Archive for May, 2017

Remember Fallen Soldiers

On Memorial Day we  remember the brave men and women who gave their lives for us so that citizens of the United States of America can have access to freedom.

Celebrate the lives of the courageous individuals who sacrificed their lives for citizens of the United States. Remember the fallen men and women soldiers and pray for their families.
Remember and pray for our missing in action soldiers.
Remember prisoners of war. Pray for their deliverance and their families.
Remember our wounded soldiers. Pray for their physical, mental and emotional healing and to receive the proper benefits in a timely manner.

Pray for families as they travel and gather together to celebrate-Pray for traveling mercies, safety, joy and love.

Remember soldiers who may not have received the honor due to them. The picture reflects Lena Horne with a group of Tuskegee Airmen on January 1, 1945. There are countless photos of Ms. Horne visiting Tuskegee Airmen and other military personnel to show her support for their service. She also showed her support for them by refusing to perform for segregated military audiences during World War II.

Linda Fegins , the Prayer Leader

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OFFENSE: DON’T FALL INTO THE TRAP – Minister Bernice Johnson

 

OFFENSE:  DON’T FALL INTO THE TRAP

 

Being offended is an experience not unique to any of us.   We’ve all been there, but few are honest about the price we pay to hang out at this “non-luxury” location.  Let’s call it Maximus Offense Hotel.  It’s very costly to stay there and the only amenities are hurt, anger, regret, feelings of exclusion, bitterness and revenge.  Most places we have traveled or spent time at were introduced to us through someone we know.  Perhaps a parent, school teacher, friend, colleague, or simply perusing through a travel magazine and having that special place catch your eye.  Introduction to the Maximus Offense Hotel can be just as varied.  Once there, it’s easy to renew that reservation over and over and over unless one refuse to pay the high cost and understands that almost anywhere is better than hanging out there.

 

As I began to write this article, the question arose in my mind, “when was the first time in my life that I can look back and say I was offended?  As you are reading this article, it might be helpful to reflect to the time that you were first offended.  The first I remember anyway, was when I was 19 or 20 years of age.  Surely I’d experienced disappointment before then, but this one sticks out as the one I truly never forgot.  Some members of my family were talking with great excitement about going to Mastoris Restaurant in Bordentown, NJ.  No one bothered to invite me.  They spoke as if I wasn’t even listening.  Desiring to be included, I decided I’d just invite myself, so I did.  The response was one of a tolerant “yes” rather than the enthusiastic “we’d love to have you join us” that I was anticipating.  Off we went and boy was it a worthy introduction to the Maximus Offense Hotel.  Going forward from that day, I felt with this group of family members that the same exclusion they showed me that day, would become their modus operandi regarding me.  Was this deliberate, or did I attract the behavior they had shown me based on my own failed expectations of them and my flawed depiction of myself?

 

I’ve learned in life that by example, you teach people not only how to treat you, but also mirror the perception you have of yourself to them.  It’s non-coincidental that certain people are seemingly always offended and others aren’t.  Anyone come to mind?  Is it you?  Lord have mercy!  Like the song “say my name, say my name” are you at this moment thinking of a name?

 

WHAT IS OFFENSE?

 

I like Oxford Dictionaries’ definition: “annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one’s standards or principles”  If I had to pull one word from this definition to sum up how one feels when there is an offense, it would be DISREGARD.  Every offense has a measure of one believing (whether true or not) that his/her feelings, character, importance, or worth as been disregarded.  Truth and or reason don’t ride shotgun in the vehicle of Offense they are out of sight and out of mind.  The front seat passenger is accusation and the driver is deception.

 

Have you been in offense? Are you parked there right at this moment?  Great! There is deliverance for us all and I mean once and for all, as we realize like never before, who the real culprit is.  It’s not your relative, your co-workers, and definitely not your spouse.  It’s the one that God’s word says is the GIVE UP THE RESENTMENT “accuser of the brethren” Revelation 12:10 –  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  Satan makes accusations and as Believers we are to cover wrongs done to us with love, and to forgive.

 

DOES A WRONG DONE JUSTIFY OFFENSE?

 

Luke 17:3-4 Amplified

Pay attention and always are on guard [looking out for one another]! If your brother sins and disregards God’s precepts, solemnly warn him; and if he repents and changes, forgive him. Even if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him [that is, give up resentment and consider the offense recalled and annulled].”

 

Wow,.  Holding on to offense and resentment is too heavy a weight for any of us to carry.  Here are a few steps to take toward forgiveness and annihilating offense.  Is this easy? No way.  Is it possible? Absolutely!

 

Confess, be honest that you are offended

I John 1:9 – being offended is an act of “unrighteousness” God can cleanse

 

Take authority over those unwanted thoughts

II Corinthians 10:5

 

Meditate on scriptures about forgiveness (God’s word cleanses from wrong thoughts/behaviors)

Ephesians 5:25-27

 

Don’t rehearse it by talking about it, confession bring possession good or evil.

Mark 11:23 you will have what you say, talk hurt feel hurt

 

KING SAUL WAS AN OFFENDED PERSON WITH A CLOUDED VIEW

 

Offense can sometimes be linked to jealousy, which we’ll discuss at another time.  King Saul was in offense the same as many people today experience it.  Offense takes your eyes off the gifts, value and relevance of your worth and who you are.  You than focus only on what someone else has and the superiority to yourself, that you perceive they have.  Saul had great strength, ability, knowledge, wealth and purpose.  Nevertheless, once he got into offense over David’s success and favor with God he stopped valuing his own worth and began to see David as his enemy.  David on the other hand humble and secure, refused to retaliate even when he knew Saul was seeking his life at every hand.

 

Offense sets a person up to become their own worst enemy and eventually to self-destruct.  Saul wasted the rest of his life basically trying to get rid of David.  Saints and sinners alike know that someone else’s failure doesn’t guarantee the offended person’s success.

 

People disappoint us and we will inevitably fall short of other’s expectations.  Decide once and for all to lay aside the weight of offense.  Walk in forgiveness and let go of ALL OFFENSE.  Go ahead, do it now and run your race well.  Press toward the mark of the “High Calling” of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).  Lastly, as First Lady Michelle Obama said “when they go low, you go high.”

MINISTER BERNICE T. JOHNSON copyright 2017     

Bernice earned her degree in Mental Health/Social Work from Oakland Community College in MI and studied Social Work at Marygrove College in Det., MI.  She is a graduate of Word of Faith, ICC’s School of Ministry, and was ordained by Bishop Keith A. Butler.  Bernice now serves as an Elder at Wake Chapel Church, Raleigh, NC under Bishop J. Jasper Wilkins.  She authored “The Perfect Blend” and “Can We Talk” a blended family workbook.

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Blessed Mother’s Day

 

Blessed Mother’s Day to the women of the world. Mothers who

Pray for us,

Nurture us.

Defend us,

Protect us,

Sacrifice for us,

Train us,

Believe in us,

“Whip us”,

Chastise us,

Travail for us

prayed for us,nurtured us, defended us, trained us, chastised us, “whipped us”, stood by us, prayed for us continuously, travailed for us., sacrificed for us and Loved us…..

Thank you Mother, “Ma”,”Mama”, “Ma Dear”, Grandmother, Grandma, “Aunti”, “Miss Sue”,  Mrs. Smith…………… etc……..

Linda Fegins, The Prayer Leader

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For Your Great Name’s Sake !

The National Day of Prayer, May 4, 2017 theme this year is For Your Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us… Forgive Us…Heal Us! Taken from Daniel 9:19, which says, “O Lord, Listen! O Lord, Forgive! O Lord, Hear and Act! For Your Sake, O My God…”.

Scripture tells us again and again that our fervent prayer is effective. Our loving God responds to His children’s earnest pleas in mighty ways that avail much, and ultimately determine the course of history.

At this crucial time for our nation, we can do nothing more important than pray.
Let us pray corporately and individually over our families, government etc so that we can glorify God and heal the land and our families. Let us not take it for granted for the freedom to call out loud and worship the Lord freely.

The National Day of prayer focus is Government, Church, Military, Family, Education, Media, and Business. God is in control of this nation. Let us not take for granted this day of prayer, designated by Congress, signed into law by the President of the United States. Former President Obama signed the same  when he  was the leader of our nation as well as other Presidents. We should be praising and praying to the Lord for this nation every day in light of the freedom we enjoy and the present evils we observe  that threaten the peace of our nation and the community.

The apostle Paul urged that “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (I Timothy 2:1-3). It is time for us to P. R. A. Y. as a nation corporately and individually. In this turbulent time of open racism, rumors of wars and aggression, and troubled communities and cites we need to go before the Lord to seek through prayer, “peaceful and quiet lives” – for ourselves, our families, our neighbors and friends and our nation.

Let us continue to pray for our nation in prayer gatherings and in our homes. God throughout His Word tells us to pray that He may heal our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Continue to pray for our nation as the “prayers of righteous persons are powerful and effective”. James 5:16. The sovereign Lord listens to our cries, waits to intervene on our behalf and to deliver and transform the ills of our nation. (See e.g. Zephaniah 3:17). I believe that prayer is required and imperative for believers individually, and corporately as a nation, to pray continually throughout the year, not just on the National Day of Prayer. There is a need for faithful, preserving intercession for our leaders, government, families, education system, the legal system, churches, the armed forces and the media. Our prayers will impact generations to come if we continue to seek the Lord’s guidance and protection and be obedient to His Word.
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Family
In you all the families of the earth will be blessed. Genesis 12:3 (KJV)
If a house is divided against itself , that house cannot stand. Mark 3:25
• Pray for unity and love in family units that reaches out in hospitality toward others. Romans 12:9-13.
• Pray for God centered relationships among family members.
• Pray that parents will be bold to instruct their children in God’s way of living and lead their families to pray together.
• Pray for relationships between parents and children that it be one of love, respect, honor and obedience.
• Pray for a return to the biblical mandate to train children at home.
• Pray that families will follow godly principles.
• Pray for our youth –their safety, protection, obedience, purpose and excellence.
• Pray for families dismantled by divorce to be healed
.• Pray that Christ forgiveness would dissolve anger, bitterness and strife in relationships among family members.
• Pray for the family and for elected leaders and the members of our judicial system as they consider proposed legislation and various court cases related to marriage and the family to preserve what God intended.

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Government

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty 1 Timothy 2:1-2
• Pray for righteousness to prevail in this nation. Righteousness exalts a nation Proverbs 14:34.
• Pray for our leaders, as well as the judges in our courts. Ask God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity.1 Timothy 2:1-2.
• Pray that leaders will be granted divine wisdom, guidance and strength to fulfill their important roles; leaders to make wise decisions.
• Pray for righteous judges and judgments in every court (Isaiah 1:26).

 

Marketplace and Business
Exodus 31:3-4 (AMP)
And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and ability, in understanding and intelligence, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,
To devise skillful works….
• Pray that business women and men of integrity, fairness and courage will arise .May God bless those who base business practices in righteousness.
• Pray that God will raise up His ambassadors in the workplace that will have influence.
• Pray for the economy, that new companies will come to the region.
• Pray for sound and fair businesses, for favor, new contracts, witty ideas and creativity and for solutions to problems to help the community.
• Pray for the workplace- for fairness and fair pay and to be free of harassment and prejudice. May God frustrate plans and practices which escalate injustice.
Linda Fegins, “The Prayer Leader” ldfaygo@gmail.com

Military-Armed Forces : Psalm 5:11; Psalm 59:1

  • Pray for discernment and protection from the of the United States’ enemies that are among us, even as others plot against us from afar.
    • Pray for divine protection and guidance for our armed forces. Ask God to intercede for military chaplains and loved ones at home.
    • Pray for the courageous troops, and their families, who are actively serving our country each day ¬ not only at bases around the world, but also here within our borders. Our soldiers daily place themselves in harm’s way in order to defend the way of life we hold dear as well. ..
    • Pray for those who have lost a loved one in battle. These grieving families have paid the ultimate price. Ask that God’s comfort would be upon them in a special way.

Media

  • Pray for truth and morality to be presented. Ephesians 4:29
    • Pray for the entertainment industry and their deliverance from vices such as materialism, promiscuity, substance abuse, and violence.
    • Pray for wholesome and truthful offerings and acceptable alternatives for families to replace the media’s often biased and immoral offerings.
    • Intercede on behalf of the actors, musicians and athletes our young people seek to emulate.

Education

  • Pray for safety, morally sound instruction and wholesome environments.
    • Pray for students who are trained in righteousness as well as sound educational curricula. II Timothy 3:16
    • Pray for our nation’s public school teachers, administrators and students. Ask the Lord to raise up a new generation of dedicated educators who will commit themselves not only to an honest, accurate presentation of all subject matter, but who will also serve as positive role models for their students.
    • Pray for our local school boards

 

Church

  • Pray for unity and boldness in proclaiming God’s Word. Ephesians 4:11-16
    • Pray for the Lord to provide pastors and spiritual leaders with strength and avenues of accountability so that they may maintain steadfastness in their vital callings.

Linda Fegins , The Prayer Leader ( April 2017)

 

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