Speak Up

Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

 

The apostles Peter and John had been arrested for speaking the name of Jesus in the Jewish temple as well as laying hands on a man and healing him in the name of Jesus. Peter and John confessed they could only speak of what they have seen and heard. A few questions for you. When you see a good movie what do you do? You tell someone right? When you eat at a great restaurant what do you do? You tell someone right? When you read a great book what do you do? You tell someone right? You become a spokesman or walking promotion for that product or service. Jesus utilized the power of word of mouth during His earthly ministry and in the "Great Commission" He said we are to do the same.  So then why do so many people become "closet Christians?" Many only talk about Jesus on Sunday morning or when they are in trouble. Peter and John were so excited about Jesus they couldn't wait to share with everyone they knew. The woman at the well did the same thing when she met Jesus. I came into an environment and met a young man who was Muslim. But he was so inspired by a young woman who was a follower of Christ that he kept a scripture she gave him and was moved by her going to do full time missionary work. That's impact. Or for me, coming across another Muslim man who said he loves to help people and knows I do volunteer work. He said to let him know because he wants to be involved. Guess what? I have made it no secret that I am a follower of Christ. Inspiring people with your testimony of what Christ had done for you is what draws others to want to know Him. When you help others in the name of Jesus, it too draws others to Him. Being a closet Christian does nothing for anyone, including you. When you are a closet Christian, you actually keep the praises to the Lord hidden when they ought to be heard. Your life is to be a living testimony, word of mouth promotion as to who Christ is. If it isn't, then do you not believe that Christ has done anything for you?  Do you not believe that Christ sacrificed for you? Do you not believe that He is worthy of the praise? I am not saying to force anything. But when you are led by the Holy Spirit to speak up, speak up. Don't let your faith be in vain. The opportunity to know Jesus and for salvation is available to everyone not just you.

In Your Spirit

Proverbs 25:28

 

28Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.

 

What does a broken down city look like? What does a city with no walls look like? A broken down city has many buildings that have crumbled. It's infrastructure is no good. And there are no walls to protect outsiders from taking it over. That's exactly what it's like when you are not careful as to who or what has control over your spirit. You know that eyes and ears are gates into your mind and heart. Your eyes and ears are your walls. What do you take in? What do you listen to and what do you watch? If you are not careful about how you entertain yourself, you may find yourself saying and doing things that are not advantageous to you and harmful to others. Are you taking counsel from the wrong type of people? Those you associate with will influence your thought patterns. You may find yourself saying the same things or doing the same things. Do you listen to music that degrades women and glorifies mistreating them? What do you think you will eventually start thinking, speaking and doing? Do you listen to music or watch shows that talks about using men to get what you want or that men are no good? What do you think you will start thinking, speaking and doing? You will begin thinking that way about men and attempting to misuse them. All the while, you are creating a nasty cycle of your thought pattern causing your reality. Not only has your spirit been taken over but you have been the perpetrator of your own unhappy life. Are you watching a bunch of pornographic shows or spending your time in strip clubs (both men and women)? And you wonder why you have become a sex addict that cannot stay committed. You not only put your body at risk for diseases but also in the spirit because you take on the characteristics of the people you sleep with. A confused person who sleeps with a confused person creates another confused person. That's why God reserved sex for a married couple, a couple that He has joined together.  What you listen to, what you watch, what you think and what you do affects your spirit. Remember Jesus said that what comes out of a man's mouth is what is in his heart. And to know a person by their fruit. If your fruit demonstrates that you are out of control then the source can be traced back to what you've been swallowing in your spirit.

Are You Willing?

Matthew 10:1

 

1And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

 

Jesus knew the mission God the Father gave Him needed to continue on earth after He ascension to heaven. So very early in the mission he chose twelve to do so. Jesus used mass duplication which is very effective in leadership.  Not all of the original twelve would carry out the mission. Jesus took people with various backgrounds. Jesus even took a tax collector, called Matthew. Tax collectors were not well liked and were often considered crooks. God can use anyone! Peter, who would later build the church, had a nasty temper. So much so that he cut off the ear of one of the guards that arrested Jesus. But God can use anyone! The sons of Zebedee, James and John were very ambitious to the point of self-centeredness. But God can use anyone! Jesus took the weaknesses of these twelve and still utilized them for God's glory. Yes, He continued to prune those weaknesses in time. But none of the twelve would be considered 'perfect enough' to sit at the feet of Jesus. That's just it though! None of us are but by His grace and mercy. Verse two lists out the disciples. It's not that Jesus didn't use all twelve because He did. He even used Judas that would betray Him. God uses everything to "work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." Judas' greed still played a part in Jesus being glorified.  But have you noticed anything in scripture? Who was present during the transfiguration? Who walked on the water with Jesus? Who was present when Jesus went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane? Who did Jesus say would be the rock? In all four major cases, one or all of the three were present: Simon Peter, James and John ( the sons of Zebedee). Peter was to build the church so it makes sense that He would be much closer to Jesus. But remember, James and John came to Jesus saying they wanted to sit at His right hand. So they had a chance to have more personal time with Jesus. Those who spend more personal time with Jesus will be used by Jesus to the fullest. Those who are willing will be used by Jesus to the fullest and those whom He has chosen will be used to the fullest by Jesus. Yes, everyone can be used by Jesus but those who are willing, the Lord will show them even greater things. Are you willing?

You Have a Future

Jeremiah 29:11

 

11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give a future and a hope.

 

Jeremiah the prophet had written a letter to the captives in Babylon. His letter was to reassure them that God had not forgotten about them and that they would not be left in Babylon forever. If you recall, the people of Israel had been taken captive by the Babylonians for 70years. God's message to the people of Israel was their captivity would not be long lived. God still had a plan for them if they were willing to seek Him.

 

Last week, someone asked me a question. "How did you come into your purpose?"  My answer was the truth. I unfortunately had a near death experience first and within a year, God spoke to me about writing and it all unfolded. The person didn't believe it and thought what the doctors told me was just them making it up. But the threat of death was indeed real. "Yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death." That's where I was. But Bless God because He was with me! Do I want anyone else to find their purpose that way? Of course not! But, I didn't understand at the time that it was also a "dying of self" taking place. Learning to listen and obey God's instructions in such a life or death situation was the beginning of transformation. Now, I'm not scared like I was then because I know now I'm on the right the path. But up until that point, like the people of Israel, I sought my own way and ignored God's instructions MOST of the time. So did the people of Israel, and for it, they were in captivity. My pastor preached on this topic of God's way vs. your way. What is captivity? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines captivity as 1) to be made prisoner esp. in war; 2) kept within bounds; 3)held under control.  Do you understand that the sin in your life is captivity? It may seem like "fun" but it hinders your growth in Him. And even hinders you understanding who you are in Him which will lead you to your purpose (why you are here). How can you become "a new creature" as the Word of God says when you are still stuck in the old ways and mindset? "The renewing of your mind" requires that you shed the old you. The Lord has thoughts of peace, hope and a future for you. But how can you grasp hold of them if you are held captive by your own thoughts and actions? His name is J-E-S-U-S! He already paid the price for the remission or forgiveness of your sins. Jesus freed you from Babylon and captivity. You just have to grab hold of it so He can walk you into freedom, victory and purpose. You are no accident in God's eyes. You have a future.

THANKS FOR TUNING IN TO NBC4!! IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Good Evening,

 

Thank you so much to those of you that tuned in! For those of you that missed it, here is the link to the story: http://www.nbcwashington.com/video/#!/news/local/Helping-Victims-of-Child-Abuse/271403971 …

 

   Granted, NBC4 did cut A LOT of my interview which was more about hope. I bless God for the therapy I did receive many years ago as a child! The tears were tears of joy not sadness because the message of hope was clear in my interview. It takes more courage than you know to go on camera and give in depth details about what happened. Safe Shores kept asking if I was okay because most survivors NEVER feel safe or secure enough to talk about what happened in that way. I hope you not only see the passion of why I agreed to do this interview on camera, but also see why it's important for YOU to address the subject in your own families whether it's to tell your children what to do if someone attempts something and YOU being aware of what signs and changes to look for in your children if something has happened and steps to take. And survivors, why you need to address what happened to you. This interview and my book Shh Don't Tell: Journey of Survivors are not in vain. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!  

 

GOD BLESS YOU!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Good Evening,

 

I hope this email finds you well and having a productive evening!!

Many of you know the volunteer work I have been giving both physically and virtually to support D.C.'s Children Advocacy Center, Safe Shores (www.safeshores.org) as its mission is very much aligned with part of my purpose and mission to fight child abuse and my second book, Shh Don't Tell. Two weeks ago I sat down with Safe Shores and NBC4 Washington for an interview on the effects of child abuse on mental health. NBC4 is having an open and honest year long conversation about mental health. You can see their pledge here:  https://www.nbcumv.com/node/976906.   My interview with NBC4 will air this Thursday, August 14th during the 5pm broadcast with Jim Vance and Doreen Gentzler. I have provided you all will the link for the live stream broadcast below if you are not in the viewing area.  I hope you are able to tune in.

Catch the live broadcast here: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/livestream-News4-watch-live-Vance-Gentzler-Kammerer--269554921.html

Blessings and Love!

-Joy

A New Walk

Ephesians 4:17

 

17This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

 

The NKJV Study Bible translates the verse as, "The Ephesians were admonished to avoid the lifestyle typical of unbelieving Gentiles all around them. This lifestyle was characterized by "futility", being empty and without purpose."

 

How many are wandering around without purpose right now? How many think they are content with they way the world lives but do things to themselves to force some kind of feeling, any kind of feeling just so they know they are still physically alive? Oh it's real.

 

Over the last 24 hours the Lord has been reminding me about the miracles, signs and wonders in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and that many people, including some who claim to be followers of Christ or "believe in God," do not believe can happen today or have happened today. God was taking me through the times I said "yes" to Him starting from my baptism in October 1991 and then the dream I had in November 1991 that I didn't know then would have to do with my part of my purpose and my second book. God was taking me through the first time I finally said that I would be His evangelist in December 2007. He also took me through SOME of the times when I attempted to take back that yes and live as the world lived but He came to collect on that yes. I went back on a vow not to have sex outside of marriage and three months later, I was being told by doctors that I had 48 hours to live and maybe a year at most with the treatment I was started on. But when I was willing to say yes again and listen to God, He reversed it all. One misstep of His directions to get healed would've cost me my life. He took me through the times where I have experienced some of His miracles signs and wonders, not just in my life but in the lives of other believers around me. As I grew more in my walk with Christ I began to experience what is known as the mercy gift being able to physically feel the pain, hurt, happiness, joy, love, peace of those around that God allows. I began to experience the gift of discernment whereby knowing the difference between good and evil.  For the first time when my cousin was in the hospital God allowed me to feel her spirit slipping/transitioning and the frantic run to the hospital my mom and I made. I anointed her with oil and sang songs of praise to God and encouragement to her. I learned after her death that what my pastor and assistant pastor told me was true, that I had to be a light for her and that the book, Get Your JOY In The Morning connected the dots for her regarding who God is and what He desires from us. I recall seeing my pastor tear pedals from a flower not looking, only to be called up to witness what God had done. The pink pedals were in the shape of a heart with blood coming out representing Christ's heart. I met a man, Arnold Harvey II whom I would mentor as an author who first gave his life to Christ in a pool of blood to die multiple times but God brought him back. Proof that God has the final say when life ends no matter who is on the other side of a gun, knife, etc. I know people can hear while in a coma. My late step dad, not only heard me in the induced coma he was in but I saw tears at words I said and I had never seen him cry before. I witnessed the soles of the shoes of both my pastor and assistant pastor disintegrate from the fire of God in them. I witnessed several people in my church get healed by the Lord and leave doctors in amazement. I have witnessed prophesies from the Lord come to pass. I have witnessed people finding their purpose, including myself, out of their obedience and willingness to hear and grow closer to God through Jesus Christ.

 

I serve the Lord whole heartily in a NEW walk because NO ONE can tell me that He does not exist. NO ONE can tell me that the miracles of the Bible are non existent. NO ONE can tell me now that living in the futility of the world is better than what I have in Him. Do you really believe that what you have is better than Christ? Better than the almighty God who has the power to give and take life? Are you tired of feeling empty and trying to create situations just so you can see if you still have a pulse? Do you know Christ as your Lord and Savior? Do you want to know Him? As the group, forever JONES sings in their song, "You Can Do Anything," referring to Jesus, He really can.