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"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
Most of us love gifts. When you receive a big box wrapped in bright, beautiful paper with a huge red or yellow shiny bow, it can really get your adrenaline pumping. In some cases, bigger is not always better and we have learned to get equally excited over the small boxes as well. After all, the saying, "good things come in small packages" has proven to be true in many instances. Yet there are those times when some of us have gotten all excited because the paper was beautiful, the bow perfect, and everything looked like we were receiving something that we would love, until we open the box! You look at the gift and think to yourself, what the heck is it? Or why in the world would someone give me something like this! Please don't forget about those times when you know that you have received something that was re-gifted; that is those instances when someone has received something that they didn't want and they in turn gave it to you. Yikes!!!
In James 1:17, two different Greek words are used for gift, and emphasize the perfection and inclusiveness of God's graciousness. The first denotes the act of giving and the second is the object given. God's gifts to us are good because they come from His character, not our performance. The second word emphasizes God's generosity in giving to us. In other words, everything related to divine giving is adequate, complete and beneficial. When God gives us a gift whether spiritual, physical or social, we won't be disappointed, we won't need to figure out what it is and we certainly will never want to give it away to someone else because we have no use for it. Every good thing that we have came from God. We should spend all of our days saying thank you!
Proverbs 10:22 - "The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it."
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The Reading Room Bookstore
 | | Dr. Tony Hart |
Dr. Tony Hart was born in 1954 to Dr. B. Sam and Joyce Hart. He has worked with four church plants and seen God establish them as testimonies in their communities to His glory. Tony has preached in area wide crusades, lead several international mission trips training Pastors in developing countries. He has experience as a youth pastor, radio station manager, program producer, since 1992 he has served as Senior Pastor of Montco Bible Fellowship. Tony also writes a monthly column for the local newspaper and is the author of the book "Winning Is Everything" and "2 Tablets for Your Marriage". In 1998 he took over from his father as President of the GOGF Ministries.
He has taken his education seriously and earned his undergraduate degree from Philadelphia Biblical University. He has completed a Masters of Divinity and a Doctorate of Ministry from Biblical Theological Seminary.
Tony married Carol in 1977 and she has become his partner in ministry. They have four children who have all made a profession of faith and are finding their place in ministry and five grandchildren.
In his insightful book, 2 Tablets for your Marriage, Dr. Hart applies the 10 Commandments to the marriage covenant. Every married couple can glean from living these principles.
Visit the Reading Room Bookstore on our website for more information about Dr. Hart's other book and resource materials: www.vl-ministries.org
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Don't miss Bishop Derek T. Triplett and the Making Changes program, today and every Friday at 10:00am on the Learn for Life Blog Talk Radio. Each week Bishop Triplett will share his insights about how to make changes in every area of our lives. Listen and you will be glad that you did.
The Victorious Living Program has moved from Friday mornings at 10:00am to Tuesday nights at 7:00pm. Join us for powerful interviews with interesting guests, teaching/sharing the Word of God, and so much more.
The Joys or Sorrows of Motherhood Luncheon
Special Guest Speaker - First Lady, Regina Dunnigan
Cornerstone Fellowship Baptist Church
20 W. Lea Blvd.
Wilmington, Delaware
Saturday, May 10th - 1:00pm
Tickets $10.00, children under 12, $5.00
For more information call:
Sister Mary Pugh (302) 593-4404 or (302) 762-9220 or Sister Vernetta Williams (302) 734-7854
Guest Preacher:
Pastor Dayna Devine
Speak Life Ministries
Philadelphia, PA
For more information call (302) 765-8387
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Back To School Mega-Jam
Does it seem a little early to be talking about Back to School? Not to us, because in order to do the most, we need the time. We are hard at work, planning to help as many families as we can. We want to send kids back to school in September with new shoes, abundant school supplies and ready to learn and do their very best. The collecting has already begun.
We currently have a supporter who has pledged 100 backpacks. They will need to be filled. We have another supporter who has pledged socks. We need the shoes. We need you to help us help families around the nation.
By the way, the Traveling Shoes program is alive and well. If you know of a child in your church, school or community in need of new shoes, go to our website, provide the requested information and we will meet the need!
When you make a pledge via PayPal, designate it for Back to School or if you send a check, indicate the designation on the memo line. You can be a part of making life better for someone else.
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 Prayer Matters
Lisa Ivy
Director VLM Prayer Network
Meet us every Monday evening from 7:00 to 7:30pm and Wednesday morning from 6:30 to 7:00am est for the Victory in Prayer Call. Intercessors from all over the nation gather on these calls to seek God's guidance and blessings. The number is (712) 432-3066. The access code is 930692.
How may we pray for you? Our ministry Intercessors are here to believe God with and for you. To submit a prayer request go to our website at: www.vl-ministries.org or email - victoriousmin@att.net or call 1 888 479 1113.
Today's prayer calendar assignment is to pray for those who have been molested. We pray healing and deliverance for every person who has been violated and sexually abused. We pray for abusers and pedophiles to be exposed so that they can never harm another innocent person. We pray for access to skilled counselors for those who need the help. We especially ask the Father to lift the burden of guilt, shame and self-loathing that plagues many who have experienced betrayal by trusted family members.
If you do not currently receive our monthly prayer calendar, but would like to be added to the distribution list, email us today.
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Earth Day
 April 22nd is the annual earth day celebration. The goal is to give us information and motivation to participate in taking better care of this beautiful planet that God has given us to live on.
There are simple and easy things that we all can do. To learn more check out the EPA website and make a commitment to change just one thing. If we all do something the impact will be tremendous.
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Word of the Week
The word of the week is "willful." In the original Greek it is Hekousios, (hek-oo-see'-ose). It means voluntarily, willingly, of one's own accord, to sin wilfully as opposed to sins committed inconsiderately, and from ignorance or from weakness. The reason that I find this word interesting and chose to talk about it this week is because I am encountering and observing many who are living their lives this way. The idea here is that a person simply wants to do what they want to do, because that is what they want. The choices that are being made are without regard for what the Word of God says. It comes from a place of self; this is what I believe, this is what I see, this is what I want. It would suggest that there is no time spent in prayer seeking God's will.
"In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 17:6
Here is the issue, when the King is not on the throne of your heart, it becomes increasingly easy to allow the world to set our moral compass. The question that each of us must ask ourselves daily is am I living willfully or according His will?
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To Your Good Health!
Eat the Whole Plant -
"Root to Flower Nutrition"
Did you know that there are different nutrients in the different parts of a plant ? Therefore, it is important to be sure that you are getting some of your food from each part.
Roots > Stems > Leaves > Fruits >
Seeds > Flowers
Nutrients act in concert with each other (not independently) and the body requires a wide variety of nutrients in order to support optimal health.
Here are a few examples of plant foods from "root to flower" :
Roots - potatoes, onions, carrots
Stems- celery and asparagus
Leaves- lettuce, spinach, kale
Fruits - apples, bananas, oranges
Seeds - grains, shelled peas or beans
Flowers- broccoli, Brussels sprouts
Therefore, the next time you are shopping for groceries, be sure to select a variety of plant parts, in order to supply best meet your body's nutritional needs.
God Bless !
Dr. Ed James
Resource - T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies
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Know Your Bible
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Your Bible quiz question for April 18th was:
Which tribe's blessing from Jacob said they would "dwell at the haven of the sea"?
The correct response is found in Genesis 49:13 - Zebulon.
Our Bible scholars are:
Florida:
Mrs. Gloria Benjamin
Mrs. Pat Brown
Ms. Marion Shelby
Ms. Mattie DeVore
Delaware
Ms. Mary Pugh
New Jersey
Mrs. Sandra Brown
Keep up the great work everybody. The time invested in the reading and study of God's Word is never insignificant and never wasted!
Your quiz question for today- 4/28/14 is as follows:
What did John do with the little book he took from the angel?
A correct response must also include the scripture reference.
Where are the people who love the Word?
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Worship
"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help." Psalm 121:1
 | | Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - Only A Look |
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Calvin Hunt, lead singer on this song passed away on December 26, 2009 in Queens, NY. His life was a story of overcoming obstacles and tragedy. One of eight children, Calvin knew the struggle of growing up as the child of an alcoholic single mother. To ease financial burdens at home, 12-year-old Calvin found work at an Italian pizzeria in his hometown of Queens, New York, and became a trusted employee for the next seven years." He went on to form his own band, but when the group disbanded he succumbed to drug abuse. Eventually, with the support of his church, wife, Miriam and their two children, he overcame a crack addiction and went on to full-time ministry. In 2005, his oldest daughter Monique was murdered by her ex-boyfriend - in front of her three young sons. But through it all, Jesus was more than enough!
Have you asked the Lord to come into your life? If not, today is the perfect day to be saved. Pray this simple prayer by faith and this day your life can be changed forever:
Dear Lord Jesus,
I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In your name, amen.
If you accepted Christ today, contact us so that we can add your name to our prayer list. Heaven is rejoicing over you and so are we!
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Make your own gifts instead of buying stuff from the store:
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You can make food mixes, candles, bread, cookies, soap, and all kinds of other things at home quite easily and inexpensively. These make spectacular gifts for others because they involve your personal touch, plus quite often are consumable. Even better, include a handwritten note with the gift. This will make it even more special than anything you could possibly buy at the mall.
Excerpted from - The Simple Dollar
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