Catalyst September 2017

2017 CityLight Catalyst Prayer Breakfast First Thursday of every Month

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Call Bishop Redfern II @ 803 730-2758

January 2017 Bishop Redfern II

February 2017 Rev. Carolyn Brailsford

March 2017 Rev. Luella Redfern

April 2017 Rev. Tim Hanley

May 2017 Rev. Anthony Dicks

June 2017 Mac Bennett

July 2017 Elliott Powell

August 2017 Rev. Charles Austin

September 2017 Daniel Rickenman

October 2017 Rev. Ben Johns

November 2017 Rev. Dave Philips

December 2017 Lew Wayburn

COSeptember N T7thEN T S • 2017 ARTICLES The Hope of Surrender Tony Evans ................................................................................................................ Page 7 Giving the Enemy a Key to Your Front Door Bonita Britt ............................................................................................................... Page 8 Daniel Rickenmann City Councilman ...................................................................................................... Page 10 How to Start a CityLight Prayer Group ................................................................................................................................. Page 12 Newton’s Laws of Influence Chakisse Newton....................................................................................................... Page 18 What Does the Future Hold Jed N. Snyder, D. Min............................................................................................... Page 21 Prayer Guide: Ephesians 2 Daniel Henderson .................................................................................................... Page 22 Jesus Pusher Stephen Manley ....................................................................................................... Page 25 CityLight Mission Statement ................................................................................................................................ Page 26 Discontentment Luella Redfern .......................................................................................................... Page 28

FEATURES

Local Events & Points of Interest ................................................................................................................................... Page 4 CityLight Prayer Breakfast Order of Service........................................................................................................... Page 5 Midlands Prayer Opportunities ................................................................................................................................. Page 14 Volunteer Opportunities ................................................................................................................................. Page 20 september 2017

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Local Events & Points of Interest SATURDAY SEP 9th MARTHA'S MARKET

UNION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 7582 WOODROW ST., IRMO, SC 29063 CALL: 803-463-1586 6th annual Union United Methodist Martha's Market will be held on Saturday, September 9th from 9am-1pm?.

The market features over 70 vendors selling crafts, jewelry, art, and homemade goods.

Publisher: Redfern II CityLight Founders: Joe & Gladys Grimaud

SATURAY SEP 16th

Associate Publisher: Rev. Luella J. Redfern Operations Manager: Gwen Byrd Director of Chapter Dev: Bonnie Miles Prayer Breakfast Chair: Creative Director: Gabe Lowe Managing Editor: Editor: Casey Lowe Photographer Videographer: Zoe Warren Sponsorship Manager: Registration Manager: Logistics: Min. Bernard Byrd Music Director: Rev. Edward King

PROJECT 658 3646 CENTRAL AVE., CHARLOTTE, NC 28205 Moms have the hardest job in the world, and single moms in particular deserve appreciation for all that they do. K-LOVE Radio wants to show local single moms that they are loved & appreciated with a night all about them! Register for free today!

Contributors: Tony Evans, Stephen Manley, Joseph Grimaud, Gladys Grimaud, Luella Redfern, Bonita Britt, Daniel Henderson, Chakisse Newton and Jed Snyder.

SATURDAY SEP 9th YORK WESLEYAN CHURCH

YORK WESLEYAN CHURCH 1830 YORK HWY., YORK, SOUTH CAROLINA 29745 CALL: 803-684-7335 Games & Activities Food Trucks Bouncy House A night of Family Fun!

K-LOVE SINGLE MOM'S EVENT

FRIDAY SEP 22nd BALLOONS & TUNES

171 LANGFORD RD., BLYTHEWOOD, SC 29016 CALL: 803-419-0989 Bring a blanket or a chair & enjoy a FREE Concert by the VillageBands, see the hot air balloon, & purchase dinner from one of the many food trucks in attendance.

Allow the kids to play on the inflatables & much more!

SATURDAY SEP 23rd

CHRISTIAN MUSIC DAY 2017 CAROWINDS

14523 CAROWINDS BLVD., CHARLOTTE, NC 28273 You do not want to miss Christian Music Day featuring For King & Country, Crowder, Mac Powell, Ryan Stevenson, and Mr. Talkbox! It will be a unforgettable experience, so reserve your spot today!

See More Events at klove.com 4

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For information about sponsorship opportunities and rates, please contact: Gwen Byrd gbyrd@citylight.org (803)500-0475

Check Out The Catalyst Online Publication at CityLight.org!

© Copyright 2017 CityLight Coalition Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

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CityLight Catalyst Breakfast Columbia Prayer Breakfast

Speaker: Councilman Daniel Rickenman Christian Values and Political Choices September 7th, 2017 at 7:00 AM

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | Carolina A Meeting Room

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” -2 Chronicles 7:14

Lift Every Voice and Sing ..................................................... Rev. Sam Perry Welcome & Invocation ................................................... Rev. Bernard Byrd Solo - “I Will Be Christ To You” .............................................. Rev. Ed King Purpose ........................................................................... Rev. Bernard Byrd

~Prayer Time: Rev. Derrick Myers~ Introduction of Speaker .................................................. Bishop Redfern II Keynote Speaker ...................................................... Mr. Daniel Rickenman Remarks/ Benediction..................................................... Bishop Redfern II

On Thursday, October 5, 2017 the CityLight Catalyst Prayer Breakfast will be held in the Carolina A Meeting Room of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Rev. Ben Johns will be our Guest Speaker. Theme: The Impact of Christian Diversity on the Body of Christ. september 2017

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The Hope of Surrender

By Tony Evans We had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.

2 Corinthians 1:9

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e know very little about the years that Jesus spent growing into manhood. However, we can surmise that He grew emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Luke writes, “Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). Like us, God’s Son had to develop, and we can imagine that though He was sinless, He learned how to live through the circumstances of life.

Many people today are suffering, not because they have sinned or resisted God, but because the Lord has chosen to develop their character through difficulty and hardship. In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul doesn’t gloss over the fact that he suffered. At one point, he believed he might die. But God spared his life, and Paul was able to write about the hardships he faced with such hope that many who read his letters also declared faith in Jesus Christ.

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God cannot mold and shape our lives unless we’re willing to surrender and be transparent before Him. These are prerequisites to experiencing a breakthrough in our trials and sufferings. We have no idea of the difficulties that Christ faced as a young man. The Gospels don’t record them. Yet we know that as an adult, He suffered and died on the cross for our sins so that we might have eternal life. He wasn’t ashamed of the calling God had given Him. Now all glory is His, and He’s seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding in prayer for us each day.

God cannot mold and shape our lives unless we’re willing to surrender and be transparent before Him. Stop looking at the trials of your life with thoughts of regret. Learn to rest in God’s care and allow Him to work in your life to the fullest. When you do, you will discover that He has a tremendous blessing waiting for you. You grow to be like Him, and you will be a testimony of His grace and hope to a troubled world.

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GIVING THE ENEMY A KEY TO YOUR FRONT DOOR by: BONITA BRITT, Founder Resurrection, Redemption, & Restoration Ministries International

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f we do not have the heart of sonship toward authorities in the natural realm, how will we ever have it toward God? Paul says, “all existing authority has been established by God; therefore, those who resist are opposing God and inviting condemnation on themselves.”

Peter’s instruction is to “ honor all people.”

(1 Peter 2:18 NKJV) The Christians in the Roman Empire re-

tude of honor to those in authority, we are dishonoring God. We may think He has given a new deal, never realizing that God puts authority in our lives as a minister of good.

Those who oppose God will “receive condemnation upon themselves.” Does God condemn us? No, the Father judges no one (John 5:22 NKJV). He doesn’t have to judge us’ we take pretty good care of opening the door to self-imposed curses; for

"Those who oppose God will “receive condemnation upon themselves.” fused to go against the Word of God, and many of them were martyred for it. There is a principle that says if we resist authority, there is an issue in our heart that opposes the ordinance of God and opens the door to fear and judgment in our life.

When we dishonor authority, it is thought that we are saying, “If God put this authority in my life, then what a poor manager He is!”

Whenever we do not have a heart atti8

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when we oppose authority, we come into agreement with the first spiritual orphan---the father of lies who is a legalist. When we oppose authority, we come into agreement with the law, and we bring condemnation upon ourselves. God doesn’t curse us; rather the enemy has been looking for every open door through which to come in and steal, kill and destroy. If he can align us with orphan thinking by our front door, then the enemy has legal ground to come and go in our house as he pleases. september 2017

The sonship principle of humility, honor, and submission applies even to unreasonable authority; in Rome’s case, it was murderers, immoral and corrupt authority.

When we submit to unreasonable authority, we position ourselves to see God bless, honor and elevate us in the midst of and in spite of that unreasonable authority. Inheritance is for sons, and God can release inheritance under any circumstances to sons who are subject to the Father’s mission (Romans 13:3-8 NKJV).

Why does God want us to submit to

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unreasonable authority? Following the principle of submitting to all authority helps us learn to respect legitimate authority in spite of their personal blind spots. Every person in authority in our lives has character f laws, and it is easy for us to use those character f laws as justification for rejecting their authority. We need to learn to honor all people and, with our love, fulfill the whole law. Submitting to all authority also helps uncover orphan thinking that may remain in us so that we can bring it to the Cross.

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City Councilman Daniel Rickenmann Village of Hope Fellowship Church

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longtime Columbia resident, City Councilman Daniel Rickenmann is a community and business leader who has dedicated his life to helping people and making a difference in our city.

Married to his wife Dr. Laura Rickenmann, a well-regarded pediatrician in Columbia, for the past 21 years, Mr. Rickenmann was an owner and partner of several restaurants in the City of Columbia, including Birds on a Wire, MoMo's Bistro, Yo Burrito among others. Today, he works as a business consultant.

The Rickenmanns have two daughters Carlyle (age 17) and Ellie (age 14) - and the family regularly attends and are active members of Shandon United Methodist Church, where Daniel used to serve on the church's property committee.

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Mr. Rickenmann earned his bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in 1992. Prior to his enrollment into USC, Mr. Rickenmann graduated high school from Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Va. Mr. Rickenmann was first elected to Columbia City Council in 2004 when he defeated a 16-year incumbent to serve in one of the two at-large member positions on council. He was re-elected to that seat in 2008. Three years later, wanting to dedicate more time to his family, Mr. Rickenmann announced he would not run for re-election when his term expired in 2012.

As the new representative for City Council District #4, Daniel Rickenmann remains as dedicated as ever to the City of Columbia and is ready to work for his constituents.

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How To Start a

CityLight Prayer Group

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ityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change. Our main focus is prayer; seeking the face of God, turning from our wicked ways, receiving forgiveness and the healing of our land.

II Chronicles 7:14 We invite you to join us in this great enterprise called - CityLight. As Christians we are committed to bringing Light to the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

CityLight is a movement of believers who have committed to living the Two Great Commandments and carrying out the Great Commission. We are not separate from, but active members in our local Christian Church. We are from many different cultures, countries, races, communities, societies and denominations, but we are united as one body in Christ.

Our members are individuals, churches, ministers, and businesses who have come together in prayer asking God to guide us as we respond to the needs of our community.

This response is in our Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism.

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2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) 14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

The Two Great Commandments: Mt 22:36 “’[ Jesus], which is the great commandment in the law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.’”

The Great Commission: Mt 28:16 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV ) CityLight Vision: To bring light to the world by responding september 2017

to the prayer of Christ for complete unity with God and other believers.

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” ( John 17:22-23) CityLight Mission Statement: CityLight is a catalyst connecting Christ to the culture for community change.

CityLight Slogan: “The light of the world is Jesus.” “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

How To Start A Prayer Group Worship 1 The first step in starting a CityLight Prayer Group is to enter into a spirit of Worship... a spirit of unrelenting, unceasing prayer.

Taking time to seek the face of God and experience His presence from the very depths of your soul. It is by the will of God and only by the will of God that you can be an instrument of this work.

City Light and it’s leaders. Share your passion and love for the Lord Jesus and this mission of prayer with your fellow believers. Allow the call of II Chronicles 7:14 to resonate in your community and the spirit.

Examine your life, the lives of those in your community and the spirit and values by which you live. As you discover the will of God for this generation, we pray that you will join us as we join with Him in complete obedience and submission.

Knock on the door to your heart and the heart of this generation to live The Great Commission. Allow the door of prayer to open the hearts of a dying generation and give hope anew to those who have not heard the Good news.

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e the members of the CityLight group hereby solemnly pledge our lives, hopes, and dreams to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We promise to uphold, honor and promote the core values of our Christian heritage.

Continued on page 16

Ask God to reveal His purpose for your life. The purpose for the entirety of your being. Study the Word of God - the Bible. Pray for the manifold wisdom of God to be made manifest in your every endeavor.

View the 5 twenty minute video sessions of Stephen Manley’s study on prayer and the Book of Ephesians.

Seek the advise, counsel and prayers of your pastor, deacons and church leaders. Learn more about september 2017

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Please Mark Your Calendars And Take Advantage Of The Following Prayer Opportunities God loves hearing His people praying together, asking Him to fill their land with His Glory.

God is already doing great things in the Columbia area. And He has promised to do even better things. Let’s ask God to bring on the best! God is the one orchestrating the united prayer of which we are a part. He’s the one inspiring us to pray as never before. Could it be that God is about to do some of the most amazing things that He has ever done? He wants us to pray about them before they take place. God is setting us up to give Him the praise and glory. Answered prayer is one of God’s favorite ways of being glorified.

Let’s pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done – in this City as it is in Heaven! God is up to something BIG and you will not want to miss being a part.

Greater Columbia Call to Prayer 9:30 – 11:30a - Second Sat of Every Month

Lexington Area Pastors/Ministers Prayer Gathering Every Wednesday 10:30am – 11:30am

Columbia International University 7435 Monticello Road Columbia, SC For more information, H. L. Allen | 803-513-2003 allenhl@windstream.net

Riverbend Community Church 1015 Corley Mill Road Lexington, SC Each Wednesday morning pastors and ministers from around the Lexington area gather to pray for the many needs in our families, churches, state and nation. All area pastors and those in any ministry are welcome.

CityLight Prayer Breakfast Cola, SC 1st Thursday Each Month 7:00 – 8:30am Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center 1101 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC 29201 CityLight.org | CityLightWorldwide.net

Walk the Labyrinth & Pray First Friday every month 10 am – 8pm Wesley Hall at Lexington United Methodist 309 East Main Street, Lexington, SC www.lexumc.com | 803-359-6838 14

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First Friday Prayer Focus A day of fasting and prayer each month for revival and for those in authority 1 Tim www.ifapray.org.

Prayer For Media & Influencers: Ongoing For more information, visit www.mastermediaintl.org september 2017

First Nations Monday The purpose of First Nations Monday is to encourage Native American leaders, prayer coordinators, independent intercessory prayer groups, organizations and churches to join together in prayer the first Monday of each month for Native Ministry. “By praying for one another,” says Jeny Covill of First Nations Monday, “there will be an increase of prayer support for each ministry, as well as an increase in Native Ministry awareness around the country.”

For info visit www.firstnationsmonday.com Or Jeny Covill at jcovill@cyberport.com

Prayer For Our Nation: Ongoing

Join the US Prayer Watch Network Today!

For more information, visit www.presidentialprayerteam.org

Esther Women of Influence Prayer-Line | Tuesdays 6 pm- 7pm 1-712-770-4010 Code:739872

PRAY FOR OUR

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How To Start a

CityLight Prayer Group Continued from page 13

“The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.”

These fruits are the result of growth in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These fruits are tendencies rather than mere willingness, because “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” In the person who possesses a Fruit of the Spirit, this willingness bears fruit in the life and behavior of the person.

Charity is love, both of God and of neighbor. It is our love for God above all things for his own sake and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. Joy is the happiness found in union with the Lord. It is a glimpse of the perfect happiness of heaven that leads us to desire heaven.

Peace refers to dealing justly with the world, as well as remaining in good conscience before God. Patience, also known as long-suffering, refers to the tendency to endure both temptation and suffering without it leading to sin.

Kindness, also known as Benignity, is the tendency toward acting kindly and doing good.

Goodness is the tendency to avoid sin and do good.

Generosity is an openness to sharing one’s own gifts and goods with others. It is the opposite of both gluttony and envy.

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Gentleness, also known as mildness, is the tendency to allow provocations to go unanswered.

Faithfulness is standing strong in faith, and strength against diversion away from faith and virtue.

Modesty refers to purity in appearance and self-image.

Self-Control, also known as continence, refers to purity in words as well as the tendency to avoid temptations.

Chastity refers to purity in actions, especially sexual purity. Chastity should not be confused with celibacy, which is the avoidance of marriage and marital acts.

Positions in your CityLight Prayer Group Chairman Vice Chairman (Discipleship) Secretary Assistant Secretary Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Fellowship Coordinator Ministry Coordinator Photographer Internet Manager 2nd Generation Prayer Group (Evangelism) Chaplain (Worship Leader) Assistant Chaplain Columbia Prayer Group No. The members of CityLight Prayer Groups are individuals who are guided by II Chronicles 7:14 to save a generation and fit it for Worship and Kingdom Service. We pursue the Face of God in all that we do. We pray that our lives may be vessels of Holiness and Fruit of the spirit. In every area of life we offer our Utmost to his Highest.

We are shaped and formed in groups with a leader and 12 disciples. Our Fellowship september 2017

is for Worship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism. Prayer is the cornerstone of our assembly each month. Each disciple in every group will grow and mature to start another group of 12 so that we may reach every heart with the Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ.

We are a Chapter of CityLight Inc., a nonprofit 50 1(c)3 organization. We have purposely intentioned to find, recruit, develop, equip, and disciple Christians to be todays leaders with a new standard of Holiness.

We are committed to God, our families, our children, our extended families and our church. We offer our lives in keeping the Two Great Commandments and the Great Commission. By the Seal of our Hands with our commitment to God, we commission CityLight Prayer Group No. Columbia as a new Chapter of CityLight on the___ day of the month of ___ in the year of our Lord ___.

Recruit 12 People to Join You In Prayer one hour each month...

Light to the world through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

CityLight is a movement of believers who have committed to living the The Great Commandments and carrying out the Great Commission. We are not separate from but active members in our local Christian Church. We are from many different cultures, countries, races, communities, societies and denominations, but we are united as one body in Christ.

Our members are individuals, churches, ministries and businesses who have come together in prayer asking God to guide us as we respond to the needs of our community. This response is in our Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Evangelism.

For more information, visit: CityLight.org or CityLightWorldwide.net

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and PRAY and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

II Chronicles 7:14 CityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change. Our main focus is prayer; seeking the face of God, turning from our wicked ways, receiving forgiveness and the healing of our land.

II Chronicles 7:14 We invite you to join us in this great enterprise called- CityLight.

As Christians we are committed to bringing september 2017

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CHAKISSE NEWTON’S

NEWTON’S LAWS OF INFLUENCE

How to Be An "Insider" at Work

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hat would it mean for your career if you could be an “insider” in your organization? Would it mean more respect, more fun or more career fulfillment? A recent experience at the W Hotel taught me that we can all be insiders with a change of perspective.

Here’s my conversation with Amy, the front desk clerk at the W Hotel in downtown Atlanta.

Me: “Hello. I have a strange question.”

Amy: “I love those.”

Me: “My son gave me this toy as a memento to take on business trips. I take a picture with it everywhere I go. Can you suggest an interesting place to take a picture?”

Amy: “What about the helicopter pad?”

And that’s how Pablo, the “W Insider,” ended up escorting me to the W’s helicopter pad to take pictures with a remarkable view of downtown as a backdrop. Pablo explained that as the W Insider, his job is to connect the hotel with its passions and provide a great brand experience for guests. He is at a manager level (so people don’t delegate other tasks to him or ask him what he’s doing) and he’s flexible to do almost anything that will improve a guest’s experience. Here are three lessons I learned that can make you more of an “insider” at your own job: 1. Be responsible for the brand. It may not be your job title, but you are responsible for your company’s brand. People may not remember 18

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the advertising or marketing, but they will remember you. You have a chance to make a remarkable impression on everyone you interact with. That will build your brand.

2. Use what you already have. The helicopter pad was an exotic place for me to take a picture, but it was a standard feature for the hotel. What resources do you already have that you could use to help someone else or build relationships?

3. Watch what you say. Amy could have responded to me any number of ways.

Saying, “I love those” prepared me for a positive experience. You can do the same with your responses and get people ready for a positive experience with you.

Being an insider at your job is more about attitude than title. If you practice those three steps, you’ll feel better about your job, have more fun and have people raving about you. And that’s what being an insider is all about.

Chakisse Newton 803.753.1311

To read more helpful articles like this one, be sure to visit:

CardinalConsulting.net september 2017

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Volunteer Opportunities

Christ Central’s # 1 Commitment is serving everyone in a spirit of love and respect.

Our devoted volunteers are dedicated to serve in excellence, regardless of how great or small the need.

We are inviting churches, community organizations, and families to join us in showing the impact that love, caring, and sharing can have in the lives of the underprivileged. You can help by simply volunteering your time or resources to bring hope to enhance the lives of others.

Some of the ways to volunteer are: Your organizations can sponsor a day during the month to come out to Christ Central Columbia and provide the lunch meal to our patrons. Providing the lunch meal includes any or all of the following: Providing the volunteers to cook and serve the meal for the day Providing and/or preparing the meal and/ or groceries Providing the entertainment and inspirational message for our patrons to enjoy during the meal.

Sponsoring a Paper Drive to collect items we use on a daily basis in the center.

Sponsor a Winter Coat/Blanket Drive.

Supply baby items such as pampers, wipes, clothes etc.

Monetary donations and contributions toward a cause that will change someone’s life in a positive way. All donations are tax deductible.

Those are just some ways to volunteer toward a good cause. Any other means or methods of volunteering your time and services are greatly appreciated.

I Corinthians 13: 1-2 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a thinking cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 13: And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.

How else can you help?

If you and/or your organization are looking for volunteer opportunities or a place to donate goods and services, please consider Christ Central Columbia.

Contact Info: Pastor Sylvia Mickens 803-237-2547

Prayer honors God, acknowledges His being, exalts His power, adores His providence, secures His aid.

-E M Bounds 20

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What Does The Future Hold?

Jed N. Snyder, D. Min. Founder/President Jesus Every Day Ministries, Inc. | www.jedministries.com

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erhaps you wonder about the future. At one time or another we all think about what may happen. Will I be healthy? Will I be able to maintain my job? Will my children grow up and have families of their own? Will the economy collapse? Who will care for me when I grow old?

A great question that may be in your heart is this, does God know and care? Is God involved in my day to day life? We are studying the Book of Revelation in the Bible in two weekly gatherings. In this complicated futuristic book we find some very certain and clear considerations. We also find some issues that are not so easily understood and agreed upon by Bible scholars.

Clearly and with certainty this book tells us that Jesus Christ is and will be active in the affairs of earth. He will be active in the lives of those living when the prophecies of

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this book are implemented. That leads me to one question, are you ready if the prophecies begin to come to pass? May I ask it differently? Is your life in good relationship to Jesus Christ? Can you come face to face with him today and be at peace?

Another matter that is clear in the book of Revelation is that there are fearful and powerful evil actions coming against much of mankind. These judgements by God are against those who reject his great love.

The upheavals on the earth will bring pain and death on many believers as well, but since they are right with God death does not frighten them since it leads to an eternity of joy and peace.

My hope is that you are ready for the upheavals ahead? Is your heart right with God? Happy future to you.

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Prayer Guide: Ephesians 2 Theme: One in Christ

EPHESIANS 2:11-22 11 Therefore remember that at one time You Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to You who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then You are no longer strangers and aliens, but You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him You also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

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REVERENCE

(“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name . . .”)

God’s praiseworthy attributes

displayed in this text:

• He transforms our identity (vv. 11-12) • He gives us real hope (v.12) • Christ’s sacrifice/shed blood brings real reconciliation (v. 13) • Christ brings real peace and abolishes division (v. 14) • Christ creates “oneness” out of human differences and division (v. 15) • Christ reconciles relationships and destroys hostility (v. 16) • Christ produces lasting peace between us as we draw near to him (v. 17) • He gives all believers access to the abundance of His Spirit (v. 18) • He transforms our enmity to make us “fellow citizens, saints and members” of His family (v. 19) • He gives us a solid foundation of truth for our thoughts and lives, with Jesus as our Cornerstone – (v. 20) • He unites and builds us so that we might reflect His holiness in this world (v. 21) • He is our source of growth so that the presence of the Spirit will be evident in and through His church (v. 22) Possible Prayer Prompts: • I praise You Lord that even though I used to be known as _______________________ I am now a new creature in Christ.

• Thank You that my hopelessness has september 2017

been turned to hope because You are…

• I praise You that You have brought reconciliation to be by …

• I praise You that Your peace has changed…

• I praise you that I am now one with _______________ because of the cross …

• I praise You that You delivered me from the hostility of …

• I praise You that as we draw near to You in the midst of ________________, You provide real peace.

• I praise You that we have access to Your Spirit who is ________________.

• I praise You that we are “fellow citizens, saints and members” of Your family, especially when the world tells us…

• Thank You Lord Jesus that You are the Cornerstone, especially when…

• I praise You that the beauty of Your holiness and the power of Your Spirit is greater than…

RESPONSE

(“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”)

• I confess that I need Christ to bring real peace to my heart and abolish the division I feel about___________. I sur-

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render my feelings of hopelessness about ______________ and embrace You as the only hope of this world.

• I surrender all doubts, lies and false narratives to You (as the source of truth and the Cornerstone of my life). Especially my thoughts about…

• Because Your Spirit is __________________ I surrender my…

REQUESTS

(“Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”)

• Give me grace today to stop seeing myself as _______________________ and to embrace my identity in Christ.

• As I live in a hopeless and Godless world, help me minister the peace of Christ, especially as I… • Lord I pray that you will bring ____________________ (name of the lost or backslidden) near to you by the power of the cross.

• Lord Jesus, by Your power I ask You to bring reconciliation to…

• I pray that ______________________ (names) would experience real “oneness” by the power of Christ.

Continued on next page

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THE STRENGTH THAT BEGINS DESTRUCTION

By Daniel Henderson | Continued from previous page

• I pray for Your church that Your peace would abolish the division that exists over…

• Help __________________ (name) to draw near to You today so that they may know Your peace.

• Because Your Spirit is ___________________________, I pray that You will …

• Give us grace to truly live as “fellow citizens, saints and members” of Your family, especially when…

• I pray for _______________________ to have the strength to stand on truth, and trust You as their Cornerstone as they …

• I pray Your holiness will prevail and Your Spirit will be evident in and through me today as…

• I pray Your holiness will prevail and Your Spirit will be evident in and through Your church so that …

READINESS

(“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.)

• As we go into a world of division and

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hostility, empower us that Your peace will triumph over…

• As the world seeks to divide us over _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, thank you that in Christ we can live with one heart, one voice and one purpose.

• Even though the world tells us that we are ________________________, empower us to live as “fellow citizens, saints and members” of Your family.

• As we journey in a society that believes __________________________, let us stand on the foundation of Your truth.

• Antiphonal Response: Jesus is our Cornerstone!

Daniel Henderson

© Daniel Henderson. www.strategicrenewal.com Connect with us on social media

PO Box 370233 Denver, CO 80237 info@strategicrenewal.com | 720.627.5932 © Strategic Renewal 2017. All Rights Reserved

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I

am a Jesus pusher!!! “Blessed are the pure in heart” (Matthew 5:8). While purity may be in the heart, the opposite is true as well. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). Unbelief takes place in the heart of man. Thus the stage of the battle for the soul of men is in his heart. The heart can be overrun with lusts. “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves” (Romans 1:24). This took place “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).

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Jesus does not meet us on a superficial, external level of living. He is not interested in being an additional aspect of my physical life such as another hand. He is not going to be a garment I wear or an exterior protection for some difficulty of life. He meets me in the location of my heart. Here in the center of my being, the seat of my affections, the source of all activities, and the determiner of my attitude is where He comes. This places Him at the core of my being, my very existence. To refuse or accept Him on this level is my choice. He is not my business partner, my counselor giving advice, or my instructor on proper activities; He is a lover of my heart! I am a Jesus pusher!!!

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CityLight|

I

In February 1996, Joe and Gladys Grimaud, along with a group of Columbia area Christians began meeting and seeking God’s direction for our city. The group included Pastors, community leaders, and lay people from different racial, cultural and denominational backgrounds with different talents and gifts. Each member of the group was concerned about the problems and needs of the community, many of which are the result of the breakdown of the family unity. The group knew that there is a wealth of available talent and resources, and that if mobilized, could be used to address the spiritual and physical needs of individuals, families, and the community.

We believe that Churches and the body of Christ should be the focal point of love and compassion in our community and should work together in addressing the needs of the community.

CityLight Columbia organized as a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation in June 1996 to bring churches and the body of Christ together to make a positive impact in our community. Our Mission is “to unify the Christian community by lifting up Christ, evangelizing, disciplining, and impacting the community through the local Church”.

We believe that Churches and the body of Christ should be the focal point of love and compassion in our community and should 26

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a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change

work together in addressing the needs of the community. CityLight serves as a liaison and a facilitator between Churches, the public and private sectors, and the community at-large to help identify needs and match those needs with available resources. We help Churches and the community to become more vibrant by encouraging them to become actively involved in community outreach and to experience the rewards of helping the less fortunate and those in need.

CityLight Columbia sponsored the Tony Evans Crusade at Williams-Brice Stadium in May 1997 which served as a catalyst for bringing God’s people together in a spirit of revival to empower us to begin the process of bringing moral, spiritual, and economic change to our community. Dr. Evans’ messages during the three nights of the crusade addressed racial reconciliation, one’s personal responsibility in helping to bring about change, family renewal, and the role of the local Church in reaching out to help meet the needs of the community.

The vision that God has given to CityLight is unlimited. Every day, we are seeking new opportunities to reach out into the community, to mobilize the body of Christ, and to match available resources with the needs of the community. As we grow and the opportunities to serve Him increase, we need more volunteers and workers to help fulfill the Mission of CityLight.

If you would like to join the efforts of CityLight, you can begin by praying for us. You can become a contact person in your own church body to help us form a spiritually powerful and effective movement of God in the Columbia area. You can help support us financially, or volunteer to serve in one of the following areas of CityLight Columbia. september 2017

CityLight

a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change

1. PRAYER NETWORK Establish a citywide prayer network involving Pastors and laity.

2. FINANCE Seek and develop ways to generate an ongoing income stream to support the CityLight’s Mission.

3. COMMUNICATION Coordinate a communication network within the community involving Churches, Christian ministries, and the community at-large.

4. VOLUNTEER COORDINATION Coordinate and integrate CityLight volunteers based on their areas of interest.

5. EVENTS Coordinate information on Christian events taking place in the Columbia area and coordinate CityLight sponsored events.

6. MINISTRY COORDINATION Coordinate information on Christian ministries and outreach opportunities in the Columbia area and develop a “Ministry Directory” listing available ministries and resources in the community.

7. UNITY AND RECONCILIATION Promote unity and reconciliation across racial, cultural, and denominational lines by encouraging Pastors, laity, and the business community to work together to bring moral, spiritual, and economic changes to the community.

8. CHURCH AND COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION Mobilize Churches and the community to capitalize on available gifts, talents, and resources to address the problems and needs of the community.

9. CHURCH AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Train, prepare, and equip Churches and community leaders for maximum community outreach. september 2017

10. FAMILY RENEWAL Rebuild and strengthen families in the community according too Biblical family principles, with an emphasis on targeting “at risk youth”.

11. EDUCATIONAL REVITALIZATION Work with Churches and the community in the areas of youth tutorial, remedial instruction, illiteracy, and other educational related problems.

12. HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT Foster safer neighborhoods, promote and provide affordable housing for the homeless and others with housing needs, encourage neighborhood property beautification, and strengthen neighborhood relationships.

13. HEALTH REVITALIZATION Work with Churches and the community to identify and address problems that are contributing to the deterioration of the physical and emotional health of the community.

14. BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Work with Churches and the community to promote business stability and growth using available resources to help the unemployed, underemployed, and others in need in the community.

If you would like tot be a part of the move of God in Columbia and volunteer to serve on one of the CityLight Committees or if you would like more information about the CityLight Mission, you may call or write to us at:

CityLight

P.O. Box 8642 Columbia, SC 29202 (803) 200-1940 CityLight.org | CityLightWorldwide.net

CityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change CityLight.org

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DISCONTENTMENT by: Luella Redfern

S

everal weeks ago Bishop Redfern preached a sermon entitled “Discontentment.” Rachel the wife of Jacob was the focus of his text. I will never look at Rachel the same way again. In the past when I read the story of Jacob and Rachel’s great love, I felt that Laban was harsh in how he deceived Jacob. I felt sorry for both Leah and Rachel. Further saturation revealed that Jacob, Leah, Laban, and Rachel all sought purpose, meaning, satisfaction and fulfillment in things other than God’s will and because of their self-centeredness they were all disappointed.

Jacob was without a doubt in love with Rachel at first sight. She was a lovely girl, “beautiful of form and face” (Gen. 29:17).

Jacob was impressed and so enchanted by Rachel’s charm, he boldly kissed her. At that moment he was so overwhelmed with emotion, he wept out loud (Gen. 29-11).

Perhaps it was the thrill of meeting his beautiful cousin who he hoped would become his wife. The prospects of his future were looking up. Our culture frowns on the kissing of a stranger and on a man expressing his emotions in such a way. It was after all this that Jacob told Rachel he was her father’s relative, his sister Rebekah’s son. Rachel, a shepherdess seemed pretty excited when she ran and told her father.

(Gen. 29-12).

Young unmarried girls had to tend to their father’s flock. Going out at sunrise and

" The problem with discontentment is that an attitude of discontent infects life even when life appears to finally give a reason for contentment."

Or maybe he lusted after her when he first laid eyes on her coming to water her father’s sheep. Jacob was so fascinated by Rachel’s captivating beauty, he failed to recognize any shortcoming she may have had or consider the will of God in his relationship with her. He immediately got busy trying to impress her. Jacob had the reputation of a homebody or mama’s boy, but he was no weakling. He rolled the stone from the well’s mouth that normally took the strength of several men to move, and watered Rachel father’s sheep (Gen. 29:7-10).

I think he was showing off a little.

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watching their animals until sunset. Watering them, which had to be done twice a day. This was hard work of time and labor.

Maybe just maybe, Rachel had hopes and dreams of marriage.

One would think that the romance between the village beauty and the new boy in town was off to a blazing start. As most of us know a relationship based primarily on physical attraction ends in misfortunes.

It kind of like the football star and the head cheerleader or homecoming queen. If they make it to marriage, it takes an exseptember 2017

tra effort and a miracle from God to grow their relationship beyond the physical attraction that got it started.

As soon as Laban heard about Jacob, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him, kissed him and brought him to his home, (Gen. 29:13). I believe that’s when Laban started scheming.

You know the story. Jacob worked for Laban for seven years for Rachel. Many times the scriptures read, “now Jacob loved Rachel.” I can’t remember reading once that Rachel loved Jacob. Upon completion of his agreement, Jacob asked Laban for his wife. Instead of getting Rachel Jacob got Leah. It wasn’t until the morning after the marriage was consummated, Jacob realized he had married the wrong girl.

Jacob was no stranger to deceit, having orchestrated enough of it against his twin brother Esau. Prompted by his mother Rebekah, Jacob wore a disguise and pretended to be his brother stealing his birthright blessing. Now, the father of his beloved Rachel turns the tables on him, switching out one daughter for the other on Jacob’s wedding night. Laban disguised Leah under a heavy veil and gown. One especially interesting twist to the story is when Jacob confronted Laban, Laban scolds him, saying, “this is not done in our country, giving the younger before the firstborn.” It’s as if God is reminding Jacob of his own scheme to steal his older brother’s birthright.

It’s difficult to sympathize with Jacob’s indignation at having been tricked, given his own history of similar behavior, however over the course of the Jacob story, it is illuminating to see that his mother and his uncle Laban manipulated him just as deceitfully. He came from a family of deceivers.

I suspect Leah must have loved Jacob or had some attraction to him to have cooperated willingly with her daddy’s scheme. september 2017

This was not exactly the happiest way to start her married life. Tricking someone into marriage is a dangerous business, but it is still being done today. Some women try to buy a man with sex, or trap him with a baby, or lure him with the family fortune.

A man may also trap a woman by promising wealth or trick a woman by pretending to be something he’s not, masking his faults until after the marriage ceremony.

The consequences of deception are usually painful and distressing.

It was only a month after Jacob arrived in Haran that His uncle Laban approached him to see if they could work out a mutually acceptable wage arrangement. The scripture says that Jacob loved Rachel and offered to serve Laban seven years for her hand in marriage (Gen. 29:18). Since Jacob was on the run, he had nothing to give Laban for his daughter. His labor was promised in lieu of a dowry. I think he wanted Rachel and would do just about anything to have her.

And Laban said, “fulfill her wedding week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.” After Jacob fulfilled his marital week with Leah.

Laban also gave him Rachel as a wife in return for service for another seven years.

I would think that Rachel was rather conceited because she knew Jacob loved her and chose her over Leah. Soon her condition turned into anger, envy, and discontent. Rachel was unable to conceive and bear Jacob a son. Even though Jacob loved her more, she became very jealous of Leah because Leah could have children.

This inequality in affection naturally led the sisters into rivalry over Jacob's attention (Genesis 31). When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. Leah gave Jacob four sons. Rachel envied her sister so much and said to Jacob, “Give me chilContinued on next page

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DISCONTENTMENT

By Luella Redfern | Continued from previous page

dren, or else I die!” (Gen. 30:1). Jacob got angry and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” (Gen. 30:2).

ing with discontentment (Genesis 30:1416). That we make as a priority in life more than God will eventually disappoint us because only God can fully satisfy our deepest needs. Discontentment can cause us to lose focus.

She gave Jacob her maidservant who bore Jacob two sons. Rachel and Leah were competing against each other. Leah gave her maid servant to Jacob and she bore him two sons. Both ladies were dissatisfied with their circumstances.

If we look back just two generations we will also notice that Sarai the wife of Abram, grandmother Jacob also suffered from discontentment. As her story unfolds, we discover her temperament.

Now she was obedient to Abram while in Egypt when he told Pharaoh she was his sister, which was not actually a lie because she was his half sister. However, he

Leah longed for Jacob’s affection but he loved Rachel. One day, Reuben, Jacob and Leah's firstborn son found some mandrake plants growing in the field.

Mandrake was an herb believed to be an aphrodisiac and to promote fertility. Rachel sees Reuben carrying the herbs and wants them.

Perhaps she thought they could help her overcome her barrenness. She asks Leah for the mandrakes, but Leah decides she wants something in return. By this time, Jacob has been spending more time in other beds than his own, so Rachel bargained Leah to exchange the mandrakes for a night with Jacob. Leah had to hire her own husband for the night.

Needless to say, she got pregnant and gave Jacob a fifth son. Leah gave birth to one more son and a daughter. Then God remembered Rachel and opened her womb.

She bore Jacob two sons. Rachel is a good example of how you can block your bless-

didn’t tell Pharaoh that she was his wife.

In fact, Abram was rewarded for arranging Sarai’s availability for Pharaoh when he took Sarai for his wife, (Genesis 12:1020). Abram’s deception not only abuses Sarai but is also abuses God. Abram disobeyed God. Egypt was not the land God promised in Genesis chapter 11, “to a land that I will show you’ in favor of his own choice based on his reasonable assessment

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september 2017

of the situation Abram journeyed into Egypt. He put Sarai in a moral dilemma allowing Pharaoh to use her for sexual intimacy causing her to commit adultery to save himself. Scripture doesn’t mention anything about Sarai’s feelings regarding this event. However, using my imagination, I would think that the bond between Abram and Sarai was traumatically damage. Sarai could no longer trust Abram as her protector. Her life of discontent began with her husband’s disobedience. God inflicted punishment on Pharaoh. There is no indication of Abram’s punishment.

This could have been a turning point in

Sarai’s life. She was listening when God promised Abram a long line of descendants, having no children of her own she grew, even more, discontent and took matters into her own hands. So what did she do, she used her maidservant Hagar to bear Abram a child. The scripture says Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. There seems to be a pattern here. The woman who was used by her husband for sexual september 2017

favors to protect himself is now using her husband for sexual favors to get the child she wants so badly.

In Spite of God’s sacred covenant with Abram, a covenant that Sarai surely knew, Abram does not protest this arrangement.

He does not insist that obedience outweighs desire and practical common sense.

Sarai wants a child. Abram wants a child.

The arrangement seems logical and desirable. Literally and figuratively Abram engages himself in this plan.

Unfortunately, Sarai’s attempt to usurp God’s plan has the same consequences as Rachel’s. Instead of fulfilling her desire for happiness, her life becomes much worse.

She became very jealous and humiliated by Hagar’s pregnancy. Her envy and anger show in her confrontation with Abram in Genesis 16, “Look at the violence you have done to me!”

It appears that she is forgetting, who set this whole thing up. Sara has lost face in this arrangement and Hagar now thinks herself better than Sarai because she is carrying Abram’s baby. Sarai acknowledges that it was her plan to provide Hagar as a surrogate mother “I myself gave my maidservant to you” but that does not relieve her discontent. However, her plan has backfired. Instead of a life of fulfilled promise, she has inherited a life of shame.

Sarai mistreated Hagar so she ran off but God sent an angel, who told her to go back and submit to her mistress. Abram was eighty-six years old when Ishmael was Continued on next page

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DISCONTENTMENT

By Luella Redfern | Continued from previous page

born. Discontentment robed Sarai of joy in God’s triumph. Her victory is still a defeat. She is focused on her self-centeredness and identity issues rather than God’s purpose and plan.

And, for thirteen years, God does not visit Abram. For thirteen years Abram and Sarai must face the consequences of their lack of trust in the promise of God. For thirteen years they watch a child grow who is a constant reminder of their failure.

And, for thirteen years, Hagar serves God by committing herself to submission under a hateful mistress.

Sarai’s next encounter with God reveals another fatal flaw. Listening to a conversation not meant for her. Laughing and doubting God. God visits Abraham and renews His covenant promise. To mark the occasion, God changes the names of both Abram and Sarai. Abraham and Sarah now carry God’s name in their new names. They are known by a new identity.

An identity that comes directly from God Himself.

Nothing much changed in the life of Abraham and Sarah. Abraham’s household journeys to Gerar. Once again he faces a king, pawns Sarah off as his sister but God intervenes. Sarah again went along with his story. In this encounter, the king is the only one who appears to have any moral integrity.

At some point, Sarah actually comes to the point of believing God’s promise. The long awaited birth of the promised heir, Isaac was born. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Sarah rejoiced in the birth of Isaac, but not for long.

She had a long history of discontent. The 32

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problem with discontentment is that an attitude of discontent infects life even when life appears to finally give a reason for contentment. Sarah has waited all of her life for a baby. And it appears from scripture most of her life she has been abused, victimized and humiliated in her relationship with Abraham, the man attached to her and to the promise from God. She has been unhappy for a very long time, so unhappy that even when God Himself told her that her life long desire for a child will come to pass, her inner self rejected God’s truth. After all these years of discontent, what could possibly make her believe that her life would be fulfilled? She rejects the idea of enjoying intimacy with the hope of conception.

She sees herself as old and worn out.

God fulfills his promise, Isaac is born.

Instead of praise for the faithfulness of God, She turns toward her humiliation.

She complains that even in the fulfillment of the promise, her life has not improved.

She complains that No one outside the camp is going to believe that Isaac is her son. Discontentment robs Sarah of God’s triumph. Her victory is still a defeat. She is focused on all the wrong things.

All of this discontentment waits for the right opportunity to show itself. On the day Isaac was weaned, at a party given

by Abraham of all places. Over the years her hatred for Hagar and Ishmael had not softened. It comes in Genesis 21 as she observes Ishmael playing with Isaac.

All of this discontentment waits for the right opportunity to show itself. That moment arrives a few years later. The final extended story regarding Sarah is the account of the culmination of her long hatred for Hagar. It comes in Genesis 21:10 “ and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” After all this time Sarah still would not refer to either Hagar and Ishseptember 2017

mael by name.

Sarah’s demands greatly distressed Abraham because It concerned his son Ishmael. Sarah’s hidden motive was the issue of inheritance. Because Ishmael is still the first born son of Abraham. Sarah wants nothing to interfere with Isaac’s inheritance of Isaac.

The story of Sarah is a story of God working in spite of us. Sarah’s discontent is directly connected to God’s deliberate intention. This is the reason that the author of Hebrews makes it clear that “even Sarah herself ” finally sees God’s prior restraint is divine deliberation.

Discontentment is a state of being dissatisfied and is not always a bad thing. Discontentment is an emotion and can be a power that motivates and influences the way you live your life. There is rarely a situation in which I am completely satisfied, where I don’t think something can be changed for the better. While this mindset can become quite maddening at times for both me and my children, in many ways, it has also been a major source of motivation and

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self-improvement. Sometimes God allows discontentment to stir up in us, prompting us to want more for our life.

There was a time in my life when discontentment kept me going through life.

Discontentment allowed me to live a life I’ve always felt was fulfilling and exciting, despite unhappiness and trials. I spent many years trying to figure my life out on my own. God kept me and he blessed me in many ways, however, I didn’t see it as a blessing at the time.

There may be ways that you are blocking your blessings. Are you a blessing to others? Do you have a forgiving heart? Do you have positive or negative thoughts, do you have guilt, pride, or fear?

Luella Redfern

Executive Director of the Esther Women of Influence, shown with her husband, Bishop Redfern II

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FIRST

ECUMENICAL CHURCH

CITYLIGHT WORLDWIDE ECUMENICAL CHURCH

Bishop Redfern II

Rev. Ramon E. Balaguer

GENERAL OVERSEER

SENIOR PASTOR

(803) 500-0477

(803) 500-0477

1ST SUNDAY AT 5PM 1026 POPE STREET - COLUMBIA, SC 29201

SUNDAY AT 6PM 1026 POPE STREET - COLUMBIA, SC 29201 september 2017

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ECUMENICAL CHURCH (803) 500-0477 4TH SUNDAY AT 5PM 1026 POPE STREET - COLUMBIA, SC 29201

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(803) 500-0477

(803) 500-0477

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