True Value

Matthew 10:27, Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.

First off, let me say that there is nothing that compares to moments in the dark.  Those early morning hours when all is quiet, the cell phone is not buzzing, and no one (including yourself) is placing any demands on you to get anything done.  It’s in that stillness that the Father can be known!  Jesus set an example of times of solitude with the Father when He walked the earth that gave Him the strength, direction and purpose for His life.  We can know what we are to do and where we are to go from that same source!

Single Moms have been on my heart lately, so this morning, as I was talking to God about the Single Moms in our community, He began to speak to me about placing true value upon them.  We are collecting toiletries, children’s books, extra’s that girls love, etc. to fill baskets for each residence at one of our city’s apartment complex’s that is mostly inhabited by single moms and their children.  SHINE (Spreading Hope In Neighborhoods Everywhere) is already in the neighborhood twice a month bringing the gospel to the children.  Now, we are launching a SISTERS CIRCLE in their community during SHINE!  I’m so excited!

The truth is, girls, we place value on so many things, but what God places true value on is people!  There are 200 residences we are reaching out to and 90% are Single Moms who feel hopeless in ever getting out of this low income, crime and drug infested (you and I wouldn’t go there after dark!), oppressed community.  They survive from day to day.  They depend on someone else to provide the food they eat and they do without necessary amenities and things we enjoy that make a girl feel special.  I would have to guess that their self esteem is not too high.

For many years, though I was married and had everything I needed, I didn’t place the value on my life that God did.  I functioned from a place of insecurity and intimidation, but as others began to speak to me about that value, I finally came to realize how God loved me, cherished me and had placed great purpose in me.  I began to believe it and it gave me the confidence to be more!  I want to convince all women of that truth, no matter where you are in life!

November 5th, we will be participating in our annual Calvary Cares event by adopting an apartment complex to show the love of Jesus.  We will meet their felt needs by bringing a supply of needed items for their hygiene, and launching a SISTERS CIRCLE group in their community twice a month.  We want them to know that Jesus loves them and there are some sisters who cherish and value them and believe that they have a real purpose and they can be more!  Our goal is to get them to the House of God on Sunday and involved in the Single Moms Ministry where they can be mentored in life and presented the gospel in the “Calvary” way!

This passion and vision is burning in my heart and as I impart it to you, I hope it brings you to pray for these moms and their children, give to the cause and do what you can to place value on every woman you know because God values them!

At the end of this blog, I must remind you, reader, that God loves you.  He has great purpose for you and I value you!  You are so important and so precious and have so much to give.  Never lose sight of the love of God!  Take some moments in the dark and hear what God wants to say about you and to you!  XOXO

BECAUSE IT’S GOOD FOR YOU!

2 Tim 1:13-14, Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus! That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

I have often answered my kids, “because it’s good for you”!  I’m all about what’s good for me and my family.  We exercise, because it’s good for us.  We eat organic, because it’s good for us.  We drink LOTS of water, cause it’s good for us!  (I can drive everybody nuts on that last one!)  In 2 Timothy, Paul tells Timothy to hold tight, cling to, regard, meditate on that good thing he committed to him and that “good thing” is the teachings of Christ! The Word of God is good for you!  I love this verse in the Message Bible:

“And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind.  Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it.  Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed.” Joshua 1:8.

God has a plan for your life!  You may be at point A right now, but there is a point B and through the powerful Word of God you will get where you’re going and you will succeed!  But it doesn’t do any good lying on your shelf and sitting unopened on your table.  It becomes that good thing when you open it and read it and begin to practice it!  It is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path!  So go ahead, read the Bible…because it’s GOOD for you!

Sincerely Yours,

Sincerity.  What a word.  It’s the challenge of my heart right now.  It’s what God is seeking from me.  Sincerity.  Sincerity in my walk with Him and in every area of my life.   I want to be a sincere person; genuine, real. Beginning the journey on THE PRAYER PATH and studying the character of Noah, the Bible says he was perfect in his generation.  Not perfection as of a sinless life, but a man of sincere perfection.  He was true, not pretentious, not hypocritical; sincere before God and men.  What you see is what you get.  Shakespeare made the quote famous, “In my heart of heart”; meaning from the center of my heart, in the innermost recesses of my heart.  It’s believing what you say and saying what you believe. It goes way past the superficial…it’s sincerity.  The heart can deceive us so easily.  One can give toward a cause to do good, but in their heart they must know they give to be seen by men.  One can be friendly to the face, but in their heart they must know they have not truly forgiven the wrong done to them.  Sincerity.  I’m so reaching for this beautiful beatitude in my life.  Matthew 5:8, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”  Oh, how I want to see Him, hear Him, know Him, walk passionately and purely with Him!  Lord, help me to be Sincerely Yours!

Beginning The Journey

Last night we began a journey on THE PRAYER PATH at the gathering of the sisters at Calvary.  I am in awe at all those in the Sisters Circle, and feel so blessed to be with a company of women whose hearts are hungry to be like Jesus.  It’s not easy in the day we live in.  There is more corruption, wickedness and perversion around us than there has ever been.  Temptation is stronger and a righteous standard seems to be disappearing more every day.  Giving us hope and strength to stay true is a man named Noah who in the midst of a completely corrupt society, kept his integrity.  The Bible says he was a “just” man.  That means he was righteous in conduct and character.  This is inspiration to me to keep fighting, keep striving to do what’s right in a wrong world.  I say striving because good character will often take a struggle.  Bad character seems to grow without any effort; it’s easy to go with the flow, isn’t it?  So much easier to go downhill than up…go with the crowd than stand for the right. Character is a choice and building it goes on every day.  It’s the daily choosing to resist temptations, quenching evil thoughts and feelings and replacing them with good thoughts, not allowing wrong motives, but remaining pure and true.  It’s taking an honest look at your heart and judging yourself by the standards of God’s Word of right and wrong.  Yeah, I know, our generation doesn’t want to consider anything to be “wrong”, and though it doesn’t matter to many, it does matter to our Maker.  It was one of the very reasons Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and God used him for His purpose and saved his family.  Your character counts with God.  People may talk about you and persecute you as they did Noah, but don’t let your ambition in life be to please people.  That will take you nowhere.  Your ambition must be to find grace in the eyes of the Lord!  There you will find His favor, and who God favors are highly favored!

As we start down this path to a more intimate prayer life, we begin by allowing the Holy Spirit to check us.  Oh, to have the character of Christ that pleases our Father!  To discover what your character really is, you have to look beyond what you appear to be, what people think of you and take an honest look at your heart. Have the courage to see what He wants to reveal to you and the desperation to change any area to experience a more intimate place with Him.  He’s your Father and He wants to have an incredible relationship with you, His daughter.

A CALL TO PRAYER

TEN YEARS AGO, NYC and our entire nation experienced one of the most tragic moments in history.  The terrorist attack paralyzed us, got our attention and caused us to realize we need God in the United States of America!  Churches and Courthouses were filled with prayer for our country and for those who were hurting.  I can remember it like it was yesterday; the panic, the vulnerability to the enemy as he had been able to sneak in and steal lives, peace and our confidence in the security of our country.  I pray we never experience it again!   As these memories rush in, God is reminding me not to lose sight of the necessity and priority of prayer and the order of which He taught us to pray.  Jesus taught the disciples to seek “first” the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.  He said, “When you pray, say, Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven…”

I am guilty, myself, of focusing a great deal of my prayer life on self — my needs, my family, my church, my bank account, my health and happiness and certainly God can and does want to bless us in all these areas and more.  But Jesus said if we would prioritize His Kingdom and His Righteousness being fulfilled on the earth, that such prayer would produce a wonderful by-product in God adding to us “all these things”.  This tells me that Kingdom focused prayer is prayer that moves the heart of God and prayer He answers!

This week, Pastor and I will be fasting lunch every day and spending that time to seek God in prayer.  We would love it for you to join us!  Our focus is God’s Kingdom and His Righteousness, for His Will to be done on the earth!  We will be praying for:

The lost to be converted.

The power of darkness to be overcome by the light.

That hard hearts will be broken.

That believers would be faithful and courageous in their commitment to Christ.

That God will pour out His Spirit upon our Nation and the World whenever, wherever and however He pleases for His glory!

For Revival and Healing in our land!

I believe as we join forces together with our weapon of prayer, we will push back the darkness and experience the supernatural in our midst!  On Sunday, September 11th at 7:00 pm, join us as we remember the families who lost loved ones and those who served faithfully to help, at a community prayer meeting held at Calvary Christian Center and expect God to answer as we call on Him!

Digging out a root of bitterness

Believers are instructed to lay aside every weight and sin (offenses) that would so easily beset us.  In life, there is no way to avoid being hurt, offended or wounded by others, but we can not allow ourselves to carry these things in our heart and in our thoughts.  If we do, the result, most likely, is bitterness that takes root in us.  This bitter root bears bitter fruit.  It may bear the fruit jealousy, anger, immorality, dissension; but it will eventually choke out the true purpose of a believer.   A plant grows slowly, but what is in the root will definetley surface in time.  Bitterness may spring up in the heart of someone, but if it is allowed to develop, it can have wide-ranging effects.   It may surface in emotional ways and even physical disease, but it will make it’s mark.

In my quest of searching my heart for any root of bitterness that needed to be removed, I brought it to the Lord, knowing His Word tells us in Jeremiah 17:9, that only God knows the heart and He searches it.  Even as a plant does not die unless the root be dug out, I sought for the spiritual weed killer that would go beyond the surface and kill my bitterness at the root.  There is one thing that will remove it and that my friend, is LOVE; to show love to that one who hurt you.  How do you find that love?  At the Cross!  When I went to the Cross and I got a glimpse of Jesus nailed to it by MY sin, MY shame, MY failures, MY imperfections and willing to go through all that pain for me, it was there I found the grace to forgive and love because He forgave and loved me!

Oh, sisters, you must let go and lay aside every weight, dig out any root of bitterness, get passed the past, and quit allowing these things to keep you from what you were intended to be.  It’s time to clear out those negative memories and start fresh!  Let nothing disqualify you from your purpose!  If there is something you are holding on to today, something that you know you need to let go of to make room for what God is trying to do in your life, then let it go!  This is your new season!

Your Tongue Is Powerful!

Proverbs 18:21, Death and life are in the power of the tongue..

Your tongue is a very small member of your body, but it has great significance.  It has power over your life!  The words you speak will advance you or hinder you.  They tear down, or accomplish great things.  Words wound; words heal.  Words ensnare; words liberate you.  Words destroy relationships, and words restore relationships.  Words shape our destiny.  Words may be the most powerful force on earth!

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Tim 2:9,  (and I paraphrase) I may be bound in chains; but the word of God is not chained!  What does that say to you and I today?  It doesn’t matter where you are in life or what has a hold on you…there is a liberating power and it is the Word of God!  You may be bound by fear, insecurity, emotional pain, or rejection, but the Word of God is not bound.  It is alive and powerful, according to Hebrews 4:12; powerful against your past, your mindset, your habits, and your enemy…Satan himself!

God has set before us life and death, and the ability to choose one or the other by the words of our mouth.  Words activate the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus or the law of sin and death.  As you speak words of life, God’s destiny for you will take shape.  Choose your words carefully.  Think before you speak.  Speak God’s Word today and release victory everywhere you go!

A NEW THING!

Isaiah 42:9, Behold the former things have come to pass and new things do I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.

We are living in an amazing day!  Yesterday in our Sunday services, people tuned in on their computers and I-phones, chatted online as the service was going on to people who were watching all over the world, while we skyped in a missionary on his way to China!  Technology is constantly changing and opening up new doors to advance productivity, but unless we move forward with the new, we will remain in the old.  Instead of advancing, we will be stagnant and left behind!

We serve the Creator God who is all about the new!  His plan for you is to advance, but unless you stay in step with Him, you will be left behind.  How do you do it?

1. Stay in His Word..2 Tim 3:16-17, says..All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2. Pray…Is. 42:9 says..New things do I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.

God is always speaking to those who are listening.  His face is towards those who are seeking His face.  Stay in touch with Him, listen and He will make all things new.  Today, He is thinking new things about your life, your marriage, your finances.  He will re-new your mind, your strength and your spirit within you.  He will put a new song in your mouth, give you a new name and a new heart and make you a new creation by a new birth!  Don’t live in the past, don’t stay with the old!  Receive A NEW THING from the Lord today!

This little light of mine

Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Have you ever needed to get somewhere, but it was so dark you couldn’t find your way?  The darkness literally kept you from getting where you needed to be?  If only you could find a little light to shine in the darkness, you would be able to see enough to make it.

The Bible says that we are the “light” of the world, but we make a difference when we let our light shine!  It’s when others see our good works; our deeds, acts, and things done that are beautiful, kind, honest, fair and good that we shine for Christ.  And when we shine our light, we pierce the darkness in their world and the path to Christ is illuminated for them to find the way.  Wow!  Do you know anyone who is bound by darkness?  Is there any way you can let your light shine before them this week?  Our lives should always be so pleasing to the Father that we bring glory to His name, and as you shine they, too, will see and glorify Him.

God has planted you where you are to be a light.  Let it shine bright to everyone everywhere, especially where it’s the darkest.  You may be the only light they see.   Luke 8:16 says, “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

Remember this childhood song?  Let it go with you this week…”This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.  This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.  This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.  Let it shine, let it shine, let it SHINE!”

Have a wonderful week!

Pastor Dawn

Great Way to Start Your Day!

As we near the end of the first week on the Daniel Fast, I pray that you are drawing closer to the Lord and feeling His presence in your day to day doings.  Meditating on the Scripture we are reading together in Matthew and spending time in prayer is refreshing and reviving to the soul!  I know you are being strengthened by the powerful words of Christ.  Carry them with you throughout the day, dwelling on them often and the Holy Spirit will speak to you through the Word!  God is so awesome!

In the same way the Word strengthens our spirit man, so healthy foods strengthen our physical man.  Below is a totally natural and healthy recipe to enjoy.  Get up, drink a glass of water and mix together this recipe; while it is in the oven spend those 30 minutes doing the daily reading and prayer time.  It’s a great way to start your day!

Baked Oatmeal  Cobbler

In a 8 or 9 in pie pan put:

1 cup blueberries

1 peach cut into pieces (or ½ c other fruit choice)

1 Tbsp honey over fruit

In medium mixing bowl mix together until a crumbly mushy mixture forms:

1 cup oats

3 Tbsp flax meal (ground flax seeds)

½ cup lightly ground raw almonds

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ c coconut oil or olive oil

½ cup non dairy milk (almond, soy, coconut)

Pour mixture in pie pan over fruit and mix together.  Pour ½ cup of non dairy milk over mixture and bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Eat right away or let cool and pack it to take to work.  If you like it a little sweeter, drizzle honey over the top.