Editor-in-Chief
Is it Really
the Devil? BY SHARON E. LOCKLEAR, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF I grew up hearing about the devil, the power of the devil/Satan, the devil this, Satan that – the Devil sounded powerful and fearsome. I’m sure you’ve heard innumerable gospel songs lamenting what the devil has done.
power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. God has given us authority to overcome the power of the enemy and nothing will harm us. Do we exercise our God given authority in all areas of our lives? Are we lacking and/or slacking?
Is it really the devil that causes us to behave in an unacceptable manner, make decisions that are inappropriate, responsible for our relationships failing or our children running amuck and out of control?
We are preparing for 2023, as a Christian, I urge you and me to go deeper spiritually, align our lives more fully with God intent and purpose for our lives. We must be about God’s business without succumbing to fears and imaginings about the devil. We must become examples for our families, spiritual mentors for younger Christians or open to being mentored by senior Christians in our houses of worship and spiritual communities.
The power of the devil is not to be discounted; however, are we Christians overly ready to blame the devil for all the adverse conditions/ circumstances in our lives? Could we be doing less than we should regarding the devil? James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Are we submitting ourselves to God and resisting? Or are we fighting on our own, with our human skills, rather that submitting and allowing God to imbue us with the spiritual skills and mindedness that is required? Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. God will crush the devil under your feet – sounds like God is all powerful and God’s power will allow us (Christians) to crush the devil under our feet. God is Powerful and allows us to crush the devil like ants who are unwelcome at a picnic. Luke 10: 19 I have given you authority to trample snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the
2 | December 2022
The time of Ephesians 6: 10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done it all, to stand. Now is time, 2023 will require each Christian to put on the full armor of the Lord and we must be able to stand. Prepare yourself, the world has changed and we must meet it, armed with spiritual knowledge, clothed in God’s world and ready to do God’s will on Earth. Sharon Locklear
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Is it Really the Devil?
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6 | December 2022
38 CONSIDER THIS 44 INSPIRATIONAL WORDS 51 FROM WITHIN... 53
MIRACLES AND BLESSINGS Thank You, Mother Part 4
The Season of Giving
Psalms
Verna V. Nickelberry
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52 | December 2022
FROM WITHIN... BY VERNA V. NICKELBERRY What a year it has been! We started the year off with introducing our Travel Totes and Tote bags at the “Atlanta Women Expo” which was a very rewarding experience with in itself. What I learned , that large expo/trade shows are a lot of hard work! Completed two certifications, attended a conference, traveled for business and personal, not to mentioned that, life happened along to way. Through all the ups and down we/I kept moving forward. The Bible tell us that “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose” Rome 8:28 We ended 2022 with our biggest event of the year (each year) OPM 8th Annual Servant Awards! And each year is gets better! This year we added our first keynote speaker, Mrs. Karen Harrell, and she was awesome! A huge thank you to everyone who played a part, those who come out to support all of the honorees, those who helped behind the scene, those who stepped in at the last minute, I appreciate you more than you know. Shout out to the best engineer ever, RENEGADE EL REY, thank you for showing up each year! Congratulation to all of the 2022 honorees! Until next year! And as always, Love, Peace, and Increase… Verna V. Nickelberry
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