Tag: Salvation Page 2 of 5

Is Every Struggle the Devil?

On September 4, 2018

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: In All Things Persevere)

IS EVERY STRUGGLE THE DEVIL?

As believers in Christ, the Bible encourages us to persevere.

To persevere is “to never give up, continue, carry on, keep going, be persistent, be determined, press on, stand firm, go the distance, stay the course—even in the face of suffering.” In fact, a believer may suffer as a result of persecution. II Timothy 3:12 (New International Version) says,

“….Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…”

As the verse states, Christians will be persecuted just as Jesus was persecuted, by Satan, his demons, and those who choose to walk in darkness, rather than in the light of God. However, I want to make something very clear. Not every hardship is from the devil. He doesn’t have that much power!

IS YOUR STRUGGLE PERSECUTION OR A CONSEQUENCE OF BAD BEHAVIOR?

Perhaps a struggle you are facing is the result of bad behavior on your part.

Colossians 3:25 (New Living Translation) says,

“But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.”

Let’s consider King David of Israel who, at a young age, was chosen by God and anointed by Samuel to be the next king (I Samuel 16). In II Samuel 11, late one afternoon while walking on the rooftop, King David noticed a woman nearby taking a bath. He was immediately drawn to her. When he inquired about her identity, his servants informed him that she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, one of David’s soldiers. Although he now knew she was married, with lust in his heart, David still summoned her. As a result of their adulterous act, Bathsheba became pregnant.

When David learned of the pregnancy, he did everything in his power to cover up his wrongdoing. First, he had Uriah removed from the battlefield and sent home in hopes that he would sleep with his wife and, in turn, think he was the father of the unborn child. However, Uriah was a man of integrity and devoted soldier who remained abstinent during battle. Feeling he had no other choice, King David then ordered Uriah to be placed on the frontlines in battle, where he knew Uriah would more than likely be killed. Once Uriah was out of the picture, King David married Bathsheba thinking he was now in the clear. However, God wasn’t going to let David get away with what he did simply because he was king!

After Bathsheba gave birth to their son, the Lord sent the prophet Nathan to confront David about his sin. He prophesied that because of his sin, his household would suffer death. In that moment, David didn’t run away or hide. Instead, he owned up to what he had done and repented. In Psalms 51:1-12 (NLT), David prayed:

“1 Have mercy on me, O God,
because of Your unfailing love.
Because of Your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
2 Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
3 For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.
4 Against You, and You alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in Your sight.
You will be proved right in what You say,
and Your judgment against me is just.
5 For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 But You desire honesty from the womb,
teaching me wisdom even there.
7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again;
You have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from Your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
and make me willing to obey You…..”

Although David sincerely repented of his sins and God forgave him, he still had to suffer the consequences. David didn’t die, but their infant son did.

Like King David, if you have done something you know was wrong, confess to God, repent, and persevere through the consequences.

You persevere by learning from your mistakes, moving forward, and making better choices. As Gospel singer Martha Munizzi sings, “Your latter will be greater than your past.” David and Bathsheba may have lost their first son, but God blessed them with Solomon, who later became king of Israel and the one to fulfill his father’s dream of building the temple in Jerusalem.

IS YOUR STRUGGLE PERSECUTION OR A TEST FROM GOD?

Your current struggle may be a test from God. O yes! God takes us through tests every now and then. However, I don’t think the test is as much for God as it is for us. A test is designed to measure your growth, to see how far you’ve come and how far you still need to go. For example, in Genesis 22, God tested Abraham when He instructed him to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. This particular commandment had to be very trying for Abraham considering how many years he had waited to receive his promised heir. Nevertheless, Abraham obeyed the voice of God and, in turn, passed the test! In verse 12, an angel of the Lord stopped Abraham just when he was about to sacrifice Isaac and said,

“…now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from Me even your son, your only son.”

Abraham proved his faith, faithfulness and obedience to God! Consequently, God also informed him that He would bless him with innumerable descendants and that they would all be greatly blessed. Like Abraham, God wants to give us more, but we have to be ready to receive. So, whenever God takes you through a test, recognize that it’s designed to make you better, stronger and wiser. Therefore, persevere through it! Greater is coming!

IS YOUR STRUGGLE PERSECUTION OR JUST A PART OF LIFE?

Are you familiar with the phrase “Stuff happens?” The phrase is an acknowledgement that life here on earth is not perfect and unpredictable events will occur. For instance, consider that everything seems to be going well for you financially. Your bills are paid on time every month. You’re able to keep groceries in the refrigerator, gas in the tank, clothes on your back and shoes on your feet. You even have some money left over in the bank. Life is wonderful! Unfortunately, one day your car breaks down, your furnace goes out, and the dentist informs you that your child needs braces. The costs of what you need is more than what your salary will cover. Now, you’re frustrated, confused and scared.

However, in the midst of this overwhelming situation, you must persevere! I Peter 5:7 (NLT) says,

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.”

You may have family and friends who truly care about you and are willing to help you any way they can. Nonetheless, no one cares about you more than God, the Creator, the one who owns everything! Therefore, He should always be the first one you consult when you find yourself in a tough situation. He will provide you with what you need. You just have to trust Him totally.

DON’T LET IT DESTROY YOU!

Whatever challenges you may be facing for whatever reasons, as Philippians 4:13 states, know that through Christ, you can do all things! What you’re going through right now doesn’t have to kill you, unless you let it. YES! Unless YOU let it! So, don’t let it destroy you! Rather stand tall in God! For instance, even though Job had lost everything, in Job 23:10 (King James Version) he declared,

“But [God] knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

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 True Soldier

By Kimberly Joy

On August 16, 2018

In Perseverance

WHAT IS A TRUE SOLDIER?

On April 5, 2003, at the age of 34, Army Staff Sergeant Stevon A. Booker was killed by enemy fire in Iraq during a raid into Baghdad. Although I had heard and read about other casualties of war, this particular incident hit close to home because he was family! To the world he was Staff Sergeant Booker, but to those close to him, he was Stevie.

I was in shock the night I received the news that he was dead. My heart especially ached for his mother, sister and nephew. Stevie was gone??? No! It couldn’t be right! Again, he was ONLY 34 years old!!! He had been in the service since he was 18 or 19 years old.

He still had so many more years to live. In fact, following his death, I was told that Stevie had made plans to bring home a special lady, also a member of the service, to meet his family, and in just a few more years, he would have been eligible to retire. However, none of that was going to happen now, and it just didn’t seem fair!

As I pondered over the tragic event, I found solace in knowing that Stevie was a true soldier! A soldier can be defined as an enlisted man or woman. However, just because one survives boot camp doesn’t necessarily mean he or she is a TRUE soldier! A true soldier is willing to fight in order to defend his or her own. In battle or war, a true soldier risks being injured, maimed and even killed. Although we didn’t want to believe that Stevie was never coming back, we had to remember one thing! He was a true soldier who had made an allegiance to the army and to this country, even if it meant losing his life!

ARE YOU A TRUE SOLDIER?
The book of Romans was an epistle or formal letter written by the apostle Paul to the Christians at Rome. In Romans 8:35-36 he asked,

“35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Paul was informing them that as Christians they would face trouble. In other words, at times they would be persecuted, hungry and destitute, and in grave danger because they chose to follow Jesus Christ.

This truth still resonates today. As believers in Christ, we will face challenges, just as Jesus faced challenges while living on earth as a man. Because He was ridiculed, we will be ridiculed. Because He was mistreated, we can expect to be mistreated. Because He was attacked, we shouldn’t be surprised if we’re attacked. Therefore, we must learn to persevere.

To persevere is to endure through difficult circumstances. II Timothy 2:3 says,

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

Paul wrote a letter to his young Christian brother Timothy encouraging him to continue doing the work of the Lord and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, despite any suffering and hardship he would experience.

Like a true soldier, as believers in Christ, we’ve made a commitment to serve God. Consider the apostle Paul. He was totally committed to telling others about Jesus, even if it meant sacrificing his life. In II Corinthians 11, he acknowledged being a prisoner and facing death countless times, including being whipped and even stoned by Jews and Gentiles alike. Three times he was shipwrecked. There were nights he didn’t get any sleep and days he went without food, water or warm clothing. Nevertheless, because of his faith in Jesus and undying devotion, he continued to persevere. He kept praying, preaching and encouraging other believers.

ARE YOU FULFILLING YOUR COMMITMENT?
Just as the apostle Paul persevered, I encourage you to do the same! Don’t allow anything or anyone to stop you from fulfilling your commitment to God. Trust that even when you go through, that God is with you. Know that every struggle is worth it, because not only do you gain rewards on earth, but you will gain the reward of eternal life because you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and remained faithful to the end!

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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They Are BL3SSED!

By Kimberly Joy

On August 7, 2018

In Dreams/Goals/Purpose, Perseverance

(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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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.

If you would like to make a donation to help with my mission of spreading spiritual inspiration, you may donate to The Kimberly Joy Show via Cash App, Venmo or paypal.me/thekimberlyjoyshow.

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

Mothers, God Says, “I See YOU!”

By Kimberly Joy

On May 11, 2018

In Mothers

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: Mothers, God Says, “I See YOU!”)

I SEE YOU!
For this Mother’s Day, as a word of encouragement to all mothers, God says, “I see YOU!” Whether you have biological children or not, if you act as a mother to someone’s child, then you are a mother, and God sees you, too! He sees your love, dedication, and hard work. Not only do you have a full-time job (and in some instances two or three jobs), but you go home and continue to work. You cook, clean, do laundry, help your children with their homework and drive them to their various activities.

God also sees the sacrifices you make on behalf of your family. You sacrifice money, time, even sleep. For instance, when my brother BJ was only an infant he had to have surgery because his digestive system wouldn’t allow him to keep any milk down. Our mother testifies that one night, my brother was extremely irritable and continued crying. As any mother would, she stayed up all night rocking him and praying for him. She says she actually watched the sun rise. Fortunately, because of our mother’s prayers and constant faith, BJ celebrated his 40th birthday at the start of the new year!

Mothers, with all of your responsibilities God also sees how tired you
are—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Some of you are so tired, you feel like running away! But, you don’t! You hang in there because that’s what mothers do!

LET ME REFRESH YOU!
Mothers, God says, “Let Me refresh you!” To refresh is “to give new strength or energy to; revive, restore.” In order for God to refresh you, you have to allow Him to do so. In other words, remember to take care of YOU. As natural caregivers, you’re so busy taking care of everyone else that you neglect to
take time for yourself. However, it’s a requirement of God. Exodus 20:8-10a (New Living Translation) say,

“8 Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God…..”

I believe God implemented the Sabbath Day for two purposes:

1. The Sabbath Day serves as a reminder that we are to make time for God and worship Him. Even as believers in Christ, we can become so busy with our daily routines, that we can forget to give God the honor He deserves. All He’s asking for is that we set aside one day out of the week to serve Him.

2. The Sabbath Day serves as a reminder that we are to make time to rest. We don’t have perfect, glorified bodies that are described in Philippians 3:21. Our human, fleshly bodies get tired and break down, therefore requiring ample time to recuperate.

Mothers, unfortunately, some of you don’t rest and take care of yourselves as you ought to. However, learning to rest can be a matter of life or death! Oh yes, it is just that serious!

Let me tell you a story:

Nine years ago on a Tuesday afternoon, I received a phone call from my parents who were in Georgia running a revival. The call was a request that I immediately pray for my cousin. So, I hung up the phone and began praying for her healing. I didn’t know the details, but I could tell from the tone of my mother’s voice that it was serious. After I prayed, I waited anxiously to receive an update. Although I know God is a healer, I had a bad feeling. Finally, my stepfather called me back to say that my cousin, who was only 52 years old, had passed away.

I won’t go into the details of how she died, but I will say that I believe her unexpected death was a result of not taking care of herself. At the homegoing service, family, friends, and co-workers expressed their love for my cousin. She was a devoted wife for over 25 years and a mother of five children, who were all now adults. In addition to working a full-time job for over 20 years, she held several positions at her church and within the denomination her church belonged to. As I sat and listened to everything my cousin had done, I asked myself, “Well, when did she sleep?” In that moment, I realized that my cousin had overexerted herself, and it took a toll on her health.

TAKE CARE OF YOU!
Mothers, the best thing you can do for your children is to take care of YOU! Here are a few tips:

1. Spend time with the Lord. REALLY spend time with Him in His Word, in prayer, in worship, and let Him minister to you.

2. Exercise, eat right, and SLEEP!

3. Enjoy a spa day, including getting your hair and nails done, a facial, or a massage.

4. Have a weekend getaway without the children.

If you say you can’t afford some of those luxuries…..

5. Find something you can afford like going to the park and reading a good book, going out to eat, and taking yourself to the movies.

According to pediatrician Dr. Kelly Ross, “A mom who is well rested, eats a healthy diet, gets plenty of exercise, maintains close relationships with friends and gets help when she realizes she isn’t coping well, is far more equipped to be the best mother she can be than one who doesn’t do
those things,” (https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/Pages/How-Taking-Care-of-Yourself-Makes-you-a-Better-Mom.aspx)

Mothers, this Mother’s Day really enjoy your day and take care of YOU!! You deserve 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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Children Are A Gift From the Lord

By Kimberly Joy

On May 9, 2018

In Family

CHILDREN ARE A GIFT FROM THE LORD
Each year, the second Sunday in May is set aside as a day to honor and celebrate mothers throughout the United States. Department stores, florists, greeting card shops and restaurants rake in tons of money as customers scramble to find just the right Mother’s Day gift!

A woman doesn’t have to have biological children to be a mother. Every day women from all walks of life step in to teach, mentor, nurture and even raise children they did not birth. They recognize just how special children really are. Psalms 127:3 (New Living Translation) says:

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.”

As the scripture says, children are a blessing, regardless of the circumstances. For instance, some children are planned, while others are not. Some children are born within the confines of marriage, while others are born out of wedlock. Some children are birthed by adult mothers, while others are born to teenage mothers. Some children grow up in healthy situations, while others experience not so healthy ones. Some children are born completely healthy, while others live with physical and/or mental disabilities. Nevertheless, God says each child is a gift!

I personally do not have biological children. However, I still recognize the importance of a mother’s role, which is why I truly appreciate the mothers in my own life: my mother Geraldine, my grandmothers Eunice and Nathan, who are no longer with us, my godmother Joyce, and the women who have served as mother figures to me, like my Aunt Ethel (aka Aunt Rabbit) who is also no longer with us. Although I’ve never birthed children, in my role as a high school English teacher, I was a mother figure to many of my students. I’ve had students consult me for advice, share their secrets, cry on my shoulder and even accompany me to church. Last year on Mother’s Day, a student, whom I taught my first year as a teacher, contacted me via Facebook:

Reading those heartfelt words really blessed me. I am thankful for every young life God has allowed me to touch!

WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR MOTHERS?
Although I don’t have children of my own, I yet recognize that being a mother is not always easy. When a child is born, he or she doesn’t leave the womb with an instructional manual in hand. Fortunately, plenty of resources are available. First and foremost, you have the Bible! God’s Word is filled with scriptures and stories to help guide you as you raise your children.

For instance, Proverbs 22:6 is a verse parents often refer to for encouragement and instruction. The verse states:

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (King James Version)

As the verse states, God expects parents to teach their children His ways and to put them on the right path. So, even if your children go astray, they will eventually return to their roots because the foundation has already been laid.

In addition to the Bible, parents can also refer to other resources like books, videos, workshops, seminars, and other parents who have more knowledge and experience. As the old saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In other words, as a mother, you don’t have to do it all by yourself. While you shouldn’t rely on the “village” to raise your children for you, they can offer suggestions, advice and encouragement, lend a helping hand when needed, and even watch your children, so you can get much needed rest.

ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?
As a mother, it is imperative that you pay attention to your children! Children are impressionable or easily influenced because their minds are still developing. This applies to teenagers, as well. Some may seem to mature physically at a rapid pace, but their minds are still catching up. Therefore, it’s important to pay close attention to what they do, where they go, who they are around and what they say. Be mindful of what they view on television, on the internet and on their phones. Moreover, be proactive when it comes to your child’s academics.

As an educator, I learned early on in my career that students of attentive parents tend to be more successful than students whose parents are not attentive. In the 2007 film Freedom Writers, Academy Award winner Hilary Swank portrays a teacher of students who are labeled as “at risk”.

Some are in gangs and dealing drugs. Others have parents who are addicts or in prison. One student in the movie is even homeless. In one particular scene, Swank’s character is excited about meeting the parents of her students at Open House. She has decorated her classroom and prepared refreshments. Unfortunately, no parents show up! However, when she looks down the hallway, she notices that the teacher of the honors students has a classroom full of parents. Swank’s character, therefore, quickly realizes she will have to be creative and find another way to reach her students.

If you haven’t been paying close attention to your children, then I encourage you to repent. To repent means more than just uttering “God forgive me.” To repent is to change your ways and do what God expects of you. If you don’t quite know how to be more attentive, ask God. He will show you and give you the wisdom and strength you need. God expects all mothers, including mother figures, to love and care for His children, for it will help them become everything He intends for them to be.

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.

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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)

Humble Yourself

By Kimberly Joy

On March 13, 2018

In Humility

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: Humility Part 2)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HUMBLE YOURSELF?
Humility is defined as “the opposite of arrogance and pride; an attitude that grows out of the recognition that all we are and everything we own are gifts from God.” According to Colossians 3:12, humility should be a characteristic of the christian man and woman. To humble yourself is to surrender, submit or yield to God.

As I shared in the previous article “I’m Just a Nobody: An Attitude of Humility,” John the Baptist was a great example of humility. He dedicated his life to doing the work of the Lord. He stood in the wilderness and preached the message of repentance to all those willing to listen.

He didn’t concern himself with what people thought about him. He was only concerned about pleasing God.

WHY DID PEOPLE COME TO HEAR JOHN THE BAPTIST?
Because John the Baptist was faithful to God, many people came to hear him. Perhaps they initially just came out of curiosity to see this man everyone was talking about. Maybe they wanted to see for themselves if he was as crazy as some people said he was. Regardless of the motive, once many heard the message, they believed! As a result, Matthew 3:6 says they confessed their sins, and John baptized them in the Jordan River, hence the name John the Baptist.

WHO WERE THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES?
Matthew 3:7 (New Living Translation) says:

“But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. ‘You brood of snakes!’ he exclaimed. ‘Who warned you to flee the coming wrath?'”

Why would John the Baptist react that way? Let’s consider who the Pharisees and Sadducees were. During this time, they were two of the most powerful Jewish groups. Although they were considered religious leaders, many of them were hypocritical, self-righteous and didn’t show love to those who followed them. So, does that mean they were incapable of changing? No, not at all! However, in this particular scenario, John the Baptist knew these particular Pharisees and Sadducees were not being sincere. He knew they weren’t listening to him because they really wanted to change.

How did he know that? When you are humble before God, like John was, God will open your eyes to see things you otherwise might not see. God might also have you speak on some things that may make some people uncomfortable. Nevertheless, when God tells you to speak, you must speak, and that’s what John the Baptist did!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RELIGION AND RELATIONSHIP?
In Matthew 3:8-9 (NLT), John continued speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees:

“8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.”

In the above verses, John the Baptist was pointing out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees. To repent of your sins and turn to God means you are to begin living differently. You will live the way God expects you to live, not the way you want to live. It’s not about religion but about relationship. For instance, if anyone asks me about my religion, I have to say I don’t have a religion. Rather, I have a relationship with God. John the Baptist was humble because he had a relationship with God. In other words, he surrendered to God, talked with God, listened to God, and obeyed God.

On the other hand, the Pharisees and Sadducees only knew how to follow a set of rules and traditions. Plus, they foolishly believed they were pleasing God simply because they were descendants of Abraham and because they happened to belong to a special group. What they failed to realize is, just like Abraham had to have faith in God and a personal relationship with Him, so did they!

Personally speaking, I come from a long line of believers, intercessors, ministers, and pastors. Needless to say, I can’t ride into Heaven on their coattails. Just like my grandmother Eunice humbled herself before God and just like my mother Geraldine humbled herself and continues to humble herself, I must do the same. I must do it for ME!

(Left-Grandma, Top-Mom, Bottom-Me)

WHERE DOES HUMILITY BEGIN?
I want to encourage you to humble yourself before God. First and foremost, humility begins with confessing and repenting of your sins. In II Chronicles 7:14 (New International Version) the Lord says:

“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

You may be going through something, or your family may be going through something right now that has you worried, concerned, and overwhelmed. Humble yourself before God and give it all to Him. Perhaps, there are parts of your life you haven’t totally surrendered to God. Perhaps you’re holding back out of fear or because it’s familiar and comfortable. However, at the same time you know God is calling you to draw closer to Him and to come up higher.

He has plans for you and blessings in store, but you won’t see any of them as long as you continue on the same path. So, let this be the day you decide to truly humble yourself before God, and watch Him do amazing things for you and through 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!!!!!

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.

I’m Just a Nobody: An Attitude of Humility

By Kimberly Joy

On March 5, 2018

In Humility

(THE KIMBERLY JOY SHOW: Humility Part 1)

WHAT IS HUMILITY?
Legendary Gospel group The Williams Brothers released a song in 1985 entitled “I’m Just a Nobody.” They sang, “I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody, about Somebody, who can save anybody.”

When they sang, “I’m just a nobody,” they weren’t putting themselves down. Rather they were taking on an attitude of humility. They were making it clear that their number one purpose was to tell everyone, who heard their music, about Jesus. As believers in Christ Jesus, we should have an attitude of humility. The Bible dictionary defines humility as “the opposite of arrogance and pride; an attitude that grows out of the recognition that all we are and everything we own are gifts from God.”

ARE ALL CHRISTIANS NATURALLY HUMBLE?
Some might think all christians are naturally humble. However, that’s not always the case, and I don’t think it’s even intentional! As human beings, when we experience success or receive applause for our accomplishments, it can be easy to get the “big head.”

Why? It feels good to be praised or to receive accolades. Now, I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t feel happy and smile when we are successful or when God uses us in a way that impacts other people’s lives. The problem is when we forget it’s all because of GOD! Because we are human and still living in this fleshly body, we have to check ourselves every now and then, or do, what I like to call, a self-evaluation. The criteria we use is the Word of God.

WHO WAS JOHN THE BAPTIST?
One person in the Bible who comes to mind when I think of humility is John the Baptist. John the Baptist was a man who was hand-picked by God to prepare the way for Jesus’s ministry here on earth. Even before he was born, it was obvious he was special. In the first chapter of the book of Luke, his father Zechariah, who was a Jewish priest, was in the temple praying alone, when God sent an angel to inform him that his wife Elizabeth was going to conceive and have a son. Why was this such a big deal when most married couples have children? This was significant because, up to this point, Elizabeth had been unable to have a baby, and now Zechariah and she were getting older. Nevertheless, in that moment, God made Zechariah a promise, and his wife indeed became pregnant.

Later while Elizabeth was carrying John in her womb, God was preparing him even then for his ministry. One day Elizabeth’s cousin Mary, the mother of Jesus, came to visit Elizabeth. As soon as Mary greeted her, John leaped inside her womb. This wasn’t the normal baby kicking women experience during pregnancy, because after that, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

HOW DID JOHN THE BAPTIST EXEMPLIFY HUMILITY?
Matthew 3:1-2 (King James Version) say this about John the Baptist:

“1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

John the Baptist was preaching the message of repentance. To repent is to turn from your sins and accept God’s will for your life. Why was he preaching this message, besides the obvious fact that he was preparing the people for Jesus? He was simply obeying God. A humble person is obedient to God.

Something I find interesting is what the writer says about John the Baptist in verse four. Apparently, John wore clothing made from camel’s hair with a leather belt and ate locusts and wild honey.

This bit of information is very significant because it further proves John’s devotion to God. John the Baptist was a Nazarite, and according to Numbers 6, a Nazarite was an individual who was especially consecrated or dedicated to God. In fact, when the angel visited Zechariah in the temple, he said this about John the Baptist in Luke 1:15-17 (New Living Translation):

“…..He will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

So, even before he was conceived God made it clear that John’s life would be dedicated to doing His will. As Matthew 3 points out, that’s exactly what John did. Now, John could have said no to God. Consider Jonah. He ran away when God told him to go preach to the people in the city of Ninevah (Jonah 1). God had to allow something drastic to happen to Jonah before he finally surrendered (Jonah 1-2). On the other hand, John humbled himself before God and said yes! Even though people talked about him, he said yes! Even though people looked at him like he was crazy, he still said yes!

Like John the Baptist, a humble person is dedicated to God. They don’t allow fear to stop them from obeying His voice. They’re not interested in popularity or being a part of the in-crowd. Also, when John the Baptist preached, the Bible doesn’t say he preached in the temple or in a palace. It says he preached in the wilderness. The wilderness was “a dry, desolate, uncultivated region where little vegetation grew.” A person of humility goes wherever God sends them, even if it’s unflattering and uncomfortable.

ARE YOU HUMBLE?
I want to encourage you to take a good look at yourself. Ask yourself: Am I truly humble before God? Am I doing what I know God is asking of me?

Please remember, when it’s all said and done, God created each of us for HIS purpose! Remembering this truth will keep you humble!

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 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!!!!!

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 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

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.

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