THINK WHATEVER YOU WISH!

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

My parting words to my friend, Chappelle were “Keep your head up master sculptor! I love you!” The words master sculptor must have resonated in Chappelle’s spirit-I could feel the beams of his smile radiate through the cell phone. Surely this remark must have touched my friends’ heart, I meant what I said.

That morning’s mission was to walk and purchase some additional hand soap. My dear friend phoned while I was perusing the isles of Dollar General for liquid soaps only (that’s what I told myself), but curiosity pulled me towards the house wares and whatever else caught my eye. When the cell phone rang I was glad that in this instance I remembered my one purchase pledge and answered the call. It was spontaneous, as soon as we heard each others voice joyous laughter ensued. We were having such a great time conversing I was oblivious to the other meandering customers. Their stares were my barometer for toning the laughter way down. I realized that I was having too much fun and speaking much too loudly for public surroundings, but I couldn’t resist. We began to talk and chuckle about many things. Laughter really erupted when he shared that his house seemed to be in worse shape after a certain cleaning crew arrived. Their house cleaning escapades were futile and down right comical! As the saying goes, “Busted!” Chappelle knew their antics and hated reporting them, but oh well they were wrong for guising laziness as productivity. They tried to convince Chappelle otherwise. We laughed about these charades and concurred that his not having sight didn’t negate his intuitive nature and skills for divulging the truth.

But I suspect that the real objective of this conversation was to remind my friend that he is an accomplished artisan and more importantly that he is fearfully and wonderfully made. These revelatory words needed to fall on my own ears and transform my thinking. The Holy Spirit obviously wanted us to connect. It was a refreshing reminder about how the Lord has fashioned us. Chatting on the cell phone-just enjoying the movement of walking and noticing the Christmas merchandise displayed much too soon, Chappelle said to me that this was a day for strolling and not falling for any foolishness. He hit the nail on the head. In my spirit I wanted to take my time and not be anxious and that’s just what I intended on doing-strolling outdoors first, through the shopping center complex, then down the store isles, and back home from my morning walk.


As I walked down the main thoroughfare it was also my intention to pay attention to my surroundings, to be appreciative of the moment and not hastily move. So initially I ventured up the street noticing what I believed was the frantic motorist’s intent on driving over top the other. It was comical, but sad how these hurried motorists deliberately were tailgating, almost rear ending and colliding. Continuing my walk I observed my neighbor’s overgrown and manicured landscapes with varying shades of green, and marveled at the variety of snaking flower vines that crept up the trees and hung heavily with the tree branches. There was no shortage of lush plant life. The scenery truly was beautiful! How I wished I had had my camera.


The sun shown brightly but didn’t scorch me and for that I was extremely pleased. It felt good to be free. It was indeed a nature day spa experience. It was rejuvenating, my soul’s muscles were flexing! I was able to breathe, stroll and witness nature’s glory! Oh how sweet it was my friends to be given the opportunity to applaud my surroundings and not be rude, rushed, mentally immobile, burdened down, pulled and consumed with worries!


I realize that now it’s our choice on how we choose to seize our moments, but it ain’t easy. Yes, I meant ain’t! Feeling encouraged? I suspect there’s a heightened realization and we are more confident-hopeful, because our thinking and personal direction aren’t isolated regarding our capabilities. The more I’ve been able to actively carve out time to read God’s word, pray, focus and devote myself to staying connected to the tree of life- partaking in devotional enrichment, the slower my exhausting pace is and the more I appreciate my connection to our loving Savior Jesus Christ. I trust that you’ve found this to be accurate also?


As Chappelle fittingly stated, “Linda, it’s a day for strolling!”


Had Chappelle and I continued our conversation I would have enthusiastically encouraged him to stroll on to the library or venture on to his favorite bookstore and acquire this book on tape or in Braille: The Three Battlegrounds (An In-depth view of the three arenas of spiritual warfare, the mind, the church and heavenly places) by Francis Frangipane. I know, that I know that it was no coincidence that I’d rediscover a book that seemed to float from my inspirational shelf to my kitchen table and finally land on my “good intention” reading pile-grabbing my attention. This book has broadened my understanding of strongholds. Just like Chappelle’s former house cleaners the enemy intends to dupe us regarding God’s intended plans for all that concerns us. But thank goodness that darkness can’t prevail! It’s clearer to me now that our clouded thinking, the roadblocks, mixed messages that intentionally halt and hurt are dangerous strongholds. But there is good news my friends, victory is attainable! Often the positive direction we long for can be found within arm’s reach.


The power lies within us to seek out the truth and gain clarity about spiritual warfare maneuvers. Remember the spiritual battle we face will cause us to stumble and not stroll.
The demonic design is an arrangement to confound, distract and confuse us with contaminated thinking that diminishes our worth! But the truth about our royalty lies in God’s word. It starts with consulting the Holy Scripture and embracing the Lord’s instructions. Our shelves may also contain many spirit-led words that may help us gain new perspectives for more rewarding lives. Check out what’s in your midst. We can fight the good fight of faith and change our minds and hearts!


Think on the goodness of Jesus!



Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8


The Holy Spirit has charged us with fully embracing God’s promises for a rewarding life. Let’s begin to boldly and honestly examine our thinking and ask God to reveal what our strongholds are (i.e. envy, bitterness, depression, anger, procrastination, __________ fill in the blank, etc.) which hinder God’s perfect plan for us.


Be assured that the love of God will turn the tide for abundant living with unsuspecting extraordinary outcomes. Oh I am so grateful for God’s love and the depth of it that keeps us buoyant as we travel this earthly and spiritual plain.


Ok friends I am crossing the street now, headed home and will talk with you later. Remember think whatever you wish, just let it be lovely!


With A Thankful Heart!

Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly & Empower Magazine Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine
http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

WORDS, USE WITH EXTREME CAUTION- IT'S SO IMPORTANT!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue:

and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Proverbs 18:21 King James Version (KJV)

It’s no accident that my experiencing Bishop Vashti McKenzies’ Praycation set my day in motion. It had a tremendous domino effect. This soul satisfying spiritual retreat with participants from varying locations was compacted into approximately 40 minutes of uplifting prayer, scripture, exhortations and testimonies that provided excellent, yes restorative fuel for life's ongoing journey. But it truly was an elixir for the day. And it’s virtual to boot! It was by no means a passive experience, but a morning of giving and sharing! The many words spoken quenched my parched soul!


After receiving this spiritual fortification from Praycation, it was no happenstance that I'd be in a discussion with a dear friend on what it means to battle effectively; as folks would say, “Batlin hard!” in spiritual warfare. So there it was a day starting with the tools for acquiring spiritual muscle, followed by a discussion and application of taking that exercised muscle and punching the devil out instead of getting knocked out! But how? Hold on to that question friends. I believe the Holy Ghost will reveal the answer.


Let’s fast forward to Youtube. My dear sister friend urged me to check out Juanita Bynum and Dr. Cindy Trimm as I began deliberately speaking to my trials with authority using "kingdom language." I listened intently to the videos. It was clear that God had woven a theme throughout my aha moments for that day, and it all seemed to point in the direction of appreciating the significance of words spoken and the impact they have on us-past, present and future.


The word “impactful” not generally used, I feel is the most appropriate-from the very start of the day it was jammed packed with words reverencing God and my having divine authority to speak life into dying circumstances. We are encouraged to fashion our language with affirmations, abandoning a defeatist tone and a smoldering diatribe. Remember your mother saying, “Watch your mouth?” Well I was a mouthy youngster and sometimes my childish remarks crossed the line and warranted correction. It’s no mystery that well intentioned words shape and color our perplexed lives! It’s a fact that praising God one moment and spewing profanity or cursing another moment will potentially rock our worlds. One remark cancels out the other!


Our world is shaken to the core with words uttered in anguish, words spouted in thanksgiving, words expressed in conviction and yes, words pronounced in declaration!


Our presence is important, but our words fuel the course. We are atmosphere changers-it takes words! Yes, these words mark us. They permeate the atmosphere and set us up for eternity. Our children’s, children will know the impact. Words can empower us. Prayerfully we are now transforming our speaking and our thinking. Our thinking is aligned with the realization that God is the source and strength of our lives. These profound words can heal, but more importantly they usher in positive occurrences and improved realities are then manifested.


Ask Dennis Kimbro regarding his success and being the bestseller of : Live Your Dreams, Think and Grow Rich-he’ll tout that in his book: What Makes The Great, Great; one is that prayer is the greatest need. The words of prayer which aide in changing our thoughts to alter our condition! There it is!

Dr. Cindy Trimm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxdGD8X153M&NR=1

Powerful Prayer !

A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah.

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
(NLV) Psalm 3:1

Words, words, refreshing words! Speak and declare that "God you are my God! " Relish in the natural and spiritual benefits of God’s Holy Word. As you break the cycle of negativity, take to heart that God's word will not return to you void. The more scripture you study, the better inclined you'll be to embrace transformative language and living. Be encouraged and meditate on all the attributes of a loving Lord and Savior!


Dr. Cindy Trimm says folks repeat what they hear. Don’t you love the truth? Change your destiny by changing your language. I have been enthralled with this realization. She inquires and asks the poignant question, “What are you feeding on?” And if I were to piggy back on that thought, my question to you would be: “What dialogues do you entertain with yourself and others?


Friends, never mind the grammar, it's good gospel ain’t it? Dr. Trimm says, we can download success into our day! So if we get in the mindset that we can decree doom, guess what? It will unfold! Imagine cultivating dread, pandemonium and being assured that and expecting it will springboard and blossom! It’s in our conversations, thinking, and actions! But the flip side is we have the power to manifest positive outcomes, decree and build formidable lives with wonderfully great outcomes.


Thank you Holy Ghost I am grasping this now. And Lord knows I want to jump up and down, because emotions have been the ruler over much of my conversations. But, today I am praising God for deliverance! Don’t tell me that listening to sage, anointed advice and reading scripture won’t usher you to higher heights! So here it is friends, if I think better of myself and apply these truths, God will bring it to past! Transformation is vital for our life and generations to come. We must select our choices. What’s your preference? Living or dying? I entreat you to choose life, it’s on the tip of your tongues.


It made sense that Paula White and Cindy Trimm are encouraging us to tape record our conversations! Many of us think that’s ridiculous, but what I am sure Paula's revelation is really reinforcing us to stop and begin to listen to our own words. These words are spoken often with no regard for the impact that they’ll have on us, our situations and circumstances. So if the words have hindered us and entrapped us, we ought to desire a shift, not to give in to the demonic forces that entrap us!


Let’s begin to break the pattern of negativity!


Whatever I bound in heaven and earth is loosed and bound! I must take authority
halt victim thinking and fix my thoughts. As Dr. Trimm says, “Press your ears to the word of God.”

Come on and get hungry! Where's your appetite for God’s truths: that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, created for such a time as this! No every day is not going to be blissful, but there’s no need to sit crouched in the dark room, shades drawn, awaiting the fall! We aren’t abandoned, but instead blessed and exonerated by His loving kindness and grace. We’re not thrown away-God is faithful. He is our banner, our strong tower, our help, our deliverer!

*He is Jehovah-nissi ("Jehovah is my banner," Ex. 17: 15, suggestive of triumph), Jehovah-shalom ("the Lord is peace," Judges 6: 24), Jehovah-shamah ("Jehovah is present," Ezek. 48: 35), Jehovah-tisidkenu ("Jehovah is righteous," Jere. 23: 6), and Jehovah-Jireh ("Jehovah will provide," Gen. 22: 14). *Source: Scripture & Christian.word.org


We can dismantle the architectural design of the enemy! It starts with our speech!

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.

For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45


Audibly speak these words found in Prayer Book by Christian word.org

I declare God, the battle is already won. God is removing the enemy.
AFFIRMATIONS II*
I declare that my God will take care of the enemy that has come against what God has ordained for me.
I declare that my God is preserving me for what he has ordained for me.
I declare that we have won the Victory!
I believe God has sent His Word and it will not return void.
I declare that God has finally anointed us to do His will.
I declare that God has given us Divine healing and Divine Life.
I expect the Victory that Jesus has won the Victory for us on the cross.
God's Favor and Blessings are on me today.
I expect God's Mercy and Grace on me today.
I expect God's Favor on me today.
I expect God to extend my life to the next rapture.
I declare that God is going to give me supernatural increase till the next
rapture.
I will live and not die, but declare the Works of the Lord
I declare that God's Favor is on me, that He has given me His Strength, Wisdom,
Blessings, and Peace .
I expect God's blessings in my life today.
I believe God has given me His Abundant Life.

* A declaration outside the Will of God is witchcraft.
* Declarations only work if we are in right-standing with the Lord

***Resource: http://www.christianword.org/prayer_book/PrayersBook10a.pdf

Come on now let’s breathe and worship God for his awakening that his holy presence lives, moves and operates freely in each of us! I must turn my words into ladders, rungs if you will that elevate me to possibility and prosperity thinking, not just for the material benefits but to be a spiritual trailblazer feasting on the knowledge to who I am and allow that spill into empowering language. Decree and declare friends!!!


Thank you Jesus Christ!

Expressing Thanksgiving and Joy!
Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly & Empower Magazine Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

PRAYER BOOK: IS AN AWESOME RESOURCE

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 Friends this is my birthday season, can’t believe that another year has come and gone. I'm a Flag Day baby. Growing up in the 60's & 70's a big deal was made of this day, we marched happily through the school corridors, wearing our patriotic red, white and blue paper crafted hats and each student was presented with their very own miniature American flag. After our symbolic march to the patriotic music by John Philip Sousa it was then my turn to distribute treats to my class mates and relish that my birthday had special significance. That’s been many years ago. But I still enjoy a big deal being made of my birthday, truly I get giddy with joy about the attention and especially love giving gifts to my friends as well. This season of my life has been filled with many moments that were trying! But that's no different from others. Thank God for prayer (s) that has helped provide me/us with a very different slant on what's occurring. I want to give you a gift that literally keeps on giving. It’s quite personal – a prayer resource , this book is a tangible tool in that you can acquire it from Christian Word Ministries. The benefits are innumerable- it will SIGNIFICANTLY bless you! This is a guarantee! In an exaggerated accent say, “Gar-ron-tee!” I stumbled upon this Prayer Book via the internet when I urgently needed a healing prayer. I couldn't find my book: Prayers That Availeth Much that I commandeered from my brother Stevie. I was mentally preparing for a second diagnostic mammogram. Yes, praying but was really uncertain and afraid regarding the outcome. My spirit hungered for relief. Never do I order anything on the internet, on this occasion I moved past my reservations and ordered the free Prayer Book and just like clockwork it arrived right on time. The more prayers and affirmations I read, the more comfort I experienced. Friends this is an invaluable resource that you will come to greatly appreciate! It really is free from Christian Word Ministries! They even invite you to download the book. The affirmations, scriptures, prayers and so much more-are at your reach and will assure you, aide in shoring up your prayer life and enhancing your faith journeys all the more. My spirit reminds me of Philippians 4:6-8 (New King James Version) and says, Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. It's a must have for your inspirational bookshelves. By no means does it replace your bibles. This book ushers you to further lean on God's word and power! Check out the website: http://www.christianword.org/php/default.php?page_id=dp and/or http://www.christianword.org/prayer_book/PrayersBook10a.pdf and be sure to read the many testimonies, mine is there as well: (Giving Thanks for You, Feb.21, 2007). Blessings to the many prayer partners, especially those seeking God’s divine direction. Three words attached with the bow on this gift are: Application, Application, and Application! Apply scriptures in the mighty name of Jesus and give feet/action to your faith! This birthday I can attest that prayer is a healing balm for the soul. I am a witness. I believe that we aren't praying in vain and God is always in our midst. Don't hold back friends, in prayer I encourage you to share with Him your heart! At the risk of sounding like a broken record the Prayer Book is awesome! March on y’all, march on in Jesus’ name! God Has Not Forgotten Kirk Franklin & Tonex Linda Mose Meadows is an Inspirational Columnist for Urban Views Weekly, Empower Magazine and Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises, Blogger: Celebrating Ordinary Days With Extraordinary Promises & The Blessedness of Believing and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine: http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/ http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/ http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

A HEART TO LOVE THEE

Love covers over all wrongs.

Proverbs 10:12

“Lord help me to have more compassion for others

and

not to only to be tolerant of some and

distant with others
but, to be loving and

kind especially to those I have a struggle with.”

That’s what's resonating in my spirit this afternoon friends. God knew that and blessed me with several e-messages.

Beliefnet has a very unique site which shares electronically empowering affirmations for your spiritual journeys, inclusive of a Prayer a Day. These prayers are timely!

I know it's no coincidence, receiving a word in season!.

I am sure your concur, the Holy Spirit speaks and addresses our heart's concerns? You are invited to also receive these spiritual nuggets, it’s yours for the asking. Simply visit the site and sign up for some very uplifting, edifying, reassuring and encouraging words (no matter your spiritual or religious beliefs). These words of wisdom and expressed love will cause you to wonder if the writers of these pieces hadn’t peaked into your thoughts or overheard your private conversations. Much of what is shared is divinely imparted, that I am convinced of. Here’s one such prayer that has spoken to my need and request:

A Heart to Love Thee

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit.Take away from me the heart of stone,and give me a heart of flesh,a heart to love and adore thee,a heart to delight in thee,to follow and to enjoy thee, for Christ's sake.

- Ambrose of Milan (c. 339-97)

Friends, I trust you too may have a prayer regarding ( you fill in the blank) and really need the strength to love through it all? Let me encourage you, don't become faint; stay strong-keep seeking and trusting, God will speak!

With Joy In Sharing,
Linda Mose Meadows, Author
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises

(Tate Publishing, Nov. 2007)

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

APPRECIATING YOUR SIMPLE ABUNDANCE

Saturday, was another blessing from God. I had the opportunity to be invited as guest speaker during The Episcopal Church Women of the St. Augustine Episcopal Church's 29th Annual Prayer Luncheon. I am so greatful for all the positive feedback and wonderful outpouring of love. It was evident from the comments and affirmation that God had touched our hearts and minds! Their theme was: Take Time to Smell The Roses and my addendum was: AKA Appreciating Your Simple Abundance.

I've commanded you to be strong and brave.

Don't ever be afraid or discouraged !

I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

In summation we are very busy living, too busy to smell roses and missing out on the big picture of life. Our homes , our sacred spaces are meant to be retreats and safe harbors where we dock our weary souls, tired minds, and our beleagures spirts when not another place will suffice. It's good to have a place to rest and call home.We cherish our things and our stuff: artifacts, baskets, adornments, furnrnishing, but what's residing in our hearts?

What's in the corridors, the resesses of our hearts and minds- what comfortably is taking lodging at home in our hearts? These are the questions in my spirit, that cause me to reflect.

Could it be an umbrage, a resentment, a spirit of just not good enough, a buried hurt, a pain that we can't shake? Are we being unloving or dissappointed by some life circumstance? Certainly I can't act as though I am exempt. But hopefully a new resident has lodged in our hearts and is taking over: redemption and her children, thanksgiving and their offspring, joy and his cousins: love, adoration, celebration, forgiveness and grace?

What things are we passionate about? When do you feel most at home and who's at the core- the center? Possibly you've invited Jesus!

Is anybody at home who really cares to take time and smell the roses? Well while we mull over that concern, enjoy Stephanie Miss singing Home:

In our desire to smell the roses and appreciate simple abundance let me encourage you to take inventory of your personal effects- reflect on God's word ( find scriptures that line up with your personal effects):

• Waxing /cleaning the floors-think about the Lord's power and majesty (i.e. ThePsalm :5,6)





• Communication/How we speak to each other/ God gives us clear instructions for powerful living.





• Bags of potting soil-sowing good seeds-reap a harvest here in this life and the life to come.





• Tool chests,with nails, hammers etc.: what relationships need to be repaired?





• Baskest- what's overflowing? Share your joy, your gifts, your peace, passions and time!





• Shoes-give feet to faith! Get moving, believe and trust God to realize your dreams, your desires!

• Dishes-what love are your serving up today?





• Linens: be secure in God's word! Wrap yourself up in them.





• Music- what melody is playing in your heart?





• Candles- we are the light of the world, we're ambassadors for Christ!





• Clothing-dress yourselves in the fruit of the spirit: joy, gentleness, love, meekness, peace, temperance etc.





• Chest of drawers/dresser- what's tucked away that needs to be pulled out and reexamined?





• Curtains/Shades: pull back, lift up the shades and don't be afraid to let the light of the Lord expose/ shine on the interiors of your lives.

REMEMBER! IT'S PRAYERS THAT:

Permeate the walls of our homes, prayers to the most high God that refresh our spirit and wash us brand new.

Make it tolerable to place keys in locked doors of life's struggles that otherwise would have forever remained locked.

That cause us to love and celebrate home even with it's imperfections.

That bathe the heart and soothe the weary for soul for just another stretch of this natural and spiritual journey.

Oh my friends, it's a new season, its taking an honest look at our inventories and making us appreciate God/Jesus, our Lord and Savior, our relationships, nature, and the many blessings that are bestowed upon us and then it's easy to smell the roses and appreciate the view!

From My Heart To Yours,

Linda Mose Meadows, Author
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises ( Tate Publishing, Nov. 2007)

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

MOVING TOWARDS OUR DESTINY WITH KNOWLEDGE THAT GOD'S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Romans 12:11

Moving towards our destiny with knowledge that God’s grace is sufficient! That’s what I’d sum up Prophetess Juanita’s message for me on Saturday. What an awesome surprise to witness Dr. Juanita Bynum at the Hampton University Convocation Saturday evening. So much has been said and reported about Dr. Juanita Bynum that the average person I am sure would not have been able to withstand that mental and physical pressure cooker experience she recently endured. In my estimation time has revealed an even more ardent warrior for winning souls for Christ.

She has spoken and it is evident that her spirit is resilient! Her sermonic messages and music indicate that her soul remains anchored in the Lord. Dr. Juanita Bynum has managed to beautifully handle the criticism, constant media bombardment and personal assaults and yes, the continuous scrutiny that was meant to harm her not help her. But God fights our battles and she remains truthful to her calling of empowering others through the gospel of Jesus Christ! She is our valiant poster person. She’s blessed and triumphant! My heart is glad about her ability to move ahead!

To God’s testament there she stood this past Saturday, pouring out her soul, espousing the attendees at the Hampton University Convention Center to trust God to take us through hurts and disappointments to the other side. It is true that our trials can be traumatic, but we don’t have to be strangled on defeat or die from them. Prophetess Juanita Bynum reinforced her teaching points with personal testimonies and the Holy Scripture to get the listener to understand and appreciate God’s plan and the necessity required in order to move from our brokenness to victorious living. She further demonstrated the importance of abandoning tradition mindsets that are steeped in religion and tradition. Instead she maintains that we understand our need should be to embrace spirituality rather than religion. Spirituality builds a solid relationship with the Lord. It’s a firsthand intimate knowledge of who we are in relationship to God. We can then move from strictly knowing Him as a distant father figure to the lifter of our souls, our heavenly “daddy.” He desires to loves us and covers us with his strong arm of protection!


Her teaching emphasized the importance of praying to the Lord and honestly sharing our hearts which usher us to a level of thanksgiving - with joyful praise and worship which makes the devil’s efforts of our demise, simply futile. The enemy and his agenda is impenetrable around and through God’s supernatural force field or as scripture reminds us is our hedge of protection. The enemy’s efforts are halted; he can’t ever enter the Holy of Holies.

I sensed that prophetic revelation occurring all the more on Saturday evening. It was such good spiritual food. Surely there was an awakening for the speaker and those who that evening who were witnesses to the goodness of the Lord. I appreciated that moment as I observed her genuinely interacting with the audience speaking prophetically about what sayeth the Lord. It was evident that her anointing is more powerful, urgent and honest!

Juanita Bynum has a timely word that reaches even further to those everyday folks like you and me that are challenged with the complexities of surviving in this age. I really appreciated when she shared that during her most turbulent time in her life, her beloved father-her “daddy” remained her cheerleader, her anchor and confidante. He reminded her to forgive, move beyond her depression, and remember her name!

My soul celebrated that occurrence. Isn’t that what God requires of us? God admonishes us to lean on him but be about His business of sharing the gospel? We must recall: we are accepted, his beloved children and to lean not on our own understanding, but instead to trust Him? Remember that we can take to heart that:

We are Adopted by God.... (Ephesians 1:5)

Have Access to God's Grace..... (Ephesians 2:8+18)

We are Reconciled to God.... (Romans 5:10)

We’ve become a New Creature in Christ ... (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We are Elected (saved)... (1 Peter 1:2)

We have Received an Anointing.... (1 John 2:27)

My soul was bulging with all of the rich revelation and sound knowledge that Dr. Bynum shared as she encouraged us not to be afraid and to embrace spirituality instead of religiosity. To honestly confess our shortcomings, but acknowledge God’s supremacy and magnificence. I particularly appreciated her warning us to stop judging those that aren’t the cookie cutter parishioners and to understand that their spirituality is a personal matter between them and God. She further encouraged us to move from despair to our destinies!

Juanita Bynum I thank you for freely sharing your gifts and providing ample manna from heaven through your anointed message! Yes, it was a heavenly banquet and friends you are invited to partake also. Good news Dr. Bynum will be returning to the Tidewater area on August 19th and 22, 2009. Visit her website to learn about this conference and other speaking engagements at:

Friends, I am sure she’ll be in your neck of the woods too!

http://www.juanitabynum.com/home.html

https://www.eventville.com/Catalog/EventRegistration1.asp?Eventid=1005358

From My Heart To Yours

Linda Mose Meadows, Author

The Blessedness of Believing

A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate, Nov. 2007)http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/