Prayer for Today

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January 8, 2015

Father, I watch TV and see that things haven’t changed from 2014 to 2015. Fear, doubt and hate, war and violence are still the weapon of choice by our eternal enemy. Many times when I’m watching, listening or reading the news I have to remind myself that you have not given me a spirit of fear, but of a mind of love, power and self-control.

I have to remind myself that you, the creator of heaven and earth, are my shelter and my hope in the midst of danger. You are my mighty and impenetrable force and security. You are my well proven help, right now as you have been before; you are my ready and reliable God!

When things don’t look like they’re going to work out in my best interest I have to remind myself that El Elyon, the Most High God, dwells in me and has given me a portion of His divine, dunamis power. You will break the power of my enemy. You have already made me victorious.

So today Lord, I will cease war like activities and rest in my personal knowledge; my past experiences with you. I will rest in the fact that my God is supreme! The Lord of the heavenly host is with me! His divine power is my defense and my cliff which makes me inaccessible to my enemies! Hallelujah! In Jesus name. Amen!

Scripture references:

Psalm 46cropped-julians-pix-666.jpg

I Corinthians 15:57

II Timothy 1:7

It’s a Virus and It Spreads – Part II

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From the book: It’s Still Relative (The Word of God for Today’s World)

I John 3:4 – 10 “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.  But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.  Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.  No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.”

The virus on my computer started turning my computer off when it wanted to and making decisions about which programs would function, when and for how long. It was as if my computer had a mind of its own and even though it belonged to me, it was doing what it wanted to do without my permission. There is not a computer system in the world that is designed to have virus running AND have a fully functional operating system.

It is the same with Christians and sin. God did not call us out of the darkness of the world into the light of His son Jesus, so that we could still operate independent of Him. We are no longer our own. We have been bought with a price (I Corinthians 6:19). Operating with sin in our lives is just like my computer trying to operate with a virus.

How do we know if the activity/behavior we’re engaged in is a sin? We should ask yourselves the following questions:

1. Did I pray about this activity/behavior and then WAIT until I received an answer from God?

2. Does the activity/behavior convey God’s character?

3. Does the activity/behavior glorify God?

If we answer “No” to any of these questions we are operating in sin.

When we operate outside and independent of God, we are operating by the pride of life, the lust of the eye and the boasting of what we have or what we’ve done. This type of behavior doesn’t come from God. It comes from Satan, who is the prince of this world (John 12:31). Satan already stands condemned, (John 16:11) and he wants to ruin the lives and testimonies of as many Christians as he can so our ministry to the world is tainted by our own behaviors and our own actions. Why does Satan want this? So we become ineffective in winning the lost to Christ!

Remember, we are in the world, but not of the world. Once we come to God through Christ, we are no longer of the world (John 17:14). We should strive to reflect the character of God in everything we do. Showing the love of God through our lives is what gives God glory and it is what draws the spiritually lost to us so we can tell them about Christ. (Ephesians 5:1 – 2)

Just like I had to get the virus off my computer before it would run correctly, Christians have to get sin out of our lives so we can run for God correctly.

It’s a Virus and It Spreads – Part I

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From the book: It’s Still Relative (The Word of God for Today’s World)

I John 3:4 – 10 “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.  But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.  Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.  No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.”

I have several electronic devises at my disposal on a daily basis. My home computers, table and my iPhone. Not to mention the electronic devises I have for work. All of my systems have different types of software installed but all systems, except my iPhone, are Window based systems. So all the electronic devises I use operate pretty much the same way.

One day I was working on my system at home when I received an email from an old friend. When I opened the email I realized it was a chain letter, so I deleted it and continued my work. But, my system stopped responding to my keystrokes and function keys. The computer just wasn’t acting right.

At first, it was small things that I chalked up to computer glitches. Then my sound system started fading and my computer started freezing. Then, some of my programs stopped working all together. I checked my configurations and made sure all my apparatuses were hooked up correctly but no matter what I did, my computer was acting as if it had a mind of it’s own. It was running a muck! The email I opened from my old friend had a virus and it was destroying my operating system.

Sin in the life of a Christian is just like the virus that infected my computer. It will destroy the renewal of your mind, corrupt your morals and ethics and, ruin your relationship with God the Father.

One “small” sin left unchecked will cause your walk with Christ to fall into a position of not being fully functional, which means your spiritual well being has been jeopardized. Sin left to grow and flourish will cause you to lose connection with the Holy Spirit because sin runs interference and doesn’t want you to remedy the problem. Our sinful man likes the sin but our spirit man is grieved when we sin.

As we start a new year, let’s examine our spiritual operating system. Do we have any sin that is causing a disconnect between us and God? If so, let’s deal with it for the truth that it is and get rid of it!

Going Scared

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“So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the townspeople, he did it at night rather than in the daytime. In the morning when the people of the town got up, there was Baal’s altar,demolished, with the Asherah pole beside it cut down and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar! They asked each other, “Who did this?” When they carefully investigated, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.” The people of the town demanded of Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has broken down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.” But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.” So because Gideon broke down Baal’s altar, they gave him the name Jerub-Baal that day, saying, “Let Baal contend with him.” Judges 6:27 – 32 (NIV)

Gideon was scared. He was scared of his family, the townspeople and God. But in the midst of all his fears he didn’t allow his weakness of heart to stop him from obeying God.

Gideon made an adjustment. He was so concerned about the reaction of his family and the townspeople he obeyed God when the no one else could see him. He not only protected himself from the other people he protected his servants that he took with him. Gideon knew he and the servants would have been met with stiff opposition had they tried to demolish Baal’s altar and the Asherah pole during the day when everyone could have seen what they were doing.

Some say Gideon was a coward. I think Gideon was strategic. In verse 11 when the angel of the Lord came to Gideon, he gave Gideon specific instructions. Nowhere in the instructions did he tell Gideon what time of day the work had to be done nor who had to go with him to complete the job. Gideon came up with and executed a plan that kept him and his servants safe and allowed him to complete the assignment God gave him. Strategic!

Many of us would say that if an angel of the Lord came to us and told us what to do we would do it without hesitation. BUT WE LIE! We have the Holy Spirit living in us and we still are scared to do what God has told us to do. We have a better covenant with God than Gideon did, yet we aren’t obedient to God’s call on our lives.

If the members of the Body of Christ were obedient to the call of God and strategic in carrying out God’s requests, our neighborhoods and communities would change for the better. There would be effective ministries in our churches that would meet the needs of the community not just continues the traditions of a by-gone era.

If we answered God’s call on our lives our circumstances would be different and our focus would change from the temporal things of the world to the eternal things of God’s kingdom. But alias, too many of us who call ourselves “Christians” have decided to ignore God’s call on our lives,  to allow His call to go unanswered or to answer His call only when it’s convenient for us.

Remember, we are on our lives journey being led and and guided by God through the Holy Spirit. We can’t get where God wants to take us if we leave the road before we reach our destination. Afraid of where God may be taking you? It’s okay to go scared. Just GO!

Faith – Is Not For Wimps

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Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it  will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:2 – 3 (NIV)

If we follow God’s commands and decrees, are obedient to all God has instructed us to do and carry out our duties in excellence and expectation; we are operating by faith.

Faith is not neat and pretty. Faith is often not easy nor convenient. It doesn’t come in a cute little package all wrapped up and delivered to us just when we need it. FAITH IS WORK!

In the aforementioned passage of scripture, Habakkuk was asking God questions because, while he trusted God, he was confused about God’s methods. Habakkuk states, “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts…” (Hab. 2:1a NIV) In other words, Habakkuk states he’s not going to stop doing what he’s supposed to do while he awaits God’s answers. He’s going to continue to fulfill his purpose and wait with expectation to get the answer he needs from God. He is ready to be rebuked by God, but he still seeks an answer and is waiting for God to give it to him.

Faith can be nerve wracking! Faith can cause you to loose friends and gain haters. Faith can be a dividing line. Do you really trust God enough to work while you wait on the answer? Do you really trust God enough to know that the answer is coming in God’s perfect time? Are you willing to never give up on your purpose no matter what other people may say or do?

Noah operated in faith.  Abram – even before he was Abraham – operated in faith. Able operated by faith which is why his offering pleased God and Cain’s didn’t. Jesus operated in faith. He allowed himself to die on the cross because he had enough faith to believe he would be raised on the third day.

We must be grounded and settle in our faith in Jesus Christ and not move away from the hope of God’s word. Faith comes by hearing God’s word. The more word we hear, the stronger our faith in God will become. Faith is our foundation. We have to be steadfast and immovable in our faith in the Word of God.

Lusby Charge Women’s Spiritual Breakaway

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Women’s Break-Away 2 day Flyer (4)
Women’s Ministry of the Lusby Charge Presents:
Breakaway Weekend
Rev. Marvin R. Wamble, Pastor

Friday, December 12, 2014
Part I:
Music ~ Spoken Word ~ Food~ Fun
East John Youth Center
11845 Mill Bridge Road
Lusby, MD 20657
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm
(doors open at 5:30 pm)
Admission: $$ Free $$
Open to all: Men and women welcome.
~ The café is open until 8:30 pm with
Food and drinks on sale!~
Saturday, December 13, 2014

 

Part II: Living My Life as a…

Mt. Olive UMC
10 Fairground Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9 am – 5 pm
Cost: $25 pp (includes registration fee, breakfast and lunch)
Drama ~ Sessions (Word) ~ Dancing ~ Praise ~ Prayer

Come be blessed by a life changing
Word as dynamic speakers teach
about God’s purpose for your life!

For more information and/or registration please contact: Sis. Francine Clark:
Phone: (410) 326 -2987 / Email: Lusbycharge@gmail.com / Website: http://www.lusbycharge.org

Maturing into You

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Story is excerpt from my book: It’s Still Relative, The Word of God for Today’s World

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day. We’ll call her Maggie. She was saying that her grown daughter sometimes act less mature than her six-year-old. It seems that no matter how much Maggie or her husband request their older daughter ACT like an adult, she just isn’t willing to take on the responsibilities of being a grown up.

My friend lamented, “‘I don’t think she will ever grow up. I don’t thing she will ever be a responsible adult. I don’t know what we did wrong, but obviously we didn’t raise her right or something. So, we’re just going to have to cut her off and see how she does. At some point, she’s going to have to stand on her own.”‘

As Maggie and I were talking a though struck me deep in my spirit. How many times has God said, “I wonder if she or he will ever spiritually grow up? I wonder when they will learn their lessons and start acting like the Christians I have raised them to be? I wonder if they will ever stop through temper tantrums when they don’t get their way or things don’t seem to be working out they way they want them to. I wonder if they will ever learn to trust me.”

Maturing is Christ as Christians is about trusting God; His word and the finished work of Christ Jesus. Without that trust, we can’t mature into the people God has called, anointed and appointed us to be for and in the Kingdom of God.

Maturing in our Christian walk is not easy but it is necessary and there’s no way around it. (Deut. 6:17 – 18). This blog is a part of my maturity. The daily prayers I send out are a part of my maturity. Starting a non-profit is a part of my maturity. These are things I never wanted to do, never thought anyone would read and under normal circumstances I would NEVER have the courage to do them but, God is maturing me.

So, over the next several days I’m going to use this blog to explore our spiritual maturity. You are welcome to join me!

I Have What It Takes

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The systems of the world are designed to take our confidence and destroy how we view our gifts, talents and abilities. The world system says, “If you’re not rich, you’re not worth anything.” The world system will tell us, certainly women, “If you’re not stick figure thin, you’re not beautiful.”

But God placed greatness in us when He created us. He put hopes and dreams in our hearts and minds from the beginning. Many of us, including me, have put our dreams on hold and ignored our passions and gifts because we have believed what the world says about us. But, God has given us everything we need to do everything He has asked us to do.

I challenge you to get up every morning and tell yourself, “I have what it takes. No matter what God has asked me to do, I am the right person for the job.”

Taken from the book It’s Still Relative, the Word of God for Today’s World pages 81 and 82*

“Lord please help me to see my gifts, talents and abilities as You see them. Father help me to lean on You; the author, perfecter and finisher of my faith, and not on my own understanding. Help me Father, to understand the great power You placed in me at the time I accepted You. The power that allows me to be self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency that abides in me.”

“Lord, renew my mind so that I understand that there is nothing too difficult for You to perform through me if I yield all my members to you. You are my strength and my shield. Thank you Lord! In Jesus’ name Amen.”
*Used with author’s permission.

To purchase the book use this link or, go to amazon.com and key in: Anita Wamble “It’s Still Relative God’s Word for Today’s World” target=”_blank”>http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Anita+Wamble&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AAnita+Wamble

“Time Out” Outreach Ministry ‘s Women’s Retreat

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“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise, honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” I Peter 1:7

On November 22nd and 23rd the “Time Out” Outreach Ministry is holding their 10th anniversary women’s retreat. This years theme is, “Women on Fire for God!” The cost of the conference this year is $20, which includes continental breakfast, lunch and meeting materials. If you prefer not to attend the luncheon the cost is $5.00! That’s right, it’s just $5.00 to get a Friday night general session two work groups and a panel discussion, all taught by Godly women who keep it real because it’s “Time Out” for playing church. It’s time to be the church!

Friday night session will be held at First Baptist Church, 727 Scotland Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Saturday sessions will be held at the Williamsburg Community Chapel, 3899 John Tyler Highway, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

For more information please contact Naomi Flythe, 757-258-0558 or Darlene Dempster Reid, 757-784-8060 or Marilyn Carlin, 757-253-1514.

Prepare your self for 2014! Come out and be blessed!

Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

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This is what I get for judging!

On our bus most mornings when I go into the office there are just working class people, who look like working class people. Sometimes, we have students on the bus with their school uniforms. Everyone is quiet and orderly. There is very little talking. Some people read, listen to music or sleep on our usual 30 minute commute to work.

But, this morning a young man with dreads, homemade tattoos and a big bag of sunflower seeds got on the bus. He had baggy jeans and I knew if he pulled up his shirt I would see his underwear. I thought, “Really?! Where could this thug possibly be going this early in the morning looking like he just got out of jail?”

He got on the bus with his friend. Neither of them paid because the bus driver had stepped off the bus. They both took up both sides of the seats they set in and they began to talk. The young man with the dreads said, “We have a mid-term today. I should do pretty good. I’m ready.” I thought, “He’s in school?! Really.” He went on to talk about his court date and that it might to go trial. He told his friend, “I know I done wrong man, but I was trying to take care of Mom and her little daughter. Ya know, it’s hard out here. Just tryin’ to take care of mine.”

As we continued to travel, the bus began to fill up and no one was seating next to him. A young lady got on the bus and tried to sit between two ample sized women, but she couldn’t fit. The young man asked if she wanted to sit next to him. She said no because she had too many bags. The young man picked up the bags and made room for her on the seat. After a while, he got up placed some of her bags on his seat and he stood for the rest of the trip. He danced and sang quietly. He seemed to enjoy the trip more than anyone else on the bus.

I judged this young man by his looks. I’m so glad that God judges us all by our hearts.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12