|All Things Beautiful| 

By Kenya Gossett 

“For my thoughts, are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the Heavens are are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 AMP

“So will my word be which goes out of my mouth. It will NOT return void (useless, without result), without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 AMP

2 promises. So amazing yet, so difficult for the human heart to grasp. We say that we trust God and that we know His Word is true, but we get weary during the process. It’s the hardest thing to keep on believing, when you see absolutely no evidence. As Christians, we want to see God move like yesterday and when that doesn’t happen, we get hit with unbelief. For some, it is more severe. Bitterness will take over and they’ll start doubting God and His promise altogether. Which the enemy loves coming in during those times with “Hath God said?” 

I even went through a period where my heart was so tired, that I didn’t even want to hear another prophetic word. I didn’t want to hear that deliverance was coming or that God was going to change this or that. I was so done. and it’s not that God wasn’t faithful to me. HE WAS! Time and time again. So it’s crazy to think that I even doubted like that. But I realize now, that the problem wasn’t God. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. He’s been faithful for thousands of years. The problem was me. 

You see, if our spirit would fully grasp Gods timing and who He is, it would save us a lot of heartache. Waiting patiently on Him and being still is the best thing you could do. Sometimes it’s easy to “help God” wether it’s with a relationship, with family, with ministry, a life decision, ect. But a pre-mature move out of an impatient heart, results in aborting what God originally planned. 

“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.” Psalms 46:10

As I shared earlier, if you look down in history, there’s not a time where God failed His people who were faithful to Him (that’s a big key). There was never a time where He didn’t turn a curse into a blessing, or made something beautiful from the ashes. He always came through, and in ways that weren’t expected. Hence why He told us “My ways, are not your ways.”

Abraham waited 25 years before he saw “You will be the father to many nations” come to pass. Moses waited for 40 years in the wilderness. David waited about 15 years to become the anointed King. Jesus waited 33 years before He could pay the greatest price for our sin. but every single story in the Word, shows anchored faith and how the Great I Am operates. It’s amazing!

If God showed up when we wanted Him to, He would never get the glory or the power out of the situation. God makes us wait, so that when the storm is over and the promise breaks through the clouds, He will be the only one who gets the honor and recognition. Not only will you come out stronger, but you will have a testimony for generations to come on what God did for you in HIS timing.

Take a look at the story of Joseph. In our eyes, his situation was unjust and unfair. But was it to God? No. See, God had everything planned out from the moment Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. God knew that Joseph's 13 years in prison was going to produce something great in him. Iron was deposited into his very being. He kept his character. He was made to be strong, immovable, unbreakable, and wise. Trials produce wisdom, and that's exactly what Joseph needed in order to walk out his destiny. 

After 13 years in a deplorable prison cell, he was ushered into the palace and became the 2nd in command over all of Egypt. The fetters (irons chains) around his feet, became a golden chain around his neck! 

It goes to show that when God decides to open your prison door, favor, promise, joy, and LIFE will come rushing in. 

If you are still waiting for a manifestation of His promise or for a miraculous change, I understand where you're at. I've been in many cold and dark valleys where it seemed like death was all around me. It felt never ending at the time. But I would never trade my valley experiences for anything. It was the best route to the top! 

My life still has trials, but I'm soaring with a deep trust in my Father, knowing His ways are perfect. God is never early, He is never late. He is always right on time! He is incapable of wrong doing. He has not failed me yet! Nor will He fail you. He cares. You are the apple of His eye. You are His Beloved. You are His everything. Always remember that. 

“He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

|Values of God's Gentlemen|

By Andrey Kuropatko

What drives men today? What makes them get up today or tomorrow and go on their daily endeavors? Think of modern society… What is the innermost thought on most men’s mind? What distinguishes boys from men today? These questions may be some of the deepest fears or most vociferous statements among middle aged or older generations; in a way fearing for the future of our country, our daughters, our Christian congregations and etc. However, if one is to take a look in our Bible, we have the answers to what a man is. Since seeking God and waiting on Him is the primary responsibility of growth into manhood, as well as having the values of a leader, and Character of God in developing a family mindset. The following is a shall for what a godly man is; a guide to women looking for a man of God, and for a man to develop himself into a God’s Gentlemen.

Our first look at God’s intent in creating mankind is taken from Genesis 1:26-30. “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

So God created mankind in His own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.  And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.”. 

The likeness of God corresponds with His character, traits, His Knowledge and Wisdom, as well as similarities of His being. Thus, we are to imitate God, in order to fulfill our Father’s objective; to be His children while walking in the authority given us to dominate the world. Jesus said that He only does what He has seen His Father do, consequently showing us an example in imitating our Father. God has placed all the essential elements of character and values into us from the beginning. Albeit, even though we have it in us, we do not have the experience to use it. One needs to have the discipline to establish the pattern of character and the habit of practicing a lifestyle. Many years ago someone has said to me “One action leads to a habit, while a habit leads to a character”. Thus the belief that in order to break necessary patterns and habits of character, discipline sets new routines and wonts. 

Apart from discipline, a man is to be loyal. Deuteronomy 7:9 states “Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments”. In imitating our Father, we are to be Loyal as He is, primarily been Loyal to Him and His Kingdom. Correspondingly, lovingkindness is an attribute with Gods faithfulness, as well as His faithfulness. Thus, Discipline of Loyalty, leads to love, kindness and faithfulness regardless of what goes on in culture, which attribute of the world stands out as “in”. 

A man of God is a prince in the Kingdom, and as a prince, he is a leader. True Leaders do not conform to tidal thoughts but swim against the current, and in principle stand like a rock. John F. Kennedy ones said, “Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth”. 

The Bible says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will” Romans 12:2. 

So God’s Gentlemen bears true faith and allegiance to God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Kingdom, and other Christians

Duty is the following attribute of Godly values. “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5. 

The shall is the command, thus it becomes duty. Duty to God first; to mankind next; “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8. Likewise, the duty to your home, the congregation and the church, which is the body of Christ and is spelled out in 1 Chronicles 23:28 "The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron's descendants in the service of the temple of the LORD: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the house of God." 

Thus the value, God’s Gentlemen fulfills all his obligations in the Kingdom, Church, family (whether immediate, future or extended) and to mankind. Likewise, accepts responsibility for his own actions and those entrusted to his care. And finally finds opportunities to improve oneself for the good of the Kingdom and his family.

Out of duty to God and Mankind, flows Respect; 

“Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” Mathew 7:12. 

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” Philippians 2:3. 

The last verse also denotes humility, meekness and tenderheartedness. Also consider Titus 2:7 - "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine [shewing] incorruptness, gravity, sincerity."

A good way to remember respect, is how we consider others or the Kingdom will always reflect upon each of us, both personally and as a citizenship of the Kingdom.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:4 

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath  forgiven you." Ephesians 4:29-32 

These are some of the verses which speak Selfless Service, the strongest in a manner of command. Jesus displayed the greatest example of Selfless Service, by sacrificing Himself for His fathers will, and our own sake. Thus, we are to put the welfare of the Kingdom, the Church, and your family before your own. In serving God, a man is doing his duty loyally without thought of recognition or gain. The basic building block of selfless service is the commitment for men to go a little further, endure a little longer, and look a little closer to see how he can add to the effort of the Kingdom. Selfless service leads to congregational teamwork and encompasses discipline, self-control and faith in God and in the Bible.

In addition to Loyalty, Duty, Respect and Selfless service, Honor is the mortar between the said values and the values to be mentioned. Honor is to live up the Character of God, the Values of a Godly man. To honor those who are in our lives, as well as anyone we may encounter on a daily basis. Honor is not to be walking around boasting that we are men of honor, but one will know that he may have achieved Honor by being called an honorable man when he least expects it. But true Honor comes in to the life of a man who seeks the Lords face, by giving the Honor to the one who is to be honored. 

“And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."” Revelation 5:13 

When we humble ourselves before the Lord, He lifts us up, and gives us His Honor.

As I mentioned before, Honor is the tie in between Loyalty, Duty, Respect and Selfless Service and the values to be mentioned. So, Integrity is the following value after Honor. The Basic understanding of integrity is to do what is right, Spiritually, morally to include legally (caution: there may be instances when one will have to follow the law of God before the law of men). A man of God has to be willing to do what is right even when no one is looking. In a way integrity is the "moral compass" that The Holy Spirit uses to speak to us. In Proverbs 11:3 King Solomon says “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” 

“Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse”. Proverbs 28:6 

Peter reminds us the reason to keep our integrity clear with the next statement; “keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 1 Peter 3:16.

The final value I want to make mention of is Personal Courage. It is to face fear, danger or adversity (physical, spiritual or moral). Personal courage has long been associated with the heroes from the Bible and God’s generals. With physical courage, it is a matter of enduring physical duress and at times risking personal safety. Facing moral fear or adversity may be a long, slow process of continuing forward on the right path, particularly if taking those actions is not popular among others. You can build your personal courage by daily standing up for and acting upon the things that you know are honorable. 

Paul writes to Timothy “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” 2 Tim. 1:7. Likewise, in 1 Cor. 16:13 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong”.

Accordingly, men (and women) who decide to discipline themselves in a Godly character, those who choose to use the values to become men of Character, gentlemen of God will face adversity along the way. At times, they will face moral danger, threat of peril, the enemy will attempt to torment one through tribulation. Likewise, God will allow tests, not even for Himself to see if you can; He knows what you can and cannot do. He will never allow a test beyond one’s capability. But He will allow you to go through a test to sustain your knowledge, experiences and faith in yourself as much as in God.

Finally, a man with God’s Character, understands that he is not a dictator, but a servant of God. Just as our public leaders are called public servants; the same with us.  A leader is one who serves his community and lives as an example. He is a steward of the community. God gave us authority and a name, but He also teaches us to be stewards; the same applies to family. Men are stewards. God made Eve out of the side of Adam. As Adam cares for his flesh and body, he is to care for his wife. Adam was first, Eve was second. Adam was to serve his wife as a leader who received firsthand knowledge from God. An interesting allegory happens in the Hebrew word for man and woman. 

The Hebrew word for man is ish. Spelled aleph, yod shin. The yod is the first letter of God’s name, YHWH. Remove the yod and you will have the word for fire, aleph shin pronounced “esh”. The same is with woman, Ishah; spelled aleph, shin hey. The hey is the second letter in YHWH’s name. Remove the hey, and you again will have esh, fire. From this we learn, as Yod is first in God’s name, so is a man to look to God as the first in the family and to lead the family in worship, celebration and work. The woman is to follow looking for the grace of God through the Holy spirit. If the yod and the hey is taken out of their lives, then they will consume each other as fire consumes fire.

As I close this monologue, I would like to summarize what has been said. Gentlemen (and Ladies) are to imitate God, in order to fulfill our Fathers objective. Likewise, Gentlemen imitate and seek the Character of God. One is to be disciplined in following the values of Jesus as a leader. The primary values are Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. If one takes the values and makes them into an acronym LDRSHIP, you will see that it spells out Leadership. There is nothing which can so assist you to walk towards heaven with good speed, as wearing the image of Jesus on your heart to rule all its motions. It is when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are enabled to walk with Jesus in His very footsteps, that you are happiest, and most known to be the sons of God. What drives you today? What makes you get up today or tomorrow and go on your daily endeavors? Is it the love for your Savior? Is His name precious to you? Is His cause dear to you? Wouldst you see the kingdoms of the world become His? Is it your desire that He should be glorified? Are you longing that souls should be won to Him? If so, imitate Jesus; be an "epistle of Christ, known and read of all men." 

Are you a lady who is seeking a Godly man? Then look to God first, and through His eyes look at a man who imitates Jesus. Are you a man desiring to become better than what you already have achieved? Than look to God, and imitate Him. The above, it is only a guideline, but a shall nevertheless.

Father, bless them and keep them, and make Your face to shine upon them. Be gracious unto them and give them Your peace. Let a revival of righteousness begin in our living rooms and become our congregations that; we may build families that churches withstand upon, that can change this nation and bring it back to God. Let every man who reads this, leave endowed with the strength of our Savior to lead, to guide, to love and provide all that their families need. Let these men follow you and imitate you. This I ask, in Jesus' name. God, now I ask that You bless and keep them; that You make Your face to shine upon them that Your goodness and Your mercy and Your favor shower them today.  Let them know, that this week, this month, and this year they are grafted into the everlasting, almighty vine of the Son of the living God and that You, Jehovah, are watching over them; that You care for them; and that their potential is unlimited so long as they are abiding in You. Lord, I ask that this blessing become a reality in their lives; that the fruit it produces would bring glory to God our Father in heaven. In Jesus’ name, I pray and ask, Amen.

|Shut the Door to Sin|

By Melody Mohnhaupt

     Do you remember getting into fights with your siblings when you were younger? A quarrel would break out, and before you knew it, you were running for your life! You would bolt into the nearest room for safety, race in the doorway as fast as possible, and slam the door behind you. But, if you had fast siblings (like I did), I’m sure, a time or two, they slid their foot in the frame RIGHT as you were attempting to shut them out. At that point, you knew you were in trouble. Once they got their foot in the door, and had that opening, they had the opportunity to fight their way in. 

     What does this have to do with sin? Well, we all go through situations that involve us battling sin at some point or another. Some sin is more difficult to battle against. When we finally come to that place where we make the choice to repent and shut the door to sin, we need to ACTUALLY shut the door completely! Even though it may hurt like crazy, and some might not understand fully, unless that door is sealed and bolted, the enemy can find his way back in. He will look for any crack that might let him in; and boy is she sneaky. 

     For example, one thing that I’ve struggled with through the years is boys. Shocker. Like most girls, I enjoy attention every once in a while. I’d love to find my significant other and who doesn't want to be adored? So, I had engaged in a few relationships. Because I was raised as a Christian, and genuinely wanted God’s will (in the long run), my soul and spirit constantly battled with each other. My soul would tell me how nice, funny, attractive, and caring these guys were. My spirit would line them, as well as our relationship, up with the Bible, and each time, I knew I wasn't measuring up to God’s standards for me. 

     Realizing that these relationships were not God’s will for me, and in some cases, even causing me to compromise my walk, scared me. Because of this, a time or two, I broke things off. I told myself I wanted God’s will, and tried to move on, but I never shut the door completely. I ran away from the problem thinking I was fine, but I left the door open just enough for the enemy to get his foot in. 

     Let me give you an even more specific example. Once, I broke off a relationship with a guy that I knew deep down in my heart was not God’s will for me. I felt that nagging reminder all throughout the relationship, but ignored it. Once I finally broke things off, I thought all was well. However, I told him that if he ever needed me, he was free to contact me. I wanted to remain friends. But I didn't realize I was keeping that door open. He would contact me every now and then telling me he missed me, asking to see me, and would express his feelings toward me. This was SO difficult to stand against. Not because I still had feelings, or wanted those things in return, but I was so afraid to hurt him more than I already did. 

     Because I was weak, I gave in. And before I even realized it, we were back together. The second time around our relationship lasted a few years. By accepting something for myself that was out of God’s will for me, I had opened a door that brought the enemy straight into my life. I learned how to completely ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit to the point that I didn't even hear Him anymore. That is a place I never want to be again. Thankfully, the Lord rescued me from that relationship (even though I had no desire, at the time, of being rescued).

     Fast forward a few years, and lo and behold, I found myself nearly in the exact same situation. I thought I had learned by lesson, but apparently I hadn’t. It’s true what they say; history really does repeat itself. But only if you allow it to. I was tired of fighting and allowing Satan to get his foot in. No more.

     I finally made the decision not to let that happen again. I slammed the door in the enemy’s face, locked it, and gave the key to Jesus. I realized that God has so much for me, but if I kept messing around, I would never see those promises. I had to discipline myself to wait for His perfect will. Which meant closing the door to the things that we not God’s perfect will. Thank God for His mercy, because that is exactly what I am now doing. 

     God has doors lined up for you to walk though and receive the blessings He has waiting for you on the other sides, but He will never allow you to open them, until you completely shut the doors to sin. It hurts sometimes. I get it. But, if you don’t, your spiritual destiny could be at risk. You could abort all the plans He has for you. Why keep the door open to something that is keeping you from the fullness of God’s abundant favor in your life?  

     Whatever your door is, whether it’s something similar to what I faced, or it’s forgiving other, drugs, alcohol, anxiety, worry, immoral thoughts or behavior of any sort; don't be afraid to shut it. And when you do, keep it shut! Give your key to Jesus too. He is asking you to trust in him. Have courage and know that He has another door with something so much better waiting for you on the other side.

|Be Bold, Princess|

By Caitlin Hunt

​Luke 7: 37 & 39 ESV “And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

There I was at 15 years old, on my knees, completely sobbing inside of a grave. I had finally reached my breaking point; I could no longer handle living my life listening to the constant whispering of lies from The Enemy. Ever since my 13th birthday, when one of my classmates told me that I was fat, ugly, & only had friends because they felt sorry for me, I hated myself & the way I looked. From that day forward, Satan crept in & continually whispered lies into my ear.

“You are so ugly.” “No man will ever love you” “God can’t use you; you’re just a number to Him.” “Your life will never have eternal significance.” “You’ll never be pretty if you don’t lose weight.”

I believed every word. I let his whispers consume me & pierce my heart. I hated those words so I decided the only way to get them to stop was to lose weight & fast. The quickest way to accomplish that? Not eat. But I couldn’t just not eat, my friends would notice at lunch and my parents would notice when we ate dinner together. I decided that I would eat to keep up appearances but I would go to the bathroom during class & sneak away after dinner to throw up. It worked! When I returned to school in the fall, people started to notice. The popular girls commented on how great I looked and for a moment, it made me happy. But, the whispers didn’t stop, they only grew worse. Fast forward 2.5 years to summer camp where we had dug a huge “grave” where we were to go down in it individually to pray & ask the Lord what we needed to “die” to, what we needed to give up to Him, or if we needed to offer our life in dedication back to Him.

Mary offered her precious flask of alabaster to Jesus & anointed his feet with it using her tears and her hair. What Mary did was an act of love. She gave her best- a gift of great value & cost to her. It was also a heart-felt act of humility & reverence. Jesus knew that Mary loved Him, she could have kept the flask for herself. She would have still been a follower of Jesus, but imagine what heavenly gifts could she have given up by holding onto her earthy treasure?

I had to ask myself if I could be as selfless and devoted as Mary. Could I give up my precious possession, my image of my self-worth, and lay it at Jesus’ feet as an act of devotion and surrender to the Lord? 

What about you, Princess? Are you bold enough to give up that which is treasured to you to honor God & to be an example to those around you? Is it a dream? A selfish desire? Is it a relationship with another person? Really take some time to pray about it and ask the Lord to speak to your heart about what is keeping you form fully surrendering your life to Him.

You may have noticed that in verse 39 Mary was judged by a religious Pharisee. The sad truth is that once we have become dedicated to Christ, willing to offer our life & possession to Him, a lot of people will not understand; even Christians. They could be jealous, they may not understand, or they could be “self-righteous” & condescending. Don’t let them make you doubt the value of your offering! Don’t be afraid to step out boldly for Christ, no matter what the outcome may be.

My prayer for you, beautiful one, is that you will take the little treasures locked inside your heart and lavish them on the Lord. That you won’t hold back and that you would worship Him with extravagant, unashamed praise! That you will dedicate your life in ministry to Him & to bless those around you. BE BOLD, dear Princess! Don’t let anyone stop you from your God given calling.

And finally, if you are like me, struggling to see your beauty; please keep these scriptures written upon your heart. 

Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst,  a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness;  he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” And Psalms 45:11 “and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.” 

The King of kings created you just as you are. He delights in who you are & in your beauty! Never forget what a treasure you are to Him, YOU are his precious daughter! You make His heart sing!