Contents Mulligans - Pastor H. Al Sims, Jr.
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Interview With Pastor H. Al Sims, Jr.
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It’s A New Day, A New Dawn And A New Year And Our God Is ................................09 Good!! - Sharon Weeks-Alleyne Blessings In Disguise - Athena Morrison
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Sophia Sparkle Youth Group Monthly Update - Doris Anetha Shelto McLennon
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Mental Health Matters - Ebony Vaughan, LCSW-C
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God Already Knew - Donna Royalty Ross
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Contributors • • • • • •
Athena Morrison Donna Royalty Ross Doris Anetha Shelto McLennon Pastor H. Al Sims, Jr. Ebony Vaughan, LCSW-C Sharon Weeks-Alleyne
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From the Desk of the Editor-in-Chief
Donna Royalty Ross Happy New Year. We have made it in the
year of 2022 — by the grace of God.
My greatest desire for 2022 is to be more in love with God, my Father. We are here, we have survived, we are alive by divine assignment and appointment. Despite all that is happening in the earth, God has preordained for us to be on planet earth for such a time as this. It doesn’t matter what you faced or endured in 2021, God has purposed for you and me to be here. Therefore, since we are here, let us all inquire of God His assignment and purpose for us who are still alive while others are dead now (Isaiah 43:4-6). Who, what, why, where, when, and how? Who is God calling you to in Christ Jesus in 2022? What is God calling you to do through Christ Jesus in 2022? Why is God calling you to that particular place or people in Christ Jesus in 2022? Where is your calling today in Christ Jesus in 2022? When is God calling in Christ Jesus in 2022? How is God calling you in 2022? Are you called to prophesy? Then prophesy in accordance with your faith (Romans 12:6). Are you called to serve? Then serve (Romans 12:7). Are you called to teach? Then teach (Romans 12:7). Are you called to encourage? Then give encouragement (Romans 12:8). Are you called to give? Then give generously (Romans 12:8). Are you called to lead? Then do it diligently (Romans 12:8). Are you called to show mercy? Then do it cheerfully (Romans 12:8). We are all called ministers of reconciliation. Let’s go out and reconcile the world back to our Father (2 Cor. 5:18). Therefore, no one is without a calling on their lives. Let us move into 2022 acknowledging the call on our lives and thereby moving one step closer to the return of the Lord, with understanding that it is not until the whole earth has heard the Gospel that Jesus will make His appearance. Breakthrough in 2022 is where we are heading.
Donna Royalty Ross
Love
Walking in God’s Scandalous Grace 3
From the Pastor’s Desk:
MULLIGANS
Pastor H. Al Sims, Jr. SENIOR PASTOR OF BETHESDA CHURCH OF GOD, SUMTER, SC
The word mulligan is not used often in general conversation. We usually will hear a person say I need a “do over” or “let’s try that again” or “my bad” or even “can I have a second chance?” All of those sayings let others know that we messed up and we would like to try again. In the game of golf, it can be agreed upon before the game begins how many mulligans or do overs a player can have per round. There are times when a mulligan is very helpful and then other times where the player uses their mulligan and has the same or even worse result. Take it from me, that can really frustrate a player. Why? Well, you see a mulligan can be a thing of hope and comfort as long as you have it. The comfort of knowing that if I mess up, it won’t count against me because I have a second chance, a mulligan. However, when you have used up your second chance, then you tend to tighten up or even stress out. If you are a golfer like I am, you know that is not a good situation to be in. In life, we often make mistakes. Think about the many times it would have been nice to have a mulligan. There are many common mistakes such as going 45mph in a 35mph zone or failing to study properly for a test. How about a more serious mistake such as marrying the wrong person because you really didn’t pray about it? The list can go on and on with things like choosing the wrong career, buying a lemon of a car, or even making the wrong decision on buying a house. 4
All of the above circumstances are bad to deal with but what happens when we mess up spiritually? What happens when you know to do good, but you do the opposite? The Bible is plain when it says that we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God but what do we do when we have sinned? We can’t rewind life. We simply do not have a mulligan. That is true in the natural, but we serve a supernatural God. Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” There it is in black and white. We have a mulligan or even mulligans through the power of our great God. He makes all things new. 1 John 2:1 says, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Now these scriptures are not given as a license to fail or sin but to encourage you that God gives mulligans. The devil would like for the world to believe that God is sitting on the throne waiting to shoot lightning bolts down on anybody that makes a mistake. Even worse than that, the devil wants people to believe that God wants every person that makes a mistake go to hell. The devil was and is a liar and the father of all lies. God is love and gracious and full of mercy! 2 Peter 3:9 states, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” To our great God and His Son Jesus Christ be the glory! We have mulligans!
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Interview with Pastor H. Al Sims, Jr. Pastor Sims, thank you for allowing me to interview you again. By the time Transformational4Real Magazine is out, we will be in the New Year — the year 2022. I would like to start this New Year off by asking you as my spiritual leader and covering to look back at 2021 and give us a synopsis on how Bethesda Church of God and the Body of Christ did with respect to standing against all of the challenges the world has faced in 2021? Pastor AS: In 2021, I felt we had to be intentional in fighting fear, anxiety, and world issues. We had to keep our focus on Jesus Christ. The world offered many distractions, but our hope and confidence had to be on Jesus. T4RM: The reason I asked that question is that I want our readers to be able to reflect on where we were in 2021 and where we should be going in 2022. Can you comment on how we can do things better or differently to be effective in our ministering to those who are yet to experience a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Pastor AS: I believe people are in an overall state of being tired. Covid, race relations, politics and many other current issues have complicated everything. Life has become complicated with decisions such as, do I wear a mask or not, get a vaccine or not, am I talking politically correct to a person different than me? We are on edge. So I say again we must stay into the word of God and love with a God-like love. T4RM: I know that the “2022 Read through the Bible in a year” and our fast will be foremost on Bethesda’s agenda. Would you tell us what other things we should be looking forward to in 2022 as members of Bethesda? Pastor AS: I believe God spoke to me clearly concerning 2022 that we would see “breakthrough”! So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Fasting is an instrument that helps us get to a different spiritual level, so I believe with excitement that 2022 is the year of “breakthrough.” T4RM: This new variant Omicron has placed a new fear in the earth realm. How would you spiritually address those who will come to you with fear in their hearts?
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Pastor AS: The scripture from Matthew 8:17 states, “Jesus took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses” and Matthew 4:23 lets us know that Jesus heals all our sicknesses and all our diseases so no variant or weapon formed against us will prosper. T4RM: We are seeing and hearing of more and more disasters. For instance, Kentucky tornado and earthquake, California earthquake, the Philippines; the Weather patterns have truly shifted. Would you comment on that? Pastor AS: I believe these are signs we are nearing the coming of the Lord. The Bible says in Romans 8:22 “for we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” Even creation is crying out; get ready, for Jesus is coming. T4RM: Did you see an increase in returning to the sanctuary from the January 2021 to December 2021? Pastor AS: I am seeing a trickling back to full attendance, so I am encouraged but I do not like trickling. I prefer mighty rushing, but I do see a more comfortable and confident crowd. T4RM: Do you anticipate a full opening soon back in the sanctuary? Pastor AS: My desire is to see the church full and overflowing again. Many so-called professionals are declaring the church will never bounce back. I rebuke that in the name of Jesus! The Holy Spirit is still alive and well and drawing souls to God. Also Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). T4RM: Pastor Sims, while reading the news, I noticed that a statue was erected in the beginning of December at the UN which has been compared to Revelation 13:2. Care to comment on that? Pastor AS: I get so excited as I watch end-time events unfold right before our eyes, we have front row seats. We must as people know that these events were prophesied in the Bible and are coming to pass in our day and time. T4RM: When I look at where technology is and the love people have for themselves, it is so indicative of 2 Timothy 3:1-5 — “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” Pastor Sims, how do we keep ourselves unspotted from the world, while sharing with them the importance of knowing God, our Father? Pastor AS: Keeping ourselves unspotted from the world has always been a challenge for human beings. Our flesh wants to sin and do wrong. My advice is to stay into the word of God, have a dedicated time of prayer and become a part of a strong Bible-based church. Pastor Sims, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to hear your heart for 2022 and beyond. It was certainly my pleasure.
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It’s A New Day, A New Dawn And A New Year And Our God Is Good!! Sharon Weeks-Alleyne
It has been a tough two years and it seems it’s going to be a tough 2022 for many. I know for some, everything is fine, and they can do the happy dance into the New Year, but for so many, it has been tough — loss of jobs, failed businesses, broken homes, and most of all, the loss of family members and friends. We may all be in the same storm, but different boats and I know each person’s type of boat speaks to their level of anxiety. Some might be taking in water; others are just being tossed to and fro. Some boats were built to weather the storms, but to those who feel like yours will sink at any moment, and you feel like all hope is gone, there is great news! WITH JESUS IN THE VESSEL, YOU CAN SMILE AT THE STORM and knowing HE’S there makes all the difference; we just need to have the grace to trust HIM more.
Whatever storms we may find ourselves, we need to discern when we should ask for help, when we should call on someone to lift us up in prayer. We need to remember the Word says, one will put a thousand to flight but two ten thousand (Deut. 32:30). If two agree as touching anything, it shall be done (Matt. 18: 19-20). Yes, there is power in agreement, so do not allow the devil to have you isolate yourself. Then there will be times when we need to ask, seek, and knock, so we can receive, find, and have doors opened (Matt. 7:7-12). Other times we need to get into our closet alone with God and pour out our hearts to Him (Matt. 6:6). And at the end of it all, we praise our way out and encourage ourselves in the Lord. As heirs and joint heirs, we have a privilege which is lacking in all other forms of religion, we have ‘A Blessed Assurance’ that our Heavenly Father will come through for us, regardless of the size or the condition of our (boat) problem. He doesn’t answer or take care of us by status as many would want us to believe. He loves us all unconditionally and wants what is best for us and as the stormy rain of this season fall on the just and unjust, rest assured that you THE JUST who lives by FAITH will come ashore alive and well because of our Blessed Hope—CHRIST JESUS. I don’t have a Prophetic Word like “THINGS WILL BE NEW IN 2022” but I’m sure that the God we serve is going into 2022 with us and He’ll be with us every step of the way. And HE always has A WORD of encouragement in HIS WORD for us. So step into 2022, knowing that, regardless of how things may look, it is well with your soul. 9
Blessings In Disguise Athena Morrison
As we enter into the New Year, I look back at the past year with a wave of emotions, some good and some not so good. I think of the way so many lives were changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The entire world came to a near halt phase in the past year, each country trying their best to outrun or prevent the transmittal of this deadly virus and it seem as if (most) mankind had finally realized we were all mere mortals and more alike than different. The news of one disaster after another around the globe shook most of us to core. There were hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, too much rain (flooding), too little rain (drought), volcano eruptions and so many other life-altering situations adding more stress to our already fragile emotions. The Bible has a history of disasters that God’s people faced regularly and none shows more resilience than Patriarch Job. Job was said to be blameless and upright and he feared God and shunned evil. He was wealthy beyond reason and had several children. His children were all killed in what the Bible stated was a great wind (Hurricane?). Everything he owned was destroyed, his servants got killed, his cattle were stolen and then he was struck with illness! Yet he still showed faith in God. Job 2:7-10 states, “So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes. Then his wife said to him, “do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” NKJV Many of life’s blessings come wrapped in pain, but eventually it reveals the blessings they represent. In pain, women are able to bring new life into the world. We sometimes think things fall apart, but instead of the phrase ‘falling apart’, could we rather say those things are really falling into place? Remember Scripture says that all things work together for good to those who love God and that are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28) 10
Sophia Sparkle Youth Group December Update Doris Anetha Shelto McLennon Sophia Sparkle Youth Group Christmas party and gifts distribution exercise has come and gone. The journey leading up to the event was really challenging because of the lack of adequate support. But GOD moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. We’re touched beyond words; the support received from many who volunteer was amazing. Hosting a successful event must involve a whole lot of people, and we extend a big thank you from the bottom of our heart to them all. We could not have done this without you all. A Coalition of hard-working dedicated people. This year, this time, in all that everyone has been through, and still is going through, we have decided not to mention the names of donors openly, there were many who were willing but couldn’t afford it, so we will be sending them all a certificate of appreciation for future reference, because we do not want this year’s event to center on who could afford and who couldn’t. People are struggling. GOD sees the heart of everyone who donated and who couldn’t make it. I want to also thank the Editor of Transformational 4 Real Magazine, Ms. Donna Royalty Ross and her staff for allowing us the opportunity to have our group activities, stories and articles published. I really do appreciate your acceptance of my article for publication. This Magazine has raised the bar for excellence. You have made way also for positive exposure for the Groups. We salute your hard work and enthusiasm. Come 2022, we are hoping to maintain the upward
momentum with more high-quality contents for our reader. Transformational 4 Real is on its way to greater heights in the years ahead.
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In just a matter of days, we will be welcoming a New Year; our goals remain the same: •
To try to reverse the trend of idleness among youths within the Community and afar.
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To promote Agriculture in the form of a kitchen garden.
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To put GOD first in everything. We will continue will all the positive programs. We will also continue to support our community in which we operate by going above and beyond. We are proud of our role in bringing urgently needed items to persons within the Area during this time of uncertainty and fear. We need the help of our donors, some of whose participation and support will continue to propel our Groups to new heights with each passing year and beyond.
Millions are struggling globally with layoffs and lost wages as the Covid-19, Delta variant omicron and what else, are leaving so many sick and hospitalized, with deaths and persons living in terrible fear. We need GOD now more than ever. The current environment that we find ourselves in is one of fear and uncertainty. The effect of this virus is far reaching, to our health but more so to our Community, Country, and the Economy. We are all aware of the enormous impact this time is having on us. We need to reach out to each other and live in love, right now. Every man has to depend on someone for something. This has been a year of significant shifts, everything has changed, our whole life has changed, the World has changed, leaving us to adapt to all the new norms. A new world order is my take. 2022 is staring us right in the face. The year will be remembered for the devastation caused by the viruses, and all the way that the LORD has led us through the storm. So as the excitement begins to hype up, the shopping, decorating, baking, parties, etc. Please, it is important that as you celebrate this season, you will recognize the 12
special symbolism this holiday brings with it. A time of new beginning and fresh start, also comes a time of reflection. Our resolutions are a must, but whatever it is, it can and will make all the difference to put all your plans and hope into words and action. With GOD by our side, there are greater things to be achieved, but each and every one must be prepared to put the CREATOR OF THIS UNIVERSE FIRST. None of us knows what this New Year will bring, we are blind to this upcoming year, as it is unpredictable. So let’s be focused, be humble, watch and pray now more than ever. We need to have faith in GOD. May HE grant us the knowledge, spiritual wisdom, and the understanding to have good judgment, to have discerning eyes. These are qualities that we must have to live a more normal life. If you are asleep, wake up, watch, and pray, walk circumspectly, not as a fool, but as wise, redeeming the times because the days are evil (Ephesians 5: 15-16).
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Mental Health Matters Ebony Vaughan, LCSW-C This month we take time to shed light on the importance of taking care of our mental health. I want to take some time to define Mental Health and talk about the difference between that and Mental illness. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, poor mental health and mental illness are not the same things. A person can experience poor mental health and not be diagnosed with a mental illness. Likewise, a person diagnosed with a mental illness can experience periods of physical, mental, and social well-being. I want to read you some statistics: • More than 50% will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. • 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness each year. • 1 in 5 children, either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness. •
1 in 25 Americans lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
Some of the leading mental health diagnoses that we often hear about are depression, anxiety, bi-polar and schizophrenia. These are all mental illnesses that are diagnosed and can be treated through therapy and psychotropic medication. Often stress, worry/frustration, unhealthy thinking patterns/mindsets, and failure to move on from past hurts and events can result in poor mental health. Stress often robs us of the ability to experience joy and happiness in our lives. Stress is one of the leading causes to some of our most prevalent medical conditions. I want to take some time to talk about these medical conditions and how stress contributes. This content is from an article written in Healthline by Ann Pietrangelo. 1. Heart disease. Researchers have long suspected that the stressed-out, type A personality has a higher risk of high blood pressure and heart problems. We don’t know why, exactly. Stress can directly increase heart rate and blood flow, and causes the release of cholesterol and triglycerides into the blood stream.
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It’s associated with serious cardiac problems, including heart attacks. (A Visual Guide to Heart Disease Medically Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on June 30, 2021) 2. Asthma. Many studies have shown that stress can worsen asthma. Stress hormones affect your respiratory and cardiovascular systems. During the stress response, you breathe faster to quickly distribute oxygen-rich blood to your body. 3. Diabetes. Stress can worsen diabetes in two ways. First, it increases the likelihood of bad behaviors, such as unhealthy eating and excessive drinking. Second, stress seems to raise the glucose levels of people with type 2 diabetes directly. 4. Headaches. Stress is considered one of the most common triggers for headaches -- not just tension headaches, but migraines as well. 5. Gastrointestinal problems. Stress is also a common factor in many other GI conditions, such as chronic heartburn (or gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Winner says. 6. Muscular system. Your muscles tense up to protect themselves from injury when you’re stressed. Tight muscles cause headaches, back and shoulder pain, and body aches. Over time, this can set off an unhealthy cycle as you stop exercising and turn to pain medication for relief. 7. Immune system. Over time, stress hormones will weaken your immune system and reduce your body’s response to foreign invaders. People under chronic stress are more susceptible to viral illnesses like the flu and the common cold, as well as other infections. Stress can also increase the time it takes you to recover from an illness or injury. It is so important for us to take care of our health and recognize when we need help doing so. I believe that everyone has stress and goes through difficult periods in their life. In most cases, changing behaviors and thought processes and choosing to let go of things that you cannot control can relieve stress immediately. But if you find that your efforts do not help, then do not hesitate to get the help you need. Recognize when what you are doing is not working. There is a popular saying that says, insanity is to continue to do the same things over and over and expect different results. It is possible to serve God and struggle with mental health issues and/or a mental illness. It is up to us to be honest with ourselves to get the help that we need. God can heal you and He can also use those that He has equipped to help in the process, such as clergy, therapists, counselors, etc. Don’t be ashamed to get the help of a therapist, counselor, medical professional, or clergy. But remember clergy does not replace mental health professionals in the case of mental illness and the treatment of it. Mental illnesses affect us psychologically and/or physiologically, which means that there are times when a medical professional may prescribe psychotropic medication. To be clear, I am not a promoter of the medical treatment of mental illnesses/conditions, however I will say that I know of people that it has been beneficial for. Evaluate your options and make the choice that is best for you. Avoid being closed minded to things that may help for a season especially if all else has failed or proven ineffective. God has created some amazing medical doctors, researchers, inventors, and psychiatrists and positioned them all over this world to help His people. With anything, always remember who the source is, God. These things are to provide help and support but are not your source. I want to provide you with some tools for your Survival toolbox. Whenever we get a checkup at the doctor, the first thing they do is check your vitals. They check your weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration. These are all things that are baseline for when you are seen by the doctor. Well, I want to discuss some baseline things to consider as you learn to take better care of yourselves. I will be using the acronym VITALS to provide you with strategies for mental health mastery in your daily life. Valuing your personal needs – Take care of your emotional and mental wellbeing. You matter. The Bible says in 3 John 2 (AMP) “Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health
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[physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually].” Give yourself permission to feel and experience positive and negative emotions and be able to articulate them. Learn how to manage your feelings well. Know that God desires your soul to be free. Avoid suppressing and/or avoiding dealing with emotions because of fear of what others would think. Do not put the happiness of others before your own. Avoid being a people pleaser and busy body. Investing time and care in you!!! – Invest in your physical, mental, and emotional health. Make sure you attend annual checkups and attend to physical symptoms that are out of the norm. Make healthy food choices and monitor the intake of unhealthy choices. Exercise and get the proper rest needed. Psalm 127:2 (Amp) says, “It is vain for you to rise early, to retire late, to eat the bread of anxious labors—For He gives [blessings] to His beloved even in his sleep.” Are you active? Take supplements that are supportive to your health and wellness. Time – Respect your time. Make every effort not to overwork yourself. Learn how to balance your time with personal care, relationships, work productivity and rest. Don’t allow people to intrude upon your time or make commitments for you. Monitor what you spend your time on and always monitor whether it is healthy for you. A—Monitor your associations. Set boundaries and avoid toxic and unhealthy relationships. Know when to say no to yourself and others. Don’t let people suck the life out of you. Learn to preserve your energy by being selective of who and when you show up for. Know that another person’s crisis may not be yours. Avoid being an enabler and doing for others what they can do for themselves. L –Allow yourself to live and enjoy life. Choose hobbies, things that you love to do. Smile often. The Bible says in Proverbs 17:22 (AMP), “A happy heart is good medicine, and a joyful mind causes healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Practice daily gratitude. Choose to be happy and stop waiting to find it. Have knowledge of what you want in life and don’t mind pursuing. Avoid living in regrets. John 10:10 (AMP) says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” When we fail to experience joy and this abundant life, we are being robbed of the blessing of God. Let’s get into the practice of being intentional with our mental health. S – Seek peace and allow yourself to set healthy boundaries as it relates to the affairs of others. Pursue peace. Try not to worry about things that you cannot change. Choose to live in the moment. Learn the art of forgiveness and letting go. Our mental health matters and we must take better care of ourselves, and it includes consistently checking our VITALS. It is about giving ourselves permission to unapologetically choose ourselves first. It’s about recognizing the signs and symptoms that indicate that there is something wrong and then doing something about it. It is important that we master ourselves by becoming more sensitive to our needs and making intentional efforts to address them. Self-Mastery contributes to positive mental health and the ability to manage our emotions in a healthy manner. I challenge you to begin to daily check your vitals to enable personal freedom and wholeness.
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God Already Knew Donna Royalty Ross What exactly did God know? As we go through different challenges in life, some of those challenges makes us wonder, “Did God really foreknow this and allow it to happen to me?” God, who is omniscience, knew what Lucifer would say to Eve through the serpent. God already knew Eve’s response to the lie fed to her by the serpent. God already knew Adam’s take on Lucifer, the serpent. God knew it all. Why did He not cancel the whole plan then? God could have easily done that – because He already knew what was going to play out could just completely finish with the human race. He allowed freewill to play its role in the human life. And He knew if any damage was done to mankind, He would initiate a Plan B— and He did. God’s love for us propelled Him to move forward with His plans to send Jesus into the earth realm and thereby reconcile us back to Himself. It took a plan—a redemption plan—which He started in Genesis 3:15, to be exact. God knew Genesis 3:15 before the foundation of the earth, because He already knew. However, the same God who spoke in Genesis 1:3 is the same God who would send His Only Beloved Son to die for the sins of mankind. In the same light, in 2022, we will publish a special magazine column tagged GOD ALREADY KNEW. The “God already Knew” series will be spotlighting the challenges of many as we will hear testimonies from those whose life experiences prove that God already knew what would happen to them, and how they came through. Join us monthly as we become transparent in sharing with our readers some of their own “God already knew” stories. If you have a story that you know God would have had a foreknowing of some experiences you had, and you would like to share it with our readers, please feel free to email your story to itmglobal.org@ gmail.com and will be happy to feature it in one of our monthly issues.
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