I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
Millions of people worldwide celebrate Easter today. For Christians, there is no greater miracle than Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Many leave church roused by history and yet unconvinced the God of yesterday is the God of today. We may never see dramatic miracles as recorded in the Bible yet, miracles are happening everyday to every day people – simply look around.
I believe in miracles. My mother believes in miracles whether it was a bare pantry or empty refrigerator. Instead of worrying out loud, calling for help or begging for money she knew God would not let us down. I have received them and anticipate more with an open heart. We both are miracles and there is more on the way.
How about you? Have you ever had something happen to you where you thought it must have been more than just mere coincidence? Everyday holds a possibility of a miracle in every challenge of life we face. For the moment let’s think back – where we have been, what we have done and how we made it to where we are and are getting through the day right now. Just the fact that you are alive you are the greatest miracle of all.
Miracles happen when we have faith in a God that can make the impossible, possible. Miracles happen to those who believe. Don’t fall into the trap of saying, “it’s God’s will” or “God knows best, I’ll just leave it up to Him”. God wants us to pray to Him for help. Regardless of what you are going through right now, don’t give up – pray and wait in expectation.
There is no magical prayer for a miracle, there only exists a private conversation with God. God will perform miracles, but you must ask and trust in him and his will. If you are truly ready let’s begin! Quiet Your Mind – Find a peaceful spot inside or outside. Close your eyes and breathe deeply 3 times. Now repeat the words that Christ himself gave us in teaching us how to pray….
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen
Get ready your miracle is on the way.
SINGING IN THE HEAVENLY CHOIR
Is there such time as being too old to sing because your voice is cracking,trembling or it’s not as strong as it use to be? Is there a time in one’s life that you should be pushed aside or just sit it out because of age? Even if you can only mumble or moan is it still possible to serve, bless or save someone or bring glory to God? Should they just wait and join the heavenly?
“HEAVENLY CHOIR”… Lyrics performed by the Canton Spirituals
AND AT THIS CHURCH – THEY HAD A CHOIR THERE – AND THEY COULD SING REAL WELL;
AND, THERE WAS AN OLD DEACON THERE, HAD BEEN GOING TO THAT CHURCH FOR A MIGHTY LONG TIME, AND EVERY – SUNDAY MORNING – HE WOULD ALWAYS BEG THAT CHOIR DIRECTOR – “SAID LISTEN – WOULD YOU LET ME SING A SONG? – HE SAID I GOT A SONG THAT I WANT TO SING.”
BUT, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT CHOIR DIRECTOR TOLD HIM? HE SAID, “OLD MAN, YOU TOO OLD TO SING IN THIS CHOIR; HE SAY, YOU GOT A TREMBLING IN YOUR VOICE.” LOOKA HEAR – HURT THE OLD MAN’S FEELINGS.
AND YA’LL MIGHT NOT BELIEVE IT BUT – WHEN YOU GET OLD – WON’T FOLKS DO YOU LIKE THAT? WHEN YOU GET OLD – PEOPLE”LL JUST – PUSH YOU ON ASIDE – BUT THEY WENT TO CHURCH THAT NEXT SUNDAY MORNING – AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE OLD MAN WASN’T SITTING IN THE CORNER.
AND THEY WENT ON BACK TO CHURCH THAT NEXT SUNDAY MORNING, AND THEY KNEW THAT THE OLD MAN STILL WASN’T SITTING IN THE CORNER.- THEY GETTING WORRIED NOW – AND THEY WENT ON BACK THAT NE—EEE–XT SUNDAY MORNING, AND THEY NO THAT THE OOOLD MAN STILL WASN’T SITTING IN THE CORNER.
SOMEBODY BEGIN TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT HIM – SAID DID ANYBODY SEE THE OLD MAN – LOOKA HEAR – HAS ANYBODY HEARD FROM THE OLD MAN “FINALLY – A VOICE JUST CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN WAY, I BELIEVE I’M GOING TO LET DADDY TELL YOU WHAT THE VOICE SAID,
I FOUND ME A CHOIR THAT WOULD LET ME SING…YOU KNOW THAT I AM
(BACKGROUND)
SINGING IN THE HEAVENLY CHOIR. HALLELUJAH – HALLELUJAH
YOU KNOW WHAT – BY THE TIME THEY RECOGNIZED WHOSE VOICE IT WAS – EVERYBODY BEGIN TO LOOK UP TOWARD HEAVEN WAY.
AND THAT OLD MAN’S VOICE BEGAN TO TALK TO THEM – HE SAID CHILDREN – ONE THING ABOUT THIS CHOIR THAT I SING WITH NOW – HE SAID WE DON’T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SUNDAY MORNING TO SING – BUT EEEEEEEEEVERY MORNING – ME AND ALL THE ANGELS – WELL WE GET TOGETHER – AND WE SING SONGS THAT YOU NEVER HEARD IN YOUR LIFE.
AND IF YA’LL DON’T MIND – IF YA’LL DON’T MIND – IF YA’LL DON’T MIND GONNA LET DADDY TELL YOU WHAT HE’S SAYING ONE MORE TIME. CAN HE TELL IT?
I – I – I – I – I FOUND ME A CHOIR THAT WOULD LET ME SING…
(BACKGROUND)
SINGING IN THE HEAVENLY CHOIR. HALLELUJAH – HALLELUJAH
WON’T IT BE GOOD – WHEN WE GET THERE- WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT – THEY’LL BE NO MORE SANCTUARY CHOIR – NO MORE PASTOR CHOIR – NO MORE CHOIR PRACTICE – BUT I’M TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE GET THERE – EVERYBODY’S GOING TO GET TOGETHER – NO MORE JEALOUSY – NO MORE HATRED – NO MORE ENVY.
I BETTER LET THIS ALONE – THIS THING GETTING’ GOOD TO ME – LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING – CAN I LET DADDY SING – CAN I LET DADDY SING – IF IT’S ALRIGHT I’LL LET HIM SING. LET ME HEAR YOU SAY YEAH! I’M GOING TO LET DADDY TELL YOU WHAT WE GOING TO DO WHEN WE GET THERE.
SINGING – SINGING IN THE CHOIR WELL!
SINGING – SINGING, SINGING IN THE CHOIR
SINGING YA’LL – OH JESUS GONE LET ME SING IN THE CHOIR
(BACKGROUND)
SINGING IN THE HEAVENLY CHOIR. SINGING IN THE HEAVENLY CHOIR. SINGING IN THE HEAVENLY CHOIR.
INSPIRING CONVERSATION
by Kelli Jessica Chapman
Inspiring Conversation by Kelli Jessica Chapman
Growing up, I was always the shortest person in my grade school classes. When I moved on to high school, I was one of the shortest people in the entire school. Each year, I would grow only a tiny bit until I became 4’11” at fifteen years old, then I stopped growing. For a while, as far as I was concerned, I figured that anyone who saw me would view me as a short person.
I have a friend who is 6’3″ who always reminds me that I am vertically challenged. However, one day I stood next to my three-year-old niece who looked up at me and said, “T-Kel,” as she affectionately calls me, “when I grow up I want to be tall like you!” After I had finished laughing hysterically, a very practical thought came to mind– in life, perception is everything!
Hearing my niece’s words reminded me that the appearance of the height of an object is based on each individual’s perception. I then thought back to a situation I was dealing with some time ago that I felt was tough for me to deal with. I had phoned a friend to discuss the grueling issue. Before I began, I asked how she was feeling. She began to talk about some things she was going through at that time. After she had finished explaining, there was no way I could bring myself to complain about my problem any longer. Compared to her trials, my issue appeared to be trivial and a little silly. Although my problem itself did not change, I began to perceive my problem differently. In the same way, standing next to my niece did not change the fact that I am 4’11” and below what is considered average height, but the appearance of my height was totally different from when I stood next to my 6’3″ friend. Standing next to her, I appeared tall, but standing next to him, I appeared short.
Sometimes we encounter obstacles in life that seem so difficult that we feel we may never overcome them. We often metaphorically refer to these obstacles as “mountains”. Take a moment to think about a mountain that you may have. Your mountain is only as big as you perceive it. When you stand next to your mountain and look at it, it may very well appear to be a lot bigger than you, but there is always someone who has a taller mountain than yours that will instantly make your mountain look like a molehill. Most
of all, when you put your mountain next to God who is much bigger and far greater than any situation, you will realize that with his help it’s not insurmountable at all. In the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 21 verse 21: “If you have faith and do not doubt, you shall say unto this mountain, be removed and cast into the sea, and it shall be done.” No matter what size your mountain is, the way you perceive it is totally up to you!
Keep the faith,
Kellie Jessica
ALL ABOUT EVE
by Carolyn Jackson
Hi,
I believe when God blesses me he wants me to bless someone else. It is my desire to share and possibly help someone while writing some of my experiences dealing with God’s word. My Goal is to inform you that no matter where you are in life, you will be able to gain encouragement and wisdom from the women in the bible. These women of the bible have already been there, done that! Their survivals will show you how to live, what choices to make and why. It has helped me out of some very difficult challenges. Research with me and enjoy.
When Eve was created she was already in paradise, The Garden of Eden; surrounded by everything beautiful. When Adam was created, he woke up on the outside of the garden surrounded by animals, birds, and unplowed land. This let us know that woman was created from day-one to be special. Everything was perfect for Eve in the Garden, so why would a woman who truly loved God, who talked constantly in the cool of the evening with him, and who abided and trusted in him with respect for his every word, why would she be disobedience to Gods’ first command? Of all the trees in the garden, God commanded that the tree of knowledge for good and evil, not to be eaten by her or Adam.
This was a “test” of her obedience to Gods’ will. Eve entered into a discussion with the serpent, gave in to his temptation and everything changed. Eve should have let Gods’ word be her authority, but as soon as Satan tricked her into calling what God said into a question – it was only a matter of time that sin entered into our world, as long as they obeyed God he was their master. When, in spite of Gods’ command; they disobeyed – they made themselves their own master.
Testing is different from tempting. Testing is to reveal the truth. Tempting is done to make you fail, become discouraged, and to give up. Satan is the initiator of temptation and wants us to fail. God tests us to find out the truth about our weakness and strengths. The Bible shows the weakness of Eve, to give us a clear example of what we should or should not do when God tests us. It was with Eve that we received our introduction to sin. God looked upon Eve, and decided to test her through obedience, to test her love for him. Your love for God is not true love until it is tested. We grow spiritually and emotionally when we are tested. Even though we wish for a problem-free lifestyle, we wouldn’t need God if our lives were always without problems.
We must look to his word for answers, when the enemy sends temptations our way. We must not hide our sins and blame others for it. We need to come back to God and make things right. If we are wise, we will learn from Eves’ mistakes, and guard ourselves from repeating them. We learn that obeying the devil while walking with God do not go hand in hand. Gods’ tests are always meant for our good.
Love Ya,
Carolyn Jackson
TAKE JOY IN (LONG) SUFFERING
FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST
I was inspired to share this. In preparing to attend Bible Study with my aunt, I read 2 Peter all the way through and the theme of suffering continued to come up. I think I caught on..(smile). I thank God and my Big Sister in faith Earlean Williams, for this privilege to share some of my Temple meeting with the Creator this past weekend and during my Spiritual Studies earlier today.
Now, how many of us really embrace suffering? Do we attempt to limit God in the kind, duration of ‘suffering”? What is suffering? A dictionary defines it as “enduring pain, discomfort, without a complaint.” Let that sink in and reflect on some of the recent times that you have suffered. Did you allow it (the trial) to make you grow closer in the bosom of God? Did you attempt to share that ‘suffering’ with others, or realize that this time around, perhaps it was all about you and your growth toward your Creator? Please understand that I too, subject myself the questions above.
It has become a barometer of my faith in my Creator. The Creator, and perhaps you may agree with me, has allowed/created/tolerated Chaos and every level in our society today, that it forces everyone to seek refuge-where will our refuge be? Do yourself a favor a take time to study 2 Peter Chapters 2 and 3 and be encouraged in your walk of Faith, whatever you may call it!
The Christ in me salutes the Christ in you!
Adrienne Michelle Muhammad
Baker Apprentice
Student of Truth (wherever I find it)
| Enter Your Email To Join Our Team |
