I used to want God to show me His will at night in my room, so I would stay up all night with one eye open, just waiting. I used to pray, “Oh, Lord, let the angels show up.” Then I would look and there would be nothing but mosquitoes. Sometimes, I would hear a little noise outside and I would open the door, thinking that the angels had shown up. Yet when I looked outside, all I would see was a rat running across the yard. Some angel!

I persisted in wanting God to show Himself to me and to guide me. Whenever they sang a certain song in church, I used to sing it the loudest: “Lead me, guide me, along the way!” One day, as I was singing this song, I felt as if the Lord was saying to me, “Lead you along what way?” I realized then that if you don’t have a plan, God doesn’t have anything specific to direct you in.

Proverbs 16:1 says, “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.”

That’s a very powerful statement. God is saying, in effect, “I gave you the vision. Now you put the plan on paper, and I will work out the details.”

Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”

If you don’t have a plan, how can He direct you?

This devotional is an excerpt from Dr. Myles Munroe’s book “The Principles and Power of Vision”

Scripture Of The Week: “To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the lord comes the proper answer of the tongue..” – Proverbs 16:1

When God laid out the plans for our lives, He lined up the right people, the right breaks, and the right opportunities that we needed to fulfill our destiny. The Scripture talks about how time and chance will come together for every person. In other words, there are moments of favor that God has already released into your future. If you’ll let that sink down into your heart today, it will change your whole outlook on your future.
So many people miss out on the good things because they allow fear to distract them and hold them back. They say, “What if I fail?” “What if they don’t like me?” “What if I make a mistake?” To that I say, “What if you succeed?” “What if they like you?” “What if you do it better than anyone else?” That’s expecting God’s goodness and favor. And when you go out each day with an attitude of faith and expectancy, you’ll see those good things He has in store. You’ll walk into divine moments of favor, moments of blessing, moments of increase; and you’ll be fully equipped to live the life of victory!
Father, thank You for the good things You have in store for my future. Thank You for Your peace and joy that surrounds my every step. I choose today to keep my heart focused on the good things You have in store for my future. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The new album, recorded live in his hometown of Harvey, IL. is being released as a Deluxe Edition CD + DVD, which features 13 songs, three live performance videos, and exclusive behind-the-scene footage. Fans can also purchase the Limited Deluxe Edition package, which is sold exclusively at Wal-Mart and contains the CD + DVD plus a T-shirt.

The first single from the CD, “Turning Around For Me,” is climbing up the charts. Mitchell’s live performance of “Turning Around For Me” recently aired on BET’s Sunday Best. Twitter was abuzz as Mitchell received hundreds of tweets commenting on his stellar performance. The single jumped to # 5 on iTunes.

Mitchell’s promotional tour is going strong. He kicked off the tour in New York at Donnie McClurkin’s New York Call and traveled to New Jersey for packed Sunday morning services. Release day (August 28th) Mitchell will do radio interviews and public appearances in Philadelphia. Mitchell starts the day with radio interviews, followed by a lunch he will host for his fans. His Official Created 4 This Release Day Celebration will be held at the Baptist Worship Center in Philadelphia.

Still to come, Mitchell heads to Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston (Thursday, August 30), Union Temple Baptist Church in Washington, DC (Friday, August 31), and the Back II School Album Release Skate Party in Charlotte (Monday, September 3). Mitchell is set to co-host Verizon’s How Sweet The Sound events in Detroit (Saturday, September 15) and Los Angeles (Friday, September 21).

Mitchell is also on the cover of the current issue of ROOT magazine which includes the featured story, “The Evolution of VaShawn Mitchell.”

Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago received nine first round ballets for the 29th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, including “Artist of the Year,” “Song of the Year” (awarded to songwriter), “New Artist of the Year,” “CD of the Year,” “Producer of the Year” “Choir of the Year,” “Traditional CD of the Year,” Traditional Choir of the Year,” and “Recorded Music Package of the Year.”

Jenkins recently was invited by Bishop T.D. Jakes to perform the song on his TBN program. “I believe Pastor Charles Jenkins’ ‘Awesome’ has reminded a troubled nation of the Awesome God we serve,” says Jakes. “It’s amazing how uplifting it is for the soul.”

“Awesome” is a universal song with a universal message. The song is a global success and has been a number one selection by choirs in churches of all denominations and cultural backgrounds. Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago have been ministering this song to standing room crowds all over the country including New York City’s Central Park, Atlanta’s Centennial Park and Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Manpower conference in Dallas, among others major events and conferences.

Exclusively that Cathy Hughes’ Radio One actually banned all Music world artists and songs and so did TV One after the label was doing some shady business.

Also, artists like Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams ditched the label to do bigger and better things.

So Knowles shifted to gospel music in hopes of restoring a better reputation and keeping his dream alive.

Mathew Knowles signed artists like Micah Stampley and Trin-i-tee 5:7 (which actually left the label last week).

Actually, many of the artists, including LeAndria Johnson, Knowles signed have decided to pack up and go. Who’s left at this point? Just about nobody.

He must not be a great guy to work with.

Johnson recently tweeted a message to her fans that the label had not been treating its “#1 artist” with “respect.”

Hmmm.

The 12-track album – written and produced by Kipping – is a fusion of pop, alternative, contemporary, and traditional Gospel sounds.

“I wanted to do a project that was eclectic enough to keep you interested, but not so much that you don’t get it,” he said. “There really is something for everyone on this CD, because my musical influences are so broad.”

“What’s Coming Is What’s Better,” the album’s first single, is a reassuring mid-tempo track that will build listeners’ faith and confidence in God’s promises for their lives.

“After hearing this CD, I simply want listeners’ levels of faith to be elevated in such a way that God is amazed at their faith,” says Kipping. “I don’t want people to just like the songs, I want people to listen and say ‘I just want to believe more.’”

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils.

But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.

From one bone I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man’s life.  I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone I shaped you. I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully.

Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart.

His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart.  Support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.

You are my perfect angel. You are my beautiful little girl.  You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I  see  the virtues in your heart.  Your eyes – don’t change them. Your lips, how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose, so perfect in form. Your hands so gentle to touch.

I’ve caressed your face in your deepest sleep… I’ve held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are the most like me.

Adam walked with me in the cool of the day and yet he was lonely. So I fashioned you so that Adam had a soul mate to share his experiences with. In both of you I fashioned my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support.  You are special because you are the extension of me.

Man represents my image – woman, my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.

So man – treat woman well.  Love her, respect her, for she is fragile. In hurting her, you hurt me. What you do to her, you do to me. In crushing her, you only damage your own heart, the heart of your Father, and the heart of her Father.

Woman, support man.  In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you.  In gentle quietness show your strength. In love, show him that you are the  rib that protects his inner self.

City for Christ Ministries Int’l

Pastor Demola Joseph Adeniyi

Jean Claude