 Amazing Grace, perhaps one of the most famous hymns in history: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind but now I see. Most of us have heard this song many times, but have never taken the time to research the message and meaning of the words or phrases. What about the author, John Newton; what was his inspiration? Some people may wonder if the word wretch (a miserable person: one who is profoundly unhappy or in great misfortune, despicable, or vile person) is an overstatement or rather if he was doing too much calling himself that. John Newton didn’t think so and his life speaks to the reasons why. John Newton was born in 1725 and was raised by his Christian mother who taught him the Bible at an early age. (Yes, train up a child…) His mother died of TB when he was 7 years old. He then took on the characteristics of his father and set sail as a slave trader. Even as a teen he would be labeled a troubled child. Today, he’d likely have been placed in foster care or juvenile detention. His rebellious behavior developed into a pattern that would go on for years While things may have seemed bleak and John destined for hell, things were about to change in his life. In 1747, and on its journey home, Newton’s ship was overtaken by an enormous storm. Newton had been reading a book called The Imitation of Christ and was struck by a line about the "uncertain continuance of life." He also recalled the passage in Proverbs 1:24 (New Living Translation) "I called you so often, but you wouldn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.” John Newton was converted during that storm at sea. After leaving the slave trade, he later held Bible studies in his home in England and was ordained into ministry in 1764. In 1769 Newton began a Thursday evening prayer services. For almost every week’s service he wrote a hymn and out of this effort came Amazing Grace. He was also noted as an Abolitionist spreading the Good news until his death in 1807. After learning more about how the song was birthed out of John Newton’s pain, the words have new meaning and new life. The message is timeless. We all have a story filled with life experiences with some degree of pain, disappointment and trouble. If not, then keep on living as the adage says. What a blessing to know that no matter how far away we are from God, he’s never far from us. No matter the time or distance, we’re never too old and it’s not too late to repent, accept the gift of salvation and live for God. The free, unmerited favor of God; His Grace, is Amazing! *Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Minister Pamela Nance Johnson 
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 For many years, we have believed lies, science, our norms, traditions, evidence we see in computers (e.g. CT SCANs) and the testimonies of others have completely crippled our faith in God regarding healing. Do you know healing is the bread of the children of God? Math15:22 states: “And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.’ But He answered her not a word.” His disciples came and urged Him saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then, she came and worshiped Him saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” She replied, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs, which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. The enemy lies to us by saying, “It is incurable,” and we fall for it because he shows and gives us evidence (e.g. Symptoms and doctors report). Some are sick because they think that God is glorified when they endure sickness faithfully, or that God is punishing them for something…. In Hebrews 8, the Bible says, “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” God receives glory when His children are healed. See additional scriptures below: Acts 10:38 God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him. Matthew 8:16 When the evening was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick. Also: The leper came and worshipped before Jesus. He asked, “If you are willing, you can make me whole.” Then, Jesus touched him (Jesus didn’t give it some thought or hesitated) and said, “I will. Be healed,” and the leprosy left him (paraphrase). Jesus is willing even today. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:14 Dangers of believing lies · Lies harden our hearts and make us unreceptive to the word of God so we can’t see and hear the truth that we were healed. · Lies stop the Word from working in our lives because there is nothing to produce faith. “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). So let’s take the time right now to check up on ourselves and get rid of all wrong believing, replacing them with the truth of the word of God. Look for materials, testimonies and scriptures that speak the truth about our healing in Christ Jesus. Remember, even if we are unfaithful, God will still be faithful.  Need prayer, contact Susan at [email protected]
 Song: He’s Done Enough-Beverly Crawford Scripture reference: Daniel 3:16-18 (NIV) ”Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver from your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” The words to the song by Beverly Crawford are very simple but so powerful. “If the Lord never does anything for me, He’s done enough”. The message of the scripture text and the song speak to God’s ability to deliver us from any situation. We must remember that God is in control not matter what we may be dealing with at the time. He is all knowing and all powerful. He can handle anything. If we take an inventory of how many times God has made a way for us, we would probably lose count. If we are really truthful and think of the times of danger we narrowly escaped, the bad decisions that didn’t yield the well-deserved consequences, we would recognize God has done enough to be just that, enough. The three Hebrew boys, as they are often called, knew the power of their testimony even as they stood before an earthly King. They knew that God, being the Supreme King and Ruler, was able to deliver them from the hand of the enemy. They even went further to say that even if He didn’t deliver them; He was certainly able to do so. Why were they so confident in God’s ability? How could they make such a claim? It could be that they remembered the stories and accounts from the elders or even more they recalled how God had personally delivered each of them. They didn’t forget God’s faithfulness over the years of their young lives. Going another step further still, they said to the King, that even if God didn’t deliver them, they would not bow down. How powerful is that? Can you say with confidence that God is able to deliver you? What will be your reaction if He doesn’t? Will you stay in the race to fight on another day or will you give up and bow down? Let the words of Beverly Crawford’s song and the story of the Three Hebrew Boys encourage you. Minister/Author Pamela Nance Johnson   “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.” -Lamentations 3:21 Along the shores of our mind, there washes up the memories of our failures, offenses, sins, stumbles, and lack. Choosing not to identify the specifics our pain, we label it as “this.” We all have a “this” in our life. It reveals itself at the least opportune time, looking to discourage our hearts and bow down our heads. We lament in our “this.” We petition God to remove the recollection of our pain. Yet, it remains. Surely if God permitted “this,” then there is purpose involved. I’ve come to learn that in every “this” of my life there was hope. In “this,” I choose to identify the good. I look at what could, should, and would have happened. But God. When we are down, it seems like “this” shows up; broadening our shame and disappointment. But, let me encourage your hearts. In all of “this,” you have not been consumed. What the enemy meant for evil, God has shifted for your good. Your failures have been a teacher; your sins have been the testimony of your cleansing. Your breaking allowed God to form, shape, and mold you. “This,” is just a memory, not your reality. Exchange your lament for praise, glorify your Father and Lord Jesus for “this.” It could have been your end. Yet it is the place that you can find hope again. Author/Minister Kristina McGee Bolton   Winner is defined as someone or something that wins a contest or prize. Another definition is a victor, someone who is admired for doing or being something amazing. Have you ever dealt with insecurity? Self doubt? Comparing yourself to others? Many people see themselves by their mistakes, their past or what other people say about them. The truth is, you have to love and accept yourself the way that God does. Growing up, I was always teased about my size and people would say no one will want you because you are too skinny or you don’t fit in with the crowd. Now, these words constantly played in my mind because at the same time, I had family members call me ugly and would tease me. So the words my peers would say was only confirmation to what some family members said. Their words had to be true, so it played with my confidence and my security of who I was. The words meant rejection and not good enough. Hearing these words over and over, put me in a place of seeking attention and acceptance. So as a young adult, I would fall for the wrong guys and allow them to whisper sweet nothings in my ears and give me what I thought I wanted. Later to find out that I still felt empty, rejected and unwanted. God revealed to me that I had to understand there was a winner within me and I deserved more than what I was accepting. You may be facing a place in your life that you have doubted your self-worth or identity in Christ. However I want you to be encourage and help you understand that you have a Winner within you. You have the power to overcome every struggle you are currently facing. The components of a Winner: W- Wise Up: Seek the creator for your identity. Find out what He says about you. Psalms 139:14 says I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You must recognize who you are in God. Date yourself. Find out what makes you happy and do that first for yourself. Don’t allow the negative talk to consume your thoughts. Renew your mind with the Word of God. I-Initiate: The Winner within you. It is one thing to hear who you are but it is another thing to become who you are. This may require you to delete some contacts or change some habits. Deciding to set a standard for yourself. What are those things that you will no longer tolerate? Forgive yourself. Let go of what you did before because of the result of being hurt. Activate the change in your life by changing what you are doing in your life. N-No Negotiating: Understand the moment that you decide to change for the better the enemy brings you an opportunity. The enemy knows what God has for you and he doesn’t want you to get it. So he throws distractions in your path to keep you stuck. Changing your life requires changing your atmospheres. N-Necessary: Do what is necessary to cultivate the winner within you. Feed your spirit in God’s word. Read books that inspire you and help you grow. Invest in your development, in your spirit, mind and body. Believe in yourself. Know that you are worth fighting for. You are a Champion! E-Expect God to do what You can’t do. After a struggle or a season of pain there is a process of healing. Healing comes when we surrender the scars to God, understanding that He is the Ultimate Physician. The process won’t always feel good but understand as you move, God moves. R-Reach: Once God heals you, it is your job to help someone else through the process. Reach out to your fellow sister or brother and encourage to keep pushing. No matter where we are in life, we need each other. Be the hope for someone else and the reason that someone else refuses to give up. Believer, Believe that you are in the best position of your life. Discovering who you really are in God and allowing Him to be Lord over your life. When you surrender to God, He releases the very things you have been praying for. Be Blessed! Author/Speaker Shanita Rowsey Click to Purchase Shanita's devotional: https://www.amazon.com/Days-Power-Devotional-Shanita-Rowsey/dp/1731160089/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=shanita+rowsey&qid=1568599688&sr=8-1   Joshua 5:2 "At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time…." This instruction was one of the hardest things that Joshua and the army of Israel obeyed. I imagine that Jericho was already on alert. They saw the river Jordan parting for the Israelites to pass through. They heard testimonies of how the Israelites defeated and dispossessed powerful nations on the other side of the river. They also knew the Israelites were coming for them, so Jericho was well prepared to fight. I believe in order to obey this command from the Lord, the Israelite soldiers had to shut down their common sense and believe God would protect them. They all knew that circumcision would make them vulnerable to their enemies on that side of the Jordan. Remember how Simeon and Levi ended the lives of the men of Sechem when they tricked them to circumcision? Two men killed a whole clan (Genesis 34). For Israel to survive, the Lord put the fear of them upon the people of Jericho. I don’t see any other logical explanation of why Jericho didn’t take advantage of their weakness and finish them off. God wants us to trust Him completely no matter the situation or circumstance. If this was just about circumcision, the Lord could have asked them to be circumcised before crossing the river Jordan. The other side was safe. I believe it was more of God teaching them to trust Him even when the red lights were obvious. Today, in your life, what is so impossible that God cannot do for you? Which mountain is so high for God to take you at its peak? And which report is so big that God cannot cancel? For the Israelites to cross the Jordan and accept to be circumcised, they needed to completely trust and bank on the ability of God to save. They needed to put all their eggs of doubt, fear, whys and what ifs into to the basket of God's faithfulness and love for them. I always ask myself, "What is easier? To trust God for earthly provision and health or to trust for the Red Sea or river Jordan to part so I can walk on dry ground like the Israelites did?" Yes you can put all your eggs in His BASKET for He is a faithful God. He will never leave you nor forsake you, Deuteronomy 31:6. Hope-in-Christ Susan B. Chacha Nairobi, Kenya  According to the Strong's Concordance (Greek translation), righteousness is the condition acceptable to God, integrity, virtue (high moral standard, goodness), purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling and acting.
It is imperative that we understand the above term. As believers in today's world, righteousness can be distorted. However, the Bible is clear about the topic. Romans 6 instructs that we are not to continue in sin but walk in a newness of life in Christ Jesus. "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." In other words, when we accept Christ, our life should begin to look different because of the work He is doing in our lives. We must obey this word so others may see the light and transformation of Christ. Could it be that many want to know Christ but are trying to understand why there is no distinction? We have to be set apart in Christ. Allow Him to be Lord of our lives. How do we do that? We must die. Die to our will. Die to our way and allow Christ to deliver us from our sins and make us whole in Him. Hope-in-Christ  Two sports teams battle against each other in a controlled environment. It is like a tug of war where you get paid to participate. Cameras show that people practically salivate as their heads swivel back and forth to watch their team race across a field in an attempt to gain control. More so, each side has their own cheering squad sitting on the sidelines, and in the bleachers, wearing the team colors to show their support of their individual teams. Can both sides win? Of course not. Yet, the arenas are filled to capacity around the world for each game as men and women alike await the outcome, which no one can guarantee. Women of God, we are in a spiritual tug of war, [2 Timothy 2: 3-4]. We Are One brings this truth off of the pages of the Bible and into the light of the 21stcentury. Picture Yahweh, our one and only true and living God on one side. On the other side is Satan, the enemy of God and mankind. Yet, many Christians slip and stumble and fall away because the hardships of life have made them think the devil is stronger than God. He is not. Fear is not of God [Isaiah 41: 10; 2 Timothy 1:7]. Thus, fear is Satan’s trick. It has always been so.Abraham passed his wife, Sarah, off as his sister because of fear (Genesis 12 and 20). Aaron gave into peer pressure and made a golden calf (Exodus 32). Queen Esther was asked to violate a mandate of the king in order to save her people. Initially, she was afraid, [Esther 4: 11-16]. But, through prayer and faith in God, she gained the strength to stand up before the King and acknowledge her background to save her people, [Esther 5: 1-2]. When each person finally overcame their fear and realized the source of their strength, they were able to fulfill the purpose God intended for each. It is still so today. God gave us everything to win, including His Holy Spirit, [Romans 8: 26-31]. We Are One reveals the result when we, as the women of God, trust in the impeccability of the Word of God. The stories of the women in We Are One shed light on the eternal conflict that each of us must face. It is a high-stakes struggle. But as children of God, we are not left on our own. We have an eternal mediator. Jesus said He has overcome the world. And, although we will have trials and sufferings and pain, He said be of good cheer, [John 16:33]. Thus, when we hold fast to our faith regardless of the trials and sufferings, it is the Holy Spirit in us, by faith, that gives us peace and joy. [1 John 4: 4]. But, the key that opens this door to a Joseph type faith is when a woman truly knows her godly identity, which We Are One reveals. It is the first step to activate the goals for a woman’s true purpose in God’s kingdom plans. If we miss this initial step, then we miss the target. We Are One demonstrates that when God is for us, who can be against us? Answer. No one. Not even Satan. We Win when we know who we are. God said it. That settles it.  About The Book We Are One presents an unchanged, endless, truth—women were not created to live in disappointment, disillusionment, and defeat. We Are One is bursting with inspiration and encouragement as each chapter utilizes the raw, true life, experiences of several women who endured personal pain and yet came through empowered and victorious. How? Through the use of a key that a woman never knew she had. We Are One unveils the key. It will heal a woman’s soul, as item powers her to live a life that is not defined by trials and persecution. Women will know the power of a woman’s purposed influence and thus her eternal value. Purchase a Copy Amazon Barnes & Noble Apple Kobo Book locker Meet Muriel An abusive childhood had led me to become a full-blown atheist by the time I was 16. God introduced Himself when I was 52. This journey to true life is recorded in my book: Mine: An Everlasting Promise of Love, Deliverance, and Wholeness. Now 76, I have spent the last twenty-four years learning to walk free in the shoes of being a child of God, while also honing my God-given skills as an ambassador and writer for Jesus, author, and speaker. After moving to California, I returned to college at the age of 61. There I received an Associate Degree in Arts with honors, functioned as a reporter and Editor-In-Chief of the college newspaper, along with receiving numerous rewards for writing, such as the 0CCWF Beverly Bush Smith award. I am also published in God Encounters, a book by author James Stuart Bell. Connect Socially Website   Genesis 6:9 - Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
In a world dominated by social media, many focus attention on self-image. There are millions of photos uploaded to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter on a daily basis. Have you ever stopped to wonder beyond the moment? Have you thought about the fact that we are currently living in times very much like Noah's, a great man of God in scripture. You see, in Noah's time, the earth was full of wickedness. People did not seek God; they sought after their own desires. Sound familiar? As I was reading in Genesis, the above scripture stood out to me as if I had never seen the words before. Noah walked with God and was perfect in his generations. I first started to think, "Wow, this was an awesome man of God; I don't know if I am able to do that." Noah walked upright in the midst of wickedness and sin all around him, yet he kept his eyes fixed on God and obeying His commandments. He was not perfect in the sense that he had never sinned. After focusing on that scripture for a few minutes, I went to look up the word "walked" and perfect" in the Strong's Bible Dictionary. The dictionary meaning of words seem to shine a greater light on the context of what I am reading. The Strong's Dictionary defines the word "walk" as to go toward and continue. And the word "perfect" is defined as to have integrity, truth, be without blemish, and to do it sincerely. Again, we know that Noah was not perfect as the world defines perfect. He, like us, can only be made perfect in God alone. However, we are given a free will. Noah was a man that desired God above anything else. Notice that there was lots of wickedness in Noah's time just as we see today. However, Noah had to make the choice to walk with God and be set apart. That is what made him a just man. There had to have been something different about him in comparison to those around him. He remained before God, receiving instructions for his life. We have the same choice today. God is still God today! He has not changed, we have. He is still speaking and moving on the hearts of men, women, boys, and girls. But it is our choice to choose true life in Him, the life that only He can give. God gave Noah many instructions and the Bible records that He did according to all that God commanded Him. This could have only been done by God's power and Noah's surrender! Now dig deeper and apply God's word to your life. Below are my responses: H - How does this scripture help you to know God better/more? This scripture helps me to understand that God is here to guide us but He doesn't force anything on us. If we accept His guidance, we won't stumble because He is then leading my life, not me. O - What were some things you observed? 1. As I read the whole chapter, I noticed that Noah was in the midst of lots of wickedness, but He chose God. 2. God established a covenant with Noah. 3. My obedience matters more than I know. P - What was the overall purpose of this scripture? God desires that we walk upright, and He is able to keep us even in the midst of an evil generation. The choice is ours. E - What is some encouragement for daily living? God is all powerful! He will take care of evil. He will sustain the righteous. God has all of the answers we need. Now you try it! Be blessed, hope-in-christ Copyright © 2019 by Denise Walker/Hope-in-Christ. Ministries, Inc. Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.  Welcome to a new year! We made it through 2018.
As I thought about goals for the new year, I was reminded of God's word. I realized, as believers, we don't need to make a bunch of promises that we know we can't keep. As believers, we only need to lean and depend on the living God. However, there are some things that hinder our relationship with the father. Take a look at the following scripture from the book of Exodus: "Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I am driving out from before you the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst. But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden image (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God)" Exodus 34:11-14 As we read these verses, we may think about the wooden images and the false gods that were designed by the people of those days. However, we have some idols and high places that need to come down in our own lives. We have some altars of worship that are not true worship. When we define the terms, they give us more insight. Pillars - as monument, personal memorial Image - a statue Altar - a place of worship We notice they all represent something that is placed above or in high esteem. Again, this may not be what is done today, but we have some places of worship in our lives. There are some people individuals hold in high esteem, some sins that have become idols. There is a greater desire for that thing than God. There are also some things in from the past that people won't release. Therefore, they have become monuments. What ever it is, that thing or person can hinder our walk with God. Notice that God instructed them to tear down their false gods and places of worship. God was saying those things would cause them to sin against him. What do you need to tear down to draw closer to God? Tear it down in 2019 and draw near to Him. |
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