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Prayer Is Essential

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Essential is defined as being absolutely necessary and extremely important. I cannot think of anything more essential to the spiritual health of the believer than prayer. As the year comes to close, I look back at the tragedies some of us narrowly escaped, the tests we endured, and the pain we suffered. This glance back isn't global or even national. We only have to look as far as our own front doors.  Even our houses of worship have been subject to trials. It is only through the grace of God that we are not consumed. And it is essential that we pray, and we give thanks. Prayer can sometimes be seen as powerful when the verbiage is great, and the tone is loud. For me, it has been in my quietest moments that I have seen the power of prayer manifest miracles. Though I may be surrounded by chaos, prayer allows me to come humbly before my God and find his peace. As followers of Jesus, we must take heed to his divine example. In the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:29), while facing the
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The Heat is On!

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  Can you believe the way things are changing here in Colorado? Of course, if you have been here a week, you already know how quickly the weather can change. Yesterday, it was a gut-wrenching 100 degrees. It seemed like the heat was cooking me from the inside out and then tore a hole right through my clothes.   When I think about the state of this world, I know that the heat is on. The enemy is trying every trick in the book to stop the believer from making Jesus his choice. He starts with what we think are random and harmless drops of anxiety, depression, and offense.  He is strategically placing people and things in our paths to cause us to stumble. That's not enough for him. He wants us to be utterly destroyed.  If you don't believe me, look at the legislature that contradicts the very word of God.  Look at the spirit of violence which has been released among us.  Look the worldwide anguish and wars.  In my lifetime, I have not witnessed so great a terror in the land as I do
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It was the LORD

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It's the Holy Week! This is a such an exciting time for the believers of Christ.  It's the time of year when the His love was experienced, witnessed, and lived out before His followers and enemies.  Of course, we reference and reverence this time throughout the year.   It's only April, but it seems like we have already lived a full twelve months! Life really has no respect for time or even our awareness of time.  Sometimes, I can go hours without eating. I get caught up in whatever I am doing and forget that I haven't nourished my body.  The same can be said when we fail to reference and reverence what Jesus has done for us.  When we live everyday as if we are in control of our lives, we are cheating God out of His glory, and pushing His son aside.  God did not give us such a gift for us to leave it unopened and unappreciated. Our relationship with God is the most priceless and precious gift that has ever been given and ever will be given.   Have you ever looked at your
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The Dangers of Empty Fellowship

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If you were to ask my family what I was like as a child, no doubt the answer would be shocking. Can you believe that I was very shy? I didn't talk much around people. I'm not sure if it was because I was afraid to talk or just had so little to say.  I can tell you that is not the case now.  As the only black nursing student in my college in Texas, I had to come out of my shell. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to share with prestigious leaders both corporately and in the religious arenas. Although there have been many conversations, I have not entered into them just for the sake of talking. Sometimes we talk just to hear our own voice, but other times we speak because we are expected to do so.  When we enter into fellowship with God, we must strive to avoid empty fellowship.  What do I mean by that? Simply, going through the motions.  With the pressures of life pulling at us from every direction, it doesn't take much for us to operate on autopilot.  We go to churc
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Search and Surrender

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This is the time when so many are evaluating their lives and declaring change.  You know the season.  When the new year rolls in, we start looking for a new person to emerge in the mirror.  This can be an effective motivation for some.  They begin the weight loss journey and soon begin to see results. That accomplishment becomes a drug that keeps them running back to the gym.   I could possibly make some declarations of my own, but this year I am asking God to do a new thing in me. It would be nice to be slimmer, richer, and all of that, but it's more important for this child of God to be spiritually made new.  I'm not talking about a new shout or dance, but I want God to transform me from the inside out.  This time of year is also a time of consecration.  We turn down our plates and lift up our hearts in prayer. We take our devotion to the next level by denying this flesh. I know you're saying that we should be doing that all of the time.  You're right.  In fact, you s
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Wrapped in Jesus

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In this holiday season, there is so much going on. Driving through the neighborhoods, we see beautiful lights that have been strung with care. Some once bare lawns are not filled with the nativity scene which reminds us of the reason for the season.  Although we have endured the seclusion brought on by the pandemic, we are now slowly gathering. It has been three years since my church had a Christmas Celebration, and it's coming up soon.  Our party is a special opportunity to love on the members of Unity Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ.  As with most holiday celebrations, there will be a gift exchange.  This part of the party is always so much fun.  I love to see the excitement when a gift is chosen from under the tree.  There is something about choosing that makes the atmosphere charged with anticipation.   Now that you are in the mind of exchanging gifts, let me focus on the reason for this post. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let's remember the gift he gave us
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Where Do You Stand?

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I love this time of the year at my church.  I am so deeply honored to serve the members of Unity Pentecostal Temple. While we love on each other all year long, this special time brings us together to celebrate the years of ministry we share.  This is a time when I stand on the shoulders of my late husband, Superintendent Lamar Kennedy.  We shared 40 years of anniversary celebrations.  Six years later, though we miss him dearly, the celebrations continue.   I especially enjoy breaking bread with the members. There's so much anticipation and excitement in the air. As I sat on the platform this past weekend, I was humbled by the scene.  Platforms are elevated for a reason. God's children must never view their station in life as an indicator of their self-worth, but rather use it help someone along the way. Let me explain.  Though you may have a great title or position, your value comes from what you bring to the position.  This isn't a post today about great theologians or exp
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