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 SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING TRIPS FOR 2004

Coming along on one of our upcoming events Heavenly Tours will be sponsoring in 2004 as we go back to some
of the old favorites & some new hot spots. We will sponsor several recreational Christian activities for you to
enjoy & fellowship with other saints throughout the year. Trips will be leaving from the Washington, Metropolitan
area. *Cost for all trips include: transportation, event, meal, prize drawings, gift bags & most important, fellow-
ship. Contact us for more information at 301/602-7536 or visit our website at www.heavenlytours.us. *Cost for
some trips will be determined by November 2004.

March 14, 2004 May & September 2004

Sight & Sound-”Behold The Lamb” Fishing on the Sandra Marie - $90
Lancaster, PA Wynne, MD

July 21 - 31, 2004 August 2004

Christians Cruisin’ With Jesus to Hawaii - $2700 New York Shopping Trip
10-day cruise around the Hawaii Islands New York City, NY
$300 Deposit Due: October 31, 2003
$375 Deposit Due: December 1, 2003 Christian Entrepreneur Expo
2004
Marriott Wardam Park Hotel
Washington, DC
August 2004
Free to General Public
Exhibitors Fee: $200 Due By
December 15, 2003
October 9, 2004 December 4, 2004
Sight & Sound-”Noah-The Musical” Christmas Shopping at
Lancaster, PA Rehoboth Beach Outlets- Fax Free
Rehoboth Beach, DE
2 Dec
P.O.. 200
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6177, Largo, MD 20792-6177 Phone: 301/602-7536 Fax: 301/341-1338 WWW.HEAVENLYTOURS.US
 Table of Contents 17 THE EFFECTS OF FEAR:
10
Cover St
Cov ory: The Principles & P
Story: ower o
Po off Vision
Dr. Myles Munroe, a multi-gifted Leader/Visionary, Motivational THE SHOWDO
SHOWDO WN- Part Thr
WDOWN ee
Three
speaker/Educator/Lecturer/best selling Author and business As you travel through this journey to
consultant was called by God to teach the sons of God that their natural born overcome the fear that has been holding
by L.C. T
position is to be leaders...b ar
Tardy
ardy you hostage, you begin to realize that
seeking out our purpose... the road is rather rough. When we first
TESTIMONIALS by Nikki Jones
started, you were energized and felt a
5 MIRACLES CAN COME
MIRACLES sense of power. Now, as you come
IN BEAUTIFUL P
BEAUTIFUL ACKA
PA GES
CKAGES closer to the actual showdown you are
28 VISION-SIGHT OF THE beginning to feel the added pressure....
Dad lived with his uncle and worked
for him on the far eastern border of HEART
HEART by Athena Thomas
Russia in the city of Vladivostock. Vision is the source and hope of life.
His uncle owned a precious stones The greatest gift ever given to mankind
is not the gift of sight, but the gift of
18 FOCUS
and metals factory where they
We must be focused on God and be about
fashioned jewels and articles of gold vision
vision...
and silver. ... our Father’s business...
b y Dr
Dr.. Myles Munr oe
Munroe
by Tan
Tan
anyy a Spect or
Spector ov
oro by Chicago G. Long
29 UNVEILING YOUR DES-
YOUR POETRY CORNER
7 MELISSA SPEIGHT’S TINY 20 ““A
A CHRISTIAN VISION”
TESTIMONY What is your vision? What have you by Joe Floyd
One woman’s deliverance from always wanted to do? What is your
prostitution, alcohol, drugs and heart’s desire? What is your dream?
depression.... When you can begin to see your vision 20 “THE PEACE OF GOD”
PEACE
by Melissa Speight clearly, you will be able to fulfill your by L.C. Tar
Tardy
ardy
life’s purpose...
FEATURES
FEATURES b y Dr
Dr.. Myles Munr oe
Munroe 18 “DON’T QUIT”
8 GOD’S DIVINE PUR
PUR-- by Unknown Author
POSE FOR OUR LIVES 3 0 THE JOYS OF F
JOYS ATHER
FATHER--
God’s Divine Purpose For Our Lives is HOOD BIBLE STORY OF
STORY
critical because without it you are Fatherhood, then, is an awesome role,
slowly progressing to an inescapable
responsibility, and duty in the overall
THE MONTH
death.... 32 ““A
A BRIDE IS CHOSEN”
plan of God for mankind...
by Rickey E. Macklin A Dawn Associates Publication
by Ke vin W
Ke a yne Johnson
Wa

9 PRAY F
PRAY OR Y
FOR OUR FI-
YOUR 36 IN THE GARDEN
NANCES Surrounded by fragrant flowers, ancient
Money matters concern us even as olive trees, and lush green grass, I was VISIONARY
VISIONARY
Christians, yet we seldom spend the pondering on the anguish that Jesus
amount of time necessary to pray Christ surely felt in this same place two
thousand years ago ago...
LEADERS 2004
and meditate about our financial
concerns.... by Linda Ryzenga
by Mary Grate-Pyos
42 Apostle Betty PP.. PPeebles
eebles
eebles,,
40 TAKE UP YOUR CR
YOUR OSS
CROSS Dr
Dr.. Myles Munr
Munroeoe
oe,, Jo
Joyyce
14 ARE YOU BLESSED?
YOU AND F OLL
FOLL
OLLOOW HIM Me
Mey y er
er,, Past
Past or Har
astor old E.
Harold
My question to you would be, if you The cross is symbolic of our trials Tr ammel, Bishop C.L. LLong, ong,
are blessed, what did you do to and tribulations... Past
astoror Sheritha Bo wman,
Bowman,
obtain favor from the Lord and b y L.C. Tar
Tar dy
ardy Apostle Shirley Holloway
finally, what have you done to show Johnson, & Apostle Nike
the Lord how much you appreciate COLUMN/SERIES Daramy
His blessings? ... 16 CAN YOU HANDLE THE
YOU
b y Deacon Curtis O
O.. Gill TRUTH
TRUTH
25 FROM BECOMING
FROM O, the tongue, the tongue, the tongue. Upcoming Events...(inside
INTO BEING
INTO So much we say and shouldn’t. So much cover)
At some point in all of our lives, we should say and don’t...
whether saved or unsaved, we all by Past
Past or Sheritha Bo
astor wman
Bowman
come to a place where we are 54 SUBSCRIPTION ORDER...
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www.visionschristianmagazine.com e-mail: advertise@visionschristianmagazine.com
 Visions Christian Magazine
L.C. Tar
Tardy Publisher
ardy Publisherss
President/CEO is available through
subscription.
Executive Editors
Penelope White
Please give us a call at
Columnist
202-398-2317
Pastor Sheritha Bo
astor wman
Bowman
Chicago G. Long VCM is also available online at
Athena Thomas visionschristianmagazine.com

Writers/Regular Contributors Revelations 2:1-5

Joe Floyd Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus
Deacon Curtis O O.. Gill write: These things saith he that
holdeth the seven stars in his right
Mary Grate-Pyos
hand, who walketh in the midst of the
Nikki Jones seven golden candlesticks;
Kevin WWaayne Johnson
Rickey E. Macklin I know thy works, and thy labour, and
Dr
Dr.. Myles Munr
Munroeoe thy patience, and how thou canst not
Linda Ryzenga bear them which are evil: and thou hast
Tan
anyya Spector
Spector ov
oro tried them which say they are apostles,
Melissa Speight and are not, and hast found them liars:

And hast borne, and hast patience, and

Graphic Designers
for my name’s sake hast laboured, and
Cody Beasley hast not fainted.
Fred Booker
Chauntika Broggin Nevertheless I have somewhat against
Joanne Nicolls thee, because thou hast left thy first
(Dr
(Dr.. Myles Munr oe A
Munroe d design)
Ad
love.
Eresa T
Eresa ar
Tardy
ardy
Remember therefore from whence thou
art fallen, and repent, and do the first
Photographer works; or else I will come unto thee
Kevin Lucas quickly, and will remove thy candlestick
out of his place, except thou repent.
Print Coordinator
TCG Printing/W ashingt
Printing/Washingt on Times
ashington

Layout/Production
Chauntika Broggin

Bible references are from the KJV and NIV

Main Office
Visions Christian Magazine, Inc
P.O. Box 7066, Largo, MD. 20792-7066
202-398-2317

www.visionschristianmagazine.com
e-mail: advertise@visionschristianmagazine.com
Copyright 2003-2004 Visions Christian Magazine, Inc
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 Te s t i m o n i a l s

Tanya Specktorov
Miracles Can Come in Beautiful Packages
I grew up in Siberia, but that’s not actually where my family started out. Dad lived with his uncle and worked
for him on the far eastern border of Russia in the city of Vladivostock. His uncle owned a precious stones and
metals factory where they fashioned jewels and articles of gold and silver. In fact, my Jewish family has a
history of working in this trade for the emperors of Russia, until the 1917 revolution, when the last emperor was
assassinated and the Bolsheviks took over.

When my father, whose name was Ascolt, was 15, the Communists came to their home and killed his uncle and
every single member of his family except my dad; the neighbors had warned him not to go home that day. His
uncle’s business was nationalized by the Communist bosses.

Ascolt found out that the authorities were aware he had survived and were looking for him. When they did
catch him, instead of killing him, they sent him to a place called Yakutsk, a town in a vast, wild plain far north of
China, on latitude with Alaska. And there he lived some years in wretched poverty. The cold and misery were
beyond description. There was no running water then, no cars or other means of transportation. The only
contact with the outside world would be when planes could land in the warmer months.

The fact was that there were a lot of rich Jews living there - or more accurately, formerly rich Jews. They now
had nothing. Or almost nothing. Incredibly, there were still people who wanted jewelry made or repaired, so Dad
would go to work at 4:00 a.m., doing the only thing he knew how to do - create jewelry and repair watches.

BORN ON A FROZEN PLAIN

I was born in 1953, the youngest of three daughters. It was the same year that Stalin
died. Restrictions eased andit became possible to travel (with
permission, of course) from place to place. Yakutsk was a relatively
free area simply because it was so desolate and bleak - a place the
police just didn’t bother people much.

My parents left Yakutsk for a little town near Irkutsk, Siberia when I
was five - a far more progressive area, and there were many Jews
living there. The Siberian climate there was much better than
Yakutsk’s and the Jews prospered among the large number of
universities and cultural institutions.

I was a sickly child, diagnosed with a heart disorder and was in and
out of hospitals and children’s recuperation centers. I remember
praying as a child, “God, if you know I exist, please let me be well.”

My father continued to create jewelry in Siberia. However, the KGB

questioned him several times about his clients until he finally vowed
he would never work in precious stones and metals again. Knowing Tanya Specktorov
that working in such luxury items could be very dangerous for the
Jewish community, he, from then on, kept his regular business strictly to repairing watches.

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 Te s t i m o n i a l s
However, my father was known as a very straight and honest man, and people who had jewels hidden from the
Communists would need their expensive things fixed from time to time. They entrusted their jewels to my father
who, behind closed doors, continued to repair and create specialorder pieces for his clients. Whenever I was
able, I would go to my father’s shop and help him repair watches and even build them from scratch.

Slowly my health improved and I began to feel better. My mother was the director of all the beauty salons near
Irkutsk (remember, that’s the way they did it under Communism.) After graduating from high school, I went to
work in one of those salons, but my passion was my classical piano, which I studied for 15 years.

My father was, by now, retired with a very low pension. He learned that if he would return to Yakutzk where
they paid four times as much and work there for another three years, his pension would be much higher. So my
mother and father left for Yakutsk, and I found myself left alone at 19. At times, I would talk to God. When I
heard about Yeshua for the first time, I didn’t cast him away. Once, I came across a book about Yeshua who
lived in the land of Israel. There was nothing in me that was against Him.

My parents returned from Yakutsk after three years; my father was very sick - obviously from the ruthless
temperatures and brutal conditions. He came back only to spend a year in
the hospital and then died.

I MARRY A HYPNOTIST
I fell in love with someone by whom I had a child - my daughter, Nikol. However, the two of us soon parted
ways. I then met another man, Vadim, twenty-four years older than I, who asked me to marry him. He was
good to me and loved my daughter. Vadim
was a hypnotist and although it was illegal for
him to do so, he found plenty of people who
were ready to have him hypnotize them in the
hope of receiving healing. We traveled from
city to city applying his techniques, and I
learned his expertise and worked alongside
him for six years. However, I began to have
serious attacks from some kind of nerve
disease
where my body would become frozen - the
muscles of my entire body constricted with
panic attacks. For four years I was afraid to
be left alone for a moment.

Even before I was aware of the truths of the

Bible, I felt there was some spiritual cause
Tanya Specktorov making jewelry
and effect, and that this man was increasingly
in control of my every move. I found I was afraid to even leave his presence for a moment, and he made it
clear he wanted me with him at all times. I was sick and felt myself a virtual prisoner. Somehow, I gained
enough courage to
find a psychiatrist who told me to change locations, change husbands, change everything.

I went to the authorities to seek permission to leave for Lithuania (in those days, one could not travel from city
to city without permission from the Soviet authorities.) Then one day when my husband was out, I grabbed
Nikol and ran for my life. At 29, I started life over again in Lithuania. I was able to secure an office job as a
secretary in a large television factory, because even though Lithuanians have their own language, all official
documents had to be in Russian.

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A NEW LIFE IN ISRAEL
Eleven long years I worked in Lithuania and then in
1994 Nikol and I were able to immigrate to Israel. I
think that the Lithuanian authorities thought that I was
going to Israel to die. I was 5’7" and 90 pounds. I had
no appetite and struggled to live through the day. A
Lithuanian doctor had just looked at me and said, “You
have thyroid cancer.” That was his diagnosis with no
examination whatsoever.
I said to myself, “I don’t have cancer!” I would talk to
God, and I felt I would find help in Israel. Actually, my
dream had been to come to Israel since I was 15
years old.
I read books about Israel and longed to come back to
my ancestral home. And now, we were here! I
quickly landed a job in a Tel Aviv jewelry factory
where I worked for six and a half years, producing
beautiful jewelry.
But as the economic situation in Israel plunged, I was
laid off of my job and unable to find work. I was at
the end of myself, with no hope and no future. My
appetite disappeared completely and I continued to go
downhill until I weighed 85 pounds. I was in deep
depression and had lost the desire to live. The Israeli
doctors tried to regulate my thyroid, but nothing
seemed to help. At one point I actually felt I saw my
spirit floating outside my body.
AND THEN CAME
THE GOOD LIFE
My sister, Galina, who had come to Israel before me,
invited me to her Messianic congregation, Tiferet
Yeshua (the Glory of Yeshua), that she had been
attending for five years. She had spoken to me many
times about the congregation and had been praying for
me those five years, but I was afraid to be in a crowd.
However, she kept telling me that Yeshua was the
answer to my problems, and that I could be healed
through Him. When I finally walked into the
congregation, I was in much pain with the nerve
disorder and muscle constriction, and literally crept
into the meeting room stiff legged, like a robot.
But when I heard the singing and worship that day, I
knew instantly I had come home. I immediately fell in
love with my living God, and I adore worshiping my
King! I am now a new person. I am slowly gaining
weight (now 104), and have no sign of any nerve
disorder and have more energy than I have had in
many years. My face no longer looks like a face of
death. God has brought me to the land of Israel and
here I have found. Him!
I can hardly fathom that I have received help from
istandwithisrael.com to start my own business and have
been given the opportunity to once again create
beautiful jewelry. And to know that with every piece I
create, I am helping to fund the future coffee house
ministry for our congregation! God has given me more
than I could ask or think! VCM
Melissa Speight’s
Testimony
My name is Melissa Speight I am 37 years old, I
have two teenage girls who are 14 & 17 years old
Valencia & Tameka. When I came to the House of
Help program I had low self-esteem, no relationship
with my children, didn’t trust people, and didn’t know
how to cope with everyday situations.
I thank GOD for the House of Help City of Hope
program and the Holy Ministries Church of Christ; I
thank GOD for Pastor Shirley Johnson and First
Brian Johnson for allowing GOD to use them as a
tool for getting me on the right path.
I thank GOD for delivering me from prostitution,
alcohol, drugs and depression. Now I have a better
relationship with my children, GOD has found favor
for me to be the leading usher. I have an apartment
at the City of Hope (Graceview Apartments) I also
went to a school for food service and receive my
food-handling license.
The House of Help, City of Hope has provided assistance to
over five thousand individuals since it started in 1997. We have
assisted single men and women, single parents and children who
need help to make their lives whole. As well as meeting the
needs for such necessities of food, clothing shelter, and medical
care. We also provide Bible study, internal guidance, career
counseling, narcotics anonymous meetings, parenting classes and
life skills to allow residents to return to society as whole
productive citizens. This a faith based ministry that look
forward to the donations of the people in order to continue the
work of the Lord. If you are interested in becoming apart of the
House of Help, City of Hope Ministries, please call us at (202)
610-3116, Ask for Ms. Rachel Brown.
Please send your donations to: The House of Help, City of
Hope 2310-2322 16th Street S.E. Washington, D.C.
20020 VCM
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God’s Divine Purpose for Our Lives
od’s Divine Purpose For Our to do. Child of God, you must understand

G Lives is critical because without that you do not even become a real threat to

it you are slowly progressing to the devil until you are walking in this calling.
an inescapable death. Wow! It is this calling that He has anointed and
How can I start an article with such a appointed you to. It is this calling that He
harsh prediction? Because I’ve learned by Rickey E. Macklin equipped you from glory to handle. It is this
that the discovering of your purpose is what calling that makes the devil tremble and
gives you passion to live. It is the appre- demons fall to their knees. How do I know
hension of it that becomes the fuel in your tank – your this? Because the plans and purposes of God cannot
drive – your passion – your ambition – and your reason be subverted. God’s will can’t be changed by mortal
for living. men or any other created thing. God never purposes a
thing that doesn’t come to be. In the book of Genesis,
David’s purpose was sealed long before he slew God’s purpose was to fellowship with mankind and to
Goliath. Read Psalms 139 verses 14–18. Jeremiah’s shower him with love, affection and attention. His
was sealed before he entered his mother’s womb. desire was that we would lack nothing! What happen?
Read Jeremiah 1:4-8. And just in case you’re wonder- Sin entered the scene and the devil thought that he had
ing, yours is sealed, too! In John 15 verse 16 Jesus spoiled the plan of God. But little did the devil know
confirms this calling by stating “Ye have not chosen me, that God had a plan that preceded his. God will never
but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should be caught by surprise. Jesus came and settled the sin
go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should issue once and for all. Now, even though a lot tran-
remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in spired between the books of Exodus to Jude, if you
my name, he may give it you. Please note that your take a real good look at the book of Revelation, you will
calling is not your decision but it can be your discovery. discover that what God purposed from the beginning
finally comes to pass in the New Jerusalem (chapter
Paul said, “Not as though I had already attained, 21-22). The bottom line is when you walk in what God
either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that has called you to do you are literally unstoppable. This
I may apprehend that for which also I am appre- is why we can read Romans 8:28 with confidence.
hended of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12) My God!
I know I haven’t arrived at my final destination, but I’m “And we know that all things work
headed in the right direction. My desire is to appre- together for good to them that love God,
hend. I’ve got to catch up with Christ. I must detain to them who are the called according to
Him for a moment. I need to take Him into question his purpose.”
because there are some things I need to know. Why
am I here? What is it that you want me to do? Where Yes, we know that mankind’s primary purpose is to
do you want me to go? How long do you want me to bring God glory, but this will best be demonstrated by
be there? Only God Himself can answer these types finding out our individual purposes He assigned to us
of question. Essentially, knowing the answers becomes long before we were released from His assembly line.
the key to fulfillment. VCM

“Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee:

It is a fact that if you were to ask five people, Chris- and before thou camest forth out of the womb
tians and non-Christians alike, what their God-given
I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a
purposes were, at least four would say I don’t know.
What a tragedy it would be to live your whole life doing
prophet unto the nations.”
what you desired to do and not what God wanted you Jeremiah 1:5
Rickey E. Macklin, son of Reverend and Mrs. Arthur Macklin Sr. of Camden, S.C., is a graduate of South Carolina State University
and Jericho Christian Training College, and has his Master’s in Theology from National Bible Seminary. Minister Macklin is co-
leader of the Jericho Singles Ministry, and serves as leader of The Mighty Men of Valor. Minister Macklin teaches “Christian
Courtship” at the Jericho Christian Training College and has produced a book to supplement the course. He is the author of
“God’s Whole Armor” and has completed work on his next Spirit-filled masterpiece entitled, “Daddy’s Waiting On You.” He is
also President/CEO of Ambassadors For Christ Ministries (Temple Hills, Md)
8 Dec
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by Mary Grate-Pyos, MBA

Pray For Your Finances

od cares about everything that matters to that we are wise in managing our finances in a manner

G us. His word tells us that He cares for us,

but often we fail to seek the face of God
regarding our finances. Money matters
concern us even as Christians, yet we seldom spend
that pleases God.
Yes, God is able to do exceeding abundantly above
all that we can ever think, ask or imagine. Imagine
great dreams of how you can use God’s resources to
the amount of time necessary to pray and meditate be a blessing to His kingdom. Ask for the finances
about our financial concerns. If only we would take needed to spread the gospel of Christ in our
our financial cares to God in prayer. The same community and abroad. Think that you are the
scriptures that empower us to heed the word of God powerful individual that God has blessed this day and
for our salvation have the same power and peace to this moment to be a financial blessing. Prayer
prosper us in our finances. God’s word says for us to changes things, situations and people. Prayer can also
cast our burdens upon Him for He cares for us. I change our money habits that do not please God.
encourage you to pray about your finances and to
make prayer a priority prior to spending. If it matters to you, it matters to God. If it is a lack of
finances, pray that God will multiply what you have.
We must be wise to ensure that when we seek God’s Pray to God that He will teach you how to become the
face to powerful steward
bless our that He has
finances, “It is important that we always pray to God about ordained for your
we are life. If you are
seeking our finances. If it matters to you, it matters to God. “ overwhelmed with
the love debt, pray that God
and will teach you how
wisdom of the Blesser - God, and not just the to get free from this bondage. God’s word says that
blessing - money. When we ask for and are granted we are to “count the cost” prior to engaging in actions.
promotions, it is to glorify God in that position as we Why not consider the word of God and what it says
accomplish the duties assigned to us. When we ask about your finances? Pray is the key and the answer.
for God to bless us with a financial ‘miracle,’ we
should always remember to honor and thank the I challenge you to come boldly before the throne of
Blesser and not put our trust in the blessing. grace to receive help and power in the time of need.
Everything that we receive, including money, is given Always remember that even as you are blessed
for the building of God’s kingdom and to spread the financially, God is more honorable than the blessing.
gospel at home and abroad. Seek the face of God concerning your finances and
listen to God as He speaks daily to you about your
It is important that we always pray to God about our money matters. You have within you the power to do
finances. If it matters to you, it matters to God. Pray well, even in the area of your finances. God has
that you are a good steward who honors God in all of ordained blessings for your life concerning your
your financial transactions. Pray that you are finances. It is through prayer – through
consistent in returning the tithes and offerings back to communicating with God that all of His rich blessings
God, the rightful owner. We are to constantly ask God will be revealed to you. VCM
for guidance and wisdom to manage the remainder of
our finances after the tithes and the offering. It all
belongs to God – the tithes and the offering. God Mary Grate-Pyos is the Author of Wealth yW
ealthy oman – Wise
Woman
takes pleasure in our prosperity and it is imperative Choices and President of Financially Focused, Inc. Her web
presence is www.financiallyfocused.com. She can be reached at
info@financiallyfocused.com or at mgpinvest@aol.com
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 Cover Story

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by L.C. Tardy
 Cover Story
“Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not
lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
Habakkuk 2:2-3
For the earnest expectation of the creature Eve; that subject was based on something that we all
waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. need to examine within ourselves. “Rediscovering the
Romans 8:18-19. human Mandate.”

Dr. Myles woke up the crowd, his anointing ripped

T
he Lord calls his sons and daughters to be
stewards over the great gifts and talents that through the body of Christ like a bolt of lighting; his
He had birthed in us before the world began. words were, “Any attempt to control another
We are called according to God’s purpose. So we human spirit is “witch craft,” it is not natural, it is
begin this journey by building the foundation for our unnatural.” “Dr. Myles further explained that,
foreordained purpose or “The original purpose & plan of God was the
vision. Dr. Myles extension of His heavenly
Munroe, a multi-gifted Kingdom on earth.” When
Leader/Visionary, these words were spoken by
Motivational speaker/ Dr. Myles there was a strong
Educator/Lecturer/best sense of joy and freedom that
selling Author and moved throughout the entire
business consultant was congregation. Most importantly
called by God to teach the replied Dr. Myles, “God
sons of God that their created man as a spirit
natural born position is to species to manage His
be leaders, and not administration on earth,” we
followers, to understand are earthly administrators,
who you are in Christ, and humanity carries out the dictates
what your foreordained of God.”
purpose and vision is in
life. Respectfully admiring the
obedience of Dr. Myles to
I had the pleasure of carryout the dictates of God, the
fellowshipping with Dr. crowd jumped for joy, running
Myles Munroe at my throughout the church, praising
church home, Jericho City God on their knees, speaking in
of Praise, Landover, tongues; his message to the
Maryland. A crowd of people was powerful and life
over 10,000 people filled Dr. Myles Munroe sustaining. Dr. Myles
the seats, awaiting the continued to enlighten the crowd
presence of a great brother and son of God. There by addressing “Kingdom living,” he further explained
was a spirit present on this day, a spirit of unity, the that, “God created one to be a king over the
body of Christ was thirsty, hungry for finding our earth.” We were created to have “dominion,” over
purpose, and knowing who we are in Christ. Dr. the earth, and that a Kingdom is simply a king
Myles’s motivating anointed-spirit was filled with a dominating, replied Dr. Myles. He explained that we
great word from the Lord. As Dr. Myles arrived the were not built for sin, and that we have our Fathers
entire congregation stood up and clapped, genetics. Therefore, mankind means, “sons of God.”
acknowledging the great calling on Dr. Myles’s life. (females-sons of God) generically speaking. “ If we
Dr. Myles was led by the Lord to speak on a subject are sons of God, we` are given “dominion” which
that has plagued our nation from the time of Adam and

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Dr. Myles Munroe in Russia
means to rule, govern, manage, lead, to have a spirit
of control.” “
Our responsibility is to restore government
administration on earth, this is the reason Jesus came,
replied Dr. Myles.” We are citizens in the
kingdom of God, and in the Kingdom, a kings
reputation is based on the standards of the people
(citizen), says Dr. Myles Munroe.
Dr. Myles Munroe activates the leader in you.
“Within each of us lies the potential to be an effective
leader, says Dr. Myles. He also states that, “Eyes
that look are common, but eyes that see are rare,”
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Sight is a function of the eyes, but vision is a function
of the heart.” You need to understand why vision is
essential to your success, and make your dreams and
hopes a living reality, states Dr. Myles Munroe. I
believe this is something that we all should keep in
mind, as we venture through this journey: “Where
there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs
29:18 (KJV) and God created you to be king
over the earth.
Dr. Myles Munroe is a great man of God. It is truly an
honor and blessing to have learned from such a great
son of God, and all praises to our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. Dr. Myles has proven to the world how
to carry out the greatest responsibility of all mankind:
Matthews 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you: lo, I am with you always,
even unto the end of the world. Amen.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added
unto you.”
Matthew 6:33. VCM
Linda C. Tardy is a Freelance Writer/Author. She is the
Publisher of this magazine, Visions Christian Magazine.
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 often hear people proclaiming that they are turned your TV or stereo to a gospel station? When is

I blessed. Frequently, when I ask people how

are they doing, they often respond, “Blessed
by the best.” Other times when I ask people
how are they doing, they simply reply, “blessed.”
Others say, “I was blessed to wake up this morning.
He didn’t have to do it, but He allowed me to wake
up amongst the living and I consider that, being
blessed.” Still others say, “I was blessed to be able to
get up, cloth myself and be in my right mind.” Even
when I talk to the homeless, the alcoholics, the drug
addicts, the prostitutes, the homosexuals, the ex
offenders, the runaways, the dropouts, the welfare
recipients, the overworked mothers and fathers, many
of them say they are blessed.
the last time you used the phone in your house or your
cellular phone to call someone and asked if they a
needed prayer or a ride to church? When is the last
time you used one of your cars to pick up someone
and give them a ride to the house of God?
Are the things you possess “blessings from God or
gifts from Satan?” I don’t want to take anything
away from you, but I would like to set the record
straight. After talking to many of you and hearing
what you had to say, I am convinced that we don’t
understand what being blessed is all about. I feel that
there are many who use the word blessed without
understanding the meaning or the prerequisites for

I know that some of you

have a big house in the
suburbs, a good job, good
health, degree(s) of
higher learning, money in
ARE YOU BLESSED?


the bank, three or four
cars in the driveway,
TVS in every room, the by Deacon
Curtis O. Gill
latest stereo and sound
systems throughout the
house, camcorders and
video equipment, cellular My question to you would be, if you are blessed, what did you do to
phones and many of the obtain favor from the Lord and finally, what have you done to show the
other latest technological Lord how much you appreciate His blessings?
developments to include
game boards.
A closer walk with God yields
Understandably, you advertise that you are blessed.
revelation, knowledge, and wisdom.
obtaining a Blessing from God who created Heaven
My question to you would be, if you are blessed, what and Earth.
did you do to obtain favor from the Lord and finally,
what have you done to show the Lord how much you When you look at some of the situations and
appreciate His blessings? circumstances surrounding some of the people
described above, you must ask the question, “Are they
With your big house, when is the last time you blessings or have they been given a chance to be
dropped to your knees and proclaimed, as for me and blessed? Are the things they have blessings from God
my house, we will serve the Lord? When is the last or gifts from Satan? A greater question would
time you took the opportunity to witness for the Lord probably be, with the God of the universe and having
while you were on your good job? When is the last all power and owning everything, why do people feel
time you used your good heath to help some of God’s that they are being blessed with so little or just living?
people who are suffering from ill health or being God said in his Holy and Righteous word, “Behold, I
physically challenged? I ask you, when is the last time stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my
you exercised your degree of higher learning and voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will
mentored some of God’s children or took time out sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 Our
to rightly divide the word of truth to those who don’t Bible tells us that God shall supply for all of our needs,
know how to read or have an understanding of His according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Holy and righteous word? When is the last time you (Paraphrased Philippians 4:19) God’s word even

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instructed us on what we are required do to receive
his blessings. When you consult God’s word, you find
that we are to . . . first seek the kingdom of God, and
his righteousness; and all these things shall be added
unto you. (Matthew 6:33)
Let us come together with an understanding of what
the word “Blessed” means. Blessed is a word used
in the Bible 302 times and with many different
meanings. The most important of these meanings is:
to set apart and hallow, or make holy; to confer
happiness upon; to bestow good or grant favor to; to
express a wish for happiness for some other person;
to invoke special attributes upon; and to praise or
glorify. Can we all agree on this as a definition for
blessed? Which element of this definition covers or
describes you as recipient of God’s Grace, Mercy and
Generosity toward you?
Let us examine the definition of chance: Chance is a
14th century word and is defined as something that
happens unpredictably without discernible human
intention or observable cause. The assumed
impersonal purposeless determiner of unaccountable
happenings the fortuitous or incalculable element in
existence. A situation favoring some purpose: the
possibility of a particular outcome in an uncertain
situation; or the degree of likelihood of such an
outcome. Chance is found in the Bible only 6 times.
My favorite scripture in the Bible which chance
appears is, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that
the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong,
neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of
understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time
and chance happeneth to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:10-
12)
After examining the meaning of blessed and chance,
I again ask you, are you blessed or have you been
given an opportunity to be blessed? You alone can
answer that question. You know within your heart
what you are all about and what your relationship with
God is and no one else. “ . . . For the LORD seeth not
as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1
Samuel 16:7) What does God see, when he looks at
your heart? Is the reason you are doing so bad or
achieving so little because God knows your heart and
have seen you differently than man does?
Let us look now at some of the qualifications for
being blessed. Who is blessed? When you examine
the Bible, you will find that those who are chosen,
called or chastened by God are blessed. Those who
trust, fear and delight in the Lord are blessed. Those
who hear and obey the voice of the Lord are blessed.
Those who know, believe in and suffer for Christ are
blessed. There are also those who received special
blessings. I ask you again, “Are you blessed or have
you been given a chance to be blessed?”
Please review some of the examples of those who
were blessed during biblical times. We know there are
other examples, but these will allow you to evaluate
yourself in light of God’s Blessings. Who is blessed?
Those who are chosen called or chastened by God.
God’s word tells us that, Blessed is the man whom
thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that
he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with
the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in
heavenly places in Christ: Accordingly, as he hath
chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before him in
love: Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah
that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him,
and increased him. Blessed are they, which are called
unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith
unto me, these are the true sayings of God. Blessed is
the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest
him out of thy law; (Psalm 65: 4) (Ephesians 1:3-4)
(Isaiah 51:2)(Revelation 19:9), (Psalm 94:12)
There are others who will find favor and receive
blessings from the Lord. They are those who trust, fear
and delight in the Lord. The Bible gives us examples in
the following passages: Blessed are all they that put
their trust in him. Taste and see that the LORD is good:
blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Blessed is that
man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth
not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Blessed
are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still
praising thee. Blessed is the man whose strength is in
thee; in whose heart are the ways of them . . . .
Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. Behold, that
thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
...Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that
delighteth greatly in his commandments. Blessed is the
man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the
LORD is. My question to you is, do you trust, fear and
delight in the Lord? Be honest with yourself, for the
Lord our God knows your heart and He knows the
(continued on p. 21)
21)
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 Columns
PASTOR SHERITHA BOWMAN’S COLUMN
CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH?
Lord, help me with my tongue. That I might speak the
words that You would have me speak. Not of flesh. Not of
anger. Not of other people’s persuasion. Rather, those
words that would edify the Body of Christ magnify Your
sovereign power and exalt Your holiness and
righteousness. Lord, let my heart be clean and my spirit be
right when my tongue speaks.
O, the tongue, the tongue, the tongue.
So much we say and shouldn’t. So much we should say and
don’t.
I grew up in a family where a child wasn’t supposed to utter
the word, “lie or lying.” My grandmother and my great aunts
interpreted it as being too mature a word for a youngster.
You were trying to be “grown” if you used the word “lie.” It
was almost as if it were a profane word. It was alright to say
that a person was, “telling a story” which wasn’t what the
person was doing at all. They were telling a boldfaced “lie.”
But God forbid you speak the word.
So years later when my own children would say, “You’re
lying!” I would shudder from the flashbacks of my elders
telling me to watch my mouth. Nevertheless, I let my
children’s words fall where they may. Because they were
speaking proper English. They were speaking truth.
Speaking truth. Though it stings the ears and causes
shivers up and down the spine, the truth must be spoken.
The truth spoken might ruffle feathers, break hearts and
sever relationships, but the truth must be told. Jesus tells
us in John 8:32, “that you shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free.”
When the truth is spoken it not only sets the hearer free, but
it sets the speaker free.
Many of us walk around with much unspoken. Things that
have been on our hearts for weeks. Months. Years. We hold
it in. Thus creating within us stress, high blood pressure,
anxiety attacks and worst of all, pent up bitterness and
deceit.
We’ll tell everybody else other than the person who needs
to hear it. And what started out as a truth that could have
set a captive free, ends up being gossip. The truth is
“Can You Handle the Truth?” is an excerpt from the book, “Emails for the Christian Soul: 102 Messages of Praise, Hope and Revelation” by
Sheritha Bowman. Pastor Bowman is a wife, homebuilder, author and senior pastor of Soul Inspiration Church Ministries in Germantown,
Maryland. To order the book, please contact www.iuniverse.com.
To learn more about the ministry, please visit www.soulinspirationchurchministries.com or call 301.353.0602.
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reduced to mealtime conversation. And the person who
needs to hear it is nowhere at the table.
We become captive to untold truths. We pretend not to see,
not to know and not to be affected by an undisclosed truth.
Feeling that by withholding, we are keeping the waters calm.
Sparing feelings. Protecting the innocent. When in fact, we
are creating the very bondage that we so wish to avoid.
Some people will forever walk in bondage because they
just.....don’t.....know. Nobody ever told them. Some people
don’t even realize that their actions hurt people. Some of
them don’t even care. However, voicing the truth will
undoubtedly prick their hearts causing them to think,
reconsider and who knows, eventually they may be moved
to change their ways.
So much we should say and don’t.
There are people who have hurt you and will never know
unless you tell them. There are people who make the same
mistakes over and over while you watch on the sidelines
shaking your head with your arms folded.
There are people in various positions who promote
falsehoods and cause discord. Living lives far from the roles
that they have been entrusted. But we dare speak up. Afraid
of confrontation. Afraid we’ll be called the trouble maker.
That we’ll be accused of troubling waters. When in fact all
we’re doing is speaking the truth.
Lord, help us.
When God lays something upon your heart to share with
someone. Be obedient. Don’t second guess God’s timing. Don’t
worry yourself about the aftershock. Tell the truth.
You can give the truth hard and fast or you can give it nice
and easy. Allow the Holy Spirit to give counsel concerning
the delivery, yet be obedient to give the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth so help us God.
Jack Nicholson said in one of his movies, “YOU CAN’T
HANDLE THE TRUTH!” Maybe they can’t. But one thing for
sure, when it’s all said and done, you my beloved will have
“found favor and good understanding in the sight of God
and man.” (Prov 3.)
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of
silver.” (Proverbs 25:11) VCM
 special series/column
THE EFFECTS OF FEAR


by Athena Thomas Part Three
The Showdown
As you travel through this journey to overcome the fear
that has been holding you hostage, you begin to realize
that the road is rather rough. When we first started, you
were energized and felt a sense of power. Now, as you
come closer to the actual showdown you are beginning to
feel the added pressure.
During this phase you are beginning to question yourself
as to why you decided to take this road. Can you turn
back? Is it really worth it? Where is that rock you used to
hide under? You have probably realized that in order for
you to conquer this fear and move into the calling God has
for you, you will have to make certain sacrifices and be
willing to walk blindly by faith.
For our discussion this month, I would like to reference two
important events from the Old Testament. The first is found
in Exodus 14 (entire chapter) where the Israelites were
scared because Pharaoh was pursuing them and they had
reached what they thought to be a dead end, the Red Sea.
Even though God was with them on this journey the people
were still scared and did not trust in his word to deliver
them to the Promised Land. When they were facing the sea
they began to wonder why God had led them this far only
to let them die in the wilderness. As you proceed through
your journey now, you may be starting to ask yourself
similar questions. Things are looking rather hopeless and
your enemy is closing in on you. What do you do?
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the
deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians
[whatever is causing your fear] you see today you will never
see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be
still.” (Holy Bible, NIV Exodus 14:13-14)
As you move closer to the showdown with your fear
remember that the Lord is with you as a “pillar of fire and
cloud” ready to take on your enemy. When he shows you
the road toward your freedom you will still feel quite
overwhelmed. This journey is much like the one the
Israelites made as they traveled through the floor of the Red
Sea. It was a long journey and at times I know they may
have felt like those huge walls of water would come crashing
down on them at any moment. But when you look up and
see that pillar of fire and cloud, you begin to feel an inner
peace and know that those walls will hold up.
The second event is told in Genesis 22:1-19 but I would like
to focus on it’s meaning as described in Hebrews 11:17-19.
Abraham has been called and God has promised him a son.
Abraham moved into his calling and after some time God
fulfilled the promise with the birth of Isaac. Later God tested
Abraham by telling him to offer his only son as a burnt
offering unto him. Abraham obediently followed God’s word
and proceeded to do as he said. But before he could carry
out the act, God stopped him.
“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac
as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about
to sacrifice his one and only son, even thought God had said
to him, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be
reckoned.’ Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead,
and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from
death.” (Holy Bible, NIV Hebrews 11:17-19)
This journey will bring you to your showdown with fear.
You will have to make a decision to stand or go back under
the rock. Sometimes it may mean you will be tested, as
Abraham was. But you have to be willing to go if God tells
you to go. This test is of your faith not your weakness. It
may seem like the hardest thing you will ever face in your
life. But if you have focused on the promises that God has
fulfilled in your life, are obedient and have faith you will
move even when it doesn’t seem to make logical sense.
So, is it over now? No, and the fear is not gone. But you
have been delivered from the bondage of that specific fear.
It is still there. If you have chosen the way of the Lord, now
you can STAND, look it in the eyes and know by faith that it
cannot control you anymore. Your path is clear now. VCM
Athena Thomas is a writer currently working on her first book.
She is also the owner of Host U 4 Less, a web hosting
company in Maryland. She can be reached at
aptenterprise@yahoo.com
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 Columns
he Lord is the portion of mine inheritance

T FOCUS

and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot.
This is the day that you have made oh
Lord and I will rejoice and be exceedingly Brother Chicago G. Long
glad in it. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy
presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there
are pleasures forever more. Thou wilt perfect that
While Walking the Straight and Narrow
which concerns me. Blessed be the name of the Words of Exhortation
Lord. (Hallelujah!) In him I live, move and have my
weapons of our warfare to maintain, take by force or
being. Who shall say amongst the saints and before
even so possess those things which are do to us. When
a dying world these words? I have set the Lord
the children of Israel finally came out of the wilder-
always before me: because he is at my right hand, I
ness, into the land that God had promised to their
shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad and
fathers, there was a report that giants were dwelling
my glory rejoiceth. The word of God says that “A
there; but God still told Joshua to go in and possess the
man’s heart deviseth his own way: But the Lord
land. Likewise we to in this day and time will some-
directeth his steps.” Yes, this means that the steps of
times have to move ahead with no delay; fighting this
a good man are ordered by the Lord. Having said
great fight of faith and standing on God’s word alone.
that I must ask you, “Are you focused? and what or
Because if he said it, that finishes it. He’s omnipotent,
who is your focus set on?” “Are you walking with
omniscient and well able to bring what he said to pass.
God, behind God or ahead of God?” (Yes! It’s very
The word of God also says in 2 Chronicles 16:9 “For
possible.) Do you find yourself more submissive to
the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to
your flesh or the voice of God. Lastly, do you feel
strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed

“W
“We ocused on God and be about our FFather’
e must be ffocused ather’
ather’ss business
business,, just like
like
Christ Jesus our Lord and great example setter…He always prayed, wor-
shipped, taught, walked in love toward others, and always went about
doing great works.”
to him.”
the connection to the flowing firepower of the Holy
Spirit of our Almighty, holy and righteous God?
We must be focused on God and be about our Father’s
business, just like Christ Jesus our Lord and great
Saints of God there is a place where the devil ceases
example setter…He always prayed, worshipped,
to trouble you. When we begin to seek the face of
taught, walked in love toward others, and always went
God, not just his hand of provision, but I’m talking
about doing great works. He always said, “I speak
about the face of God. When I can see eye to eye
not of myself but of him who sent me.” He also said,
with God, and know that He sees me in secret, and
“When you see me you see the Father, he and I are
hears my cry in His ears, He can smell the sweet
one.” (Did you hear that!) Jesus was one with his
savor of my praise in His nostrils, I can hear the plans
Father; they were synonymous…Jesus said that he
and the answers that he has for my life from his lips
would make his abode in us; him and the Father would
(not anyone elses) all within a one on one encounter in
become one with us, if we receive them. (Glory!) God
his presence, and in his Holy Word. You have got to
wants us to walk that straight and narrow path to life,
know how to stroke God with your worship, invoke his
lo he’s with us always, and he will never leave us or
presence, command your angels to go into warfare on
forsake us. It takes focus on God, commitment to him
your behalf. It should be your desire to have the
and his way, and faith in his Word to receive a vision
closest walk with God. While walking this blind walk of
and to know your true purpose. Once you’re at this
faith you must stay in tune with the Holy Spirit who is
point you must not look to the left or the right. Just stay
to lead and guide you unto all truth. The bible says:
up in God’s face looking to be changed, filled and
“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us
empowered by him. He shall supply all your need.
watch and be sober (pray).” We must utilize the
Also, while on this path its imperative that you first

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come under a ministry and grab hold of the vision and you fill like you’re ready to go to another level let God
run with it, with faithfulness. Submit yourself under the move you. Less the Lord build the house, man buildeth
authority of the leaders and learn how to be a servant it in vain. Stick to these two scriptures: Matthew 6:33
of God first in the household of faith amongst the “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
brethren. The bible says to wait on the Lord and be of and all these things shall be added unto you.” 2 Timo-
good cheer. Amen! thy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
You will find out that the method never changes to dividing the word of truth.” Use these frequently and
staying focused, moving forward and going higher in you should be fine.
God. Just stay in his face…Keep talking, keep listen-
ing, keep being obedient in all things, by all means, Remember, stay focused on God, and he will make
keep praising him, and worshipping him individually, provision for the vision, so rest in him and with prayer
and corporately in humility, and with fear and trem- and supplication and thanks giving make your request
bling. Only the pure in heart shall see God. We must known unto him. So I say to you now the race is not
worship him in spirit and in truth. The bible says that given to the swift but to those who endure even in the
God seeketh after worshippers. Glory! You hear that? hardships. Finally saints be strong in the Lord and in the
Yes Sir! God seeketh after worshippers. You want God power of his might.
to begin to chase you. Just become consistent in your God bless
worship. He inhabits the praises of his people. When Forever yours in Christ Jesus VCM
Chicago Garfield Long born and raised in N.E. Washington, DC. He was lead back to the Lord in November of 1997, being
delivered from eight years of drug and alcohol abuse along with stress, oppression and …even jail time. He has steadfastly
completed a four-year Christian Discipleship program at the Jericho Christian Training College. He is diligently working as a
Teacher in the Children’s Church Ministry. He was recently married over the summer of 2003 to the beautiful and anointed Mrs.
Michelle Long whom he met at Jericho College and she’s mother of two sons and a daughter. He also brings a son to the mar-
riage, making him a proud father and step daddy of four beautiful children…He enjoys spending time with his family and
spreading the gospel through evangelizing, and his written work. His goal is to bring God glory in all that he says and does here
on earth.

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 Poetry Corner
“A Christian Vision” words by Joe Floyd
Each individual must connect with God
Building a relationship with a strong foundation
Fortified with strength, trust and love
Working towards eternal salvation.
The connect with others with strength through unity
Supporting and encouraging each other
Work in small groups to reinforce the message
Jesus’ teachings instruct us to love our brother.
Contribute your talent to one of the ministries
God has given each of us a special skill
Donate time, knowledge and dedication
To collectively fulfill God’s will.
Collectively the ministries strengthen the Church
The key mission is too reach lost souls
All ministries working a common process
The ministries are striving to reach Church goals.
The goals of the Church is a Christian Vision
Transforming the community towards Christian life
The road map for this process is found in the Word
And in the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ. VCM
“Don’t Quit” words by Unknown Author
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will
When the road you’re trudging seems all-uphill
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And when you want to smile, but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with it’s twists and turns
As everyone of us sometimes learns
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things seem worse
That you must not quit.
Praise God! VCM
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“The Peace of God” words by L.C. T
words ar
Tardy
ardy
Dear Lord,
Thank you for being God. I can’t touch you or see you,
but I know that you are there. I know this now because
I prayed, and you answered me. I asked you to send
your angels out from the archives of Heaven, to protect
my family, and heal my friends, and myself, and you
answered. I know now that you are real. Today I
realized that more than ever.
Someone prayed for me, and I prayed for someone
else, and ministered to a friend today, and shortly after,
the attacks came from satan. But I remembered that
you taught me to pray, and how to protect myself, by
wearing my armor, and covering myself with the blood
of Jesus. I remembered the things that you taught me
Father, and I used them to fight today.
I remembered that you told me that you didn’t give me
the spirit of fear, but love, power and a sound mind, to
girt my loins with truth, wearing the breastplate of
righteousness, to have my feet shod with the preparation
of the gospel of peace, to take with me the shield of
faith, wear the helmet of salvation, and carry with me at
all times the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in
the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance
and supplication for all saints. (Ephesians 6:14-18)
Father God, I used that armor today, and you
answered my prayer. As I watched the things that
satan tried to destroy be restored in my life, I jumped
for joy, spoke in tongues, and cried non-stop. I am
still crying Father, but these are tears of joy, because
now, I know that you are real.
I am protected wherever I go, whatever I do, no matter
what the circumstance, you will always dwell in me. You
are my light in darkness, my pillow, when I need to be
comforted, you open my eyes in the morning to witness
and hear the birds sing. I know now, that you Father
God, is real, and you will love me through all eternity. I
have a peace and love in my life now that surpasses all
understanding. Thank you Lord, for being God.
To God be the glory! Bless His Holy Name! VCM
(Are Y
(Are ou Blessed...continued fr
You om p. 15)
from
truth. If not, make a change today; tomorrow might be
too late. Your blessings depend on you. (Psalm 2:12),
Psalm 34:8O, Psalm 40:4, (Psalm 84: 4, 5, 12), (Psalm
128:4), (Psalm 112:1)
Lastly, we have those who hear and obey the voice
of the Lord being blessed! When you explore God’s
Holy and Righteous words, you see that, blessed are
the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the
LORD. Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your
ears, for they hear. ; But he said, . . . blessed are
they that hear the word of God, and keep it. ; But
whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and
continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but
a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his
deed. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear
the words of this prophecy, and keep those things
which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they
may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in
through the gates into the city. Psalm 119:1, Matthew:
16, Luke 11:28, James 1:25, Revelation 1:3, Revelation
22:4.
I ask you today, do you hear and obey the voice of
the Lord? What is he saying to you? If you are doing
wrong knowingly — then you are not listening to the
Voice of the Lord. The Lord will never tell you to do
something harmful to yourself or others. God is Love
and those who believe in Him must go about living in
love. For in His words, God’s word tells us to love our
neighbor as ourselves and if we love our neighbors as
ourselves, we have fulfilled the law.
Those who know, believe in and suffer for Christ are
blessed. And then there are those who received
special blessings. God Bless the man that walketh not
in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way
of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. He
also blesses the man whose strength is in Him and in
whose heart are the ways of them. God blesses those
who keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the
whole heart. He blesses the man that endureth
temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the
crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them
that love him. (Ps 1:1, Ps 84:5 KJV, Ps 84:55 KJV, Ps
119:1_2 KJV, James 1:12 KJV)
After reading all that, and prayerfully, with
understanding, I ask you, “Are you qualified for a
Blessing. Have you carried yourself in a way that the
Lord, our God, have found you favorable? If not,
what are you going to do about it? You know what is
required of you, so don’t stand in the way of your
blessings that the Lord is waiting to Bless you with!
There are many who think that because they cry Lord
Lord, they are going to receive a blessing or they are
being blessed. My Bible tells me, that, “Not everyone
that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven.
Are you doing the will of my Father or are you doing
your own will? (Matt 7:21 KJV) Are you blessed? If
you died today, would you be found favorable with the
Lord? Would you enter the kingdom of heaven of
pass through the gates of hell? If you know that your
lifestyle will keep you from entering the Kingdom of
Heaven, what are you going to do about it? You must
decide today for tomorrow may be too late. The Bible
tells us that we should always be ready: for in such an
hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
(Paraphrased Matthew 24:44) We must be prepared
to meet when He comes! Remember, in hell, there is
no way out!
THE END
DEACON CURTIS O. GILL
EDITED BY
BROTHER ROBERT CHILDRESS VCM
Cover the Laps of God’s Leading
Lady with Heavenly Care - 1Tim
2:9-10
Pamela Brown, Owner
PO Box 6177
Largo, MD 20792-6177
Phone: 301/341-1338
Email: inheavenslap@hotmail.com
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 From Becoming Into Being

by Nikki Jones

t some point in all of our lives, whether real devotional time in the word of God, the living word

A saved or unsaved, we all come to a place

where we are seeking out our purpose. We
ask ourselves the million-dollar question,
“why am I here or what am I supposed to do with my
life?” Unfortunately, many people live their lives never
realizing nor fulfilling the purpose that God has
ordained for them, and as a result, the greatness that
God had assigned to their lives never comes to pass.
that speaks to us and gives us guidance and direction
for the very purpose we are searching for in our lives.
In reading the word of God, our God given purpose is
revealed to us, which is one of the reasons the devil
fights us so hard when we try to read. So we must ask
ourselves, are we really seeking God’s Divine purpose
for our lives or are we seeking what culture and society
tell us we should have?

** I was talking with a man once Who was looking for In searching to find God’s purpose for my own life, God
his purpose. During our conversation, he very proudly began to deal with me in the area of my devotional
told me that he was a member of a very large, prominent time. I would get up and read for 20 minutes or so and
church in Houston, Texas. So I asked him what was he that would be the summation of my personal devotion
contributing to the ministry; what was his role in this for the day. But one morning, as I awoke, and began to
large ministry read John 1, I
full of vision, paused and
that he has “ Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. began to ask
been a member And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the God what would
of for well over Lamb of God.”The two disciples heard him speak, and He have me to
a year now. His gain from this
response, “I am
they followed Jesus. (John 1:35-37) One of the two who time of
waiting on my heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon devotion. Right
call from the Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and in the midst of
Lord. I am he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, my prayer, the
waiting for God Lord began to
to tell me what He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be deal with me
He wants me to called Cephas.” (John 1:40-42)“ about the
do.” How many of you have difference
this same testimony? The testimony of waiting for your between just reading His word and studying His word.
call or your purpose to be revealed to you, before you In order to make His word the lifestyle by which I live,
begin to do the work that God had called all of us to, the I cannot continue to simply read; I must thrust myself
work of an evangelist, which is to go out spreading the into the commitment of study, which allows me to go
good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and making into a deeper level of understanding and revelation.
disciples.
Reading gives you the ability to understand at a certain
*** Too often as Christians, we go out searching for “surface” level contextually. Studying, however, is a
our purpose in secular places. We find purpose in our state of mental absorption. Studying allows you to apply
careers, our financial status, and our education, rather your mind purposefully to the acquisition of knowledge
than in the word of God. So how is it that so many of or understanding. It allows you to go deep. So I said all
us get caught up in cross-dressing our God given of this to show you how God gave me a lesson on how
purpose with our own selfish and self-fulfilling to find His will and purpose for my life, by truly getting
purposes? One reason that I have found is the lack of into His word and seeking His will, rather than seeking
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 how to rearrange His will to fit how I thought my life
should be.
On my journey towards finding purpose, the Lord led
me to look at Peter and his brother Andrew. There
were two things God showed me in looking at this
passage of scripture in the first chapter of John. First,
He needed to point out to me, so that I would
understand that His purpose for my life had nothing to
do with my current status. I was reading an analysis
of the character of Peter, and it began by stating that
the author of 1st and 2nd Peter, was not the “original”
Simon Peter. At first glance, I was like not the original
Peter! What does this mean? Was there another
Peter? God quickly gave me clarity; this was a
“before walking with Jesus and after walking with
Jesus” picture of Peter.
When Andrew first brought Peter to Jesus, Peter
was “impulsive and full of weakness”, but it was at
that same point, Jesus said to Peter that he would be
called Cephas, which translated means a stone or
rock. This was Jesus prophesying about what Peter
would become; not what he currently was, and to
“become” is to grow or come to be; to pass from one
state to another, receiving new properties or qualities
or a new character. So it was when Peter gave his
life to Christ that his journey towards becoming
began. It was a character reshaping process that
most definitely involved many trials, tribulations and
sufferings.
The second thing God showed me in looking at Peter
and Andrew was that Andrew brought Peter to
Jesus. What does that make Andrew? A soul-winner.
Verse 41 says, “he first found his own brother Simon,
and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah”.
Andrew was witnessing to his brother, and as a result,
Simon Peter came to Christ also and gave his life to
following Him. When is the last time you witnessed to
someone about how you found the Messiah? How
many people are saved as a result of you being a
laborer of the harvest?
Matthew 9:37 says, “the harvest is truly plentiful, but
the laborers are few.” Our purpose is to be laborers
of the harvest. Before we can even begin to think of
our own personal lives, we must think of the call that
we all have to go out and make disciples. Many of us
cannot find purpose because we are sitting around
waiting for it to manifest out of our secular work. We
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labor and slave all day for the world while people are
walking around spiritually dead and never coming into
the knowledge of Christ. If we want purpose then we
must allow God to make us fishers of men.
Being who God says you are going to be does not
happen overnight. In order to move into that new
character, with new properties and qualities, we have
to become Kingdom minded people. Kingdom-minded
people understand that our purpose is to be
soulwinners; to fulfill The Great Commission by going
out and making disciples. When we begin to do that
we will see our divine purpose for our individual lives
being fulfilled also.
We must try and remember that when we decided to
give our lives to Christ that was just the beginning of
our journey from becoming into being. We are all on a
journey to becoming what God designed us to be. I
am sure that Andrew had no clue of the greatness
that Peter had assigned to his life, and think of the
tragedy it would have been for him to not witness to
Peter and allow him the opportunity to walk with
Jesus also. Peter would have not come into his
purpose had he too, not met Jesus. We never know
what kind of greatness we pass by on the street and
in the grocery stores. So on our personal journey to
divine purpose, let us remember our Kingdom
purpose. NOW GO GET A FISH! VCM
PSALM 13
PSALM 0:5-7
130:5-7
I wait for the LORD , my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD ,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
God Bless
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Vision-Sight of the Heart

by Dr. Myles Munroe

ision is the source and hope of life. The greatest gift ever given to mankind is not the gift of sight, but

V the gift of vision. Sight is a function of the eyes; vision is a function of the heart. “Eyes that look are
common, but eyes that see are rare.” Nothing noble or noteworthy on earth was ever done without
vision. No invention, development, or great feat was ever accomplished without the inspiring power of
this mysterious source called vision.

Civilizations were born and developed through the driving power of a visionary leader. The canvas of history is
painted with evidence of the creative, tradition-defying force of vision. Social, economic, architectural, medical,
scientific, and political achievement and advancements owe their conception and birthing to the power of vision.

Any civilization that is trapped in a time warp of the past, suffocated by the traditions of past experiences and
buried in the grave of the glories of past successes, is doomed to die. Vision is the key to unlocking the gates of
what was and what is, to propel us into the land of what could be, and has not yet been. Vision sets you free from
the limitations of what the eyes can see and allows you to enter into the liberty of what the heart can feel. It is
vision that makes the unseen visible and the unknown possible.

Vision also makes suffering and disappointment bearable. Vision generates hope in the midst of despair and
provides endurance in tribulation. Vision inspires the depressed and motivates the discouraged. Without vision, life
would be a study in cyclic frustration within a whirlwind of despair. Vision is the foundation of courage and the fuel
of persistence.

It was the vision of flight that inspired the Wright brothers to invent the airplane. It was the vision of light that
possessed Thomas Edison to invent the light bulb. It was the vision of a desk-sized computer that motivated
Stephen Jobs to invent the desktop computer. It was the vision of giving every person access to people-friendly
software that inspired Bill Gates to develop and invent the Microsoft global empire. Vision is the energy of
progress.

You were born to achieve something significant, and destined to make a difference in your generation. This
personal purpose is the source of your vision and gives meaning to your life. I, therefore, encourage you to
believe in your daydreams and to reconnect with your passion; your vision awaits your action. Your future is not
ahead of you–it lies within you. See beyond your eyes and live for the unseen. Your vision determines your
destiny.

DR. MYLES MUNROE

MUNROE
DR. MYLES MUNR
MUNROE OE is a multi-gifted, international motivational speaker, lecturer, educator,
government consultant, advisor and businessman, addressing critical issues affecting every aspect
of human, social and spiritual development. The central theme of his message is leadership
development, the discovery of destiny, purpose and the maximization of individual potential –
“Transforming followers into leaders.”

Recognized not only for his dynamic speaking, Dr. Munroe is also a widely acclaimed author of
our time with a number of best selling books which are sought after for their crisp simplicity and
practical principles. His books include: In Pur suit o
Pursuit off Purpose; Maximizing Y our P
Your otential; Becoming
Potential
a LLeader
eader; The Bur den o
Burden off FFrreedom; Under
Underst anding the Purpose and P
standing
st ower o
Po off Woman; Under
Woman Underststanding
standing
the Purpose and P ower o
Po off Man, Under st
Underst anding LLo
standing ove – Marriage Still a Good Idea, The Purpose and
the P ower o
Po off Prayer
Pra er,, and his latest release, The Principles and P ower o
Po off Vision.
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