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From the Bishop’s Pen….page 3 From My Heart….page 3 A Tribute to G.E. Patterson….page 2 The Real Deal: Valentine’s Day….page 4
A PUBLICATION OF THE VICTORY FAITH CHURCH INTERNATIONAL • PINE BLUFF, AR • BISHOP K.D. MIXON I, SENIOR PASTOR People scamper through stores looking for the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. Numerous commercials are played on TV to give us advice on how to ‘express our love’. Do we allow these views to tailor our perception of what Love really is?
Check Yourself By Ministers Brian and Sylvia Harris
An Illustration of
Bishop Mixon always stresses the importance of loving one another. One of Tina Turner’s famous songs is “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” Well, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! Love keeps your straight. If you don’t have love your become what you hate. Without love the devil will begin to use your frustration and attitude against others to stop you from receiving your miracle. Come on people, Get it Right! 1 John 4:11 states, “Beloved, if God so loved us we ought to also love one another (KJV)”. Love is far too amazing and too good to hold as a private possession. It’s so wonderful; NEVER hold it back!
Real Love By Minister Thomas James Arnold
As we move into February, the month where we celebrate Black History and Valentine’s Day. We have naturally associated the word love with many confusing and emotionally provoking images, and the phrase “I love you’ is almost cliché right around this time of year. The real issue is why our view according to this phrase should be changed completely from our old way of viewing love into a way that glorifies God now that we’re walking the path of faith. Agape love is the attitude of God towards His people. It also means to express the essential nature of God (because God is love). Hogg and Vine put it like
this; “Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, and works no ill to any; love seeks opportunity to do good to ‘all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith”. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defined love as this: strong affection; warm attachment; attraction based upon sexual desire. Now, the definitions of the same
Is your faith not working? Check your dipstick. You could be 2 quarts low on Love! (see CHECK on page 2)
(see REAL LOVE on page 2)
UPCOMING EVENTS PASTOR’S CELEBRATION “The Blessing of the Lord Encompasses him” March 9, 2008 at 4:00 P.M. Guest Speaker: Prophet Nathan G. Heard, III Abundance of Life Evangelist Temple COGIC Shreveport, LA 21: GOOD FRIDAY MUSICAL – 7:00 P.M. 30: FRIENDS AND FAMILY DAY – 3:00 P.M.
APRIL
COLORAMA 2008 February 10, 2008 at 3:30 P.M.
MARCH
FEBRUARY
YOUTH CONFERENCE 2008 “Youth destined for purpose” February 8, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. February 9, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.
7-12: AR/LA/TX JURISDICTIONAL CONVOCATION Atlanta, TX KINGDOM HARVEST SPRING CAMPMEETING APRIL 16-18TH, 7:15 P.M. nightly 23: EASTER 30: FRIENDS AND FAMILY DAY – 3:00 P.M.
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REAL LOVE word are extremely opposed to one another. One has its actions focused on the well being of others while the second has its feelings mostly on completely internal, selfish reasons. So the question is a matter of choice, if we choose to love one another as Christ loved us, then we’re called by His name…if not, then how will men know that we are his disciples? “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” - John 13:34-35 (KJV) Ministers Thomas and Tisha Arnold are directors of the department of Inreach/Outreach at The Victory Faith Church.
CHECK How would you know if you were a little low on Love? Check your attitude and responses to people and life. We encourage you in your walk with the Lord and your walk with Bishop. Love must be shared abound. Love changes people; it brings a smile to those who are hurting. WHAT LOVE IS, HATE COULD NEVER BE! Ministers Brian and Sylvia Harris are the directors of the Youth Department at The Victory Faith Church.
FEBRUARY 2008
(September 22, 1939 – March 20, 2007)
Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson was born in 1939 to Bishop W. A. and Mrs. Mary Patterson, Sr. in Humboldt, Tennessee. He was reared in Memphis, Tennessee and Detroit, Michigan. Bishop J. S. Bailey ordained him in 1958 as an elder in the Church of God in Christ. In 1962, Patterson became co-pastor with his father at Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Memphis. Patterson continued his pastorate in 1975 as the founder and pastor of Temple of Deliverance, the Cathedral of the Bountiful Blessings in Memphis. Today, Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ is one of the nation's fastest growing congregations. The church is located at 369 G. E. Patterson Avenue and it is Celebrating over 30 Years in operation. Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ also serves as the home church base for the rapidly growing Bountiful Blessings Ministries (BBM) which is viewed internationally on BET and TBN cable networks weekly, as well as on local TV stations throughout the nation. BBM has a mailing list of over 100,000 active donors from outside the Memphis viewing audience. Patterson was founder and president of BBM. Patterson studied at the Detroit Bible Institute, and LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis. He held an honorary Doctorate from Oral Roberts University and was the president of the Charles H. Mason Bible College of Tennessee Fourth Jurisdiction in Memphis. Patterson was the publisher of Bountiful Blessings Magazine and a contributing writer in the Spirit Filled life Bible (King James Version) published by Thomas Nelson Publishers and edited by Dr. Jack W. Hayford. In July 2002, Whitaker House Publishers released Patterson's first book, entitled Here Comes The Judge. Bishop Patterson humbly served God and his community through the ministries he has established at Temple of Deliverance Church (TOD). These ministries have a positive and direct impact on: unemployment, wellness, education, family life and a prayer ministry with more than 40 telephone lines and a prison ministry that serves in the Criminal Justice Center and the Penal Farm in Memphis, Tennessee. There are numerous other ministries at TOD that address the needs of the community. Bishop Patterson died on March 20, 2007 and leaves to his remembrance his lovely wife of 40 years, Louise D. Patterson.
The Victory Faith Church weekly schedule: SUNDAY Sunday School – 8:45 a.m. Morning Worship Service – 10:00 a.m. VICTORY CHRONICLE © 2008
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Sunday night service (Every 1st and 3rd Sunday) – 6:30 p.m. Bishop K.D. Mixon I, Senior Editor
WEDNESDAY Prayer – 6:00 p.m. Bible Study – 7:00 p.m.
Minister Tisha D. Arnold, Design/Layout
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From the Bishop’s Pen:
Faith
It has been said that faith is “believing in the invisible”, but I believe it goes further than just a belief in the invisible. If you believe in something and don’t act on that belief then you’re a hypocrite. Faith is more than a belief more than a line of scriptures thrown together, more than just finger-crossing hope, faith is a lifestyle. The bible says, “the just shall live by His faith (His conviction, His trust, His Loyalties, His vision).” You see, your faith has something to do with every decision you make on a daily basis; where you go, what you do, how you interact with others, your attitude in the workplace, and the way you handle difficult circumstances when they arise.
From My
Heart
My life should not be spent in a reaction mode but an action one. When I live by faith, I act upon what God has led me to do (you ask Him to order your steps don’t you?), not by what has happened to me. In closing, I want you to remember that faith without works is dead. It’s like a brand new car with no engine, or an engine with no oil, or a radiator with no water. So be reliable, accountable, lovable, and teachable and the God of all mercy and grace shall strengthen your mind, body and soul through Christ Jesus. - Bishop K.D. Mixon, I
“When I live by faith, I act upon what God has led me to do…not by what has happened to me.”
There is one thing in all of our lives that we desire and yearn for; that thing is love. Love can be an intoxicating and exhilarating force to possess. Love can be characterized as a sense of belonging. We belong to God and He loves us; for He gave His son, our brother “Jesus” to die for our sins. We believe that “Love covers a multitude of faults.” So it is our job as children of the most high God and believers of the bible to show love and protect one another. For if we are not “Armed” or covered in the blood, then we ourselves are open to bitterness, grief, and loneliness.
or kill those who are in the household of faith we will ultimately become alone and isolated. Our position should be one of consistency, commitment, and compassion. We must be consistent in showing the love of Christ one to another; not merely in words alone but in deeds. Acts of kindness are never forgotten. We should be committed to the Father’s work of reaching others, and compassionate enough to accept someone as they are, knowing that God has begun a good work in them and He is willing and able to complete it.
There is a song that says, “I need you to survive”, recorded by Hezekiah Walker. If we continue to wound
Loving you into the Kingdom, Lady Timberly Mixon
VICTORY CHRONICLE
The Vision Realized YOUTH DEPARTMENT We look forward to working with Victory Faith’s youth and know with God’s help and all of your help we can accomplish this great task. Our vision for the youth department is to create an environment that promotes love, peace, and understanding toward one another and Christ. Our Mission is to foster and support Christian values through committed teaching and leadership. We anticipate great things from our youth and again we look forward to working with them.
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION It is the mission of the department of Christian Education to focus on the learning aspect of the ministry. Through books, tapes, and various media, we seek to fulfill, equip, and enhance the desire of our members to obtain biblical education. Our main goal for 2008 is to complete and begin weekly operation of our Christian Media Library. Through hard work and perseverance, we believe God for this accomplishment.
- Ministers Brian and Sylvia Harris, Directors
- Elder Jan Mixon, Director
CALLING ALL MEN!!! The Men’s Department of The Victory Faith Church International invites you to join us as we journey on a mind renewing experience through the Word of God. Our goal is to have 100 dedicated men who are not afraid to live their lives for God. If you are not affiliated with a church and are looking for a church that is committed to living God’s Word, we invite you to join us. For more information contact Deacon Dallas Craig at (870) 5364121 or Brother Larry Ellis at (870) 534-3947.
The Victory Faith Church International 1517 South Poplar Street Pine Bluff, AR 71601
www.thevictoryfaithchurch.org
FEBRUARY 2008
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THE REAL DEAL:
Valentine’s Day While Valentine, a priest near Rome in about 270 A.D., was in prison awaiting his fate for marrying couples in violation of an edict set forth by Emperor Claudius II forbidding marriage, he came in contact with his jailor, Asterius, who had a blind daughter. Asterius requested him to heal his daughter. Through his faith he miraculously restored the sight of Asterius' daughter. Just before his execution, he asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after. Valentine thus became a Patron Saint, and spiritual overseer of an annual festival. The festival involved young Romans offering women they admired, and wished to court, handwritten greetings of affection on February 14. The greeting cards acquired St. Valentine's name.