I AM SPECIAL WINTER EDITION 2020

Welcome to Our first edition of”

I AM

MAGAZINE T

his magazine underlining theme is based on two of the most important scriptures in the Bible

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like, unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40) We have divided the magazine into 3 sections with an additional section for the Christmas holidays.

The three sections are I AM LOVING GOD, I AM LOVING ME, I AM LOVING OTHERS. The “I AM LOVING GOD” section is all about Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. We have various Christian writers including myself writing articles on, Kingdom leadership, prayers, faith, emerging young Christian leaders, prophesy, and a few interesting kingdom articles that will inspire and bless our readers.

It is our desire to see God’s kingdom sons and daughters grow in the full stature of Christ, knowing their identity in Christ, developing their gifts and talents, and walking in the newness of Jesus Christ.

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The “I AM LOVING ME” section is about our souls and bodies.

In this issue are nutrition, health, (Mental & Physical) fitness, beauty, fashion, and hair. It is our desire to see God’s kingdom sons and daughters grow in the full stature of Christ, knowing their identity in Christ, developing their gifts and talents, and walking in the newness of Jesus Christ. We have done many studies on how our environment, generational background, nutrition, mental health, and behavior can hinder our growth in the kingdom of God. We address some of these issues and offer assistance through these articles to help our readers that are dealing with these various issues.

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Verse 9 and 10 tell us how easy it is to receive salvation (eternal life with God).

Say this prayer out loud right now:

The “I AM LOVING OTHERS” section is our outreach and community services. We direct our readers to various charitable nonprofit associations. They can read all about these organizations within the USA or globally and partner with them. It is our desire that we reach out and touch lives so they can grow from poverty or lack into the fullness of Christ. In this issue with have 2 Organizations. You can read all about them and you have a choice to donate to either or both of them. All their information on how to give is included in their articles.

Our Bonus section is our Special Christmas family section. Every member of the family can come together in unity, love to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We have a few fun Christian suggested activities for the family. We have also included in this section a Christmas menu for a family.

The Almighty God through His son Jesus Christ will never fail us.

“Dear God, I want to be a part of your family. You said in Your Word that if I acknowledge that You raised Jesus from the dead and that I accept Him as my Lord and Savior, I would be saved. So God, I now say that I believe You raised Jesus from the dead and that He is alive and well. I accept Him now as my personal Lord and Savior. I accept my salvation from sin right now.

Please practice social distancing, keep your masks on, and follow all the CDC health guidelines. To our readers that have backslidden, or those who have not received Christ as their Lord and Personal Savior, the invitation is extended to you. Please read the sinner’s prayers and instructions below.

Instructions

Romans 10:13 “Whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

“Whosoever” that means you!

Say with our mouths Verse 9 and 10 tell us that if we say with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we “Shall be saved”.

It’s that easy

Forever in His Presence, Apostle (Mrs.) Marco Brewer Boayue I AM THAT I AM PRAYER TABERNACLE MINISTRIES PO BOX 98312, Raleigh, NC 27624

Accepting Jesus Christ is very simple:

I am now saved. Jesus is my Lord. Jesus is my Savior. Thank you, Father God, for forgiving me, saving me, and giving me eternal life with You, in Jesus name, Amen!”

Welcome to the Body of Christ, the angels are rejoicing in heaven.

1. Find a Bible believing Church 2. Read your Bible everyday 3. Spend time praying and learning the Word of God. 4. Fellowship with other Christians 5. Share your faith in Christ with others.

In my conclusion, I would like to extend my condolences and sympathy to all families that have lost their loved ones during the year. I know it has been a difficult time with all that is happening in the world, especially during this covid 19 pandemic. I will encourage our readers to stay in the Christian faith, put all their trust in the Lord, keep praying, studying the Word of God and fellowshipping with one another.

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Table Of Contents

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I AM LOVING GOD The Power of Prayers Apostle Mary Eisenacher The Goodness of God Evangelist Karen Tongue

Faith under Fire Evangelist Constance Butler Holland

11 Holiness

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Kingdom Leadership Dr. Dayo Brown

Emerging Leaders/Drive & Forward.

Apostle Kim R. Brewer Prophetic Release Apostle Cynthia Collins Agbuye

I AM LOVING ME 28 Breast Cancer Awareness

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS

First and foremost, I give honor and thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I dedicate this magazine and all that I am and hope to be to Jesus Christ. This would have been impossible without Him. I give thanks and honor to my beloved husband Apostle Irving Carter Boayue for all his love, patience and financial support.

I would also like to thank all the contributing writers.

Thanks for the love, unity, and team work that have made this magazine a success.

In Loving memory of my mother, Mrs. Greta Bright.

To all our readers, Thank you for purchasing this magazine, We pray it has bless and inspired you. We appreciate and love you. Look forward to the next magazine in Spring 2021.

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Apostle Marco Brewer Boayue

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Pastor Monique Johnson

Busy Women deserves Beautiful Hair Danielle Nicole Benjamin Our bodies/His temple Whamae Boayue Walpole I AM POETRY CHEST Lea Pat Bates

I AM LOVING OTHERS 38 The Kolu Sokodolu Children Floundation 42 The Sisters 4 Sisters Inc

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The Bonus Section: Celebration Of Christ Birth With Family

I Am Family Time

We Are Remembering You This Season A Christmas Family Menu

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LOVING GOD

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THE POWER OF A

PRAYERS

s a prayer warrior, the truths in the book of Ephesians come to my mind. If you are a believer who is one with Christ Jesus, you have a right to enter sonship and the blueprint of heaven as designed for your life. Spiritual blessings are available and ready for you to ask and receive them because your heavenly Father loves you.

His grace is available to give you all you need for your well-being. We must celebrate Him wholeheartedly. We are His inheritance with a destiny from His own heart. Through our confession of Christ, He sees us as holy and innocent. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is needed to pray with power. We need the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we can go to deeper places with Him.

We need a holy imagination, His light, and a revelation of what He has called us to do. Ephesians 1:19-20 (TPT)1 says, “I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement for this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm!” God

put everything under the authority of Jesus Christ.

Now we are His ambassadors to do His bidding with power.

Some have not yet received a new life through the born-again experience. They need the power of our prayers and our positive confession over their lives to create a causeway for the light to emerge and bring conviction to them. Because God loved us before our conversion, we are committed to soulwinning and know how to pray with the power of heaven to change lives. So, we pray with mercy, grace, and love for the sinners under condemnation to hell without Jesus. We pray and stand in the gap before God to remove roadblocks and strongholds, and by proclaiming God’s promises for them. We pray “for” – not against them. They have good works to do for the Kingdom. They need the same peace that we walk in – a life restored to God and reconciled in the body of Christ – transformation.

We know that our power in prayer comes through great grace from above. God’s grace is not something we want to keep all for ourselves – we want to populate the Kingdom of God here on earth and in heaven. Our confidence comes from Christ’s faithfulness, and we want to share it.

1 All scriptures from The Passion Translation (TPT). The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com

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Let us look at Ephesians 3:16 – “And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power.” Does that appeal to you? It does to me. Whew! Yes, Lord! And in the next verse, Paul talks about the resting place of His love becoming the very source and root of your life.

We know how essential roots are to have a good base for a growing plant. We are the same – we need good spiritual roots to grow strong and healthy to produce good blossoms or fruit.

Love is a crucial factor; is it not?

Look at verse 20 now, “Never doubt God’s mighty power at work in you and accomplish this [endless love]. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.” Does that encourage you and excite you? This scripture does that for me. I praise the Lord for this guidance. Can you see how powerful our prayers can become?

Some are called to special offices to help others. Wherever you fall in the chain of command, you are to look to Jesus as King over all. The word warns us to be on the lookout for liars and deceivers who may desire to corrupt the church. Christ is to be head of the church.

Discernment is necessary. And we must stay in purity – living a new life in union with Christ and being holy! Perfect – no. We are reaching for perfection – yes, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

So, we will always stand victorious with the armor of God activated. The enemy is real and has all kinds of tactics to steal, kill, and destroy. But there is nothing more powerful than the Word of God in prayer.

Concentrate not on the problem, but on the solution and how you would like to see things or how

they should be according to the Word of God. We approach the throne with passion and use many ways of praying as the Spirit leads. Keep on blessing the believers and lifting them in prayer. Your brothers and sisters in the Lord need your prayer cover.

Powerful prayer has many facets – and we have a multifaceted Jesus to model prayer and prompt us through the Holy Spirit. It is up to us just how powerful we want our prayers to be in this season.

You have learned a lot, you have specialties, and with God’s help, you are going to advance the Kingdom, see salvations, healings, deliverances, and destinies released. Do not stop.

Instead, ramp it up! Go for it! Get with other Spirit-filled Christians. If you do not know how to pray, listen to others, and let them mentor you. If you are a pro, ask God to send you some disciples and teach them how to pray. God needs you, and He needs you NOW! So, ask Him right now to help you to get to a higher level in prayer than you have ever experienced before.

Remember, our assignment is to confess God’s principles so that He will bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. Let it be as it is in heaven.

Paul talks in Chapter 4 about humility, patience, gentleness, and love in the body of Christ – even toward those who may try your patience. Do you have anyone like that? Of course, you do – we all do. The Holy Spirit can bring harmony between the saints of God – if we just let Him, we can enjoy peace. No peace – back to the power in prayer.

Right?

DISCERNMENT IS NECESSARY. AND WE MUST STAY IN PURITY – LIVING A NEW LIFE IN UNION WITH CHRIST AND BEING HOLY!

The beauty of His creation is that we have things He has placed within us – the gifts of the Spirit and anointings that are specialized for everyone.

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The Goodness of God W

hat is it about God that helps us feel and understand his goodness? His goodness can respond to various situations in one’s lifetime. These situations can pertain to holiness, righteousness, and even his wrath. Our God knows how to measure his goodness in every case concerning those who are made in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). Therefore, if we make claims about his goodness, it is important that we can express how good he really is so others can desire to find the same goodness in God. It is necessary that those who have a track record with God are able to convince family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even strangers that God is real,

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By Evangelist Karen Tongue loving, kind and his goodness is available to everyone who dares to know him. As we get to know the Word of God, we will learn the ways of God that includes his goodness. Truthfully, one can say that God is good in all his ways because he is a just judge in all matters and has provided mankind an advocate.

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is that advocate. He is that only begotten son of God that was born in Bethlehem to take away the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2) at the proper time. Jesus has never lost a case that Satan, our adversary, brings against us in the courts of heaven before God, our just judge. Any time we face adversity it is likely that without real faith in God we become

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uncertain how things will work out. It is imperative that we remember that the judge (God) is just, and the lawyer (Jesus Christ our advocate) is related.

This tag team will never lose a case. When the verdict comes in, the defendant will learn that he/ she had the best judge and best lawyer possible.

Knowing that the judge and lawyer (advocate) were the best they ever met and can only now say God is good and his mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:1). If we were at fault in our dealings with others and God grants us a pardon, grace and mercy will humble us before him and we will tell of his goodness towards us even in our wrong doings (Psalm 23:6). This is a great example of the goodness

in the heart and mind of our creator.

This word goodness is most important to the world in which we live today. There is social injustice all around us.

The world is still dealing with a pandemic that spikes and declines at will. The political arena is filled with chaos.

There are protesters in every city for one reason or another.

Many people were denied unemployment compensation in the face of COVID-19. The police are shooting first and asking questions later and families are in turmoil over the innocent being wrongly killed. Therefore, we should remember God’s goodness in all the chaos. Something good always comes out of chaos. The good that comes out of chaos is the goodness of good through whomever he decides to use.

We must remember the times he made a pardon for us when we were wrong. His mercy, grace and goodness move him to pardon us. How does God’s goodness look and feel to you in a bad situation? Would you say, “that’s okay, I don’t need your goodness, or would you say, thank you Jesus and tell everyone you could that God’s goodness and mercy showed up in a big way for you. That kind of goodness covers grace, generosity, joy, praise, worship, good and perfect gifts, awesome works, creation, healing, forgiveness, and peace

to name a few.

Even within itself, goodness means several things such as being good, moral excellence, of quality, good workmanship, and virtue. If we can see the good in mankind, how much more should we see the goodness in God. This goodness we find in God is available to the whole world if they would consider the God known to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Joseph and Moses, Paul and Timothy, Elijah, and Elisha. They all experienced a good and personal relationship with God and found his goodness to be good because he in essence is all good.

If your anything like me, you’ll want all that God has for you so when his goodness shows up in your life, you have a testimony of the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13). Just remember that there is none good, but God (Mark 10:18).

The goodness we long for in God is already available if we seek him on his terms. It becomes hard to get what you want from someone who’s authority usurps your authority. No manipulation can move God in all the wisdom within him. Therefore, as we surrender all to Christ, we will find and experience his goodness in tangible and spiritual ways that will give us joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8).

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Faith on Under Fire

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eing brought up Pentecostal was all about developing one’s Faith in God. I soon learned how important faith was to my survival. I have so many testimonies of my faith under fire, but here’s a special one. I had just re-dedicated my life to the Lord and gotten married.

“No more living in sin for me!”

One Sunday morning my 2 sons and I were preparing for church. My 5-year-old was recently diagnosis with ADHD and placed on medication. My niece (8) and elder son (9) was outside waiting for us to come out. When I realized my young son was not in the car. I went back into the apartment to get him and didn’t see him. I called out to him and he didn’t answer.

I walked towards his bedroom and he wasn’t there. As I went to walk away the Spirit of God said, go back and look. So I did!

I looked in the closet and he wasn’t there. When I looked

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under the bunk beds my son was caught between the wall and the bed, unconscious. Working in the health field I immediately noticed His mouth and fingers were discolored. We started CPR with no response. I put him in the back of the car and drove like crazy to the hospital which was about 15 minutes away. I prayed and called his name over and over with no response. I drove on the wrong side of the road, passing cars, going through red lights and God kept me. About 3 minutes from the hospital a track trailer had blocked the road way and I was boxed in! As I look back at my lifeless son, tears began to feel my eyes, as fear gripped my heart. A voice said to me “where is your faith.” Immediately, my mouth opened and I began to give God, back His word. “Lord you promised me if I served you, I could ask you for anything. You told me that no weapons formed against me shall prosper. God I ask in the name of Jesus that

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you breathe new life into in my child. I decree He shall live and not die!” Seconds later I called my son’s name, Travon, Travon and he rose up and said, mom!

While God loved me enough to answer my prayer. We still went to the hospital and when we arrived they immediately took him out of my arms and began to work on him. The doctor asked how long has this child been without oxygen. I explained the situation, and the doctor said he look’s to had been without oxygen for at least a half hour.

There’s a possibility of brain damage, along with other future issues. Hours later my son was released with no permanent brain damage.

God, restored my baby boy life for a second time. When your faiths under fire remind God of His promises to you!

Reverend Constance Butler-Holland

HOLINESS (QODESH) PART 1

Written by Apostle (Mrs.) Marco Brewer Boayue I AM THAT I AM PRAYER TABERNACLE MINISTRIES

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BUT JUST AS HE WHO CALLED YOU IS HOLY, SO BE HOLY IN ALL YOU DO; FOR IT IS WRITTEN;”BE YE HOLY BECAUSE I AM HOLY.” 1Peter 1:15-16 The Hebrew word for Holiness is Qodesh If God has called us to be like Him, then it’s up to God to make us like Him. In our position we are perfect, blameless, faultless before God, because He has redeemed us with the blood of Jesus from all unrighteousness. In our practical walk with God, we must take full responsibility for our actions. The reason God called us onto himself is to be holy just like He is Holy.

1Thes 4:7 for God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.(KJV) The Holiness of God is an exceedingly high standard, a perfect standard. It is nevertheless one that He holds us to. He can not do less. While it is true that He accepts us solely through the merit of Christ, God’s standard for our character, our attitudes, affections, and actions is,” Be holy, because I am Holy.” We must take this seriously if we are to grow in Holiness.

God’s nature demands holiness in the life of a Christian.

When He calls us to salvation, He calls us to fellowship

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with Himself and His Son Jesus Christ. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. “(1 John 1:3).

But God is light; in Him no darkness at all. “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5). How then can we have fellowship with Him if we continue to walk in darkness?

Holiness is required for fellowship with God. David asked,” Lord who may dwell in your sanctuary?

Who may live on your Holy hill?”(Psalm 15:1)

That is to say” Lord who may live in fellowship with you” Prayer is a vital part of fellowship with God, yet the Psalmist said,” If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not listened”(Psalm 66:18) It can be summarized as “he who leads a Holy life.” Holiness is also necessary for effective service to God.” If a man allows the Holy Spirit to cleanse him from (ignoble purposes), he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made Holy, useful, to the master and

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prepared to do any good work.”

(2Timothy 2:21). Holiness and usefulness are linked together.

We cannot bring our service to God in an unclean vessel.

Let me conclude Part I on Holiness by asking everyone including myself these three questions.

1. Is there evidence of practical Holiness in my life?

2. Do I desire and strive after Holiness?

3. Do I grieve over my lack of it and earnestly seek the help of God through the Holy spirit to be Holy? It is not those who profess to know Christ who will enter heaven, but those whose lives are Holy. Even those who do “great Christian works” will not enter heaven unless they also do the will of God, Jesus said” Not everyone who says to me. ‘Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. “Many will say to me that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons, and perform many miracles?”

Then I tell them plainly,” I never knew you, away from me, you evildoers!” (Mathew 7:2123)

HOLINESS (QODESH) PART 2

FOR WE KNOW THAT OUR OLD SELF WAS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM SO THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE RENDERED POWERLESS,THAT WE SHOULD NO LONGER BE SLAVES TO SIN BECAUSE ANYONE WHO HAS DIED HAS BEEN FREED FROM SIN ROMANS 6:6-7.

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Many Christians have a basic desire to live a Holy life, but have come to believe they simply cannot do it.

They have struggled for years with particular sins or deficiencies of character. While not living in gross sins or deficiencies of character, they have more or less settle down to a life of moral mediocrity with which neither they nor God are pleased. The promise of Romans 6:6-7 seems impossible beyond them. “ Knowing this, that our old man is cruci�ied with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.” (Romans 6:6-7) The strong commands of the scripture to live a consistently Holy life. Many have sought to live a Holy life by their own willpower: others sought it solely on faith. Many agonized in prayers over particular sins seemingly without success.

Scores of books have been written to help us discover the “secret “ of the victorious life.

It is about a relationship with the Father through his son Jesus. It is about an intimate relationship with Him. Far beyond the voice of the prophet, deep in the heart of God, is His desire for you to be like Jesus. By your lifestyle, your voice and your ministry, you point to the Lord Jesus. Colossians 3:510,Paul admonishes the believer to put off the sinful nature. He tells us in the 3rd chapter to put off certain things that belong to the flesh. One of the key words in this particular passage is,(put to death),this is a specific challenge to us to get rid of that which hinders our spiritual walk. Paul urges the Christian to die to these things.

THEREFORE PUT TO DEATH YOUR MEMBERS, WHICH ARE ON EARTH; FORNICATION, UNCLEANNESS, PASSION, EVIL DESIRE, AND COVETOUSNESS,WHICH IS IDOLATRY. BECAUSE OF THESE

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THINGS THE WRATH OF GOD IS COMING UPON THE SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE,IN WHICH YOU YOURSELVES ONCE WALKED WHEN YOU LIVED IN THEM. BUT NOW YOU YOURSELVES ARE TO PUT OFF ALL THESE ANGER, WRATH, MALICE, BLASPHEMY,FILTHY LANGUAGE OUT OF YOUR MOUTH. DO NOT LIE TO ONE ANOTHER, SINCE YOU HAVE PUT OFF THE OLD MAN WITH HIS DEEDS, AND PUT ON THE NEW MAN WHO IS RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE ACCORDING TO THE IMAGE OF HIM WHO CREATED HIM.(NKJ) All who claim to walk in the faith of the Son of God must turn their back to the world. The enemy will tempt us with things of the world because he is of the world. All that pertains to the carnal man, the lust of the eye, the pride of life; if not kept under the blood of Jesus will cause us to fall. The devil will claim everything that is not under the control of the Spirit of God. satan(Intentionally didn’t capitalize)tempted the LORD JESUS CHRIST in these very areas, but JESUS defeated the enemy by the Word of God that was hidden in His heart, written and spoken 1 JOHN 2:15-17 DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD OR THE THINGS OF THE WORLD.IF ANYONE LOVES THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT FOUND IN HIM. FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD-THE LUST OF THE FLESH,THE LUST OF THE EYES,AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE--IS NOT OF THE FATHER BUT IS OF THE WORLD. AND THE WORLD IS PASSING AWAY,AND THE LUST OF IT;BUT HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD ABIDES FOREVER.(NKJ) One of the most dynamic fights ever presented in the Bible is in the gospel of Matthew. Here we see JESUS CHRIST being led by the SPIRIT OF GOD into the desert to be tempted by the devil. The SON OF GOD was tested in every area

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of life, in order that HE would be able to identify with us and our weaknesses. This is why the book of Hebrews tells that we have a High priest who could identify with our weakness, because HE HIMSELF was tempted in every way yet without sin. The reason that JESUS defeated and conquered the enemy was because He was dead to the pleasure of this world and to Himself.

MATT 4: THEN JESUS WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS TO BE TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL.

We should never attempt to go and do battle with the enemy without the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God (HOLY SPIRIT) leads us because we are the children of God (The RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD) and we are Victorious through the Blood of Jesus!!

In concluding part 2,

I would suggest that if you don’t have an intimate relationship with Jesus, you should develop an intimate relationship with the Lord through his Son Jesus by feeding on the word of God daily.(THE HOLY BIBLE).

Developing a daily prayer life.

Be devoted to prayer, I mean make it a way of life. Set a time each day to pray.

Praise and Worship Him. It’s in the name of JESUS that we are set apart unto Holiness and service. We see that praise is a channel that opens our hearts to see God’s holiness, as we magnify God in our soul, He enlightens our spirit with His Holiness.

Since we have these promises dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting Holiness out of the reverence for God.2 Corinthians 7:1

KINGDOM LEADERSHIP

By Dr. Dayo Brown.

President, Word Ablaze Ministries. Philadelphia.

“And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.” (Revelations 4:5-7).

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very child of God has the capacity (potential, innate, intrinsic, inborn, God-given ability or raw materials) to become a leader in any sphere of life.

Tragically, most people will go to their graves with all those leadership potentials buried in them.

Most people lack the will to change, to develop, and maximize their potentials so as to become who God has destined them to be.

Ultimate Success = Potentials +Environment.

Whatever level of success we are able to achieve in life or leadership will be a function of the interactions between the God-given potentials

we carry on the inside of us, and the environment (location, people, food, atmosphere, opportunities, resources, etc.) we find ourselves in.

1. Who is a Leader?

A true kingdom leader is one who: (i) Guides by influence (ii) Directs by going before or coming along with his followers. iii) Leads his followers (not subordinates) to positions of leadership. (iv) Inspires others to follow him to leadership heights. (v) Leads by inspiration, and not by coercion. (vi) Influences others to follow him to a common cause or purpose. (vii) Possesses the

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character which inspires the confidence of others. (viii) Becomes himself fully, and attempts to express that self totally.

Leaders are an endangered species today because they have been mostly replaced by mere ‘Managers.’

2. The Leader versus the Manager:

(i) The kingdom leader innovates, whereas the manager only administers. (ii) The leader is an original; the manager is just a mere copy. (iii) The leader develops, whereas the manager maintains. (iv) The leader inspires trust,

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while the manager relies on control. (v) The leader has his eyes on the horizon; he’s always looking beyond the now. Whereas, the manager has his eyes only on the bottom line. (vi) The leader always challenges the status quo, while the manager accepts it. (vii) The leader does the right thing, while the manager does things right. (viii) The leader knows what God is saying; he is in tune with current leadings of God. However, the manager only knows what God said.

There are basically 4 kinds of people in the world we live in: (a) Those who watch things happen. (b) Those who let things happen. (c) Those who wonder what happened. (d) Those who make things happen.

Kingdom Leaders are those who make things happen.

3. God’s kind of kingdom leader:

(i) The 4 faces of a kingdom leader (Ezek. 1:6, 10; Rev. 4:7).

The God-kind of leader must of a necessity exhibit ‘4 faces’ just like Jesus. Notice that the four gospel writers were all writing about one and the same person (Jesus Christ), but from four different perspectives.

Matthew set out to portray Jesus as a King, and one who came from a royal descent (Mt. 1:1-17). The Lion is generally regarded to be the king of the jungle (Pr. 20:2); and so, as a King, Jesus can be said to have had the ‘face’ of a lion. He was bold, fearless, and very courageous like a lion (Pr. 30:30). Mark, on the other hand, revealed the hard works of Jesus.

He portrayed him as having the ‘face’ of an Ox (emphasizing the fact that Jesus was not lazy or sloppy). Kingdom leaders are always industrious and very diligent. Luke, being a physician, focused more on the humanity of Jesus. He revealed severally how Jesus was moved with compassion, or how he was hungry or sad sometimes like a mere mortal human being. He had the ‘face’ of a man. John was the one person who had the I Am Loving God

full revelation of Jesus’ divinity, hence the way he wrote in John 1:1. The eagle is synonymous with divinity (Dt. 32:11); Jesus therefore could be said to have had the ‘face’ of an eagle. (a) The face of a LION => Boldness (Matthew) (b) The face of an OX or CALF => Hard work and industry (Mark) (c) The face of a MAN => Compassionate (Luke) (d) The face of an EAGLE => Divine, vision, speed, strength (John)

(ii) The God-kind of leader must demonstrate what I call the ‘Daniel’ attributes. Daniel was an outstanding leader in his own time. As a matter of fact, he thrived over three generations of kings (Darius, Nebuchadnezzar, and Belteshazzar), and excelled every step of the way.

D => Daring (Courageous, bold, fearless) – (Dan. 5:22-23) A => Articulate (Self-control, continent, disciplined) – (Dan. 1:8) N => Noble (Integrity) – (Dan. 6:4) I => Importunate (Resilient, rugged, dogged) – (Dan. 6:10) E => Enlightened (knowledgeable) – (Dan. 10:5-6, 7; 9:2) L => Lowly (Humble) – (Dan. 10:17) The secret of Daniel’s success as a kingdom leader was in the fact that he was Daring, Articulate, Noble, Importunate, Enlightened, and Lowly.

Everyone aspiring to kingdom leadership must of a necessity demonstrate these same attributes.

(iii) The God-kind of leader must be a man of great wisdom: Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom are 3 crucial needs for leading successfully. The greatest battles in leadership are usually battles of wits and wisdom (Pr. 4:7).

When you are confused, and you do not know ‘what’ to do, then what you need is knowledge. When you need further clarification as touching ‘why’ you should do what you already know should be done, then what you require is understanding. However, it is one thing to know what needs to be done, and why it needs to be done, but it is yet another thing to know ‘how’ to get it done.

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“The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.” (Eccl.

10:15).

- Purposes determine potentials.

- Take time to discover what your unique divine endowments are.

- You are endowed with abilities to do what you were created to do.

- No manufacturer demands a purpose without a potential.

- Whatever God calls for, he already provided for.

- God’s abilities are always equal to his demands.

In other words, there is a know-what, knowwhy, and know-how in every situation of life. Knowledge answers the question WHAT; understanding answers the question WHY; and wisdom answers the question HOW?

(iii) PLANNING: Nobody plans to fail in life; but you must take time to plan.

When a leader lacks wisdom, he labors in vain, and ends up wearing out everyone working with him.

The God-kind of kingdom leader knows what needs to be done, why they must be done, and above all, he has a good grasp of how to get things done.

(iv) PREPARATION: Set your stage; get yourself ready as you wait for opportunities. Good performances must be preceded by good preparations.

It is always better to be prepared and not have an opportunity, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.

Jotham prepared himself and became great (2 Chron. 27:6).

4. Developing the leader in you:

Your ability to fully develop the spiritual leadership qualities planted in you will involve a combination of factors:(i) PURPOSE: The foundational key to becoming a leader is the discovery and capture of a sense of purpose for your life.

Purpose is the original intent or reason for the creation of a thing.

(v) PASSION: Passion is that strong desire, affection, craving, obsession, eagerness, ardor, zeal, zest, fervor or keenness you have for your assignment.

No man excels or achieves real success until your mission becomes your obsession.

(ii) POTENTIAL: Know what your potentials are.

A potential is a possibility, ability, capability, resource, talent, gifting; that which is concealed or embryonic.

(vi) PERSISTENCE: To be persistent means to be firm, or to demonstrate obstinate continuance in a

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course of action.

Your purpose in life is what fuels your passion and persistence. A discovery of purpose tells you when not to stop or give up prematurely. (vii) PRAYER: Purposes can only be sustained and serviced by effectual heartfelt prayers.

(Gen. 11:3).

Successful kingdom leaders are praying men and women (viii) PEOPLE: You will definitely need people for the fulfillment of your purpose in life; the right kind of people.

(Ps. 68:11; Dt. 32:30)

Potentials alone do not make a man great. The environment and the people therein also matter.

Your association determines your ultimate destination. (ix) PROTECT: Your vision is yours; do everything possible to protect and advance it. Be careful who you share your ideas with, and watch out for vision killers! (Gen. 37:5, 8-9

(x) PERPETUATE: Genuine God-given visions should outlast the visioneer. Your vision must not die with you. Make every effort to pass it on to your protégés or followers.

Success is never really success unless there are successors.

Prayers:

1. Lord, let me not die with all the potentials you have loaded me with.

2. May I never be a victim of my environment.

3. Cause all things to ultimately work together for my good in life. 4. I refuse to settle for the devil’s alternative; rather, I choose to go for God’s ultimate. I’m a leader, not a mere manager.

5.

Lord, grant me the boldness of a lion, the strength of an ox, the compassion of a man, and the vision of an eagle.

6.

Like Daniel, make me daring, articulate, noble, importunate, enlightened and lowly.

7.

Make me a man of great wisdom with an obvious spiritual know-how to get things done in every area of my life.

8. Grant me the grace and wisdom to be able to fully harness all my God-given potentials for the fulfillment of my purpose.

9. Let me never be lacking in passion regarding my life’s assignment. 10. Grant me the wisdom and know-how to perpetuate my vision beyond my own time. Let not my dreams die with me in Jesus’ name.

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“DRIVE & GO FORWARD”

#RoyaltyWithRights #WomenWithWord It’s Just Time!! Go Forth!!

“Women of the Word” - Do you know that you are not only called, but you’ve been chosen? It’s time to walk into your assigned place and Kingdom position. When God builds a people, He always assigns a person to lead. God rests His head on strategically molding organisms to head organizations.

God is no respecter of person nor gender. He shows no partiality. God is not looking at “Status” but your “Stability” to not waver. Obedience leads to Over�low in spite of feeling Overlooked!

Women who are coming up the ranks can’t concentrate on being impressed with holding the status of “First Class”, but must always have “Class First”.

Those who remain humble

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with good character, and who walk with integrity will always be granted access to exaltation in due time.

New American Standard Bible: I Peter 5:6 - “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”

You have Royalty with Rights - to be all that God has commanded you to be. There is no need to ever compare or compete because God is the one who completes. You are unique & one-of-a-kind, chosen to stand out, not to merely fit in. You have ‘Too much Destiny to Die’.

Walk in your high heels, knowing where-ever the soles of your feet touch, God can give you the land.

There is a platform for you and a plateau that is reachable. Say: #WhyNotMe

your gift or talent, will be drawn to people and things that make it “leap” and never “sleep”.

You are built to last! Therefore, be secured in the faith. If God be for you, who shall be against you?

Drive & Go Forward!

The Shunammite Woman didn’t let her son’s death or distractions stop what was destined. Don’t slow down because someone’s Deliverance is in your Mouth!

From your Mouth, God will Manifest His Miracles. Take your Feet of Faith, your “Happy Feet” and let it bring Healing & Hope to the nations.

Heaven picks all kinds of people, not just “Calling the Equipped” but “Equipping the Called”!

It’s in the going thru, the process and embryotic stage that you realize that your ‘dark moments’ will be your ‘developing moments’. As a caterpillar goes through several stages of metamorphosis to become the butterfly, you, who have been chosen will walk with power through the corridors of the cocoon and push out everything God has promised.

Your vision, dreams, ministry, passion or business shall be birthed. Nothing miscarried or mishandled. We, the “Girlz”, answer to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who has elected us.

WOP - Woman of Power, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You Rock! Your gift shall make room for you. I command that your ‘baby’, which signifies I Am Loving God

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Romans 10:15 - “And how shall they preach, except they be sent?

As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

God’s Leading Lady, #LadyLifter Queen Author/Apostle Rev. Kim R. Brewer, Sr. Pastor/ Overseer Hope Fellowship Christian Center, NY & GA CEO-Queen of Hearts Ministries (Biz) & Queen’s Squad Ladies Lifting Ladies International

Prophetic Release

THE VISION STORMS ON THE HORIZON Ezekiel 33:1-9 October,1, 2020

Dr. Cynthia Collins Agbuye (Apostle)

I AM MY BROTHER’S KEEPER INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES.ORG/Africa/USA

1st Vision

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he word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, 3 and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, 4 then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and

takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. 5 Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’

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“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.

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GOD Elohim will always send warning before any destruction it is up to us the as the children of GOD to receive the warning and not reject His instruction.

Frustration over your wait, will cause you to make false moves that will make your wait even longer. You can want it so badly that you move ahead of God and out of His will. When it was His will to give it to you all along.

This is the signs of seasons we have entered into Israel wanted to have a king so badly to be like the other nations (covetousness) that they chose Saul. God had planned to give them David, but they couldn’t wait.

The rest of the body of Christ, couldn’t give 2 cents if you missed your promise they will stay in their seat and watch. They are well aware they have not reached their individual destination and they are staying put until they reach their “stop”. They will not Praise with you because the matter does not concern them of your Victory.

Given the ministry I have from the Lord and the gift of encouragement, I’m very concerned when someone is off track. So! I’m going to check on them. We get bumped and bruised because we went out of timing/ ahead of God. Will she/he get back on track? She/he got back track so I would pray so she/he is making it to the destination but now because of the whole “out of timing” thing she/he is creating even more delay! Please catch that. So many are being and have been delayed people are being delayed because of one person ~ SELAH. Being back on track is intimacy with the Lord. Spending time with the Bridegroom.

Through intimacy with the Lord you are going to know when you I Am Loving God

are in season or not.

All who remain on track, have intimacy with the Lord because they know they have not reached their destination yet. When you are not spending enough time with Him you could end up taking matters into your own hands and mess up the timing. We all know of President Donald Trump but how many of you actually know him? There is a difference. There are many people in church who know of Jesus but they don’t have intimate knowledge of Him. Matthew 7:22-23 NKJV

Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

So yes, there are people who prophesy, cast out demons, perform signs wonders and miracles and they don’t actually know Jesus intimately. Because the gifts and callings are without repentance. God won’t take them back even if you’ve drifted very far away from Him.This is why we need to look at the fruit of people’s lives to know if they are really following God, not the gifts.

But my Lover, came for His love! The manner in which He sweeps me off my feet and carries me back on track speaks of a level of intimacy. Your husband or your boyfriend can sweep you off your feet because they have this level of relationship with you. You even do it to your small children because you know them like that.

But some stranger can’t just walk up to you and pick you up like that, You don’t know them and

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they don’t know you.

When we get off track, HE ignores us because HE doesn’t know us like that we are out of HIS will. When we stay on track GOD is leading us to our destiny. Now, I want you to also know being on track carries weight and authority with the Father, that speaks to the level of our relationship with Him. Our words carry weight and authority because we know Him like that.

He’s going to listen to us because we are His bride. He’s our husband. We are the wife.

(Song of Solomon 2:16) “My beloved is mine, and I am His”

Are you the bride? This isn’t a masculine or feminine thing. The entire body of Christ should be the Bride of Christ. We have our own relationship with Him to help others. There are people in your life right now and God is doing things for them not because of them but because of YOU. <<<read it again. Selah.

This isn’t a prideful statement. Perhaps you never thought about it before. But I know some of you are holding people together with your prayers and if you weren’t doing it, they would be in a bad place.

If you identified with the person who is off track, here is a warning for you…don’t let anyone take you off your timing or delay your own destiny when they refuse to listen or change! You can’t save everyone. Some people will listen and some will not but, we have to keep moving forward. Sometimes you have to leave them behind. I promise you God knows who belongs to Him and who does not.

I don’t know, but He knows. He knows who will repent and who will not.

Don’t let others make you delay your own promise.

Wisdom is knowing when you need to “cut bait” and move on.

Now I know some of you may be thinking God would never leave anyone behind. Are you sure about that? Here’s the 2nd interpretation which will show you that He’s getting ready to run over some of you and leave you on the street!

We have 3 kinds of people: 1. The people who are in the center of God’s will and are just waiting on the Lord’s timing 2. The people who took matters in their own hands and went outside of God’s timing. You need to spend more time with the Lord. Be patient. Develop your relationship with Jesus, you are going to need it for this new season. He’s not angry with you but He needs to spend more time with you. There is still time for you to get your relationship back on track. You haven’t lost anything, just added to the delays.

3. The people who do have a good relationship with the Lord and care about others. You need to establish boundaries and recognize that you will not be able to save everyone. Identify when it is time to move on without them. It will be painful but you must because you are delaying your own destiny. Time waits for no man.

2nd Vision

This introduces another person (4th person). I’m spending the most time on this person because they are the one to be seriously concerned with.

What bothered me about the vision is that the one, off

track never seemed to change momentum. They moved at the same slothful pace. So how does someone just continue in the same slothful pace no matter what is before them?

So then what does this mean?

(Revelation 3:15-22) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm— neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’

But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

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Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

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To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

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All the people who are on track are with Him and those who are off track out of the timing of GOD are lukewarm, not fully committed. He’s done! Spit them out.

As a church we are now entering into a season of judgement and for those who have not repented it’s not going to be pretty.

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You know, we all talk about Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt.

Lot’s wife, Lot’s wife, Lot’s wife.

We always talk about Lot’s wife but what about LOT? Lot is the head of the household.

What in the world was he doing living in Sodom and Gomorrah?

Please read the entire story in Genesis 18:16 – Genesis 19 and glean what you can from it.

God chose to tell Abraham what He was about to do to Sodom and Gomorrah. Why? Because Abraham is the wife. The bride of Christ. He has the kind of relationship with the Lord that God tells him what is about to come.

Abraham then proceeds to plead for the “righteous people”. That means that Lot was righteous or God would not have saved him.

So! the big question is this…. Why did God tell Abraham, and not tell Lot? Abraham wasn’t even living there! Wouldn’t it make sense that He would tell Lot instead of Abraham?

The problem is that even though Lot was righteous he didn’t have that kind of relationship with God. God was ready to destroy him with the city. Please don’t miss this!!! Lot had been in that city for so long that he pretty much lost his sense of hearing from God. His relationship with the Lord was in jeopardy! He was basically being spit out, off track out of the timing of GOD left on the street. If it was not for Abraham that said let’s save Lot and his family, then Lot would’ve died in that city.

He stayed in that place so long that He lost his spiritual hearing.

He married his daughters off to the men of this city. When the angels showed up and told him to get his family and leave the

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city his sons-in-law laughed at him. They thought he was a crazy ole man. Why would God judge them when He allowed them to get away with it for so long, right? They perished in that city because they refused to heed the warning.

His wife looked back so she turned into a pillar of salt which meant she didn’t want to leave either.

If you read the story Lot didn’t want to leave; Genesis 19:16 says that he lingered even after being told what was coming. He went to sleep! If God sent an angel to tell you He was going to rain down fire and brimstone from the sky and destroy the city you’re living in would you spend the night, go to sleep? The angels had to literally show up the following morning and take him by the hand and lead him out. And even upon his departure instead of going to the place the angels told him to go he was still negotiating where he could go. How is he in a position to be negotiating anything? But the undertone of the whole story is that he was very much afraid.

He was afraid of the men in the town, afraid of leaving, afraid of staying, afraid of where they angels told him to go. When you read Genesis 19:31-36 you’ll see what became of his daughters. So even after they left Sodom and Gomorrah, that place didn’t leave them!

The problem is that they fled because they were afraid to die. But, they were not repentant. This is the real problem. God already knew they weren’t repentant. He already knew what was going to happen to Lot and his daughters after they left, this is why He was ready to wipe them out. Even though they were righteous!

I Am Loving God

Sodom and Gomorrah was an actual place which captivated and warped the mind of Lot and his entire family. For some of us it’s not a place but a person or group of people God has told you to stay away from. It’s your job.

It’s a lifestyle. Your attitude. It’s your actions. It’s what surrounds you. Your environment.

Has God told you to stop doing something and you’re still doing it?

When we stay in a place of sin for a long time after God repeatedly tells us to leave that place after awhile He stops talking.

You begin to lose your spiritual hearing and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

Some of you can’t hear from God because you didn’t do the last thing He told you to do! Most people however make the mistake of thinking that because God has stopped convicting them of that sin that it is OK. This couldn’t be further from the truth. He just stops talking, He hands us over to that sin and the consequences of it are sure to follow.

Romans 1:28-32

And because they thought it was worthless to acknowledge God, God allowed their own immoral minds to control them. So they do these indecent things. Their lives are filled with all kinds of sexual sins, wickedness, and greed.

They are mean. They are filled with envy, murder, quarreling, deceit, and viciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, haughty, arrogant, and boastful. They think up new ways to be cruel. They don’t obey their parents, don’t have any sense, don’t keep promises, and don’t show love to their own families or mercy to others. Although they “

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know God’s judgment that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do these things but also approve of others who do them.”

Yes, we surround ourselves with people that endorse what we are doing wrong so we don’t need to feel convicted anymore. We have to and we must repent.

I’ll close with this we are in a season of judgement. In my 40 plus years of being saved God has appeared to me 4 times to judge. That has been once every 10 years. It is terrifying. God does not take pleasure in judging people or nations. He is a loving, merciful and longsuffering Father. Actually 4 times in 40 years shows that HE doesn’t like doing this but, HE has to do it sometimes. For those HE loves He

reproofs, chastises and corrects.

When HE comes to judge it is because HE has given numerous warnings and the people remain unrepentant.

The only thing that turns away judgement is repentance.

The first time HE came to me in this way, I begged, pleaded, fasted for these people. I was sure that if I prayed enough they would turn and what God showed me was going to happen wouldn’t. I kept this thing at bay for almost 3 years through prayers. Finally exhausted and worn out one day I asked the question I should have asked from the beginning “will they ever repent?” God said No. I couldn’t believe it because at that point I thought if people just knew and understood that their actions were causing hurt and pain to others they would stop and repent. But what God showed me is that some people really believe they are going to get away with it forever.

So then, realizing there will be no repentance, I stepped aside and told God to do what HE needs to do. A little over a year after that is when it hit. Setting on the wall watching the devastation of it and how it affected people wasn’t fun. In prophetic intercession you experience it before others when God shows you what He’s going to do and then you experience it again when the people are actually going through it. So! they live it once and we get to live it twice.

We know, it’s not fun. The good news though is that you also get to see the ending, We know how it turns out after the chaos. While they are crying we are rejoicing because we know that the worse part is over and that it’s about to get really good. As a Prophet we cry before they cry and we rejoice before they rejoice.

Understanding how judgement works:

1. Nothing changes without true repentance

2. HE has too judge when we don’t repent. It is the final and necessary solution.

3. After the judgement comes change, progress, restoration, fulfillment of Divine destiny.

A lot of the things the church of Jesus Christ is praying for cannot happen until God judges. Back to the vision by one person. The person either needs to get thrown off the track and stay off the track (judgement) or repent and get back on track. Either way, we’re not moving forward towards our appointed destiny due to the road blocker nowhere until they either repent or get judged.

Praying for God to stop judgement is delaying the process because you can’t actual stop the judgement of God. Took me years to learn this. A better prayer is for those who will repent, to repent.

Because not everyone will. Only God knows who will and who won’t. They are stiff necked, hard- headed and stubborn. And the only thing that breaks this is judgement.

Now I told you He appeared to me 4 times to judge, the 4th time was November 2018 exactly 2 years after our Presidential elections in the United States and having gone through this before, I said my prayers for the ones who would repent. Knowing that He only shows up to judge when there is no repentance. I thought let me try to save a few of them before it hits. Covid-19 was God firing a warning shot to put us all on notice. I have seen a lot of changes in the body of Christ from people who have taken it seriously and changed but, there are still those who just don’t get it and won’t get it until the timing has run out. I asked the important

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question and HE already answered it some of you are going to repent and some of you won’t, this is why, HE has to judge. Much like Sodom and Gomorrah the cries of the people in the city has reached His ears and He will act!

It’s like those cries fill a bowl in heaven, He starts warning the people and then there comes one final cry tips the bowl over and He goes out to judge it. This is how it works.

HE has had enough cries from the aborted babies, the injustice, the human trafficking, the persecuted churches worldwide, there are enough cries there for this and that’s why He’s here to judge.

Because the perpetrators have not repented.

You may say to yourself, I’m not involved in any of that so I am safe. Not so fast! Here’s what happens when Christ appears as the judge, when He arrives your hands have to be clean and your heart pure because He’s judging everybody! Not one of us is exempt! HE may not have come to get you but if you are found in anything that He has told you to stay away from then you are caught up in it too.

That first story of judgement I told you, not only the people whom the Lord came to judge got affected/infected but everyone around them got ripped in their hearts, some left the church! Why? Because of their idolatry, lust, bitterness. They were worshiping people so when God came to judge, their idolatry made them fall as well. Everyone who is guilty experiences the judgement not just the one He came to judge. EVERYBODY feels it if they are guilty of any sin. It’s like HIS spirit falls on that earth or in that place for judgement and everything that needs to be judged gets judged.

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You can see this clearly with Lot. God didn’t rain down fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah because of Lot. It wasn’t about Lot. No, Lot probably wasn’t involved directly in any of those cries that reached heaven. BUT! Lot was sitting in the company of the mockers and standing in the way of the sinners.

He shouldn’t have been there in the first place. God has also given us a big hint of where and how it will happen – Pandemic. There is a Storm far greater on the Horizon and still so many do not believe, have not Repented and continue to mock GOD. It is better to put a brimstone around your neck in this season and keep silent and whole heartedly Repent!

PSALM 1

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

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Not so the wicked!

They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

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For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Don’t let HIM find you involved in anything HE already told you to leave. We need to repent. No one will be able to save you from God’s judgement.

(Hebrew 10:31) “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

It’s Your Final Warning. If you are not saved, you need to get saved. If you are already saved and you know there is sin in your life, repent! True repentance. If God told you something to do and you haven’t done it, you better get going. Make sure when His spirit descends upon us to judge you are in right standing with God. If you are having a hard time reading about judgement, you need to go have a conversation with HIM about it.

Shalom! Blessings!

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Breast cancer

AWARENESS C

OVID -19 has caused us to social distance, communicate virtually, retreat to our homes, avoid school, work, celebrations, and other gatherings, as well as doctor’s offices. We must remember that it is important to still find a way to maintain our physical health and mental health just as we tend to our spiritual health. Just as we ensure that our vehicles receive the proper maintenance checks, let us not forget to check ourselves. The Apostle John exhorts us in 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Do not neglect the outer man as you tend to the inner man.

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women around the world. Each year in the United States, more than 250,000 women get breast cancer, and 42,000 women die from the disease. Although rare, breast cancer affects men as well. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man.

Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but breast cancer also affect younger women.

So, what should you look for and report? Some people have no symptoms at all with I Am Loving God

breast cancer. Symptoms can include a hard lump or knot near your underarm; changes in the way your breasts look or feel, including thickening or prominent fullness that is different from the surrounding tissue; dimples, puckers, bulges on the skin of your breast; a recent change in a nipple appearance (instead of sticking out it begins to push in); redness, warmth, swelling or breast pain; Itching, scales, sores or rashes on the breast; bloody nipple discharge. These symptoms should be reported to your doctor.

What can you do to help identify changes in your breast? Breast self-awareness. This simply means being familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel. It can help you notice symptoms such as lumps, pain, or changes in size that may be of concern. These could include changes found during a breast self-exam. You should report any changes that you notice to your doctor or health care provider.

How to perform breast selfawareness? Each month take the time to use your eyes and hands to become familiar with your breast and determine if there are any changes to the look and feel of your breasts.

Although the breast self-exam technique is not always a reliable way to detect breast cancer, a significant number of women report that the first sign of their breast cancer was a new

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breast lump they discovered on their own. Look in the mirror at your breasts with your hands on your hip. Look for changes in shape, color, size. Lean forward and look at breast for changes.

Feel your breasts and feel under your arm (arm pit). Self-breastexam can be performed while in the shower or laying down. The best time to perform a self-exam is usually the week after your menstrual cycle ends.`

When should you have breast cancer screening? The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommend annual mammogram screening starting at age 40. After age 55, mammography is every 1-3 years. Those younger than 40 years of age should report lumps or breast symptoms when performing breast awareness exams, and family history of breast cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that you get a mammogram every two years if you are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer.

Pastor Monique Johnson, FNP-BC Information from USPSTF 2016 and ACS 2016 recommendations

Busy Women Deserve

BEAUTIFUL HAIR W

e are Mothers, Wives, and Professionals of a variety of careers. As women, we take on so much responsibility and rarely have time for ourselves.

With very little time to spare, we must remember to take a moment for self-care. Self-care improves your overall mental and physical health. We must take time to reset, recharge, and pamper ourselves.

Setting a monthly budget for beauty

Danielle Nicole

enhancements is a great way to treat yourself. It’s true that when we look better, we feel better!

The world deserves a whole and fabulous, YOU.

As the Owner of Danielle Nicole Hair, an Educator and Master Stylist for 13 years, I have witnessed many trends and changes in the beauty industry. One thing that never changes is that all clients

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love healthy beautiful hair that offers convenience and fits their lifestyle. Women want to look good and professional every day without spending hours on their appearance.

Wearing Extensions are a great way to achieve a desired look with convenience. Hair Extensions can be used to add length or fullness to your natural hair. They can I Am Loving God

also be used as a protective style to maintain the health of your natural hair as well as improving confidence with hair loss due to health conditions, medication or heredity. Although these are all common most clients explore Hair Extensions for convenience. There are various Hair Extension methods including Traditional, Frontal, Closure Sew-In Installs, Microlinks, Custom Wigs etc. that provide a natural hair appearance. When installed and maintained properly your natural hair remains healthy and protected with minimal daily maintenance. Depending on the method selected, your install can last up to 8 weeks for Sew-ins and Wig Installs and up to 3-6 months for Microlinks.

Convenience is great and keeping

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your hair healthy is key. Typically, I recommend coming in for maintenance every three weeks to refresh and tighten your install.

In addition, doing treatments and trims in between your installs help maintain the health of your natural hair and ensure longevity of your extensions.

When selecting hair extensions always choose good quality hair that can be reused for multiple installs. Having pictures of the desired hair style will help you select hair texture and lengths for your extensions. My Hair Extension Company provides top quality Virgin Hair in many textures! Our hair comes in natural tones and is collected from single donors per bundle. The hair has not been chemically treated or processed

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(only steam processed). It can be dyed any color, flat ironed, curled, washed and blow-dried.

Our extensions can last years with proper care.

Setting hair goals are a great way to track progress of hair growth, choose the appropriate amount of time to wear hair extensions and plan future hair styles. Some clients with natural hair wear extensions for short periods of time. They often consider extensions through the summer months due to humidity and use them as a protective style to keep their natural hair healthy. Some women wear extensions long term for enhancement and convenience. It is all about what works best for your lifestyle. Looking flawless every day with minimal effort is ideal for most women.

Our Bodies...

HIS TEMPLE 1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

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ften as believers we neglect our temples when it comes to exercise and nutrition.

Then when health challenges come we try to pray things away that could have been prevented.

We are in an hour where we must apply God’ to every area of our lives so that we may bear the fruit of His Spirit. He’s given us our bodies; however our bodies are His temple.

According to Oxford academic, poor dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyle together account for between 300 000 and 500 000 deaths each year, ranking second only to tobacco use as causes of preventable deaths (McGinnis and Foege, 1993). Diets high in fat and low in fiber are associated with higher death rates of coronary heart disease (CHD), colon, breast and other cancers, stroke, and

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diabetes (National Research Council, 1989; US Department of Health and Human Services, 1991).

This should be alarming to the church but many are still trying to operate in an “old wine skin” mentality. With knowledge we must face the truth and begin to do the work of transformation.

Before we can deal with the lack of physical activity we must work

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on changing our relationship with food. We must view food as more than sustenance. It’s fuel for our healthiest life. By making smart food choices and developing healthy eating habits, we have the power to transform our health and wellness for a lifetime.

Take a moment and ask yourself these three questions then consider what has been keeping you from doing better: ●

● ●

Am I an emotional eater more than a conscious one?

Am I getting enough physical activity daily?

Am I ready to make a change?

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How you answer these three questions can be a matter of living a life that is healthy versus living a sedentary and unhealthy life. It all begins with working on changing your mind-set! In order to experience the significant change most people crave when they have reached a point of chaos and toxicity in their life, they must make changes. But how can one make changes with all of these barriers that are in front of us.

You must strengthen your “MIND-SET”.

Do you know where that begins?

With YOU. You have to make a decision based on:

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●

●

●

Changing your view of and relationship with food versus eating whatever you want and continuing to experience pain and discomfort.

Seeing exercise as more than physical activity but mental and even spiritual.

Strengthening your mental wellness through mindfulness versus letting your thoughts control your actions.

Let’s face it, we are all a decision away from taking the risk that change brings and breaking through fear into ACTION.

There are tools that I as a coach use to help people break out of an unhealthy lifestyle into a life that progresses into optimal health and wellness. To learn more about The MARK Total Body Wellness Network go to https:// themarktotalbody.com/assessment/ and take the free wellness assessment. I will schedule a free consultation to hear about your goals and share some of our life transforming and empowering wellness services.

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I Am Loving God

I AM

POETRY CHEST POEMS WRITTEN BY

LEA PATT BATES

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I AM POETRY CHEST

A Childs Thoughts Peeking out from the treetops is another sleepless moon.

The sun brought warmth thru the day; oh must you come so soon?

So tell me where do the angels go when darkness fills the sky?

Does our Heavenly Father rest when ere’ the dark draws nigh?

Are we now succumbed to nature in this darkened state?

Oh tell me do the angels sleep? Or do they stay up late?

Is God still able to hear me when I bow my head to pray?

That is when darkness covers the sky; is He far away?

A Mother’s Reply

No matter what the season, if there is darkness or there’s light He’s not too far to hear us, He keeps us in His sight.

He sees us through our seasons of deep and dark despair.

He’s answers us oh so gladly, Yes, I’d say He cares.

For He created all the heavens, and the earth He formed it so And we learn to pray and trust Him as He leads us to and fro.

So when the moon arises and spends a sleepless night Thank God for His creation for soon He’ll bring the light.

And up will be the sun to give the moon its rest Another day is dawning. Thank you God, you are the best.

By: Lea Bates (copyright 2012)

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I Am Loving God

I AM POETRY CHEST

The Little Worm I started out with a hook and a pole When I ran into a wayward soul.

With him he had the clothes on his back, Sandals on his feet and an empty sack.

He said ‘can you spare me a dime?”

I said “of course, but if you have time I’d like to teach you how to fish Then every night you’d have a dish.

The old man pondered on this for a while “I’ll try this” as he said with a smile.

As we wandered down the narrow road We reached the waters of which I told Upon the ground we now sat As I reached into a little vat.

Then much surprised he did squirm When I pulled out a little worm.

“Oh dear”, he said when he took a look.

While I placed the worm upon the hook.

“I didn’t think you’d be using that” “I mean, isn’t he – a little fat?”

A puzzled look came upon my face Thinking better I considered grace And said “Well if we’re going to eat We must use this worm as the meat Which causes the fish who swims to and fro To come to him to eat then we’ll know That when we have him on the line We’ll reel him in and we can dine.

So to catch a fish one will see That bait is used and a worm is free.

Do not fear this little worm Or feel that you may bring him harm.

God gave him here to tend the soil He also knew that some would toil Upon the end of this little hook To catch a fish here in this brook.”

The moral of this story is as the fable tells Never hungry a man is nor his soul compels When he learns to fish to eat A lifetime meal he will reap.

But should he fear the little worm That goes on the hook I will affirm He will not eat and that is so And hunger be his biggest whoa.

The Lord provides for us every day And loves us so that He may Provide for us every flower And even give us eternal power.

That as we share and give to others It returns to us sisters and brothers.

Who share what they feel led to give And always seeking to forgive.

They teach to us and make us fat On the Word of God and that is that.

But if we’re not willing the message to hear We starve and then begin to fear.

It’s like the man who wiggled and squirmed Because he didn’t like the worm.

So when sitting at the river of life And cast your line out for a bite We cannot fear what is there Just know that He will take care.

To eat for life comes without fear Of a little worm, oh can you hear?

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I AM POETRY CHEST

Full Circle I once walked on a wayward path In a world that I held dear Satan had his grip on me Imprisoned by my fears He sent his army one by one Their target was my mind He filled my heart with every lie The vexing, tormenting kind I cried out “Dear God please set me free For I just can’t take no more But first, help me with my unbelief Because my faith is poor” See, I have this struggle in my mind It tosses me to and fro God tells me I am worthy Satan says that it’s not so “So tell me God, where do I turn To be rid of all this fear?

I look to the left and then the right But it’s not your voice I hear.

God looked down with love in His eyes And gently shook His head And when He spoke, my whole world stopped And this is what He said: “My child, I’ve been right here

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I’ve never left your side.

But if you want an inward work In my Word you must abide.

“Release my Word within you And never let it go.

Mixed with determination My grace will make it so “That when My Word is spoken Satan he must flee.

And all his ranking minions Will be cast out of thee “But don’t stop there, we must press on As every good soldier will He will come back to try again This time for the kill “Stand firm in your faith And this time you will see That as you bind and loose, my friend From this you’ll be set free.

“With this Word you’ll be equipped To overcome any Your fear will be replaced with love A blessing you’ll be to many.

I Am Loving God

I AM LOVING

Kolu Sokodolo

Children’s Foundation Meet the Founder

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his corporation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any persons.

It is organized under the nonprofit public benefits law for public and charitable purposes.

The Specific purpose for which this corporation is formed is to rescue the orphans/vulnerable/ abandoned and neglected children, youth and young women before they are sold into a life of misery through the provision of safe housing, education, medical care, training, loving support and a future free from slavery.

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Kolu Sokodolo is the Home Administrator at Bridges Home located in Hayward, CA. Kolu brings to Omelagah, Inc. 15 years of experience working with individuals who have developmental disabilities and challenging service needs. She also has 12 years of experience as a Nursing Assistant.

In addition to working at Omelagah Inc, Kolu has a passion for working with children with special needs. She has been a foster parent for 13 years and supports autistic children in California. A native of Liberia and while in Africa, Kolu cared for children with difficult behaviors and supported orphaned children who lost one or both parents to war /HIV /AIDS /Ebola.

Kolu has dedicated her life to working with people in need.

She enjoys her work and brings her outgoing and positive energy to work every day.

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I AM LOVING

What makes us different?

A. Great Relationships

B. We strive to build productive relationships and make a positive impact with all of our pursuits, both locally and internationally.

C. Quality Decisions Our everyday decision making process is informed by comprehensive empirical studies and high quality internationally.

D. Single Goal Here at Kolu Sokodolo

Children’s foundation, we are driven by a single goal; to do our part in making the world a better place.

Partner With Us How to get involved

1. Prayer: You can support by praying for KSCF

2. Getting involved by going for a mission with us/joining our fundraiser events.

3. Giving financial support.

To effectively run KSCF programs and activities in schools, communities,

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villages/town in Liberia.

KSCF heavily depends on donations and financial support of our partners.

Our yearly budget is about $300,00. To meet our yearly budget, the KSCF depends solely on sacrificial donations from believers/likeminded partners who have the burden for children, youth, and young women in Africa.

You may visit our website for more information: https:// koluscf.com/ Please donate to this worthy cause: Via Cash app $KoluSokodolo

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I AM LOVING

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I AM LOVING

You may visit our website for more information: https://koluscf.com Or visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kscfinc

(209) 910-5861 Please donate to this worthy cause: Zelle 510 827 9212 kolu Sokodolo https://www.paypal.me/koluscf Via Cash app $KoluSokodolo Contact Information: 2439 Brandywine Court Stockton, California 95210 Tel: 209 910 5861

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I Am Loving God

I AM LOVING

The

SISTERS STORY

Sisters4Sisters,Inc. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, "I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Matthew 25-35

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isters4Sisters, Inc is a 501©3 non-profit organization which was conceived as a result of the need for women and girls to have a positive and nurturing support system which would provide encouragement, inspiration and assurance throughout their life journey.

The Sisterhood founded in January 1999 with 12 members was initially created as a book club. After the very first meting the vision quickly turned into a community of sisters from all walks of life seeking positive, life affirming fellowship in a safe and confidential I Am Loving God

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environment. During monthly meetings members shared intimate concerns regarding health, aging parents, personal relationships, career challenges. raising children and the likes.

This resulted in a Sisterhood impacting more than 58,700 women and girls throughout the country and globally.

The Mission of Sisters4Sisters is to empower and transform the lives of women and girls in mind, body and spirit through enlightening personal and professional development and enriching engagement in the areas of domestic-sexual violence, hiv-aids, homelessness, young girl mentoring and heart/ mental health for women.

The founder and visionary

of Sisters4Sisters,Inc. Dr. Carolyn White-Washington is a community activist, empowerment strategist for women and girls, author, gratitude coach, and podcast hostess.

A native of North Carolina, Carolyn has a genuine heart for the healing restoration and transformation of women from all walks of life.

Dr. White-Washington founded Sisters4Sisters,Inc. in her Maryland home in 1999. The vision of the organization is to provide a safe, sacred spiritually stimulating space where sisters can share succeed and soar.

Today Sisters4Sisters,Inc. has hosted more than 578 programs including dynamic workshops

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on personal and professional development and providing direct outreach resources including food, temporary emergency housing, clothing, backpacks, new warm coats, toiletries and more to those in need year round.

During COVID-19 Sisters4Sisters,Inc. developed a daily Mid-Day Motivation Live teleconference to encourage, educate and engage women during this time of crisis.

The impact resulted in less depression, anxiety and stress among those most impacted during the pandemic.

To date, October 2020 we have successfully hosted 31 workshops during this national health crisis.

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a member of Reid Temple AME. Church in Glendale, Maryland. Dr. Washington and Sisters4Sisters,Inc. has been recognized for their work with Women and Girls globally with numerous awards including two United States Congressional Awards from Congresswoman Donna Edwards and Congressman Anthony Brown, one United States Senatorial recognition, former US Senator Barbara Mikulski, two honored Proclamations from The Prince Georges County Council and two Honorary Humanitarian Doctorate degrees.

Dr. White-Washington’s greatest accomplishment is serving as the proud mother of two amazing children, Camille Mikayla and William Carson.

She is also the CEO of Sweet Caroline Communications and WIN-Women Inspired News www.sisters4sisters.org

Dr. White- Washington is frequently invited to serve on panel discussions, local media outlets and speaking engagements as an expert guest on domestic-sexual violence, girls mentoring, and additional empowering topics impacting women and girls.

She is a proud graduate of Howard University where she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is

With the dramatic economic impact of COVID-19 and the need for financial support increasing Sisters4Sisters,Inc. continued to make a difference.

We have provided 4700 masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers in the US and globally, while delivering over 3,000 meals to seniors and vulnerable women and families during the pandemic. The need for financial support continues for the organization.

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Donations Welcomed Sisters4sisters.org Under Donation CashApp $sisters4sisters Pay Pal paypal.me/ sisters4sisters

I AM LOVING

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I Am Loving God

I AM FAMILY TIME!

I Am Family

DEVOTION TIME Praise And Prayer Time In A Family Is Very Essential In A Home. Teaching Your Family The Word Of God, How To Pray, Worship, Praise The Almighty God Is The Nucleus That Keeps The Family Together.

“A Family That Pray Together Stays Together”

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rain up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 11:19 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3 I Am Loving God

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I AM FAMILY TIME! Prayer is an anytime and anywhere conversation with God—no fancy words required! The five ways to pray listed below are easy and meaningful to do.

Use them with your family to encourage ongoing conversations with God.

1. Keep a prayer journal

Write prayer concerns in a notebook, on a calendar, or on “paper leaves” that you hang from a branch in a vase.

Then go back and look at the ways God answers those prayers over time.

2. Try circle prayers

Hold hands and take turns praying one sentence at a time for each “round.”

You may find it helpful to focus your prayer by using this kid-friendly version of the “ACTS” model, replacing Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication with these prompts: “God, you are . . . ”

“I’m sorry for . . . ”

“Thank you for . . . ” “Please . . . ”

3. Build your prayers

Have each person create a shape that represents what they’d like to pray about. LEGO™ bricks, play dough, or pipe cleaners work well! Then pray about those things.

4. Take prayer walks

Name and pray about the things and people you see while walking in your neighborhood. Broaden your child’s sense of community by also praying for the people and places you locate together on a map or globe.

5. Just breathe

Teach your kids a simple prayer verse or phrase to silently repeat while inhaling and exhaling. This is a great way to calm their spirit and/or help them focus as you enter into prayer together. For example, “When I am afraid, / I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3) or “Be still, and know / that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

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I Am Loving God

I AM FAMILY TIME!

CHRISTMAS FAMILY TIME TOGETHER Christmas is a time of reflection as well as a time of great joy! After all, Christmas isn’t about material gifts under the tree, it’s about our Father’s gift, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, who died on the cross and rose from the dead, paying the price for our sins.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt

call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:21, 23 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15

SUGGESTED FAMILY ACTIVITIES 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Read A Christmas Story About The Birth Of Jesus.

Teach The Children Christmas Carols

Teach The Children Christmas Prayers

Exchange Family Members Name For Gift Exchange Cut Or Choose A Christmas Tree

Make Christmas Tree Ornaments Decorate The Christmas Tree

Make A Holiday Greeting Video And Send It To Friends And Family Plan A Red,White And Green Day

Have A Christmas Movie Marathon

�1. Take Family Photos

12. Have A Silly Themed Family Photo Shoot 13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

Attend A Community Tree Lighting Event Make A Family Breakfast Brunch Together

Take A Ride To Look At Christmas Lights In The Neighborhood.

Go To A Christmas Show

Make A Christmas Playlist And Have A Family Dance Party

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PRODUCT SHEET

iamprayers@gmail.com

P . O Box 98312, Raleigh,NC 27624 49

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WE ARE REMEMBERING YOU THIS SEASON To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified (Isaiah 61:3) We know that this season may be difficult for those who will face it without a loved one for the first time or who are still grieving over their loss. We decided that it might be helpful to send you some ideas and suggestions for dealing with difficult days. Our prayer for you is that you continue to find JOY in each and every day, both to honor the memory of the one/ones you are missing and also to honor the beautiful spirit that lives on in you. Always remember, if you are a Christian you can pray and ask the Holy Spirit to comfort you MAY YOU KNOW PEACE AND LOVE IN YOUR LIFE TODAY AND ALWAYS!!!

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“EVERYBODY KEEPS ASKING WHAT I’M DOING FOR THE HOLIDAYS…..”

Everybody keeps asking, and I don’t know the answer! What I want to say is “I’m surviving the holidays,” but I’m sure that would seem rude…

The fact is, I don’t know what or how or even why I would “do the holidays” this year, when all I feel is the sense that someone is missing. In every tradition repeated, every picture taken, every memory made.

There’s a hole or holes that can’t be filled by anyone else.

Does this sound like anything you are feeling? If it does, please know that you are not alone! Grief is hard any day of the year, but it can be especially rough when everywhere you look people are celebrating. It almost seems like there isn’t room for your sadness amidst all the tinsel and trees.

There are many people who are feeling the same way. They may put on “masks,” just as you probably do and try to blend into the crowd. But behind the masks lie hearts that are broken,

you are up to participating in. it is perfectly okay to say “no” to some.

2. Do… make arrangements for those times that you know will be most difficult. Will it be Christmas Eve? An annual family meal? A church service?

Take steps to have supportive people around you during those moments when you need some extra love.

3. Do… Invite others! As we have already said, you are not alone in your struggles this season. Reach out to someone else who is hurting, and invite him/her to dinner or an event. Sometimes just changing the makeup of a group can make it easier on everyone.

4. Do.. Exercise! We all know those endorphins make a big difference in our overall mood. Go for a crisp winter walk!!

5. Do… something for somebody else. It takes the focus off our own troubles and puts life in perspective.

6. Do…inform others of your needs. We often assume that people are mind readers, but it just isn’t so. Let family and friends know what will work best for you this year. They will likely be relieved to know how they can help.

Remember that it is okay to feel less ecstatic this holiday season. You are going through a physically and emotionally stressful time, and nothing is going to feel quite like it has in the past. But with each passing year, you will find your joy returning bit by bit. And when those better days come to you, maybe you will remember to look around for those folks wearing “masks” and offer the encouragement that they need to make it through another season.

Because you will be the one who truly understands.

7. Do…think about ways to remember your loved.

Rituals are wonderful tool.

DO NOTS

1. Do not….eat(or drink)too much! Overeating causes blood sugars to spike—and then drop!

The result can be a tired sluggish feeling, and this won’t help your mood.

PEACE.

IT DOES NOT MEAN TO BE IN A PLACE WHERE THERE IS NO NOISE, TROUBLE OR HARD WORK. IT MEANS TO BE IN THE MIDST OF THOSE THINGS AND STILL HAVE PEACE IN YOUR HEART. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:7) SOME DO’S AND DON’TS TO KEEP THOSE HOLIDAY BLUES AT BAY….

1. Do….plan ahead. Think about the events and activities that are coming, and decide which ones

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2. Do not get stuck in “what we’ve always done” Doing something new or different may be more helpful than repeating traditions this year.

3. Do not…take on too many things. You may not feel like hand addressing all 120 Christmas cards this year. You may not be be up to dragging all the decorations out. Listen to your body, and prioritize the things you say “yes” to.

4. Do not….overspend. Spending money is another way some people try to feel better, but the end result is usually just the opposite when January’s bills roll in. Remember that the people you love I Am Loving God

would rather just have you than your money.

5. Do not.. Have such high expectations for yourself. It will be a different kind of holiday season this year. Be realistic about what is possible, and take care of yourself.

USING RITUAL TO REMEMBER AND HEAL

RITUAL refers to a practice or observance which focuses the mind and heart in a particular way.

In the case of grief, it is important not to bury the feelings of loss we experience. Ritual is one way to acknowledge those feelings and allow ourselves to remember the one or ones we miss.

Here are a few ideas that you may find helpful for remembering your loved one during the holidays. You could use these ideas on

your own or share them with other family and friends.

A. Place a picture of your loved one near a traditional or electric candle. Light it each night during the holidays and spend a few moments being thankful for this or these special persons who was/were a part of your life.

B. Choose an organization that your loved one would have appreciated, and make a donation in his/her memory. Be sure to send a note along with your donation, explaining who it honors and why.

C. Plant a living Christmas tree, an amaryllis bulb, or some other plant in memory of your loved one.

Take a picture of it and then watch it grow over the years, remembering how you too have grown.

D. Donate flowers to your church or another special organization. Place a picture of your loved one beside them.

E. Create a new and special ornament that celebrates your loved one”s life.

Consider using material from an item of clothing, a picture, or a special accessory or piece of jewelry. Display it in a prominent place that you will notice every day during the season.

F. Get a box and create a present from your loved ones to you and your family. Decorate it in some way that reminds you of him/her. Write down things from your heart and spirit that your loved one gave to you. Put these notes in the box and give it a special place under the tree.

Ask others to add to it throughout the holiday season. Then open it on Christmas morning as evidence of the love that was shared with you.

G. Hang a stocking with your loved ones name. Try to think of special memories you shared, write them down to add to stocking each day. Invite other family to do so also. You may even add a picture or two along the way. Choose a time to open the stocking as a family, to share the stories, memories, love, and laughter you remember.

H.

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Always thank God through his son Jesus, for the gift of the loved one and thank him for allowing you to spend time with your loved one.

THE FAMILY

A Christmas Family Dinner

MENU

&

RECIPES Baked Ham with Raspberry Chipotle Ham Glaze Roasted Red Potatoes Parmesan Brussels sprouts Salad Holiday Roasted Vegetables Pecan pie pound cake

Sparkling Pear & Orange Champagne Punch (Adults only) Apple cider punch with Ginger ale (Family punch)

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THE FAMILY

Baked Ham with Raspberry Chipotle Ham Glaze Recipe SERVES 16-20

INGREDIENTS • 1 and 1/2 cups seedless raspberry preserves • 2 tablespoons white vinegar • 1 to 3 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped small • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced • 5 - 6 pound cooked ham (rump half or shank portion) • 24 whole cloves, for studding ham (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In a small saucepan combine raspberry 2. preserves, vinegar, chipotle peppers and 3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

garlic. (If you are nervous about it being spicy, start with one chipotle and taste it. Add more if you like.)

Cook and stir over medium high heat just until boiling. Reduce heat to medium and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, about 10 minutes more. It will start to thicken up. (You will have about 1 and 1/2 cups glaze.) Set aside.

Set a rack inside of a large roasting pan. If you don’t have a roasting pan, set a large ovensafe cooling rack over a half baking sheet with raised edges. You want to keep the ham lifted from the liquids that will pool in the pan.

Cut open the packaging on your ham and throw away the glaze packet than probably came with it. We have loftier plans for this ham.

Set your ham flat side down on the rack.

Use a sharp serrated knife to score the ham by making diagonal cuts in a diamond pattern.

Make the cuts about a half inch deep.

If you want, stud your ham with cloves. Push one clove into the crosses of the diamond cuts you made. I love the earthy undertones cloves add! But it’s totally up to you and it will still be a great ham if you skip the cloves. I’ve done it both ways.

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9.

Brush the ham generously with the glaze you made. Don’t use all of it, we need to brush again later too.

10. If you have an oven-safe meat thermometer, insert it into the center of the ham. The thermometer should not touch the bone. (Or use an instant-read one later.)

11. Bake in a 325-degree oven for 1 and 1/2 to 2 and 1/4 hours or until thermometer registers 135 degrees F. (About 20-25 minutes per pound). Remember, the ham is pre-cooked, so you are just getting it nice and warm for serving, and crisping up the outside.

12. About 20 minutes before your ham is going to be done, remove it from the oven and brush with more glaze. Return to the oven.

When the ham reaches 135 degrees, remove from the oven and cover with foil until ready to serve. Serve with remaining glaze.

13. Use your leftover ham bone to make Split Pea Soup! The chipotle flavor from the ham slays in this soup!

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THE FAMILY

Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe INGREDIENTS

• • • • • •

4 lb. baby red potatoes halved 3 tbsp. canola oil 12 large cloves garlic, crushed 1 tbsp. freshly chopped thyme 2 tsp. kosher salt 3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS 1. Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of the oven 2.

3.

4.

and preheat to 450°.

Toss potatoes with oil, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until coated.

Arrange in an even layer, cut side down, on two rimmed baking sheets.

Roast potatoes, rotating sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through, until crisp and golden brown on the bottom, 25 to 30 minutes.

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THE FAMILY

Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Salad

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DIRECTIONS 1. In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon 2.

3.

4.

juice, parsley, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper until combined.

Add Brussels sprouts and toss until completely coated.

Let sit, tossing occasionally, for at least 20 minutes and up to 4 hours before serving.

Fold in almonds and pomegranate seeds and garnish with shaved Parmesan before serving.

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THE FAMILY

Holiday Roasted Vegetables Recipe INGREDIENTS /4 lb. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved • 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2” pieces • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar •

3

DIRECTIONS For The Oven

1.

2.

3.

Preheat oven to 400°. Scatter vegetables on a large baking sheet. Toss with oil, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the vegetable are tender, shaking the pan halfway through.

Before serving, toss roasted vegetables with pecans and cranberries.

For The Air Fryer

1.

2.

3.

In a large bowl, toss vegetables with oil, balsamic vinegar, and herbs.

Season with salt and pepper.

Place vegetables in basket of air fryer and cook at 400° for 10 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Before serving, toss roasted vegetables with pecans and cranberries.

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THE FAMILY

Pecan Pie Pound Cake

INGREDIENTS

For Pecan Pie Topping • • • •

3/4 c. raw pecans 2 tbsp. butter 6 tbsp. granulated sugar 2 tbsp. honey

For Pound Cake

Cooking spray • 1 C. (2 sticks) butter, softened • 1 C. granulated sugar • 4 large eggs • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract • 2 c. all-purpose flour • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder • 1 tsp. kosher salt

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DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9”-x-5” loaf pan 2.

3.

4.

5.

with cooking spray and line with parchment.

Make pound cake: In a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition then add vanilla.

In a separate large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth top with an offset.

Make pecan topping: In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, cook pecans and butter together until nuts are lightly toasted, 2 minutes. Add sugar and honey and cook, stirring until sugar is dissolved and glaze starts to bubble, 2 to 3 minutes more.

Spoon pecan topping in an even layer over the top of your pound cake. Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes then invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

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THE FAMILY

Apple Cider Punch With Ginger Ale INGREDIENTS

• • • • • •

1 gallon apple cider (chilled) 1 cup lemon juice (chilled) 8 cups ginger ale (chilled) 3 cinnamon sticks 1 apple, cored and sliced Clove-studded orange and lemon slices • Star anise • Mint sprigs for garnishing glasses (optional)

DIRECTIONS 1. Pour apple cider and

2.

lemon juice in a large punch bowl. Add cinnamon sticks and stir to combine. Pour in ginger ale and gently stir to combine.

Top punch with sliced apples, clove-studded orange and lemon slices and desired amount of star anise. Serve chilled.

NOTE : (If preparing ahead of time, add ginger ale right before serving.)

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