Rev. Rodney Smiling, Senior Pastor and Founder of For1Vision Church, has been sharing a raw relationship bible study via Facebook Live. If you are in search of some straight talk teaching that deals with natural and spiritual relationships, this is a video series you must avail yourself to hear.  

The content is broken down into clear and simplistic increments that consist of biblical insight for the unmarried/ singles, divorced and married couples.  Pastor Rodney's bold, fearless teaching will meet you where you are and minister to your soul as you gain understanding and wisdom into the heart of God and His will for your life.​

I believe that many times when we ask a question, we already know the answer but are looking for confirmation, validation or permission. I believe this because revelation, wisdom and instruction are readily available within us through the power of the Holy Spirit.  And when it comes to the word of God and His relationship with us and love for us, there is proof positive from Genesis to Revelation that nothing and no one can separate us from the love of Christ. That knowledge is confirmed in verse 37, which tells us that we are empowered to conquer any and everything through Christ’s love.  Read more... 

​#myguestblogpost #defyingshadows #fearless365

“Praying for God’s Provision” is the essence of the message I shared on The Destination Manifestation Prayerline. Their theme was The Lord’s Prayer and I had volunteered to speak on Matthew 6:11, “Give us this day our daily bread.” I immediately picked this verse because it strongly resonates with me.  I knew that it would provide a learning opportunity for me to see and trust God on a deeper level regarding His provisions for my life, and empower others with that knowledge.

​As caregiver for my mom, I’ve learned to count it all joy in spite of the challenges that arose when my mom took ill in 2014. I shared in a previous blog post that she had a stroke which impaired her memory and language skills, followed by two incidences of congestive heart failure where the doctor had to shock her irregular heart beat into its right rhythm (cardioversion).  The hospitalizations, various therapies and adjustments took its toll on the both of us and created times, then and now when the stress feels like it is consuming my head, rippling through my body and oozing out my ears, causing my attitude to be short and my tone sharp. But God … God encourages me through it all, helps me to keep a proper perspective, and increases my joy through the process.
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When I experienced a low spirit, tear-jerking moment on May 30, 2015, I was asked to write a “Joy” themed poem to share the next day at the Women’s Choir Program.  But God led me to share in a different way and this is my testimony…

​Prayer is essential in order for God’s people to effectively experience victorious living. To develop confidence in your prayer life, you need to know, believe and speak God’s word over your life and watch Him work the details out on your behalf.  God’s word is rich with promises that can encourage you to stand or hold on when going through challenging life experiences, rich promises that can pump up your praise while you expectantly wait with excitement on what you know and believe to be true. Read, meditate on, and seal the following scriptures in your heart to guide you to and through a confident prayer life filled with peace, joy, love, forgiveness and gratitude.

“The Just Shall Live By Faith” was the message preached and taught by Elder William Banton on Sunday at Apostolic Temple of Jesus Christ. The primary scripture reference was Romans 1:17 and we were richly reminded of how accessible and powerful faith is and what it looks like when used. The message was so engaging that I jotted down the faith nuggets I received on the front and back side of the “post-its” that were inside my pocketbook. Below are a few of my faith factor takeaways and personal thoughts for your encouragement

Wilderness experiences and challenging times of testing are a part of every Christian’s life and if it has not shown up in your life yet, just keep living. Storms of testing times are inevitable and for a divine purpose, so I encourage you to hold on.

Tests and trials are necessary for us to mature, grow, and learn how to trust God; they come to test and strengthen our faith.  When we hold on in the storm and persevere through testing times, it produces patience and shows us who God is and what we can do through His strength, grace and mercy.

Are you stressed out more often than not, unable to find peace? Well, you can now be comforted with the fact that peace is attainable and maintainable when you follow the simple strategy outlined in Philippians 4: 4-9, 12-13, 19. 

Praise God

Praise God no matter what is going on in your life. He is worthy of all praise and will inhabit the praises of His people. When you send up praises, He will send down blessings.  Reflect the image of your Creator as you glorify His name.
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4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

The first time I saw the video, “A Parent’s Love,” it reminded me to be more loving and patient with mom, and showed me that I hadn’t been. I became reflective and put myself in her place, remembering how she took care of me as a child and was still actively supportive of me as an adult. I was deeply moved with a strong need to increase my love and serve her better. Now,  after serving her through her stroke rehabilitation and heart complications, I experienced a need to view this video again and recharge my intention.