did they want to quit? Like you and me, they are human, and, as human beings, we become weary—physically, mentally and emotionally—especially when achieving our dreams seems to be a never-ending battle.

Discouragement is like a bad cut. You think that giving up is the best option because you just want the bleeding to stop! Nevertheless, despite the disagreements and struggles, BL3SSED persevered! They sang through their frustrations. They wrote even in their pain. They prayed in the midst of hopelessness. They believed God’s promises when there was no light at the end of the tunnel. They fought tirelessly for their dreams!

DO YOU HAVE A SOLID SUPPORT SYSTEM?
BL3SSED was inspired to persevere thanks to having a solid support system in place. A support system is a network of people who provide an individual or group with practical, emotional and spiritual support. Like BL3SSED, as you pursue your dreams, such as producing music, writing a book, starting a business, or earning a college degree, it’s imperative you have a solid support system to help you on your journey.

Allow God, who should be the first on your list, to select the right people. For instance, in addition to your pastors, you want those in your network to be trustworthy, supportive, knowledgeable, helpful, encouraging and prayerful.

BL3SSED THROUGH PERSEVERANCE
As a result of their perseverance, in December 2016, Davosk, Ke’Vaughn and Jamaal were each licensed as ministers of the Gospel. This past June, they were one of the finalists in the Path to Fame competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Most recently, they released two singles “Hold Me Back” and “Amazing Love” for purchase on all music outlets, including iTunes, Google Play, Amazon and Spotify.

After much discipline and vocal training, this trio can sing anything from quartet style to hip hop style music, which allows them to appeal to a large audience. BL3SSED is where they are now and reaping the rewards because they PERSEVERED. Galatians 6:9 says:

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

KEEP PERSEVERING
God says, “You are doing a good work. I see your sacrifices and labor. You’ve asked, ‘How much longer God?’ Don’t worry about the time frame. Your time is not the same as My time. I know what I’m doing. I’m preparing you and putting more of Myself in you, so that when you begin to reap the rewards, you won’t walk away from Me. Rather, you will be steadfast in your commitment to Me and the special work I’ve called you to do!”

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!!!!!

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Sermon: God Says, “Live YOUR Dreams!”

By Kimberly Joy

On April 16, 2018

In Dreams/Goals/Purpose

The above video is a message entitled “God Says, ‘Live YOUR Dreams!'” which I ministered recently during a Sunday morning service at our church Power and Faith Ministries. God has a purpose for each of us. As you grow in your relationship with the Lord, He shows you your gifts and who you are in Him.

Stepping out on faith in God, I am now living one of MY dreams! As a matter of fact, I want to invite YOU to witness this dream become a reality! I’m performing my very own one-woman stage play, “I’m NOT My Mama!”

Synopsis: Terri is a woman who seems to have it all….a loving family, a luxurious home and a successful business. When a particular incident forces her into therapy, she must then face the anger and resentment she has been harboring for years and realize what it will take to be truly healed.

Starring and written by Kimberly Joy and directed by Aunt Syl, the play takes place on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 5:00 PM at Power and Faith Ministries, 7044 Fairfield Business Center Drive, Fairfield, Ohio 45014.

The Gospel trio BL3SSED will also perform. These up-and-coming young men of God are phenomenal!

Admission is FREE and it’s open to everyone. So, please come out! I would love to see YOU in the building!

Doors open at 4:30.

(Kimberly Joy & BL3SSED)

A Man of Many Talents: The Steve Harvey Story

By Kimberly Joy

On February 13, 2018

In Black History, Dreams/Goals/Purpose

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: Black History Month Tribute to Steve Harvey)

A MAN OF MANY TALENTS
Steve Harvey, a man of many talents, is a comedian, actor, author, talk show host, game show host, radio personality…..just to name a few! Born Broderick Steven Harvey on January 17, 1957, in Welch, West Virginia, he is the youngest of five children to Jesse and Eloise Harvey. When Harvey was young, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. In 1974, he graduated from Glenville High School and enrolled in college where he became a lifetime member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a historically black fraternity founded in 1911 at Howard University.

HIS TRUE PASSION
After leaving college, Harvey worked a number of jobs, mainly as a salesman. As a matter of fact, he was selling insurance when he finally decided to pursue his true passion of being a stand up comedian after winning an amateur night contest at a local comedy club in 1985. For the next several years, Harvey performed in small clubs to hone his craft as a comedian. This time in his life was going to either make him or break him. Harvey told People Magazine, that after splitting from his wife and sending the majority of his paychecks home to his children, “one or two gigs fell through, and suddenly I was homeless.”

While working a gig, he had the luxury of staying in a hotel, but once that particular gig was over, he was back to sleeping in his 1976 Ford Tempo. He kept an Igloo cooler in the backseat to use as his refrigerator and washed up in hotel bathrooms, gas stations or swimming pool showers. This went on for three years! Some probably wondered, “Why would he go through all that for a dream?!” He was finally doing something he loved and believed he was created by God to do.

Because Harvey persevered, even when he sometimes felt like giving up, he received the break he had been waiting for. He was invited to perform at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. Fortunately, that wasn’t the last time he was going to hit the Apollo stage. In 1993, he took over as host of Showtime at the Apollo.

That was the first time I remember laying eyes on Steve Harvey. My first thought was, “That man looks like Richard Pryor!” As a stand-up comic, Harvey also made television appearances on the Johnnie Walker National Comedy Search and on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam.

OTHER VENTURES
Harvey soon ventured into acting. He starred in his first sitcom entitled Me and the Boys, in which he played a widower and father of three sons. Though the show won high ratings, it only lasted one season. However, being the fighter and hustler he is, Harvey didn’t let that discourage him. In 1996, he was given another opportunity to star in a TV series The Steve Harvey Show which attracted a large audience.

When I discovered the show, I immediately fell in love with the characters. Even now I enjoy watching the reruns. On the show, Harvey portrayed a former professional musician who becomes a music teacher at a Chicago high school. The series also starred Cedric the Entertainer who is one of Harvey’s real life close friends.

Harvey has also performed on the big screen in movies like The Fighting Temptations, You Got Served, and Johnson Family Vacation. His most popular movie is Spike Lee’s documentary, The Original Kings of Comedy, which captured the highlights of a two-night comedy show in North Carolina. The documentary, which included Harvey as the emcee, Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, and Bernie Mac, earned more than $38 million at the box office. In fact, The Kings of Comedy Tour, which inspired Lee’s documentary, became the highest-grossing comedy tour ever to date in the United States.

Today, Harvey is host of such shows as Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud, Steve, which is his own TV talk-show based in Los Angeles, and The Steve Harvey Morning Show, which is his nationally syndicated daily talk radio show. Harvey is also a best-selling author of the books Act like a Lady, Think like a Man; Straight Talk, No Chaser; Act like a Success, Think like a Success and his most recent book entitled Jump.

THE FOUNDATION
In 2010, Harvey and his wife Marjorie founded the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation. Through the foundation, they have developed mentoring camps for boys and girls. The Steve Harvey Mentoring Camp for Young Men is “an interactive program that includes a host of workshops which focus on manhood, personal responsibility, dream building and the importance of nutrition and physical fitness.

In addition, the participants are introduced to positive male role models who are leaders in various areas, including business, their communities, entertainment and the military.”

The Girls Who Rule the World Mentoring Camp is “an interactive program that includes leadership comprised of trusted business women and community leaders who provide wisdom & resources that will help guide girls through the importance of financial literacy, balanced nutrition, proper etiquette, positive self-esteem and professional and educational development.”

A family man, as well, Harvery is married to Marjorie Bridges Harvey. Together they have a blended family of seven children: daughters, Brandi, Karli, Morgan and Lori and sons Broderick Jr., Jason and Wynton.

WHAT IS PERSEVERANCE?
I share the story of Steve Harvey because it speaks to the importance of perseverance. What is perseverance? Perseverance is “steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.” When God gives you a dream, you don’t stop and give up just because things look bleak. Understand that in the process, God is preparing you for success. Habakkuk 2:3 (The Living Bible) says:

“But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient…..”

To learn more about Steve Harvey, you may go to:
biography.com
britannica.com
harveyfoundation.com.
people.com

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!!!!!

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DREAMS

By Kimberly Joy

On January 30, 2018

In Dreams/Goals/Purpose

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: Live YOUR Dreams Part 4)

DREAMS: WHAT MUST YOU DO TO SEE THEM COME TO PASS?
God has instilled dreams in each of us. In other words, we each have a purpose. I have a purpose. You have a purpose. In order for you to know your purpose, you must have a relationship with God. As you walk with God, your purpose becomes more and more clear to you. You learn and grow as you go!

Now even as you come to realize your purpose, it doesn’t mean everything will fall into place. More than likely, there will be some obstacles along the way. You’ll feel discouraged. Things and people will come along to distract you. Some people may say:

“No!”

“I’m not interested.”

“You’re wasting your time!”

“Why do you want to do that?”

Nevertheless, you have to have faith in God and know that everything He has promised you will indeed come to pass, if you don’t give up! Galatians 6:9 (New Living Translation) says:

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

You can’t get tired of working towards your dreams. You have to stay focused and committed to seeing them through.

Let’s consider Joseph, the son of Jacob. The Bible says that Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because he was born to him in his old age. I don’t know too many parents who would openly admit to favoring one child over the other. However, in Jacob’s case, it was evident, especially to his other sons. Consequently, they hated Joseph. Fortunately, their jealousy and hate didn’t stop God’s plan for Joseph’s life. What was God’s plan? In Genesis 37, God revealed His plan to Joseph in two different dreams.

In the first dream, Joseph and his brothers were in the field tying up bundles of grain when all of a sudden his bundle stood up while his brothers’ bundles all gathered around his bundle and bowed down. Joseph later shared this dream with his brothers who, of course, only got angry. They exclaimed, “Ohhhh….so you think you’re going to be our king, huh?! Do you really think you’re going to reign over us?!!”

Soon after, Joseph had another dream. In the dream, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowed before him.

This time he told the dream to his father and again to his brothers. Jacob seemed to be offended by the dream, but he still loved Joseph very much. On the other hand, his other sons just grew to hate Joseph even more.

WITH WHOM CAN YOU SHARE YOUR DREAMS?
I don’t know exactly why Joseph chose to share his dreams with his father and brothers. One thing I’ve learned is that you can’t share your dreams with just anyone, even if they are the people closest to you and the ones who are supposed to love you the most. Unfortunately, everyone doesn’t want to see you succeed. If they think they can, they’ll try to sabotage your chances of being successful which is exactly what Joseph’s brothers tried to do. At first, they were going to kill Joseph, just like Cain had killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4). But, then they decided to sell him into slavery and make a profit.

They later convinced their father Jacob that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. They hated their brother so much and were so determined to kill his dreams, that they were willing to let their aging father believe this terrible lie, knowing it would break his heart.

As a slave, Joseph was taken to Egypt. However, instead of being treated like the average slave, God gave him favor and he was put in charge of his master’s household and property. His dreams seemed to be coming true, until the day he was thrown in prison.

His master’s wife tried to have sex with him. When he refused her, out of spite, she falsely accused him of trying to rape her. Fortunately, God granted him favor with the warden of the prison who selected Joseph to be in charge of all the prisoners. After a couple of years had passed, God once again gave Joseph favor, this time with the most powerful man in Egypt—–Pharoah. With that favor, Joseph was put in charge of everyone in Egypt.

WHAT WILL STOP YOUR DREAMKILLERS?
Remember the dreams Joseph had shared with his father and brothers? When a famine hit the region, guess who had to come to Joseph in search of food? That’s right! His brothers!

And what’s so great about this story is Joseph forgave them, embraced them and made sure his entire family was well taken care of. It didn’t matter that his brothers had tried to kill him and his dreams. Even during the moments when Joseph lived as a slave and as a prisoner, I believe He held onto the promises of God and his convictions. Even when he was tempted to have sex with his master’s wife, he didn’t allow her to distract him. Rather, he remained focused.

Just like Joseph, as you move forward this year, I encourage you to:

If you follow these guidelines, in due time, every dream God has given you will become a reality!

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!!!!!

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Have More and Thrive!

By Kimberly Joy

On January 22, 2018

In Dreams/Goals/Purpose

(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.

PURPOSE

By Kimberly Joy

On January 18, 2018

In Dreams/Goals/Purpose

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: Live YOUR Dreams Part 2)

SOME PEOPLE FEEL THEY HAVE NO PURPOSE. WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?
A dream is “a strongly desired goal, aim, aspiration or PURPOSE.” Did you know God gave you a purpose? You feel like you’re not like other people, and you’re right! You’re not like other people, and you’re not supposed to be. As a matter of fact, I believe we each have special qualities. As children of God, we are extraordinary.

Unfortunately, some people walk through life feeling they are anything but that! They feel they have no purpose, that no one needs them. They feel worthless! If you are someone who feels that way, then I’m telling you that’s not true! You have to stop believing that! Draw nigh to God through prayer, worship, and the scriptures and allow Him to minister to you. Change how you speak and declare what He says about you in His Word.

Speak His Word until you believe it. Once you believe it, still continue to speak those words of Life to remain strong! Proverbs 18:21a (King James Version) says:

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…..”

As you change how you speak, it may be uncomfortable at first, not because it’s impossible, but because you’re not in the habit of speaking positively. Then Proverbs 23:7a (KJV) says:

“For as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he…..”

Cast down the negative thoughts you have about yourself! It doesn’t matter what other people think or say, even if those people are your family members, including your own parents. Just because they raised you doesn’t mean they always know what’s best for you. This statement is not an insult to parents. I salute all parents who love and sacrifice for their children. However, let’s be real! Some parents are abusive and bully their children, making them feel worthless. If you have experienced abuse as a child, please hear what God is saying. “THEY WERE WRONG!!” You’re not worthless! There is hope for you, and that hope is in God!

WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?
God has given you a purpose and blessed you with gifts. You may very well know what those gifts are. If you don’t know or if you’re not sure, seek the Lord. He will show you!

What are you passionate about? What do you enjoy doing as a hobby? Steve Harvey, a man who wears many hats, such as being an author and a talk show host, says an individual’s purpose is whatever he or she would be willing to do for free. When you think about it, it makes sense. You freely do what you enjoy and what makes you happy. You willingly do what comes natural for you or what you have a knack for.

As a child, I wanted to sing because it seemed glamorous. However, singing didn’t come natural for me. Sometimes, my voice would crack, and a lot of times I would sing off key. On the other hand, I have a knack for writing, and I now write articles for my own blog. I am a skilled speaker, and I now teach and preach the Word of God and have my own radio show.

I also have a gift for acting, and I use that gift in skits and plays to inspire others. Furthermore, I’ve always had an inclination to pray. Even as a little girl, I remember kneeling beside my bed at night to pray. No one made me. I did it because I believed in God, and I wanted to honor God and be close to Him. Needless to say, I am now an intercessor.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE TRUE TO YOUR PURPOSE?
For this new year 2018, God wants you to live your best life by pursuing those dreams or desires He has placed in your heart. Allow His purpose for your life to be fulfilled, so you can live YOUR dreams. I emphasize the word “your” because if you’re not careful, you will find yourself trying to live someone else’s dreams and fulfill a role God did not intend for you. For example, Ephesians 4:11-12 (New Living Translation) say:

“11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”

Some people operate in these roles identified in Ephesians 4 when God did not call them to do so. Why is that? They’re either doing what people say they should do, or they’re simply doing what they want to do for their own selfish reasons. For instance, perhaps they like the recognition it brings, or maybe they see it as a “lucrative business”. However, to be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher is not something to be taken lightly. James 3:1 (NLT) says:

“Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

Those who teach the Word of God are judged more strictly because souls are at stake. God is serious about His children. Therefore, the last thing He wants is for any of them to be led astray by someone who is giving them false prophecies, who is teaching the Word of God incorrectly, or who is draining them of their money so they can get ahead.

Again God says, “Live YOUR dreams!” Please believe God’s blessings far outweigh man’s blessings. Don’t be concerned about the applause of men. If you just focus on your relationship with God and being true to who you are in Him, as Psalms 23:5 says, He will set a table before you, even in the presence of your enemies or haters. He will bless you in front of the ones who didn’t believe in you, who said you would amount to nothing, who abused you, who bullied you, and who thought they had you all figured out.

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!!!!!

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Live YOUR Dreams!

By Kimberly Joy

On January 11, 2018

In Dreams/Goals/Purpose

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: Live YOUR Dreams)

LIVE YOUR DREAMS! WHAT IS A DREAM?
It is now 2018, and with the start of a brand new year comes excitement and even some nervousness. Many see the new year as an opportunity to live a new and better life, to leave mistakes, hurts, and disappointments in the past, and to start fresh.

Therefore, people make New Year’s resolutions. A resolution is when a person resolves or firmly decides to change an undesired trait or behavior, to accomplish a personal goal or to, overall, improve his or her life. According to NBC News, the most popular resolutions for 2017 were:

1. Get healthy
2. Get organized
3. Live life to the fullest
4. Learn new hobbies
5. Spend less and save more money
6. Travel
7. Read more

Personally speaking, making a New Year’s resolution is great, so long as you’re committed to that resolution. In fact, for 2018, I believe God wants His children to be committed to living their dreams. When I say “dreams” what do I mean? In this case, a dream is “a strongly desired goal, aim, aspiration or purpose.” Why is this important to God? He placed those dreams inside of you!

WILL GOD GIVE YOU WHATEVER YOU DESIRE?
Psalms 37:4 (King James Version) says:

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

In the scripture, the “desires” the writer is referring to are GOD’s desires for your life. I’ve heard some people state God will give you whatever you desire. However, I don’t believe that. I don’t believe God gives us any desires that go against His will. I don’t believe He gives us desires that don’t glorify Him. I especially don’t believe He grants us those desires that will do more harm than good.

A well-known Gospel singer, who will remain nameless, has shared her story of how God told her not to marry a particular man. Even on the day of her wedding, God told her not to walk down the aisle. However, she went against God’s warning and got married anyway.

Eventually, her husband wound up physically abusing her. The abuse became so bad that she later had to escape with only the clothes on her back. Did God decide to grant her HER desire to marry that man? No, I don’t believe He did! God does not treat us like robots. He speaks to us, gives us instructions, and even warns us, but in the end, it’s our decision. Thus, SHE chose to enter a marriage that was not God’s desire for her.

When I was an adolescent, I wanted to sing. Although I had a decent voice for singing in a choir, I didn’t have the type of voice for solo performances.

(Me, on the right, singing with the praise team)

I definitely didn’t have a voice that would land me a spot on Star Search or Showtime at the Apollo. So, I used to hope and pray God would bless my voice. I wanted to be able to sing like a Yolanda Adams or a CeCe Winans.

Why? For one, I’ve always loved music. Plus, good singers received applause and recognition, and I wanted that! I wanted to be admired for my angelic voice, which might be why God didn’t grant me MY desire. Singing was not supposed to be about glorifying me, but about glorifying God!

As I grew older and matured, I came to accept that, although singing was something I enjoyed doing, it wasn’t GOD’s desire for my life. Once I accepted that truth, I was able to recognize God’s true desires for me. I came to realize that I was trying to live someone else’s dream because it seemed glamorous and exciting, instead of living MY dreams and walking in MY purpose.

WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP TO FINDING YOUR PURPOSE?
What is the purpose for which you were born? The only way to truthfully answer that question is by first developing a close relationship with God. So, how does one develop a close relationship with God?

1. First and foremost, you must repent of your sins and accept Jesus into your heart.

2. Take out time every day to pray and worship the Lord. During those times, you’re able to commune with God. Not only do you talk to God, but He talks to you.

3. Read and study the Bible every day. Through the Word of God you receive knowledge, instructions, and encouragement which will help you on your spiritual journey.

4. Go to church. I realize some people say they don’t need to attend church, and I get it! Just attending church doesn’t make you saved. Attending church doesn’t mean you’re close to God. You can hear God’s voice outside the church walls. However, going to church and being a part of an assembly of believers helps! Hebrews 10:25 states we should not neglect to come together with other believers. Sunday school, church services, Bible studies, women’s fellowship, men’s fellowship, and conferences, for instance, all contribute to a person’s spiritual growth. Sure, you can hear the Word being preached and find a church service on TV or on the internet.

Nevertheless, none of those people you’re watching can reach through the screen, take you by the hand and pray for you or give you a hug you may need at the time. In Genesis 2, God said it’s not good for man to be alone. I believe that statement applies to more than just marriage. We need our brothers and sisters in Christ.

In order to know what God’s purpose is for your life, you must get to know Him first. As you walk with the Lord, your purpose will become clear, and He will enable you to live YOUR dreams!

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.

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