Tag: know yourself Page 3 of 5

(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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A Man of Purpose: The Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth Story

By Kimberly Joy

On February 5, 2018

In Black History, Dreams/Goals/Purpose

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: Black History Month Tribute to Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth)

A MAN OF PURPOSE
God wants us His children to live our dreams, to walk in our purpose. When you walk close to God and listen to His voice, He shows you your purpose. In honor of Black History Month, I want to recognize a few African-Americans who serve as great examples of what it means to walk in your purpose and live your dreams. In this article, I’m recognizing Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, a man of purpose, who was one of the pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement, later becoming a prominent pastor in Cincinnati.

GOD’S CALL
Rev. Shuttlesworth was born Freddie Lee Robinson to Vetta Green and Alberta Robinson on March 18, 1922, in Mount Meigs, Alabama. Growing up in Birmingham, he adopted the last name Shuttlesworth after his mother married William Shuttlesworth. Although Shuttlesworth was valedictorian of his senior class, he wasn’t financially able to go to college. So, he worked different jobs, including being a truck driver.

Subsequently, Shuttlesworth felt God’s call to the ministry. Thus, he earned a degree from Selma University, a private and historically black Bible college, and a second degree from another historically black college Alabama State College, which is now Alabama State University.

Shuttlesworth then began preaching at the First Baptist Church in Selma. In 1952, he became pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham.

THE MOVEMENT
Birmingham is where Shuttlesworth became involved with the Civil Rights Movement. He worked with organizations like the Civic League and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). When the NAACP was outlawed in the state of Alabama in 1956, Shuttlesworth founded the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. The organization’s focus was to overturn Birmingham’s segregation laws. He also helped establish the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) along with leaders like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

After the desegregation of the Montgomery, Alabama buses, Shuttlesworth began organizing efforts in his own city to implement bus desegregation. He also challenged the city’s segregated schools when his wife Ruby and he attempted to enroll their daughter in an all-white school. Shuttlesworth even participated in sit-ins. A sit-in is “a form of protest in which demonstrators occupy a place, refusing to leave until their demands are met.” During this era, sit-ins typically occurred at lunch counters where blacks were refused service. Furthermore, after the May 14, 1961 attacks on the Freedom Riders, Shuttlesworth provided refuge for the activists, even requesting assistance from Attorney General Robert Kennedy.

CONTINUING IN THE MOVEMENT
In 1961, Shuttlesworth moved to Cincinnati to pastor Revelation Baptist Church. Then in 1966, he founded the Greater New Light Baptist Church in the community of Avondale. Although he was now in Cincinnati, he still continued in the movement travelling back and forth to the South.

In 1965, he helped organize the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March. The purpose of the march was to demonstrate just how serious they were about all Blacks having the right to vote. In fact, back in June, some members of our church Power and Faith Ministries, along with members of I Am Grace Faith Ministries of Pennsylvania, traveled to Alabama for a conference.

While we were there, we decided to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma—-the same bridge the protesters marched across fifty years ago as they made their way to Montgomery. However, we only walked across the bridge.
We didn’t walk all the way to Montgomery like the protestors did, which was approximately 54 miles. Yes! 54 MILES!

While continuing his activism in Birmingham, Shuttlesworth also fought for human rights in Cincinnati. For instance, he advocated for more minorities to be hired as police officers and to serve as members of city council. Later in the 1980s, Shuttlesworth established the Shuttlesworth Housing Foundation in Cincinnati in an effort to provide a source of low-income housing and to provide grants for home ownership.

IN HIS HONOR
Some of Shuttlesworth’s honors include receiving the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Bill Clinton in 2001.

In 2008, the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport was named in his honor. Around that same time, Shuttlesworth moved back to Birmingham due to failing health. On October 5, 2011, he died at the age of 89.

A FAMILY MAN
Besides being a pastor and an activist, Shuttlesworth was also a family man. He was married to Ruby Keeler Shuttlesworth, and together they had four children: Patricia, Ruby, Fred Jr., and Carolyn. His other daughters included Maria and Audrey. Years later, Shuttlesworth married Sephira Bailey.

Although I never had the opportunity to meet Rev. Shuttlesworth, I had the pleasure of knowing his daughter Ruby when she and I worked at Princeton Junior High School in the late ’90s.

A BRAVE SOUL
I share the story of Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth because, like so many activists during his time, he was truly a brave soul. Because of his many efforts to help improve life for Blacks in America, he was physically attacked on numerous occasions, arrested several times, and his home was blown up by the Ku Klux Klan on Christmas Day in 1956.

However, he didn’t let anything or anyone stop him from fighting for justice and equal rights. When asked how he did it, he stated that it was the power of his faith in God that sustained him, which is a lesson we can all learn. Joshua 1:9 (New Living Translation) says:

“…Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

As believers in Christ Jesus, we are called to be a light. We are to take a stand for righteousness, even if it means being persecuted. We can’t be afraid of what people may say or how they may treat us. Rev. Shuttlesworth understood his purpose and, therefore, didn’t allow fear to stop him. As a result, we are now reaping the fruits of his labor.
(Shuttlesworth with President Barack Obama)

Sources:
biography.com
britannica.com
equirer.com
library.cincymuseum.org
nytimes.com

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!!!!!

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.

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.

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.

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!!!!!

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What Has God Given You?

By Kimberly Joy

On December 26, 2017

In Jesus

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: What Has God Given You?)

WHAT HAS GOD GIVEN YOU?
First, God has given you what He has given all of us…..LIFE!
As I shared in the previous article “A Heart To Give,” God first formed man from the dust of the ground, breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and then suddenly man came alive! That man He named Adam. However, God didn’t stop there. When we read the first two chapters of Genesis, we see where God also gave Adam dominion over the earth and over all the animals. He was even given authority to name each animal. Although Adam had been granted much authority and was surrounded by various living creatures, God recognized that he was still alone. So later in the second chapter, God gave Adam the gift of a help meet who was just right for him. In other words, God gave Adam his wife whom He named Eve.

II Corinthians 9:7 tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. Basically, when we give we should do so freely and willingly because that’s how God gives to us. God loves blessing His children! Again, consider Adam and Eve. God hooked them up! They were given power and lived as little gods here on earth. Unfortunately, they did what many people do by taking God’s gifts for granted. Instead of appreciating all the blessings God had given them, they allowed the serpent, who was being used by Satan, to convince them that God was somehow cheating or depriving them. Even though they had an abundance of trees and fruits to enjoy, they believed the lie that they still needed to eat from the one tree God told them to leave alone, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Consequently, they forfeited their gifts. For instance, they no longer had authority over the earth and over all living creatures. They no longer had the luxury of living forever. Moreover, they lost the closeness they had with God.

According to Genesis 3:8-10, after Adam and Eve messed up, they tried to hide from God. Because of their disobedience, they were too ashamed to face Him. They weren’t comfortable with the thought of approaching Him. Their relationship with God was now different, and their lives were never going to be the same. Isaiah 59:2 lets us know that sin separates an individual from God because God is holy. In other words, sin is the direct opposite of who God is! Although their choice to disobey God caused the rest of mankind to be born into sin, because God is loving, merciful, kind and gracious, He devised another plan.

WHAT IS GOD’S MOST IMPORTANT GIFT?
Of all the blessings or gifts God has given us, what is the most important gift? John 3:16, which is one of the most popular and significant scriptures in the Bible, answers that question. It says:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” (King James Version).

Because God has always loved us (the human race), He gave us His only begotten Son or His one and only Son Jesus so we would have a chance at eternal life. Therefore, those of us who have accepted God’s gift of salvation have Heaven to look forward to.

As a parent, can you imagine offering your only son or your only child in order to save the lives of everyone else? And the people you desire to save don’t even appreciate you? Can you imagine that? Well, God gave the gift of His Son for people who were and still are liars, cheaters, thieves, murderers, adulterers, fornicators and idol worshipers. He offered this precious gift to people who don’t even honor Him. I think about the times throughout the Old Testament when God’s people, those He called His chosen people, would turn their backs on Him. Nevertheless, He was still willing to stick to His plan and send His ONLY Son. In fact, throughout the Old Testament there are various prophecies about the coming Messiah or the Anointed One who is none other than Jesus. This is what the prophet Isaiah said about Him in Isaiah 7:14 (KJV):

“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us.’).”

This prophecy indeed came to past. In the first chapter of the book of Luke, the angel Gabriel visited Mary, who was still a virgin at the time, and informed her that she would conceive and give birth to a son. However, this child would not come from the seed of a man, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Then in chapter two, she gave birth to Jesus. So, again God willingly and freely gave His Son Jesus so that we each would have the opportunity to be set free from our sins, to be reconnected with God Himself, and to gain eternal life!

HAVE YOU RECEIVED GOD’S GIFT OF SALVATION?
Have you received God’s gift of salvation? If not, I encourage you to do so! When you do, you will be given a new life…..a life in God!
And there’s nothing like it because God has many more gifts to give you! For example, God offers His gift of love which holds you, protects you and assures you that you’re not alone.

He also offers His gift of peace which brings you a calmness that the average person can’t fathom. God even has His gift of joy which causes you to smile when nothing special has happened and makes you laugh when no one has told a joke.

If you have already received God’s gift of salvation, then I encourage you to continue honoring God for who He is by living a life that pleases Him. Then in DUE TIME, He will give you every blessing or gift He has in store for you!

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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A Very Precious Gift

By Kimberly Joy

On December 25, 2017

In Jesus

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: A Very Precious Gift)

WE GIVE OUR LIVES FOR A VERY PRECIOUS GIFT

To give is to FREELY hand something over to someone. In other words, we don’t give because we feel pressured to give. We give because we want to give. Moreover, God wants us to freely and willingly give our lives to Him. Romans 12:1 (King James Version) says:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

WHY DOES GOD REQUIRE THAT WE GIVE HIM OUR LIVES?
According to Romans 5:12, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, it opened the door for sin to run rampant. Therefore, every single human being is born into sin. In fact, David said in Psalms 51:5 (New Living Translation):

“For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.”

What is sin? Sin is rebellion against God. So, we’re all born with a nature to disobey God. Nevertheless, we don’t have to stay that way. We don’t have to remain in sin. We don’t have to die in our sins and suffer for eternity in hell. Instead, we can be forgiven and set free, IF we are willing to give our lives to God. I say “willing” because God doesn’t force us to live for Him.

God proves His love for us. He extends the invitation to receive His love. He even sends us warnings, if we need them. However, He never makes us do something we’re not willing to do. As a matter of fact, Adam and Eve fell because God didn’t create them to be robots. He didn’t use a remote to control their every move.

“Go here! Go there! Now sit down! Now stand up!” Instead, God gave them a free will, which meant they had a choice to obey Him or not. Even though God gave them love, riches, dominion over the earth, and eternal life, unfortunately, they willingly decided to listen to someone else and go against God’s expectations.

I recently heard someone describe God as a gentleman. That He is! A gentleman is polite, courteous, honorable, and respectful. Therefore, wouldn’t you want to give your life to such a GENTLE-man? Wouldn’t you want to give your life to the One who created you and gives you life every day? Yes, every day! You woke up this morning because of GOD! Acts 17:28 (KJV) says:

“…..In [God] we live, and move, and have our being.”

Wouldn’t you want to give your life to the One who loves you more than anyone ever could? God loves us all so very much, that He gave us a very precious gift–His Son Jesus. John 3:16 is one of the first Bible verses I believe many Christians learn. It was one of the first ones I learned! Why? That particular verse contains the message every believer should share and every person should know. GOD LOVES THE WORLD! He loves every human being! Because of His love for us, He gave His one and only Son Jesus as a living sacrifice to die in our place in order for us to gain the eternal life which was originally granted to the first man and woman. Now, isn’t that amazing?! Although their disobedience corrupted mankind, God had another plan!

HOW DID JESUS GIVE?
God’s plan for us wouldn’t have been fulfilled if Jesus hadn’t freely and willingly given His life.

In addition to giving His life when He was crucified on the cross, Jesus gave His life in many ways leading up to the cross. Philippians 2:6-7 (NLT) say:

“6 Though He was God,
He did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, He gave up His divine privileges;
He took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.”

Jesus did that for us! He gave up His nice, comfortable position in Heaven in order to live like a mere human being! Although He was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of a virgin, He still grew and lived as a man here on earth. While He lived as a man, Jesus gave so much of Himself. The four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are filled with examples of Jesus’ love.

Jesus gave His time to those who wanted to sit and listen to His teachings, like Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha (Luke 10). When she sat at Jesus’s feet, He didn’t ignore her or turn her away. Rather, He taught her.

Jesus gave food to over 5,000 people who were hungry (Matthew 14).

Jesus gave wine to guests at a wedding party (John 2).

Jesus gave love and attention to a group of children (Matthew 19).

Jesus gave compassion and forgiveness to people like the Samaritan woman who had had several husbands (John 4) and like the woman who was openly humiliated for committing adultery (John 8).

Jesus gave healing to many who were blind, deaf, crippled, paralyzed, and sick.

To some who were dead, Jesus gave them a second chance at life.

Jesus gave deliverance to those who were being tormented by evil spirits.

Most importantly, JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE! As the book of Isaiah states, like a lamb, Jesus sacrificed His life on the cross. Gospel artist Kirk Franklin and The Family used to sing:

“Now behold the Lamb
The precious Lamb of God
Born into sin that I may live again
The precious Lamb of God.”

Because Jesus gave His life on our behalf, we should be motivated to give our lives to Him. I’m not just referring to the moment we accept Him into our hearts. That’s only the beginning! But every day, we should give our lives. So I encourage you, starting right now, daily live your life as a gift to the Lord. He’s worthy of it!

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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A Heart To Give

By Kimberly Joy

On December 21, 2017

In Generosity

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: A Heart To Give)

DO YOU HAVE A HEART TO GIVE?
My personal motto is Know Yourself, Be Yourself, Love Yourself! God wants you and me to know who we are in Him. He wants us to be true to whom He has created us to be. Moreover, He wants us to love ourselves completely. However, before we can know who we are in God, we must give ourselves totally to Him.

When I say “give” what do I mean? To give means “to hand (something) over to (someone); or to freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone)”. I like how the second definition includes the word “freely”. In other words, to give is to do so “without restraint or reservation”. II Corinthians 9:7 (New Living Translation) says:

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’”

So when you TRULY give, you’re not kicking and screaming like a child who is about to get a shot at the doctors’s office. You’re giving WILLINGLY, which is what God wants from us….to be willing givers! Like the verse says, as true givers we should be happy when we give! Giving should make us feel good!

WHY DOES GOD EXPECT US TO GIVE?
God expects us to give because He’s a giver! Since we have been made in His image and likeness, we are to be like Him. We’re not to be equal to God or higher than God. Rather, we’re to emulate Him.

The first thing God requires that we give are our lives in total submission to Him. Because sin prevents us from submitting to God, according to Acts 20:21, the only way we’re ABLE to submit to God is by first repenting of our sins and accepting His Son Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Then, as we draw closer to God through prayer, worship, and studying the scriptures, His attributes come alive in us.

Galatians 5:22-23b (King James Version) say:

“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance…”

These verses describe God’s attributes which include love, gentleness, and goodness because again….God is a giver! In fact, what was the first thing God gave man? Genesis 2:7 (KJV) says:

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

So, what was the first thing God gave man? Yes, that’s right! LIFE!
God has given you life! God has given me life! As I used to always hear folks say back in the day during testimony service, “I woke up this morning in my right mind with the blood running warm in my veins and with the activities of my limbs!”

WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS SIGNIFY?
Christmas is in just a few days! For us believers, this is the time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For instance, we sing Christmas carols and put on plays to reenact the day He was born.

Many of us also decorate our homes with Christmas lights, put the Christmas tree up in the living room, hang Christmas stockings on the fireplace, drink hot chocolate, and watch our favorite Christmas movies, like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Home Alone, A Christmas Story, and my all-time favorite, A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Christmas is also considered the season for giving. Many people give and receive gifts such as, money, gift cards, jewelry, clothes, shoes, coats, hats, toys, bicycles and video games. Pop singer Andy Williams described Christmas as “….. the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. For many, I believe that’s true. However, for others, that’s not at all the case.

According to the National Institute of Health (https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201011/why-people-get-depressed-christmas), “Christmas is the time of year that people experience a high incidence of depression. Hospitals and police forces report high incidences of suicide and attempted suicide. Psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals report a significant increase in patients complaining about depression.”

WHY ARE SOME DEPRESSED DURING CHRISTMAS?
The National Institute of Health states that depression typically occurs for those who feel alone, especially if they have loved ones who have passed away.

Also, some people feel the pressure of buying gifts they really can’t afford. So, to help deal with what is termed “Christmas depression,” the article offers some suggestions. Here are a few:

1. “If the depression is serious, seek out the help of a qualified mental health professional.”

This is an important tip because sometimes you need to talk to someone. If you keep everything bottled up inside, it will eventually come out in a negative way, like substance abuse or suicide.

2. “Set personal boundaries regarding the money spent on gifts.”

This is a great tip because, again, God loves a CHEERFUL giver. Therefore, you shouldn’t give anything that’s going to cause you anxiety. If you can’t afford it, or if you don’t believe it’s necessary, then don’t give it. Also, don’t let anyone make you feel guilty if you choose not to empty out your bank account or max out your credit cards for some Christmas presents, including your own children. This is actually a great time to teach them that Christmas is not about giving and receiving a bunch of presents, but about remembering what Christ did for us. Plus, there’s more that can be given besides material things, which brings me to the next tip.

3. “Become involved in giving in a non-monetary way through charities and worthwhile causes that help less fortunate people.”

This particular tip reminds us that giving involves more than just giving money and material things. Instead, you can give your talents and skills, your time, a listening ear, a prayer, a hug, a smile, advice, or a helping hand like volunteering at a soup-kitchen or at a nursing home.

4. “Be grateful for what you have in your life, rather than focusing on what you don’t have.”

This tip is very important because I Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in every situation, not just the situations we think are good, but EVERY situation.

So if you are experiencing any anxiety during this holiday season, let it go and give it to God! He doesn’t want you being weighed down by the pressures Christmas brings. Instead, He wants you to ENJOY this time with your family and friends. Most importantly, He wants you to give Him ALL the glory!!!

(Me pictured with my dad, brother & brother’s family)

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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