Commitment

I remember twelve years ago when I heard God ask me to leave where I was at, and go to Gateway Believers Fellowship. It was decision time again. I had a choice to make to either follow God, or be rebellious and act like He never spoke to me. I chose to follow Him. You may ask was it easy? No!

I fought for two weeks before I made that commitment. I can tell you when I stepped foot into where God had called me to be, there was such a peace of knowing that I had had obeyed Him. It did not matter what all the other voices I heard was saying.

I wanted more of God, but I had to be willing to pay the price, and do what He told me to do. There will always come a time to go your own way.  Commitment is a continual process, and you will always need His grace to go where He wants to take you.

God told us we are in a new place.We have to be willing to do what is necessary to occupy this place. Making a commitment involves dedicating yourself, to someone, a thing, or a cause. It will require you to do something that you’ve not done before. Before you make a commitment count the cost, because it will cost you something.  Many are called, but few hear His voice. When you hear His voice, it will sustain you to persevere.

You may ask yourself, “What is keeping you from committing your  life fully to His cause?”

~Tammy Sanders

Image Credit: ©Tammy Sanders

Senioritis

Senioritis [seen-yer-ahy-tis] noun A crippling disease that strikes high school seniors. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. Also features a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as Graduation. – The Urban Dictionary

You probably know people affected by a complex disease known as senioritis. This disease makes it appear that the afflicted have completely lost their minds. Teenagers once content with their environment and circumstances are suddenly angered by them. Carefree children are suddenly worried about what lies around the next bend. Responsible young people make outrageously bad decisions. Apathy seems to abound.

It’s baffling, really. Right when you think they KNOW better, their actions lead you to believe that maybe they’re not really ready for that next big step after all. You start to wonder what they missed, how they got as far as they did, and if it’s even possible for them to succeed at the next level. They appear destined for complete and utter failure. Why don’t they care? You stand around, scratching your head, wondering, “Who ARE these people?!” They are certainly NOT the people they were even one short year ago…

… and THEN…

Graduation occurs! Graduation – the miraculous cure to senioritis. The calm that comes as they step across the threshold is akin to the noiseless cockpit of a plane after it has broken the sound barrier. Breakthrough has been achieved. Yes, it’s a busy time for planning and preparing for the new experiences at hand, but the noise and nervousness are gone, replaced by a fresh determination and sense of purpose. Apathy and lethargy become distant memories in the thrill and excitement of embracing this new season. Senioritis is gone!

“Now wait a minute,” you’re thinking. “All that happens with one lousy piece of paper slapped in your hand?” No, of course not. It’s not the paper or even the ceremony of graduation that signals the breakthrough. It’s the awakening to a new season that occurs when the mind grasps the accomplishment that has just taken place. It may not happen in an instant, but ask any of our high school or college graduates in a couple weeks or a month, and they’ll tell you that SOMETHING has changed. They will tell you they know they are not in the same place anymore and that there is NO GOING BACK NOW!

We all go through this process. We become seasoned experts on one level – the top dogs of our group. We get so good at what we do that we become overqualified to stay where we are, so we must move on to the next level. Once we realize that, things start shaking… all hell starts breaking loose in our emotions, in our circumstances, in our relationships. We fumble. We make mistakes trying to juggle a past that we’ve fulfilled with a future that is unfamiliar. We turn to see if there’s a way to stay put, but it’s too late… we can’t make it work out here and going “there” seems impossible. We have become officially infected with Senioritis. We get frustrated and angry at the helplessness we feel. We try to undermine ourselves by slacking off and coasting along. We distance ourselves from important relationships in our lives. We are plagued by thoughts of impending failure. “I can’t do it. I’m scared. What if I don’t make the right decision?” All these thoughts and emotions whirling around make us appear to those on the outside as though we’ve lost our minds! They may even wonder who in the world we are. We don’t look like or sound like the person we were even a short year ago…

…and THEN..

Graduation occurs! Breakthrough! We step across that threshold into the new level God has prepared us for. SOMETHING has changed. We are not in that same place anymore and there IS NO GOING BACK NOW!

So do a check-up: are you in a state of apathy or lethargy? Are you struggling to maintain your relationship with God and others? Are you frustrated and fumbling around in your spiritual life? If so, it may just be that you are experiencing Senioritis. Don’t be content to stay put where you are! Go ahead and take those qualifying exams and press into the next level God has for you!

By Linda Frederick

The God Kind of Love

It’s been almost sixteen years since the day I had been beaten. Everything I had known for many years was suddenly jerked out from under me. Put yourself in my shoes. How would you have felt? I wanted revenge.

As I think back to that day I was sitting on the stand looking my accuser in the face, Hoping and praying the justice system would punish him for what he did to me. I remember the judge reading the charges and in my mind I could just see my accuser behind bars. The judge says, “The verdict is not guilty.”

All I can remember was this big smile coming across my face as I stepped down off the platform. Walking out of the courtroom, and as I sat down in my car, the gravity of the situation finally registered in my mind. How could they say he was not guilty I wondered? What about all the bruising, not to mention the mental anguish I had been through?

I just broke down sobbing uncontrollably. I let it all out, and I believe that day was a turning point in my life. God was working on my love walk even then. Some people have asked me about the smile when  everything was done.  Of all times to smile! I probably looked crazy to the other people in the courtroom.  All I can say is it had to be God because in my own strength I could never have done that.

That seemingly insignificant act let me know that God was in control even if I didn’t see how any good could come from that situation. I was not even filled with Holy Ghost yet, just full of God and starting to let Him rule and reign in my life as much as I knew how. It says in God’s word He will give us what to say, and that day He also gave me the action to go with it.

Choosing not to walk in love toward my ex-husband put a ceiling on my life, and I didn’t even know it. I came to realize love is not based on a feeling. The God kind of love is unconditional. Even though I was still hurting on the inside, one day God let me see my ex-husband how he saw him. God didn’t see him as my abuser. God sees us all broken in need of a savior. As I was able to comprehend what He was showing me, it was easier for me to walk in love towards him because I remember what a mess I was before someone reached out to me. God has healed me emotionally and that has helped my ex-husband to see how much God really loved him, even if he doesn’t understand it.  God gives us chances everyday to walk in love.  We need to be willing to do the same for others.

Yes, this means we have to be willing to be hurt again. It’s also a chance to grow. The Bible says, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

~Tammy Sanders

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Influences In Life

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

We all have been influenced by the way we were raised. Our family, friends, teachers, and environment  The entertainment industry is geared to develop certain mindsets. All the experiences of life serve to effect our thinking and behaviors.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in  the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:1 Our attitudes toward life, family, friends, and God have been shaped by the influences of life.

I was doing some soul searching, reflection on different people who have had a great effect on my life. I recalled a Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Cox was the pastor’s wife. I was around twelve.  One morning whe she was teaching. She said, “Reading the Bible everyday would impact our lives in ways we could never imagine.” She said, “ God has a plan and purpose for everyone to fulfill.”

She knew we were young and easy to embarrass. What she suggested was for us to keep a copy of the Bible in our bathroom. It would be a private place to get alone with God and His word. I began doing as she had told us. To some this may seem trival or unimportant. She might not even remember saying it. I can testify, it has had a great impact on my life.

I love reading God’s word. It has changed my life and wrong mindsets. His word is my daily bread. It’s my strength when i’m weak and my hope when i’m down. His word is truly Spirit and Life.

We all have an influence over people in our lives. We need to share life’s lessons with others. You may never know what you might say or do that is going to impact someones life.

We are to be salt and light to the world. Let your light shine to help someone find the way.

~Ricky Robinson

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New Lifestyle

Jesus led by example, He didn’t go around shouting, “Do this, and do that.” He gave them an opportunity to change every day. He sought the Father’s will for three years, and then He turned the world upside down.

I’ve been through many seeking times, and when time was up I would always go back to what I had been fasting. I thought to myself, I just have a few more days, and then I’m going to eat or whatever it was I was not doing for the last forty days.

I’ve heard Apostle David say many times “If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you will keep getting what you’ve always got.” I kept praying about what I needed to do even after the seeking time was over.

In my spirit I heard, “Are you going to go back and do the same again?”  As you could imagine He got my attention. Instead of reverting back to my old lifestyle, I have chosen to let those things I fasted die in me. I got to thinking, “Why would I want to keep living my life the way I’ve always done?”  I had just fasted another forty days and I wanted more of God and not the pleasures of the world. What about you?

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and appetites and desires.

Galatians 5:24 ( Amplified Bible)

~Tammy Sanders

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Don’t Worry Be Happy

We live in very uncertain times. There are a lot of changes taking place in our lives from day to day. With the economy being what it is our money is being devalued. Each trip to the grocery store or gas station is shocking. I’ve watched people’s expressions of despair, depression, and even desolution. The job market is even more uncertain with lay offs, downsizings, and factory closings. Our elected officials certainly don’t have a solution, it seems they don’t even have a plan.

Families are being challenged, marriages are breaking up at an alarming rate. Children face uncertainty and instability like never witnessed in any other generation. There are more people including our children who are having to take anti-depressants to cope and deal with life.

We are living in a time of a great shaking. In Hebrews 12 verses 26-29 God’s word declares this shaking. The end will be His Kingdom coming which will never be moved. As Christians being born again into the family of God there is hope, peace, and an expected end for us. Life for everyone is challenging. To every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ there is hope in the midst of the storms of life.

I ‘ve layed out the challenges we all are facing. Jesus declared his followers are blessed which means happy. We don’t have to live being fearful of the uncertainty of life, our lives are in His hands. God is a good Father, He knows what we have need of even before we ask. Jesus said when these things began to take place for us to look up our redemption is near.

We have to keep our focus on him not on the things going on around us. The Psalmist David in Psalm 121 encourages us to look up unto the hills from whence cometh our help. We need to refocus our eyes, not looking at how bad things are, but knowing God is in control. As we seek first His Kingdom God will take care of us no matter what happens.

His Kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.  We can be secure in his peace and joy. Don’t Worry Be Happy the Lord shall preserve you from all evil. He is our peace in the midst of the storms of life.

~Ricky Robinson

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Comfort and Joy

What does it mean to walk in comfort and joy anyway? I have been asking myself this same question.

 

For starters, what is comfort? Comfort means to “soothe, console, or reassure; bring cheer to, to make physically comfortable, to aid; support or encourage”. So looking at the meaning, and hooking it up with scripture, then when we say “Jesus is our comforter,”we are saying that He provides relief in our afflictions (healing), and He gives us peace.

 

I don’t know about you but I have not been walking in a lot of comfort and joy. At least not until recently when I got a breakthrough. You know when you take your eyes off of the one who gives you the comfort and joy and start to focus on all of the circumstances surrounding you that comfort and joy leaves you. You may be able to put on the façade of joy but it does not last long. I should know since I had been doing that for a while.

 

It is important that when thoughts that do not line up with God’s Word are flooding your mind, that you take those thoughts captive. I went to leadership for advice for assistance and was provided a good swift kick in the rear that I needed to help me get back on track. Don’t get me wrong, God had already been dealing with me about the price and the swift kick in the rear was done in love. It was the truth and the truth will set you free if you will listen. I chose to listen, and I have felt more joy and comfort than I have felt in months!

 

My focus has shifted to where it needs to be and not on the circumstances that have tried to infiltrate my mind. Will I have to battle thoughts in the future? I  know I will.

 

Gateway leaders are here to help you overcome all circumstances that has tried to present itself in your life. You just have to be willing to take correction and to change and grow. Showing up for services and ministry opportunities is a vital role in your spiritual growth. At one time it was said that 80% of our victory is just showing up. Spending personal time in the Word for yourself, worshiping and praying are also necessary in order to overcome obstacles and circumstances in your life. Trust in Him and His Word for His Word is His Will. He sent His son to die on the cross for our salvation, healing, comfort, and joy. Embrace the comfort and joy that comes from the love of our Father.

 

Ronda Sullivan

 

Image Credit © Tammy Sanders

Hey, Lord

Hey, Lord. It’s time my prayers were said. After all, it’s time to go to bed.

I’ve been real busy with things today. I haven’t found the time to pray.

Many chances today slipped through my hand.

I didn’t exactly sin though, Lord. I just didn’t do your command.

I spoke to my neighbor when I went out to get the mail.

I wonder if she is saved? Does she know that there’s a hell?

I would ask her, but I wouldn’t want to pry.

What if she got emotional? She may even cry!

There wasn’t time today to read Your Word

Susan’s husband is running around on channel three.

I just had to know if she’s heard!

I haven’t told my family how I have come to know Your son.

I am sure they must’ve noticed that something has been done!

My friend came by and I poured her a cup.

I would have told her about You, but You didn’t come up.

When I mention salvation, folks look at me strange.

If they don’t already know You, they don’t want to hear they need to change.

When I go to church, I listen. When they sing, I sing along.

The people at church know that I am saved.

I must not be too wrong.

I can’t seem to go to sleep. Think I’ll catch the late show.

I will talk to you tomorrow night, Lord. After all, I need to grow!

~Connie Robinson

WOMAN
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You Are Part of the Change!

For years you go to church, worship, listen to the speaker in the pulpit, and you read the Word. You ask yourself, “How in tarnation can God use me to change the world?” Here I am trying my best to walk out one thing and then I am bombarded with something else. I get that under control and here comes something else. How can I help change the world when I am busy just trying to keep my head above water while walking out what God says about my me and my situations?

This past Sunday night we had Apostle Bobbie Jean Merck speaking in our service. Here I am, minding my own business and just worshipping God. You know, God does inhabit the praises of His people. I am in a place of worship that night that I hadn’t been able to get to for a while. In my spirit the words rose up in me saying, “You are part of the change.” I realize it wasn’t my imagination and that God was speaking to me.  At that point, I had no clue how that was going to happen.

Listening to Apostle Merck, I heard something that, as far as I know, I have never heard before, at least not in this manner.  It struck a chord in me, and I BELIEVE that it has changed my life. It has set something in motion which has caused some things to break off.

Apostle Merck talked about walking in faith. God’s Word tells us to walk by faith and not by sight. What I never caught in the past was that it was okay that my faith doesn’t have to be like someone else’s faith and that it is okay to have a little faith. We are just to take that faith and help it to grow.

In the past I have felt that the level of faith I had wasn’t good enough for God or for the people at my church. You know the ones, they have it altogether and they are so spiritual that they make you feel lower than a snakes belly in a wagon rut when your faith isn’t up to par. Now I am not talking about those who are mentoring me and helping me walk things out. They are holding me accountable, which I need. I don’t have that at home.

I am not sure if it is a revelation from just last night or a culmination of all the things I read, pray, and even what I teach the toddlers. All I know, as Apostle David would say, I got my fight back! It doesn’t matter what others think about my faith. As long as I have faith and hope, because hope is the container that faith pulls from, God has something to work with and I can grow my faith!

The physicians of the world tell me all of these things are wrong with me. I do not think it is a coincidence that all of them could end my life in the natural if I did not believe and have some amount of faith. God’s Word tells me that He is the HEAD physician. So that means what He says over rules the physicians of the world. Does that mean that I do not heed the warnings from my physicians? Of course not! God has given them the ability and wisdom to deal with sicknesses until we have the faith to walk out of it. What that does mean is that I listen and do what I need to do as well as confess the scriptures about healing and then I will know that I know and then I will see the manifestation of God’s Word in my life.

As I break through, and I WILL break through, I am breaking through for others as well as myself. I am the change that will help others breakthrough in the areas that I am breaking through.

So many times I have just wanted to throw in the towel and call it quits. Many of you might be feeling the same way, DON’T! Just hang in there, even if it is just by a thread. Once you break through and get YOUR revelation, there is nothing that can come and take that away! You will be glad that you hung in there. God will NEVER let you down so don’t give up! Be the change in the lives of those around you.

~Ronda Sullivan

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A Great Adventure

 

 We have all just read this story in Matthew about the parable of the talents like it was all about money. I know I have many times and my mind would go straight to money. As I was meditating on this it is so much more than that. We all have talents that God has placed in us. Some talents we have are job related and others are kingdom related.

In the word it says the He gave some five, two, and one talent according to our own ability.  Now let’s apply this to the church.  Take the evangelist, parking attendant, and Apostle David for example.

One of Apostle David’s talents is ministering to the local body of believers. Another is going to the nations. What if he just wanted to hide his talent just like the guy did in Matthew 25:18? You see, we are responsible for the talents that God has given us. The issue is not how much we have but how well we use what we have.

At Gateway we have opportunities to take the talent God has placed on the inside of us and grow to new levels all the time. We will never discover what lies on the inside of us until we start stepping out into the unknown.  God is just waiting on us to believe Him. He has great things in store for us. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and join the great adventure?

~Tammy Sanders

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