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December 2008
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To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) The Author, L. C. Tardy exegetes the preordained assignment given to her by God in her powerful masterpiece, “For Such a Time as This.” She shares her testimonies in her second book, “Life: A Divine Setup,” and tells about her life experiences in her third powerful book called, “Ripples in the Water.”
PURPOSE ASSIGNMENT
PLAN TRIBULATION
FAITH HUMILITY
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VISION HONOR
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December 2008 The Glory of Vision and Dreams By Linda C. Tardy Do you have dreams and visions? Do you have a gift or talent? And you’re not sure what to do or which direction to take your vision. Many of us have dreams and visions, but not many of us understand where dreams and visions come from, so we end up misdirected and not knowing what to do with our lives. When we don’t know where our dreams come from, we start to believe in ourselves and look for recognition from the world. But if the world doesn’t like what we offer, we become disappointed and fearful, and our dreams and visions die within us.
Linda C. Tardy, Author/Publisher/ Owner/Operator Vision House Publishers Visions Christian Magazine
Be encouraged and of good cheer! There’s a much higher source than us. He is the Creator of the universe. The One who created you: fearfully, wonderfully, and marvelously made you in His image. You are the apple of His eye, created, handcrafted from head to toe, placed in the garden where the Nile River flows. He is the Potter, and you are the clay. God designed you to do wonderful things in the earth. He placed every dream, vision, gift, and talent within you Himself. You are His precious treasure. Your gifts and talents were placed within you to bring God glory in the earth! You are a king of the KING. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:9 that you are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” You are placed in God’s Kingdom on the earth to do the work God has ordained for you to do. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
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You are to use your gifts and talents in your schools and homes, on your jobs, and wherever God has ordained you to use them. Now I have heard people say, “I don’t have any talent.” That is impossible! Every living creature on earth was created with a purpose in God’s mind. That purpose must be performed in God’s timing and in the right season. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” You have already been given the power to exercise your God-given creativity in this earthly realm. Whether you are an author, actor, singer, dancer, or carpenter, God’s glory is revealed every time you display your gifts and talents. Every gift and talent within you is for the glory of God, and it shall be manifested in this earthly realm in God’s timing. You shall do great works. 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.” Jesus promised that a higher power than ourselves will come and teach us all things: “But the Counselor, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). Ask the Lord what He would have you do every morning when you arise, and He will tell you. Jesus said in John 14:14, “If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.” Dr. Myles Munroe said, “Every time we walk into a library or a bookstore, we are surrounded by glory.
www.whitakerhouse.com
The bookshelves are filled with it. Will your glory ever be on display for others to enjoy?”
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IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO LIVE YOUR BEST...
Judy Jacobs HIS SONG Ministries Empowering people to change the world...
WWW.JUDYJACOBS.COM
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Featured Authors
Apostle Betty P. Peebles
Elder Rickey E. Macklin
Michael D. Evans
Pastor Joyce Meyer
Dr. Myles Munroe
Elder Bessie Ashworth
Main Featured Author Bishop Eddie Long Newbirth Ministries Atlanta, GA Page 9- 12
Pastor John Hagee
Pastor Shirley Caesar
Pastor Smokie Norful
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Featured Authors Countdown to Jerusalem By John Hagee Page 51 Love Your Life By Victoria Osteen Surrender By Joni Lamb
Visions Christian Magazine
Chief Editor Page 53
L.C. Tardy
Page 36
Managing Editor
A Glimpse of Glory Page 32 By Allison Gregory Daniels Take Me Back to Where I Met My First Love Page 31 By Tracey T. Davis Time Management God’s Way By Gloria N. Adams Page 33 Stagnated Christian By Bessie Ashworth
Page 18
Don’t Miss your Moment By Judy Jacobs
Page 4
Financial Armaggeddon Pastor John Hagee
Table of Contents
Page 60
Daddy’s Waiting On You Page 15 By Elder Rickey E. Macklin
Joan Kruythoff
Assistant Editors Pamela Guererri Connie Williams
Graphic design and layout Easter Edge Media Group MJ Pressley-Jones Paulette Shelton
Photography Kevin Lucas
Contributing Writers Dr. Myles Munroe John Hagee Joyce Meyer Paula White Gloria N. Adams Tameesha Tucker Rickey E. Macklin Pamela Guererri Connie Williams
Vision House Publishers P.O. Box 7377 Baltimore, MD 21227 www.visionschristianmagazine.com Advertise @visionschristianmagazine.com
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Table of Contents Featured Articles Elected among the rejected By Pamela Guerrerri
cont’d
Cover story -Bio Bishop Eddie Long By Connie Williams Page 10
Page 13
What is a son of God? Page 24-25 By Elder Rickey E. Macklin
Featured Authors The Elect Lady
The Power and Privilege of Citizenship By Dr. Myles Munroe Page 19-23
By Bishop Eddie Long Page 9-12
Trusting God through Trials By Joyce Meyer Page 28-29
Overcoming Impossible Obstacles Apostle Betty P. Peebles Page 26-27
Unconditional Love By Paula White
Page 37
Kenny Vaughn Biography Page 50 The Glory of Visions and Dreams By Linda C. Tardy Page 3 Your Vision, your Destiny, God’s Purpose By Tameesha Tucker Page 8
Marketplace Business Directory Find Christian businesses in your area, church listings, Christian bookstores and more…. Page 30, 38-48
Advertise With Us
Place your ad or business listing in the Marketplace Business Directory section. Your ad or listing will be visited by over 25,000 people with similar interest. You simply add your business name to our Entrepreneur listing, or Ministry listing. If you Pastor a church, add the name of your church to our Church listing….
The Most Important Person on Earth Page 16 By Dr. Myles Munroe For Such a time as this: Humility Before Honor By Linda C. Tardy Page 2
Norma Lewis Independent Distributor Xango Products Page 58 OneSisterToAnother Page 59 Shirley Caesar Biography Page 56 Smokie Norful Gospel Artist Page 49
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Your Vision, Your Destiny God’s Purpose
Are you Single and Saved?
Written By: T.L. Tucker
Not Sure which road to take to your destiny?
Destiny is a very profound word. Destiny to me, means the purpose and agenda that one is specifically created to fulfill. Jesus Christ was born to die, so that man may live and have redemption through the blood that was spilled on Calvary. It was an awesome sacrifice. Could you imagine knowing that you were born to be killed? It is amazing that in knowing this, Jesus Christ, while living in his flesh, made the decision to fulfill his destiny. At any time during the pain and agony of his crucifixion, he could have gotten off of that cross and saved himself from the physical torture of it all. He had a destiny, a vision, and a purpose, and he was obedient to that calling (John 13 1-3). His obedience to his destiny/purpose is why we are here today. We all have a destiny and calling for our lives. We were all created for a specific purpose, and to fulfill a specific destiny. Our lives touch the lives of others, and failure to fulfill your destiny could be the high cost of losing lost souls for the Kingdom. We all have God given gifts and many times our destiny involves using our gifts to bless others. Once you belong to Christ you become a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12). We could be described as organs in the body that have functions and responsibilities. If we are not walking in purpose we are in essence dead weight to the body of Christ. A heart that does not beat, an eye that does not see, or a brain that does not think are useless, as are those who are not functioning to full capacity in the body of Christ, that is tragic!
This book is a must read…
The stakes are so very high. We have a purpose to walk in our destinies, and to be led to our purpose, and obedience is key. How tragic would it be to stand in the mist of God, and explain why you never accomplished what you were put on earth to accomplish? How many lives would be lost, how many blessings never received, how many souls never introduced to Christ? We must not flee from our God appointed destinies and purpose. It is time for us to take a stand with the authority and responsibility given, to embrace our gifts, visions, and purpose. This is instrumental to building God’s Kingdom. If only one life is made better, one soul saved, one blessing given, it is all a part of planting seeds and winning souls for Christ. If you seek Him, He will answer, and you will be that much closer to your destiny and purpose. Stay encouraged and always purpose in your heart to: P= Pray to God for guidance U= Utilize your gifts to bless others R= Recognize God’s will for your life P= Pride yourself in knowing that your gifts do not belong to you O= Offer obedience to your ministry S= Share the Word of the gospel E= Embrace your destiny
Author Tameesha L. Tucker www.singleandsavedinpgcounty.com
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December 2008
Bishop Eddie Long on the move for Jesus
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Bishop Eddie Long on the move for Jesus By Connie Williams The Lord’s mandate to his followers in Matthew 20:18 -19 (NIV) is clear - “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you….” As a present day follower of Christ, Bishop Eddie Long has endeavored to do just that, with a worldwide ministry which includes television, radio, and internet broadcasts, numerous books, audios and videos, mentoring programs, and extensive humanitarian efforts. He also serves as Senior pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, with a congregation in excess of 25,000 members. Bishop Long is a native of North Carolina where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at North Carolina Central University.. He subsequently obtained a Master’s of Divinity degree from Atlanta Georgia’s Interdenominational Theological Center. In addition, he holds honorary doctorates from North Carolina Central University, Beulah Heights Bible College of Atlanta, Morehouse School of Religion, and a doctoral Ph.D. in Pastoral Ministry from the International College of Excellence. He began his pastorate at New Birth Missionary Baptist in 1987, with a congregation of a little over 300 members. Since that time it has grown exponentially to over 25,000 members, being recognized in 1993 as the fastest growing church in America. He married Vanessa Griffin Long in 1990 and they have four children, Eric, Edward, Jared, and Taylor. Bishop Long’s labor to educate and disciple is massive. He founded and serves as CEO for New Birth Christian Academy in DeKalb County Georgia, where 200 plus students are being trained to excel both spiritually and academically. In 2006, he was selected as Vice Chair for the Board of Trustees for Beulah Heights Bible College, and later became chairman in 2007. He serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Morehouse School of Religion, and is a member of Gospel Today Magazine’s Board of Directors. Bishop Long is a former member of the Board of Visitors for Emory University, Board of Trustees for
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North Carolina Central University, Young Life Board of Trustees, Safehouse Outreach Ministry Board of Directors, and is an honorary member of 100 Black Men of America. He established a mentoring program in 2004 for young men ages 12 - 16 that is known as the Longfellows Summer Academy. Though originally intended to be an 8-week program it has grown into a lifelong commitment, and has expanded to include educational scholarships to 63 charter members. New Birth Missionary Church holds a number of conferences each year through which many are blessed and saved, and is a base for countless community outreach programs. Bishop Long’s global effort to “make disciples of all nations” most notably includes his Taking Authority Broadcast, which is seen in 170 countries worldwide, spreading the message of the believer’s authority in Christ. In addition, his sermons are broadcast online via Streaming Faith and on multiple television and radio stations. Bishop Long is also a prolific author, whose books include “I Don’t Want Delilah, I Need You,” “Power of a Wise Woman,” “What a Man Wants, What a Woman Needs,” “Taking Over,” “It’s Your Time” and his most recent “The Elect Lady.” Bishop Long has also been actively involved in a variety of projects that fulfill Jesus’ admonition in Matthew 25:34 - 46 to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the sick. He has served since 2001 as co-chair for the Hosea Feed the Hungry program, an organization designed to restore at-risk and homeless families through a wide variety of practical help including food distribution, counseling, housing assistance , medical help, and education. He was recognized by the Center for Disease Control and the National HIV/AIDS Partnership for his exceptional, ongoing work in fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS. In 2006, he was appointed to serve as CoChair for the DeKalb Police Alliance, a non-profit organization that assists the families of those who serve as licensed officers. Bishop Eddie Long has received numerous awards in recognition of his worldwide ministry. He was named one of America’s 125 most influential leaders. He received the 2003 Leadership Award, the 2003 Religious Contemporary Award, the 2003 Champion Award for Spiritual Enlightenment, the Faith/Community Award from 100 Black Men of America, and was selected in 2003 by Savoy Magazine as one of The Most Influential Blacks in America. In 1999, he was awarded the prestigious Legacy Award by the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. Both Bishop Long and the New Birth’s production team were awarded an Emmy in 2004 for their documentary The Face of Homelessness. He was honored in 2005 at the Trumpet Awards for his leadership and service around the world, and received the “100” award the same year by the DeKalb Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America. He has earned the Phi Kappa Kappa Award for Mentor of the Year from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. His Taking Authority broadcast alone has received over 40 national honors including the Telly, Axiem, Aurora and Communicator awards. In 2006, he was honored by the King family to deliver the eulogy at Mrs. Coretta Scott King’s funeral, the wife of the late Martin Luther King, Jr. Bishop Eddie Long has a passion for advancing the Kingdom of God through mentoring, empowering, and helping others discover their destinies. He has been described as a visionary and leader, and his ministry is well-known both nationally and internationally. He continues to demonstrate dedication, commitment, and tireless efforts to proclaim the Word of God to the nations via every means possible. If you wish to learn more about, or avail yourself of his ministry, please view www.newbirth.org.
Bishop Eddie Long’s Newest Release! December 2008
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The Elect Lady will encourage you, inspire you, empower you, and lead you right into the purpose plan and assignment that God has setup and established for your life, before the world began…. ORDER YOUR COPY NOW at Called to Conqueor Bookstore www.newbirth.org
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E
lected Among the Rejected By Pamela Guerrieri
Over 2,000 years ago, a woman with humble beginnings received a calling to give birth to and raise the Son of God, the Savior of the world, the Messiah. That woman was Mary, and her Son was Jesus Christ. Centuries passed and even to this day there are few people in our nation—in the world—who do not recognize Mary’s name among women as the mother of Jesus. Despite Mary’s “fame,” time has a way of gradually distancing the personal impact of such a major historical event in modern-day Christian lives, leaving us to toss this account aside as a tribute to a specially chosen woman as we go on with our busy days. Today I ask you to stop, take a breath, and reflect on the implications of Mary’s role in history, because she accepted a God-given honor to carry out God’s will. Mary, a simple woman with a whole lot of faith, took on a calling to be an elect lady—a calling that every Christian woman will face at some point in her walk with God. “Me, elect?” you ask. Yes, you. “But I’m a nobody, a reject. God would never elect me to something as important as that.” Oh, but God does have a calling for you. You just haven’t realized it yet. While Mary’s story of election will certainly be different from your own story, it is essential to understand how your faith can and should mirror hers. Even in your weaknesses, your calling is to be an elect woman who readily carries out God’s will—today, right now, in your own hectic life. Do we dare compare ourselves to Mary, the mother of Jesus? Do we dare stand among the ranks of elect women mentioned in biblical history? If you want to be used by God to do great things, then dare to step out of your comfort zone and follow God’s lead. And I assure you, God wants to use you for great things. In Bishop Eddie Long’s book The Elect Lady, he expounds on the significance of being “elect.” In Mary’s case, God chose her to carry out a task, and she grabbed hold of it. Sure, it ripped her from her comfort zone when she had to flee the country to protect her newborn son (Matthew 2:13). Sure, the potential for gossip and rumors about her unplanned pregnancy could have ruined her relationship with her betrothed (Matthew 1:19). And sure, the responsibility of rearing the Messiah had to be overwhelming. Nevertheless, despite these odds stacked against her and the risk to her personal quality of life, she mustered up her faith and pursued God’s plan wholeheartedly. Unwaveringly. Joyfully. When we think about it, Mary’s footsteps seem like impossible steps to walk in. After all, you’ll never be called to such a task as carrying the Messiah. But God’s calling for you is just as important as His calling for Mary. You may be wondering, What made Mary so special to be designated such an
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elite position as the birth mother of Jesus? And how could I possibly compete with that in God’s plan of electing me for His purpose? If we examine Scripture, there really wasn’t anything that spectacular about Mary that caught God’s eye. She was chosen because, as the genealogy in Matthew chapter 1 points out, she was engaged to Joseph, and Joseph fulfilled the lineage all the way back to Abraham—the man that God first made a covenant with about the Messiah coming from his descendants. So Mary just happened to be engaged to the right guy at the right time. Nothing in particular made Mary any better than you or I except for her positioning in that period of time—not her beauty or her body or her riches or her perfection. She was a sinner, a reject, just like us. However, Luke 1:38 testifies to something about Mary that proved her to be the right choice as God’s elect lady, and that was her willingness. Her reply to God’s request proclaimed a servant’s heart to take on God’s calling—whatever it might be, no matter the cost. Your calling certainly won’t be to carry the Son of God. Mary has already done that. But perhaps your calling is to be a loving mom, a faithful wife, a pure single woman, or a steadfast friend. Perhaps you’ve been called to dedicate time to a particular ministry, visit a widow, or share the gospel to a stranger. No matter what the context, you have been elected to fulfill your obligation to the relationships and place and position that God puts you in, even if you fear the risk may not be worth the reward. For part of being elect is a willingness to sacrifice the fleshly comforts of life as you know it for something bigger, something greater, something spiritual. That’s not to say that you will or won’t lose your possessions or friends or popularity, for even Mary was considered blessed, as her song in Luke 1:46ff shares. However, are you willing to risk it all for God’s calling? Do you have what it takes to be an elect lady—a desire for God alone that supersedes any personal interference with His will for you? Think back on your life for a moment and consider how God brought you to where you are today. Perhaps there were moments of ministry that passed you by—moments where you knew God wanted to use you. If that’s the case, make a commitment not to let them pass you by again. Tell God that you want Him to use you, to elect you to His cause. If you open up the door to be an elect lady, God will take you up on that offer, and in the end, you will be the one who is blessed for it. Have you recognized your calling? And more importantly, will you accept it and allow God to mold you into His elect lady?
Order Your Copy Today! www.newbirth.org
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Elder Rickey E. Macklin Elder Rickey E. Macklin, son of the Reverend and Mrs. Arthur Macklin Sr. of Camden, S.C., is a graduate of South Carolina State University and Jericho Christian Training College, and has his Masters in Theological Studies from National Bible Seminary. Elder Rickey E. Macklin serves as leader over Ambassadors For Christ Bible Ministries where the ministry's primary purpose is to provide books, bible studies and various resources to assist Christians in discovering their God-given purposes. Elder Macklin is leader of the City of Praise Singles Ministry, leader of the City of Praise Youth Ministry (Youth On Fire & King's Kids) and leader of the City of Praise Mighty Men of Valor discipleship and mentoring program. Elder Macklin also teaches "Christian Courtship for Him" and "Christian Apologetics" at the Jericho Christian Training College. He also conduct Christian Book Writers Workshops. He is the author of "God's Whole Armor", "Daddy's Waiting On You" and "Anointed, But Not Ready". He has begun work on his next Spirit-led masterpiece entitled "Will You Die For Him?".
WWW.AMBASSADOR4CHRIST.ORG
Powerful! Life Changing! Spirit-led Masterpiece! Learn about the life that God has already established and foreordained for you… OUR BATTLE IS NOT PHYSICAL! Learn how to win every battle with GOD’S WHOLE ARMOR….ARE YOU ANOINTED, BUT NOT READY? God has an assignment just for you, whether you’re ready or not! ……..DO YOU PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE? Discover the many blessings God has for you, when you acknowledge Him…. A MUST READ…. Available at your local Christian bookstores.
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Who is the Most important Person in Your Life? Get Enlightened! Develop a Kingdom Mentality
Read this Powerful Masterpiece!
RENEW
TRANSFORM CONFORM EMPOWER YOUR MIND! AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORES WWW.WHITAKERHOUSE.COM
Empower your mind…….. 17 2008 Your MARKETPLACE EDITION It’s Time to read “the Elect Lady” Order Your Copy Now...
www.newbirth.org
December 2008
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jÉÅtÇ g{Éâ TÜx VtÄÄxw `|Ç|áàÜ|xáAAA Elder Bessie Ashworth is a published author. She has three books and one audio CD to her credit as a Teacher and Minister of God.
Can You Stand To Be Blessed! Elder Ashworth teaches classes at: Jericho's Christian Training College 8501 Spectrum Drive, Landover, MD 20785 (301) 333-0500 Dr. Betty P. Peebles Apostle/Pastor. Call and schedule a "Woman Thou Are Called" seminar with Elder Bessie Ashworth. It will be an event that will change your life!
WTAC Hits The Airways Join Elder Ashworth on the radio! Every 1st Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on WBFR 1590 AM
www.wtac.org
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THE POWER AND PRIVILEGE OF CITIZENSHIP (An excerpt from the book, “Kingdom Principles”) by Dr. Myles Munroe Citizenship has great power as well as great privileges. That is why people are willing to risk their lives and cross borders even to the point of death to pursue the hope of citizenship. Citizenship is not only sacred, but sanctified, set apart. A citizen is part of an elite, privileged group. People who have lived as ”subjects” of a foreign government rather than citizens understand this distinction much better than people who were born citizens. The same is true for people who have worked very hard to earn the privilege to become a naturalized citizen of their chosen country. As a sacred privilege, citizenship is the most precious gift that any nation can give. That’s why there are laws to protect people from it and protect it from people. Apart from native-born citizens, citizenship is neither awarded lightly nor obtained easily. And it shouldn’t be. Citizenship is too precious a treasure to hand out indiscriminately like handbills. When it comes to citizenship the Kingdom of God is no different from any other country. Remember the Kingdom of God is not a religion. It is a government with a country. Heaven is that country, and Jesus Christ is its King. Referring to Christ, the ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah wrote: For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders….Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His Kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever… (Isaiah 9:6-7, emphasis added). Like any other country, the Kingdom of God has the principle of citizenship. And, like the example of America above, once people know about the Kingdom, and once they understand what it is and what it has to offer, they clamor to get in. This is what Jesus was referring to when He said: The Law and the prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. (Luke 16:16) BECOMING A KINGDOM CITIZEN All nations, including kingdoms, have citizens, And all nations require immigration status. The Kingdom of God is no different. Every Kingdom citizen today is a naturalized citizen. We emigrated from a foreign country --- a “dominion of darkness” (see Col. 1:13)--- where we as a race had been “exiled” ever since Adam’s rebellion in the garden of Eden. At that time, the human race lost citizenship in heaven. We lost our citizenship because we lost our Kingdom, and we lost our Kingdom because we lost our property--- our territory. Don’t forget that without territory, there is no kingdom; and without a kingdom, there can be no kingdom citizenship. When Jesus Christ began his public ministry, He announced that the Kingdom of Heaven had arrived. That was the only message He preached. He brought back to earth the Kingdom we lost at Eden and gave us access to it again. We enter the Kingdom of heaven through the process that Jesus called being “born again” (see John 3:3) --- changing our mind and turning from rebellion against God, placing our trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of our rebellion, and acknowledging Him as Lord (Owner) of our lives. This “new birth” gets us into the Kingdom of Heaven. Many believers call this “being saved” but I think it is more helpful here to think of the new birth as the (Continued on page 20)
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(Continued from page 19)
“naturalization” process by which we become Kingdom citizens. The new birth makes us naturalized citizens of the Kingdom. It also “naturalizes” us in the sense that it returns us to our original “natural” state of authority and dominion over the earth as God’s Kingdom, it means that we voluntarily align ourselves with a new government and a new country, embracing its language, its ideals, and its values. The Kingdom constitution is explicit regarding our citizenship: Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but Fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19, emphasis added) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body (Philippians 3:20, emphasis added). Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of dark ness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He love (Colossians 1:12-13) emphasis added) Not only does the new birth make us citizens of Heaven, but our citizenship begins immediately. We are Kingdom citizens right now. Our citizenship is a present reality. “We are fellow citizens with God’s people.” Our citizenship is in Heaven.” “God has brought us into the kingdom of the Son.” Why is this so important? Here’s why: Religion postpones citizenship to the future. Religious leaders tell their people, “You will be a citizen… someday. You will be in the Kingdom…you will have joy later…you will be a full citizen. But not today. Not yet. The Kingdom has not yet come. They are wrong. The Kingdom has come. Kingdom citizenship is never postponed. The Kingdom of God is present and functional on the earth right now. If you have been “born again,” then you have been naturalized and are a Kingdom citizen right now. And that means that all the rights, benefits, and privileges of Kingdom citizenship are yours right now. You can enjoy your citizenship right now. You don’t have to wait until some indefinite time in the future. You can never appropriate what you postpone. That’s what you call “Locking up the Kingdom of God” to those who want to get in. It is for this reason that I am convinced that the greatest enemy of the Kingdom is religion. Religion keeps pushing the Kingdom away from people: “You can’t get in now; you can’t experience it now; you can’t benefit from it now; wait until later.” And so the people suffer. That is why so many religious people live defeated, destitute, and frustrated lives. They believe they have to wait for their reward.” DUAL CITIZENSHIP Kingdom governments exercise jurisdiction over their citizens no matter where they are. One of the main purposes that nations maintain embassies in other countries is to provide assistance to their citizens who are living or traveling away from home. Once, in Africa, I had a problem and had to fly to London, England. The Bahamian embassy sent a chauffeured car to pick me up at the airport and put me up in a house. A dear American friend of mine who was a missionary in Mozambique years ago spent the better part of a year in prison after the Communists took over the country. Upon his release, the American embassy paid for his plane ticket home, gave him $300.00 cash, and said, “Your wife will be waiting for you.” (Continued on page 21)
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(Continued from page 20)
If you were to visit the Bahamas and happened to lose all your money or face some other crisis, all you would have to do is turn to your country’s embassy and they would help you. That’s what they are there for. One of the responsibilities of any government is to take care of its citizens, whether at home or abroad. In a very real sense, that’s what the church is (or what it is supposed to be) an embassy! The church is not a religious place. When Jesus established His ecclesia, He did not have a religious institution in mind. His purpose was to set up an embassy of His Kingdom, a place where Kingdom citizens (new and old) could receive aid, be trained in the ways, laws, language, and customs of the Kingdom, and be equipped with the Kingdom resources they needed for effective life in the Kingdom colony on earth. All Kingdom citizens carry dual citizenship. Most governments on earth allow dual citizenship, where citizens of one country may hold simultaneously legal citizenship in another. If you are an American or Canadian or German citizen, for example, you could require to give up your prior citizenship. Children born to citizens of one country who are living in another country generally become citizens of both countries. It is no different with the Kingdom of Heaven. All Kingdom citizens are simultaneously citizens of the kingdom of Heaven as well as citizens of the earthly nations of their birth or their naturalization. We don’t give up our earthly citizenship when we become citizens of the Kingdom. And in the same way, we don’t have to be in Heaven to benefit from heavenly jurisdiction. Our citizenship is constant, and the Kingdom government exercises jurisdiction over us wherever we are. The Kingdom constitution says that we are in the world but not of the world. Even though we are in a foreign territory ---- actually, our government’s colony ---- our registration is not here. When it says our citizenship is in Heaven, it means that our registration, our official documentation, is not on earth. When we are born again, our names are written in Heaven’s “official registry” as valid confirmation that we are now citizens of Heaven, even though we still live in the colony. So even though we are physically away from the Kingdom “country,” we are still citizens of the Kingdom. When Jesus stood before Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, Pilate asked Him, “Are you the king of the Jews? (John 18:33b), to which Jesus answered: “My Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My Kingdom is from another place (John 18:36) It is important to note here both what Jesus said as well as what He did not say. He said, “My Kingdom is not in this world.” He said, “My Kingdom is from another place.” He did not say, “My Kingdom is not in this place.” As the official representative of the emperor, Pilate possessed kingly authority in Judea. Speaking as one king to another, Jesus acknowledged His kingship. In fact, He stated plainly to Pilate: “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” (John 18:37b). And what was that truth? The truth that the Kingdom of Heaven had arrived---the only message Jesus preached. So Christ’s Kingdom was in the world but not of the world. It was from another place but also resident here on earth. It was here now, but it was not from here. So all Kingdom citizens possess dual citizenship --- in heaven and on earth. That status will continue until the day when the present heaven and earth pass away and the king re-creates them both. Then there will be no more separation because the time will have come when: ….the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God himself will be (Continued on page 22)
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with them and be their God (Revelation 21:3) On that day the government of heaven will exercise full dominion over the new earth under the co-regency of all Kingdom citizens. INVISIBLE CITIZENSHIP Someone may ask, “If the Kingdom of heaven is here now, why can’t we see it? Why isn’t there more evidence of it all around us? The answer is very simple: We cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven because it is invisible. And so are its citizens. In fact, all colonial governments and citizens are invisible. I grew up and have spent most of my life in the Bahamas. I am a Bahamian citizen who was born while the Bahamas was still part of the British Commonwealth. While I was growing up I never visited England. I never visited Parliament or saw the queen. But like the rest of my countrymen, I knew they were there. After all, we sang their songs, wore their clothes, observed their laws, learned their history; but we never saw them. So the government was invisible. But it was real. Just look at us today: We speak English, we drive on the left side of the street, and carry on many customs and traditions that are the legacy of our years as part of the British Empire. In the Bahamas, the British government was invisible but also influential. In the same way, the fact that the Kingdom of Heaven is invisible does not mean that it has no impact. Jesus taught this truth about the Kingdom more than once. On one occasion He illustrated it this way: What shall I compare the Kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough (Luke 13:20-21) That’s how yeast works slowly but inexorably until all the dough feels its influence. Once mixed with the dough, the yeast is invisible, but if you think that means no impact, just try baking bread without it! People have been debating the nature and timing of the coming of the Kingdom of heaven for centuries. It was no different in Jesus day. One day He spoke of the invisibility of the Kingdom in response to a question from some of the religious leaders: Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, “Here it is, or there it is, because the Kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21) The Kingdom of God is invisible. We cannot detect it simply by observation. And if the Kingdom of God resides within its citizens, this means that all Kingdom citizens are invisible also. We bear no physical or outward signs that broadcast to the world, “I’m a Kingdom citizen!” Our citizenship must become known in other ways. One day in Ohio I shared an elevator with a lady who asked politely, “How are you?” “Fine,” I replied, and we began to talk. “Where are you from?” she asked. “Why do you ask?” I answered. “Because you have an accent.” She knew nothing about me until I spoke. There was no way for her to tell just by looking at me that I was Bahamian. My citizenship was invisible. It was my speech that clued her in to the fact that I was not from her “neck of the woods.” Citizenship is invisible. The only way you can actually know someone is from a particular place is by listening to them and observing their behavior over time. (Continued on page 23)
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(Continued from page 22)
The same is true with us as Kingdom citizens. There is a no way for people to tell by looking at us that we are citizens of the Kingdom. Our language and our behavior should make that known to them. In other words, they should recognize us by our distinct culture. Culture is product of the language, ideals, and values of a people or a nation. Even though people cannot recognize us a Kingdom citizens by our outward appearance, our distinctive language, ideals, and values should give us away. Our culture should reflect and reveal our citizenship as being here but not from here, as being in the world but not of the world.
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What is a son of God? By Elder Rickey E. Macklin
W
ell, the first thing that crosses my mind when I hear the phrase “sons of God” is sonship. It carries along with it certain inalienable legal rights, expectations and an inheritance. The rights that I’m speaking of are rights of authority and the ability to speak on behalf of. The expectations I speak of are those which are expected of us as sons of the most high God and children of the God of the universe. The inheritances I speak of are the residual benefits of being in the family of God. For the word of God declares that if we are heirs, we are also joint-heirs with His Son, Jesus Christ. Now I want to be very clear and scripturally in context as I state that the “sons of God” Paul refers to is more of a legal status than a biological one (Galatians 3:26-29). This is why Paul says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” In other words, I don’t care what family you were brought up in or what side of the track you grew up on. I’m not concern about your gender; and neither am I concern about your position or title; neither am I about what you have or don’t have. The truth is that you only become a son by having faith in the works of Christ on that cross. After that, I want you to know that through the eyes of the Father, we are all co-equals and one in Christ Jesus. The process of how this happens is amazing to me. The hymnist wrote, “Jesus paid it all. All to him I owe. Sin had left a crimsoned stain, but He washed me white as snow.” This is the absolute truth because there’s no way I could have worked my way into becoming a son. My righteousness was as filthy rags and all of my works that I considered to be good were done on the wrong side of the cross. It was in the grace package of God, that He would send His only begotten Son to earth to pay such a gruesome and horrific price to give us the right to become His sons. Now, the agent designed to take us through the legal process of becoming sons, after we’ve acknowledged our faith in God’s Son, is none of than the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit. Paul goes on to say, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Rom8:14-17).” I like this passage of scripture because it clearly indicates that you are adopted (placed as a son) into the body of Christ and you are not an orphan. You know who your father is now and you can cry out to Him, Abba, Father! What are the expectations? The expectations are that His sons should bear His character and His nature. We should walk in holiness and live a life of integrity. We are to represent Him and speak on His behalf (in God’s stead). Now that the kingdom has been restored and we’ve been adopted into His family, it is our job to learn the principles of the kingdom, live accordingly and promote His principles
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on planet earth. Jesus declared, “When this gospel of the kingdom has been preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” As a son of God, wrapped in a male biological suite, sure there are definitive things I should be doing. Prior to doing them however, I need to first apprehend and understand my God-given identity. I need to understand that everything about me was purposed in the mind of God before I showed up. I need to understand my value and my God-given purpose. I must stay connected to my source (God). I must be a man of compassion and conviction. I must come to grips with the fact that my Maker designed me to lead, to have a vision, to provide, to protect, to keep and to sustain. If I’m not operating in these, I am malfunctioning as a male and frustration will become my next assignment. Finally, one of the greatest lessons we can learn as men in this life is, we don’t know it all. An improper ego will lead to pride and a great fall. May the Real Men of God STAND UP and take their rightful places in their homes, in their churches and in their communities. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them which believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12,13).
Have you given your life to Christ?
Order Your Copy Now! www.ambassador4christ.org
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Make Jesus Lord of Your Life Romans 10:9-10 Apostle Betty P. Peebles, Senior Pastor of Jericho City of Praise is the author of over 100 books, including her latest book, “Performing for an Audience of One.” Also she is God’s greatest business woman, owner and operator of Jericho Senior Assisted Living Facility in Landover, Maryland, a 250 bed facility for Senior citizens. She runs and operates a Christian College, Elementary School and has 18,000 members, including 500 Mass Choir members, Youth Choir and Children's Choir, with many more ministries at Jericho City of Praise. All facilities are paid off with the favor of God at over $100,000.000.
www.jerichocop.org
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I Have the Favor of God… And I Will Use it Wisely By Apostle Betty P. Peebles “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, long life is in her right hand: in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.” (Proverbs 3:13, 16, 17 NIV) God is concerned about our walk, our growth, and our development in Christ Jesus. He promises us many things if we are to walk uprightly before Him and delight ourselves in Him and in His Word. However, one thing that He esteems as most important is a daily walk in wisdom. To Him wisdom is “more profitable than silver, and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies: nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Proverbs 3:14, 15) We know that God has put us in a wealthy place. We confess every day that, according to His Word, whatsoever we do shall prosper. God also tells us that He has given us favor. “A good man obtains favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 12:2) Favor is a blessing from God that cannot be compared to any worldly thing. And when we take that favor and add Godly wisdom, then and only then can we obtain the riches, honor, and success that favor brings. Remember the second part of that scripture, “but the Lord condemns a crafty man.” A wise person respects and fears God and would not use this precious gift of favor to hurt another person or to get personal gain through worldly or ungodly means. Real success comes only to those who follow God’s instruction, yield to the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and use the favor of God in a way that will give Him glory and show the world that the power that lies within us comes from a Holy, loving God. Every gift from God is good and perfect, and is given without sorrow, but we can lose it if we misuse it. So, yes, know that we have the favor of God, but remember that as this favor comes to us, we must use it with Godly wisdom, for the purpose to which He has called us, and to life up His name. Praise God for the fruition of His promises. I have the favor of God and I will use it wisely. I will use it to His glory!
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2)
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Trusting God Through Trials Joyce Meyer, founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, reminds believers that we are called to trust God not only to provide what we need but also to carry us through the trials we may face while awaiting His provision. We often think of trusting God for things we need or want, such as financial provision, physical healing, restoration of a relationship, a promotion at work, a place to live, an opportunity or a big win in some kind of competition. A true relationship of trust in God extends beyond trusting Him for something. We need to learn to trust Him through the process of attaining those things we desire. There was a time in my life when I focused intensely on trusting God for things, saying, "I want this, God," and "I need such-and-such, God." He began to show me that getting all those things was not the most important issue in my life. We often think of trusting God for things we need or want, such as financial provision, physical healing, restoration of a relationship, a promotion at work, a place to live, an opportunity or a big win in some kind of competition. A true relationship of trust in God extends beyond trusting Him for something. We need to learn to trust Him through the process of attaining those things we desire. There was a time in my life when I focused intensely on trusting God for things, saying, “I want this, God,” and “I need such-and-such, God.” He began to show me that getting all those things was not the most important issue in my life. He wanted to teach me how to trust Him enough to walk through situations with stability and with a good attitude on a consistent basis. He needed me to learn that He may not always rescue us when we want out of circumstances, but He is always with us as we walk through them. God does not always deliver us from everything when we think He should. Throughout His Word, we read about people who had to go through things. One familiar passage to many people is Psalm 23:4, “Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me” (The Amplified Bible). Psalm 66:12 says, “You caused men to ride over our heads [when we were prostrate]; we went through fire and through water, but You brought us out into a broad, moist place [to abundance and refreshment and the open air].” And the prophet Isaiah, speaking for God, says: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.
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When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you” (Is. 43:2, emphasis added). One of the most amazing stories of trusting God through trouble is the account of the three courageous young men named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The Old Testament king Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them into a blazing furnace where they were sure to be burned alive if they did not worship his idols. They responded to him: “If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!” (Dan. 3:17-18). The angry king threw the three men into the furnace—after ordering that the furnace be turned up to seven times its usual heat. The flames were so hot they incinerated the king’s men as they threw the three young men into it. When Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, he said in astonishment, “Behold, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt!” (Dan. 3:25). The king called the three men out of the furnace, and when they emerged, not one hair on their heads had been singed, their clothes were not scorched, and they didn’t even smell of smoke. This testimony of going through difficulty with absolute trust in God has inspired generations of people. Today we can draw much encouragement from the fact that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced a terrifying situation, one we can assume they wanted to be delivered from. Many think it was the pre-incarnate Jesus who was the fourth man in the fiery furnace with them. As we follow their example, we can go through trials with stable, positive attitudes, trusting God completely, even against seemingly impossible odds. Your attitude, whether good or bad, is yours to command in every situation. But I encourage you to maintain an attitude of faith, praise, thanksgiving and positive expectation, and you will definitely come through your situation victoriously. Joyce Meyer is a New York Times best-selling author, and her most recent, 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life. LIFE WAS MEANT TO BE ENJOYED! Order Your Copy Today! www.joycemeyer.org
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The Marketplace
Christian Business Directory
Gospel Artist- CD’s DVD’s Video Church listing Christian bookstores Christian businesses Printing/Office supplies Christian books
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Take a browse through the Marketplace Christian Business Directory. Find the business listing you need, and contact that company. Order gospel music, find a church home, search for a good Christian book, or satisfy your Christian business office needs. If you are a Christian business owner and need supply’s for your company browse through our “office supply listing,” and find what you need. ENJOY! Need a Website Designer?
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My First Love By L.C. Tardy Before the foundation of the world, God knew the journey that Tracey T. Davis would take in order that He may prove, establish and prepare her for himself. Tracey encountered many trials and tribulation from the age of 5 until her adulthood. Many times she wanted to give up, but she didn’t. Tracey discovered later in life that it was a reason why she never gave up, and that reason was why she survived so many mishaps in her life….. The hand of the Lord was on Tracey’s life. God was keeping Tracey under His quiver. Tracey admits that growing up was very painful for her, but only God knew that He was pulling a powerful testimony out of her, to bless the lives of many women throughout the nation, who had experienced abuse.. Finally realizing the calling on her life, Tracey’s faith began to strengthen, she started to believe that God wanted to make her whole, to appoint unto her beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. The Lord had preserved Tracey for such a time as this. Tracey realized that God had a plan and purpose for her life, greater than her circumstance, more awesome than her finite mind could ever imagine, so she endured hardness like a good soldier. Tracey discovered that God had strategically assigned someone to her life, who had led her to a church home called, Jericho City of Praise, where Tracey renewed her fellowship with the Lord and answered the call. The most amazing thing that Tracy found was who she was in Christ Jesus, and how much Christ loved her. She found out that no matter what had happened in her life, whether bad or good, Jesus saw her as His very own: His priceless treasure, the apple of His eye. God had positioned Tracey’s feet like hinds feet. God was moving Tracey into a place of wholeness, completeness to cause her situation to change. Tracey was finally set in her heart that she was created to manifest the glory of God, being in the fire was just a transitional place until God brings her into a wealthy place, and His plan for her life was to bring Tracey back home to the love of her life, Jesus Christ. In the pages of Tracey’s book you will find yourself. Perhaps you are presently experiencing low self-esteem, financial difficulty, divorce, loneliness, or searching for love in all the wrong places, or maybe you have reached the point of giving up. ... From the words of Tracey’s very own mouth..…. DON’T GIVE UP! DISCOVER WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS! THERE IS A GREATER LOVE AND BEST FRIEND WAITING FOR YOU WITH OPEN ARMS HE WANTS TO TAKE YOU BACK TO YOUR FIRST LOVE….
Order Today Online At your Local Christian Bookstores www.amazon.com www.barnesandnoble.com Jericho City of Praise Christian Bookstore
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ALLISON GREGORY DANIELS BIOGRAPHY Allison Gregory Daniels has been performing in the area of television, radio and stage for several years. She debuted her first poetry and inspirational book signing at Adelia's Restaurant in Takoma Park, Maryland in 1999. Over the few years, she has authored over 1000 poems and had several published. She has also donated several of her poems to the local newspapers throughout the Washington, D.C. and Metropolitan area. Destined to ignite the hearts and souls of readers as she adorns a global audience with her Words of Love. A native of the District of Columbia and Nationally Acclaimed Ambassador of Poetry (2006), Allison G. Daniels decorates your thoughts with expressions of therapy, innovation and mentorship through her presence in word and motivational speaking. As founder of All God's Doing Ministries (1995), her original mission to heal and comfort the human spirit has flourished to a collection of award winning works and books. As a distinguished member of the International Society of Poets, she was inducted into the International Poetry Hall of Fame on March 3, 1997. Her poems and eclectic writings have been published throughout the United States. Her books can be purchased through,amazon.com, iuniverse.com, barnesandnoble.com, forbesbookclub.com and books a million.
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Time Management God’s Way By Gloria N. Adams Are you managing your time the way that God designed it especially for you? Everyone is given the same number of hours in the day but the way we use that time is different for each person. God has given each person a custom fit blueprint for how we should live our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God knows the plans that He has for us; “…plans to prosper and not to harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future” (NIV). God wants us to use our time and live a prosperous and good life that is full of hope. We can have this life if we are a child of God and we allow our heavenly Faer to manage our time for us according to His perfect will. How do we know his will for our lives? We need to seek Him first and know his word which will govern our lives as we yield to His Lordship. There are many books that tell you how to manage your time but God wants to tell us how to manage our time from His perspective because he knows our future, he knows our time span and how it should be used, and he also knows the agenda for each plan that was designed for our lives. The question is: are we allowing God to provide our agenda for us to fulfill those plans that He has for us? With God’s plan we will prosper and they will not harm us, and with His plan we will have boundless hope for our lives. God already has a plan for how we should use our time so that we can fulfill His purposes and reach our destiny in Christ Jesus. Are you fulfilling your destiny that God created for you before the foundation of the world? Have you ever stopped and thought where is the time going, I need more time? I need time to finish my project, the one that only I can do or the ministry that God called me to do but I do not have enough time to do it. What happened to the time?
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One morning I woke up and I felt the urge to seize the time because I felt that it was slipping away from me. I was sad for a moment and I thought that I still have the time for today. I immediately pressed into a place of prayer with God and I began to spend time with Him, just to worship Him for who He is. After a time of worship, I spent quiet time with God; I needed Him to minister to me because I felt that I had missed it, by not doing some of the things that He called me to do. I sensed God’s presence and He began to minister to me. He reminded me that I still have time today to find out from Him what I need to do. God also reminded me not to waste time thinking about the time that I had wasted, but to use the time that I have now to do what He created me to do. God gave me Matthew 6:33 to meditate on and to use as my foundation for Time Management God’s Way. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” God wanted me to let Him manage my time by giving my time back to Him so that He can multiply it back to me so that I can invest it back into His Kingdom. God promised me that if I entrust my time to Him to do what He called me to do, then He would meet all my needs and the Holy Spirit would guide me into all truth necessary to live a successful life full of boundless hope in Christ Jesus. My hope is in Christ Jesus and I chose to apply this biblical principle of sowing and reaping in Matthew 6:33 to help manage my time. If you are challenged to manage your time in an effective way, I ask you to consider if you are allowing God to manage your time? Are you investing your time in His Kingdom doing what He created you to do or are you managing your time doing what you choose to do without consulting the giver of time, God Himself. I hope that after you read this book that you will reevaluate how you manage your time and to see if you are seeking God’s way of living or your own way of living. Proverbs 14:12 says that there is a way which seems right to a man or
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woman and it appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death. It can be death of a dream, a vision, or a successful and prosperous life or for some death without the promise of eternal life with Christ Jesus. How we spend our life here on earth will qualify how we spend our life in eternity.
A precious and valuable commodity that we possess is TIME…www.fruitbear.com, GNA Ministries.
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Peace
December 2008
Power Purpose
SURRENDER
TÄÄ Purchase Your Copy www.daystar.com
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shares
her stories of how the power of surrender helped change her life and others. Joni writes: “My desire, most of all, is to help you find your place in a world full of chaos and human suffering. There is a place of peace, power and purpose in this world, and it begins with one word, “Surrender.” Marcus Lamb and Joni Lamb owners of Daystar Television Network in Dallas, Texas
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Unconditional Love By Paula White There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love —1 John 4:18 Are you struggling today with the fact that someone you love doesn't love you? Are you feeling rejected? Are you waiting for someone to come along to "complete" you with his or her love? Stop waiting or feeling sorry for yourself. Recognize that no other human being can ever complete you. Only God can do that work. One of the most important decisions you will ever make is the decision to accept God's love for you. God does not force you to love Him. He extends His love to you and invites you to receive His love and experience His love. You must choose. When you know that God loves you with an infinite, unconditional, and unchanging love, you have a security inside you that no person can take way. You have a confidence that is rock solid. You have the kind of self-value and self-esteem that is based on the way God values and esteems you. Love is incompatible with prejudice and resentment and anger and bitterness and unforgiveness. If you live with constant jealousy and fear, you need to check your "love status." What is it that you are not believing about God's love for you? What hidden motives and desires and attitudes are keeping you from experiencing God's love? God is love, and if we are filled with God's Spirit, love will flow from us, for the fruit of the Spirit is love (Galatians 5:22). Love will be our automatic response (1 John 4:16). You cannot love God and hate your brother (vs. 20). When you walk in love, you shut the door to every demonic spirit and influence—whether it is pride, confusion, instability, disunity, strife, contention, anger, pain, hate, bitterness, resentment, or a lack of peace. Love will allow you to live in a way that looks beyond someone's sin and sees grace (1 Peter 4:8). Love covers a multitude of sins. Love motivates you to stop talking about people and start praying for them. Love doesn't dismiss sin as sin—no, it "covers" sin with understanding, with compassion, with a humble admission that "there, but for the grace of God, go I." If you are going to be loving as Christ loves you, you will say "I'm sorry" a thousand times if you need to, because pride no longer stands in the way. Find your place in the love of God, and you'll find your place in the hearts of those God puts in your life. Related Texts: Proverbs 10:12; John 15:9–12; Romans 8:38–39; 1 Corinthians 13:4–8, 13; Ephesians 3:16– 19
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Christian Bookstore Listing The Potomac Adventist Book and Health Food Store 12004 Cherry Hill Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 (301) 572-0700 Agape Christian Book Store and Fellowship Center 731 15th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 737-9030 Evangel Cathedral Bookstore 13901 Central Avenue Upper Marlboro, MD. (301) 390-1490 Calvary Christian Bookstore 700 N. Military Bookstore Norfolk, VA 23502 (757) 466-0816 Family Life Ministries Bookstore 2320 Reisterstown Road Baltimore, MD 21217 (410) 523-8500 1st Baptist Church of Glen Arden Bookstore 3600 Brightseat Road Landover, MD 20785 (301)773-3600
Calvary Chapel Bookstore Pastor Robert Coy Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Phone: 954-977-9673
Community Christian Bookstores Martha Melling Summerville, SC 29485 Phone: 843-871-1225
Cornerstone Christian Supply In His Hands 440 Highway 41 357 West Church Street Inverness, FL 34450 Lexington, TN 38351 Phone: 352-344-2470 Phone: 731-967-0828 The Burning Bush 3233 SE Maricamp Rd. #405 The Federalist Mark Alexander Ocala, FL 34471 Lookout Mountain, TN Phone: 352-694-4388 37350 Phone: 423-822-1825 Lemstone Books Karen Hoyt Gainesville, GA 30501 Phone: 770-531-0296 The Agape Shoppe 39 Maluniu Ave. Kailua, HI 96734 Phone: 808-261-2539 The Storehouse Inc. 1825 East Nettleton Jonesboro, AR 72401
John 3:16 Bookstore 7947 Annapolis Road Lanham, MD 20706 (301) 459-5999
Christian Life Center Mary Vigil Douglas, AZ 85607
Jesus Bookstore 4823 Allentown Road Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 735-1100
Trinity Bookstore 3801 East Fort Lowell Road Tucson, AZ 85716 Phone: 520-326-3466
Cokesbury Bookstores 2781 Gulf to Bay Blvd. Clearwater, FL 33759-3904 Phone: 877-865-5669
Gospel Supplies 5611 East Speedway Tucson, AZ 85712 Phone: 520-722-1441
Anchor Christian Bookstore Gary Bailey Crystal River, FL 34429 Phone: 352-563-0717
The Ark Christian Bookstore Ark Christian Bookstore, The Madelyn Williams Yuma, AZ 85364 Phone: 928-726-0088
Promiseland 3850 Highway 79 North Paris, TN 38242 Phone: 901-641-4377 For God & Country- Contact: J Sanders 1310 Mulberry Street Bandera, TX 78003 Phone: 830-796-9880 forgodandcountry@sbcglobal.net Word Shoppe Angie Dees Brownwood, TX 76801 Phone: 325-646-6894 The Ark 204 N. Beaton Corsicana, TX 75110 Phone: 903-874-5561 American Tract Society Attn.: Chuck Gohn Garland, TX 75046-2008 Phone: 972-276-9408 Veritas Catholic Store Margaret Hotze Houston, TX 77056 Phone: 713-780-2078
39 2008 MARKETPLACE EDITION
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Christian Business and Ministries Listing in Maryland Realtors, Health, Law, Outreach Ministries for homeless, traveling, children’s books, Wealth management DiVine Health Choices Adelphi, MD 20783 (301) 445-9688 info@DiVineHealthChoices.com One Sister to Another Outreach Ministries Minister Denise Burns Founder & Director President, Board of Directors P.O. box 1524 Temple Hills, MD 20757 Email denise@osta.us (301) 938-2858 Cell www.onesistertoanother.com Affordable Benefits Solutions, Inc. Christine Warren-Davis Wealth Manger 4518 Beech Road Ste. 305 Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office (301) 702-9223 Cell: (202) 253-2706 Fax: (301) 702-9229 www.yourabsolutionsinc.com Young Christian Business Association 2228 Mount Royal Terrace Baltimore, MD 21217 Rita Stevens Pen Fed Realty (301) 499-3333 Patricia Dixon Erica Dixon Remax It’s God’s Choice Christian Bookstore 1464 Addison Road Capital Heights, Maryland (301) 499-5799 Kingdom Carpet Stelfond L. Cook 5601 Old Silver Hill Road District Heights, Maryland 20747 (301) 787-8597 Erica Dixon Travel Agent (301) 455-4215
Watkins Products Natural Home Remedies Healthcare Products Patricia Dixon (301) 802-7747 Sandra Caldwell Dentist 6495 New Hampshire Avenue Hyattsville, Maryland 20783 (301) 270-5100 Fax (301) 270-5524 Anne S. Freeman Long & Foster (301) 390-4965 Office (301) 249-1600 Cell (301) 655-4113 Law Offices of Cheryl Chapman Henderson, LLC 4920 Niagra Road College Park, Maryland 20740 (301) 220-4463 Mr. Chuck Ottley Dominion Realty 10262 Lake Arborway Bowie, Maryland 20744 (301) 333-1111 Clap Clap Baby Magazine Embracing Parenthood (401407) 435-5889 Marjorie Tingle, Founder Robin Haywood, Real Estate Agent Keller Williams Preferred 9701 Apollo Drive Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 Office—(240) 737-5000 Direct—(240) 737-2717 Fax—(240) 737-5050 Cell—(301) 335-1609 Toll free—(1866)-606-2177 Agape Christian Fellowship Ministries Lonnie Henderson, Pastor 10701 Livingston Road Fort Washington, Maryland 20744 (301) 630-4577 www.agapechristianfellowshipministries.org
40 2008 MARKETPLACE EDITION
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Church Listings Washington Metropolitan Area Grace of God Ministries International 3900 48th St Bladensburg, MD 20710 (301) 277-1733
Christian Reformed Church Senior Citizens Center 5911 New Hampshire Ave NE Washington, DC 20011 (202) 529-0388
Higher Calling Christian Ministries 3311 Toledo Ter Hyattsville, MD 20782 (301) 559-9243
Jericho City of Praise 8501 Bishop Peebles Drive Landover, Maryland 20785 (301) 333-0500
Lamb of God Christian Church Incorporated 7415 Buchanan St Hyattsville, MD 20784 (301) 306-6975
New Creations Christian Church & Ministries 7726 Finns Ln Lanham, MD 20706 (301) 577-7995
Living Word Love Fellowship Ministries 1853 Brightseat Rd Hyattsville, MD 20785 (301) 772-2025
Prayer Base Christian Training Center 5210 Sheriff Rd NE Washington, DC 20019 (202) 388-1644
Milagros de Jesu Cristo 6305 Ager Rd Hyattsville, MD 20782 (301) 422-0102 Trinity Moravian Church 7011 Good Luck Rd Hyattsville, MD 20784 (301) 441-1814 Grace of God Ministries International 3900 48th St Bladensburg, MD 20710 (301) 277-1733 Franciscan Mission Services 1323 Quincy St NE Washington, DC 20017 (202) 832-1762 Christian Congregation In The United States 8906 Rhode Island Ave College Park, MD 20740 (301) 982-9338
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Israel Metropolitan C M E Church 557 Randolph St NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 723-5795 Redeemer Word Assembly Ministries 8808 Flower Ave Silver Spring, MD 20901 (301) 495-2828 Pilgrim A M E Outreach Church 612 17th St NW Washington, DC 20002 (202) 396-1987 Christ Liberted Church International Incorporated 774 Girard St NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 332-2601 Lane Memorial C M E Church 1423 C St NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 547-0407 Bethel World Outreach Ministries 8252 Georgia Ave Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 588-8099 C Phillip Johnson Ministries 33 K St NW Ste A Washington, DC 20001 (202) 216-0390
41 2008 MARKETPLACE EDITION
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Cont’d Church Listing in Washington Metropolitan Area Christ Our Shepherd Church 801 N Carolina Ave Se Washington, DC 20003 (202) 544-9599
Holy Temple of the Lord Jesus Christ Inc 2635 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE Washington, DC 20020 (703) 444-2568
Church of The Holy City 1611 16th St Nw Washington, DC 20009 (202) 462-6734
Alexandria First Christian Church Disciples of Christ 2723 King St Alexandria, VA 22302 (703) 549-3911
Anacostia Bible Church and Christian School 1610 T Street SE Washington, DC 20020 (202) 678-7008
Central Christian Church 6427 Franconia Rd Springfield, VA 22150 (703) 971-0277
Bethel Christian Fellowship 2220 Martin Luther King Jr Ave Se Washington, DC 20020 (202) 678-8930
Christian & Missionary Alliance 6040 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22205 (703) 533-9874
Capital Christian Fellowship 10411 Greenbelt Rd Lanham, MD 20706 (301) 262-7008
Jesus Is Lord Church 1845 N Columbus St Arlington, VA 22207 (703) 243-2933
Word of Grace Christian Center 13832 Redskin Dr Herndon, VA 20171 (703) 796-9673 New Life Christian Church 4211 Pleasant Valley Rd Ste 204 Chantilly, VA 20151 (703) 222-8836 Restoration Christian Ministries 125 15th St SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 543-2322 Send Us Your Business Listing Email: advertise@visionschristianmagazine.com
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Springfield Christian Church 5407 Backlick Rd Springfield, VA 22151 (703) 354-4994 The Triumphant Church 7015 Old Keene Mill Rd Springfield, VA 22150 (703) 451-2366 Maranatha Christian Fellowship 809 W Broad St Ofc Falls Church, VA 22046 (703) 237-2677 Calvary Church 8220 Little River Tpke Annandale, VA 22003 (703) 573-4200 Grace Christian Reformed Church 9800 Burke Lake Rd Burke, VA 22015 (703) 323-8033 Harvest Chinese Christian Church 10523 Main St Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 218-4840
42 2008 MARKETPLACE EDITION
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Cont’d Christian Bookstore Listing Crossroads Christian Bookstore 2175 Highway 35 Sea Girt, NJ 08750 Phone: 732-449-1323
Logos Bookstore 1062 Upper Valley Pike Springfield, OH 45504 Phone: 937-323-0330
Shell Connection 34561 Highway 100 Los Fresnos, TX 78566 Phone: 956-454-5059
Life Resources Ronald Opferbeck Amberst, NY 14228 Phone: 716-836-4001
Tri-State Christian Book 606 N. 4th Street Steubenville, OH 43952 Phone: 740-283-1341
The Scroll 2752 E. Fifth Tyler, TX 75701 Phone: 903-592-0583
White Dove 1883 East Main Street Mohegan Lake, NY 10547 Phone: 914-526-4366
Good Neighbor Christian Store David Neighbor Uniontown, OH 44685 Phone: 330-899-9947
Logo's 716 W. Grace St. Richmond, VA 23220 Phone: 804-644-9924
Good News Center 295 Main St. Oneonta, NY 13820 Phone: 607-432-2181 Christian Supply Center Elizabeth San Soucie Plattsburgh, NY 12901 Phone: 518-563-5356 Fax: 518-563-8331 Benders Christian Supply 8550 Sheridan Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 Phone: 716-633-5757 Christian Light Bookstore 5537 Salem Ave. Dayton, OH 45426 Phone: 937-854-3523 Heaven Sent Derek Snowden Hamilton, OH 45015 Phone: 513-856-7368 Fax: 513-856-7249 Mustard Seed 121 East Street Liberty City, OH 43532 Phone: 419-533-3316 It’s God’s Choice Christian Bookstore Thelma Lee 1464 Addision Road Capital Heights, Maryland (301) 499-5799
New Life Store Sharon Rea DuBois, PA 15801 Phone: 814-371-8602 The Morning Star Morning Star, The Attn. Valerie State College, PA 16801 Phone: 814-231-4060 Gospel Treasures Deb Bruckner Washington, PA 15301 Phone: 724-225-3730 Fax: 724-225-4728 Blessing Linda D. Little Muskogee, OK 74403 Phone: 918-686-8442 Lighthouse Christian Supply John Goodwin Conway, SC 29526 Phone: 843-248-9632 Witness Wear 1217 Celebrity Circle Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Phone: 843-448-0902 The Car Flag Shop Eleanor Powell Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 Phone: 843-215-8273
Immanuel Christian Bookstore ATTN.: JAN Springfield, VA 22151 Phone: 703-354-5219 Lakewood Christian Gift Center 11116 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW Lakewood, WA 98499 Phone: 253-722-2500 The Treasure House Treasure House, The WA Attn. Summer Longview, WA 98637 Phone: 360-423-3620 Christian Supply Center Fern Leigh Walla Walla, WA 99362 Phone: 509-529-3964 Fax: 509-522-4626 Christian Patriot Tours John Kemlo Hillsdale, WI 547339534 Phone: 715-837-1701 Christian Patriot Tours John Kemlo Hillsdale, WI 547339534 Phone: 715-837-1701
43 2008 MARKETPLACE EDITION
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Con’t Christian Business/Bookstore Listing Sonshine Christian Bookstore 141 W. Cumberland Gap Pkwy. Corbin, KY 40701 Phone: 606-523-2787
Hy-Speed Cleaning Products Lori Vann Castle Hayne, NC 28429 Phone: 800-476-7584
Danville Christian Bookstore Dan & Jennifer McClelland Danville, KY 40422 Phone: 859-236-5973
The Shoe Show, Inc. 2201 Trinity Church Road Concord, NC 28027 Phone: 704-782-4143
Christian Book Center 329 A West Prien Lake Road Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-478-1184
Blessings Bookstore 1006-C West Cumberland Street Dunn, NC 28334-4716 Phone: 910-892-2401
Last Chance Animal Rescue Inc. Jennifer Yamnicky Aquasco, MD 20608 Phone: 301-848-1957 Fax: 301-274-9409 lcar_dogs@yahoo.com
Lemstone Books Steve Sizemore High Point, NC 27262 Phone: 336-883-1585
Family Christian Store Family Christian Store#50011 4480 44th Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512-4011 Phone: 616-554-8700 Heart To Heart Donni Mize Columbia, MO 65201 Phone: 573-449-1430 Lemstone Books Margaret Darrough Columbia, MO 65203 Phone: 573-445-7705 Oasis Christian Bookstore Oasis Christian Bookstore-Farmington Jane Cook Farmington, MO 63640 Phone: 573-756-9494 Cornerstone Christian Bookstore Dorothy Turner Grenada, MS 38901 Phone: 662-229-9777
New Creation Christian Store Donna Davis Matthews, NC 28105 Phone: 704-847-5687 Dickinson Christian Supply 28 1st St. W. Dickinson, ND 58601 Phone: 701-225-4652 Lifestyle Appliance LeRoy Wegenast 918 SW 17 Street Jamestown, ND 58401 Phone: 701-252-8111 The Mustard Seed Marilyn Harbaugh Jamestown, ND 58401 Phone: 701-252-7256 Fax: 701-251-1873 Agape Love 212 B Main St. Hacketts Town, NJ 07840 Phone: 908-979-0601
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Cont’d Christian Business Listing Western Christian Stores-Hayward Western Christian Bookstores Luann Wilkinson Hayward, CA 94541 Phone: 510-881-8411Ott Promotions
Lemstone Books Karen Hoyt Gainesville, GA 30501 Phone: 770-531-0296
Christine Ott Colorado Springs, CO 80908 Phone: 719-594-4775
The Agape Shoppe 39 Maluniu Ave. Kailua, HI 96734 Phone: 808-261-2539
Word of Life Christian Supply Carolyn Grand Junction, CO 81505 Phone: 970-243-4025
Gospel Land David Brunaugh Carbondale, IL 62901 Phone: 618-549-1632
Inter-Mountain Christian 2401 N. Ave #3 Grand Junction, CO 87501 Phone: 970-242-9004
Picket Fence Collectibles Robin M. Blucker Kewanee, IL 61443 Phone: 309-856-8224
Lemstone Christian Stores Attn.: STACEY Guntersville, AL 35976 Phone: 256-571-9191
The Christian Shop Christian Shop Ltd., The Susan Rheaume Palatine, IL 60074 Phone: 847-991-8994
Cokesbury Bookstores 2781 Gulf to Bay Blvd. Clearwater, FL 33759-3904 Phone: 877-865-5669 Anchor Christian Bookstore Gary Bailey Crystal River, FL 34429 Phone: 352-563-0717 Calvary Chapel Bookstore Pastor Robert Coy Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Phone: 954-977-9673 Cornerstone Christian Supply 440 Highway 41 Inverness, FL 34450 Phone: 352-344-2470 The Burning Bush 3233 SE Maricamp Rd. #405 Ocala, FL 34471 Phone: 352-694-4388
State Farm Office State Farm Terry Elston Paris, IL 61944 Phone: 217-465-8548 Unity Red / Michael Wasserman 1449 Myott Ave. Rockford, IL 61104 Phone: 815-968-1523 The Promise Christian Store Promise Christian Store, The Martha Hoepper New Haven, IN 76774 Phone: 260-749-0035 The Light of the World 907 Broadway Marysville, KS 66508 Phone: 785-562-1000 Northern Kentucky Christian Ken Sharp Alexandria, KY 41001 Phone: 859-635-9745
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Printers, Computers, Printing, Office Supplies, Graphic designers Annapolis Office Products 8258 Veterans Highway, Suite 3a Millersville, MD 21108 (410) 729-1400 Call
Accent Printers Incorporated 9652 Belair Rd Nottingham, MD 21236 (410) 256-6699
1st Impressions Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 385-1000
Accent Printing Inc 116 Landing Ln Elkton, MD 21921 (410) 392-0082
A & B Business Printing & Graphics Incorporated 15308 Spencerville Ct Burtonsville, MD 20866 (301) 989-1300
Ad & G Incorporated 3400 N Furnace Rd Jarrettsville, MD 21084 (410) 557-7707
A & M Printing 119 Roesler Rd Glen Burnie, MD 21060 (410) 768-9083
Solutions Incorporated 28 Industrial Park Dr Waldorf, MD 20602 (301) 638-2411
Design Printing Company 2718 Hi View Dr Hampstead, MD 21074 (410) 239-4273
Advance A 1 Printing 11850 Park Waldorf Ln Ste 113 Waldorf, MD 20601 (301) 893-9390
Plus Printing 9127 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 (301) 336-2250
Advanced Printing Incorporated 6836 Harford Rd Parkville, MD 21234 (410) 254-6450
Scribblers Press 3314 Ferndale St Kensington, MD 20895 (301) 946-2349
Agent Printers 4928 Saint Elmo Ave Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 907-4950
Heaven Printing & Graphics Inc 3134 Branch Ave Temple Hills, MD 20748 (301) 423-5200
Alabasters 212 E Main St Salisbury, MD 21801 (410) 546-4054
A Touch of Heaven Printing & Graphics Incorporated 3611 Branch Ave Temple Hills, MD 20748 (301) 423-5200
All Business Forms 2167 Sykesville Rd Westminster, MD 21157 (410) 875-2833
ABC Imaging 400 E Pratt St Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 659-0500
Allegra Print & Imaging 924 N East St Frederick, MD 21701 (301) 662-1102
46 2008 MARKETPLACE EDITION
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Christian Business Listings– Nails, Barbers, Beauty,—Markets, Web designers Floor & Rugs Station, Inc. 7778 Gunston Plaza Lorton, VA 22079 (703) 339-4931
Moms My Organic Market 11777 Parklawn Dr Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 816-1133
Spring Maids Reston, VA 20190 (703) 766-2097
Klipperz 557 Richie Road Capitol Heights, MD 20743 (301) 350-5889!
Florence hair design 323 Pennsylvania Ave Se Washington, DC 20003 (202) 544-1771 Hair Braiding 1526 U St NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 387-5262 Ivy Nail Salon 4826 Macarthur Blvd NW Washington, DC 20007 (202) 337-2227 World Unisex 1820 Benning Rd NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 397-7424 The Nail Salon 9855 Georgetown Pike Great Falls, VA 22066 (703) 757-5330 Salon Nails 7091 Allentown Rd Temple Hills, MD 20748 (301) 449-1988 Nail Salon 1776 G St NW Washington, DC 20006 (202) 789-2073 Ace Nail Salon 1706 R St NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 265-0700 Webdesigners by Letto Paulette Shelton wwwdesignsbyletto.com (301) 793-8800
Graffitti Hair Salon 5020 Brown Station Rd Ste 135 Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (301) 627-3707 Graffitti Hair Salon 5030 Brown Station Rd Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (301) 627-1865 Family Barber Shop 63 Kettering Dr Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 (301) 350-6121 Lauris Lucas Largo 1 Barber Shop 974 Largo Center Dr Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 (301) 808-0073 Ollies Hair Studio 6527 Rosemont St Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (301) 599-1332 Salon Lashawn 872 Largo Center Dr Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 (301) 333-2886 Scissor Sharp Barber Shop 5747 Crain Hwy Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (301) 952-8772 Styles By Deyon Hairstylist 872 Largo Center Dr Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 (301) 808-9533
Pointer Ridge Barber Shop 1318 Crain Hwy Bowie, MD 20716 Map (301) 390-9561 Masters Touch Barber Shop 1407 Ritchie Marlboro Rd Capitol Heights, MD 20743 (301) 499-4058 Masters Touch Barber Shop 1405 Ritchie Marlboro Rd Capitol Heights, MD 20743 (301) 499-4058 Note Klipperz 557 Ritchie Rd Capitol Heights, MD 20743 (301) 350-5889 Andrews One Barber Shop 4811 Allentown Rd Suitland, MD 20746 (301) 420-1557 Love Hair Beauty and Barber 7197 Old Alexandria Ferry Rd Clinton, MD 20735 (301) 868-8030 Hair Looks 529 Ritchie Rd Capitol Heights, MD 20743 (301) 324-8448 Scotts Family Barbershop 10220 Lake Arbor Way Bowie, MD 20721
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Gospel Artist Order Your CD’s DVD’S Video’s from www.gospelflava.com
Artist Tri City singers Fred Hammond LaShun Pace Darwin Hobbs Darlene McCoy Marvin Sapp Kirk Franklin Antonio Neal Tonex Tonex Donnie McClurkin Smokie Norful *********** Louisiana Mass Choir Bishop Paul Morton Lil Rocc Williams Byron Cage Dorinda Clark Harvey Watkins ************ ************ Sandtown Israel New Breed Vickey Yodi Kirk Carr Yolanda Adams Tye Tribbett & GA Shirley Caesar Shekanah Glory
Song Blessing of Abraham You are my life For Your Good Lord We Rejoice Fallen in Love You are God alone Looking for You Days of My Life Make me Over Work on Me Ooh Child God is able Life Changing His Name is Jesus Let It Rain All My People Magnify Him The Presence of the Lord is Here Everything I Need It’s In My Heart You Brought Us Thank You It’s A New Season
48 2008 MARKETPLACE EDITION
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Christian Books— Bestselling Christian Authors Order at www.amazon.com www.christianbooks.com www.barnesandnoble.com
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SMOKIE NORFUL: Life Changing Grammy Award-winning recording artist Smokie Norful recently stood at the crossroads, with a weighty decision at hand. The path he chose — to further embrace the call to ministry and plant his own church –– has been overwhelming and joyful. Smokie, Gospel music’s “Voice of Inspiration,” says that choice renewed his passion for singing and songwriting, and inspired his upcoming album, Life Changing, his third with EMI Gospel. For at least six years, this pastor’s son from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, felt the calling to lead a congregation of his own –– but resisted. He had grown up in his father’s African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church in Oklahoma and Arkansas, and witnessed early-on, the weight of a minister’s responsibilities and the time away from family. Though Smokie had initially moved to the Chicago area in 1998 to begin work on a Master of Divinity degree at Garrett Theological Seminary, and had spent time as an assistant pastor at a large church in the suburbs of Chicago (where his work with Joanne Brunson, leader of Gospel’s famed Thompson Community Choir, launched his recording career), his successful music career soon began making tremendous demands on him, along with his role as a husband and father. Though Smokie felt conflicted, he couldn’t ignore the fact that the routine of being a working recording artist—the grind of promoting your album, the constant travel—had grown monotonous. Though he loved his work, he felt disconnected. He knew he needed to make some changes. “Being a recording artist is a passion, it has to be. If it’s not, you’ll burn out,” says Smokie. “I needed to get back to the thing that made me who I am—and that’s serving in church. I’m a church kid.” Besides, Smokie is not one to ignore God’s will. “And I heard God’s voice very, very clearly,” he recalls. By 2004, he was fortunate to have had poignant conversations with his favorite preacher, the venerable Bishop T.D. Jakes, a man whose life and ministry Smokie has long admired. Smokie had even decided to relocate to join the 28,000+ member Potter’s House church in (Continued on page 52)
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Biography of Kenny Vaughan Kenny Vaughan is a world class athlete and inspirational author and speaker. He is a man who lives by faith and shares that faith at every turn. He is founder of Athletes for Christ and maker of the Shields of Strength scripture-inscribed dog tag necklaces worn by more than two million athletes, U. S. military servicemen and women and their families, and Christians and nonChristians across the globe. Kenny Vaughan has battled fear and fear of failure with faith, and allowed God to take that battle and use it to inspire and encourage others. In his talks, Kenny shares his story and the lessons that God showed him as he trained, competed and ultimately won -- against impossible odds -- the National Water-Ski Jump championship competition several years ago. The Shields dog tags, which he first made as personal tokens to remind him of the lessons he had learned about fear and faith in national ski competition have been requested by all branches of the U.S. military since the first American troops sent to Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001. NASA astronauts, employees and their families have worn them following the Columbia space shuttle disaster in the Spring of 2001, and members of the New Orleans Police Department and first responders group wore them as they faced the dangers in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. January of 2005, Vaughan’s book “Trials to Trophies, The Power of Faith In Adversity,” the true story behind Shields of Strength, was released by Brown Books. He is currently working on a second book on the power of faith in overcoming depression. He has shared his story with generals gathered at the Pentagon, for Association of Christian Schools International athletic coaches, for public and private schools, youth, religious and military gatherings across the country.
Call Us for phone orders at 1800-326-7882 or visit www.shieldsofstrength.com
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ORDER NOW! AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORES…
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52 2008 MARKETPLACE EDITION
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(Continued from page 49)
Dallas. Smokie and his wife even went house shopping there. “It seemed as though nothing was coming together, though,” says Smokie of that time. “Finally, I said, ‘I don’t know why I’m tripping. This is my will, not God’s.’ I was stirred by the power of God moving though Bishop Jakes’ ministry, and the awesome wisdom he was pouring into me. However, deep within I knew I was, like Jonah, running from what I knew was part of my destiny. Smokie turned to another good friend and fellow recording artist, Donnie McClurkin. Smokie thought he would ease into ministering and told McClurkin he was going to start a Bible study. The two embarked on a conversation that Smokie says changed his life. “By the end of that conversation, I was in tears,” Smokie recalls. “Donnie had walked me from Genesis to Revelation, pointing out everybody who had avoided God’s call— and the consequences. I wrote a song that day, I’ll Say Yes.” Smokie’s choice was to birth a new ministry, Victory Cathedral Worship Center, which is thriving in the suburban Chicago communities of Bolingbrook/Romeoville. In less than a year, his congregation has blossomed to nearly 1,300 members. Smokie’s concerns about the time this newest vocation would take from his belfamily have been assuaged. His wife, Carla, works by his side as Victory Cathedral’s executive manager, overseeing the church’s daily logistical operations. Smokie says his two young sons have embraced the church family as their own, and are always eager to see daddy in the pulpit. “When it comes to big decisions like this, you close your eyes, hold your breath and jump,” says Smokie. “Trusting God in the process, knowing He’s not going to tell you to do anything that He hasn’t equipped you to handle. For Smokie, being pastor of Victory Cathedral has brought about a renewed passion for his singing and songwriting. “Being a recording artist has been remarkable and I’ve enjoyed every moment, but I’ve learned that you have to be both insulated and isolated because people are drawing from you. It will take all that you have,” says Smokie. “I found that being a pastor brings you back to the people. I have mechanisms in place so that I know what’s going on with every member of my church. I have a pastoral care team that reports to me every week on the status of every member. Not only do I know what’s happening in people’s lives, I’m totally accessible. Dealing with their joys and tragedies gives me new zeal to write.” That zeal shines through on Smokie’s latest release, Life Changing, which he describes as a celebration. “I’m celebrating the changes in my life and the changes that God will bring to anybody’s life,” says Smokie. “I hope that people come away from this album with the understanding that connecting with Christ is life-changing. We have to plug into the source in order to stay recharged.” His renewed love for his recording career has given birth to exciting opportunities, new business, and creative endeavors, such as One Wordd Productions, formed with new business and writing partner Jason Tyson. In 2005, the “Voice of Inspiration” rang throughout the halls of this nation’s most powerful address — 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — when Smokie joined President Bush, First Lady Laura Bush and a host of Cabinet members, Congressmen, White House Officials and African-American leaders for a private celebration of Black Music Month. (Continued on page 54)
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Keeping the Connections by Victoria Osteen Our relationships are precious, valuable treasures from heaven, and we should handle them carefully, always looking for ways to build bridges to each other’s hearts. I know that all of us desire to come up higher and one way we can take a step towards the next level is in our love for one another. Novelist Katherine Anne Porter once wrote, “Love must be learned, and learned again; there is no end to it.” Love should not remain the same year after year; love is supposed to grow. Relationships evolve over time, people change over time, and our love should strengthen and grow over time too. The apostle Paul prayed that our love would abound and grow in knowledge and depth of insight. That tells me that I cannot put my love on autopilot. If we put our love on autopilot and think that the people in our lives will simply “know” that we love them, our relationships will not grow or be as fruitful as they were intended to be. That’s why it’s so important to make every effort to keep strong connections in our relationships. Several years ago when Joel and I assumed leadership at the ministry, our lives became fuller and more complicated. Oftentimes, we found ourselves moving in different directions, so we had to make an extra effort to connect with each other throughout the day. We recognized that if we didn’t make the effort, we’d find ourselves breezing right by each other, with our minds pr eoccupied with the tasks at hand. So, to help keep the connection, we decided to acknowledge each other every time we pass. Sometimes we high five, sometimes it’s a quick “I love you,” or a kiss on the lips. It’s not important how we connect, but it is important that we do connect. We are both busy people during the day but whenever we see each other, everything else is placed on hold for a moment while we connect. Keep our connections strong, helps keep our hearts moving in the same direction. Leaving notes is a wonderful and easy way to keep connections. When Joel travels without me, I put little notes in his socks just to say “I love you.” (I have also been known to put photos of us in his suitcase.) You may want to leave sweet notes around the house, in a drawer, under a pillow, or on the TV remote as little reminders to the people you love that they are valuable to you. It takes time and effort to maintain the connections in our relationships. Sometimes when someone hurts or offends us, we can be tempted to disconnect. But one of the most common mistakes people make in relationships is to give the other person the silent treatment in an effort to pull back. I heard a story about a couple who had a big fight. That night, the man and wife were still not talking to each other, and since the man didn’t want to give in first, he left her a note saying, “Wake me up at six o’clock in the morning.” The next morning, the man woke up at eight o’clock and was furious. He was about to go find his wife to give her a piece of his mind, when he noticed a note on his side of the bed that read, “It’s six o’clock; wake up!” At one time or another, we have all faced the temptation to disconnect by giving someone the silent treatment. After being married to Joel for more than twenty-one years, I have learned that is not the best way to handle a disagreement. Scripture encourages, “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” It’s not good to go to sleep mad and frustrated, because you’ll wake up with that same anger and frustration you went to bed with—and you probably won’t sleep very well anyway. You may not have the resolution to the disagreement by the time the evening comes, but if you will learn that you can disagree and still be friends, you will enjoy your relationships a whole lot (Continued on page 55)
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(Continued from page 52)
That same year, Smokie also journeyed to South Africa for a five-stop tour in support of the “Save Africa’s Children” campaign founded by Bishop Charles E. Blake (of West Angeles Church of God in Christ) in support of children infected and orphaned by AIDS. The most significant development, however, is Life Changing’s ten new tracks. The new album’s mix of praise and worship, traditional and urban pop builds on Smokie’s legacy of music and ministry. Back in 2002, Smokie burst onto the Gospel music scene as one of the few artists in the genre to strike gold with his debut release — the chart-topping I Need You Now. He came back in 2003 with his first ever EP, Limited Edition, which was recorded live at a church in Chicago. The release bowed at #1 on the Billboard Gospel chart and #3 on the Billboard Contemporary Christian chart –– the first time ever that a Gospel artist occupied two of the Billboard Gospel Top 5 positions with a non-holiday release. In 2004, Smokie’s sophomore effort, Nothing Without You continued the singer/songwriter’s stellar tradition debuting #1 on Billboard’s Gospel chart and#4 on Billboard’s Contemporary Christian chart. He followed that success a year later with the release of his first DVD, Nothing Without You, which featured live concert performances, in-depth interviews and a bonus feature –– the artist’s I Need You Now video. More than 103 weeks later, the CD Nothing Without You remains among the Billboard top 25 Gospel. In fact, since his powerful introduction in 2002, Smokie has never left the Billboard Gospel charts. This streak, unprecedented for a Gospel artist, has been accompanied by a raft of awards and honors, including: a 2004 Grammy Award for “Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album;” three of gospel music's Stellar Awards (“New Artist of the Year,” “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year”); two of Christian music’s Dove Awards (“Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year” and “Urban Recorded Song of the Year”); three Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) Excellence Awards (“New Artist of the Year –Contemporary,” “Album of the Year – Contemporary” and “Song of the Year – Contemporary”); the American Society of Young Musicians (ASYM) Award for “Favorite Gospel Artist;” the first ever ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Award for “Gospel Artist of the Year” (2005); and many other awards and nominations –– including a 2003 nomination for the BET Award for “Best Gospel Artist” and a 2004 NAACP Image Award nomination for “Outstanding Gospel Artist;” (for a complete list of awards and nominations see attached document). Smokie was also named “Gospel Artist of the Year” for 2003 and 2004 by the industry’s top trade publication, Billboard magazine. Also, This year, he was also featured along with 25 of messengers of God (including Bishop Noel Jones, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, and others), in Messengers: Portraits of African American Ministers, Evangelists, Gospel Singers and Other Messengers of the Word (Doubleday, 2006), by award-winning music writer David Ritz. So what is it that connects this former high school history teacher to his fans so powerfully? He believes it is passion. “It is my passion for Christ, the passion to inspire people through ministry, and my passion for music” Smokie says. “What comes from the heart reaches the heart. I believe that.” For more information visit: smokienorful.com.
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more. I have a friend who tells me that sometimes when she and her husband are still mad at each other at bedtime, right before she goes to sleep, she will simply say to him, “I am right, you are wrong, and I love you. Good night.” Joel and I have decided that sometimes you have just to agree to disagree. One of the most freeing experiences is to recognize that you are two different people who see things differently, and you can still love each other and stay connected. Just because you have a disagreement with your friends or family members does not mean there are not plenty of other areas on which you see eye to eye. It just means you have a difference of opinion. Having the same heart and the same goal is what maintains a good connection. There will be times when we do not agree on every decision or subject, but we should always believe in one another, support one another, and move forward through life together—connected.
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Still On the Move after
40 Years! www.shirleycaesar.com
Shirley Caesar
has released her 41st CD "I Know The Truth" - the first to be released on her new record label Shu-Bel Records-distributed through Artemis Gospel (formerly known as Light Records), to include 12 tracks with a variety of styles including a twist of hip hop, church, and quartet where she undoubtedly brings her signature energetic powerhouse vocals with an abundance of love and encouragement. A woman who has always exhibited unparalleled charisma, who could have, long ago, retired and rested on her many successes, does it again. Shirley Caesar is the essence of inspiration and vitality - a global sensation. . If you were beginning to worry that no significant traditional gospel albums made a mark in 2007, Shirley Caesar's After 40 Years … Still Sweeping Through the City is sure to lay those fears to rest. The title is fairly selfexplanatory. This is the gospel matriarch's 40th anniversary as a solo recording artist, a career she began in 1966 after a leap of faith. A call to ministry led Caesar to leave The Caravans, arguably the most popular all-female gospel group of the 1950s, but from there she soared to new heights. Celebrity-minded gospel luminaries would use this occasion to roll out the red carpet and make this more about the guests and the creators than about the Creator, but not Caesar. This album was recorded live at Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church—the congregation she co-pastors with her husband—as the culmination of a week of seminars and training for church leaders. It's understandable then why Sweeping sounds like a Sunday morning extravaganza, with Caesar as the officiating minister. From top to bottom, Caesar is in command of her own celebration, roaring through a dozen tracks and 77 minutes of unbridled gospel fire. As soon as the blues-drenched "Sweeping Through the City" kicks things off, there's no stopping this disc, with every selection a masterwork in its own right, whether it's a floor-stomping hand-clapper, a choral sing-off, a storyteller, or all of the above. In good Caesar tradition, the classic "Hold My Mule" retains its exhortative qualities. It's a sermon-ette of histri(Continued on page 59)
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onic proportions, where the singer spews fire and brimstone for six-plus minutes before actually doing any singing. This may be a turnoff for more delicate, unschooled listeners, but it's pure gospel heaven for traditionalist devotees of the genre—a vocal showstopper and rock-solid performance that demonstrates Caesar's pipes haven't aged a bit after four decades in music and ministry. A few Caesar essentials in the vein of "Hold My Mule" are missing from this commemorative effort, particularly the tour de force "Don't Drive Your Mama Away" and the crossover hit "No Charge," but that's nitpicking at best. There are enough Caesar classics here and old-time fervor to make Still Sweeping Through the City the best traditional gospel album of the year.
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Find out What You Should Do to Survive! New Release! Order Your Copy Today www.jhm.org
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The Beginning and the End By Michael D. Evans The vast majority of students of prophecy have always believed that the end of the age would begin with a worldwide battle between Isaac, the Jew, and Ishmael, the Arab—a battle that would center on the Middle East, mainly Israel, and increase like a pandemic until it engulfed the entire globe. This battle is, in fact, growing ever closer. The Apostle John received a vision on the Isle of Patmos in AD 95 that became the Book of Revelation. In that vision, John saw four riders on horseback galloping across the earth, bringing deceit, destruction, and devastation. Those four riders are commonly known as “The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.” If you listen closely, you can hear the hoof beats of those four horses across all the news channels and throughout today’s newspapers and magazines. The Revelation of John begins with the unveiling of a scroll written on both sides and sealed with seven seals. Seals, in that day, were impressions made with wax, clay, or some other soft material that kept unauthorized persons from accessing the contents. The seals in John’s vision had to be broken, one by one, to divulge the contents of what was inside. As John broke each seal, another portion of God’s revelation about the final days of the earth was disclosed, each time divulging a worse horror than the revelation before. As I write this, just such an apocalyptic time is threatening to arise from three modern-day Bible nations: Iraq, which was ancient Babylonia; Iran, which was Persia until 1935; and Israel, which was reborn in 1948 in the very land God promised to Abraham and his descendants in the book of Genesis. Understanding the biblical backgrounds and cultures of these nations and peoples can be very enlightening for the days ahead. The kingdoms of Persia and Babylonia inhabited the region Michael D. Evans in Iraq that played host to the world’s earliest civilizations. They are thought by most archaeological scholars to contain the site named in the Old Testament book of Genesis as the Garden of Eden. Ur of the Chaldeans, the home of Abraham, was also a part of the region that was once Babylonia—later controlled by the Persians. For three millennia, Iran has maintained its existence as an autonomous territory and (Continued on page 64)
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only changed its name from Persia in 1935. Unlike its neighbors, Iran is not Arab—it is Persian, or, more correctly, Indo-European. While the Iranians use Arabic script to write, the official language of the nation is not Arabic but Farsi. Cyrus the Great established the Persian Empire by uniting two of the earliest tribes in Iran, the Medes and the Persians. He ruled over one of the largest empires in early-recorded history. When Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 B.C, He was greeted by roars of welcome from the Jews who had been carried captive to Babylon. It may startle you to know that God doesn’t predict the future; He creates it. God foretells events to His prophets, who in turn prophesy to the people those things that God has revealed. God revealed His future plans to the prophets of old—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, and others. Then in His perfect timing, He caused the prophesied events to become reality. He used ancient kings and kingdoms to chastise His errant children, the nation of Israel, and He used those same kings and kingdoms to return them to their rightful place.Seventy years after the Jewish people were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus allowed them to return home to Israel. (This is what Daniel had prayed for in Daniel 9:17–19.) Not only were they allowed to return, Cyrus provided everything they needed to rebuild the temple and the walls of the city. With their return to Jerusalem, he relinquished into their care the items that were taken from the temple. It is ironic that the descendants of the very nation that were instrumental in returning the Jews to Jerusalem during the reign of King Cyrus now want them “wiped off the map.” Many empires fall prey to the march of time. However, in Persia—or Iran—the Arab onslaught produced a cultural mix that was unique. Persia would forever be dramatically influenced by the armies of Muhammad, but so would the conquerors be influenced by their Persian subjects. Arabic became the new language, Islam became the new religion, mosques were built, and Islamic customs became the norm for the people of Persia. Political correctness is not an invention of modern-day America; it has dictated the actions of people from the beginning of time. For many Iranian nobles, conversion to Islam was a politically correct move that enabled them to keep their vast holdings and coveted social position. For others, the impetus for conversion was tax evasion. Their Muslim superiors had levied an exorbitant tax against all non-Muslims, which they wished to avoid. Some Jews living in Iran were forced, on forfeiture of their lives, to convert to Islam. Many, such as the Zoroastrian priests, simply fled the country. Although the conquest of Iran by the Arab hordes was relatively violence-free, the ensuing struggle for leadership culminated in a bloody and lopsided battle. Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and opposing forces loyal to Caliph Yazid met on the plains of Karbala—today one of the holiest cities in Iraq. (It was to be a watershed event in Islam, for it was here that Hussein died, and it was here that the irreparable division between the Sunnis and the Shiites began.) While the exact players in End-Time events are not necessarily clearly outlined in Scripture, the present situation depicts all of the nations of the earth aligned either with Babylon or Jerusalem. Although Ahmadinejad and his belief in the rise of the Mahdi through an apocalyptic world struggle are terrifying in and of themselves, we are not without hope. Listen, for a moment, to the words of Jesus: “See to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.…He who stands firm to the end will be saved.”—Matthew 24:6, 13
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God, however, did not give us the Scriptures to instill fear and the desire to run and hide. He has called us to pray. In other words, the severity of those last days—as well as the days we live in—depend greatly on the prayers and actions of Christians today. The Bible is not about trying to bring the end of the world as the Islamofascists hope to do, but about bringing salvation and God’s love and mercy to a world going increasingly mad. It is not difficult to see who is behind these activities when Jesus plainly told us in John 10:10: “The thief [the devil] comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” It is up to Christians to face the present situation in the Middle East with moral clarity, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, to oppose evil in this world, and to pray for justice and righteousness to prevail. It is time for the United States to remember its heritage in God, recalibrate its moral compass of right and wrong to God’s way of thinking, praying for her salvation both for this world and the world to come. Dr. Michael Evans is a New York Times bestselling author. His newest book is The Final Move Beyond Iraq – www.beyondiraq.com.
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