Chris Spivey and NuDestiny - 

The Struggle Is Over

Anita Wilson, All About You - Inspirational Video

Anita Wilson -All About You

A worship leader and featured vocalist in the award-winning ensemble Donald Lawrence & Company, Anita Wilson released her debut solo album Worship Soul in 2012.

Jonathan McReynolds, Coming Out - Inspirational Video Monday

Jonathan McReynolds - Coming Out (Unplugged)

Jonathan McReynolds is an EMI recording artist whose debut album, Life Music, charted No. 3 on the Billboard gospel charts. Jonathan recently performed at the SXSW Gospel + Soul event in Austin, Texas.

Lessons Learned from Dr. Martin Luther King's Life

Photo Credit: www.wn.com

Today, if Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was alive, he would be celebrating his 84th birthday.  But, as we all know, Dr. King was slain at the tender age of 39 in 1968.  He never lived to even be middle aged.

Despite this fact, no one can deny that he accomplished a great deal in the less than 4 decades he walked on this earth.  Examining Dr. King's life can help us all in living a New Life Today.  Here are just a few thoughts that came to mind for me:

1. Don't Procrastinate.  
We never know how long we have on this earth.  When we put off what we could accomplish today for tomorrow, we may not ever get it done.  Tomorrow is not promised to us.  Who knows what significant contributions to our society that many of us could have made, if it were not for procrastination.

2. Even imperfect people can be used by God to make a difference.  
Often times many of us don't stand and protest about a situation or condition in our society because of our imperfect lives.  We believe that in order to be viewed as a leader, we must have perfect, unblemished pasts.  But, if we review history closely, we will see that is not necessary.  Despite rumors of infidelity, there is no doubt that Dr. King was one of the major civil rights leaders in American history.  He did not let his imperfections prevent him for contributing to society.

3. Someone will always criticize you.
Let us not forget that even Jesus Christ was criticized, ostracized, and crucified.  Despite Dr. King's contributions to civil rights, even to this day, there are people who disagree with his tactics, strategies, and approach.  There are some African Americans who believe his support of "nonviolence" was stupid.  They could not grasp the "turn the cheek" philosophy.  Instead these individuals embraced the "eye for an eye", "By any means necessary", Malcolm X philosophy.  And there are others, including the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nation, and other racist organizations, that believe that blacks and others don't deserve equal rights.

If Dr. King let his critics control his actions, I doubt he would have participated in the March on Washington, or that he would have spoken out against the Vietnam War, or that he would have travelled to Memphis to help the sanitation workers' union.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4 

Regardless of what we have accomplished to help others in our society, as long as we are still in the land of the living, we still have an opportunity to make a difference.  Let us make a commitment today to ourselves to contribute to society.  We may not get a holiday in our name, but we can still make a positive impact in our families, neighborhoods, and communities.

Editor's Note: I am proud to say "Happy Birthday" to my daughter, Ronelle "Rain" Mirron Lawson.  She was blessed to share her birthday with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and her great uncle, Jesse Lawson.  Today my daughter turned 18!

Don't Let Your Past Keep You From Seeing Your Future - Sermon Sunday

Don't Let Your Past Keep You From Seeing Your Future - Sermon Sunday 

Associate Minister Phillip Allen, Gilt Edge Baptist Church, Louisville, KY

Video Credit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_esNsG1zATU

Holy Riches Prayer

Editor's Note: Lounell Williams shared this prayer with me. This prayer is meant to bring blessings to those of us who have faith that God will grant us His favor.  I promised her that I would share it with the supporters of the New Life Today Blog.  For printing purposes, the prayer has been slightly modified.

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Since I seek first the kingdom of God and Your righteousness, all these things are added to me.  There may be a shortage of food in the cupboard and money in the bank, but my God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory. El Shaddai is my source. I speak light into the darkness.

Lack of clothing I speak to you. Lack of finances I speak to you.  Lack of food I speak to you. Lack of transportation I speak to you. "If God be for me, you cannot be against me. Be removed from my life and be cast into the sea." Provisions, food, clothing and money, I speak to you. "Come into my life. Come into the life of my family. Righteousness finds its way to me. Healing finds its way to me.  Prosperity finds its way to me. Financial blessings come upon me and overtake me."

Jesus is pre-eminent in my life. Therefore, all grace is abounding toward me. So I can have a sufficient supply in every area of my life to give into every good work of God.  I am a giver.  I am a sower.  Therefore, I am a reaper.  Harvest day has arrived.  Jesus became poor on the cross so I could be rich.  Prosperity is part of the atonement and my spiritual right.

I resist lack and prosperity in Jesus' name. I will not live below my covenant right.  I AM PROSPEROUS.  Today will be a good day.  Every weapon of Satan planned for me will turn on him.  This day, I am more than a conqueror.  Today will be filled with blessings from God.  All spiritual and natural blessings for this day have been arranged for me before the foundation of the earth.  I can't lose.

All of these things I pray for in Jesus' Precious and Holy Name. Amen.

Inspirational Video Moment - "Purpose" - All is Vanity"

"Purpose" -  All is Vanity"

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opch9wMjocY&feature=related

Sermon Sunday - Dr. Marvin Sapp, Inspirational Sermon

Dr. Marvin Sapp, Survivor Sunday Sermon Highlight

Mt. Zion,  Bishop Joseph Walker III

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE4b6Nm-jPM

Jesus Set Me Free by Amber Leggette-Aldrich Testimony Tuesday

I Am B.A.D. (Blessed And Delivered) 

Our church youth group returned from Youth Camp this past weekend. I had been reading some of their posts on Facebook about their experiences, and I could feel the excitement and joy in their hearts. It has always been a tremendous blessing to me to see our young people so full of fire and enthusiasm for Jesus! And their willingness to openly share what God is doing in their lives is something that I deeply admire. These young people are not just talking about God, but they are walking the walk as well.

At the Wednesday night service several of the youths gave testimonies about what they had experienced at the camp. As each one shared, I found myself crying inexplicably. It wasn’t out of sadness, but more from a deep sense of thankfulness. Before long I began to realize that I was remembering what my life had been like before Jesus set me free. There was so much bondage in my life, mostly from my own doing. I can’t even begin to explain the deepness of the gratitude I feel for what Jesus did for me. But when I think about it, and how I have been changed by His love, there is a joy that just explodes inside of me, and I want to share it with the whole world! 

Each new day is another opportunity to let that joy shine into the world. I don’t have to wait for something to stir me up. I only have to think about what the Lord saved me from, and how much He loves me. I can find His goodness in the promises of His Word, and I know where I am going when my race is finished here. My God is more than enough for me! He is bigger than any storm I face! And I am no longer a slave to sin!

I am not perfect, yet. But God is working in my heart, changing me day by day, moment by moment. And I will be made perfect when I enter His gates! Knowing that gives me an assurance and contentment, as well as excitement. I no longer live in condemnation, but in liberation. 

“Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:” (Galatians 4:3 KJV) Things like anger, unforgiveness, doubt, fear, drugs, rebellion, hate, hypocrisy, enviousness and more, were all chains of bondage to me. No matter how many times I tried to change, no matter how hard I tried, I could not do it. Maybe for a day or two in one or two areas, but it never lasted. 

But then I began to learn about Jesus. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32 KJV) “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV) Through learning the truth about His pure and unconditional love for me, I began to trust in Him. I called out to Him for help, to set me free. The chains that had held me hostage for so long were broken. I repented and was baptized in Jesus’ name. My sins were forgiven and washed away. As I opened up my heart to Him, He filled me with His Holy Spirit and great love, and my life began to change.

My journey since then has not always been easy. Many trials and temptations have come my way. But the freedom I have in Jesus replaces the fear I once had with peace and comfort. He is always with me, and He gives me strength and courage to continue on. I remember what my life was like before He saved me, and I won’t go back. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1 KJV) I may fall down and scrape my knees, but He helps me to get back up and keep fighting. He gives me the heart to love others, and to forgive as He has forgiven me. I put my life in His hands, and there’s no better place to be! He has shown me the wonders of His love, and profound miracles too. I AM SO B.A.D. (Blessed And Delivered) Jesus has set me free!

ANGELS ALL AROUND ME by Joan Morrone - Testimony Tuesday

Do you like angel stories? Most people do. After I do some 

Source:  ifcj.org

heavy writing, I need to write something on the lighter side to lift my spirit and hopefully yours, too. I will tell you a few stories about “angels” in my life. I will not be talking about angels in shimmering white robes and wings. I’ve never seen any of those. My angels are those who have helped me along the way just as I was about to fall. They came just in time to pick me up and guide me. 

One meaning for angel in the Webster dictionary is “a guiding spirit or influence.” In Strong’s Concordance, one meaning is “to dispatch as a deputy.” Deputy is a person appointed to act as an assistant to another. One or more may have been angels dressed like real people. These last are the ones in Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” 

Also when I look back I see people standing on the sidelines. These are those who were there for me when the chips were down. I did not appreciate them like I should at the time. I can see now that I was never alone. I didn't even know jesus at some of those times. 

Source: gbcdecatur.org

My favorite was a little old bag lady. She was dirty, unkempt and foul smelling. She came into the place I worked as a waitress. She was put at my table. I waited on her, smiling as I did. I try to treat everyone the same. She invited me to sit down and eat with her. I said I was sorry but we weren’t allowed. I brought her food and then got busy. 

Later I looked and she was gone. As I began to clean the table up, I saw a bill folded neatly under the cup. It was a $100 bill! The really amazing thing is that was exactly what I needed to pay my rent. (I was a Christian by then.) There is a lot more to the story but I’ll leave it at that. I know, without a doubt that if I would have been nasty with her, I would never have gotten the money. God knows how to handle a situation!

Another angel in people’s clothing was a little old lady at my bus stop. I rode the bus home and realized I didn’t have my package. I told my husband I was going back to get it. He said it would never be there. It was a bad area and people have gotten mugged there. The bus came by just as I got out the door. This was no mere coincidence. When I got to the stop, there was this sweet old lady, holding my bag as nice as you please. 

Walking toward her, she smiled and said she knew I’d be back. How did she know it was mine? She stood up to leave before I could thank her but I was able to ask her name. She looked astonished and hesitated before she said: “Pearl”. She took off like a scared rabbit and disappeared! All I could think of was “Pearl of great price”; Pearl was a name she made up in a second.

Angel # 3 appeared in New York. My second husband and I were on our honeymoon. Circumstances forced us to go to Long Island to visit his aunt. Coming back to Penn. Station had us stumped. Which train should we take and what side of the track? We were not seasoned travelers. As we puzzled over it, a pleasant looking man, dressed in a well worn but neat suit, tapped me on the shoulder and asked if he could help us. He got us to the right train and disappeared. We got off in the big city and were lost for the second time. Which door do we go out to get a taxi to take us to the airport? Out of 1000’s of people, the same man tapped me on the shoulder once more. “May I help you again?” I thank God often for His angels who come along when I need them!

Source:  foodnflix.blogspot.com

At the same restaurant where I saw the bag lady, I waited on a man at the counter where I worked. I was talking to a lady about an art course I was taking. The man began to talk to me. He was an artist. He came in the next day and gave me the basic paints and a couple good brushes. My co-worker said he had been coming in for about 15 years and he never spoke to any one. Why me? One day I got talking to him about the Bible. He said he didn’t understand it. I told him that I would write some scriptures and try to explain them to him. He told me to make them simple. 

One evening he was there when I wasn’t busy. I must have “preached” to him for about a half hour. He seemed to enjoy the stories. When he was leaving, he said: “Thanks for the Mini-Sermons.” That is when I began to write regularly and seriously. He was one of my guiding angels and strong influence. Then he slowly slipped out of my sight, only to appear when I would get discouraged. Haven’t seen him since!

This will be my last story. After my first husband divorced me to marry someone else, I was determined I was not going to let it get the best of me. I was going to go out and have a good time. I wasn’t saved yet. A girl I worked with asked me to go out with her after work. She wanted me to meet this “nice” guy. I wasn’t aware it could be dangerous. I agreed. On my way home at 11 P.M. to change clothes, I had this feeling I shouldn’t go. I called my friend and said I changed my mind. She put the guy on. He sweet talked me into saying I would go. He wanted to meet me. I was innocent of the ways of the world. I was pretty protected from it most of my life. 

I got changed and on my way to the meeting place. Half way there, it felt like some one grabbed my steering wheel and sent me back home! I asked the girl the next day how it went. She didn’t know because she didn’t go either. Then I got the shocker. The guy I was supposed to meet was arrested for assault and battery, carrying a concealed weapon, drug charges and his wife was suing him for divorce. 

God was looking out for me even then. He knew where I would be today. Who knows what would have happened to me if I did go. I could have been in jail as an accomplice, or raped and possibly murdered. My whole life could have been ruined completely. I didn’t deserve God’s care but I got it! God is awesome.

I have more “angel” stories but I’ll let it go at that. Hope this has encouraged you to believe God has angels all around us to look out for us when we can’t look out for ourselves. 

God bless you.

Humble Yourself

This prayer was written by Joyce Adejumo of Mitchie's Gallery in Austin, TX.

Father in Heaven, I humbly come

before you - surrendering all I am.

Thank You for loving me as I am.

Thank You  for the many gifts and miracles You have given me throughout my life.

Thank You for sheltering me and protecting me from harm.

Thank You for carrying me when I did not

have the strength to carry myself. Thank You for

granting me wisdom and knowledge to complete the

tasks You for predestined for me.

Thank You that no one can take from me what You has claimed is mine.

Father, keep me close to You and watch over me as I

submit every aspect of life to You.

In Jesus' Name.

Amen.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

James 4:10

English Standard Version (ESV)

When the Soul Bleeds by Sharon Jaynes

When the Soul Bleeds
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

[Jesus said] "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering" (Mark 5:31-34 NIV).

Friend to Friend

When we read the story of Jesus healing the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years, it is hard for us twenty-first century women to imagine such a condition lasting for so long. Medical science has progressed far beyond the rudimentary knowledge of Jesus' day. It is simply unthinkable today.

Graphic Credit:
http://www.jeremiah-2911.com/2011/07/women-of-bible-woman-with-issue-of.html

But I suggest there are still many women with chronic bleeding of a different sort. We bleed from the heart.

From the time Sarah was six-years-old, her father crept into her bedroom in the dark of night and violated her little body. Now, as an adult, her heart bleeds.

When Beth was walking to her dorm room from the college library, a lurker jumped from behind the bushes, dragged her to a nearby shed and raped her at knife-point. Now, ten years later, her heart bleeds.

After twenty-years of marriage, Lucy accidentally stumbled upon an in-town hotel receipt in her husband's wallet. Suspecting the worse, she uncovered past e-mails, supposed meetings that never occurred and a trail of deceit. When presented with the evidence, her husband admitted to having a three-year long affair. And her heart bleeds.

Laura was laid off from her job and her mother's words re-emerge like sewage leakage from an underground septic tank. "You're no good. You'll never amount to anything. You're a loser just like your father." And because of the lies, her heart bleeds.

Melissa holds her newborn little girl in her arms and coos her to sleep. Interrupting the sweetness of the wee hours of the morning, she hears her aborted child crying from the grave. Guilt presses down as the ever-present weight deflates her joy. And her heart bleeds.

Women - hoping the pain will go away. Awakening each day with a memory that cuts a fresh wound. Women-longing to hear the words, "Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

The woman with the issue of blood was no different from you and me. While her apparent illness was physical, her inward suffering ruled her life. She had lost her family, all her money, and her standing in the community. She was viewed as an unclean, untouchable outcast. But in one radical moment, one momentous decision, she reached out to Jesus and grabbed hold of her healing.

He wants to set you free from your suffering, but he will not push you out of the jail cell or yank the chains off your neck. He unlocks the door, but you must walk out the door. He unlocks the chain, but you must stop wearing them around your neck.

Graphic Credit:
http://cccooperagency.wordpress.com/
2012/03/16/what-are-you-looking-at/ 

We can choose to bleed. We can choose to remain in our suffering and pick at the scabs of the past. But hear me dear friend, it is a choice. Jesus said, "I have come that they might have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10). That's what he wants for each of us. But we have to embrace the truth and, like the woman with the twelve-year-bleeding, reach for our healing.

In John, chapter five, Jesus 
encounters a lame man sitting by a pool of water where the paralyzed, blind, and afflicted gathered. Then Jesus walked up to him and asked a strange question, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6b).

Perhaps it wasn't such a strange question. Many times we get used to being emotionally sick, and we wear the sickness like a shroud. We become walking wounded, picking at emotional scabs – not allowing them to heal.

Jesus said to the woman, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." That is the same healing he offers to you and to me. What will you do?

Let's Pray

Dear God, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I reach forward today, touch the hem of Your garment, and receive my healing. Yes, I want to get well. Give me the faith to walk in freedom and victory.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Is there pain in your life that you have refused to let go of?

Do you want to get well?

That is a risky question. It took a lot for the man who had been lying by the pool to get up off that pallet. He had to learn how to walk, get a job, and learn to live like a healthy person. That's a big change after 38 years. But you can do it! You can let go of the past and begin to live in victory and freedom! Let's start today!

If you are ready to reach out to Jesus and grab a hold of your healing, log ontowww.facebook.com/sharonjaynes and say, "I'm grabbing hold."

Re-posted by permission from Sharon Jaynes' blog at www.sharonjaynes.com

Today's devotion was taken from my book, What God Really Thinks about Women: Finding Your Significance through the Women Jesus Encountered.We tend to read the gospels with our twenty-first century eyes. But when we understand how oppressive the culture Jesus stepped into was against women, we begin to understand just how radical Jesus' ministry, messages, and miracles were at setting women free. He risked His reputation to save theirs…and yours.

1 Peter 4:11-13 

(New International Version) 

¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Barabbas Saved from Crucifixion - Inspirational Video Monday

Video Credit: Youtube video uploaded by intrvids 

Mark 15:6-15

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. ⁷ A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. ⁸ The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.
⁹ “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”asked Pilate, ¹⁰ knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. ¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.
¹² “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.
¹³ “Crucify him!” they shouted.
¹⁴ “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
¹⁵ Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Do not be anxious about anything - Inspirational Quote of the Day

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; 

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10 (NIV)

Inspirational Quote of the Day:

And Jesus answered them,  “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.

Matthew 21:21

Sermon Sunday: Joel Osteen - You Are Somebody's Miracle

Testimony Tuesday: Damaged Goods by Susan Allen

No one wants damaged goods. Manic depression was a big turnoff. I wasn't a whole person for anyone. Bi-Polar wasn't accepted back in the 1970's. No one knew it was hereditary. I felt so different and out of place.


Books don't care who you are. Being shy and a bookworm were two points against me.
Books were my only friends. I was used to being alone.

Drugs didn't refuse me at all, but they were against the law. They pushed me further away from my family and society.

Alcohol isn't picky, but drunk driving was the result which made me so unworthy that
I didn't deserve to have anybody near me. (Thank God I never hurt anyone.)

Others just joined in on the destruction. I thought the rape was all my fault.
The guilt was always there. Also, rejection was a really good excuse
to keep destroying myself. This led me deeper inside the deep, dark well and I began being a recluse.

No one is perfect, but I was really damaged goods after all the abuse I put myself through. I don't know how or when I let everything get so out of control. Suicide seemed to be the only answer.

Graphic Credit: www.damagedgoods.com

God had other plans for me. For one thing, He didn't let my foolish attempt succeed. I didn't know it at the time, but He was in control of my life at this point. He put me in a place for help. He orchestrated everything by placing the right people in my journey to recovery. They introduced and led me to Christ, and gave me a Bible, the Word of God. I couldn't refuse His quiet, loving and gentle voice.                                                   My family had tried getting through to me. I thought they were just interfering. But God was the only One who could help me. He was the only One who knew the "real me" before all the destruction began. Now I love and appreciate my family for all their support during my reckless and rebellious days. I never knew this until God showed me.

God has forgiven all of my past sins and present, and future sins. He accepts me and loves me to this day and forever. He understands me and cares enough to change me. God is the only One patient enough to take the time to reteach me how to live.

I am not damaged goods anymore.
I'm not perfect,
but He is not done with me yet.
Thanks be to God. 

Graphic Credit: 
http://neverhopeless.com/hope-for-a-second-chance/ 

He will do the same for you. All you need to do is believe and ask Jesus into your life. No matter how bad you think your choices in life were, He will forgive you, too, when you are sincerely sorry. That's why Jesus died for our sins, in our place. He knew we couldn't be saved without His sacrifice. He is the best choice you will ever make in your life today.

2Thessalonians 3:5 (NKJV)--Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)-- ...., that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Luke 7:47,48(Amplified Bible)--47Therefore I tell you, her sins, many (as they are), are forgiven her, because she has loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little. 48And He said to her your sins are forgiven!


SOURCE: http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=142743