REAL LIFE FAITH A magazine to encourage you to think, pray, study and live for God the Father, God His Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit. Issue Date January 2010. JOIN OUR ON- LINE MAIL IN G LIST AT WWW.REALL IF EFA IT H M AGAZ INE.COM .
True Protection By Pastor Charles Hunter
Photo of Pastor Charles Hunter Psalm 91:1-7 (King James Version Bible) says, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.” God showed me that we as human beings protect everything that we have. We have life insurance. We have car insurance. We have home insurance. We have health insurance. As we look to these institutions to protect our personal belongings, have we ever looked at ourselves and considered eternity? Only true protection can come from God. You can have all of the insurance that the world has to offer, but if the devil comes knocking at your door, there is no doctor in this world that can save you. There is no insurance plan in this world that can protect you, if the devil decides to take it. When the devil took everything that Job had the end of the story says that God gave it back. It wasn’t Job’s wife. It wasn’t Job’s friends. It was God who decided I’m going to give you back double for your trouble. I don’t know what kind of insurance that you have, but the insurance that I have is blessed assurance that Jesus is mine. That is the best insurance that anybody has to offer. If you do not have Jesus, you are doomed for a fall. I’m just foolish enough to believe that when something decides to destroy my family, when something decides to destroy my home, I’ve got an 1| Page
insurance coverage that is going to make everything all right. I don’t have to call anyone and ask, “Are you going to reimburse me?” I do not have to send an email to let them know that I just had a tragedy. All I have to do is get down on my knees and say, “Lord, you see what I am going through. You see how the devil is messing with me. I’m asking you now that the policy that I have with you contains promises. Your Word says all of your promises are yeah and amen. So now I’m asking you to turn in my policy and to show up right now and to turn everything back to me that the devil took. I reach my hand up, and say, “Give me back my life”. I reach my hand up, and say, “Give me back my health”. I reach my hand up, and say, “Give me back my family because I have got a policy with God, and it’s called true protection.” In the Bible Psalm 91 Moses had been through some hell. Moses had not always faced some hell. Moses was reared up in the palace. When God called him, Moses went through some experiences. When God calls you, you are going to have some experiences. You may not know why you are having experiences, but you do know that God is going to be on your side. When Moses left the house of Pharaoh, he met some pretty, young ladies and defended them and wound up marrying one of them. Then he found himself as a husband with no job. But all of a sudden God shows up and gives him some instructions to let my people go. Moses in the 91st Psalm tells us where we need to dwell. Moses gave up the house in the palace and being in line to be ruler of Egypt all to serve his God. When he decided to serve his God, not only did the people he decided to serve turn against him, it seemed like his own sister and brother, Miriam and Aaron, were trying to turn against him. Moses says that he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Those of us who have communion with God live a life of protection. The enemy may do a whole lot of things, but know that you are safe from the enemy. Psalm 91 says dwell; that means to live in. We as believers love to be alone with God because we know that if we are dwelling with our God, everything is going to be alright. Psalm 91 says to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. There is something about being sheltered by God. I like the way it says that God uses His wings to shelter you. That means that He is covering you. He is not just beside you. He comes between you and your enemy. If God is standing between you and your enemy, then nothing can harm you. Dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty is a residence. It is not an admittance. An admittance means that you have to pay every time you come. A residence means you just walk in anytime you get ready. If you are a believer, you don’t have to have an admittance. You have a residence with the Almighty. If people start acting up, just walk right on in. When finances get foolish, just walk right on in. I have a key to heaven. I can walk in anytime I want and talk to my God. I can walk in and praise my God. I can walk in and worship my God because I am a resident of the Almighty God. It is where I live. I don’t have to pay. Moses is under the shadow of the Almighty. This is not the shadow of death that David talks about. This is the shadow of Life. He says I will say of the Lord good things. When things get bad, God is my refuge. When finances get low, He is my refuge. I will say of the Lord when sickness overcomes my body, He is my refuge. I will say of the Lord when people turn their backs on me, He is my refuge. When I haven’t got any food on my table, He is my refuge. When I don’t have a roof over my head, He is my refuge. When things get bad and troubling, He is my refuge. I know that God is the beginning, so why do I worry about the end? I know that He has forgiven me, so why can’t I learn to forgive myself? I know that He is a healer. So why don’t I speak sickness off myself? I know that I can do all things, so why do I say, “I can’t”? I know that He will supply all of my needs. So why don’t I just learn to wait for Him? I know that He is my strength, my Salvation. So why do I feel weak sometimes? I know that everything has a season. So when a season is over why do I weep instead of rejoice? I know that God is the right way. So why am I 2| Page
going the wrong way? I know that He is the Light. So why do I choose to walk in darkness? I know that whatever I ask of God, if it is God’s will for me God will give it to me. I know that tomorrow is not promised. So why do I put off tomorrow what I can do today? I know that I know that God is with me wherever I go and whatever I do because I am dwelling in the secret place. I am abiding under His shadow. He is my Strength and my Refuge. Charles Hunter co-founded Kingdom Come Ministries in Dumfries, Virginia, with Elder Wil Draughn in 2004. He is the pastor. He is also the husband of Elect Lady Avis Hunter and the father of five daughters.
MAN IN THE MIRROR “WHO DO THEY SAY YOU ARE?” By Elect Lady Avis Hunter “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” - Matthew 16:13-16 (King James Version Bible). Scripture quotations throughout this article contain my emphasis in bold, italics or underline. Jesus is fully aware of His identity. He asked the question, so the disciples could recognize the truth. “. . . I am the way, the truth , and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” – John 14:6 (KJV). We should have the same security when we are before our fellow man. There should be no doubt regarding our identity. Peter had no doubt that he was before the Messiah, the one proclaimed to come to save us from the wages of sin – “death.” The one sent to bring the gift of eternal life – SALVATION . If I were to ask you individually “who are you?” the answers would vary. If you have accepted Jesus Christ, some would say – man of God, woman of God, child of God, born-again believer, Christian, blessed and highly favored, etc. The un-converted person may say things like a nice person, smart, trustworthy, honest, loyal, etc. However, if I were to ask others (Christians and/or non-Christians) who you are , the answer could possibly vary vastly. If you are reflecting things pleasing to God called “light, ” they would co-sign your positive affirmation. If you are reflecting things pleasing to Satan, called “darkness,” you may be called – fake, liar, whoremonger, pimp, devil, false prophet, hypocrite, cheater, abuser, prideful, dishonest, everything but a child of God. Perception is very vital to witnessing for God and ministry. How others perceive you makes the difference in your effectiveness in winning others to Christ and serving God. Reflection – means giving back an image of; mirrored or reproduced; anything reflected (an image or likeness). Christians are called to be a reflection of God. Proclaimed Christians should walk in the likeness of Jesus Christ. Without a mirror on the surface things appear good, but when they are 3| Page
examined closely under a mirror there can be a totally different story. A good mirror can expose all of one’s flaws. It will show every blemish, blackhead, bump, abrasion, etc. We all have flaws; unlike the Son of God, we are not perfect. We have imperfections. However, just like a person with skin problems, we should address the problem(s). We are called to mirror/reproduce the attributes of Jesus Christ in our daily living. Our flaws shouldn’t be magnified due to ignorance; we should be mindful of what is being exposed about us. How are you handling your blemishes (flaws)? When people look at you what do they see? Do they see “light ” – encouragement, love, joy, peace and all other Christ-like attributes? Or do they see “darkness” – evilness, bitterness, envy, jealousy, spitefulness, un-forgiveness, etc.? Who is the man in the mirror? The Bible is so wise; it says in Matthew 5:16 (KJV), “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Christians are asked to radiate light unto others, through our great divine works/ministries, so our “living God” (not an idol) is identified and praised. Stop judging others; please look at the man in the mirror. God’s words regarding judging, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye” – Matthew 7:1-5 (KJV). In simple terms examine yourself first and foremost. Second, seek God and cooperate with Him to make the changes you need to make. Third, seek God for the proper way to show and speak correction to someone without judging them. My Christian brothers and sisters God has called us to make a difference. Have you noticed a need to change your ways from your will to the will of God? I am talking to the man in the mirror - YOU . The first step to great change and true holiness is self-examination . Are you truly happy with what you see within yourself? If yes, praise God. If no, seek God for guidance. The Scripture says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid” – Matthew 5:14 (KJV). We are the light of the world. One should always embrace that thought as you live this life. Let people see the goodness of our Heavenly Father through you. We are very special. The Bible tells us, “. . . ye 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 marvellous light ”- 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV). For those of you reading this message whom have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior – ASK GOD TO CHANGE YOU! See page10 for a sample prayer of salvation and page 9 for more information on salvation. God Bless,
Elect Lady Avis Hunter 4| Page
Elect Lady Avis Hunter is the wife of Pastor Charles Hunter of Kingdom Come Ministries in Dumfries, Virginia. She heads the Women’s Wellness Ministry and contributes to Hospitality, Real Life Faith Magazine and multiple ministries. She loves serving the Lord and His people via her "God-given" gifts and talents. She is a mother and a very proud grandmother. Family is very important to her!
Photo of Elder Wil Draughn who led the annual effort to distribute Toys for Tots to needy children on December 22, 2009.
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Photo of Elder Doreen Barber and Sister Denise Wilkins who run Kingdom Come Ministries’ Prayer Ministry from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Sundays.
BIBLE TRIV IA JANUARY 2010 QUESTIONS (VERSES ARE FROM THE AMPLIF IED BIBLE UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE). 1. What was the name of the Christian faith before it was called Christianity?
2.
True or False. One of Jesus’ brothers was named Judas?
3. Name the city that Lot, his wife and two daughters first take refuge in after leaving Sodom.
4.
True or False. Edom, the nation of the descendants of Esau, is a current nation of Arabs?
5. True or False. God describes Israel as his seventh-born son?
6. Who is Shear-jashub?
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True or False. In Asia miracles were done where handkerchiefs which had touched Paul’s skin were put on the sick, and their diseases left them, and also put on people with evil spirits, and the evil spirits came out of them?
8.
Was it true or false when the Pharisees said in John 7:52 that the Scriptures say that no prophet comes from or will rise to prominence from Galilee?
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9.
On the first day of the second month of the second year that the Israelites left Egyptian slavery, the Lord told Moses to take a census of all the male Israelites. Name the tribe of the twelve tribes that had the largest number of men.
10.How many days did the Israelites mourn the death of Aaron, the brother of Moses?
11.True or False. Isaiah prophesized that the nation Israel would be formed in one day?
12.True or False. God describes Nebuchadnezzar, a king of Babylon, as a king of kings?
13.True or False. Moses uses the word “Satan”?
14.True or False. Noah was a woman?
15.True or False. God told Joshua to keep on his shoes because Joshua was on holy ground?
When Adam hid from God among the trees of the garden, God called him and said, “AYeKa” (in Hebrew to English transliteration), or in English: “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). Which in the Hebrew alphabet is:
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Everyone reading those lines from Genesis asks the obvious question: What kind of question is that? Certainly, God knew where Adam was. He was telling Adam that he was spiritually lost; “Where are you, Adam?” – Excerpt from the November 11, 2009 Thought Tools by Rabbi Daniel Lapin www.RabbiDanielLapin.com.
BIBLE TRIV IA NOVEMBER 2009 ANSWERS (VERSES ARE FROM THE AMPLIF IED BIBLE UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE). 1. Name the person who spoke the following to King Josiah, “16Thus says the
Lord: Behold, I will bring evil upon this place and upon its inhabitants, according to all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods, provoking Me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore My wrath will be kindled against this place and will not be quenched. But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, say this, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, regarding the words you have heard: Because your heart was [tender and] penitent and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I said against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation, [an astonishment and] a curse, and you have rent your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you, says the Lord. Behold, therefore [King Josiah], I will gather you to your fathers, taken to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring on this place. And they brought the king word.” 17
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THE PROPHETESS HULDAH (2 KINGS 22:14-20). 2.
Name the two people prophesized about in Psalm 41:9. JESUS AND JUDAS (JOHN 13:18-26).
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3.
The Bible book of Ephesians was written to the saints at Ephesus. True or false Ephesus was one of the seven churches named in the vision God gave the Apostle John recorded in the Bible book of Revelation? TRUE (REVELATIO N 1:11 AND REVELATION 2:1-7).
4.
True or False. God gives a person the desire to come out of a sinful life into relationship with Him? TRUE (JOHN 6:44).
5.
True or False. Jesus Christ is an apostle? TRUE (HEBREWS 3:1).
6.
Who are Shiprah and Puah? THE HEBREW MIDWIVES WHO PHAROAH ASKED TO KILL THE MALE BABIES AS THE HEBREW WOMEN GAVE BIRTH. SHIPRAH AND PUAH REFUSED, AND GOD GAVE THEM HOUSEHOLDS OF THEIR OWN (EXODUS 1).
7.
True or False. God decides to answer our prayers according to our will?
FALSE. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER ACCORDI NG TO HIS WILL (1 JOHN 5:14).
WHAT DOES “I AM SAVED” MEAN?/JANUARY 2010
S
Salvation -- all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Sin is doing things contrary to the will of God. Since God is perfect His will produces freedom now and forever. Not following God’s will produces bondage. All human beings have experienced bondage to sin from which they are completely unable to escape. Human beings are sinners in need of a Savior from sin (Romans 6:23 and John 8:34). 9| Page
A All the work of salvation is done by God and freely offered. God has to choose and change you before you choose Him. You cannot be good enough, smart enough or do works of any kind to enter into a relationship with God. As a consequence of this relationship, you escape the wrath and judgment God has regarding sin; and God never leaves you (Romans 3:23, Romans 9, John 6:44, John 15:16 and Isaiah 64:6).
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Love -- No one loves God before He calls a person into relationship with Him. God first loves those He chooses to have an eternal relationship with Him and gives these people the desire and ability to love Him. In this earthly life God is maturing these people for marriage in heaven (Psalm 14, 1 John 4:10, 1 John 4:19 and Revelation 19).
V
Victory -- Jesus Christ defeated the devil who is the enemy of God and people. God the Father gave Jesus a bride (those human beings He has a relationship with) before the foundation of this earth for a relationship that starts on earth and will be consummated in heaven. The devil tried to stop the wedding, but God got the victory over him (John 10, Matthew 28, Romans 8:29-31 and 1 Corinthians 15:52-57).
A
Awful -- God thinks sin is awful. God thinks sin is so bad that it requires a sinless, blood sacrifice as payment for the consequences of the sins of His bride (Hebrews 9 and Hebrews 10).
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Truth -- The truth is that the only human in all creation found without sin is the God/man Jesus Christ because He is God the Father’s only begotten Son born of the human, virgin Mary. Jesus went to the cross in Calvary, Israel, more than 2000 years ago as the sinless, blood sacrifice for the sins of His bride (Matthew 1, John 3, John 8 and Revelation 5). God is all relationships to Christians; He’s Husband, Father, Friend, Brother, Sister and Mother (1 Corinthians 8:6, Isaiah 54:5, Jeremiah 3:14, John 15:14-15 and Matthew 12:15).
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Idea -- It was God’s idea to make the bodies of His bride His temple. God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit live inside His bride. God is a multiple of one as in 1 X 1 X 1 = 1; and He is jealous for His bride; He shares her with no one; God protects her (1 Corinthians 3).
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Ordered -- As a bride of God, God is ordering sin out of your life and increasingly manifesting His holiness through you. God wants total control of your life (Psalm 37:23).
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Never -- Most human beings will die. This is the first death. Yet the brides of God will never experience the second death (commonly called “hell”) which is God’s wrath and judgment waiting for everyone who leaves this earthly life without a relationship with God and is one of the wages of sin. The bride will never cease to exist and will never leave the presence of God in paradise (Revelation 20:11-15 and Romans 6:23).
PRAYER OF SALVATION/JANUARY 2010 10 | P a g e
(IF GOD IS ASKING FOR YOU, ANSWER HIM AFFIRMATIVELY.) IF YOU HAVE NEVER TALKED TO GOD AND SAID SOMETHING LIKE THE FOLLOWING, PLEASE DO SO SINCERELY TODAY. “GOD THE FATHER, I AM TALKING TO YOU IN THE NAME OF GOD YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST. SALVATION EXISTS IN NO OTHER NAME BUT THE NAME OF JESUS. THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING AND COMPELLING ME INTO RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU. THANK YOU FOR SENDING GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT TO CONVICT ME OF MY SINS AGAINST YOU, TO SHOW ME THAT I NEED YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS APPLIED TO MY LIFE AND TO WARN ME OF YOUR WRATH AND JUDGMENT OF SIN ENDING IN ETERNAL DEATH. THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME SO MUCH THAT YOU SENT YOUR ONLY BEGOTTEN SON JESUS CHRIST TO PAY THE PENALTY OF MY SIN AND TO PROVIDE A WAY FOR YOU AND I TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP. PSALM 14 AND ROMANS 3 SAY THAT I AM NOT GOOD, WISE OR ABLE IN ANYWAY TO SEEK AFTER YOU AND SAVE MYSELF. THANK YOU, FATHER, FOR SAVING ME THROUGH THE WORK JESUS CHRIST DID DYING ON THE CROSS FOR ME, BEARING ALL OF MY SINS, PAYING THE PRICE FOR THEM AND PROVIDING A WAY FOR YOU TO LOOK AT IMPERFECT ME BY FIRST SEEING THE PERFECT ONE, JESUS. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING FAITH IN ME. I BELIEVE IN MY HEART AND CONFESS WITH MY MOUTH THAT JESUS CHRIST IS MY LORD AND SAVIOR,THAT YOU RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD, THAT HE IS ALIVE TODAY, THAT YOU HAVE FORGIVEN ME FOR MY SINS, THAT I AM SAVED FROM YOUR WRATH AND JUDGEMENT OF SIN AND THAT I WILL SPEND NOW AND ETERNITY WITH YOU. THANK YOU, FATHER. THANK YOU FATHER, FOR GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO NOW GIVES ME DAILY POWER TO LIVE ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL AND WAYS AND TO BE A WITNESS TO YOU IN THE WORLD. THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME FOREVER, FOR NEVER LEAVING ME ALONE, FOR LIBERATING ME TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE NOW AND FOREVER. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TO ME OR WHAT I DO, YOU WILL NEVER FORSAKE ME. LET ME NOT TAKE YOUR GOODNESS FOR GRANTED. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WILL BE CHALLENGING AND CHANGING ME INTO YOUR LIKENESS, THAT I WILL BE PROGRESSING IN THIS LIFE AND FULLY MADE PERFECT IN THE NEXT LIFE, AND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP MY LIFE TO LIVE FOR YOUR WILL AND WAYS. I COMMIT MYSELF DAILY BY RELYING ON YOU TO TALKING TO YOU, READING, STUDYING AND MEDITATING ON YOUR WORD THE BIBLE AND LIVING ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD IN A WAY THE PENETRATES EVERY AREA OF MY LIFE. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR GOODNESS! IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.”
Fight the Devil Full of the Word of God, or You Just Might Find Yourself Fighting God By Real Life Faith Magazine Editor Michele Jackson 11 | P a g e
Photo of Real Life Faith Magazine Editor Michele Jackson When Jesus Christ was in His wilderness experience (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus did not speak to the devil (Satan, the adversary and accuser) in words of human wisdom or origin. Jesus used the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, the Bible (Ephesians 6:17). Jesus Christ is both man and God. Jesus proved in His wilderness that in His humanity He had learned to worship God, and Jesus established His divinity by showing He was able to worship God no matter what the devil did to try to derail Jesus into devil worship. Christians, expect to experience the wilderness. Jesus on His human side had to read the Bible, study the Bible and meditate on the Bible just like God the Father tells all His human kids to do, so that He could live the Bible. Jesus had been so obedient to God that He had memorized the Bible texts necessary to slice the devil with the Sword. Jesus had memorized Scriptures from the Old Testament and used them against the devil as recorded in the New Testament. The three Scriptures that Jesus sliced the devil with are; “. . . Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 Amplified Bible) which originally comes from Deuteronomy 8:3; “. . . On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, test thoroughly, or try exceedingly the Lord your God” (Matthew 4:7 (Amp)) which originally comes from Deuteronomy 6:16; and “. . . Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10 (Amp)) which originally comes from (Exodus 20:1-11 and Deuteronomy 5:6-15). Christians, do not let the devil condemn you about Scripture meditation and memorization and cause you to be critical of your ability to be obedient to God in this area. Jesus makes Christians comfortable; notice that Jesus did not quote the Word verbatim, but He quoted the Word in a way that flowed with the conversation. Learn to do likewise. Notice also that in the fight recorded in Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus knew the real enemy to fight. Jesus did not fight with God for leading Him into the wilderness (a desert place). Yes, God will lead you into a wilderness! Matthew 4:1-2 (Amp) says, “Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. And He went without food for forty days and forty nights, and later He was hungry.” Seek to know God and where God has placed you. A wilderness can be a place of barely enough; it is not the Promised Land. If God put you in a wilderness, there is no point fighting the devil to get out of there. A wilderness can seem like a bad thing from a human perspective. When bad things happen to good people, God has a purpose in it. Ask God for His purpose daily. God is trying to show you something about how to worship Him, serve Him and have a relationship with Him. God (the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire) led the Israelites through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22). Many people say that God’s purpose for the Israelites to come out of Egypt was to free them from Egyptian bondage. However, this is incomplete. God did not free the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, so that they could run their lives according to their own will. God freed them to teach them to worship God which means they were to live according to God’s will. God told Moses to tell Pharaoh, “. . . The Lord, the God of the Hebrews has sent me to you, saying, Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness . . .” (Exodus 7:16). The bold in 12 | P a g e
quotation is my emphasis. God is particular about how to serve Him. In the wilderness God gave the Israelites more than 600 rules on how to serve God. The devil started the fight with Jesus in the wilderness by attacking Jesus’ identity, peace of mind and priorities. The devil says in Matthew 4:3 (Amp), “. . . If You are God's Son, command these stones to be made [loaves of] bread.” God designed Christians in His likeness. John 1:1 tells us that God is the Word. So when the devil attacks Christians’ identity, Christians show their identity by showing the devil the Word. Money mismanagement is a major attack that the devil wages against Christians. It takes money to buy bread. Jesus in the wilderness probably did not have a lot of money on His human side, so He went without food for 40 days and 40 nights because God was calling Him to put down carpentry and His human plans for life and pick up full-time ministry. Fasting is to put the flesh (human nature) under God’s control; fasting can be voluntary or compulsory. The devil will fight you where you are weak hoping to get you to switch worshipping God to worshipping the devil. Money and food are necessary to physical existence, so when a person is attacked in this area, the person’s peace of mind is also being attacked. Isaiah 26:3 teaches us that the people of God keep their peace of mind by keeping their mind on God no matter what is going on around them. Peace is power. If the devil can get a person to forget God and focus on her situation, the devil can bring destruction into her life. It’s God’s responsibility to give a person the ability to earn money and obtain food. It’s a Christian’s responsibility to keep her mind on God. Matthew 6:33 (Amp) says, “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.”God will bring you out of the wilderness into the Promised Land in His timing. David says in Psalm 31:15 (Amp), “My times are in Your hands . . .” Know, recognize and understand that as a Christian your time to enter, endure and exit various places is determined by God. If the devil can compel you to forget God, then the devil has not only stolen your identity and peace of mind, the devil has also stolen your priorities. When God is no longer number one in life, usually people or things are number one. People fail; things fail; but God never fails. If you are trusting in people or things, you will experience ungodly fear. One of the consequences of ungodly fear is an unsound mind. Jesus defeated the devil with the Word, and you can too. Jesus kept His identity, peace of mind and priorities by saying in Matthew 4:4 (Amp), “. . . Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” Defeating the devil once, doesn’t mean he is going to leave you alone! The devil is a persistent enemy. Are you a persistent follower of God? The devil further attacked Jesus’ identity by speaking the Word in a twisted way as if to say let’s see if you are a baby Christian or an adult Christian. The devil says in Matthew 4:6 (Amp), “. . . If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone” which is taken from Psalm 91:11-12. The Bible teaches that God does miracles, but the Bible also teaches that God is not frivolous and is to be respected. God has set up the heavens and the earth to function according to certain physical and spiritual laws. If you intentionally violate a physical or spiritual law to see if God will do a miracle and save you, you just might find yourself defeated by the devil because you forgot or failed to learn what Jesus says to the devil in Matthew 4:7 (Amp) in response to the devil quoting the Bible to Him in a twisted way, “. . . You shall not tempt, test thoroughly, or try exceedingly the Lord your God.” Sometimes Christians test God because they have preconceived ideas about how God is going to bless them. In addition to reading, studying and meditating on the Bible it is important to talk to God as much as possible for practical and proper application of the Bible to daily living because God’s ways are not our ways. Christians can be trying to fight the enemy but are actually fighting God because they do not know the will of God for them in a particular area. For example, God can speak a word to a person about an assignment, but the person doesn’t want to receive the assignment, so the person rebukes the assignment as coming from the devil and/ or the person ignores God speaking. God says if we live based our own thoughts (our own will and ways) we are walking “in a way that is not good” (Isaiah 65:2 Amp). Learn not to squash in 13 | P a g e
your mind what the Holy Spirit is saying in your spirit. Lucille O’Neal, mother of four children including her oldest, basketball celebrity Shaquille O’Neal, is a Christian who spoke on the Paula White Today show on Apostle Internet Radio on 12/3/2009. She said she has degrees. Yet she found herself out of work and was looking for work compatible with her degrees (Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Master of Arts in Organizational Management). She said when she would go by her church office, she would get a sensing that she belonged there, but she rebuked it because it did not match her idea of what a person with her degrees should be doing. However, eventually God got through to her. She submitted to God’s will and found out that working in the church office is exactly the position God wanted her in; and she is able to fully use her degrees to the glory of God and with gratitude to God for deep job satisfaction. Some Christians have chosen jobs, businesses, marriage partners, sexual partners, houses, cars, addictions, relationships and all kinds of things and people that were not God’s will for their lives; then they experienced trials and tried to fight the devil! The real fight is with God in these situations. Talk to God for ways to exit situations that are not God’s will. He will provide the exit out of some situations. In other situations God will give a Christian the grace to endure. Sometimes Christians test God because they have preconceived ideas about the type of experiences God allows them to experience. Not only will God put us in the wilderness, God will put us in storms! Both Matthew 8:23-34 and Mark 4:35-Mark 5:20 record the story of Jesus sending the disciples into a boat into a storm. Jesus slept while the storm raged! Some of the reasons Jesus sent the disciples into the storm was to test their faith, to show them once again God has power over all things, that obstacles are going to be in the way of Christians helping people, that obstacles must not stop Christians from helping people, that storms are a part of life and that it is necessary to learn to relax, rest and release yourself to God for positive results from the storms of life. On the other side of the storm was a man possessed by a legion of demons who God had called to salvation and to witnessing to others. The wilderness experiences and storms of life are to make Christians better understand God and His ways and to strengthen Christians in their worship and relationship with God. When a Christian is not fighting God but is submitted to God’s ways and will, the Christian can say with confidence to the devil like Jesus says at the end of His wilderness experience, “. . . Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10). The Apostle Paul was actively engaged in sharing the good news of God’s salvation plan when he says in 1 Thessalonians 2:18 (Amp), “Because it was our will to come to you. [I mean that] I, Paul, again and again [wanted to come], but Satan hindered and impeded us.”Satan will fight Christians; he can hinder Christians, so that it may seem like he is getting a victory; but Satan can never stop Christians from fulfilling the will of God. Satan has power, but God has more power. God has given Christians His power. 1 John 5:4 (Amp) says, “For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.” Not only can Satan hinder you from fulfilling the will of God, you can also hinder yourself. Jesus could speak the Word to the devil with confidence in its power because He believed the Word; He trusted the Word; and He lived the Word. When Jesus fought the devil, Jesus did not have sin in his life. Sin acts like a separation between God and Christians and the success-plans God is trying to get to Christians. Isaiah 59:1-2 (Amp) says, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Christians, do not let the devil use this verse to condemn you. Hebrews 9:28 and 1 Corinthians 15:42 reveal that Christians do not experience full salvation in their current bodies, so Christians cannot yet be perfect (sinless) like Jesus is. God knows that His people sometimes do low-down things. God even describes His people as “you worm Jacob” in Isaiah 41:14. However, God loves Christians not based on performance, but on what God the Son who is also the sinless Son of Man Jesus Christ did at Calvary to bring reconciliation between God the Father and His people. Jesus has a joint inheritance with Christians (John 16:13-14 and Romans 8:17) that will be experienced in some measure in this earthly life and in 14 | P a g e
full measure in heaven. If you are seeking to be sinless, you are seeking failure. Seek to let God live through you, and you will have the power to live blameless now. Talk to God like David did in Psalm 19:13 (Amp) which says, “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent and clear of great transgression.”When you sin, repent. Repentance is not just saying you are sorry, it is seeking to do the will of God. If you are not a Christian, you cannot fight the devil because you are an advocate of the devil! However, the good news is that if God chose you for an eternal relationship with Him, then today God is calling you out of the darkness of the devil and into the light of a now and eternal relationship with God. Human beings are sinners; they are not perfect. Yet God is perfect and in the past could not have a relationship with imperfect people because God has wrath and judgment against sin leading to the sentence of eternal death, and no one had provided a means of escape from this sentence. But then God the Father, who dearly loves His children, sent Jesus Christ on a mission to provide the way of escape. Jesus Christ, the God/man, provided the way of escape from the sentence of eternal death by living a sinless life on earth more than 2,000 years ago and offering His body for death on a cross in Calvary, Israel, in payment for the sins of God’s children thereby making atonement and propitiation with God the Father. Atonement is making amends for wrongdoing. Propitiation is winning the good will of someone. Jesus rose from the dead three days after a crooked trial and death by crucifixion and presented His blood payment to God the Father in the Holy of Holies in heaven (Hebrews 9:12). God the Father then released God the Holy Spirit to live in all His children to teach them all the truth, to testify about Jesus, to take them into living by God’s power and to talk to God the Father (like Jesus also does) helping God’s children in harmony with the will of God. God is a multiple of one as in 1 X 1 X 1 = 1 (God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit). Ask God to forgive your sins, and submit your life to Him. God not only saves you from eternal death, He begins a now and eternal relationship with you. In this relationship, God becomes the Lord of your life. That means in everything God leads and you follow. When God leads and you follow, no matter what fight the devil starts, God will ensure that the devil is defeated and you have a good, enjoyable, victorious life now (John 10:10). See page 10 for a sample prayer of salvation, and page 9 for more information on salvation. Michele Jackson is a minister of Kingdom Come Ministries in Dumfries, Virginia. She is the editor of Real Life Faith Magazine website and email publication. She is a licensed teacher and teaches Sunday School. She also prepares Sunday Breakfast and is involved in the Grounds Ministry. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a double major in Political Science and minors in International Studies and Spanish Language. She lives with her son, Rafael Fowler, in Woodbridge, Virginia.
A New Year By Rhoda Herring Dent 15 | P a g e
Photo of Christian Author Rhonda Herring Dent I thought I would take this opportunity to start my first article in Real Life Faith Magazine to talk about the New Year. Here we are in January 2010, just days into a brand new year. Most of us have eaten too much, spent too much and are gladly welcoming another year and are sighing with relief. Our hearts are warm with the memories of baby Jesus’ birth and spending the holiday season with family members and friends. For those who live in the Washington, D.C. area, the snow was definitely an added memory to Christmas 2009! It was awesome, and I truly enjoyed staying home and getting some much needed rest. Now that we have celebrated the Holiday season and the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we look forward to a new year, a fresh attitude and hopes that this year will be the best year of our lives. And it can be. It can be because of our Father who gave His only Son, so that we may live a victorious life. We can look forward to all things good and perfect in Christ. The holidays are nice, and we love them, but after they are over and the new year comes in most of us reevaluate our lives, make our New Year resolutions and breathe. I am one of those evaluators and breathers, but I have not made any New Year’s resolutions; and I don’t remember making any last year. I have made a couple of mental notes in my mind to eat right and exercise, so that I can get back to my previous weight pre-Thanksgiving, Christmas, Holiday Parties, etc. That’s all. As for a New Year’s resolution list, I have not made one; and I do not have any plans to make one. I know that sounds untraditional, but it’s just that I do not want to set myself up for failure especially so early in the new year. Not to persuade anyone not to make a list, but I know that for many years I did, and it did not work out the way I anticipated it to work. My goals are to be in Him and allow Him to direct my every step. Not that I am super spiritual or so much deeper than anyone else, it’s just I’ve learned the hard way. I have learned in my life that everything I plan to do I do not, and those things I plan not to do I do. Paul sums it up in Romans 7:19 (King James Version Bible) - “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” I think Paul is basically summing up the life of a Christian. In Romans Chapter 7 Paul talks about the life of a Christian and the difference and disparity in the spirit and in the body (flesh). The body wants to rule, and just when we think we have everything under control we find that no matter how good the list of things are we eventually become slack in doing those things; and the few, if any, we do achieve, then we think that we did it in our own strength. The Bible talks about how weak our flesh is, and the war between the flesh and the spirit. The flesh rebels against the good things and desires the negative things. In order for us to have the strength to meet the resolutions and/or to live a disciplined life we have to deny the flesh and continue to ask God for strength and courage, after all we can make as 16 | P a g e
many lists as we possibly can, but unless we press forward and seek God for His guidance we will just be giving lip service or in this example list service. It’s okay to make your list, check it twice or refer to the list as often as you need to; and maybe it will keep your focus. But for me, I know that I have to keep my focus on God to do the things I need to do in 2010. I’ve made so many lists in the past, and I know that it doesn’t work for me, as a matter of fact it seems like a lot of extra pressure; and if I accomplish even one thing on the list, I am afraid that my flesh might try to take credit for it. New Year’s resolution or not, let us live one day at a time; and rely on God to direct our steps. He knows what we need and what we ought to do in every aspect of our lives to live a healthy, faithful, obedient and victorious life. If you want to have a victorious 2010, then let me share with you how to live victorious this year. Victorious living is effectively using your abilities to do God’s work, to serve Him, love others and to spread the good news of hope, healing and reconciliation. As a victorious Christian in this very hopeful new year, we are responsible for renewing our mind, changing how we think, how we act and react, changing what we think about, what we watch, what we say and don’t say, changing our attitude, our gratitude, our priorities and to live by God’s standards; and when we don’t, we need to ask for forgiveness. All in all, when we reflect back on the past year we can see where we excelled and where we fell short. There is nothing wrong with looking back and reflecting as long as we press forward and connect the dots. All dots should inevitably lead to Jesus. Have a wonderful, victorious New Year in Christ! “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen” (Ephesians 6:24, KJV). Until next time, be blessed! Rhonda Herring Dent Rhonda Herring Dent was born and raised in Goldsboro, North Carolina. She is a Senior Program Analyst for the United States Department of Defense (DOD) and has worked for DOD for more than 23 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting, and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration. She is a Christian author, and her first book, Ever Changing, was published in June 2009. She is currently working on her 2nd and 3rd books. The second book is due out in late summer 2010. She is an inspirational speaker that is bringing her message of healing, hope and reconciliation to hurting souls. You can contact her via her website www.e-rhonda.net or at her email address everchanging@e-rhonda.net. She has three children and two step-children. She lives with her husband, Timothy Dent, and step-son, Luke, in Woodbridge, Virginia. Mrs. Dent is also on leadership and the Greeter’s Ministry for Harvest Life Changers Church in Woodbridge, Virginia.
SADDLED ON THE SIDELI NES 17 | P a g e
by Attorney Karmen A. Booker
Photo of Attorney Karmen A. Booker God commands us to be a doer of the Word, and not just a hearer. When you hear the Word of God in church, on TV and/or the radio, and you don’t obey the Word of God, you are just saddled on the sidelines. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22, King James Version Bible). “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” (Matthew 7:24, KJV). “Keep your loins girded and your lamps burning” (Luke 12:35, Amplified Bible). Always be prepared to follow the commands of God and do what He has called you to do – whether to teach, evangelize, pastor, prophesize, be an apostle, minister in other roles or to reach out to others through a community-based, nonprofit organization. It is essential that once you take the first step in accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, that you take the 2nd step of R-reading, S-studying and M-meditating on God’s Word, so that you will be continually built up in God and increase in knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. As you do this, you will become rooted and grounded in the Word of God. That is, fixed and unmovable. No one and nothing can move you or misdirect you from the truth. You will not be deceived by false doctrines and vain philosophies. “Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7, Amp). Don’t be satisfied to just sit on the sidelines by going to church but not reading God’s Word; singing in the choir but not worshipping God from your heart; putting money in the offering plate 18 | P a g e
but not giving from your heart to advance the Kingdom of God (to help others accept and commit their lives to Christ). Come into the Kingdom where Jesus Christ reigns and gives you everlasting love, joy, peace and meets all of your needs. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, KJV). “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalm 23, KJV). Moreover, God gives you gifts and talents to use to serve others. When you use your gifts to serve others, you: 1. 2. 3.
Advance the Kingdom of God Bless God Experience fulfillment and joy in blessing others.
Using your God-given gifts and talents is like milk. If you let milk sit and don’t use it, it sours and thereby becomes of no use, and must be thrown out. Likewise, if you let your God-given gifts and talents sit without using them, then they become sour (of no use). If we read Matthew 25:13-30 (Parable of the Talents), we discover that the Master of the property (God) gave one servant five talents, another servant two talents and another servant one talent. The servants who were given five and two talents multiplied their talents by using them. However, the servant who received one talent dug a hole and buried his talent. His Master was not pleased because of the servant’s lack of use of his talent; the Master said that this servant was wicked, lazy and idle, rather than a faithful and trustworthy servant. Consequently, his lack of faithfulness caused his Master to take away the one talent the servant buried and give it to the servant with five talents who doubled his talents. God does not reward waste; He rewards multiplication. So you see it is very important to be faithful in using your gifts and talents to serve others and bless God. Remember, you are accountable to God in all you do and say.
Karmen A. Booker is a business attorney that specializes in 501(c)(3) tax exemption applications, corporate, limited liability company, and nonprofit entity formations, copyright registration, trademark search and registration, writing business plans and contracts, asset protection and estate planning services. She is also the founder of Wings of Love Ministries (WOLM), which is a teaching and evangelism ministry whose vision is to encourage and to 19 | P a g e
inspire people to accept and to commit their lives to Jesus Christ, so their lives will be transformed into righteousness; and they will experience unceasing love, joy and peace. She has produced product resources that can help you grow in your spiritual walk with Jesus Christ. E-mail her at wingsoflove8@yahoo.com to receive a copy of her product catalog.
ARE SELF- CONTROL AND SELF- RELIANCE SYNONMOUS? Self-control and self-reliance are not the same thing. Self-control is a springboard for high level kingdom service. Self-reliance is a set-up for shackles. Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); it is God’s power working through a Christian to produce godly behavior. Selfreliance is trusting in yourself to produce certain behavior without God. An example of self-reliant behavior would be Jacob’s response to God in Genesis 28; God told Jacob God was going to take care of him, bless him and through him bless all the families of the earth; Jacob responded by saying he was going to take care of himself and let God prove Himself to him. God matures Christians, so that they do not take pride or glory in their abilities, but in God's abilities. Philippians 3:3 (Amplified Bible) says, "3For we [Christians] are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit and by the Spirit of God and exult and glory and pride ourselves in Jesus Christ, and put no confidence or dependence [on what we are] in the flesh and on outward privileges and physical advantages and external appearances--"
Someone said that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, did not fulfill the prophecy of Jonah because Jesus Christ was not dead for three nights; He was dead for two nights. However, the prophecy of Jonah does not say that Jonah was dead for three nights. In fact the book of Jonah is silent regarding the number of days Jonah was dead. All we know is that Jonah "was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights" (Jonah 1:17); Jonah 2 says Jonah died, and God raised him to new life without giving specific days or nights. On the Hebrew calendar a day starts in the evening and ends the evening of the next day. Yet in ancient Hebrew usage the phrase "three days and three nights" was an idiomatic expression meaning simply "three days", and was applicable even if the beginning and ending days of the period were only partial days, according to the attached article "How could Jonah survive three days in the belly of a 'whale'?" from the website www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/ednt004.html. It is the prophet Hosea that informs us that the Messiah will be dead only two days and will rise on the third day (Hosea 6:2). In the Hebrew days can refer to partial days, so when Jesus Christ is dead for two nights, and rises on the third day, He fulfills this prophecy. Comparing Jonah's fish experience of three days and three nights to Jesus Christ's experience of death and resurrection for the payment of Christians’ sins and providing a means for relationship between them and God the Father, it is revealed that Jesus went through His experience for three days and three nights. Jesus' three nights are Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Jesus' three days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Thursday night the beginning of Jesus' experience was Jesus reclining at table with the twelve apostles; Jesus told the Apostle Judas that Judas would betray Him; Jesus changed the Passover forever indicating that God was starting a new covenant with God’s people making Jesus the 20 | P a g e
Passover Lamb for their sins. Jesus’ experience ended when He was raised from the dead Sunday morning. See Matthew 26-28 and Luke 23 for the order of events.
CHRISTIAN JOKE On December 18, 2009, the radio station Praise 104.1 of Washington, D.C., played a Christian joke from Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries. It went something like the following: A husband and a wife were trying to figure out who should make the coffee in the mornings. The wife said to her husband, “You should make the coffee because you get up first.” The husband said to his wife, “Making the coffee is your job.” The wife said, “The Bible says that the man should make the coffee.” The husband said, “No way. I don’t believe that. Prove it.” The wife got her Bible; opened it; and quoted the Bible book “Hebrews!”
The Bible refers to months mostly by number instead of name. The passage of time and counting are very important to God, so they must be important to Christians.
English: Hebrew Biblical Calendar Name/ Babylonian Calendar Name
Number
Length
Secular Calendar Equivalent
Abib/Nissan
1
30 days
MarchApril
Ziv/Iyar
2
29 days
AprilMay
Sivan/Sivan
3
30 days
MayJune
Tammuz
4
29 days
JuneJuly
Av
5
30 days
JulyAugust
Elul/Elul
6
29 days
AugustSeptember
Ethanim/Tishri
7
30 days
SeptemberOctober
Bul/Cheshvan
8
29 or 30 days OctoberNovember
Chislev/Kislev
9
30 or 29 days NovemberDecember
Tevet
10
29 days
DecemberJanuary
Shebat/Shevat
11
30 days
JanuaryFebruary
Adar/Adar I (leap years only)
12
30 days
FebruaryMarch
Adar/Adar
12
29 days
FebruaryMarch
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(called Adar Beit in leap years) (13 in leap years) The Bible does not use names of the week, but rather the number of the days.
Hebrew Transliteration English Yom Rishon
First Day (Sunday)
Yom Sheini
Second Day (Monday)
Yom Shlishi
Third Day (Tuesday)
Yom R'vi'i
Fourth Day (Wednesday)
Yom Chamishi Fifth Day (Thursday) Yom Shishi
Sixth Day (Friday)
Yom Shabbat
Sabbath Day, Seventh Day (Saturday)
Has the Holy Spirit placed thoughts in your heart that you would like to share with "W ords of Wisdom"? Please mail these thoughts to Teacher Michele Jackson at michelejacksonkcm@yahoo.com. Words of Wisdom should be no more than two to three sentences and are posted on the website www.reallifefaithmagazine.com.
12/11/2009: Teacher Michele Jackson : Learn not to squash in your mind what the Holy Spirit is saying in your spirit.
12/9/2009: Teacher Michele Jackson : Self-reliance is a set-up for shackles. God-reliance sets us free to live in victory.
12/8/2009: Teacher Michele Jackson : Behavior is birthed out of belief. Read, study and meditate on the Bible daily to believe what God says about you and what God says you can do.
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10/13/2009: Minister Rhonda Moaland : When asked, why God does not want us to be unequally yoked, we should be able to respond, “a broken heart can only be mended by the love of God. God wants you to give your heart wholeheartedly, but He will take it in pieces too, so guard your heart above all things.”
10/9/2009: Teacher Michele Jackson : Proper pacing is essential to living a productive life. Hastiness hinders progress.
Who God Is? (Some Words from The AMPLIFIED BIBLE / JANUARY 2010) HUSBAND – JEREMIAH 31:32 ABBA (FATHER) – ROMANS 8:15 the resurrection and the life – john 11:25 REDEEMER – PROVERBS 23:11 WONDERFUL COUNSELOR – ISAIAH 9:6 Almighty – ruth 1:20 master – luke 5:5 Trustworthy and faithful – 2 Corinthians 1:18 CHRIST JESUS THE SON OF GOD IS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD THE FATHER PLEADING AS HE INTERECEDES FOR HIS CHILDREN – ROMANS 8:34
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THE judge – JUDGES 11:27 ABRAHAM’S SEED – GALATIANS 3:16 the door for the sheep – john 10:7 Alive and true and genuine – 1 thessalonians 1:9 King of eternity – 1 timothy 1:17 lord of heaven and earth – luke 10:21 i am – exodus 3:14
Who Am I In GOD? (Some Words from THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE / J ANUARY 2010) HEIRS OF GOD AND FELLOW HEIRS WITH CHRIST [SHARING HIS INHERITANCE WITH HIM] – ROMANS 8:17 CHOSEN BY GOD – ephesians 1:4 Friends of God – John 15:14-15 Called to Freedom – galatians 5:13 CONSECRATED, PURIFIED AND MADE HOLY IN CHRIST JESUS – 1 Corinthians 1:2 GOD’S beloved – Romans 9:25 FELLOW WORKMEN (JOINT PROMOTERS, LABORERS TOGETHER) WITH AND FOR GOD – 1 CORINTHIANS 3:9 PRACTICE PLEASING (MAKE HAPPY) OTHERS FOR THEIR GOOD AND TRUE WELFARE – Romans 15:2
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LIVING IN HOPE FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS BEING MADE VISIBLE TO ALL – 1 CORINTHIANS 1:7 STRENGTHENED AND SET ON A FIRM FOUNDATION AND GUARDED FROM THE EVIL ONE – 2 THESSALONIANS 3:3 Cleansed and repeatedly pruned by god to bear more, richer and more excellent fruit – john 15:2 PROTECTED BY GOD WHO CONTENDS WITH HIM WHO CONTENDS WITH HIS PEOPLE – ISAIAH 49:25
SOME QUALIT I ES OF GOD THE FATHER/JANUARY 2010 T
Top Person of the Trinity – God the Father is the mightiest of the Godhead which also includes Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit (John 10:29 and John 14:28). He is Lord of heaven and earth (Luke 10:21) and self-existent (John 5:26).
H
Host – The Father gives people the desire to believe and to confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (John 6:44, John 6:37 and John 6:65). God the Father sent Jesus into the world, so that His people would not meet Him in judgment for sin and be sentenced to eternal death (John 3:17-18).
E
Savior – The Father put everything (except Himself) in Jesus’ power and will defeat all enemies of Jesus and Christians (Luke 10:22, John 3:35, 1 Corinthians 15:26-28 and Psalm 110:1). He raises the dead (John 5:21).
F
Father – He corrects and disciplines Christians like an earthly father corrects and disciplines his
children (Proverbs 3:12 and Deuteronomy 8:5).
A
Affirms – God the Father affirmed Jesus Christ’s ministry on earth by saying of Jesus in Luke 9:35
(Amp), “. . . This is My Son, My Chosen One or My Beloved; listen to and yield to and obey Him!” and in Mark 1:11 (Amp), “ . . . You are My Beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” In the Old Testament God the Father, who is the Lord our God, also affirmed the ministry of Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of the Lord’s Host, Angel, the Angel of the Lord, the Angel of His Presence or the Angel of God, by saying in Exodus 23:20-22 (Amp), “20Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep and guard you on the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. 21Give heed to Him, listen to and obey His voice; be not rebellious before Him or provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgression; for My Name is in Him. 22But if you will indeed listen to and obey His voice and all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.”
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T
Teacher – God spoke the law to Moses (Exodus 20-40, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). God spoke to Moses to have the Israelites build Him a sanctuary with valuable materials and gave detailed building instructions for all that was in and out of the sanctuary including setting-up the ministers and how they were to minister and offerings to give; this sanctuary is like the one in heaven. God identifies Himself as a teacher in Isaiah 30:20.
H
Helper – God the Father wants His children to help people, especially the poor, needy,
oppressed, afflicted, fatherless, transient aliens and widows (James 1:27, Proverbs 22:22-23, Exodus 22:22-24, Leviticus 19:9-10, Jeremiah 7:1-7, Jeremiah 22:1-5 and Ezekiel 16:49). He does not want His people to treat people with favoritism, partiality or discrimination (Exodus 23:3, Leviticus 19:15 and Leviticus 24:22). He sent the Messiah for the Israelites and the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6) and planned for both to receive an inheritance (Ezekiel 47:21-23).
E
Exposes Hypocrisy – God says that He hates and will eventually halt religious practices that give the appearance of obedience but are in spirit and truth disobedient to His Word (Isaiah 1 and Isaiah 58).
R
Rests – He said the Sabbath is a never-ending covenant to remind God’s people that in six days God made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed (Exodus 31:12-17).
SOME QUALIT I ES OF GOD THE SON JESUS CHRIST/ JANUARY 2010 J
Multiple Jobs – Jesus Christ has many jobs. Christians look to Jesus to operate in His name and be dependent on His Person thereby giving praise to God the Father (Colossians 3:17). He is a prophet (John 4:16-19 and John 4:44). Jesus told His disciples many times before His death that He was going to be handed over to the Hebrew religious leaders, sentenced, turned over to the Gentiles to be mocked, whipped and killed on a cross in Jerusalem and rise from death on the third day (Matthew 20:18-19, Mark 9:31 and Mark 10:32-34). Jesus does what He sees God the Father doing and reveals the personality of the Father (John 5:19-20 and John 17). Jesus is the Judge; He was assigned this role by the Father; the unsaved will give Him an account of their lives and be condemned for not believing in Him (John 5:22 and John 9:39). Jesus is self-existent; He was given this by the Father but is not a created being (John 5:26). Jesus is God, and one with God the Father (John 10:30 and John 14:9-10). The only way to the Father is through Jesus (John 14:6 and John 15:23). Jesus is a peacemaker for Christians who unites them into one body (John 11:52, John 17:20-23) and teaches Christians to get along with each other even if they are not of the same group of Christians (Mark 9:38-40). Jesus is a King (John 18:37). Some people acknowledged His kingship when Jesus came into Jerusalem, and they put their clothes and palm trees on the ground for Jesus to ride over on His donkey (Mark 11:1-10 and John 12 which fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9).
E
Eternal – Jesus is the Word of God who has always existed (John 1:1-2 and John 17:5) even though He came into the human race born of a young, virgin named Mary (Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1 and Matthew 1). Some of the names for Jesus in the Old Testament are Angel of the Lord, Angel of God, Angel of His Presence and the Prince of the Lord’s Host (Genesis 22, Exodus 14:19, Joshua 5:15 and Isaiah 63:9).
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S
Savior – Jesus came to save Christians from their sins by dying in payment for their sins (Mark 10:45). The blood Jesus shed in His death marked the new covenant God has with people where Jesus is the Passover Lamb for Christians’ sins saving them from death and giving them eternal life (Mark 14:12-25, Matthew 26, Luke 22 and Romans 6:23). Jesus will go to great lengths to save His children; Jesus went through a life-threatening storm to save a demon possessed man (Luke 8:22-39 and Mark 4:35-Mark 5:20).
U
Unparrelled – No one else is like Jesus; He is both God and man. As a man He got tired (John 4:6) and hungry (Mark 11:12). As God, He walked on water, forgave people of their sins and raised people from the dead (Mark 6:47-53, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 7:12-15, Luke 8:41-56, John 11 and Mark 5:35-43).
S
Set- up to Die and Live Again – Many prophesies of Jesus’ death and resurrection existed before He entered the human race. Jesus was betrayed by Judas as Psalm 41:9 predicted that the Messiah would be betrayed by His familiar friend. Isaiah 53 predicted that the Messiah would be tried falsely. Jesus was first brought for questioning to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year (John 18:13). Then Jesus was sent to Caiaphas for questioning (John 18:24). The Sanhedrin put Jesus on trial (Luke 22:66). Jesus was sent to Pilate (John 18:28). Pilate found no crime in Him (John 18:38, John 19:4 and John 19:6). Yet Pilate had Roman soldiers whip and mock Jesus (John 19:1-3). When Pilate found out He was a Galilean, Pilate sent Him to Herod (Luke 23:7). Herod asked Jesus many questions; Jesus didn’t answer; Herod mocked Jesus and sent Him back to Pilate (Luke 23:8-11). Two other criminals as Isaiah predicted were crucified with Jesus (Isaiah 53:12 and John 19:18). Jesus gave up His Spirit about 3 p.m. on Friday which is the day of Preparation for the Sabbath (John 19:30-31 and Luke 23:44-46). Jesus’ legs were not broken, and the Roman soldiers thrust a spear in His side in fulfillment of prophecy (John 19:32-27, Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, Psalm 34:20 and Zechariah 12:10). Jesus was buried in the tomb of a rich man as predicted by Isaiah (Isaiah 53:9, John 19:38-42 and Mark 15:43-46). On the third day as predicted Jesus rose from the dead (Matthew 28, Mark 16, John 20, Luke 24, Jonah 1:17-Jonah 2 and Hosea 6:2).
C
Creator – Jesus is the Word of God through whom everything was made (John 1:1-3).
H
Hospitable – Jesus reveals God the Father’s personality to Christians (Luke 10:22, John 1:18 and John 17:26). Jesus mingles with leaders and outcasts (Luke 7:36-50).
R
Returning to Earth – Jesus will come back to earth in a remarkable way that means destruction for the unsaved and eternal life for the saved (Luke 17:22-37, Luke 21 and Mark 13). Jesus has homes waiting for Christians after death or after meeting Jesus in His second coming (John 14:2-3).
I
Intercessor – Jesus prays to God the Father on behalf of Christians (Hebrews 7:25). He prayed all night to the Father before selecting 12 apostles (Luke 6:12-13). He prayed early in the mornings (Mark 1:35). He separated Himself from people at times to pray (Mark 6:46).
S
Sensible – Jesus was good to people, but He did not mentally or spiritually depend on people because He knew the weakness of human nature (John 2:24-25). “Sensible” is a synonym for “wise”. Proverbs 3:5-6 (Amplified Bible) says it is wise to depend on God: “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” While He does not depend on people mentally or spiritually, He does use their help physically. Jesus not only preached the Kingdom of God Himself, He had 12 apostles, at least 70 disciples and 27 | P a g e
encouraged others not directly part of His group to preach the Gospel (Matthew 10, Luke 9:49-50, Luke 10:1 and Mark 16:15).
T
Teacher – Jesus taught inside synagogues and outside synagogues in a wide variety of places. Jesus’ teachings reveal the true nature of people (John 1:9). His teachings urge Christians to seek the Kingdom of God first and not to be worried about food and clothing because God provides His people’s needs (Luke 12); to be merciful, nonjudgmental, forgiving and generous (Luke 6:36-38, Matthew 7:1, Luke 17:3-4 and Mark 11:25-26); and to know that behavior is birthed out of belief (Luke 6:45). Jesus taught that God is no respecter of persons; Jesus healed men, women, boys, girls, Jews and non-Jews (Luke 7:2-10, Luke 9:37-42, Luke 13:10-17, Luke 14:1-6, Luke 17:11-19, Mark 7:24-30, and Mark 10:46-52). Jesus spoke in parables to announce the arrival of the Kingdom of God, its nature and its opponents (Luke 8:4-15, Luke 13:18-30, Mark 4:1-34 and Mark 12:1-11). Jesus also taught people to die to self in order to live for God (Luke 9:23-24, Luke 14:26-33, John 12:23-26 and Mark 8:34-35); to love God and to love all people (Luke 10:25-37 and Mark 12:28-31); to live out the Word of God which brings blessings (Luke 6:46-49 and Luke 11:28); to know that the inner person is more important than the outer person and out of the inner person comes sin (Luke 11:37-41 and Mark 7:14-23); to not love money and things and to not be covetousness , to not steal and to not put more value on money than on God (Luke 12:13-15, Luke 20:21-25, Mark 10:17-31, Mark 12:14-17 and Mark 14:1-9); to serve and love others (John 13:3-35, John 15:12 and John 15:17); to respect spiritual authority (John 13:20 and Luke 10:16); and to pray bold prayers asking whatever wanted that is in agreement with God the Father’s will for nothing is impossible for God (John 14:13-14, 1 John 5:14, John 15:10, John 15:16, John 16:23-24, Mark 9:23 and Mark 11:24). Jesus defined love as obedience to the will and teachings of God the Father (John 14:15, John 14:21, John 14:23-24 and John 15:10). He taught that Christians will do nothing spiritually productive separate from an intimate relationship with God (John 15:1-5). Jesus taught that Christians will have trials and tribulations in the world, but they are to be cheerful and peaceful because God is protecting them, and Jesus has overcome the world and Satan, the ruler of the world, whom is already judged and sentenced to eternal death (John 16:33, John 16:11, John 14:27 and John 17:15). Jesus taught that the Sabbath is for the benefit of people, so people can be healed and have their needs met on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23-28 and Mark 3:1-6). Jesus taught many things of which this list is just some highlights.
SOME QUALIT I ES OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRI T/JANUARY 2010 T Means of Two Birthdays – Christians have two birthdays; their natural birthday and their spiritual birthday which happens when they are born of the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-8). The Holy Spirit is the Lifegiver (John 6:63).
H
Host – Christians are to worship God in the Holy Spirit (John 4:23-24). The Holy Spirit lives in Christians forever (John 14:16-17). He surrounds believers in God and has many forms such as the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire which guides the people of God on where to go (Exodus 13:21-22 and Numbers 9:15-23). Isaiah 11:2 (Amp) says that the Holy Spirit is “ . . . the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord –”
E Eager and Eyes – God the Father is eager to give Christians an endless supply of His Holy Spirit (John 3:34). The Holy Spirit is the eyes of God who is the seven-fold Spirit who observes both good and evil and guards Christians (Revelation 5:6, Zechariah 3:9, Proverbs 15:3 and Proverbs 22:12).
H
Unlimited – The Holy Spirit flows continuously in unlimited supply like springs and rivers of living water from the inner person of Christians (John 7:38-39). 28 | P a g e
O Only – The only sin that cannot be forgiven is to speak against the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:10 and Mark 3:29).
L Loosed – The Holy Spirit was legally loosed to live inside Christians permanently when Jesus was pierced in the side on a cross in Calvary, Israel, by a Roman soldier (Zechariah 12:10 and John 19:34-37).
Y Yes Man – The Holy Spirit does not speak His own message. He speaks the message given to Him by God the Father (John 16:13). He prays to God the Father that Christians may obey God the Father (Romans 8:26).
S Sent – The Holy Spirit is sent from God the Father to Christians to testify about Jesus (John 15:26). He is also sent by Jesus to have a relationship with Christians (John 16:7), and He is sent by the Father to tell the future (John 16:13). He also talks about the past and present because He is the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17 and John 16:8).
P Passageway – What Jesus has the Holy Spirit passes to Christians (John 16:14-15). I
Informant – The Holy Spirit informs the world about sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8).
R Released – Romans 5:5 says the love of God is released in Christians through the Holy Spirit. I
Invigorator – The Holy Spirit invigorates Christians, so that they have the energy and strength to witness for God and to do His will (Acts 1:8 and Ephesians 3:16).
T
Teacher – The Holy Spirit teaches Christians what to say (Luke 12:12). The Holy Spirit teaches Christians how to live daily pleasing God and causes Christians to recall what Jesus has said (John 14:26 and Romans 7:6).
God is 1 X 1 X 1 = 1 (God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit). God is a multiple of one, not three separate Gods; consequently, God’s qualities do overlap (Genesis 1:26, Exodus 23:20-22, Psalm 45:7, Psalm 110:1, Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah 48:16, Isaiah 63:8-10, Zechariah 3, Colossians 2:9, John 14:9-10 and John 10:30). WILL CHRIST IANS WORK IN HEAVEN? Yes!!! Adam worked in the Garden of Eden before the fall of mankind. Genesis 2:15 (Amplified Bible) says, “And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it.” Adam also named all the animals in Genesis 2:19-20. Sorrow 29 | P a g e
and toil did not exist in work before the fall. Work was good. Sorrow and toil came when Adam and Eve stopped worshipping God and started worshipping Satan and received the penalty God said they would receive (Genesis 1-Genesis 3). As Christians, God desires to guide us into work that is not sorrow and toil because God the Son Jesus Christ came to undo the works of Satan. 1 John 3:8 (Amp) says, “[But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].” Christians do not have to settle for being frustrated, dissatisfied or hating any type of work whether it is being a spouse, parenting, being an employee, running a business, doing a ministry, being a volunteer or any other work. While there is a process for the blessing to manifest, if Christians walk in the ways of the Lord, they will be blessed in their work in this earthly life. Psalm 128:1-2 (Amp) says, “Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who fears, reveres, and worships the Lord, who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments. For you shall eat [the fruit] of the labor of your hands; happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) shall you be, and it shall be well with you.” So work is good. Since work is good; it is something that Christians will be doing in heaven. In heaven Christians will be reigning and judging. The bold text is my emphasis. Revelation 22:3-5 (Amp) says, “There shall no longer exist there anything that is accursed (detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful, or horrible). But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall worship Him [pay divine honors to Him and do Him holy service]. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5And there shall be no more night; they have no need for lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will illuminate them and be their light, and they shall reign [as kings] forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities).” The Apostle Paul tells us that Christians will judge the angels. 1 Corinthians 6:3 (Amp) says, “Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world and of this life only!”
Are you interested in publishing an article in Real Life Faith Magazine? Do you have editorial skills, design skills, marketing skills or other skills useful to Real Life Faith Magazine? Contact Real Life Faith Magazine Editor Michele Jackson by email at address michelejacksonkcm@yahoo.com.
KINGDOM COME MIN ISTR I ES PASTOR CHARLES HUNTER PHONE: (703) 868-1142, EMAIL ADDRESS: PASTORHUNTERKCM@AOL.COM
www.reallifefaithmagazine.com CHURCH LOCATION
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ADDRESS FOR DONATIONS
17832 Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) Dumfries, VA 22026
P.O. Box 1112 Dumfries, VA 22026
MIN ISTR I ES: Sunday Prayer (at 9:00 a.m.), Sunday Breakfast (at 9:30 a.m.),
Sunday School (at 10:00 a.m.), Worship Service (at 11:00 a.m.), Wednesday Bible Study/Outreach (at 7:00 p.m.), Free Indeed Ministry (Breaking Free of Anything that Binds You Discussion Group Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.), Women’s Wellness, Transportation, Real Life Faith Magazine, Youth Ministry, Hospitality and Grounds. VISION STATEMENT:
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Church that strives to help people of the Community grow to their full potential spiritually, mentally and socially.
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