I Got Out & So Can You

Stacie J. Whitaker-Harris Speaking at ZOE Ministries

Topic: "I Got Out & So Can You"

Elder Booker Ministered in song prior to my sharing and what a blessing

Quitting Church

Sometimes I just want to quit church!

Why you might ask?

Well, because I don't necessarily see "the church" or "church folk" doing what Gods word mandates. See, some people have become so "holy" that they need body guards.  They have become so "important" that they don't feel they need to listen to the one whom they considers to be the pion...you know, the one "less than them"...the one with little to no anointing according to those who have been "DOING" church so long that they know every demon, every spirit and are always right!

(You stubborn people! You have not given your hearts to God, nor will you listen to him! You are always against what the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you, just as your ancestors were.  Your ancestors tried to hurt EVERY prophet who ever lived...You received the law of Moses, which God gave you through his angels, but you haven't obeyed it. Acts 7:51-53)

Sometimes I just want to quit church!

Why?

Is it not obvious? When is the last time you have gone into the church, watched everyone bring what they have into the church later having the apostles, bishops, pastors, preachers, teachers, elders and so on turn and distribute to those in need.  Now I am not saying its not being done but it is not being done openly and NOT the way the word says we ought do it. First of all, who ask the people if they have needs?  We are so consumed with paying for a building that we forget that our mandate as the church is to take care of the needs of one another!

(All the believers were together and shared everything.  They would sell their land and the things they owned and then divide the money and give it to anyone who needed it.  The believers met together in the Temple everyday. They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts. Acts 2:44-46)

(But the Most High does not live in houses that people build with their hands. As the prophet says: Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool.  So do you think you can build a house for me? says the Lord.  Do I need a place to rest? Remember, my hand made all these things! Acts 7:48-50)

Sometimes I just want to quit church!

You don't have to ask why again, I will volunteer my reasoning.  The church is a place of worship yet we come into the church with so much protocol that we forget to allow God to simply move by His power.  We invite God in and then shut Him out.  We shout out in loud voices and yet whisper about the person on the row in front of us who is jumping up and down praising God in a loud boisterous voice.  We hold grudges and talk about one another with one tongue and then turn with the same lips in the next breath and say we love God.   

Do you know Stephen was lied on and accused of speaking ill of Moses and against God. They could not find any wrong with him so some "religious folk" conjured up stories against this blessed man of God but he kept his countenance and allowed the holy spirit to speak strong wise words to his accuser's. After which they still decided to kill Stephen, the one sent to be a blessing to them. Still Stephen cried out to God asking Him to forgive his accuser's as they stoned him to death. And then the religious folk buried him.

I encourage you to check me at my word read Acts 6:8-15 & Acts 7 entirely

You know, I love David because no matter what flaws he had, he loved even the one who tried to kill him.  David, even protected the one who tried to kill him.  David, forgave the one who tried to kill him.  David was a faithful servant. David was courageous.  David was humble. But most importantly, David always turned to God, submitting himself, bowing down to the great I AM never considering himself greater than God.  David admitted when he was wrong and prayed for forgiveness. David was a man of honor and strength.  He had great skill, ability and intellect but he relied on God!

Peter was a man of great commitment, passion and determination to serve the true and living God.  He would not bow down no matter what! He would not stop speaking Gods truth even when he was threatened to be whipped, jailed or killed. 

I JUST WANT TO QUIT CHURCH AND SIMPLY DO THE WORK OF MY FATHER!!!

Paul said this: "I don't care about my own life.  The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work the Lord Jesus gave me - to tell people the Good News about God's grace..."

He goes on to say, "Be careful for yourselves and for all the people the Holy Spirit has given to you to oversee.  You must be like shepherds to the church of God which he bought with the death of his own Son.  I know that after I leave, some people will come like wild wolves and try to destroy the flock.  Also some from YOUR OWN GROUP will rise up and twist the truth and will lead away followers after them. So be careful! 

Always remember that for three years, day and night, I never stopped warning each of you, and I often cried over you.  Now I am putting you in the care of God and the message about his grace.  It is able to give you strength, and it will give you the blessings God has for all his holy people" Acts 20: 24-32

PRAYER:

Father God in heaven, maker of all things, center of my heart, head of my life, foundation of all I know and believe, help me to walk upright as your servant.  Cleanse me that I NOT become wrapped up in religion, protocol and what makes "men" comfortable or satisfied but Lord, grant me the wisdom to walk according to the mandate of Your word that it may manifest all that you have promised.  I desire to function and operate as Your humble servant, with a holy boldness, remaining unafraid.  I desire to love unconditionally as You do. Lord, help me to forgive and forgive me for anything I have said or done that displeased your heart. Lead me, guide me, protect and keep me, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.  

Squeeze me...

2 Corinthians 4

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. ² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 

 

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[ Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. ¹⁵ All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Marvin Sapp is singing the testimony of so many people...I know this for sure because we have all been hard pressed, pressured, suffered grief, loss, felt lonely, abandoned, insecure and maybe even that we would die in the midst of mental anguish, but instead God stepped in and provided the strength we needed to endure.  I made it and so can you!

 

 

 

OTHER TRANSLATIONS   GOD'S WORD® Translation In every way we're troubled, but we aren't crushed by our troubles. We're frustrated, but we don't give up.   New Living Translation We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.   English Standard Version We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;   King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;   Aramaic Bible in Plain English For we are squeezed in all things, but we are not strangled; we are harassed, but we are not condemned.   PRAYER: Lord, all we can simply say is thank you for allowing us to make it from day to day.  Bless those who at this time are on the verge of giving up.  Let your word be the source of encouragement they need, reminding them that you are God and God alone.  Thank you for changing the mind of the one considering suicide.  Thank you for renewing the mind of the one on the edge of a nervous break down.  Thank you for changing the heart of the one at the point of walking away from everything including children, marriage, family, school, that job, church and even those on the edge of aborting their purpose.  Give them rest for their weary souls and hope to persevere with you as their source of strength, contentment, joy, peace, happiness, love, support and the very breath of life. Thank you God for being gentle.  Send your comfort, In Jesus name I pray, Amen

I REALLY LOVE YOU...

How can I say I love God but not love my brothers and sisters whom I see each and everyday?  I most certainly have been one who spoke love from my lips but my heart really truly despised even the sight of the person to whom I spoke.  After seeking and searching, looking high and low for God...Yearning for God's love and acceptance (I really needed to be accepted)...Professing my love to God (ONLY because I wanted someone to profess their unconditional, unadulterated, pure love to me)...I finally realized His love for me is so much greater...God's love is so great that He not only gave His only begotten son for me (for us) but He loves me despite my ugliness.  God loves me despite all my flaws and faults. 

When that pierced my spirit, when I opened to the reality that God looks beyond my blemishes and loves me anyway, I realized I have to love the same way as God...without pointing a finger...without regret...without fear of being hurt...without seeing the flaws of my neighbor...regardless of whether they love me back (YES, God loves us even when we deny Him...even when we don't and won't love Him).  Wow, what a revelation.  I can truly tell God I love Him now and mean it because I love my neighbors like I love Him and I love them the way I love me. 

It wasn't easy LEARNING to love myself but I do and its easier to love yourself when you understand to whom you belong.  It is so much easier to love yourself when you can forgive yourself.  It is so much easier to love yourself when you have an intimate relationship with God who is Himself, LOVE! I love you Lord and I am so grateful you love me!

PRAYER:

God my Father, giver of life, friend to the friendless, comforter, supporter, encourager, hope to the hopeless, guard of my heart, lover of my soul, thank you for loving me right where I am.  Thank you for keeping me and bringing to the forefront of my spiritual mind that I am one of your beloved children.  Thank you for carrying me and for caring for me when I lacked love and strength. Thank you for building me in love, for love, to be love, created by Your great love! Bless those who desire real love but are not sure where to acquire what it is they seek.  Turn their hearts towards you.  Wrap them in Your loving arms that they may come to know you as the loving and gracious God you are.  In Jesus loving name I pray, Amen.



The Place From Which I Can NOT Move...

This morning, my spirit is so full of peace. 

I am overflowing with a spirit of love. 

I feel so close to God.
I am so grateful for this 40 day time of surrender and consecration. 

It was only a few weeks ago that I felt alone, lost,
frustrated, confused and was on the brink of giving up
but here I am and I am still standing!

I feel so complete,

I feel freed...liberated,

I feel revived,

I feel more confident in God & my purpose,

I feel like going on but most of all, I feel loved...

I feel the purely authentic love of God saturating my being!

This place is where I am and I can NOT move!

As you listen to the songs below I pray they minister to you as they continue ministering to me. 

May you get caught up in the arms of God, never desiring to go back to empty, loveless places!

May the God of peace, hope, joy and abundance saturate your spirit to the overflow with more of HIM.

Part Translation or at least the gist for above:

Am I living, long enough to love you,

All my life, I will praise thee,

Yes thou art just what I love,

When I call upon thee, thou will answer,

When I fall, thou will protect me,

Thou art good so good for me, I will praise thee ever,

Thou art the source of life and hope

Thou art the love of life,

The one that is my great redempter...

GOD IS GOD!!!

LOOK!!!!!!!!

LOOK!!!

For new is my appearance...

The doors opened to me...

No longer shall I deny but I receive...

My lips are swollen...

Ready to pour out...

As my heart now opens to purity...

Cleansed and now whole...

My head drips with fresh oil...

A quickening captures my soul...

My eyes sought and now my soul has found...

LOOK!!!!!!!! Changed!

Song of Solomon 1:2-4, 15-17

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth:

for thy love is better than wine

because of the savour of thy good ointments

thy name is as ointment poured forth,

therefore do the virgins love thee 

draw me, we will run after thee:

the king hath brought me into his chambers:

we will be glad and rejoice in thee,

We will remember thy love more than wine:

the upright love thee...

Behold, thou art fair, my love;

behold, thou art fair; thou has doves eyes

Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant:

also our bed is green

The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir

Song of Solomon 2:4-6, 10-14

He brought me to the banqueting house,

and his banner over me was love

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples;

for I am sick of love

His left hand is under my head,

and his right hand doth embrace me...

My beloved spake, and said unto me,

Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away

For, lo, the winter is past,

the rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth;

the time of the singing of birds is come,

and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs,

and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.

Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock,

in the secret places of the stairs,

let me see thy countenance,

let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice,

and thy countenance is comely

Selah

A humble place...

When I consider all I have done that was contrary to how I was created...

When I consider all I have spoken that was contrary to how I ought speak...

When I consider all I thought that was contrary to how I should think...

When I consider all the roads I have traveled that was contrary to the places I should have been...

As I consider these things, I humble myself, knowing life could be so different for me...

As I think of the various outcomes that could have come to pass due to my thinking, the things I spoke...in essence, due to my contrary living -- All I can do is humble myself before the throne of God and thank Him for being gracious but especially for being merciful.

PRAYER:
Jehovah Elohim (the ONLY Lord God), your are Holy!
Jehovah Jireh (provider), thank you for supplying all my needs!
Jehovah Rapha (healer), thank you for your generous healing touch!
Jehovah Gibbor (God who is mighty), thank you for being my strong tower!

Jehovah Shalom (my peace), thank you for allowing the rivers of calm to be present with me!

Jehovah Shammah (God who is there), thank your for being a very present help wrapping me with your warm embrace!

Jehovah Hoseenu (Lord our maker), thank you for making me wonderfully and beautifully in your likeness!

Jehovah Rohi (my Shepherd), thank you for being a friend, protector and comforter!

Jehovah Tsidkenu (Lord our righteousness), thank you for making my way clear as you are just!

Jehovah El Gmolah (Lord of recompense), thank you for filling me to the overflow with more of you! 

Thank you for your mercy! Thank you that I do NOT look like what I've been through!

Only YOU, my Lord God, El Elyon are worthy of my praise.  I shall worship you all the days of my life! Faithful are you God! Humbly I submit my will to you! I surrender for my life is not my own but I belong to you! Take my heart, mind, body, spirit...ALL of me and have your way for I recognize that You are God and God alone! Thank you for holding me, building me, strengthening me, lifting me, breaking me, making me, establishing me and for creating in me a clean heart, a right mind, renewed and open to you! I bless You God in Jesus name, Amen

Empty Vessel

PRAYER:
Lord, now that I have done all I can.  I have gone as far as I can go.  I need you to take over. I stand as an empty vessel.  I stand in need of more of you.  Lord fill me, cover me, keep me, renew me, build me, establish me, expose me to more of your purity.  Thank you for loving me and for remaking me as your usable vessel. In Jesus name I pray, Amen

The Trickster, Now the Tricked

Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up
~ James 4:10 (NIV)

The trickster has been tricked!  How you ask?  Glad you asked!

The trickster has been tricked because while he thought I laid down my life for him, while he thought I gave up, what really happened is my posture was a laying down to die to self. My laying down was my surrender to God. While I was down with my face in the dirt, my hands lifted above my head, my body stiff and still, I was praying in the spirit.  Surrendering, yielding every fabric of my being to God.  When I stood up the enemy was shocked. 

Shocked you ask?  Yes SHOCKED!

1^st because I was standing when he thought all of his antics, attacks and distractions were what knocked me down

2^nd because although he knew the person that he THOUGHT he knocked down, stomped out and killed, when I got up I looked new and he could not identify me as the person who went down so he was confused by my very presence

3^rd he wasn’t even sure whether to attack, move forward or run because my appearance resembled the very appearance of God in all His glory. He couldn’t separate me from God and he surely was not going to attack God because even he has to yield and present himself to God. 

I tricked the trickster when I layed down and when I got up, the God in me rose to inconceivable levels.  I will never bow to satan.  My daily surrender, my daily death is so God can breathe new life in me, so God can fill me with more of Him, so God can clean me and fix me again, renewing my mind, so God can hide me in Him and my enemy and all his imps and forces are confounded all the more every time I get up!

Glory to God who has all power in HIS hand! I surrender to the all wise, all knowing, all loving and perfect God my Father and announce to the enemy, even he must come, submitting himself to the God of all.

PRAYER:

Lord here I am, humbling myself before your presence asking that you hide me in the safety of your tabernacle as the enemy seeks my life. Preserve me O'Lord. Be my shield and my buckler.  I freely offer all to you.  I surrender my worship, bringing myself low to adore you in the beauty of your Holiness.  I say yes to your will and yes to your way. I know only that You are good.  You do all things perfectly so perfect my life.  Allow my yes to be authentically from my heart as you purge me. I deny myself, deny my flesh and I eat from your table,  digesting your word for it is health, life and strength to my bones.  Thank you for receiving me as Your own. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for bringing my mind under subjection as I surrender all its contents.  Thank you for refreshing my dreams and visions.  As I surrender the call on my life.  I anticipate a move from on high because you see my posture and acknowledge the voice of your chosen. In Jesus name I render this prayer thanking you in advance for what You shall do, Amen.

Read the below scripture and maybe you, like me, will find the irony here as Jobs accusers who are his “friends” accuse the chosen of being flawed and sinful yet they have NOT the true knowledge or understanding of God or what He allows, ultimately for HIS GLORY

JOB 11:7-20
⁷ “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
⁸ They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do?
They are deeper than the depths below —what can you know?
⁹ Their measure is longer than the earth
and wider than the sea.

¹⁰ “If he comes along and confines you in prison
and convenes a court, who can oppose him?
¹¹ Surely he recognizes deceivers;
and when he sees evil, does he not take note?
¹² But the witless can no more become wise
than a wild donkey’s colt can be born human.

¹³ “Yet if you devote your heart to him
and stretch out your hands to him,
¹⁴ if you put away the sin that is in your hand
and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
¹⁵ then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;
you will stand firm and without fear.

¹⁶ You will surely forget your trouble,
recalling it only as waters gone by.
¹⁷ Life will be brighter than noonday,
and darkness will become like morning.
¹⁸ You will be secure, because there is hope;
you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

¹⁹ You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,
and many will court your favor.
²⁰ But the eyes of the wicked will fail,
and escape will elude them;
their hope will become a dying gasp.”

I NEED MY DADDY Part II (Encouraging Song)

Great is God's faithfulness! He is the best friend, father, mother, sister, lover ~ He is EVERYTHING! He loosed my shackles and I just simply want, desire and need my Daddy!

My Sister-friend Neisa dropped this in my spirit and I can attest to it as truth! Let God be your strength when you're weak and worn!

http://www.2embraceme.blogspot.com/2012/06/i-need-my-daddy.html

I NEED MY DADDY!!!

Just over a week ago I attended a funeral of a man who had been ill and after an intense battle, the Lord called him home.  His wife, children, grandchildren, best friends and other family members all spoke strongly of his character.  They all spoke highly of his ability to speak life to others no matter the circumstances.  Each person spoke of his unending love.  All who shared spoke of this man who gave whatever he had to whomever asked of it.  He simply required excellence.  He wanted every person connected to him to be the best that they could be so he assisted them in whatever way he could to bring out the best qualities in them. As the service came to an end and the casket was being closed, one daughter began to scream:

"SOMEBODY HELP ME! HELP ME! DADDY! DADDY! O'MY DADDY!  

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITHOUT MY DADDY?!?! I NEED MY DADDY!  

NO, PLEASE DADDY DON'T LEAVE ME...HELP ME!  I NEED MY DADDY!

Those words pierced my soul and I began to think of my own father, the late Edward L. Whitaker and how over thirty years ago he too transitioned.  I felt I lost him.  I was devastated, torn, deeply grieved and was overwhelmed with emptiness.  I felt like a loss puppy.  Longing for my fathers warm touch, yearning to hear his stern but loving voice, desiring to simply catch a glimpse of him but this desire led me down a path where I encountered imposter's and counterfeits over and over again. I did not receive authentic love from these imposter's.  Their love was NOT unconditional.  In fact, the love they gave was NOT love at all.  It did not even remotely resemble how Christ loved the church but because I needed something I seemingly could not find, I searched and searched, refusing to give up until I had my fathers love.

Today, June 6, 2012, at age thirty-six, I must admit that what I was doing privately was no less than what the young woman did publicly at her fathers funeral.  I was crying out for my physical father but what I found twenty-seven years later at age thirty-two is there is no greater love than the love of God, my everlasting Father!

I do as the young woman did at the funeral; I cry out to those who are lost like I was, looking for someone to love them, looking for someone to hold them, looking for someone to stick by your side -- I cry out telling you of MY FATHER's character as well as His characteristics.  He is Alpha & Omega. He is all knowing! He is loving! He is gracious, gentle and kind! He is merciful! He desires that you live life full and complete! He requires you to be Holy only because He is an excellent God who has created you in excellence, excellently! His love is unending!

The Father I found desires you to see yourself as He sees you for how He created you.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made and when you come to Him weary, weak, wounded, worn, tired, bitter and just OVER IT -- this thing called life.  When you have searched outside of yourself, trying to penetrate the hearts of men and women who say they love you and they love God. When you have knocked on every door, gone down every wrong road, wandered in the wilderness, climbed thousands of mountains seeking, looking and yearning for someone to fill that empty space and still find no one.  When you sink lower than you thought you could and suddenly hear a still soft voice whispering saying, "I love you! Come to me! Let me love you more! Let me hold you! Let me cradle you in my arms". Don't run! Do not be afraid, for that still, soft, small voice is God letting you know He is near.

Don't walk away from this post empty, incomplete or with void feelings.  Allow God to embrace you right where you are.  I encourage you to let God have your heart and stop trying to get something from man that only God can give.  Do not let the door to your future close, leaving you on the other side still screaming, "Daddy, don't leave me!" God wants you to live and He wants to help you live well! He desires to heal you and I know He can fill every void if you let Him!

PRAYER:

Holy and loving God, My Father, the one who holds me close when everyone else leaves me alone, my source of strength, my guiding light, my hope is in you.  Cover me, keep me, draw me close to thee.  Lord, empty my heart of all foul things.  Take away those things that cause me to run away from you such as; fear of self, fear of rejection, fear of the unknown, fear of success, fear of failure, fear of hypocrisy, fear of pain, fear of death, fear of sickness, fear of self-image, fear of being alone, fear of condemnation from friends and family, fear of lacking knowledge, fear of losing things or people, fear of transparency, fear of exposure of the ugly things within me. 

Fill every void with love, peace, hope, confidence, joy and serenity.  I desire to be held by you, for you are the Creator of everything.  I desire to be a perfect reflection of you.  Intensify my desire for you and help me to grow tired and fed up with the enemy in the inner me who tells me that I am invisible, worthless, self-righteous, too holy, unholy, ignorant, unworthy and nothing in your eyes. Quiet every voice that speaks against Your word.  Lord help me to recognize more than just my potential but my purpose. 

God I surrender my life and ask that you forgive me for not yielding to your voice. Lord forgive me for sinning against you.  Forgive me for being afraid of stepping up and standing as your elect. Forgive me for walking in dirty places with unclean things.  Forgive me for doubting you.  Forgive me for speaking death instead of life.  Forgive me for the all the things I have thought, said and done that displeased your heart.  Daddy, I need you more today than I ever have before.  Continue to walk with me.  Help me with every step I make to live according to the mandates of Your word that I become Holy and acceptable in thy sight.  Help me to love like you! Help me to be gracious and forgiving towards those who have wronged me, even the ones I perceived to be in my space for ill intent but you sent using them and situations to stretch my faith. Daddy, I do not want to live another day without you. 

Thank you for loving me and for thinking enough of me to be a whisper in the wind, to send a dream, to receive a phone call, to meet a stranger on the streets, to be able to read this post and recall to my mind that I may have even more hope that its because of your mercy that I am not consumed. I rejoice that you have found me, cleansed me, renewed my mind and desire to use me for Your glory! Have your way Father, In Jesus Name, Amen 

Scripture References to further encourage you:

Psalm 27:10 (NIV)

Though my father and mother forsake me,

the LORD will receive me.

Matthew 7:7 (NLT)

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.
Keep on seeking, and you will find.
Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

2 Samuel 22:33 (KJV)

God is my strength and power:
and he maketh my way perfect.

1 John 2:5 (KJV)

But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.

This is how we knowWE ARE IN HIM.

Deuteronomy 32:4 (KJV)

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment:
a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Psalm 27:10 (NLT)

Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the LORD will hold me close.

Romans 14:9 (KJV)

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived,
that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

THE NEW MONTHLY MEET UP ~ 2012

Welcome to the 2^nd Year of our Monthly Meet Up

The Meet Up is an opportunity to enjoy fellowship with like-minded women and NOW men. During our time together we pray, share and enjoy food, sustenance, music, poetry, and discuss the book of the month with topics ranging from but not limited to; being single, marriage, family, physical and mental health, sex, finances, buying a home and various other topics that impact and affect our daily living. The objective is to provide support and encouragement through fellowship and discussion. Being whole is the goal; Mind, Body and Spirit!

As of June 2012 The Women's Monthly Meet Up will combine with ZOE's Ministries for the 2nd half of 2012 and will be open to men unless otherwise indicated below. Please see below for updates to schedule, location & times. These opportunities to come together are FREE unless otherwise indicated below.

SCHEDULE UPDATE:
DATE: June 23^rd
TIME: 2PM - 4PM (Come early (1pm) for the breaking of bread AKA Good food)
LOCATION: 6300 Harford Rd. Baltimore, MD 21214 ~ Bethesda United Methodist
BOOK OF THE MONTH: Finding Your Glasses: Revealing & Achieving Authentic Success
– By: Justin Jones-Fosu ~ Learn more & purchase book: http://www.justininspires.com/
Justin Jones-Fosu will facilitate our discussion as special guest author of the month -- Don't miss it!

SPECIAL TREAT FOR JULY!!!
Join us for the powerful "LifePurpose, Fulfillment Conference" featuring Dr. Allen Barham Sr., Wayne Walsh, Victoria Poller, Dr. Cecelia Bakare & Stacie J Whitaker-Harris
DATE: July 28^th
TIME: 9AM - 5PM
LOCATION: 221 International Circle, Hunt Valley MD 21030
REGISTER: http://www.gomastertheday.com/id67.html
BOOK OF THE MONTH: Doors – By: Dr. Karen S. Bethea
Learn more & purchase book: http://karensbetheaministries.org/
There is a fee for the LifePurpose, Fulfillment Conference. This is an opportunity you don't want to miss. Come with expectation! Sign up early ~ Seating limited

SURPRISE FOR EVERY ATTENDEE!!!
DATE: August 25^th
TIME: 2PM - 4PM (Come early (1pm) for the breaking of bread AKA Good food)
LOCATION: 6300 Harford Rd. Baltimore, MD 21214 ~ Bethesda United Methodist
BOOK OF THE MONTH: Hell & Heaven at 8 ~ By: Stacie J. Whitaker-Harris

Learn more & purchase book: http://www.2embraceme.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-believe-in-you.html

Poet, Author, Vocalist & Inspirationalist, Stacie J. Whitaker-Harris will facilitate our discussion as special guest author of the month -- Don't miss it & a treat the rest of the world awaits but you'll see first and experience first hand!


DATE: September 22^nd
TIME: TBA
LOCATION: TBA
BOOK OF THE MONTH: Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth ~ By: T Harv Eker
Learn more & purchase book: http://www.harveker.com/ or http://www.amazon.com/

DATE: October 27^th
TIME: TBA
LOCATION: TBA
MOVIE NIGHT: Details Forthcoming


DATE: November 24^th – (This is my Birthday weekend)
TIME: TBA
LOCATION: TBA
MUSIC NIGHT – Celebration of Life – Details ForthcomingDATE: December 15^th
TIME: TBA
LOCATION: TBA
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION: A Look Back ~ Details Forthcoming

For more information or to RSVP email GodsGiftLLC@gmail.com Include the month & date(s) you plan to attend as well as the number of guest you intend to bring.




PRIOR MEET UP DATES & BOM'S:
January 28^th – The Dream Giver – Bruce Wilkinson
Learn more about the author: http://brucewilkinson.com/

February 25^th – Excuses Be Gone – By: Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
Learn more about the author: http://www.drwaynedyer.com/

March 24^th – I’m Too Cute to Sweat – By: Charles Harris III
Learn more about author: http://www.chizelit.com/

April 28^th – How I flat lined and woke up in 45 days: Guide to Empowered Living
– By: Cheryl Wood
Learn more about author: http://www.momsrthebest.net/p/book.html

May 26^th – Black Woman Redefined – By: Sophia A. Nelson
Learn more or purchase book: http://www.sophiaanelson.com/

FYI: Jump-start your day with prayer, Sunday – Saturday 7am EST via conference call!
Be restored, refreshed, renewed, revived & strengthened with this powerful call.

Dial: 605.562.3000
Code: 223212#

PRAYER: Most Holy & Loving God, now that mustard seed faith has developed, I seek your face for increase regarding my faith that I may be able to do those things which you have called, purposed, designed, ordained and created me to do according to your will. Lord I pray for the courage and boldness to walk out my life with purpose and I release any and all unrest, uncertainty, fear and doubt into your hands. Lord, speak to my heart and order my steps that I may walk in faith living according to the mandates of your word. In Jesus name, Amen

Day 19 Surrender Prayer

Lord empty me even now that your will continue to be done in my life. Move my flesh, dissolve my thoughts and increase thine own presence. Allow your perfect will for my life to be reflected in me and the way I live each day as representation of who you are in my life. Lord receive the glory.  Do not let me fade nor perish as I surrender my all to You.

Lord forgive me of anything I have said or done that is unlike You.  Forgive me of anything that may be in my mind or heart that displeases You. Purge me and cleanse me.  Make me new even now.  Remove all impurities from me and all who are attached to me.  For I declare and decree that where the blood of Jesus Christ is applied satan can NOT enter.

I confess now that every person attached to me is covered by the blood of Jesus.  Now Lord allow Jesus to be Lord and Savior of us all. 

Tear down walls of manipulation. Tear down walls of deceit. Tear down ego and resentment. Tear down fear and doubt. Tear down walls of unruly Kingdoms. Tear down those spirits of perversion, confusion, depression, suicide, lack, hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, the strongman of addiction of drugs, alcoholism, sex, food and any other obsessive compulsive behaviors.

God, You are able to restore, doing anything but failing so I bless You in advance for restoration.  Thank You in advance for blessing, healing, restoring and rebuilding families, homes, churches, finances, businesses, jobs and other possessions for me, my family, those who join us in prayer across the globe every morning, everyone attached to us and all those whose eyes are reading this prayer even now.

NOT sickness, NOT poverty, NOT death, NOT problems but Jesus is Lord over all of us, over our families, over our lives and where the power and presence of Jesus is sickness, poverty, problems and death can NOT remain.  WE call on the redemptive power of the blood of Jesus.

Give us new life.  Make us whole and complete in You. Provide to us the ability to walk in the fruits of the spirit which are love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

Bind and tear down jealousy, enviousness and any ill thing that causes division. Bridle our tongues and keep our lips from murmuring and complaining in the heavenly places and here on earth.  Teach us not to be wise in our own eyes but to acknowledge you in all our ways, seeking the full wisdom, knowledge and understanding of you and who You are and how we ought live according to the mandates of Your word. Bind the spirit of competition in the body of Christ that we live as ONE people according to Romans 12:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Loose your love in the heavenly places and here on earth.  Loose your abundant peace in the heavenly places and here on earth.  Loose your healing virtue in the heavenly places and here on earth.  Loose the spirit of freedom in the heavenly places and here on earth.  Loose compassion in the heavenly places and here on earth.

Lord thank you for inclining your ear to hear your children's voices over and over again.  We desire to be more like you so we surrender our vessels, hearts, minds, money, children, schools, government, families, love, the past, present and the future back to you.  Shine Your light on us and in us that hidden things in dark places are exposed. We submit our bodies as living sacrifices,  desirous of being holy, acceptable and pleasing unto you, Lord transform us, renew our thinking and increase our faith according to Romans 12:1-8.

God who is mighty, God who is great, God who is omnipresent, God who is love, God who is all, I, your servant submit this prayer fervently from the core of my being asking that you remove now anything that could block this prayer from reaching you, if its malice, envy, hatred, restlessness, unforgiveness, stubbornness or anything in me that is unlike you, remove it and hear the heart of your servant that we, your chosen people may walk diligently according to the mandates of your words as you rebuild your nation.  Set us in our rightful places.

I surrender giving you all glory, all honor and all praise, In Jesus name I pray, Amen

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR MEDITATION:

- Romans 12

- 1 Corinthians 12

- Psalm 51:10

I pray that as you watch this video you'll forget that this man is flawed, as we all are and listen to the sincerity in the words as I am certain Tonex is NOT the only one struggling and in need of being made over again. God bless you!