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11/25/2017

TAKE TIME

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Time goes so fast.  It seems like we don’t have time to think about one thing before another thing comes up.  If you’re like me, your mind is constantly going because there is so much “to do”; but, I am coming to realize more and more the importance to taking time to sit before the Lord in quietness and allow Him to speak.  When He speaks, He will bring peace, hope, joy, direction, and perspective.  The “to do” list becomes easier to tackle because He will bring order to chaos.  Take time to Wait Upon the Lord and Meditate upon His word, goodness, and righteousness.
 
Psalm 119:15-16
I will meditate on Your precepts and contemplate Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

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11/9/2016

Post Election...

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Wednesday, November 9, 2016 – The day after the United States’ Presidential election.  For many, including myself, this was an unbelievable campaign.  The candidates, their behavior, their belief systems, and character were all questionable in one respect or another.  However, the unlikely candidate would rise and become the President and send the entire country into a state of shock.  This unlikely candidate was one that went against the grain of American politics.   Throughout the campaign, he did not speak as a politician; he did not act like a politician; and, he did not have the prowess of the politicians we’ve seen throughout the years.  Most of all, he did not care what the opponents said about him.  He forged ahead with his message. 
 
Now I’m not posting a political message about the events during the campaign trails or the results after, though I have my opinions.  I can only say that all of what has happened is a message to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ to stand, go against the status quo and forge ahead with the message of the King of kings.  In this season, we must become the people who are truly unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are charged with Blowing the Trumpet! 
 
Blow the Trumpet to Warn & 
Blow the Trumpet in Praise!!!
 
Joel 2:1 – Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain!  Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand:
 
Ezekiel 33:3 –  when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people,….
 
Psalm 150:3 - Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!

​

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9/1/2015

Triumph in The Lord

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There is a sense of accomplishment and confidence that is felt when we walk through a hard place.  Looking back we can boldly say, “I did it”.  Through the inner struggles and outward warfare, we smile as see we overcame the obstacles that stood strong to hinder us.  The Father, Who is rich in mercy, is so faithful and gracious enables us to conquer in every battle.  We triumph in the Lord!   Keep running the race!  (Hebrews 12:1) 

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8/28/2015

Decisions

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Life requires, better yet demands, one to make hard decisions, but it is not always easy to make the hard decisions.  I guess that is why it is hard – the opposite of easy. Saying “No” is not always easy either.  Sometimes it is the unseen pressure that bombards the mind, the unspoken peer pressure (yes, adults have peer pressure), a look or subtle words that make decisions hard. 

No matter what others think or say, you have to make the right decision you feel crying out to you 100% of the time. I believe looking back you will always see with 20/20 vision.  Once your vision is clear, you wish you could start all over again to see that favorable outcome that is clear and evident now.  Since things cannot be repeated, you can only pray to make the best decision for the future.   Most of all, the key to all decisions in life is this, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)




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5/26/2015

Seek God, Not Revenge

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When we want to get revenge for an offense, we have a misunderstanding of God’s purpose for allowing that incident to come our way.  Instead of seeking revenge, seek His face for purpose.   Key Scriptures - Psalm 27 & Hebrews 10:30
 

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1/24/2015

2015 Summit On Forgivness

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The blog post dated 4/21/13 featured a book by Dr. Cleola Spears titled, "Victory in the Pea Patch".  From the book comes the 2015 Summit on Forgiveness.  Forgiveness is something we all know, as saints of God, is a requirement for living the Christian life as prescribed in scripture.  However, there are, at times, challenges we face that make it difficult to forgive.  Thus, a summit is a way the Lord is extending His hand to you and I to learn His way to not only forgive, but to be healed of our wounds.  Join me and others at the Summit on Forgiveness.  Details are below. 
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8/24/2014

Music Ministry is Not for Gathering Crowds People

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If you have read my latest Encouragement Newsletters, you know I have been writing about Praise & Worship and The Music Ministry.  The title of this blog post just came to me one day how so many ministries use music as the tool for building a work.  I had to think on the validity of this rationale and could not find any scriptural basis in the word of God.  Now, after reading the two aforementioned newsletters, you will see that I believe the ministry should have the best in the music ministry.  I definitely do not believe in having instruments or equipment that are inoperable.  Why?  Because we are offering our instruments and songs in praise and worship to the ONE that deserves the best; this should be the motivation for the best singers, musicians, equipment, etc.  If the motivation for investing in all of this is to bring in members, then that is a recipe for disaster.  Yes, the people may come in, but there is a serious risk of losing His presence because what is being offered becomes strange to Him.  In other words, the music becomes more focused on what will keep the people coming and the money flowing.  Let the truth be told about the money.  The risk is also a music ministry heavily absorbed with entertaining and emotionalism, which mirrors the entertainment industry of our day.  This is strange fire.

Let me encouragement you that have anything to do with the music ministry, maintain the right focus.  Stay within the confines of the scriptures, which tells us that if we life up Jesus, He will draw the people.  Any other motive is totally against scripture.  His music is for His presence not for church growth – the marketing strategy coined by the unspiritual.

Stay tuned to my next post where I will give some scriptural reference on this very topic.

Grace & Peace,

Veronica

 


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3/22/2014

The Music Ministry Part 1

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 Music ministry has the capacity to influence, control and manipulate the gathering in ways that positively and/or negatively affect God’s people.  In most     gatherings, music is at the beginning and end of the meeting.  This means, musicians and singers have    face-time with the congregation in equal measure or more than the senior leader, the speaker or any other ministry for that matter.  This ministry is before the congregation each Sunday. Depending upon the church structure, several songs will be ministered by a praise team, choir or combination of the two.  This will last  approximately 15-20 minutes; then there is the offering with music, which equals 5-10.  Then if there is a “song selection” from the choir, a chorus, etc. before the spoken word, that is an additional 5-10 minutes.  If there’s dancing and celebration after the selection (or at any time), there will be another 5-10 minutes.  If the people just cannot sit down, this    celebration can last another 20-30 minutes.  Finally, there is the alter call, which can last about 5-15 minutes.  Time frames vary, but using this break down, you can see that music ministry equates to about 30-50 minutes on a typical Sunday morning.   This does not include background music, for example, during a baby dedication.  Untraditional ministries that        emphasize praise and worship with a musical team that flows freely, the total ministry in music could be an additional 30 minutes each  Sunday.  Oh! Do not   forget the Bible Study for some ministries.  You can see how music ministry plays a prominent role just like the spoken word.  This is why I say senior leaders should be involved.  Selection to this ministry should not be based upon talent alone.  Careful attention must be paid to the individuals assigned this very powerful place in ministry.  This is an excerpt from The Encouragement Newsletter titled, "The Music Ministry - Part 1".  I am inviting those subscribers to the newsletter and you as a reader to share your comments on this topic. 


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3/2/2014

Link

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Link - Anything serving to connect one part or thing with another; bond or tie. (dictionary.reference.com)

Whenever the Lord links someone to us, the purpose is always to bring addition and strength.   

Whenever the Lord allows us to link to someone the purpose is always to be an addition and strength. 

Who has been linked to you?  Are they strength to YOU?  Who have you been linked to?  Are you strength to THEM?

We are only as strong as our weakest link.  Be fruitful , multiply, and be a strong link.



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11/28/2013

The Hats We Wear Blogcast

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Life comes with many, many responsibilities and we all must wear many hats in order to successfully accomplish each task.  We have all said that “I do not have enough hours in the day to do all that I must do”, but we can learn to say like Jesus in St. John 17:4, “I have glorified You down here on the earth by completing the work that You gave Me to do. This means that we may not be able to do what everyone else wants us to do, but we can be focused and do what the Lord would have us to do in any given day.  “The Hats We Wear” message was previously written as an Encouragement Newsletter, but I decided to upload it after listening to it one day and being very encouraged.  I pray that you enjoy this teaching as you listen with a heart open to hear the Father’s voice speak to you.  Please comment or e-mail me at - [email protected]  - and let me know how this has been a blessing  to you.

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  • HOME
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