August 8, 2014 
www.vl-ministries.org
(888) 479 1113

 


Blessed is the man 

who  walks not in  the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in  the way of sinners,

nor sits in  the seat of  scoffers;

but his  delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1

 

All of you who read this publication on a regular basis know that I have this love/hate relationship going on with Facebook.  I have referred to it several times in various devotionals that I have written.  Well, I'm back at it today.   

 

There are several intellectual Pastors in my "friends" list on Facebook  who at times pose what I think are supposed to be  these very insightful and  thought provoking  questions regarding what the Church and Christians should be doing about certain issues.  Their questions deal with matters  such as single parenting, black unity, the church's response to the HIV/AIDS problem in the black community, birth control, and numerous other social concerns.  They invite their friends to chime in and offer their opinions regarding whatever the question is on the table.  At first glance it all sounds very sophisticated and enlightened.  Somehow though as I have watched these discussions evolve, I have become increasingly uneasy with their direction.  I certainly am one who thinks of myself as progressive, teachable and far from a religious stick in the mud, so I had to examine my growing unease with what I saw happening.  Yesterday morning I asked the Father, why am I feeling this way about this Lord?  Am I becoming dogmatic and rigid as I grow older.   Almost immediately, Psalm 1:1-2 came to me.  Though using Facebook as a forum for discussion about Biblical principles may seem to be a good thing, the issue is that it creates a platform for the "ungodly" to become counselors.  The Word of God says that in order to be blessed that we cannot seek or  receive the counsel of ungodly people.    The call, mission and purpose of the Body of Christ cannot be defined or explained by people who aren't even saved.  The issue is not that the questions are being asked, the issue is that Facebook provides a forum for the ungodly to counsel (give their opinion) to those who may be seeking truth.   

 

I am by no stretch of the imagination an intellectual, I don't have a long list of degrees nor an enviable pedigree.  You won't find me ministering on the major platforms, TBN or the Word Network.  But I have walked with the Lord most of my adult life and there are just some things that I know about the Lord and no one will ever change my mind.  I know that God is holy, I know that He hates sin in any form, I know that He is calling us not to give in to the pull of the world, but to allow His Spirit to change us into His image, and I know that His Word has not changed.  Unless and until He changes His Word, I will stand on what He says and do all that I can by His grace to honor Him all the days of my life.   

 

It is wrong headed for believers to focus more on what people want and say that they need than on what the Word of God says.  Has society changed?  Absolutely!  But until the Word of God changes, our response to sin must be the same as the Word.     

 

Reflect & Respond- Are you at times perplexed by the things that you hear and see coming from Christian "leaders?"   Do you spend time praying for your Pastor/Leader that he/she will always be led by God?  If not, today is the perfect time to start. 

 

 

Power Verse -1 Corinthians 1:20 
Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

 

 

 

 

Go back and get what's next!
Christy Demetrakis

One of the loves of my life is my dog Sophie.  She is seven years old and has us well trained.  Dogs are very much creatures of habit and most are easily trained.  Sophie is no exception.  Periodically throughout the day, she gets baby carrots as a treat between meals.  She always gets two carrots.  As I drop the first carrot on the kitchen floor, she waits expectantly for the second carrot to drop.  Once it does, she grabs both carrots and runs to the dining room to savor them in peace.  A couple of days ago, I decided to give her three carrots because one of the carrots was so small.  I dropped the carrots and walked away as I always do.  I re-entered the kitchen a few minutes later only to find the third carrot still laying on the floor.  Hmmm.  As I considered the third carrot on the floor I came to a realization.  Sophie is so used to only getting two carrots, that she has become trained not to look for more...even when it's right in front of her.

I would consider myself a planner.  Over the course of my adult life, I can truly say that most of the major experiences in my life I've expected...because I've planned for those experiences.  One of the benefits of being a planner is that you limit the unexpected.  When the unplanned or unexpected occurs, it's less likely to be catastrophic because you're only managing the crisis versus the entire event.  On the contrary, the disadvantage of being a planner is sometimes you eliminate spontaneity.  You eliminate the potential for what could turn out to be pleasant surprises.  You often eliminate the unexpected.  With that, we run the risk of missing great opportunities because we are only looking for what we've planned.  We are only looking for what we have trained ourselves to expect.

About three years ago, I published my first book, Faith to Conquer Fear:  Inspiration to Achieve your Dreams. This was not an event that I planned.  You would have never convinced me even five years ago that I would be an author, but Thank God for the unexpected.  Since I published the book, the trajectory of my life has changed.  I have shifted from being solely focused on my corporate job to recognizing my true passion and purpose of inspiring people to walk in their purpose and follow their God given dreams.  All my life, I knew there must be more.  However, until I opened my eyes to see more than I was trained to see, I was simply existing and going through the motions.  This is where many of us are today.  We think about starting a business.  We think about going back to school.  We think about starting a ministry.  We think, we hope and wish, but we take no action.  We are so focused on what we can see...the tangible, that we don't use faith's eye to see what's next.

Sophie eventually came back and ate the third carrot.  Had I chosen to pick up the carrot, she would never have had the opportunity to take advantage of the bonus I offered her earlier.  Here's the lesson.  As you reflect on your life and your accomplishments to date, what opportunities have you left sitting there?  What dreams and goals have you left untouched because you believe it's more than you can have?  Go back and get it!  God is a restorer.  Your time is not lost.  God is a responder.  Once you make the first step to show him you're serious, he will move on your behalf.  Go back and get what's next for you!  

  

To learn more about Christy,  her book and business visit her website at www.empoweredspeaker.com    


Victorious Living Radio

 If you did not have the opportunity to listen to our broadcast on Learn For Life Blog Talk Radio on this past Tuesday, you missed a compelling story.
 Click here
 
Kimberly Sparrow, mother, grandmother, college graduate, non drug-user, minister, pioneer, living with HIV!

Share her story with someone you love.

 
Help Your Child Succeed

 

Summer vacation has come and gone for many children and they are already headed back to school.  In this segment we want to share ideas with you, parents/grandparents to help you help your child to have the best school year ever.

The following recommendations are taken from the Reading Is Fundamental website:

1.Try relaxing your family's bedtime rules once a week on the weekends. Let your children know that they can stay up as late as they want, as long as they are reading in bed.

2. Help your child start a home library; paperback books are fine. Encourage your child to swap books with friends. Check used book stores. Give books as gifts.

3. Want your children to be good readers? Let them see you read.

4. Try holding D-E-A-R times at your house. "DEAR" stands for "Drop Everything and Read." During DEAR time, everyone in the family sits down for some uninterrupted reading time.

If you want more of these great ideas as the kids in your life are heading back to school, click here

 

Women Who Read
old-book-spines.jpg
 
A couple of years ago we initiated an online book club.  We had hoped that we would be able to engage women from all over the country to read books and then come together via teleconference to discuss the books from the comfort of our own homes.  We hung in there for several months, but then the interest waned and we stopped.  Since then every few months someone will say how much they enjoyed reading and sharing ideas with such a diverse group of women.  So, here we go again.  Would you like to be a part of an online book club? If so, email us your interest by Friday, August 29th at [email protected].

Reading together provides a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow.  We can do this!

 


  1. To date you have provided new shoes to 213 needy children.  Give yourselves a round of applause
  2. We are still hard at work preparing for our missions trip to New Bern, North Carolina.  Traveling Shoes are boxed and ready to go, back packs have been stuffed, toiletries bagged and still we need more.  Make a donation today to help us help as many needy families as we can
  3. Save the dateNovember 8, 2014.  The Victorious Life Ministries 1-Day Conference is coming to Palm Coast.  Our guest preacher is Evangelist Vanessa Palmer of Vineland, New Jersey.  Tickets are now available.   Call (386) 871-7192 or (386) 503-9414 to reserve yours.  Space is limited
 




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Prayer Matters
Lisa Ivy, VLM Prayer Network Director
Calling All Intercessors
An intercessor is a person who by calling or by nature chooses to be a mediator on behalf of those who cannot intervene for themselves. Intercessors make requests, urge, plead, beg, counsel, discuss, risk, sacrifice, and make war on issues relating to the weaker ones, and thus they have an impact on the final outcomes for those they serve.
 
There is a difference between a person who is called an intercessor and a person who prays. Any person can pray, but not all praying people are intercessors.  In order to be an effective intercessor one must possess the following qualities:
  • Compassionate heart that places the needs of others above their own 
  • Praying spirit that is willing to pray without ceasing
  • Humble, repentant, forgiving nature that seeks to be in right standing with God and others
  • Great faith that expects God to move in response to your petitions
If you meet the criteria and want to get involved in the work God is doing as a result of our prayers, we invite you to join the Victorious Life Ministries prayer team.  Please contact me by email to [email protected] to express your interest and understand the commitment required.

If the Lord were to come back today, do you know where you would spend eternity?  If you are not sure, you can be.  Pray this prayer and release your faith -

 

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. 

 
Submit your prayer requests today:

email - [email protected]
website:  www.vl-ministries.org
phone - (888) 479 1113

 

Gratitude Journal

Are you keeping up with your gratitude journal?  What are the things that you thank God for each day.  It is so easy to forget how faithful the Lord is in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.  Sandy Williams of Wilmington, Delaware shared her first five with us:
  • Life
  • Salvation
  • Forgiveness
  • Love of God
  • Knowledge of the Word

Thank you Sandy for taking the time to share with us!

 

I am grateful for water, to drink, bathe, cook, and  wash my clothes.  I have cold water and hot water at my fingertips.  Think about the people around the world who walk miles to get water that animals have walked in and yet they still use it.

 

Are there any grateful people out there?  If so, tell us what you are grateful for!  

Know Your Bible

The Bible quiz is engaging more and more people in the study of the Word.  That is awesome!!!

Last week's quiz question:
Jesus quotes a portion of text from the Old Testament in connection with the parable of the vineyard owner, "The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:", but which Old Testament book did this come from?

The correct response is found in Psalm 118:22 - The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

Bible Scholars for the week are:

Florida:
Mrs. Gloria Benjamin
Mrs. Pat Brown
Ms. Nellie Davis
Mrs. Carolyn Coleman
Ms. Marion Shelby
Mrs. Loretta Pete
Ms. Alisa Blakely
Ms. Francine Boykin
Mrs. Doris Wise

Delaware:
Evangelist  Iris Waters
Ms. Mary Pugh
Ms. Elaine Camper
Minister Barbara McCamie

New Jersey
Mrs. Sandra Brown

Congratulations to all who participated last week. 

Quiz question 8/8/14:
 In John's first epistle which three things are said to testify and agree about Jesus?

Learning the Word builds your spiritual muscle!

Worship

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and  he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Vicki Yohe - He's Been Faithful
Vicki Yohe - He's Been Faithful

 

 
Chandra White-Cummings
Chandra is a professional journalist, actively seeking freelance, full-time, part-time, and/or project-based work  She is especially interested in securing a weekly or monthly column; newsletter, writing/production; research reports; online event production (teleseminars, webinars).
 

To contact Chandra email her at:  [email protected]   

 

Chandra is also a part of Christian Connections.  Learn more about her by visiting her listing on our website at:

www.vl-ministries.org  

Partner With Us
 
Partnership with Victorious Life Ministries means that you touch lives around the world.  You will instantly become a part of :
  • supporting the best medical care in the country for children, as we are monthly partners with St. Jude's Children's Hospital
  • helping women in prison through our bra program
  • reaching people around the world through our weekly blog talk radio program
  • providing support to Christian authors
  • supporting others in ministry
  • providing new shoes to children in need
  • helping struggling families with finances, medical support, food and more
  • interceding in prayer for the needs of others
  • supporting foreign missions

and so much more.....

 

Partner with us by pledging monthly financial support.  We will pray for you daily, you will receive a monthly update on what the ministry is doing  and word on C D, discounted registration on on VLM events and you will help us spread the Gospel through words and actions.

 

Pledge your support today!