Gospel 4 U
In This Issue
™
Volume 5 issue 5 November 2014
Magazine
Gospel 4 U Magazine is an evangelism tool that is designed to reach the hearts of our readers who have no knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
On the Cover
Executive Publisher Gospel 4 U Publishing Joanna Birchett www.gospel4unetwork.com Info@gospel4unetwork.com
Crystal Aikin Gospel Recording Artist Page 8
Journalists Joanna Birchett Dennean Handfield
SCAN ME
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTORS
Evan. Jennifer Monica Henderson
Marlowe
Lose weight with Class
Relationships: Lessons
Page 12
Learned Page 14-15
10 Ways To Stay Focus Page 6
Cynthia Johnson The Anointing breaks the yolk Page 18-19
G O S P E L
4
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M A G A Z I N E
E D I TO R ’ S PAG E
We are dedicated to uplift, empower and motivate you through the power of media technology Praise the Lord, and welcome to another issue of with their articles every issue. Thank you, guys, for Gospel 4 U magazine. We are very excited with all being a blessing. that the Lord is doing in our lives. Well, enjoy and be encouraged as you dissect This issue is featuring gospel recording artist and every article in this issue. 2008 Sunday best winner Crystal Aikin on our You will be blessed cover. Our prayers is that Crystal’s story will give you hope to stand firm no matter what comes in your way. Pastor Joanna Birchett Gospel 4 U would like to thank all our readers who keep us going. We definitely could not do this without your love, prayers, and support. We are blessed with some dynamic authors and journalists who take the time to encourage and motivate us
Write the Vision THE BIBLE MAKES IT PLAIN IN THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK CHAPTER 2, THAT WE SHOULD WRITE THE VISION AND MAKE IT PLAIN. AS THE YEAR IS COMING TO A CLOSE IN FOUR MONTHS, WE AT GOSPEL 4 U WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO STAND, THE WORD OF GOD LET’S US KNOW THAT HIS WORD CANNOT RETURN TO HIM VOID, SO LET US USE THE WORD AND BRING MANIFESTATION IN OUR LIVES. BLESSINGS
Pastor Joanna Birchett
S P IR I T U A L AUTH OR IT Y YOU HAVE AUTHORITY & YOU SHALL DECREE:
10 ways to Stay Focus Staying
Focus is a vital part of
our walk with the Lord:
"BEHOLD, I GIVE UNTO YOU POWER (AUTHORITY) OVER SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS (DEMONIC POWERS), AND OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY (EVEN SATAN): AND NOTHING SHALL BY ANY MEANS HURT YOU." [LK:10:19] "YOU SHALL ALSO DECREE A THING AND IT SHALL BE ESTABLISHED UNTO YOU AND SO LIGHT WILL SHINE ON YOUR WAYS. WHEN THEY CAST YOU DOWN AND YOU SAY 'EXALTATION SHALL COME!" THEN HE SHALL SAVE THE HUMBLE PERSON." [JOB 22:28-29]
1. Surrender your will
WA LKIN G I N F AI T H
2. Pray 3. Walk by Faith 4. Study the Word 5. Live Your Life Pleasing to The Lord 6. Be Quick to hear and Slow to speak
Faith Walkers are Focused: Your faith can change your world! But no matter how great your faith is - you must first release your faith if it is going to change the circumstances that are affecting you negatively. God has not only given you dominion over your life (the power and the authority to govern and control) - but He has also commissioned you to subdue (to bring low and utterly defeat) those things that are not in agreement with His will for you [Genesis 1:26-28]
7. Love Everyone 8. Speak Life 9. Decree and Declare in the Atmosphere 10. Walk in the Authority given to you by the Lord
W OR DS O F W ISD O M WHEN WE ARE WALKING WITH THE LORD OUR FAITH HAS TO SPEAK LOUDER THAN OUR FEARS, WE ARE CALLED TO WALK BY FAITH AND NOT SIGHT. NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR AND THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN - HEBREWS 11:1
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Exclusive Story from Crystal Aikin Gospel Recording Artist and 2008 Sunday’s Best Winner
competing in the McDonald’s fest competition. There was an intent in lowering my score God had a plan for Sunday Best winner Crystal because someone on the judging panel didn’t Aiken. Crystal was born and raised in Tacoma, want me to win.” Washington. Singing as a little girl was always Destiny came knocking when Crystal’s her passion. Growing up in the Church of God in Christ, Crystal became a youth choir director god-brother informed her of a woman that was at a young age. As the choir’s popularity grew, trying to reach her in LA. Talking to Crystal they received request to share their talent that woman said, “I remember hearing your throughout the community. What Crystal voice when you were a kid and I never forgot thought was a passion God had already the feeling I had when you sang. planned as a hope and a future for her life.
Before
the foundation of the world,
Crystal’s gravitation toward singing was a gift from God. “No one trained me to sing. It was truly God given and God inspired. It became an amazing love for me. Sunday Best showcased this extravagant gift for everyone,” says Crystal. The journey to Sunday Best came with immense frustration as Crystal was working at a job that didn’t reflect her passion of singing and ministry. In 2002, God used Crystal’s father, prior to his sudden passing, to push her to destiny. His parting words were, “I just believe if you put 100% into your natural career, your singing career will take off.” She did just that by going back to school and becoming a registered nurse in the ER. By being obedient to her dad’s advice, Crystal received an e-mail about the Sunday Best competition. Crystal commented, “I deleted the e-mail due to being discouraged from
Crystal Aikin
Come and audition for Sunday Best.” Singing as a young girl prepared Crystal for the Sunday Best platform. Crystal says, “Sunday Best was a door closed for one chapter of my life to opening another chapter to the joy, future, hope, and excitement where God was taking me.”
became spiritually perfect. God stamped His approval for the song.” Crystal believes that she’s more than a gospel artist. She also has to live a life of word and deed. “When the music stops, I have to speak the word that God has put in me,” says Crystal. She advises singers who may be interested in the Sunday Best competition to be “faithful over a few things and God will make you ruler over many things. Find your uniqueness. Your uniqueness is your strength.”
No more working as an ER nurse and now living a life on purpose, Crystal travels the world sharing her passion and singing in places such as Saint Lucia, Turkey, and Italy. Crystal remarks, “I am a gospel artist, proclaiming the good news so that someone’s For those who may be struggling in life will be transformed and changed, and their calling, Crystal Aikin is a living proof they will find HOPE.” that God will order your footsteps. Crystal The song I Desire More gives people inspires you saying, “You can never hope for the future. Having the opportunity to determine how your blessing will come. work with Kirk Franklin, Jay Moss, and Never limit it to what your eyes see. It took a producers that worked with Usher, I Desire strange woman to call me and recall a More was the last song given to Crystal for moment in her past, to be obedient to the call, the first album. Crystal shares that, “The song and found me. The rest is history.”
— Author Dennean Handfield
COMI N G SO ON !!
There is order in God and this book is designed to teach you that no matter who you are‌ THERE IS A PROCESS - Authored by Pastor Joanna Birchett, Pastor Roma J Benjamin, Minister Joan Marlowe, Bishop Earl F. Palmer, Pastor Larry Birchett Jr, Bishop Michael A. Frith and Evangelist Nephetina Serrano . PRE -ORDER A COPY TODAY AT http://www.gospel4unetwork.com/store/
Lose Weight With Class! Monica Henderson For nineteen years, I have tried to lose weight. meet the new love of my life, Alfred Wayne Henderson. The Lord blessed me and we got married My story can be summarized as follows: when I was twenty-eight years old, I first got married to my dearly, on November 1, 2008. departed husband Derrick Glenn Person. Since my second marriage, my weight We got married on August 31, 1996. At went up to 144 lbs. I was 30 lbs. larger that time, I was weighing 114 lbs. and than what I was twelve years earlier. This was the largest weight I had ever had, was wearing a size 6. I loved being at that besides being pregnant. Needless to say, size. However, after just five months of I tried so many different diets. Like most marriage, I went up to 128 lbs. The of us, I tried eating low fat, low carb, funny part was that I did not even realize taking diet pills (which literally gave me it. nightmares), and exercising, etc. Some of Derrick was a great cook. He cooked as if we had ten children, although we did not have any at the time. When I did not eat as much, he would get upset and say, “All this food I cooked and you’re not going to eat?” So, out of obligation, I ate and ate and ate. He never cared about how much I weighed, but I did. I remember once when I went to my hairdresser she said to me, “Now, Monica, do you know that with every 10 lbs. we gain we go up a size bigger?” I was thinking to myself, I wonder why she is telling me that, LOL! She was trying to tell me in a nice way, “Girl, you’re getting FAT and you need to buy some new clothes.” You see, I was still wearing my size 6 when in fact I was up to a 10.
them worked but only for a short period of time. Then in December 2013, a friend of mine told me about Iaso Tea. She said, “Monica, you can lose weight with the tea and make additional income.” At that time, I was not really interested in the tea but I tried it anyway. I drank the tea here and there for about a month. My mind did not focus on using the product, so I did not continue with it. In January 2015, I saw a woman on Facebook talking about this Iaso Tea. So, I decided to give it a try one more time. This time I really focused on losing weight and I wanted this to work for me once and for all. So, I ordered the Iaso Tea and it was delivered on February 23, 2015.
Finally, I found the total life-changing product. As I started my story, I have tried for nineteen years to lose weight. Last February, I was wearing size 10. This past June, I was wearing size 4! I was so excited, and literally could not believe, when I walked into Liberty Thrift Store and found a dress size 4! I tried the dress on and it fit! That was amazing. My goal was to get into a size 6, but this dress was a 4. I am so happy and thankful to On March 16, 2007, I moved with my little girl my heavenly Father for allowing me to find this great MoniYah up to Pennsylvania to be closer to my father company with awesome products! and brother. My weight started to come back up after I Throughout the years, my weight finally went up to 134 lbs. Those 20 lbs. stayed on me until Derrick passed away on April 29, 2006. Grieving Derrick’s death, I was not eating anything at all. When I went to purchase the dress for his home-going service, it was a size 6. Of course, that was an unhealthy way to lose weight.
Jenny’s Journal RELATIONSHIPS: LESSONS LEARNED — Evangelist Jennifer Marlowe
Things Changes and You Are Not Even Aware of It Evangelist Jennifer Marlowe
As
I was driving on the with what God has destined for highway, I remembered something you. So, they aren’t coming along with you; and it is okay. someone once said that I thought it was funny. I reached towards my Our father Abraham had to car phone to call my only friend to separate from Lot, his nephew, share the joke. Then I remembered because of where God was taking she was busy in a meeting, Abraham (see Genesis 13). Lot had although my friend could not take become a burden and contagious, my call at that moment. That is so Abraham made a conscious when it hit me—wow! This time decision to parts ways and last year, I had four other separates himself. Isn’t it humorous girlfriends that I could have called, but now we don’t even speak on “The most valuable lesson I the phone like we used to do. It have learned through seems that our conversations have hurting words was saying the most important words in resolved to only being necessary any relationship, transactions. Not to be mistaken, “” I AM SORRY. These three our distant was not cause by any words became the key to arguments or malicious dealings— unlocking the doors to my blessings.” changes just happened. In my moment of clarity, another thought came to mind that is even more surprising. As I was driving on the PA-202 expressway, a huge realization became unmistakably clear. A new season is happening in my life without my participation—relationships are no more the same. God is making some changes! At pivotal points in your life, you’ll come to realize that people are in your life to propel you to the next season(s) in y o u r j o u r n e y. T h o s e s a m e relationships may not be aligned
that God showed Abraham His blessings after all of that? It only proves that negativity around you can interfere with what God has destined for you. I have come to realize that relationships do not always last forever. Even a bigger lesson, I’ve learned to walk away with dignity, integrity, and loyalty. Moving on took a great deal of effort. Of course, it was not without some pain throughout the years. However, the years have taught me
that a person’s character must speak volumes. I am learning to make an investment in areas that will create and inspire me to excellence, improve my life, and open doors for new friendships and opportunities. My paths of where or what God is calling me into becomes clearer. I’ve been thinking lately about my overall experiences with the friends of my past, which have schooled me on being more forgiving, kind, gentle, fearless, honest, apologetic, humble, and caring. The most valuable lesson I have learned through hurting words was saying the most important words in any relationship, I AM SORRY. These three words became the key to unlocking the doors to my blessings. Nevertheless, the mistakes that have happened on both sides of relationships have made me more knowledgeable today, and I love it. I’m moving forward with anticipation and I am not looking back or feeling sorry about yesterday. Yesterday’s failure is today’s wisdom, “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto the things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13–14).
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THE ANOINTING DESTROYS THE YOKE “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” (Isaiah 10:27) While I was praying this week, the Lord kept telling me that it is the anointing that destroys the yoke. I would speak in the Spirit, and then I would say this phrase over and over again. When I started to write this month’s article for Gospel 4 U magazine, I knew what the Lord wanted me to write. You guessed it—His anointing and how it is able to destroy the yokes in our lives as well as the lives of others, and to bring healing. As Christians, we believe that it is the anointing that destroys the yoke. However, we have to ask ourselves, what is the anointing? What are we called to do with the anointing to which we have access? The anointing of God is His divine power resting upon the lives of believers through their trust and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ to do His works effectively on the earth. Jesus said in John 14:12, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” This Scripture verse tells us that we not only have the ability to do the works that Christ has done while He was on this earth, but also have the capacity to maximize what He has done and do greater works! I don’t know about you, but I get excited when I read this verse. What works was Jesus called to do that we are able to do when we are anointed by God through Him? Jesus tells us in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set
at liberty them that are bruised.” When God anoints us, every time we declare His word over our life, another person’s life, situation, or problem, it comes into alignment with God’s promises, and the issues are no longer a priority for us. The anointed, spoken word frees us, severs every negative, worrying, fearful stronghold that is attached to our spirit, and releases us to focus on the love, goodness, and trustworthiness of the Lord Jesus Christ! This anointing is not only reserved for the fivefold ministries (pastor, teacher, evangelist, prophet, and apostle), but also has been given to all of us through the blood of Jesus Christ. As a result, we are able to affect change on the earth in order for the glory and love of our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed to all. We access the anointing by having intimacy with Christ. It is by spending time in His presence that we become empowered to speak life into the lives of others and see real change. The anointing in a person’s life is the evidence that they have an active prayer life and stay in the presence of God. You cannot be anointed if you don’t make it a priority to spend time with the Lord.
Being anointed is not a “bragging right,” rather it comes with a responsibility. Many people say, “He or she is anointed,” but we must know that this is not something about which people should be pumped up in the flesh. You have to understand that when you are anointed, you have to be careful to guard your heart. You can’t live like everyone else, or as a carnal Christian. Anointed women and men of God are atmosphere changers. They go into places where things are dark and void of the presence of God. When they leave, peoples’ lives have been changed, as well as the entire atmosphere, to resemble the Lord Jesus Christ. If you want to be anointed, then make fellowshipping with Christ a priority. Stop allowing your circumstances to dictate your response to the Lord. Praise Him when all misery is coming against you, people have lied to you, many have forsaken you, and those who are close to you don’t even believe in what God has called you to be or to do! Most importantly, love those that despise you and forgive those that hurt you. When you have the wisdom to forsake the fleshly response and respond in the way to which God has called you, then this gives God (not the devil) the glory. It is then that you are anointed! Jesus said that we could do greater works than He did; so what are we waiting on? It’s time to access the anointing that He ordained for us to have! He promised it to us, so access it!
—Prophetess Cynthia B. Jackson Author of Contending for Your Destiny: Finding Your Purpose through Life’s Trials
WOMEN OF GREAT PRICE, INC Mat. 13:46 ~ “Transforming the World, Shaping One Life at a Time!” Doctor Arlene Paulette R. Birchett, D.MIN, M.Div., M.Ed., BBA
Dr. Birchett is a worthy Woman of Great Price known for her resilience. Her motto is Shaping Great Women who will shape the next generation into Greatness! A Need Realized: Effective mentoring network that brings awareness and new insights into the inequality crisis for women in the United States and around the world. She published a doctoral dissertation in 2013 by Drew University, “Bitter to better: Engaging American Baptist African-American women clergy to mentor African-American women on the path to Ordination.” Whether
women are in ministry or the marketplace professional women benefit from effective mentoring networks. Formal mentoring relationships with real talk, using indispensable tools in the spiritual and character formation of today’s young women is priceless. Otherwise, women with poor self-images often feel a deep sense of failure. Mentoring is a way to give and receive. Dr. Birchett envisions mentors learning to effectively relate and use their life’s experiences and spiritual maturity to transform lives. Women in ministry and the marketplace purposefully will lead generations to greatness. WOGP, Inc. takes a holistic approach to mentoring that cares for a healthy mind, body and spiritual healing. Dr. Birchett uses her life story, scholarship, clinical pastoral education, experience as an ordained minister and chaplaincy endorsed by ABC-USA to advocate for mentoring. Her areas of specialization are pastoral counseling, ministry of presence, relationships, training and organizational development. With 20 years practicing ethics and landmark strategies offered as a mentor, coach, pastor and educator. Dr. Birchett can be reached as follows (Preacher, Counselor, Mentor, Officiate weddings): Check website: Women of great price.org! Main office: 200 Federal Street, Suite 30, Camden, New Jersey 08103 - Phone: 609-284-9071 E-mail: womenofgreatprice@gmail.com Join Facebook: Women of Great Price, Inc. Follow us on Twitter: DrBirchett Access the dissertation: http://gradworks.umi.com/35/79/3579968.html
COMING SOON! Online Registration starts ~ opens August 1!! § Maximizing Mentoring (28 days Connect Exclusive Program) a practicum how to become a woman of great price. ~ 08.12.15 § Maximizing Your Ministry (6 Months mentoring with some coaching) discover how to use your influence through the practical strategies you can offer as a woman of great price mentor. ~ 09.16.15 § I AM ROYALTY SUMMIT ~ GREATNESS! Paving the Path to greatness. “Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16 11.13.15 and 11.14.15
Gospel 4 U Media Pick -Mr and Mrs Herb and Justina Bigelow and Amarachi Bigelow As Gospel 4 U Media department continues to surf the social media and this month we are featuring this power couple, Herb and Justina Bigelow, they are such an inspiration and great example to others on the social media. Justina never misses a bet in celebrating others birthdays on the social medias, she is an amazing mother to her princess Amarachi and such a pleasure to follow online. This power couple is determined that for God they live and for him they will die, they are walking in unison and they are in agreement with all God has in store for them. Check out their Facebook Page at: Justina Chizomam Onuoha-Bigelow & Herb Bigelow
QU OT E S TO E N C O U R AG E YO U
THESE QUOTES WERE TAKEN FROM THE INTERNET FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING OUR READERS…. - GOSPEL 4 U MAGAZINE
Taken from the internet http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u457/searchq7/ed89b691-395c-4e73-9247-0bda22bfa052_zpsgqj3jtcn.jpg
We are coming close to the end of summer and our children are getting ready to go back to school, it is our job to go to the throne of Grace and begin to intercede for our children so that he devil will have NO ACCESS in their lives. Stand on the Word of God and Decree and Declare the blessings and covering of God over their lives‌.
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