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" Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:38The person who has truly been born again has a sincere desire to please God! Things that you were able to do before your new birth as well as your attitudes and values change dramatically. The Holy Spirit gives you a God - consciousness that you did not have before. Isn't it interesting how you can be in the midst of saying something that is not God honoring, and you feel a check in your spirit and cut the words off or change what you were going to say? Thank God for the reality of the Holy Spirit!
In our referenced scripture, the Greek word for "watch" means to "keep alert." Jesus was encouraging Peter, James and John to discern when they were under spiritual attack. They were not to let their self-confidence lull them to sleep spiritually. In other words, don't let your guard down because you have experienced some ministry successes or because you have a great following. Don't allow who people tell you that you are to cause you to lessen your prayer life or your realization that you are totally and completely dependent on the mercy of God and His divine favor. Here is the thing that we cannot afford to miss - willing spirits are still attached to unredeemed flesh. Believers are not always able to practice the righteousness they desire to do. Paul tells us clearly in Romans 7:15 - "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate."
Staying connected to the Father through the Word and prayer will give us strength to stand against those rebellious desires that reside in all flesh. There is never a time when we don't need the Lord, there is no situation that we can handle on our own. Our gifts, abilities and anointing don't elevate us to the status of super Christian. They should make us more aware of how prone we are to sin and how truly vulnerable we are to, except for Christ!
Reflect & Respond - What old desires still give you trouble? Do you sometimes yield to the temptation? What do you do to get back on track after failing?
Power Verse - II Corinthians 2:14 - "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."
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Complaining is so easy, as a matter of fact it is too easy. Every one of us can look around and see some things in our lives that we wish were different. There are a thousand distraction, disappointments and irritations that we deal with each and every day. Yet in spite of all of that, we are far more blessed than we could ever deserve. Even in the worst situation, we can find reasons to give thanks if we choose to.
The purpose of this section that we introduced several weeks ago is to give you an opportunity to share reasons that you are grateful. Perhaps God will use your "testimony" to remind someone of how awesomely wonderful He really is and help others not to take His goodness for granted.
Here is how it works. Write down five (5) reasons that you are grateful. Send us an email and share your list. Going forward add at least one additional item to your list every day.
The following comes from Elder Helen Davenport, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Affectionately known as Mother Helen has traveled the world to reach and care for those who need her "Mother's" touch. At 74 years young Mother Helen is completing her Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Leadership at Cincinnati Christian University. She is grateful for:
Salvation
Excellent health
Wonderful children and friends
God's protection, provision and peace
A sound mind
Do you appreciate your health, both physical and mental? God is awesome!
What are you grateful for? E-mail us your gratitude journal list to victoriousmin@att.net
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Victorious Life Ministries is "taking it to the streets," of New Bern, North Carolina. We are partnering with Rev. Joan Hopton and Rue Chapel AME Church to bring hope, help and healing to this oppressed community. On August 23rd our team will be there sharing food, Traveling Shoes, clothes, school supplies, toiletries and most of all the Word and the Love of God with hurting people.
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Rue Chapel AME Church
New Bern, North Carolina
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You can help by first of all praying for this outreach. Secondly, make a donation today so that our resources will reach as far as we need them to go. The church sits right next door to a housing project where more than 1,000 low income men, women and children reside. This is a rich field, ready for harvest. Help us reach souls for Christ!
To donate, go to www.vl-ministries.org and contribute through our secure PayPal account or mail your donation to VLM, P.O. Box 354074, Palm Coast, FL. 32135 Save the Date: November 8, 2014- Victorious Life Ministries 1-Day Conference. Our guest speaker is Evangelist Vanessa Palmer, Vineland, New Jersey. More details in the coming weeks. Join me every Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 10:30am EST for the Victorious Living Program on blog talk radio. Go to www.blogtalkradio.com/learnforlife and hear anointed teaching and fascinating interviews with our special guests. You don't want to miss a very special show on August 5th with Kimberly Sparrow, who was featured on Our America with Lisa Ling as she shares her journey of contracting and living with HIV. If you can't join us at 10:00am you can go to the site referenced above and listen to the show at your convenience. |
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The Reading Room
The ability to read is a wonderful gift. If you have ever watched any of the stories about many of our ancestors who were brought here in slave ships, you know that reading was forbidden. The reason that the slave owners held this treasure for themselves is because they realized that it opened the mind to the possibilities and potential that lives in every human being. Do you take your ability to read for granted, to the extent that you don't really use it? You can change that by making a commitment to yourself!
Today our featured book is entitled When Trouble Finds You by Toni Coleman Carter. It chronicles the true account of her journey. For more than two decades, she hid the scars of physical and sexual abuse, the shame of an attempted suicide, the challenges of being a teen mother, and the granite obstacles of climbing the corporate ladder. Read and be inspired by how she overcame all of these setbacks to become the polished and powerful woman that she is today! Her book is available at www.amazon.com. You can learn more about her and her book in the Reading Room on our website at www.vl-ministries.og.
 | | Toni Coleman-Carter |
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It is truly amazing how the Lord does what He does. By now you know that this is not a wealthy ministry with hundreds of partners. When God gives us an assignment, He also places the need on the hearts of a few and He accomplishes the miraculous with what He provides.
Today we want to extend a huge "Thank You" to Mrs. Hazel Baker of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a member of Calvary Gospel Chapel in Philadelphia where Rev. Malcom Walls is the Pastor. Hazel is in Palm Coast, Florida visiting her daughter, Erica B. Samuels, who is a member of the Victorious Life Ministries Advisory Board. Mrs. Baker donated enough school supplies to bless 100 children. God be praised!
Hazel, on behalf of the ministry and every child that we will bless with your generous donation, thank you. Our prayer is that God bless you with abundance, and that He meet every one of your needs and exceed all of your expectations.
Today also happens to be Hazel's birthday. Happy birthday!
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Does it feel like it's been a really long time since you had a Bible quiz? It feels that way to me, so let's dive right back in and continue our work in the Word.
The previous Bible quiz question was: In the ritual cleansing of a leper under the Law of Moses, which animals were to be offered on the eighth day?
The correct response is found in Leviticus 14:10 - "On the eighth day they must bring two male lambs and one ewe lamb a year old, each without defect, along with three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering, and one log of oil.
Our Bible scholars responding to this quiz are:
Florida:
Mrs. Gloria Benjamin
Mrs. Pat Brown
Ms. Mattie DeVore
Ms. Marion Shelby
Mrs. Carolyn Coleman
Mrs. Gloria Singleton
Mrs. Doris Wise
Mrs. Loretta Pete
Ms. Francine Boykin
Delaware:
Minister Barbara McCamie
New Jersey:
Mrs. Sandra Brown
Your quiz question for today-
7/25/14: On which occasion in the Bible does it specifically say that believers sung a hymn?
If you have never participated in the Bible quiz, today is a good day for you to start.
A correct response must include the scripture reference.
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Prayer Matters  Lisa Ivy
VLM Prayer Network Director
Are you aware that it is the plan of the enemy to discourage, defeat and ultimately destroy you and all the people that you love? This is not a trick question! The Bible says in I Peter 5:8 - "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." He is proactively looking for those who are vulnerable and uncovered to deceive and manipulate into lives of rebellion, sin and destruction. As the believer prays, the plans of the enemy are rendered null and void. When we pray, God moves on our behalf to protect and preserve us and our loved ones.
How is your prayer life? If you want to join with other believers from around the country in powerful times of intercessory prayer, meet us every Monday night from 7:00 to 7:30pm EST and/or Wednesday morning from 6:30 to 7:00am EST for our victory in prayer conference call. God is moving in power and demonstration. Call 712 432 3066; conference code 930692. Meet us there and watch God change things.
Our Prayer Calendar focus for today is to pray for Australia. Pray for a move of God in their nation!
If you would like to receive our free monthly prayer calendar, email us at victoriousmin@att.net. Your name will be added to the distribution list.
It is our daily prayer that those who do not know Christ in the pardon of their sins will come to know Him. If you have never received Christ pray this prayer -
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 prayed this prayer in faith, you have passed from death to life, from darkness to light. Heaven is rejoicing over you. If you received Christ today email us so that we can add you to our prayer list.
To submit your own prayer request call our 24 hour ministry line at (888) 479 1113, email us at victoriousmin@att.net or go to our website at www.vl-ministries.org
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Sister 2 Sister
Are you carrying emotional baggage from past hurts? Is there any lingering unforgiveness or bitterness in your heart? Are you struggling to develop and maintain healthy relationships? Could it be due to you? If you answered yes or even maybe to these questions, we need to talk. All of us have been through rough times, and most if not all have had our hearts crushed. The scars are not visible to the naked eye but we are still impacted by those invisible wounds.
Let's talk about it. I am in the process of planning a series of discussions that I will facilitate to help us uncover those hidden emotional landmines and to once and for all, leave the past behind. We will talk about core values, handling rejection, what forgiveness is and what it is not, low self-esteem and how to overcome it, body image, setting healthy boundaries and much more.
If you are ready to become more than what you used to be, email me at victoriousmin@att.net and just say I'm ready. We will meet via conference call, where you will be able to remain completely anonymous if you feel the need. Once our group is established we will decide together the frequency and length of our meetings. If you don't need this but know someone who does, pass it along. Our goal is to do the work that brings wholeness.
Life is good. Let's live!
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Worship
 | | I Choose to Worship- Wess Morgan |
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The Victorious Life Ministries website contains a wealth of resources just for you. Each day you can find your daily blessing scripture. Do you have a scripture in mind, but can't remember where to find it? The Bible Search feature is there for you. The Reading Room is full of great books by established and up and coming authors. Network with ministries in Christian Connections, or find a product or service provided by Christian business owners. Join us each day in the daily prayer focus, or read your daily devotional.
Don't waste the resources that are at you fingertips. Bookmark this website, visit often and enrich you daily life.
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