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Restoring A Vision Evangelizing Nations

Issue #2 March 18, 2013

News You Can Use!

"Don't be afraid," the

prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 2 Kings 6:16

Pg. 2

Devotionals 3 3 Clear The Stage Hebrews 12:1-2

Devotionals

Gods Presence Exodus 33:15-16

Inspiration 6 6 Featured Book, Song, and Joke of the Month!

This Months Treasure

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ! Galatian 1:10 NIV
Reading Galatians 1:10 one day during my quiet time with God and friend, I immediately had to thank God. One thing that God has delivered me from is the people pleaser spirit. Praise the Lord! Reading this was confirmation for me that we should live only for the applause and approval of Christ! Last month we talked about being a disciple. Todays topic: Being a Servant of Christ. We always say, I love to serve the Lord But are we really serving Christ if we are worried about what people think? The answer is NO! You become a servant of who ever you desire approval from. Lets live in such a way that we only desire and crave pleasing God and not man! If we get over looked for affirmation or promotion. So be it. Let's just do out jobs. If we get elevated and celebrated, so be it. Let's just do our jobs. Let's pursue a walk with God so close that the

Its Better To Have God Approve than the World Applaud!

spotlights of this world----be they for us or against us---are eclipsed by His enormous shadow cast on our path! There in the shelter of the Most High we find our significance and the only satisfaction of our insatiable need to be noticed. There and there alone we are free to be neither depressed or impressed with the capricious reactions of this carnal world! (Beth Moore) Lets seek Gods face and His approval. Lets crave pleasing Him! Lets be servants of Christ!

Restoring A Vision Evangelizing Nations

Issue #2 March 18, 2013

If God is for You..

"..If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 2 Kings 6:16

Reading the Word one day during my quiet time with the Lord, He led me to 2 Kings 6:8-20 and let's just say for me it was a "rhema word." A rhema word is whenever the Lord uses a divine highlighter in His Word; speaking directly and specifically to your circumstance----even though you have read or heard it time and time again. It's whenever you are sitting in church on a Sunday morning or Wednesday evening and God uses the minister to say exactly what you need to hear; it's almost like he/she has read your mail! Well, this particular morning after reading this and allowing the Lord to pour into me, I had to get up and give God a dance of praise! The song starts with the bold declaration of, "Nothing can take my praise. I have the victory. My praise has set me free. Never will I be bound.because I'll make my praise resound! I'm going to give it to You..I'm going to give You all 2

the praise!" But friend, my dance started during the praise break. lol! When William Murphy said, "What used to be on my back, is now under my feet! It's under my feet!" Whew..I had to give God some foot work! I get excited when I think about it! What God showed me that morning encouraged me greatly and now I feel led to share it with you. Before you read on.click on the link below and give God an in advance praise! http://youtu.be/ts6P1354X8Y Please read 2 Kings 6:820. John 16:33 says, I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. In my own life, all too

often I have let my eyes drift from the Lord to the trouble Im facing. Im guessing you might have the same struggle at times! But an amazing thing happens when we choose to fix our eyes on Christ rather than fixate on our circumstances. Our perspective is radically transformed, and our vision becomes clearer. We are able to reach out and take hold of the peace Jesus extends to us as we walk through the trouble. The fact is, our troubles on this earth DO NOT have the last say---JESUS DOES! Believing that truth will bring such freedom! Continue Reading at www.newsyoucanusersj.we ebly.com

Restoring A Vision Evangelizing Nations

Issue #2 March 18, 2013

"Clear The Stage" "Anything I put before my God is an idol. Anything I want with all my heart is an idol. And anything I can't stop thinking of is an idol. And anything that I give all my love is an idol!" Jimmy Needham Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
A couple of weeks ago I listened to Jimmy Needham's song "Clear the Stage" and immediately was brought to my knees in repentance and worship. Idols are defined as a representation or symbol of an object of worship; a false god; an object of extreme devotion. Jimmy Needham's lyrics resonated in my spirit and I had it on repeat all day long. Idolsdo you have any? What do you put before God? What can't you stop thinking of? What have you given all your love to other than God? Idols.do you have any? I did. There were things I put before my God. There were things I realized that I wanted more than God. Friend, having my mind on Christ was not an all day thing. There were things I could not stop thinking of and there were things that I gave all of my energy and love to more than God. What about you? I am determined to have no idols in my life, conspicuous or non-conspicuous! Nothing will I put before God and nothing will I want with all my heart more than His Word, His presence, and Him alone. I am clearing the stage. So picture this: You are behind the curtain waiting for your big reveal. People near and far have come to see the manifestation of the gifts that God has placed in you. These people have come to see God get the glory from your life. You are readyso you think. Cue the drums, lights, cameras...presenting ____________! The curtains are drawn and there you are. You examine the faces in the crowd and all of a sudden you realize that God is not getting the glory. It seems as though the crowd is preoccupied with something/someone else. You look to your left and then to your right and see exactly what has captivated the audience. How ironic is it that the same things/people that have preoccupied and captivated you for so long are now standing alongside of you captivating the audience that was supposed to be captivated by the God in you. To your left you see all the things that you put before God (career, boyfriend, girlfriend, friend, school, your plans/desires), and all the things that you wanted or still want with all of your heart more than God. To your right you see all of your thoughts; the good, the bad, and the ugly. You also see all the things/people that you have given all of your love, energy, and devotion to. Idols..let's clear the stage today!

Continue Reading at www.newsyoucanusersj.wee bly.com

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Restoring A Vision Evangelizing Nations

Issue #2 March 18, 2013

Then Moses said to him, If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? Exodus 33:15-16

My prayer for the last couple of weeks has been to experience God's presence on a greater level. God then led me to Exodus 33:15 which says,"And Moses said to the Lord, If Your presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here!" What a bold, strong, and confident declaration! I tell you, this adamant statement to God from Moses has stayed in my spirit for weeks. Lately, God has been heavy on my heart to pray that His will be done in my life and to trust and find rest in Who He is. "The will of God...nothing more, nothing less, NOTHING ELSE," is what God wants my motto to be. A few days ago while I was praying about the different opportunities that have been presented to me post-graduation, God asked me, "If my presence is not there, will you still go?" Sometimes we get so excited about the many doors opening that we not only forget to consult with God, but we forget to desire His presence more than anything in this 4

world! I don't know about you, but I don't want "it" (a man, a friend, an opportunity etc.) if God did not give it and I don't want to go "there" if God's presence is absent. I admire Moses for this bold declaration because it teaches me so much. The example that Moses set in Exodus 33:15 and Elisah set in 2 Kings 2:9 where he only desired a "double portion of His spirit to be upon him," shows me that more than we desire anything in this world...we must desire Christ and His presence more! One thing is for sure walking with God and experiencing His presence in the dayin/day-out course of life will swell your assurance that God is faithful and enjoyable; request met or unmet. Matter of fact, the moment you get into the presence of God, you will be satisfied. He is more than enough for you. He will take care of every facet of your life. Your satisfaction is not based on what you have or don't have, but on your fellowship with God! So you may be

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Restoring A Vision Evangelizing Nations

(Continued)

Issue #2 March 18, 2013

asking...."What is the big deal? Why do I need God's presence in my life?" Moses in Exodus 33:16 answers your question. "How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? Wow! This completely got me! How will others who don't know Christ come to know Christ if His presence is not with me? My educational status won't distinguish me, my relationship status won't distinguish me, my "words" won't distinguish me, my past, present, or future won't distinguish me.....BUT the presence of Christ in my life will distinguish me from all the other people on the face of this earth! You see, I don't just want to be a Christian who "knows of" God or can just quote scriptures: NOPE!! I want to be a woman that has the very presence of God operating in her life. A popular quote says, "Preach the Gospel and if necessary use words." You preach the Gospel when you not only talk like Christ, but walk like and with Christ! You preach the Gospel when others who come into your presence can sense the very presence of God because of your committed relationship with Christ! Whew! Self-check

time! I know for sure that God's presence can and will change lives! Matter of fact, it is impossible to be in the presence of Jesus and not be changed! Hallelujah! In His presence, there is joy in times of sadness and sorrow, there is love in times of hate, and there is armor in times that we are in need of protection and peace in times of extreme anxiety and stress! Friend, let your prayer from here on out be to experience God's presence! We must make it our life's purpose to major in the grace of God. Focus on the cross of Christ. Grow fluent in the language of redemption and faith. Linger long at the foot of the cross. And immerse ourselves in the curriculum of God's love! We must stay in the place or go to the place where God's presence abides. Where His presence abides is a place where his anointing and appointing resides. That place is a place of power, provision, protection, peace, and PURPOSE! It's time that we as Christians desire Christ more than anything that this world has to offer! Knowing that God will not only take care of us, but that we will also be completely pleased and satisfied in Him! Today, no matter what, be like Moses and say,"God if Your presence does not go...neither

will I! Where You go, I'll go. Where You stay, I'll stay. Where You move, I'll move. I WILL FOLLOW YOU! Be blessed!

For more encouragement visit www.newsyoucanusersj.weebly. com

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Restoring A Vision Evangelizing Nations

Issue #2 March 18, 2013

"The Spirit Of Faith!" By Pastor Mark Hankins

"In Your Hands" By William Murphy

Joke of the Month!

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Maecenas faucibus eleifend diam. Suspendisse quis dui id nunc convallis scelerisque. Praesent sed massa vel ante cursus sodales. Nulla posuere, arcu sit amet