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nd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). The path of life has many twists and turns. Many of those turns present themselves suddenly and abruptly. There are turns we can choose to take and there are those we are forced to take. Each turn presents a new situation or circumstance. Often time we tend to make decisions based on what we see in front of us, as if we are on a straight path with no turns or exits. Many have abandoned their goals because all they see is a path that leads to a dead end or insurmountable obstacles. What you don't see, is the turn along that very path that will bring about the change you seek or the turn that will steer you around many obstacles. Often times the obstacle we see ahead is really a turning point that will bring us into a better situation. We must come to a place of understanding where the sovereignty of God is concerned. There is no situation or circumstance beyond His sphere of control. As a matter of fact He is the master of situations, even those situations that seem to place us outside His will!
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When Rehoboam (the son of Solomon) became King, Jeroboam and the assembly of Israel came to him and asked for the heavy yoke and hard service that Solomon had placed on them to be lightened. Having told them to come back in 3 days for his answer, Rehoboam sought advice from the old men who served under Solomon while he was alive. They advised him to serve the people and respond kindly to them so that he will gain their service. However, Rehoboam forsook their counsel and instead turned to the young men who grew up with him for advice. The young men gave him the advice that would appeal to his ego and said, "to the people who told you, your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter for us, say this,
'my little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins and now whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions'" (1 Kings 12:10-11 AMP). The King took the counsel of the young men over the old and answered the people in the manner prescribed by them. It is at this point that the bible reveals that the situation was from the Lord (1Kings 12:15 AMP) in order to fulfil His word regarding the Kingdom being torn away from the son of Solomon. God is able to fulfil His word in ways that we cannot fathom or even anticipate. With insight, stealth and perfect timing He instigates, orchestrates and creates situations that will bring about a
God did not have to use an army to rend the Kingdom from him. All it took was a situation that catered for his own ego. Don't be afraid of influential people who are against you, for they are just a situation away from having to make decisions that will work in your favour. As mentioned, there is no situation or circumstance that is beyond God's sphere of control. To truly grasp the gravity of that statement you must take God out of the religious box and recognise His involvement in situations that seem far from His will. Whether initiated by Him or allowed by Him, He is in control!
desired outcome even in the most dire of circumstances. There are many other examples of God's surreptitious method of creating situations to change what seemed inevitable: Judges 14: God creates a situation, which ignites a sequence of tic-for-tact rivalry between Samson and the Philistines. 2Kings 7v1-2: God changes the economic climate of Israel in one day 2Kings 7v6: God causes the Syrians to hear the sound of chariots, thus abandoning the siege of Israel. Because God knows the hearts of everyone, He knows how to create situations that will influence even the decision makers that affect your life (Proverbs 21:1). In the case of King Rehoboam,
That being said, it is not God's intent to be the master puppeteer of His children. As sons of God, He has given us the Kingdom so that we too may have power over circumstances. Like all Kingdoms, the Kingdom of Heaven is based on a system of operation. As a matter of fact, the Kingdom is a system. A system by definition is an assembly or combination of things working together as a unitary whole. All systems operate according to a principle or a law. A law is a rule of action; it determines the function of a system. Once you discover and obey the law of any particular system, you can use that system for your own benefit. The invention of the light bulb, radio,TV etc came about through discovering the laws by which certain systems operate. Many of these laws have been named after the scientist who discovered them; such as Newton's law of gravity, Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction and Einstein's theory of relativity. These men discovered systems and the principle upon which the components of that system operated and then used it for their own benefit. Everything functions systematically. So how do we achieve power over circumstance? to be continued....
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MZ Hi Kevin, it is such an honour and thank you for this opportunity to get to know more about you and your ministry. Could you tell us a bit about your background? My family raised me in the church. My father is a preacher and my mom had always stood by his side. We would have morning prayer just about every morning before leaving for school. I started singing in the church choirs at age 7 or 8. My parents sang as well and my dad played the sax. They always encouraged me to do music. MZ How long have you been singing and writing? Have you always been musically inclined? I have been singing for as long as I can remember. I believe the gift was there even before I realized it. Often times as a child my youth choir directors would ask me to sing solos even when I could not see the talent God had given me.
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MZ So tell us, how did this awesome ministry begin as Kevin Levar with One Sound? When I decided to record a worship album I just wanted to get in a place with some anointed musicians and worship God with-out much care or concern about anything else. I wanted to capture raw worship on CD. As I began to prepare for the Live Recording of “Let’s Come Together,” the Lord began to add singers and musi-cians that shared my passion for prayer and intercession. I call this group of singers and musicians “One Sound.” One Sound is such a faithful group. We all pray together twice a week at 5am and we come together for a shut-in once a mo-nth. I like to say that One Sound is a prayer team that just so happens to sing and that One Sound is not who we are, it’s what we make. MZ This project has an eclectic sound, what were the inspirations behind this? I had no idea that the project would be so diverse. I simply wrote as I was inspired and when I was done I then realized that project as a whole had a multicultural appeal. The musical styles across the tracks spanned Praise & Worship, Latino, Reggae, Calypso, Rock, and Ballads. MZ Now I have to mention the song ‘A Heart That Forgives’, this is the song you ministered the first time I heard you. Any-one that hears this song can identify and have to been touched by it. Could you share with us the inspiration behind this wonderful song? Many life experiences actually helped me write that song, but one in particular was a relationship where my heart was truly wounded. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through and it took years to fully heal. However God is a healer of broken hearts.
Complete healing sometimes takes a while but forgiveness is a choice that can be made today. MZ Could you tell us about the ‘Heart That Forgives Campaign’? The ‘Heart That Forgives Campaign’ was birthed in response to the overwhelming testimonies received from those impacted by the message of the song. Our desire is to tour city to city domestically and internationally holding Forgiveness Rallies and Concerts. MZ Would you say you have been influenced or inspired by anyone, if so who? My first musical influence was my God-mother recording artist Myrna Summers. Others who have influenced me are the Winans, Commissioned, Fred Hammond, Deitrick Haddon, and many more… MZ What can we look forward to hearing from you in the future, what are you future plans? I am currently recording new tracks for a summer release of a Deluxe Edition of Let’s Come Together. In addition, I will begin working on a “Love” project this year. One of the songs on the Deluxe Edition of Let’s Come Together will give listeners a sneak peak of what to expect on the Love project. This is very close to my heart because I love singing about love.tra MZ Can we look forward to seeing you in the UK in the near future? Yes. Our heart’s desire is that a door will open for us to come to the UK this year.eli MZ We pray for that too. Thank you for taking the time out with Music Zone. You can discover more at the official website of Kevin LeVar & One Sound: www.kevinlevar.com
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Dani Johnson is an internationally sought after speaker, best-selling author, success coach, financial and relationship marketing expert and founder of Call To Freedom Int’l, a personal achievement and corporate training company. Dani knows first hand what it takes to overcome adversity and succeed in life. She went from growing up in an abusive, drug afflicted home to striking it out on her own in business at the early age of 19, only to wind up destitute and homeless living out of her car with $2.03 to her name. Then something changed. She went on to earn her first million in just two years by the age of 23, starting several successful companies and businesses. Since then she’s committed her life to sharing with others her proven success system, empowering and equipping others with the knowledge and skill to achieve the impossible. So what is Dani’s secret to success? And more importantly, can you discover this secret and use it to transform your life, explode your career, and skyrocket your income? The answer is YES, you can, and it’s easier than you think. Dani’s proven strategies equip her clients with the skill sets that land them the best jobs, get the biggest raises, grow companies in a down economy, raise success minded children, and so much more. Thousands have traveled from all parts of the world to attend her live training seminars. Men and women from ages 7 to 101, every race, religion, economical status, educated, uneducated, experts, beginners and everything in between gather to learn from this dynamic, thought provoking speaker who produces results with her clients. Dani is passionately dedicated to her husband Hans, 5 kids and 2 grandchildren. She and her husband Hans are the founders of King’s Ransom Foundation, a non-profit charity dedicated to serving people in need, especially families and children, worldwide. Dani and Hans believe strongly in the need for successful people to give back to local communities and charitable organizations that are doing God’s work all over the world. For more information visit www.danijohnson.com
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ance (freedom from demonic oppression and affliction will occur). It is our observation that ‘deliverance’ is relatively easy; but if the affliction is not healed and the mind renewed, the condition will often re-occur, in a relatively short time. I can pray for God to take away the demonic oppression (deliverance) but I also need to pray for Him to heal your broken heart (an open door for demonic oppression and mental torment) and I also need to teach you Scripturally based truths and techniques to help you to maintain to continue to walk in emotional wholeness. This is the core essence of prayer therapy.
A basic definition of the word therapy is the treatment of illness and disease. This applies to physical and mental illnesses. There are many common types of therapies or treatments as we know. Drug therapy, surgery, radiation chemical or chemotherapy are common types of therapies used to treat physical illnesses. Psychotherapy is the treatment of mental or emotional disorders by psychological techniques such as counseling and other methods. Prayer Therapy is the practice of using prayer therapeutically in a clinical (intensive treatment and learning session) for the purpose of emotional and mental healing and wholeness. Prayer Therapy engages the person’s SOUL (mind, will, and emotions) in a conscience process of TRANSFORMATION; rather than just praying for them to be healed (Luke 4:18 Romans 12: 2 and II Thess.5:23). Prayer Therapy is NOT deliverance in the common usage of the word, although deliver-
HOW I USED ‘PRAYER THERAPY’ TO HELP Mollie overcome years of molestation. Mollie thought she was okay. She had learned to live with her past pains and since they were hidden, no one could see them. She did not come to see me because of the molestation. She came to see me because she was in the process of making some important life decisions. She told me that she had problems saying no to sexual advances. You may or may not be able to make a connection between being molested and not being able to say “NO” especially to sexual advances; but it is common among people who were molested during childhood. They often become promiscuous, for a number of reasons related to the molestation, one of these being they actually feel powerless to assert their will. A person may be 25 years old now, but they were violated at an age when their perpetrator was more powerful physically and mentally. When the perpetrator was a parent or other adult, the confusion is
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deeper, because by and large children are taught to obey their parents and other adult authority figures. After several sessions in which we dealt with the molestation, Mollie received help for many other behavioral problems that were related to the molestations. Unfortunately dangerous, ‘prescription drugs’ are being doled out by the millions. DRUGS ONLY ALLIEVIATE SYMPTOMS; OFTEN WITH DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS THAT ARE MORE SEVERE THAN THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT. If drugs are ABSOLUTELY necessary in order to stabilize you, your emotions still need to be healed. Emotional wounds are just as real as physical wounds. Our emotional wounds, though not visible, need care and attention just the same. If they are not attended, they cause ‘infections of the soul’. PRAYER THERAPY can change that. The soul has perhaps been the most neglected area of twenty-first century people. People have had MANY experiences, that caused them great emotional pain, and the pain still remains. Traditional therapy can sometimes locate the point of pain. PRAYER THERAPY invites the ‘God who Heals’ into the process. You can do it alone or with someone who you trust. It does not have to be a professional.
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If you or someone you are helping are too ill, or are in crisis or an experience is too painful to handle alone, or is life-threatening, do not hesitate to go to a reputable hospital, Psychologist or Psychiatrist or call 911. You can still employ prayer therapy in the hospital if that’s what you have to do.
WHEN THE CHURCH ANATHAMATIZED PSYCHOLOGY WE THREW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER Many of the early “Fathers of Psychology” were students of Sigmund Freud and others who were atheistic in their interpretation and application of Psychology; so the Church in general, rejected all aspects of Psychology. Our rejection of the pure scientific facts of Psychology have cost us. The unbiased study of human Behavior, and the documentation of these observations is just pure science. There is nothing religious or non religious about the observation that a child who is deprived of love, affirmation and security often grows up with ‘rejection syndrome.’ However it is in the application of treatment that the problems with traditional Psychology and the Church occurred. I agree with the Scriptures; but does that mean that we ignore the problem? The distress that millions of Christians are experiencing should NOT be ignored or DENIED. God heals emotional hurts, no matter when they occurred. Jesus came to …”heal the brokenhearted…..Luke 4:18. This is good news, this too is the gospel. Let’s teach it, let’s preach it, and let’s apply it. When we pray for the sick, please include those who are suffering emotionally and mentally. Dr. Minnie Claiborne is a Minister, Christian Counselor, and Professor with 5 earned degrees. Her counseling offices are in Van Nuys and Frazier Park, CA. She conducts individual telephone Counseling and Telephone Counseling Support groups. She conducts monthly “EMOTIONAL HEALING EVENTS” at various locations. She counsels with and prays for people who suffer from a myriad of emotional hurts and pains including: Abandonment, Betrayal, Rejection, Anger, Molestation, Rape, (men & women) verbal abuse, Domestic Violence issues, Post Abortion Syndrome, Post traumatic stress and more. Dr. Claiborne’s book PRAYER THERAPY STOP HURTING( foreword by Natalie Cole) and her follow-up program, MAINTAIN are excellent resources for Churches, groups and individuals. Her website is: WWW.DRMINNIE.NET
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