Monday, July 25, 2011

REFLECTIONS ON THE DEATH OF AMY WINEHOUSE

As I grow in Faith from hearing the Word, I wonder how many of Amy Winehouse's friends prayed for her and spoke life over her despite her destructive behavior. No where in scripture does it say to tell it like it is. It says the Power of Life and death are in the tongue. It says to speak those things that be not as though they were. I read a tweet that said Amy Winehouse's obituary was written they were just waiting to fill in the date of her death. Looks like her friends and family saw death and not life in her. Sometimes people don't need you to be in their face, they need you behind the scenes praying for them and blessing their lives despite their circumstances. No one on this earth is beyond saving. Jesus brought people back whom had been clothed in funeral clothes and placed in tombs. God, His Word, and Faith in God and His Word has Resurrection, Redemption, and Changing POWER!

Words have POWER, again Proverbs 18:21 "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words." Everyday we speak words over our children, ourselves, strangers, celebrities, etc. that could be detrimental to their lives and our own. Words are energy and we must be mindful of the words we speak. Of course none of us our perfect but we should be striving for perfection. The Word instructs us to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1).

I was not a fan of Amy Winehouse, the only song I can think of, of hers was from 'Rehab' - "they tried to make me go to rehab but I said No, no, no". James 5:14 "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord." Addiction is a sickness. I have personally been affected by addiction in my family and as a family we have not and will not give up on any of our family members. James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

This is my personal belief in faith. Maybe its time to stop being so in your face to those who are leading lives of destruction and simply show them compassion and love and most importantly intercede for them through prayer. While you are praying for them, watch your mouth. Don't pray blessings and then speak curses over them. Stay in faith, in hope, and in belief. Before you go to God make sure you are not holding any unforgiveness in your heart and send up prayers, blessings, and speak life and faith over those you love and care for. Please remember this, Words have Power and your faith in your words has the ability to create. I don't care how upset you become, be mindful of the words that you speak for we will be held accountable for every idle word we have spoken.


Also please note as I write these blogs I am also speaking to myself, learning, growing, developing, and maturing in Christ, Love, and Faith daily.

Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials

Thursday, July 14, 2011

FAITH WORKS! - PERSONAL TESTIMONY

Growing up as a young child I never understood why a parent would pay for a child to attend school especially for primary education. I often told myself there are plenty of great public schools and when I have children they will go to one, I am not paying for primary education. I'm sure some of you have heard the saying God laughs when we make plans?

Well, my son started Kindergarten last year and it was a tumultuous experience for him, me and his dad to say the least. Last year I blogged about one of the Charter schools he attended wanting to send him to a mental institution. My mind throughout the entire process was staying in Faith and speaking the Word of God only. I often times laid hands on my child and just spoke the Word over him and I plainly told the demon that was in him that he must flee. See one thing I understood was that my sons school experience was a spiritual battle for me and it could only be won spiritually.

So the end result, my son visited a Catholic School for one day and did well. Nevertheless, his dad felt we should keep him in a public school. I felt the same especially considering, in my mind, my pockets couldn't afford to pay his tuition as I'd just bought a new car. Again, God was laughing. I say that because I speak over myself and my son Romans 8:28 "All things work together for the good of those that love Him according to His purpose."

So where is my son at now the Catholic school he visited. He enrolled about 6 weeks before school ended this year and his entire experience was completely different from the 1st 2 schools he attended. At the time, I only had to pay one tuition payment and thank God I have sense enough to save, I had that money in the bank. When it was time to register for the upcoming school year I paid the registration fee and I had absolutely no clue how his tuition would be paid. What I did know however was that he would be attending the school and his tuition would be paid.

Instead of worrying I had faith in God. Now let me clear that I up, in my mind I sometimes worried but when I spoke I spoke faith and the Word of God. I was watching Creflo Dollar and he spoke about pleading the blood of areas of our lives. So I began pleading the blood over my sons tuition and education. I was watching Bill Winston and he was speaking on Faith, how faith works every time and how there is nothing that faith won't accomplish. How if we have faith and believe, faith always wins and God is moved by our faith and our Words.

So my faith led me to a NACA meeting where I learned how to have my student loans payments reduced based on my income. My faith led me to complete a financial aid form for my sons school. How my faith worked?

Last week I received a new student loan payment, my payment was reduced by 72% and my son was approved for financial aid. So my current student loan payment and my sons tuition is equal to my original student loan payment! Isn't God great?

I didn't try to figure anything out I turned it over to God believing in faith that all was well! And all things have worked together for me and Remington's good! He is in a school that he enjoys, he has made friends and the school has an excellent involved staff and I am an involved parent.

Faith Works....you have to step out on Faith and Believe and not DOUBT....Keep your Eyes on Jesus and don't look at anything else I am a witness that Faith Works! And don't try to figure it out on your own let the Word do the work for you....

NOTE: NACA WWW.NACA.COM is an organization that assist low to moderate income people with purchasing homes, no $ down, no closing costs. There is no income requirement to qualify. If you are currently renting and thinking about owning I encourage you to visit the website and attend an informational meeting.

Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials

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Wednesday, July 13, 2011

FREE SUMMER FUN & GREAT DEALS

Yes, I said FREE 99 LOL.....

If you and your children like to bowl check out www.kidsbowlfree.com various locations in multiple states across the US. Kids bowl free 2 hours daily until September 1st and for an optional additional $24.95 4 adults can join them.

Also teenagers 13 to 18 I believe can sign-up to bowl free at Brunkswick visit www.brunswickzone.com for more information.

Also visit www.freemania.com and sign-up to receive daily updates. For example Monday 7/11 gave out free slurpees and today Panda Express is offering Free Garlic Chicken with any purchase (yes I will be in line!)

These sites aren't free but a great way to save $ Groupon, KGB Deals, Living Social, and Youswoop.com just to name a few!

Hey if you know of any other websites offering information on free activities, food etc. please respond and let us all know.

Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials

HAVE FAITH IN GOD!

Mark 11: 20 - 24 20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” 22 Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[f] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

This passage in Mark 11 picks up after Jesus cursed a fig tree that did not bare fruit. The disciples were shocked the next day when the tree had withered from the roots. It was as if they were in awe. Although they'd been walking with Jesus and seeing for themselves the miracles he performed for some reason they were surprised the next day that the tree Jesus cursed actually withered. Jesus had a simple response Have Faith In God!

What does it mean to Have Faith In God? Believe His word and speak His word. God is not moved by tears, crying, yelling, and screaming, He is moved by His Word. We must stand on the promises of God and speak His Word. For God is not like man He cannot lie. So when His Word is spoken boldly, with faith, hope, belief and confidence He is faithful and just to deliver.

That is why it is SO SO SO SO very important to only speak His Word. For when you speak you want your words to have power and you want what you say to come to pass.

Now I hear you, you are saying oh I have faith in God. Is that so? Let me give you a quiz and see if any of these statements apply to you...

I don't know how.....
I am worried about....
I don't have enough money....
I'm not sure how I am going to make it...
Bad things always happen to me....
I don't have any luck...
I have (fill in any disease or sickness)...

If you hear yourself beginning any sentence with the above my answer to you is Have Faith In God! And if you are wondering what you can say in place of the above, here are some scriptures to start with:

do not worry about what you will eat, wear, or where you will live but seek 1st the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all good things will be added on to you. (see Matthew 6)

And my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches (see Philippians 4)

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want (see Psalm 23)

Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not see (see Hebrews 11)

I encourage you when you think a negative thought, before speaking it or "telling it like it is" speak what is true and that is the WORD of God ONLY!

Then I encourage you to wake up each day and Thank God for His blessing, anointing, favor and hedge of protection. I beg of you to plead the blood over you finances, home, children, career/job/business etc. I think you get the point. Make it a daily action and it will become a habit and ultimately your way of life.

Yes I know I seem to repeat a lot in my posts. I also used to wonder why my Pastor goes over the same thing constantly then I had to remind myself 1. There is only 1 Bible 2. Until we get what is said, live it and embody it, it must be repeated to us!

If God said it that is it, it is already done, walk in Victory even before the battle is over! Have Faith in God!

Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

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