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CeCe Winans Spreads Good News and Cheer in New Christmas Album, “Something’s Happening!”

By
Editorial Staff
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cece winans something's happening

“A desire to do something “better and fresher” than what she’s done before led CeCe Winans to record Something’s Happening, a new holiday album”  — Billboard Magazine

CeCe Winans Releases A Treasure Trove of Christmas Songs in Something’s Happening!

cece winans something's happeningAward-winning singer CeCe Winans gears up for her 4th holiday recording, Something’s Happening! A Christmas Album (Puresprings Gospel/ Thirty Tigers).  The 11-track musical delight features Christmas classics and new songs perfect for holiday gatherings and trimming the tree. The contemporary collection of compositions is available at iTunes, Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Barnes & Noble, and other music retail outlets.

Once again, Winans teams up with her son Alvin Love III, a Grammy-winning producer, to deliver a smorgasbord of festive songs that will have listeners coming back for more each year.  Something’s Happening! A Christmas Album will no doubt be added to consumer’s holiday stash of favorites.  Alvin penned 5 new songs for this spirit-filled Christmas album, incorporating five classic tunes with a distinctive musical twist.  He went the extra mile and invited the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Tim Akers and recorded at Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall in Zagreb, Croatia.

“We were inspired by the Christmas albums from the golden era of symphonic popular music. This album is grand in scale and spectrum. Each song is accompanied by a 75 piece orchestra and brings out a different color in CeCe’s voice, some colors will be familiar some will be new. It’s a big sound and we’re really proud of it”, says Alvin.

The melodious sound of “This World Will Never Be the Same” reminds listeners how much the world has changed, but gives us hope for a better tomorrow.  The whimsical, “Giving Season” paints a vivid picture of Christmastime and the spirit of giving while the classic, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” delivers familiarity in the beginning, but midway through the song the tempo changes to flavorful and rhythmic percussions.  In a festive contemporary seasonal carol, “It’s Christmas,” Alvin Love’s crafted tune will have you swaying and singing along.

Recently Billboard Magazine premiered the single, “It’s Christmas” noting its upbeat, Motown-flavor that apparently had some musical influence on the Detroit born singer.  This is Winans’ first solo Christmas album since the release of His Gift in 1998.

Winans is open to branching out musically and has this to say about the new album, “It’s been a long time. I just felt like I could do something that was better, something that was fresher. It was time to do a new one, and I’m pretty pleased with it. I think it’s fresh, and fun. I’m glad I did it.”

The vocals are masterful on this album and Winans doesn’t fail to seal her signature sound into each song. From start to finish, this album brightens the smile and lightens the heart, reminding us of the true meaning of the season. Something’s Happening!  A Christmas Album will make the perfect Christmas gift and stocking stuffer.

buy something's happening

Something’s Happening! Track Listing

  1. Something’s Happening
  2. This World Will Never Be The Same
  3. Giving Season
  4. The Grace of the Father
  5. Come, O Come Emmanuel
  6. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
  7. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
  8. Feliz Navidad
  9. It’s Christmas
  10. Silent Night
  11. Something’s Happening- Reprise

Teammates, be sure to connect with CeCe Winans via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @cecewinans and www.cecewinans.com and let her know what you think of the new Christmas album.

Pursuing Purpose: Dr. Chenee’ Gilbert, Children’s Book Author and Grief Specialist

By
Monique C. Baisden
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chenee' gilbert

Pursuing Purpose Interview Series

Special Guest: Dr. Chenee’ Gilbert, Author, and Advocate for Grieving Children

“Pursuing Purpose” is a new podcast interview series with people who are walking in purpose and destined for greatness. These persons come from all backgrounds of life; many are well-known and well-respected professionals in their respective industries. Some are household names, and others are not. But, what they all have in common is their faith in God. They are all Team Jesus! As Christ Followers, they have endured and overcome challenges and have made the commitment to dedicate their lives to walking in and living out their God-given purpose, no matter what.

Meet Chenee’ Gilbert, mother, seasoned educator of 20 years, grief advocate for youth and author of the “Dear Grief” books series.

Listen in to her testimony of God’s hand on her life and finding her purpose…


 

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to Pursuing Purpose: The Podcast

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Seasons Change: How to Handle a Life Shift Without Going Into Shock

By
Alecia M. White
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seasons change

Seasons Change and Come at You Fast

I live in Indiana. This past spring, there was no spring. As soon as the “seasons changed”, it was 90 degrees outside and we were in summer before we were ready for it.

Everyone had purchased their kiddos the cutest raincoats and rain boots and had to put them away and pull out the shorts and tank tops. Currently, it’s autumn… a.k.a. fall (according to the calendar and the folks on television), but it feels like the middle of winter outside. I mean, 30 degrees in the morning and even colder at night is definitely not fall weather as I remember it.

In fact, we’ve only had one fall day so far. It was an amazing 67-degree day that had everyone in their feels and drinking pumpkin spice everything. The next day we were feeling the summer heat again. Now, it’s cold.

I got up one morning and got in my car to head to work and noticed that my windshield was foggy. So, I turned on my wipers, you know, thinking it was just a little dew and quickly realized that it was ice. Ice. On my window. In October. A mess!

In both cases, us Hoosiers had to adapt to the weather changes or be completely ill-dressed and uncomfortable. See, it didn’t gradually get colder. Nope, we went to sleep one night in summer and woke up to winter. So, currently, I am leaving for work in the coat, scarf, hat, and gloves that I hadn’t planned on wearing until at least the end of November. After Thanksgiving (rolls eyes).

Did Your Current Season Creep Up on You?

seasons changeOften, we are placed in seasons that we may not necessarily be ready for – at least in our own opinions. Most times, we try our best to prepare for what comes next. But, what do you do when what comes next isn’t what we prepared for? How are we supposed to cope when we skip from step 2 to step 8?

Well, we must trust God. He is the only one who knows our story’s end. Our Playbook says in the New Living Translation of Isaiah 46:9-10, “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.”

Just like winter hitting early was a shock to my system, there are times when life’s seasons change and shock me as well.

So, What’s the Play Call?

No matter the case, whether it be natural or spiritual, we must adapt and dress properly when the seasons change. Allow God to be your meteorologist and seek Him for the proper dress – especially when there are no signs of the quick switch. Recognize that your season “skip” won’t always come with a fair warning – just like our summer to winter shift here in good old Indiana. Here are a few Team tips to help us when we enter unexpected seasons:

  1. Seek God. Only He knows what’s up next and no matter how “prepared” we are, we won’t ever know exactly what to expect without His help. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
  2. Dress for the weather. You may be expecting your fall season and walk outside to a temperature of 30 degrees, like I did. You may have to walk back inside and put on your coat and gloves. In any event, do not be so disappointed that you never change. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11
  3. Realize what time it is. Sometimes, God adjusts our seasons to help us focus on the time He is calling us to. Some seasons He may have us to skip over, while some may seem to last longer. Seek Him on what He would have you to learn and gain from each. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1
  4. Know that God is with you. It may seem as if we are alone in times that we aren’t prepared, but we must always remember that God will not leave us. He is right there when we need Him. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5

No matter what season you are in or feel you should be in, God allowed you to be there so trust Him! God will see you through and give you the proper tools and covering to handle it.

How Self-Righteous Anger Opposes the Righteousness of God

By
Ryan Churchill
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Today’s Scripture Lesson: Psalm 71

As always, before you continue reading, I invite you to open your Bible and read the text in its entirety.

As I’ve been slowly studying the Psalms, I continually encounter specific words with a high degree of frequency. One such word is “righteousness.” In this Psalm alone, the psalmist uses the word 5 times.

Let’s highlight some verses from this Psalm which use the word “righteousness”:

  • In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed. In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline Your ear to me and save me. (vs. 1-2)
  • My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and of Your salvation all day long; for I do not know the sum of them. I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone. (vs. 15-16)
  • For Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You? (v. 19) 
  • My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; and my soul, which You have redeemed. My tongue also will utter Your righteousness all day long; for they are ashamed, for they are humiliated who seek my hurt. (vs.23-24)

Let’s add to these verses, two verses from the first chapter of James:

  • …Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)

It may seem a bit out of left field that I chose this passage from James. It was for me too. Not long after I closed my Bible study time in this particular Psalm, I picked up a devotional, which used these two verses from James as the author wrote a beautiful and enlightening prose on the ill-effects of anger. Once again, the mirror of the Psalms was held up before my soul.

Let’s answer a few questions…

  • Of whose righteousness does the psalmist speak?

God’s righteousness.

  • Of whose righteousness does James speak?

God righteousness.

  • Of whose anger does James speak?

The anger of man. The anger of humanity. My anger. Your anger. (These are all acceptable answers.)

The World is Angry

angryHave you turned on the news or opened up social media lately? Have you noticed the anger? Do you find yourself wrapped up in it? Does it seem almost inescapable?

As I watch the anger unfold (and I fall into it, too), I can see one thing driving it all. Many are concerned about being “right”, and that means everyone else who disagrees needs to be proven, at the very least, “not necessarily right”. And, if you’re really good, you can prove them “wrong.” In other words, we are so consumed with our own personal “rightness” that we fail to experience the peace of God in His righteousness.

We have a new catchphrase in the church the last few years. Have you heard anyone say something like, “Christianity isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship”?

Fair enough, Christianity is undeniably about relationship, and that is one of the beautiful wonders of covenant. However, James is emphatic that our faith is a religion:

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:26-27)

So often I hear people argue for their anger. Certainly, Jesus demonstrated righteous anger. But I want you to consider what angered Jesus.

It came down to the misrepresentation of His heavenly Father by people seeking personal gain. Furthermore, Jesus didn’t walk in anger. Jesus walked in peace and mercy. Jesus never had to worry about being “right.” He knew He was covered in the righteousness of His Father, and He never allowed Himself to be stained by the world through the pursuit of His own personal “rightness.”

The Better Way to Righteousness

Our covenant of faith is our religion. By it, we walk in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, given to us through the blood He shed on the cross. By it, we show mercy and compassion. Through our faith, we seek the lost; we minister to the widow and orphan showing them the lovingkindness of God.

When we focus on His righteousness rather than our “rightness” our intent is pure, undefiled, and without stain. When we walk in His righteousness, we are free to show the lovingkindness of our Father without anger.

So, What’s the Play Call?

So much of seeking our “rightness” is rooted in worry. Worry is just a form of unbelief.

Do you believe God is Who He says He is? Do you believe He will do what He says He will do? There is no sense answering these questions dishonestly, Team.

Matthew 6:31-33 tells us, “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ …for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

If you have trouble believing those things, it’s OK to pray the same words the man spoke to Jesus in Mark 9:24, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

Finally, take time to pray that the Holy Spirit will bridle your tongue – and maybe your fingers when you’re sitting at the keyboard on your social media.

2018 GMA Dove Awards Winners and Red Carpet Highlights

By
Editorial Staff
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The Reverent Wonder of God

THE 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards was once again a night to remember at the Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. The awards will be televised on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) on Sunday, October 21 at 9 p.m. ET. The big winner was first-time nominee, newcomer Tauren Wells, who took home 4 awards, including Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year and New Artist of The Year. Superstar Zach Williams took home Artist of the Year. The night was filled with many remarkable performances, including first-time collaborations including Kirk Franklin and Tori Kelly, Jason Crabb and Rascal Flatts, as well as Natalie Grant and Koryn Hawthorne.

Catch our red carpet highlights above with some of your favorite Gospel and CCM artists.

 

2018 Dove Awards Winners

From Shame, Alcohol, to Freedom, “Russ Taff: I Still Believe” Docufilm in Theaters Oct 30th

By
Editorial Staff
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Shame is a Prison

“Russ Taff: I Still Believe,” is a compelling documentary chronicling the multi-GRAMMY® and Dove Award-winning star’s unparalleled musical journey and behind-the-scenes battle with alcoholism.

Playing in cinemas nationwide October 30 at 7:00 p.m. local time, this one-night inspirational event is not-to-be-missed. Immediately following the film, theater audiences will have the opportunity to view a special acoustic session with Taff and his friend, multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman.

Acclaimed director Rick Altizer (“Chonda Pierce: Laughing in the Dark”) traces Taff’s iconic four-decade career, and for the very first time, uncovers the secret life Russ was leading at the top of his career as he tried to overcome his traumatic childhood that included addiction and abuse.

Unable to overcome his shame for many years, Taff turned to alcohol, distancing his family, threatening his career and jeopardizing his life. In “Russ Taff: I Still Believe”, the award-winning Gospel singer candidly reveals how a tumultuous past fueled his own addiction and the ultimate healing he embraced in the power of Christ’s love and forgiveness. “I Still Believe” also shines an important spotlight on Taff’s wife of 42 years, Tori. Her tough love, fervent prayers and unfailing devotion helped her husband find freedom from his past and let Jesus heal and inspire Russ to a fuller life and deeper relationship with Him.

The film includes appearances from such legendary artists and entertainers as Amy Grant, Mercy Me’s Bart Millard, Michael W. Smith, Newsboys’ Michael Tait, Bill Gaither, and comedians Mark Lowry and Chonda Pierce.

About Russ Taff

Russ Taff, GMA 2018 Dove Awards

Russ Taff was the fourth of five sons of a fire-breathing Pentecostal preacher father and a gospel music-loving mother. He learned early on that when he sang, people sat up and responded. Some of his earliest memories are of being held in church by his mom while she sang with the congregation.

When Taff moved to Arkansas in his teens, he began listening to popular music for the first time in his life, and found inspiration there, too. Contemporary Christian music was gaining prominence and the traditional lines between ‘secular’ and ‘sacred’ were starting to blur. Russ formed a local band called Sounds of Joy and began writing songs of spiritual truth that sounded like the music of his generation.

Two years after his band served as an opening act for the legendary Imperials, Taff was invited to join them as lead vocalist. With the Imperials, he toured extensively and gained recognition as ‘The Voice’ behind award-winning songs and albums that successfully completed the group’s transition from traditional to contemporary Christian.

Eager to experience and explore all aspects of music, Taff left the Imperials after four and a half years to pursue a solo career. He captured the imagination of the industry by successfully releasing a series of innovative works that delved into his musical heritage while pushing the boundaries of contemporary Christian music. With lyrics often co-written with his wife Tori, Russ’s recordings and live concerts draw from all genres- rock, pop, blues, Southern gospel, Black gospel, country, even big band. “I guess I’m just not a right-down-the-middle kind of guy,” Russ cheerfully admits. “I’ve been influenced musically by so many styles that I try to never place restrictions on myself. If it moves me, I figure it will probably move other people too.

In 1991, Russ was invited by Bill Gaither to be part of one of his Homecoming videos. Soon after that, Russ began making guest appearances at Homecoming concerts. He eventually became a regular artist on the Homecoming Tour and joined the Gaither Vocal Band as a baritone in 2001. He toured as a member for almost three years. Early in 2004, following the deaths of Vestal Goodman and Jake Hess, Russ decided to step down from the Vocal Band and return to his solo artist status on the tour.

His music has won him not only a wide audience and critical acclaim but a total of 6 Grammy awards and 18 Gospel Music Association Dove awards. Billboard Magazine has called him “the single most electrifying voice in Christian music.”

Get your tickets today at RussTaffMovie.com and witness this extraordinary life of a child of God who overcame by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.

5 Self-Care Tips for the Overwhelmed Introvert

By
Shaw Bigelow
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introvert

I don’t know about you, but most of the time people irritate me. 

I mean, I love everyone, but most of the time I just want to be left alone.  I dread hearing my phone ring and then having to make the decision of whether or not I should answer.  I am slightly irked when visitors show up unannounced.  I often get annoyed that others seem to require so much of my time. 

See, most of my life I have been called mean, anti-social, stuck up, and a plethora of other words, but the reality is that I’m just an introvert.  I get overwhelmed and exhausted when I spend too much time with other people. I have an extreme case of introvertism (I made that word up). 

To make matters even worse, my job involves talking to people who need my assistance most of the day. I absolutely love my job, but it never fails to drain my energy.  By the end of my work day, I wouldn’t be upset if I didn’t say another word for the rest of the day.  My phone is most likely not going to be answered, and the only people I plan to talk to are my husband and children. 

But, to be transparent, coming home to the family who depends on me is also a struggle for an introvert.

Time Alone is Healthy

I used to feel extremely guilty for needing time away from my children. I would see parents who take their kids everywhere with them, the ones who are always doing arts and crafts, or the parents who seem to be so patient – I started to think that there was something wrong with me. I felt like a horrible mother. 

I would see the couples who can’t seem to get enough of each other, those who wanted to spend every waking moment with their spouse and it would make me question my relationship with my husband.  I knew what was wrong, but I didn’t know how to fix it without being seen as a selfish person. 

But, since I want my life to be a reflection of Jesus, I decided to take a look at His life and how he handled having so many people depend on Him.

Even Jesus Needed Time Alone

The Gospels illustrate how Jesus made quiet time a priority.  In Luke 5:15-16, Jesus’ ministry is growing and “crowds of people came to hear Him and be healed of their sicknesses.  But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (NIV). 

Even though people needed Him, Jesus made sure that He did not only focus on the crowds, but He made time to take care of Himself spiritually and emotionally by getting away from the people who drained Him.  It may sound presumptuous of me to say that the crowds drained Him because He is Jesus, but in Mark 5:30 (ESV) when the woman with the issue of blood touched Him to be healed “Jesus perceiv[ed] in himself that power had gone out from Him”.  So, after spending all day healing and ministering to people, He needed to recharge. 

Another example is found in Luke 6:12-13 (NIV), “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them whom He also designated apostles”.  Jesus knew that He had a big decision to make in choosing the apostles, so He needed time to Himself to pray and listen to God. 

Jesus also made sure His disciples knew the value in resting.  Mark 6:31-32 (NIV) says, “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.  So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place”.

So, What’s the Play Call?

If Jesus took time to rejuvenate and reenergize, we need to make self-care a priority as well.  I’d like to share five strategies that I use on a daily basis to reduce my feelings of being overwhelmed, irritated, and frustrated. You, too, may find yourself more cheerful at work and at home and feel much more relaxed.

  1. Wake up at least 15-20 minutes earlier than the rest of your house.  I use this time to read the Bible and pray before I even get out of the bed.  I just use the Bible app on my phone.  But, if you are feeling extra energetic, wake up 30-45 minutes earlier, start some coffee or tea, pull out your Bible and journal, and take that time to read and write out what God is saying to you. 
  2. Listen to a podcast on your commute to and from work.  I love to listen to sermons by Pastor Steven Furtick from Elevation Church and Pastor Michael Todd from Transformation Church.  I also love the Woman Evolve podcast by Sarah Jakes Roberts. I also ride in complete silence sometimes and I listen to worship music.  The main thing is to maximize this time as a moment where you can do something that you enjoy without distractions.
  3. During my day at work, I ensure that I build in short breaks so that I can take a breather.
  4. I always take a lunch and eat in peace.  Even though my lunch break is really short, this is the only meal that I can eat without my children asking me for something or arguing with each other, so my lunch break is of the utmost importance to me.
  5. Once the children and I get home for the day, I make sure they are situated and then give myself up to 30-minutes of time to myself to just unwind from my day before I jump into dinner, homework, and the one million questions from my children that are bound to happen :).

Hiding Pain from God: He Still Knows and He Cares For You

By
Jeannette Tyson
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He Cares For You

What’s the Matter?

Have you ever tried to hide behind Scriptures and suppress your feelings of hurt and pain under the guise of holiness? Sometimes while striving to walk in the Spirit, we get so deep that we find ways to rationalize pain in an attempt to cope. There were times when I was going through something, and I felt guilty about how sad or upset I was about the issue. I chalked it up to “I need to get out of my flesh.”

Many of us assume that when we receive salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we aren’t going to feel normal human feelings anymore. But, God created us with emotions and the ability to express them. When we fight them, we prevent the God of all comfort from consoling us in a way that only He can.

When things happen that you don’t understand, do you struggle to allow yourself to feel?

Allowing yourself to feel will protect you from bitterness. God wants us to be free to express ourselves to Him. We don’t have to be pretentious – He is our Father and that makes Him family. He cares for you.

I used to look at God as some huge far-away, unattached Lord and our “little” feelings were our problem. I felt like He was too important to be bothered with my issues. I thought I just had to keep it moving, God is God and that’s that. Then, we soothe ourselves with the misery sayings of others, “Well it could be worse, there are people out there sick, lost, hungry, etc”.

Jesus is Touched by Our Pain

isolationWe have to understand that God wants us to trust Him with our honesty and transparency. If we give Him our hearts and let Him know we’re hurting, He is faithful to comfort us. Psalm 116:1-2 says, “I love the Lord because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.”

God wants to be a Father to us, but we need to open up to Him. Psalm 142:1-2 says, “I cry out to the Lord with my voice… I pour out my complaint before Him. I declare before Him my trouble”. This lets us know that it’s okay to let Him know how we’re feeling. And, since God knows all, you can’t hide your hurt from Him anyhow – so why try?

I think it breaks God’s heart when we withhold even small discomforts from Him. We’re quick to pray about everything else, but when our soul needs His love the most, we allow fear and guilt to creep in. It makes us feel like “it’s not right to complain to God”.

Team, it is not a sin to be hurt or upset!

God is There When We Need Him

Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us that there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. As much as we’d like to think that life with God is smooth sailing with all the dancing and laughing we can stand, we are reminded often enough that that’s not the case.

Walking with God ensures that we overcome our troubles – not that we won’t experience them (John 16:33). It’s difficult to comprehend that God’s goodness is not contingent on our life’s “goodness”. In that, we struggle to find the balance between being hurt with loving and submitting to Him when we just don’t get it. Sometimes, instead of resting in the arms of God, we just suppress our pain and get mad at ourselves for being human.

The Spirit taught me that there is a way to allow yourself to grieve without having to question the love of God. He wants us all to get to that place and it starts with transparent communication with the Lord.

God is Bigger Than our Problems

he cares for youIt was revealed to me that my love will never be as deep or as strong as God’s love. Likewise, neither will my pain be stronger than God’s love. He loves us more than we’re able to fathom. So, when we’re hurting, He feels it too! Whether it’s a death or sickness, God’s compassion far exceeds our grief.

Psalms 34 17-18 says that if we cry out to God, He will hear and deliver us; He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those with a crushed spirit. We have to yield ourselves to Him for His comfort to take effect.

My first lady said recently that sometimes we don’t pour out our hearts to God because we don’t want to be disappointed. We don’t want to lose hope if we don’t hear anything right away, or He doesn’t send us a prophetic word. We’d rather hold back from God than to trust that He loves us enough to do what He said –  deliver us from ALL our afflictions.

Team, never lose sight that God will stick closer than a brother – He will never leave or forsake us.

I believe God would rather we took Him at His Word and tested it than to try in our own strength to overcome. Though we’ll face pain and hardships in this life, pain pushes us toward a loving and wonderful Father who wants to be everything to us. Every battle gives us an opportunity to get to know God at a higher, personal level through our need for His consolation.

So, What’s The Play Call?

Don’t be so hard on yourself when you are going through. It’s okay to be sad, to grieve and allow yourself the freedom to express your emotions. Just remember that God is always with you and waiting for you to turn to Him with the issues of your heart.

The Word tells us to be angry, but do not sin (Ephesians 4:26).  Don’t allow the pain to give a foothold to the devil – because sin crouches at the door!

Encourage yourself in the Word. Psalms 34, 37, and 40 are a great place to start.

God Bless.

 

Can You Be Used by God, But Not Endorsed by God?

By
Kim Brightness
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used by god

Lord, I’m Available to You.

The sound of “being used by God” is music to most of our ears. It’s a sweet melody of how God would take something so small and insignificant, compared to Himself, and give it meaning and purpose on a divinely grand scale.

Who wouldn’t feel special, given that there are billions of other options – and God chooses you for His plans? You’re the vessel chosen to bring God glory…what an honor, right?

Do you want to be used by God?

I do.

But, along with being used by God, I also want to be endorsed by God. I want God’s approval!

“Well, if God USES you, hasn’t He already endorsed you?”

It depends.

The million dollar question we often overlook is – “Used for what?“

God Always Has Purpose in Mind

Pawn or Servant?

There are some plans, outcomes, and destinies ordained by God that we really don’t want to be used for. Don’t believe me?

Just ask Judas Iscariot.

In John 6:70, Jesus tells His disciples: “Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

Judas was part of Jesus’ team – his inner circle who walked, ate, fellowshipped with Him on a regular basis.

But, God used Judas’ decision to betray Jesus (Matthew 27:4) to kick-off the series of events that would lead to the crucifixion. Jesus was purposed to die. This brought God glory, and ultimately – Judas played a role.

What Does This Tell Us, Teammates?

It shows that God can use an un-willing vessel – one who decides not to follow the principles of Jesus Christ – just as much as He uses a willing, obedient vessel. This is the subtle difference between players who are used by God, but God does not “approve” of their tactics or lifestyle. They are pawns, rather than servants.

There are pawns all around us who are being used by God to birth glorious testimonies in our lives. As a self-check, ask yourself these “used for what” questions:

  • Are you being used to build the faith of your brother or sister?
  • Are you playing the Gossip who God uses to strengthen the character of His daughter?
  • Is your disobedience driving someone to build a disciplined prayer life?
  • Is God using your rebellion to show Himself stronger than your popularity or position over another?

As a member of the body of Christ, one of our key goals is to work for the good of God’s glory. Never allow the following verse to personally apply to you:

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. — Genesis 50:20

God Always Has the Heart in Mind

Greater Works?

Perhaps you answered “No” to the questions above. Your life is filled with “greater works” for the Lord, e.g. healing the sick, casting out devils, etc.

Remember the article about using good works to disguise our resistance or disobedience to God’s will? Well, one of the most jarring verses in the Bible regarding being “used by God” is Matthew 7:22-23:

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Not some. Not a few. But many, Lord?

Again, what does this tell us from a Team standpoint – a team with a verifiable enemy, the devil (1 Peter 5:8)? Actually, several things:

  1. We cannot allow ourselves to be manipulated by the enemy into lofty, public good deeds – with secret sin or hearts that are far from God. Don’t deceive yourself.
  2. Signs, wonders, and miracles CAN be performed by those who profess Christ with their mouths, with hearts filled with bad fruit. Jesus never had fellowship with these workers of iniquity.
  3. We can very well receive the “wonderful works” of deliverance, healing, and miracles by those who are not endorsed by God.
  4. The enemy is defeated with greater works performed by obedient vessels who God knows, endorses, and approves. In contrast, the enemy is not phased by greater works alone – when he knows he’ll win in the end due to our disobedience.
  5. We must be careful who WE co-sign as men and women of God, those “chosen” by God, “true prophets” of God, and the like. Does Jesus “know” them? Does God approve and endorse them? If not, then from such turn away (2 Timothy 3:5).

So, What’s the Play Call?

Seek to be used and approved by God in the spirit of obedience and holiness.

Always align your service to God vertically from a submitted heart first, and then horizontally with others.

Remain in a searchable posture before the Lord; in your time with God, ask Him to search your heart and see if anything needs to be healed, removed, forgiven, or fine-tuned.

Remember, it is God’s desire to know us and to be known by us; we are purposed by God to be stewards of everything He made (Hebrews 2:6-7). He’s counting on us.

Can God both use and endorse YOU?

Worship Leader Brad Alden Debuts New CCM Single “Lord of All” Oct 26th

By
Editorial Staff
-

L.A.-based worship artist Brad Alden and his wife, singer Danielle Mowry, will release his latest worship single, “Lord of All,” available nationwide on October 26, 2018. This marks the second single from Alden, whose song “Would You Believe” landed in the Top 20 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Songs chart last year upon its release.

“‘Lord of All’ speaks to God meeting us right where we are,” shares Alden. “Maybe you feel you don’t qualify as a ‘good enough’ person, or that you don’t know the Bible well enough. Maybe you believe you’ve gone too far down the road of sin and wonder why God would think of you. But our God is an all-qualifying, all-welcoming God who will meet us anywhere, anytime, any way we are.”

 

Mowry adds, “No matter what we do or fail to do, we are never abandoned or shamed by God; He meets us in our mess. We don’t have to attempt to clean ourselves up first. On the contrary, let Him search our hearts and find all that needs cleaning. It’s exhausting trying to put all these filters on our lives to make the picture look more pleasing when God’s begging us for the unfiltered. The raw. The real.”

“Lord of All” releases just ahead of Alden’s upcoming “The Unfiltered Gospel Tour.” The tour will be an immersive experience that features “Lord of All” along with other original worship songs in addition to more traditional worship music. Many of the stops along the route include church partners of the LA Dream Center, a faith-based charitable organization that finds and fills the needs of struggling people from all over the United States. Their mission is to connect broken people to a community of support by offering free resources and services that address immediate and long-term needs in the areas of poverty, addiction, and abuse. Alden’s passion for the Dream Center comes very personally: after his own life was radically transformed there, he then, in turn, served for nearly a decade on their worship team in Los Angeles.

“Lord of All” will be available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Vevo, Tidal and Google Play.

Upcoming Tour Schedule

  • October 7, 2018 | Dream Center NYC | New York, NY
  • October 10, 2018 | Dream Center LA “Night of Dreams” | Los Angeles, CA
  • October 16, 2018 | GMA Dove Awards | Nashville, TN
  • October 28, 2018 | i5 City Church | Glen Burnie, MD
  • November 3, 2018 | LifeVine Church | Long Beach, CA
  • November 11, 2018 | Rust City Church | Niles, OH (Dream Center)
  • November 14, 2018 | Eagle Rock Church | Columbus, Ohio
  • November 25, 2018 | East Coast Christian Center | Merritt Island, FL
  • November 30, 2018 | Coastline Community Church | Indian Harbour Beach, FL
  • December 2, 2018 | Coastline Community Church | Indian Harbour Beach, FL
  • January 13, 2018 | HomeChurch | Red Deer, Canada

________

Brad Alden is a seasoned singer-songwriter, worship leader and business owner based in Los Angeles. Having served on the worship team at the Angelus Temple under Pastor Matthew Barnett for more than 5 years, Alden and his wife, Mowry, now lead worship with church partners both nationwide and internationally. He is also the founder of TheJeansProject®, a cause-driven, premium-jeans brand that supplements church ministries across the country. Follow Brad Alden’s story on BradAlden.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Danielle Mowry is a pastor’s daughter who has been singing on worship teams since the age of 9. After living all over the United States, she sold her private personal training business to become a co-owner of a global denim-supply business, Artisan Cloth Inc. Danielle continues to fulfill her love of music alongside her husband, Brad, singing with him on various projects and tours. Learn more about Danielle and Artisan Cloth Inc. on Instagram.

Bridge Music, LLC is an all-encompassing Christian music company, bringing a fresh outlook to the Christian music industry through its innovative approaches to music publishing. Founded in January 2016, Bridge Music provides its artists with services in publishing, licensing, music production, label services, management, marketing, event booking, radio promotion, and public relations. For more information, visit BridgeMusic.co.

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