Recalibrate Route!

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

“The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth” (Luke 3:5).

I love the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in the new cars. A voice comes on and tells me how far I have to go and when to turn. However, sometimes I get off course and the voice says: “Recalculating route.” The GPS is telling me I have gone off course and it is now recalculating the route based on my wrong turn. Sometimes we can make wrong turns in our spiritual lives. We think we are going the right direction only to discover it was never God’s will to enter that relationship, make that business deal, hire that person – the examples are limitless.

There is an amazing thing about God. He can make our crooked places straight. He has an ability to make whatever blunder you make turn out right. It may mean there might be some consequences to those decisions, but He will always allow your actions to work together for good for those called according to His purposes if we repent and seek Him fully to make things right. These lessons can even contribute to greater wisdom in our lives if we learn from our mistakes.

God’s omnipotence is always one step ahead of our incompetence. Do you think He knew you would make that misstep? Absolutely. Do you think your life was planned even with that misstep figured in? Absolutely.

Isn’t it comforting to know you cannot plan God out of the equation no matter how bad you mess up? He will always turn crooked places into straight places for those who are humble and contrite.

Do you need a crooked place straightened out today? Ask Him to straighten the course so you can flow in His perfect will for your life.

First Lady Anita

Words of Confession

Many of us are going through very difficult times. We aren’t living the lives that God has promised us. Often, we are saying the wrong things out of our mouths. We confess defeat rather than victory; chaos rather than peace. Here are 10 things to confess over your life for the next 10 days. I suggest you confess them in the morning so that you can begin your day with God’s word in your mouth.

1. I dwell in the secret place of the Most High God. No foe can get to me. I am safe. (Ps. 91:1 – 3)

2. Peace and joy live in my home and in my heart. (Ps. 90:14; Isaiah 26:3 – 4)

3. I have not only overcome the world, but have conquered the word system through my relationship with Jesus Christ. (Rom. 8:37)

4. This world system and all of its flaws cannot hold me bound. I have dominion. (I Peter 2:9; Gen. 1:26)

5. I have been made to prosper spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, financially. (Ps. 30:5; Ps. 31:19; Ps. 34:7 – 10; Ps. 37:1-4; Ps. 37:5 – 9; III John 2)

6. God has blessed me every day of my life. (Gen. 1:28; Numbers 24:9; Ps. 119:1 – 2; Ps. 146:5; Ps. 144:15; Rom. 10:12; Prov. 10:22)

7. Praise is on my lips. (Ps. 98:1; Ps. 116:17 – 18; Ps. 148; Ps. 136; Ps. 107:1)

8. My past has no hold on my future. (II Cor. 5:17; Phil 3:13; Eph. 4:22 – 24)

9. I operate in power and authority. (Eph. 3:12; Eph. 2:17 – 23; Acts 1:8)

10. Through Christ, there is nothing impossible for me to accomplish. (Luke 1:37; Matt. 17:20; Matt. 19:26; Luke 18:27)

In obedience to His call,

First Lady Anita

Seed In Your Barn

Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. “‘From this day on I will bless you.’” Haggai 2:19

Seed= the Word of God.

Barn= our hearts.

Haggai could have asked “Is there any Word of God left in your heart?”

David said in Psalm 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

During this time of heightened awareness of the words we speak, we need to make sure that there is still seed left in the barn. We need to make sure we’ve replenished our supply of seed.

I have spent a lot of time measuring my words this week. I wanted to be sure that I blessed the person I was speaking with and that I blessed myself when I was speaking about me and my family. I used a lot of seed that was stored in my barn.

I also realized that I need some additional seed. I need the Word of God for areas that I didn’t realize needed. I need to go to the seed catalog, the Bible, find the right seed for my need and place it in my barn.

Do you need some additional seed for this weekend or next week? If so, the seed catalog is available to you. Replenish your barn.

In Obedience to His Call,

First Lady Anita

Give someone you love the gift that keeps on giving. It’s Still Relative, the Word of God for Today’s World will continue to bless your loved one year after year. Go to www.amazon.com and order it today.

JUST SAY YES

Luke 18:27 (NIV) — Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

Marcus was an immensely talented trash talker in his day. In the hallways of his high school he could constantly be heard cutting down his verbal opponents like an industrial strength lawn mower. In English class, his marvelous use of metaphor and machine gun delivery during discussions brought fear to all those who dared to oppose him. One day his English teacher asked if he would join the school’s debate team. He was given a package of debate topics and all the information he would need to be a part of the team. Once he reviewed the material and saw the scope of what it would take to a debater, all his bravado and confidence dissipated. Without telling his parents about the offer to be on the team, he declined.

So many times as Christians we act the same way to God’s challenges. He gives us an assignment that immediately seems too big for us. It involves doing things we have never done. Before we pray about it or consider that God has been preparing us for this challenge our entire lives, we decline the offer. We back away, pretending that it wasn’t God who dropped the idea in our head. We rationalize our decision because what God showed us did not align with our plans for our life (Proverbs 16:9). Plus, what God showed you was too big, too risky and/or too difficult. It’s like we expect our great big God give us a small, easily achievable assignments.

There are no excuses that we can come up with that will change God’s mind (Numbers 23:19). Many have tried. Remember Moses. God had an answer for all his excuses and he has an answer for all ours, too. God is always going to ask us to do something bigger than ourselves, remember David and Goliath (Samuel 17:4). That is the plan. That is the divine design. It will take you out of your comfort zone and cause you to wonder why you got the call or if the call was really for you. But God has prepared you – we are the works of his hands (Isaiah 64:8). We are a predestined people who are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). That is what our life has been about; the good the bad the bitter and the sweet have all shaped and prepared us for the good works in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). Trust that God is not going to ask us to do something that will not result in victory (Psalms 60:12). So when he calls, no matter the request, just say yes. If he has called you and you placed God’s request on the back burner, now is the time to move it to the top of your priority list. It will save a lot of time and allow you to see just how great you can be when you accept God’s offer to conquer the impossible.

Be Blessed, Be Thankful, and Be Ready for the Challenge,

Pastor Marvin R. Wamble

Shiloh Community UMC

12695 Shiloh Church Road

Newburg, MD 20664

Don’t forget to tune into the “Shiloh Hour of Pray Power” on PrayLive each Sunday night from 10-11 p.m. by calling 443-524-9880 code: 7729 or by going to www.praylive.com

Also, First Lady Anita Wamble leads prayer on PrayLive each Sunday night from 9-10 p.m.

Weekly Refuel — Hold On Help is on the Way

I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalms 40:1-2 (NIV)

I read with so much sadness the story of two NFL players and a friend who apparently lost their lives after their fishing boat capsized off the shores of Tampa, FL several weeks ago. One of four men who went on the fishing trip survived by holding on to the capsized boat for some 48 hours in frigid 63-degree waters. He was the only one who survived. According to his report the other three men lost hope.

The question immediately comes to mind, “Why would they not stay close to the capsized boat, the only thing floating?” The lone survivor reports that one of the men “freaked out” as the night wore on and hypothermia began setting in. He took off his life vest and floated away. The other started getting unruly before taking off his life vest and diving under the boat. The last thought he saw land, took off his life vest because it was too tight, and tried to swim. All who left the boat perished.

The bottom line here is it appears three out of the four men on the boat panicked. After hours of their help not arriving, they lost all hope. There are many Christians in a similar situation. Things are not going well and despite our prayers and faithfulness, our help has not come. The more time that elapses, the more the sense of hopelessness increases. That is when the decision is made to do something on our own (Psalms 3:5). For some, it is returning to a sinful lifestyle that had them sinking in the first place. For others, it is making a call that will cause them to drift into more dangerous waters. For others, it is just the complete loss of desire because they are convinced that help won’t arrive in time.

We must be like the lone survivor in this unfortunate scenario. No matter how tough times get, we must continue to hold on (Isaiah 40:31). No matter how bleak the scenario may seem, we have to fight through the paralyzing affects of our condition, battle fear and doubt while exercising our faith (Psalms 23:4). We can never lose hope (repeat that three times), because we are indwelled by hope (1 Timothy 4:9-10). Our God is that capsized boats, always with us even when it seems all odds are against us. The Holy Spirit is our life vest, ever-present to lift us up in times of trouble (Psalms 46:1). But we cannot give up. We must always believe by faith that our rescue is on the way (Psalms 121:1-2).

Be Blessed, Be Thankful, and Hold On,

Pastor Marvin R. Wamble

Shiloh Community UMC

Don’t forget to tune into the “Shiloh Hour of Pray Power on PrayLive each Sunday night from 10-11 p.m. by calling 443-524-9880 or going to www.praylive.com

Also, First Lady Anita Wamble leads prayer on PrayLive each Sunday night from 9-10 p.m.

Join Women of Glory Women’s Ministry of Grace United Methodist Church for a women’s seminar!

First Lady Anita Wamble will present a session entitled “Before You Say I Do.” There will two other sessions. “Your Body…Your Mind” and “The Spirit of Abigail.” The sessions are designed to help us understand that we are empowered by God to come out of “what I was” and move into “who I was created to be.”

For only $15 you can spend the day praising and worshiping God, being enlightened, expanding your knowledge base, and having lunch.

The seminar will be held on May 16, 2009 at the Prince George’s County Surratt-Clinton Library 9400 Piscataway Road, Clinton, MD 20736. For more details, email Rev. Sonja Penny at jpenny@hotmail.com or please leave me a message on this blog site.

Don’t mess with your opportunity to be blessed out of your mess!

First Lady Anita Wamble

JUST SAY YES

Pastor’s Weekly Refuel

Luke 18:27 (NIV) — Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

Marcus was an immensely talented trash talker in his day. In the hallways of his high school he could constantly be heard cutting down his verbal opponents like an industrial strength lawn mower. In English class, his marvelous use of metaphor and machine gun delivery during discussions brought fear to all those who dared to oppose him. One day his English teacher asked if he would join the school’s debate team. He was given a package of debate topics and all the information he would need to be a part of the team. Once he reviewed the material and saw the scope of what it would take to a debater, all his bravado and confidence dissipated. Without telling his parents about the offer to be on the team, he declined.

So many times as Christians we act the same way to God’s challenges. He gives us an assignment that immediately seems too big for us. It involves doing things we have never done. Before we pray about it or consider that God has been preparing us for this challenge our entire lives, we decline the offer. We back away, pretending that it wasn’t God who dropped the idea in our head. We rationalize our decision because what God showed us did not align with our plans for our life (Proverbs 16:9). Plus, what God showed you was too big, too risky and/or too difficult. It’s like we expect our great big God give us a small, easily achievable assignments.

There are no excuses that we can come up with that will change God’s mind (Numbers 23:19). Many have tried. Remember Moses. God had an answer for all his excuses and he has an answer for all ours, too. God is always going to ask us to do something bigger than ourselves, remember David and Goliath (Samuel 17:4). That is the plan. That is the divine design. It will take you out of your comfort zone and cause you to wonder why you got the call or if the call was really for you. But God has prepared you – we are the works of his hands (Isaiah 64:8). We are a predestined people who are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). That is what our life has been about; the good the bad the bitter and the sweet have all shaped and prepared us for the good works in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). Trust that God is not going to ask us to do something that will not result in victory (Psalms 60:12). So when he calls, no matter the request, just say yes. If he has called you and you placed God’s request on the backburner, now is the time to move it to the top of your priority list. It will save a lot of time and allow you to see just how great you can be when you accept God’s offer to conquer the impossible.

Be Blessed, Be Thankful, and Be Ready for the Challenge,

Pastor Marvin R. Wamble

Shiloh Community UMC

12695 Shiloh Church Road Newburg, MD 20664

Don’t forget to tune into the “Shiloh Hour of Pray Power” on PrayLive each Sunday night from 10-11 p.m. by calling 443-524-9880 code: 7729 or by going to www.praylive.com Also, First Lady Anita Wamble leads prayer on PrayLive each Sunday night from 9-10 p.m.

I Made A Vow – Part II

“Now your impurity is lewdness. Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided.” Ezekiel 24:13

(I know this word may seem hard, but God really wants you to get this straight before he binds your vow; your very own words, to your actions. He will judge you based on what you said verses what you do. I am not apologizing; I’m just saying that I know.)

It always amazes me when people who life their lives full of sin; gossiping, hatred, evil heartedness, envy, jealousy, back biting and causing dissention in the church, in their families and in their communities don’t understand why God hasn’t called them to be in the fore front of ministry. These types of people destroy ministries and other people’s lives and yet, in their vanity and arrogance they want God to use them as noble vessels. 2 Timothy 2:19-21 says, “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter; he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

“…If a man cleanses himself from the latter…” Before you can fulfill the vow you made to the Lord, you must cleanse yourself from all evil. The responsibility of your cleansing is yours. According to the scripture in Ezekiel, God sees your impurity as lewdness. He has tried to clean us with his word, but we have refused. I know some of you are saying, “Thank God for the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all unrighteousness! If it were not for the blood of Jesus, where would we be?” And you are absolutely right, but the blood of Jesus, that covers the multitude of our sins, does not mean that you get to treat people, talk or act any way you choose. In Matthew 12:33 Jesus said, “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.”

The blood of Jesus made us good trees, so why are so many of us still bearing bad fruit? Why have so many of us decided not to be cleansed by the Word of God? If you do not allow the Word of God to cleanse you, you can’t expect the Father to put you in the fore front of His ministry. Take a seat in the back row and get comfortable. Don’t worry; if you decide to get up and make your way to the front, God has an usher, the rod of correction, which is His word, to put you back in your place. Before you pray the following prayer, please read it over. If you don’t mean it, don’t pray it. If you want go to start your cleansing process pray this prayer: Father, I have sinned against You and no one else. I have harbored ill-feelings in my heart; I have heard Your word but not allowed you reform my heart. I have ignored Your call to my proper place and insisted on having my way. I have put myself in places that I don’t belong and I have waged war when I’ve been corrected. Forgive me. Change my heart and let my fruit start to show the good that You have placed in me by Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

In Obedience to His Call,

First Lady Anita

Give someone you love the gift that keeps on giving. It’s Still Relative, the Word of God for Today’s World will continue to bless your loved one year after year. Go to www.amazon.com and order it today.

I Made a Vow – Part I

“Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: “This is what the LORD commands: When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.” Numbers 30:1 – 2.

As we come into a new year many of us have made a renewed commitment to God. We have vowed to serve him by giving our time, our talents and our gifts. Some made the vow without giving it a lot of thought. Some did not count up the cost of what it will mean to serve God to the fullest.

Before we can fulfill this commitment some of us need to move beyond our pettiness and small minded thinking and pay attention to what God has told us to do and forget about what others are doing.

My grandmother use to say, you can’t run your home when your eyes are in your neighbors living room.

If we do not take our eyes off other people and the work God has anointed their hands to do and put our focus on our own work we will never be able to fulfill the vow we made to God.

The body of believers should not be a place of:

· Who’s closer to the Pastor

· Who’s got a title; what title did they get and how did they get it

· Who’s working on what ministry with the First Lady

· Who is hanging out with the Pastor’s children

· Who’s cooking for the church leadership

· Why are they “there” and I’m not

There is absolutely no place for competitiveness in the body of Christ. People who act like this aren’t Saints, they are “Ain’ts.”

Your church leaders should not be made into idols. They should be seen as men and women of God. Not there to be served, but to be servants and those around them are to have a servant spirit. Anything other than that is out of line with the word of God.

Over the next few days I’m going to deal with this topic. The Holy Spirit has said that there are many in the Body who made rash vows and need to rethink them before God binds them to their word.

Judge yourself rightly. If you are one of these petty people paying more attention to some one else’s work for the Lord more than your own, repeat and turn your eyes back to the work God has anointed your hands to do.

“It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.” Proverbs 20:25

In Obedience to His Call,

First Lady Anita

Give someone you love the gift that keeps on giving. It’s Still Relative, the Word of God for Todays’ World will continue to bless your loved one year after year. Go to www.amazon.com and order it today.

It’s Time for a Funeral

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Gal. 2:20

“There’s nothing wrong with you that a good funeral won’t solve,” I said to the woman. “I’ll even send you flowers!” She smiled in response. I was speaking figuratively to the woman who was stressing out about an issue in her life.

Her problem was the same problem most of us have – too much of “us” and not enough of Jesus and the cross. Many of the daily problems in life can be solved by coming to an end of ourselves so Jesus can take over. I believe this is what the psalmist meant when he said: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Ps. 116:15

The apostle Paul recognized the need for a funeral too when he penned these words: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Rom 6:1-4

Whenever we stress over a matter, get angry over a daily circumstance, or seek to have our own way – it is a sign there is still life in the grave. We need to fill it with dirt and smother the life of our flesh so that Christ may live freely, unhindered by the “old” man. Send yourself some flowers today. Have a good funeral.

Give someone you love the gift that keeps on giving. “It’s Still Relative, the Word of God for Todays’ World” will continue to bless your loved one year after year. Go to www.amazon.com and order it today.