Business Lunch

Today couldn't go by without giving major props to Joel.

We left the orphanage today to go to a restaurant in Phnom Penh for a business lunch that Pastor Vek was hosting.  The format of the meeting was business men and women who are friends of people who attend the church were invited to hear how having God in their life can help them in life and in business.  During the talk Joel shared his testimony, which was translated into Khmer and it was shared with about 100 people.  Later today Joel said he felt like a conduit of God during the talk because at that time 66 people accepted Jesus as their savior and another 30 asked to hear more.  Can you believe it!!!???!!???  How awesome is that???

Joel, you rock!

10 days...

So many emotions when I hear 10 days.

• One is disbelief.  There is such a difference when we are over there that it almost feels like a dream. Like I want to go but 10 days isn't a reality.  Only a dream.  
• Two is scared.  Sooooo much has to be done between now and then.  The team needs to raise money, I need to pack (and pack and pack), what am I forgetting about...
• Three is I have too much to get done.  When I see a list I get overwhelmed.  I have to get it all done right now, no time to waste.  I was horrible in college on the first day I always had a panic attack.  The professor would give me the syllabus and I never thought I would complete the entire thing by the end of the semester.  Inevitably I would have a break down but then I would get thru that and love the semester and pass with flying colors.  This feels like the same thing.  I need to remember to do one thing at a time.
• Forth is pure excitement, I CAN'T WAIT!!!  These kids are the loves of my life (and I'm pretty sure I can speak for everyone on the team who has already been that this is the same for all).  And, I can't wait to see them again, hug them, and tell them how much they are loved.  Even for just 1 week.

For the next 10 days please be praying for the emotions of the team.  I still don't know how we will all fully be prepared before we hop on the plane, but as my devotional said today, its not for me to understand:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

Encouragement from Kamaria...

Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD (Psalm 102:18)
It's hard to believe I've been writing to you for 2 1/2 months, and that you are less than two weeks from your departure. I'm so glad God placed you all on my heart and hope that I have encouraged you. For my last email I've been thinking a lot about what it means to live for the next Generation. I'm starting to think like a parent as I am seeing the sobering reality that even if I have no natural children I have spiritual children. Our life of faith is not just for us but generations after us who will be affected by the decisions we make today. I want to leave a legacy like the Levites who did not partake of the natural inheritance of the twelve tribes of Israel, but their inheritance was the Lord.

   

¹ The Levitical priests—indeed, the whole tribe of Levi—are to have no allotment or inheritance with Israel. They shall live on the food offerings presented to the LORD, for that is their inheritance. ² They shall have no inheritance among their fellow Israelites; the LORD is their inheritance, as he promised them. ( Deuteronomy 18:1)

 

 

 Let's look at Moses life again but in a different light. I once read a church sign once that said "Don't be discouraged, Moses was a basket case too". Moses was an imperfect man with anger issues, but when you think about it I don't know anyone who could have handled the Israelites the way he did. Imagine an over-sized van filled with bad kids going to Disneyland. The children keep distracting you and you have to take your eyes off the road to discipline them, causing the van to swerve and occasionally almost hit a telephone pole. The ingrates don't correct any of their behavior but get continually worse. Now imagine that instead of taking 14 hours the trip takes 40 years. I think if it had been me, right after I brought down the 10 commandments I might have hand chiseled a resignation letter to God. Moses obviously had an endless well of love for his people, constantly interceding on their behalf and wanting the best for them. Even though he was unable to enter the promised land, we see in scripture how he helped to prepare the leader for the generation to enter the promised land, Joshua. Joshua was Moses' young aid and a warrior. Of all the Isrealites, Joshua gleaned the most from Moses by being a faithful servant and eventually surpassed Aaron, the right hand man of Moses.   Joshua led the Battle with the Amalekites, the  battle where Aaron and Hur held up Moses' Arms. Joshua helped to with the battle, something that did not go unnoticed by God: 

¹³ So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. ¹⁴ Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.”  ¹⁵ Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner.  (Exodus 17: 13-15)

 

We see Aaron become the ringleader to buld the golden calf for the people to worship causing God's anger in Exodus 32. In response  Exodus 33:7-11 Moses went to the tent of meeting. The tent of meeting was outside the Isrealites camp where Moses would talk and abide with God. Joshua was the only person brave enough to enter with him, and stayed in the tent even when Moses left. He was the only one it seems that learned the importance of spending time with the Lord.

 

¹¹ The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.  (Exodus 33:11)

We see how Moses declares before Israelites the heart of God that Joshua was Moses successor.

³⁷ Because of you the LORD became angry with me also and said, “You shall not enter it, either. ³⁸ But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it. ³⁹ And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it.  (Deuteronomy 1: 37-39)

 

²¹ At that time I commanded Joshua: “You have seen with your own eyes all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. (Deuteronomy 3:21)

 

Finally we see transference of annointing from Moses to Joshua.

 

 ⁹ Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses. (Dueteronomy 34:9)

 

God is calling us to leave a legacy of faith, help to prepare the hearts of minds of not only our contemporaries, but for the baton carriers that will finish the race.

 

 ³ A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3)

 

God is preparing all of you to impart his heart to this generation of Cambodian children. Year after year  you are tearing down strongholds and replacing them with love. When you  mix that love with their knowlege of scripture, what you are helping to produce are powerhouses that will be able to shout down spiritual Jerichoes in the minds and hearts of Cambodia and the world. I have heard your stories concerning these children and have watched how you come back transformed year after year. I know God will continue to do amazing things through you in the lives of these children. May God go before you and meet you in Cambodia. May you go in the confidence of Christ knowing that he will be moving through you.

 

²⁴ The LORD bless you and keep you; ²⁵ the LORD make his face shine on you  and be gracious to you; ²⁶ the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. ( Numbers 6:24-26)

 

 

All the best to you!!! I want to hear about the trip when you return!!

 

-Kamaria

 

I want to share the song Son of Man with Tye Tribbet featuring John Owens, one of my favorite collaborations. 

Inspirational Song

Hello everyone,

Looks like I'm going to be an extra day with my email. This will be my last one as I know you guys will be departing over the next couple of weeks. I have a growing expectancy in my heart as we draw near to your departure. I am so excited I am about to burst. In the meantime listen to the song Loud Loud by Fred Hammond. I actually just heard it today and it made me want to dance.

-Kamaria

Encouragement from Kamaria...

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew^[a] you,
   before you were born I set you apart;
   I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

 

 Remember Game Plan? I thought that was one of the greatest series ever preached because there is nothing greater than knowing God's plan for your life. I used to be anxious about this, beating my head against the wall trying to figure out what I was called to do. Through the years parts have been revealed to me, and ironically as I have been forced into a season of stillness I have a clear direction and focus, and have discovered my purpose is directly connected to how God created me. As he continues to unfold my moments on Earth,  I don't feel as if I am marking time anymore, I am moving toward the greatest expression God's Love through me.

 

Over the week-end I had a chance to see Green Lantern who is my new favorite super hero. I was so excited I let out a cheer at the end of the movie! The movie gives a clear example of purpose and how you become equipped as you move forward to accept your calling. Last week I talked about  friendship with God. I believe that theme goes hand in hand with purpose. When you are at a place of knowing God and embracing his character he can reveal to you his plan for your life. 

 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

(2Timothy 2:20-21)

 

As many of you know it is challenging for me to be around animals, but there is a special place for my uncle's dog Dottie. Dottie is a Papillon, a tiny species of dog known for their butterfly ears. Dottie is cute, but her ears didn't develop like the other dogs. As a matter of fact when my uncle came to pick out a puppy she wasn't with the dogs being sold, but was kept in another room. After seeing a parade of perfect little puppies, my uncle asked there were any other dogs that wouldn't be champions that he could purchase. The owner went in the back and brought out Dottie. Dottie came out and jumped on the sofa next to my uncle, and when it was time to leave she jumped in his car without hesitation. My uncle is a retired Doctor so he would take Dottie around  to hospitals and nursing homes to help cheer up the patients. While I was in California I was pouring over  hundreds of pictures of Dottie and the people she touched. Two photos that stood out to me were of a woman that they thought was a deaf mute who began to speak when she was holding Dottie. My favorite was of a man that had been in a Coma for several weeks. My uncle and Dottie entered the room Dottie jumps up on the Hospital bed and put her head under the Man's arm which started to move and you could see he was trying to figure out what was under his arm.  In a few days he regained full conscienceness.  I began to think of David and how he was the son God had chosen to be king, but his father Jesse didn't even summon him initially when Samuel came to his home to anoint one of his sons to be king. 1 Samuel 16: 10-13. God still had his way. Nothing could stop David from receiving his destiny. It blows that mind that even a little dog like Dottie has a plan, and if she has a plan there is surely one for us.

Let's look at Phillippians 2:13:

  

 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

I pray that as you are reading this that God would illuminate his heart to you, and that if God has shown you why you were created that you would be encouraged to go forth into your calling.

God bless you and have a good week!! -Kamaria
  

 

This week I picked the song That Name by Yolanda Adams, my favorite of hers. I pray that it draws you into worship the way it does me every time I hear it.

 

Song

Hey Everyone!!

There is no rhyme or reason for me sending this song, I just love it and wanted to share it with you. It's Fred Hammond singing Awesome God. Fred Hammond was in the Group Commissioned with Marvin Sapp . Fred Later went on to for the Radical for Christ Jesus Choir. I hope you are blessed by this song, and hope you are doing well!!

-Kamaria

Encouragement from Kamaria...

Did you get a chance to listen to the Friend song by the Winans? I'm sure from that you know that I want to talk about the greatest friendship you could ever have, a friendship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I love how in the video you see them about to burst with the joy in the Lord. I knew I was going to talk about friendship this week but the focus changed slightly a couple of days ago I was awakened by the radio and the person speaking was encouraging people not to give immediately I knew I was to share about fighting for your relationship with Christ.

You hear on talk shows about fighting for relationships with husbands and wives, and there are books about fighting for time with family. After listening to that plea on the radio I started to think about what it means to truly press through to get the relationship we were meant to have. Truly the best thing you can do for any personal relationship is be sold out for Jesus Christ. I had an experience in college where I was praying with a friend in her dorm room. That night I felt the presence of God stronger than I have ever felt it before or since; he was almost tangible. I felt love that made my heart just melt. It was a thousand times greater than any love or acceptance I have ever felt. I intuitively knew that all my needs were met and I could have stayed there forever. When we finally stopped praying four hours had passed. I have been reflecting on that night this week and wondering why It has been so easy for me to let life overwhelm me. I have been caught up in pressure and what I can see. I Sometimes become like an Israelite forgetting my friendship with God and taking him for granted.

I have found there is a spiritual cry in each one of us that desires a closer relationship to God. Psalm 42:7 addresses this:

Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.

There is a part of you that cries out for the living God. Only he can filll that space, and if you are not filling it with Christ you will feel an ache, a restlessness and dissatisfaction with life in general as you try to fill it with relationships, money, television, or anything that keeps your focus away from God.

I used to work in an office that received beautiful floral arrangements every week. One day a beautiful tulip broke away from the branch. I tried to save it because it was so beautiful and put it in a bowl of water. My efforts worked for a couple of days because it became disconnected it died. This reminds me of the metaphor the true vine in John 15:4:
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I had a co-worker that was a beautiful Christian woman at my old job. She was beloved by the company so much that before she got married the Company had a bridal luncheon at an exclusive hotel the year before I joined the firm. Though we weren't that close but her faith was evident, and we had several conversations about God and went to lunch occasionally. She was a member of an awesome Church with several of my friends. She was laid off about five years ago and never quite recovered. After she left the company I would see her occasionally and we would talk about getting together. I would think about contacting her but then would get busy and forget. I found out a couple of years ago that she died due to complications with bulimia. She was devastated by the layoff and had some things going on in her personal life that caused her to give up on life. I had no idea she was in such pain. I wish I could have spoken to her back then as the person I am today. I had no idea how tough her situation must have been, but now that I am in a similar situation understand. Her story could just have easily been mine, but somehow God's grace I have been able to navigate through these challenges and trust he will continue to give me strength. It's so easy to give up and want to throw in the towel. Sometimes thoughts come to mind when I am feeling my weakest; it is all I can do to just stand. I am staying accountable to Friends and family and have even been through counseling as things continued to get rough. I love the story of Blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10: 46-52:

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.

47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.


One of the reasons I am so intense with my worship is that my heart is crying out to heaven for the presence of God.

The are many studies on Spiritual warfare. The greatest warfare is a life that is yeilded to God. James 4:7 :: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The greatest weapon is praise as I shared with you earlier in 2Chronicles 20:20-24.  Don't focus to much on the Enemy and what he is doing, but focus on God becoming his friend. He will let you know the secrets of his heart and amazing things he is about to do before hedoes thim as in Revelation 4:1
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this

I have experienced that you begin to stand not because of stories people have told you, or being guilted into how you should feel, but because God becomes so real to you and your story becomes a walking epistle.

As I talked about in an earlier message. I reminded of the one of the Stories of Smith Wigglesworth, an incredible man of faith that performed many miracles in the 1920's. He awakened one night to find Satan in his room. He was not shaken in even the slightest way but turned over and went back to sleep completely confident in the promises of God.  If you are interested look at www.smithwigglesworth.com. This website is a record of his faith walk and his life and sermons. It will encourage and build up your faith.

As always have a blessed week!! May you get a deeper revelation of what it means to be a friend of God and feel the true embrace of his spirit.

-Kamaria

The song today is God is Able by Smokie Norful. The first time I heard this song I was stunned. I'm not sure what his story is, but you can hear his heart crying out to God. 

Encouragement from Kamaria...

I wanted to share with you the song 'A Friend' by The Winans, the perect introduction to my message this week.  I hope you are having a blessed day!!

 

Encouragment

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(Phil 4:6-7)

This scripture is one that truly breathes in life to me as one of my struggles throughout my Christian Journey has been dealing with stress and anxiety. In the past I have stressed myself to the point of blindness, and at one point was so stressed I vomited blood. For me learning to develop the peace of God in my life was a matter of life and death. I am by no means perfected in this area but when I look at where God has brought me from I can give him praise. I don't know exactly when the change happened but I know that day by day as I spent time in his presence I began a metamorphosis. I can truly say that If you abide in the word of God you will grow roots that will help you stand against any circumstances. (psalm 1: 2-3) (Joshua 1: 7-9)

Life From inside the Fiery Furnace

The last couple of weeks were challenging. As you know I have been two years in a job transition. Around Memorial Day I lost my financial licenses from being out of work two years. While I wasn't completely devestated, it was a tough blow as I have come so close to being hired several times only to be let down at the last minute. I have felt like I am at the breaking point for a while,and that something needs to happen for me job wise. For a few days I would wake up in the morning and just stare at the ceiling. With God's help I was able to encourage myself and I am in a different place today. In my own strength I would have crumbled a long time ago because as I continue to pray for this trial to end, more and more things seem to be spinning out of control; sometimes I feel like I am free falling. I have moved to the eye of my storm if you will. In the eye of a hurricane it is completely calm, and if you move to far from the center you will get swept away by the storm. I have moved into the eye of the hurricane with Christ and locked into his presence praying and reading the word. I am continuing to be pressed and molded. Everything and every person I put my trust in is continuing to be stripped away and I am seeing Christ clearer every day. I think back to the day I was informed I was losing my job. I went straight home home and stayed in the room with my Bible for two days only coming out to eat. God showed me that like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3: 24-26 I was in a fiery furnace and he was right there in the flames with me. He told me when I emerged from this pit of despair that like them I would not even had the smell of smoke. God also spoke to me about forgiveness that Jesus forgave those on the cross because his destiny was more important than his current situation. I had to release the people who laid me off and the only reason they could let me go was because God allowed it and had greater things in store for my life. I have held to these two truths throughout my struggle. As I have continued in the furnace I have found the tighter I cling to God, and the more I open my tightly held fist and pour out my heart to him more and more of my worries disappear. The words to this scripture are true:

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[c];
he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm (62:5-8)

This is definitely not the path I would have chosen but I am so much stronger and wiser for going through it!!

I can truly say that whatever you are going through the more of your heart and situation you can entrust to God the more he will give you peace that passes all understanding. Step into the eye of the hurricane! step out of the boat and keep your eyes on him! Reach out and grab his hand while you are in the furnace! You will make it!! You will come out stronger than ever!!!

The song for this week is Strength with Pastor John P. Kee with the New Life Community Choir. This song makes me want to box for Jesus! (in the spirit of course!) Some of the words are Be strong in the Lord and the power of his might/know in your heart every battle he will fight!!

God bless you and have a Good week!! - Kamaria

Inspirational Song

Hey guys,

 

I will have a message to you next week,  but I wanted to share this with you. Several years ago I heard this track of Marvin Gaye singing His Eye is on the Sparrow and it gave me chills.  I had no idea he had ever recorded this song.

 

 

 

 

Have a blessed week!!

 

 

-Kamaria

Encouragement

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.^[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  (Matthew 10:29-31)

I saw this scripture lived out several years ago as I was returning from lunch and a baby bird had fallen from it's nest. The security guard on duty showed me where the bird had fallen. The tiny bird only looked a few days old and was sadly tweeting. I prayed with the security guard for the little bird and went upstairs to call the Audubon society hoping to find another way to help the bird. The representative on the phone told me not to worry, that the mother would find it. Sure enough when I left to go home that evening, the Security Guard informed me that the mother indeed found her baby and swooped down to get him and take him back to the nest. That was so amazing to me, and spoke to me about God's love. If God cares this much for a little bird, how much more does he care for us. God knew us and loved us before time began, beyond the concept of time. Even before the creation of the world our names were engraved on his heart.  We are made in the image of God, descendants of the first man formed from the dust of the earth. (Genesis 2:7) If you look at psalm (139: 13-18), It shows how much thought God took to create you and me. We are not accidents in time. We are true expressions of love. Today meditate on the fact that you are loved of God truly and deeply. 

Jeremiah 31:3 says: 

³ The LORD appeared to us in the past,^[a] saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." Whatever you are feeling today spend some time thinking of God's love for you and meditate on who you are to him. You are a priceless treasure and you were created at this time because  God knew the positive impact you would make on this Generation. He knew you would yield your hearts to help encourage and inspire the beautiful children of Cambodia. 

Know that God rejoices over you, and he smiles when he remembers your name.

Zephaniah 3:17 

Today's song is Israel and new Breed I am not Forgotten. This is a song that truly makes me dance.  

God bless you!! Kamaria

Run the Race

Every day while driving to work at around 5:30 in the morning, I see the same group of middle-aged black folk jogging near my office.  They always put a smile on my face and remind me that perseverance is the key to everything we do. I also often find myself praying for this inspiring group of strangers and I think God has placed them in my sight for a reason.

1 Corinthians 9:24

“Run in such a way to get the prize!”

Let’s continue to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead in Cambodia and beyond.

Take Care,

Darrel

Restoration - Another Letter of Encouragement

Last week as I was wrapping up my email I was trying to think of what to speak on next. Immediately the word restoration flashed in my mind. What I didn't know was that God was going to work on that area in my life this week. I've always struggled with having to be perfect. until I met you guys I could only be surface friends with people for fear that people would see who I really was. I've known by faith that God has made me a new creature, (2nd cor 5:17) but when thoughts from my past would come to mind it was almost as if I was slamming into a wall. By having authentic community and being able to share my heart with other believers and learning to be transparent I have been chipping away at that wall. This week God completely tore it down and I want to share these thoughts.

Do you remember the show Extreme Makeover where they take a person and make them almost unrecognizable? That's what God does to us when we come to him. The blood that flowed from his side at Calvary covers us. He not only takes away our sins, but any fear, guilt, and shame associated with them. Our spirit man becomes unrecognizable, and we begin the process of being completely transformed to reflect the image of Christ. We will probably never know what God did for us that day, he has set us free!! The word of God says he who the son has set free is free indeed. (John 8:36) 

Let's take a look at Isaiah 61-1-4. I love the whole passage but these verses focus in on what God has done for us. He has given us beauty for ashes. God has not only resurrected your spirit, but the things in your life that were torn down and destroyed from what you have done and what others have done to you. You are completely restored!! You may not see the physical manifestation of your victory and your freedom right away but as Jesus said with his dying breath on the Cross it is finished! (John 19:30)

Even if you feel your life is as hopeless as the valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37: 1-11. God has done something miraculous. In this passage God shows Ezekiel a valley of scattered human bones. he goes beyond Ezekiel's faith and gives him the words to speak to the bones and the bones not only form skeletons, but they receive flesh and life again. amazing story. No matter how desolate your situation, he can give you the words that will bring healing and life to whatever you are going through. The tough part is hanging in there until the change comes. There's an old Baptist song that speaks of peace in the valley, probably based on that scripture from the Psalm 23:4.

Isaiah 61 also talks about restoration so that you can help rebuild ruins and waste places. I can think of no better commissioning scripture as you prepare to go to Cambodia. I pray that God would give you a revelation of freedom in him, and that you would be filled with overwhelming joy. If you are haunted by anything from your past I pray that God would give you the words and insight to crucify those thoughts in your head that you might experience a true resurrection of the mind.

The song this week is For Every Mountain By Kurt Karr and the Kurt Karr Singers. This is a true worship song. I get chills when I hear it and I hope you are truly blessed. As usual I have no idea how to connect the youtube video, but here is the address. 

God Bless you, and have a good week!! -Kamaria

More encouragement...

Here is some more encouragement from my good friend Kamaria...

For today I wanted to focus on keeping a heart of contiual praise and worship. I have known and been excited about sharing this with you for a couple of weeks. As I was thinking and preparing what to say I was tested in this area, and these are my thoughts and observations.

Worship as a Battle Strategy

Rejoice in the Lord Always and Again I say rejoice (Philipians 4:4) If this was the first thing I read as a new believer I probably would have just packed it all up and went home. I would think that Paul was a serious crack addict because there is no way to keep rejoicing in any and and every circumstance. Even today when I am going through some things I am not always there. This rejoicing scripture comes to mind when I am going through things and some days I receive it, other days it feels like someone took their fingernails and dragged them down a chalkboard. You can get distracted with the storms of life and even with things happening that just irritate you. I don't know, say you work for a well known women's clothing store and thirty minutes after you close the night before Easter your manager lets in a very inconsiderate client who tears through piles of newly folded clothes leaving such a mess on the sales floor and in her dressing room . This helps to delay your departure time by about 40 minutes. " Hey lady you want to see how much Jesus I really have!! Lock n' load!! (clink -clink!!) (Ok, so I didn't really say that but I did not have the attitude of rejoicing that night. I still need so much more of Jesus.)

God used a stranger to encourage me and keep me focused on him On Wednesday of last week. I was crying riding home on the train and just couldn't stop my tears. A man took off his shades and put them on me to shield my eyes so others wouldn't see me cry. He said some encouraging words and then shared with me what he was going through. He had just found out two days ago his wife was in love with another man. I was stunned as he told me his story, he actually met the man and his wife left with him that night after ten years of marriage. You never know the ins and outs of someone's relationship, but what struck me was that I didn't sense any bitterness. He was obvously hurt but he had released it to God. He even was saying how he could have been a better husband and not worked so hard, but taken time out to care for her emotional needs. I felt such a sense of calm as he continued to point everything back to God. Please keep him in your prayers his name is Dustin. I didn't feel led to stay in contact with him but to pray for him to cross paths with a strong man of God to help him through this storm. What I want to share is that Dustin has tapped into the principle that I am striving toward and want to share with you today, the idea of worship being a battle strategy.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is how Jehoshapat fights a battle with praise and worship. No one raises a weapon but as they worship God fights the battle for them. this is found in 2nd Chronicles 20 1-29 focusing on verses 20-24. On the days I grasp hold of this message I can definitely see results. The Joy of the Lord is indeed our strength. Nehemiah 8:10 That is why the enemy fights so hard to keep us bogged down with the cares of this world and focused on ourselves. He knows that if we grasp ahold of this principle that we will be unstoppable. The more we yeild to God, Satan can't stick around, he has to leave. James 4:7. 

My prayer is that God continues to work in all our lives to get a deeper revelation into what happens when we worship and to strive to be so connected and confident in Christ that we will be able to keep an attitude of rejoicing in every situation know God has already fought and won our battle.

Today I wanted to include one of my favorite worship songs from one of my favorite praise teams of all time, Israel and New Breed. The song is Called Rejoice in The Lord Always. I couldn't find footage of them worshipping, but the audio portion from this slide show is pretty good.

God bless you and have a good week!!!

-Kamaria

Encouragement

One of my good friends, Kamaria, has offered to support the team by sending us encouragement letters. She has been emailing them to me and a few others weekly. I thought it would be good for everyone to see. If you would like to join her in sending us encouragement leave a comment and I'll get in touch with you.

Leaving Egypt

 

During this season of Lent God ministered to me powerfully about leaving Egypt. Provision was made for the Israelites to to leave Egypt, but they had to physically leave Egypt to receive their blessing. Exodus 13:1-14. Not only that the only people that actually entered the promised land were those that had a changed mindset. Even Moses himself did not enter, but died before receiving the promise because of his anger issues

Deuteronomy 32:48-52. As you read throughout Exodus, several people in Moses' Generation died off in the Desert because of idolatry,murmuring, complaining, and unbelief even though tremendous miracles were done on their behalf. It wasn't until  40 years after they first started to wander in the desert when those with corrupted mindsets died off that Joshua led the Israelites to fight the battle of Jericho and actually enter the promised land. Joshua 6:15-16.

 

Bishop Wellington Boone once said God can not deliver you from your friends he can only deliver you from your enemies. If you have embraced sin or a wrong mindset and have not come to a place where you step out of your comfort zone to hate sin then that is your friend.

 

The bondages of slavery have been broken but we have to leave our Egypt and change our mind about whatever is hindering us to receive the fullness of Christ.

   

What is your Egypt ? insecurity? Fear?Lust? Bad Company that hurts you emotionally, spiritually, or physically? jealousy? fits of anger or wrath? Pride? 

 

It can be painful to walk away from these things because the wrong mindset or sin can be a "comfort" because you know no other way. Even those behaviors that you know are destructive produce fear in your heart at the thought of leaving them behind. I have experienced, however, that when you can walk away from your Egypt and embrace more of the mindset in Christ you experience a true freedom unlike any other.  John 8:36

 

Ephesians 1:19-21 says that  we have the same power in us that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. let us fully embrace this power and pray for and receive the courage to walk away from what ever is keeping us from experiencing the fullness of the ressurection. Let us keep what Jesus did on the cross in our hearts throughout the year!!

 

If you know someone that would like to be on the list for these messages send me thier email and I will add them.

 

God bless you, and have a good week!

Thank you for all of your prayers and support!!  XOXO, Kristie