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5 Godly Ways to Treat Your Enemies When Revenge is Tempting

By
Alecia M. White
-
revenge

No Weapon Formed

When the Lord is for you, even when your enemies set out to destroy you, they will fail. That’s right! When God is on your side, people cannot destroy you. They just don’t have that kind of power.

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31.

Just ask David. Twice Saul set out to kill him – and twice did he fail. Now, there were more than two times listed that Saul tried killing David; I’m referring to the times that he actually gathered his men and went on a manhunt for David. Not only did he fail both times, but the tables were turned in each instance, and David was given the opportunity to kill him instead.

Show Mercy, Even in Your Might

difficult peopleIn 1 Samuel chapters 24 and 26, David is given the chance to kill Saul, once by his own sword. But, he decided to allow God the vengeance that he would have taken. He allowed himself to heed the conviction of the Lord.

“And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.” 1 Samuel 24:6. “But David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?” 1 Samuel 26:9

Yes, I’m sure it was tough for David not to harm Saul, initially. I mean, he only sought to take the man’s life, even after David had left the king’s presence altogether. And, even after he apologized and said he was done, Saul continued to seek after David’s life.

Yep, after the first time David spared his life, Saul gave a good ol’ sob story about how he knew David was chosen by God and how he’d be cool from then on out **insert violins here** (1 Samuel 24:16-22). Yeah… that didn’t last long. As I mentioned, he tried again in chapter 26. He even went out into the wilderness in search of David.

What I admired most about David in those situations was that he was sensitive to the Lord’s prompting not to kill Saul – and he ultimately left Saul’s demise in God’s hands.

So, What’s the Play Call?

So many of us have the ammo and opportunity to destroy those who have tried to destroy us. Whether it be an ex-friend or an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend. It could be a coworker that has shared too much “tea” and now they are against you. Whatever the case may be, God is calling you to let Him handle it and them.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when your enemies are at your mercy:

  1. Let God fight for you. When God handles our situations and fights our battles, the results are fail-proof. Our Playbook says in Exodus 14:14, “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
  2. Shut up! Sorry if it seems harsh, but sometimes that’s the only way to win – to keep our mouths closed and off of the situation. Just as our previous point’s Playbook reference says, “ye shall hold your peace.”
  3. Watch your temper! For some of us, we are like a remote… all of our buttons are on display. But for some, only certain people know the passcode to our anger. Either way, be careful not to give others that kind of power over you. Had David let his temper and the thought of what Saul set out to do get the best of him, he would have had Saul’s blood on his hands, and God angry with him. “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” James 1:19
  4. When God handles it, there is no need for revenge. If you’d just allow God the space to handle that enemy, He’ll do it. He’s just waiting on you to step aside and out of His way. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
  5. Trust God! Seems simple enough, but at times, it may seem easier to just handle “them” yourself. If you truly trust the Lord, you will let Him take care of that enemy. And He will do it, no matter how unfavorable it looks. Our Playbook says to “Trust the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Let God fight those battles for you! Know that as long as you allow Him to be on your front lines, no enemy can come against you and win.

The 2-Sided Role of Belief in ‘I Can Do All Things’

By
Keiston France
-
belief

Belief is a very important thing. It is not just a matter of denomination; it is not just a matter of being involved with a group, a tribe, a click, or a cult. Belief has all to do with the philosophy that you live by… your vision, your purpose, and your goals.

As Christians, we should understand that God is concerned about belief and the concept of believing in Him. Even though we make mistakes, we are considered righteous by the mere fact that we believe in Him. However, God is also concerned about the individuals that do not believe. When we decide to believe in God, we inherit His power that defeats the enemy on any level.

Now, believing in God is important. Nevertheless, believing in yourself is also imperative. Paul writes, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Before he mentions Christ, he mentions himself. We are so amazed that he believes in God that we overlook the fact that he believes in himself. Philippians 4:13 is often quoted, but do you believe it like you need to for the level of devil that we fight?

Wherever You Are, Take Your Belief with You

beliefOne of the greatest privileges of my job in NASCAR as a Tire Changer is being able to interact with individuals up-close that I have seen from afar off. I’ve met a few incredibly successful people who were not positive and/or confident about themselves. And, none of them are any more gifted than you or I. In fact, in many cases, they are less gifted, less talented, and less skilled. They don’t have more than you, they just think differently than you.

Just before Paul says, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength,” he recounts some of the different circumstances he’s found himself in: he’s been hungry and well-fed, he’s been in need and he’s been well off, he’s learned to be content, no matter what his circumstances are.

Paul isn’t juxtaposing these circumstances to suggest that one is better than the other. He’s using these extremes to highlight that he understands the range of human experience. Paul understands the challenges that come with each position. He isn’t a rich person telling a poor person to be happy with what they have (or vise versa), and he’s not sitting there on a full stomach telling hungry people to get over it.

He’s saying that no matter what your circumstances are, you can learn to be content. How does he know? Because he’s tested it, and he’s proved it. How does he do it? That’s where verse 13 comes in.

Belief Has Purpose

If you read the NIV translation of verse 13, you’ll notice an important distinction from most other translations: “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” (emphasis added). When we read “this” instead of “things,” it’s a lot more clear that the passage is referring to specific things – all the things Paul has been talking about, not “all things” in the sense that we can do anything.

In context, “I can do all things” is the ministry that God has sent Paul to do. He can persevere, share the gospel, and be content in any situation. Not on his own, but through Christ who strengthens him.

This verse is so misused because many Christians interpret “all things” as “anything,” not “all the things Paul has talked about.” It’s not a blanket endorsement that God will support anything we set out to do and empower us to do whatever impossible things we can imagine. It’s an assurance that we can do whatever God calls us to do, not whatever we decide to do.

This isn’t a biblical exhortation you can stamp on whatever goals you have professionally, personally, or physically. It’s an encouragement that God can give you the strength to be content, no matter what.

So What’s The Play Call?

  1. Do you believe in you?
  2. When was there a time when you put your faith in man and ended up disappointed?
  3. In what ways have you experienced God providing for you in a time of need?

Believing in yourself is half of the battle. Once you have accomplished that in addition to adding God into the equation, you will be undefeated. Think about it.

5 Ways the Bible Equips Parents to Answer Their Kid’s Tough Questions

By
Sonya McKinzie
-
parents

“Mommy, what is sex?”

Our children’s questions seem to come out of thin air, almost always taking us completely off guard. Regardless of how prepared we think we are, we’re seldom prepared on the spot for all the tough questions that children ask.

Stammering and pausing, stuttering and shocked, non-stop thoughts running through my mind – I’m thinking, “Why are we talking about sex, she is only eight years old—Where did she even hear that word? Wait, did I hear her question right?”

Imagine as a single mother, raised to stay in a child’s place and to speak when only spoken to, I could not begin to understand what I could say to answer my daughter’s question that would be clear and concise for an eight-year-old to comprehend.

So, how did I answer the question? After gathering my thoughts and catching my breath, I said, “Let’s talk about that a little later, mommy needs to go put a load of clothes in the washing machine”, and quietly exited the room with hopes that it would buy me enough time to pray and gather my thoughts about the question my sweet-faced baby asked me.

But, as soon as I returned to the room, the questions continued. They didn’t go away. Unfortunately, I was not given time to ponder and pull together the right answers.  

Parents Get Ready, the Hard Questions are Coming!

parentsLet’s be honest, as parents we want to shelter our children from the storms and complications of the world by slamming their bedroom doors and keeping them in a safe bubble.

However, as Christian parents, we must allow the Bible to guide us and break the wall of fear – empower us to face and address our children’s inquisitive questions. Because if we do not open the door for frequent, candid, and truthful communication with our children early on, the world’s doors will certainly burst wide open. Society may force them to listen in, discover, and absorb the information in a way that is not favorable to God and to us as parents.

When a family is rooted in God’s Word, it is easier to steer through the hardest topics because we know that our own opinions are not what matters most. It is God who gives wisdom and clarity for us to deal with every scenario we face in this life.

Using God’s Word as a foundation to talk with our children and have transparent and open conversations equips our children with the resistance and power to fight destructive influences, temptations, and peer pressure.

The Word of God Holds all the Answers

Here are five ways we can equip, educate, and empower our children to willingly and openly talk to us as parents about very uncomfortable issues:

1. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. (James 1:19)

Be eager to listen and ask open-ended questions. Listen to your kid’s opinions, and resist the urge to fuss, point the finger, or be judgmental. Many times, our children are not seeking advice or judgment, but instead, they are asking for answers, support, and a listening ear.

2. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

Remain calm, consistent in truth, and welcoming regardless of the subject. It is so, so easy for parents to get upset and overreact when our children say or do something that is disturbing or questionable. In these instances, it is important for us to be open, honest, respectful, loving, and approachable.

3. Love is patient, love is kind. (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Just as God does with us, parents must apply love and compassion when talking with our children. Sure, words are often easier than doing, right? It is not until we are faced with something that interrupts our peace that we must make the decision. How can we handle the issue the way God would have us to and avoid being judgmental at the same time? We must always avoid making our kids feel ashamed about what they have shared with us. Like God, we must love without condition and be forgiving.

4. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

We are all imperfect. Therefore, it is fair to say that no one has all the right answers. After all, we’re all human. It is okay to not always know the answers or how to respond. Truthfully, there will likely be more times than not that we may have to “get back with” our children’s questions, and that is okay. Why? Because sometimes, they just want to be heard with love and compassion, anyway.  

5. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Always use God’s Word as a foundation to share your views. Remember when you were a child? Think about a time you shared or asked your parents a hard question about life and they responded in a way that made you feel ashamed, angry, or embarrassed. How receptive were you to their response? Did you want to share your thoughts on the subject with them again? No, right? 

As Christian parents, it can be helpful for us to share what we think, but it is even more helpful to share what God says is true. Because God’s words are so strong and He says they will not return empty, there is no need to fuss or pound it into their minds. Instead, it’s imperative that we are gracious and allow God’s words the space to guide us and our children.

So, what’s the play call?

Remember that no matter how the seasons, days, months, and years change, our God will always remain the same. God will give us the strength and tools to answer any questions that our children might have.

So, let’s be mindful of God’s words as we raise our children to be God-fearing vessels of the world.

 

My Struggle with Lust: When Celibacy Isn’t Enough

By
Jeannette Tyson
-
lust

God has shown me that our relationship with Him is a steady climb. We should always be growing, moving forward and upward. The fruit in a given season may be tangible or spiritual, but still, you should always be fruitful.

I have always struggled with lust and fornication. After I was saved, I would get convicted and so I modified my behavior. Although it’s a great place to start for sure, behavior modification is NOT deliverance!

I was in a place where I was “doing” all the right things externally, but internally I still had wrong thoughts and desires. I would combat them with prayer (not always consistently), but I think subconsciously I was just trying to faith it till I make it. I was literally in cycles of defeat and even though I hated it, I was having trouble completely breaking free.

Again, I wasn’t always giving in to the flesh, but even when you don’t act on the thoughts you have, it can still be tormenting.

Lust Carries Permanent Consequences

In January 2019 I found out I was pregnant, out of wedlock, and I was humiliated. I had to confess to my pastors and step down from leadership training. I had to tell my mother and everyone who had been counting on me to do the right thing. I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to keep writing for Team Jesus Magazine. I felt like such a failure, but more than that, a fraud. I was embittered and resentful. I hated myself and even considered an abortion. It seemed like an easier option. I was trying to live up to God’s standard, but I made a mistake and it came with permanent consequences. I wasn’t able to privately repent and push through it on my own. I had to live with this and it was very hard.

Somehow, by the grace of God, I got through it. I immediately owned up to what I had done. Despite my worst fears, I was received with love and support. I thank God for my baby every day, but I do wish I had trusted my community more with my struggles before I ended up pregnant.

I should have trusted the people God placed in my life. More than this, I should have relied on God’s strength in my weakness. Learning to pray in the moment of temptation will save you from having to repent after giving in.

Deliverance from Lust is an Inside Job

prayWhen you aren’t moving forward, situations will come your way to try and force you backward or further hinder your process. Complacency is not an option, you have to grow even if it’s baby steps.

Yes, it can be scary and uncomfortable, but the good news is that you’re more than a conqueror, victorious through Christ. You can’t lose when you submit to God.

I thought celibacy was enough and so I kept failing. I should have been way more proactive with my deliverance. This was not only a sex issue but by not dealing with it properly, it was holding up my growth in God. Everything God is challenging you with is an opportunity for you to advance!

When you are living life just going through the motions, trying to fit the mold, those unchecked attitudes and mindsets will manifest. James 1:15 says “When the desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin.” It’s inevitable.

I don’t have all the answers, but I think small groups where you can rely on transparent accountability from your peers, without judgment and condemnation, would help in your journey. If your church doesn’t have one, then start one! Even if you do a Facebook group, you have the tools you need to connect. You are not alone, teammates!

There is so much God wants to do in our lives and we hinder our own destiny by refusing to deal with ourselves. There may be things in you that you consider your “thorn”. We pacify it by saying, “it’s just how I am” or “my whole family does this.” We may try to fight in our flesh to resist only to wind up falling and having to repent and start again – that’s the cycle that God wants to break!

The Lord is calling us higher. New levels are waiting and we can unlock them with obedient surrender.

So, What’s the Play Call?

  • Trust your church family with your heart and allow people to love and support you while holding you accountable for your development.
  • Everything God is asking of you is for your advancement and growth – just do it!
  • There is no coasting in the Kingdom, you’re going to move forward or backward.
  • When you feel anxious about dealing with your stuff, allow Matthew 3:10 to sober you. Trees that are unfruitful will be cut down.

Matthew 3:10 “Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Matthew 25:29-30 “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ‘And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

God Bless!

Share Your Faith and Unleash the Gift of Evangelism

By
Christianity Today
-
make disciples

Evangelism. Evangelist. Evangelize. Who knew that a word with an etymology relating to good news could become such bad news in our world?

We all know that evangelism has fallen on hard times. What is central to Jesus’ mission for us has become secondary to many Christians. Not only does this one word evoke strong emotion (on either side), but it has become increasingly polarizing among evangelicals.

There are few words that consistently cause such varied reactions globally. Some love it and engage in healthy evangelism, some are neutral and prefer to remain unengaged. Yet, others dislike what it entails and some are even unsure about its relevance.

One thing is for sure: evangelism is not going anywhere, and more than ever, we need to reengage in conversation and dialogue around evangelism. Perhaps more than this, we need to embrace and unleash the power and gift of evangelism in our post-everything world.

More than ever, Christians need to reaffirm their commitment to evangelism as a priority in their faith.

Evangelism is… back?

We seem to vacillate in popular opinion regarding the role and importance of evangelism in our faith. There are times when the evangelist is welcomed and there are times when evangelism becomes anathema to Christians—which seems ironic, I know.

Irrespective of our feelings regarding the word itself, sharing one’s faith is an important aspect of the Christian faith. Evangelism is not a side activity for a busy church. Evangelism is not an optional extra. Evangelism is biblical. Evangelism is natural. Evangelism is necessary for Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, and Bible-believing Christians.

John Stott states, “We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, …

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Good Health Cooking: Blueberry Beet Smoothie

By
Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD
-

Boost your immune system, tantalize your taste buds and get some extra servings of fruit and veggies in this gorgeous, sweet and creamy Blueberry Beet Smoothie!

Did you know only 1 in 7 adults eat the recommended 2 servings of fruit and 3 servings of veggies per day? Yikes! And less than 10% of kids get their daily dose too. Overwhelming evidence shows that eating more veggies and fruit is a critical key to disease prevention, managing chronic disease (like diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease), reducing inflammation and weight management. But for most individuals, the struggle continues.  

Finding creative and tasty ways to give meals a nutrition boost can help you and your family get on the path to better health. But, as I have found, there are 2 things that must be true in order to create a long-term habit of eating more produce:

  1. The recipe MUST be tasty!
  2. The recipe MUST be easy to execute!

This Blueberry Beet Smoothie ticks all the boxes. Blend it up in less than 5 minutes for a filling snack or breakfast. With no added time you can scale up the recipe and make them for the whole family. You won’t need to convince the family to give them a try. They are just that good! 

The Trick to Blending Up the Perfect Smoothie

blueberry beet smoothieSmoothie recipes aren’t hard to find or create. However, many recipes are unbalanced in macronutrients and high in sugar. When smoothies don’t have a good combo of fiber, fat, and protein, they can leave you low on energy and hungry not long after. These are a few tips to create recipes that will energize you for hours and taste great:

Go Veggie Forward

Adding veggies into smoothies is smart and can be quite tasty! Sweet root vegetables like cooked carrots and beets are easy to blend and lend some extra sweet flavor. Or, throw in a big handful (about 1 cup) of baby kale or spinach for a bright green smoothie.

Include Protein

A smoothie with a quality source of protein will keep hunger away for hours. Greek yogurt or cottage cheese blend up perfectly along with soft tofu for a plant-based option. Protein powder is preferred by some but make sure you know the ingredients and how it is sweetened.

Forgo Added Sugar

Avoid adding sugar like honey or maple syrup that increase blood glucose and insulin.  Instead, opt for fresh or frozen fruit as your ‘sweetener.’ While juice will give it a sweet punch, it lacks fiber and can leave you low in energy (and hungry!) not long after.  Bananas and mango can help make the smoothie creamy. But for a good balance of carbohydrate, protein and fat, keep fruit to around 1 cup (or less).

Don’t Forget the Fat

Healthy fats are necessary to absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and they can help create a creamy smoothie texture. Fat also helps the meal to stick with you even longer. A tablespoon of hemp, chia or ground flax is one easy way to add in some healthy fats.  Or, grab your favorite nut butter and add in a spoonful!

How Much Protein is Ideal in a Smoothie?

Research suggests that most individuals benefit from 20-30 grams of protein per meal for muscle protein synthesis and satisfaction. This amount of protein will help you stay full for hours and may even help in the management of blood glucose at meals for the rest of the day. 

This Blueberry Beet Smoothie is perfect as a filling snack. If you want to bump up the protein a little further for a satisfying breakfast, add an additional 2oz of greek yogurt OR ½ serving of vanilla protein powder.  It’s that simple!

Blueberry Beet Smoothies

blueberry beet smoothie

Ingredients

½ cup frozen blueberries
2 large beets, cooked & peeled
¼ large banana, frozen
½ cup greek yogurt, plain, low-fat
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tbsp hemp hearts (or chia seeds)

Directions

Place all ingredients into a blender and puree’ for 30-60 seconds.  Scrape down the sides and repeat if needed. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

  • Look for cooked and ready-to-eat beets in the refrigerated section of the produce department.  
  • Add in additional 2oz of greek yogurt or ½ serving of vanilla protein powder to bump up the protein for a filling breakfast.
  • IF you want to make this smoothie sweeter without added sugar, add a bit more banana OR 1-2 drops of liquid stevia.

Nutrition

Calories 267; Total Fat 9g (Saturated Fat 2g); Sodium 224mg; Total Carbohydrate  30g; Fiber 6g; Added Sugars 0g; Protein 18g

 

Get Ready for the 35th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Friday, Mar. 27th

By
Editorial Staff
-

The Stellar Awards Turns 35!

Celebrating its milestone 35th Anniversary of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Central City Productions announces an awe-inspiring line-up of performers for the “Greatest Night in Gospel Music.” Returning to the Las Vegas Orleans Arena on Friday, March 27, 2020, this year’s milestone Stellar Awards telecast promises to honor the best of three-and-a-half decades of Gospel music tradition with performances from the genre’s most celebrated acts.

Performers include Donnie McClurkin, James Fortune, J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, Travis Greene, Maranda Curtis, William Murphy, Zacardi Cortez, Pastor Mike Jr., Kierra Sheard, The Walls Group, and Doe, with more to be announced.

The show will premiere on BET Networks (simulcast on BET HER) on April 5 at 8 p.m. ET with an encore at 10 p.m. ET, and air in broadcast syndication in more than 216 markets around the country from April 11 – May 17, 2020.

Meet the 2020 Stellar Awards Co-Hosts

stellar awardsTaking the reigns for the first time as co-hosts this year are two of Gospel’s breakthrough artists who have established themselves as part of the ‘new guard’ shaping contemporary Gospel music — Koryn Hawthorne and Jonathan McReynolds.

“Words can’t describe my excitement for this moment! I’m honored that the Stellars chose me to do this next to Jonathan McReynolds, who I love dearly,” said Hawthorne. We’re going to bring a fresh vibe to the stage and it’s gonna be lit!”

“I still remember sitting in the upper deck looking in awe down at a stage I never thought I’d sing on, never thought I’d play on, never thought I’d win on,” shared McReynolds. “7 years later I’m hosting. Mind blown!”

”I’m grateful to be on the Stellars stage where, every year, music, Black and Kingdom history is made,” he continued. “I might be biased, but I think this will be the best Stellars ever.”

An important tradition at the Stellar Awards, Founder Don Jackson will bestow special recognition upon Gospel greats who have elevated the genre. This year’s James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award will honor none other than the iconic Clark Sisters — Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Twinkie Clark and Jacky Clark Chisholm — who hold a collective fifteen Stellar Awards, in addition to the Thomas Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award (2007). The legendary Clark Sisters will raise the roof with a rousing set featuring some of their most notable hits. The one and only Lady Tramaine Hawkins will be presented with the Aretha Franklin Icon Award, adding to her collection of honors including the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award (2008) and induction into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame (2016). The illustrious Pastor Shirley Caesar, multiple Stellar Award winner (14), and recipient of the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award (1986); the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award (2004); and inducted into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame (2015), is being recognized with the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award. Dr. Leonard Scott, founder of Tyscot Records, and inductee into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame (2017), will receive the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award.

Get Your Stellar Awards Tickets Today

The Stellar Awards show taping on Friday, March 27, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. PT is open to the public, with ticket prices ranging from $50 – $200 at www.ticketmaster.com. The week’s activities begin with the first-ever Stellar ‘Laugh Out Loud’ comedy show, held on Wednesday, March 25, featuring clean comedians – Griff, Marcus D. Wiley, Akintunde and more. The Stellar Gospel Radio Awards & Showcase, hosted by VaShawn Mitchell and Bri Babineaux, held on Thursday, March 26, honors top radio stations and announcers serving urban gospel music audiences. Later in the day, the 2020 Stellar Gospel Music Awards Pre-Show, hosted by Kierra Sheard and Todd Dulaney, will celebrate the non-televised award category winners. Each event will feature rousing performances by a roster of Gospel music greats. Public tickets for each event are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com. For a complete list of Stellar Awards official activities, please visit www.thestellarawards.com.

As previously announced, veteran Gospel collective, Donald Lawrence Presents The Tri-City Singers leads the field of nominees this year with nine nominations. Other top nominees include Gospel icon and Stellar Awards Host emeritus, Kirk Franklin and powerhouse singer, producer and performer Tasha Cobbs Leonard with eight nominations each; JJ Hairston (7 Nominations), Bishop Paul S. Morton (6 Nominations), John P. Kee (5 Nominations), Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers (4 Nominations), William Murphy (4 Nominations), Pastor Mike, Jr. (4 Nominations), Maranda Curtis (3 Nominations), and Fresh Start Worship (3 Nominations) round out the field of top nominated artists. For the complete list of the 35th Anniversary Stellar Gospel Music Awards, please visit www.thestellarawards.com.

More of the biggest names in Gospel and a few additional surprises are being added to the growing list of top performers appearing in this year’s show. Stay tuned for future announcements and follow @thestellars for the latest news and updates about the Greatest Night in Gospel Music.

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Executive in Charge of Production. Michael A. Johnson will produce and direct this year’s award show.

 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ: Cure for the Loneliness Epidemic

By
Christianity Today
-
loneliness epidemic

In 2018, a national survey exploring the impact of loneliness revealed that this condition is now at epidemic levels in the United States and poses a severe health risk to the general population.

Survey results were released by Cigna, a global health service company, based on the UCLA loneliness scale, an instrument that measures and assesses subjective feelings of loneliness, as well as social isolation, by using a 20-item questionnaire.

Four significant patterns related to feelings of loneliness and social isolation emerged from the survey of more than 20,000 U.S. adults, age 18 years and older:

Nearly half of the respondents reported feeling alone, occasionally or continuously (46 percent), or left out (47 percent). One in four rarely or never feel as if there are people who truly understand them. Two in five feel that their relationships are inconsequential (43 percent) and that they are isolated from others (43 percent). One in five report they rarely or never feel close to other people (20 percent) or that there is anyone they can talk to (18 percent).

Bob Dylan once said that New York is the only place where you can freeze to death on a busy street and no one will even notice. Although urban centers are incredibly dense and swarming with people, the density only seems to compound the loneliness.

Thus, the confluence of urbanization and globalization is creating an expanding mission field for the church, given most of the global population continues to migrate steadily into urban centers. What then can we do?

First, loneliness is a signpost to something deeper.

The psalmist writes in Psalm 4:27 that “deep calls unto deep.” Many confuse this deep longing with a form of chronic anxiety, or something that has gone …

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The Gift of Goodbye: When You Want Them to Go With You, But They Can’t

By
Alecia M. White
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gift of goodbye

I love movies and my latest Prime Video view (yes, Prime got me) is, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”. It was pretty good and kinda hilarious – the perfect blend in a movie for me. Anyhoo, I want you to watch it, so I won’t spoil it for you. But, I want to reference just one part.

So, Walter was a photo developer for Life Magazine. As they prep for their final print issue, he goes on this “journey” in search of a lost photo (P.S. I didn’t reveal anything just now that you can’t go read on Google).

Mmmkay, along the way, Walter met a couple of guys that helped him on his travels. At one point, his journey leads him to the Himalayas. Once they arrive at the bottom of the mountains, there is a moment that lasts about two minutes where the men point Walter in the right direction.

He motions for them to go first, they give the “no” head shake and motion for him to go alone. They go back and forth a couple of times before Walter finally takes the hint and heads up into the mountains alone.

Receive the Gift of Goodbye with Gratitude

gift of goodbyeAs I watched this silent 2-minute scene, I could hear them telling him, “Look, Walter, we’ve come this far with you, but we can’t climb that mountain with you.”

Maybe you can guess where I’m going with this, yep, straight to the Himalayas lol! But really, you already know that everyone can’t go where you’re going. You hear it all the time. The difference between this season and the past is that you don’t have to guess who isn’t invited. Folks are taking all of the guesswork out of your transition with silent transactions that you’ve gotta take to heart.

Pay close attention. People are letting you know that they don’t belong on this journey with you. No, not literally, but figuratively for sure. Their actions toward you or even their own destinies are screaming that they can’t make the trip.

Do you want to know another tell-tale sign? Look at how they communicate with you or don’t communicate with you. “But we talk all the time.” Yeah, I hear you, but are these talks healthy?

What is your conversation about? You must know that you need healthy, encouraging communication. We need conversations that will hold us accountable. Some people just have an entirely different path laid before them and you have to separate at that fork in the road. Guess what, that’s okay.

So, What’s the Play Call?

It’s not always easy to accept when we can’t continue in our current position, surrounded by our “favorite” people. We must trust where God is taking us and who He trusts to be with us. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare to leave people at the foot of your mountain:

  1. God is always with you. One of the hardest things for me in situations like this is feeling that I am alone without certain people by my side. I have to constantly remember that God will never leave me alone and that He knows what and who is best for me. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:20
  2. Seek God’s will. Sure, you hear it all the time, but if you really seek God and His will for your life, all these things will become clearer. When He shows you your path, He will show you who belongs on it with you. “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:6 (NLT)
  3. Learn who you are. Yes, your identity is important. I have found that the more I realized my identity in Christ, the more I pay attention to who is around me and what they are adding to my life. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
  4. Know that God has what you need. Once we completely depend on God to supply our every need, we will look to people less and less to fill voids in our lives. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Teammates, please be encouraged and remember that God is not new to this. He has you in mind and He wouldn’t dare let you walk alone on this journey. There will be times when you’ve got to tackle the “Himalayas” without the “couple of guys” who helped you this far. Climb higher anyway.

“I’m Sorry, Lord, I Won’t Do It Again” – The #1 Reason Why We Do

By
Kim Brightness
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repentance

Repentance on Repeat?

Don’t judge me, but in college, I owned the trademark, copyright, and patent on this prayer of repentance:

“Lord, if you get me out of this one, I PROMISE I won’t do it again.”

Have you ever been part owner of that lie prayer? You were caught, exposed, bad things were happening due to your poor judgment and choices, and the only remedy that not only made sense – but the only one that could bail you out of the mess you made – was to crawl humbly back to God for mercy.

Sigh.

Funny – not funny – how we have all said that prayer at some point and time in our lives. But, as sure as the day is long – we did “it” again.

I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing worse than sincerely asking God for forgiveness – with the promise to change – and finding yourself back in the exact same situation again and again.

You feel horrible, right?  – or, maybe there are no words to describe how foolish, disappointed, or disgusted you are with yourself. You believed deep in your heart with all the best intentions that “This is it, I’ll never do that again.” And then…

When ‘Our’ Best Didn’t Work

He Cares For YouSo, what happened, Team? Can we blame the devil and the fact that we would’ve kept our promise, but “evil is always present” (Romans 7:21)? Can we ‘pull an Adam’ and blame a friend or loved one – “who God gave us” (Genesis 3:12) – for bringing us into a negative situation?

Wasn’t our spirits broken, our hearts contrite (Psalm 51:17)?  Weren’t our tears and fears real?

Yes, we were extremely sorrowful.  But, we simply used the wrong set of tears.

Sorrow That Leads to Real Change

jonahOur Playbook says,

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10

How can we tell if we’re using the “sorrow of the world” vs. “godly sorrow“? Let’s start with the world’s tears.

Have you ever witnessed someone crying or hysterical because they got caught? Or, if you’re a parent, have you ever seen your child cry extra hard to appeal to your sympathies in order to forgo punishment?

Worldly sorrow, my sisters and brothers, is noisy, but hollow. It carries a big bark but lacks an effective bite or grip on the true pursuit of repentance. Worldly sorrow is this great build-up of emotion that fizzes away when external pressures subside. And, why wouldn’t it? The farther it gets from humiliation, loss, or other consequences, worldly grief lacks the staying power that could produce life and instead produces death (in our purpose, relationships, even eternal damnation if left unchecked).

Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is the catalyst for acts that lead to repentance. It understands that true repentance is not an overnight success – there is much work to do to harvest the salvation that only godly grief and repentance can bring.

Let’s take a look at what godly sorrow is made of…

Key Ingredients to Godly Sorrow

2 Corinthians 7:11 explains how godly sorrow will “work out”, “make” (wrought) or “effect by toil” the following active responses in us:

  • Earnestness. Worldly sorrow lacks sincerity. With godly sorrow, our pursuit to please God becomes genuine, as does our decision to avoid future offense.
  • A concern to clear yourself. We will no longer attempt to justify or rationalize our wrongs, but will work to create distance between ourselves and “the cursed thing”.
  • Indignation. We’re no longer comfortable and lenient with sin, but we become angry and “sick of” the sin and everything that leads to it.
  • Fear. We develop a reverent respect for God – what breaks His heart and what makes Him happy. We develop a cautious fear of the eternal consequences of sin.
  • A deep desire for God. We recognize how sin can separate us from God, and we deeply long for a right, intimate relationship with Him.
  • Zeal. We passionately and with great diligence pursue righteousness and the subsequent obliteration of disobedience to God’s will from our lives.
  • Vindication. We no longer “partner” with sin, but we “punish” our sinful acts, how? – by working diligently to right wrongs, and restore and heal any damages caused by our offense.

With these ingredients, we show ourselves as overcomers – innocent of the past charges of offense and the punishment attached to it – and the proud recipients of God’s grace and mercy.

So, What’s the Play Call?

Pursue godly sorrow in order to find freedom and a changed life through true repentance.

If you find yourself in repeated offense or sin, ask God for godly sorrow. Tell Him you’re tired of worldly, surface grief and open your heart to the conviction (note, not condemnation) of the Holy Spirit. Remember that repentance is a personal choice; we have the sole responsibility to surrender our will and where we are to God.

God will never forsake us on the road to salvation. We have access to new mercies every day (Lamentations 3:22-23). We may get sick of ourselves, but never feel ashamed to go to God for mercy – again and again – because He loves you with a compassion our earthly minds can’t comprehend.

God’s grace and mercy are available to all of us – let’s treat His gracious invitations to heal, change, and be delivered with the honor they deserve.

Love y’all!

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