Category Archives: Family and Marriage

Offering insights, advice, and discussions on building strong Christian families and maintaining healthy marriages.

The Supernatural Agenda: 7 Spheres of Influence

Posted on by yolandaberry
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Do you feel you’re constantly fighting some type of resistance or negative energy? There are so many things in this world that lead us to a pessimistic attitude, mood, or mindset. We don’t have to search hard to find it. Our relationships are affected by external influences and internal anxieties due to the pressures of life.

How does a Christian walk in the light despite all the challenges and obstacles that obstruct their path or blind their vision? The best strategy is to forge straight ahead regardless of the distractions.

When we take our eyes off the problems, we gain the strength and focus needed to accomplish the tasks the Lord has for us to do. In the Bible, Peter had to keep his eyes on Jesus. When he lost his faith, Peter began to sink. By looking straight ahead at Jesus, he was able to walk on the water.

We have unlimited potential and abilities when we walk with Jesus. When we tap into His power, we have the authority to walk over serpents and scorpions and not be harmed. Luke 10:19

When we continue to magnify our problems and experiences, it tends to fuel the flames. However, when we shift our focus and walk on a higher spiritual plane, we eliminate the negative emotions that overtake our minds and emotions and robs us of our peace. Elevating our thoughts provides a sense of motivation, hope, and encouragement. Of course, we shouldn’t ignore the realities we face, but we should not give it more power than the abundant power of God.

We must develop a thick skin and decree boldness in words and deeds.  To become an example of Christ, we must fight spiritual warfare daily by speaking the Word of God over every battle and by confronting demonic forces in the natural and spiritual world.

We cannot walk in the power of Christ if we are consumed by worldly problems and issues. First, we must learn to handle our own spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being before we can assist and aid our brothers and sisters. It’s not an act of selfishness. It’s an act of selflessness. We must first put on our own oxygen mask before assisting others.

The Lord will equip us with everything we need on the journey. We have walked through dry deserts, deep valleys and rough terrain yet we have been developed and trained up in this spiritual boot camp.

There are seven spheres of influence that the Lord is calling his people to. Christ-centered ambassadors have a specific assignment for this new season. We have been waiting in discomfort and in all types of situations to understand what the Lord is calling his people to do. The Body of Christ, each member, must walk in obedience after Holy instructions. We should lead in authority according to God’s will, plans, and purposes. It’s God’s agenda. Let’s be about His business.

We are called to pull down strongholds and demonic forces upon the earth. The Lord provides the skills, gifts, and abilities to complete every assignment. There’s no college degree required when the Lord anoints you for his work, however, you must study yourself to be approved by reading His word daily. There is always value in education but sometimes life lessons are the best teacher.

Let the Lord lead you into the sphere of influence He has designed especially for you! Take a look at the 7 spheres of influence below and take note of what your internal spiritual compass speaks to you. Think outside of the norm. It doesn’t have to be a traditional field or area; however, this is a great starting point to explore.

Grab a copy of “Seven Spheres of Influence” EmpowerConnect e-Zine newsletter which focuses on leadership and creating a legacy for the next generation. This guide is for the person seeking purpose, an entrepreneur or leader who wants to gain impact or a personal brand who desires more influence. Download your copy here!

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  1. Government: Do you have strong leadership abilities?
  2. Media: Do you have strong communication skills or a platform of influence?
  3. Business: Do you have negotiation skills? Are you skilled in delegating?
  4. Family: Do you have a heart for family and intimacy?
  5. Religion: Do you have a heart for the lost, hurt, or sick?
  6. Education: Do you have a strong desire to teach, motivate, or edify others?
  7. Arts: Do you have unique creative abilities or skills?

Five-Fold Ministry of Leadership.

Also, keep in mind of the Five-Fold Ministry. What area do you feel led to? Pray for the Lord to guide you. He will fulfill every promise. Trust and believe.

  • Apostle
  • Prophet
  • Evangelist
  • Pastor
  • Teacher

Bible References

Luke 10:19

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

I Corinth 12:7-21

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kind of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

I Corinth 12:28-31

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

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Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places

Posted on by yolandaberry
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“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace we are saved.”Ephesians 2:4-5

Love is lacking or non-existent in our nation, communities and most importantly in our homes. Some may have felt it, yet abused it. Others long for it while others desperately search for it. Many may take it for granted while others never felt it or experienced it. But, unconditional love is something that can’t be forced.

How does a four letter word carry so much weight and complexity? It can drive someone over the edge or force another to change their personality, values or morals to please.

There are so many levels of love: Loving a parent, sibling or child as well as a husband or wife, partner and friend. We can also love our houses, cars, sports, electronic devices and other treasured possessions.

Love is a powerful emotion. It can wound us. Reject us. Control us. Destroy us. However, this is a human kind of love.

Pure, genuine love heals all wounds. It is forgiving. “Without love the most magnificent manifestations of gifts and the most heroic self-sacrifice means nothing. Love suffers long, having patience with imperfect people. Love is kind. Love does not envy since it is non-possessive and noncompetitive. Love actually wants and allows other people to get ahead. It wants the best for you. It does not parade itself. Love is self-sacrificing. Love is not puffed up or treats others arrogantly. It does not behave rudely, but displays courtesy. Love does not seek its own or demands precedence, rather it is unselfish.

Love is not provoked; it is not irritable or touchy, rough or hostile but is most graceful and merciful under life’s demands and pressures. Love thinks no evil and does not keep an account of wrong doings but instead it erases resentments. Love does not rejoice in iniquity finding satisfaction in the shortcomings of others and spreading gossip. Instead love rejoices in the truth, aggressively advertising the good in people. Love bears all things, defending and uplifting others in discouragement. It credits others with good intentions and is not suspicious Love hopes all things and never gives up on people, but continues in affirming their future and hope. Love endures all things, persevering and remaining loyal to the end.”  

We have the capacity to love because God lives within us. There is no other love on earth like God’s love. We can search for people or things to fill the void in our lives but we will continually come up short. We will never come to terms with being loved by God until we understand the capacity of God’s love for us.

Unfortunately, we often feel we are not good enough to be loved by people or by God. We live in condemnation, fear and judgment thinking that God could never love us. When things go wrong, we feel God is punishing us for our mistakes, behavior, thoughts and actions. We often blame God when things go wrong.

Some of Satan’s greatest weapons is the use of fear, doubt, shame, guilt, regret and confusion. He constantly taunts us of our faults, failures, weaknesses, circumstances and problems. The end result is a spiral of negative thoughts and emotions due to accepting defeat and failure. The devil is a liar.

The devil uses the same plots and schemes. He is not creative. Once you recognize his bag of tricks, you will understand how to defeat him through the Word of God.

God is forgiving. God loves us more than we will ever be able to comprehend. He loves us no less than He loves His Son. He actually waits for us to come to Him in prayer. God celebrates us!

Sometimes it is much easier to forgive others than ourselves. You will not have peace until you learn how to forgive. The guilt or shame can weigh you down and eventually destroy you. You must also learn to love yourself just as much as you love others.

Please don’t let shame or guilt rob you of believing that you’re in bondage. “Who the Son sets free, is free indeed.” John 8:36

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” Psalm 103:12.

The Lord will redeem your mistakes. Every evil thing that the enemy meant for your harm will be turned around for your good. Genesis 50:20.

Building a relationship with the Lord is not built on repentance only. It is based on worship and praise for who He is; not on what He can do or provide.

God understands you and knows your heart’s desires. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” (Jeremiah 1:5).

The Lord’s characteristics is of peace and not of harm. “For I know the plans that I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm; plans for a hope and a future.” Jer 29:11

You are deserving of God’s love. It is the reason He shed His blood on the cross so we may have eternal life. “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

His love does not have to bought, earned, manipulated or controlled. In 2014, let’s walk in love by first receiving and accepting God’s love as a prime example of His nature and honoring our bodies, minds, thoughts and actions by serving one another in love.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Romans 8:35.

“For I am fully persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor thing to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Our Fathers

Posted on by yolandaberry
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“Our Father who art in heaven, hollowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever. Amen.” Matt 6:9-13

Becoming a parent is one of the most important roles that can be accomplished in a lifetime. There is no instructional manual or training involved. The title of a father is defined as: (1) a man who has a child (2) a man fulfilling the role of a father; as by adoption (3) any male ancestor; forefather (4) an originator or founder of something (5) a priest or (6) stepfather.

Even though Father’s Day has passed, it is important to recognize the significance of the role the father plays in the family. Unfortunately, in today’s society not much emphasis is focused on Father’s Day compared to Mother’s Day. It possibly could be because some fathers are non-existent in the family unit. With so many males lacking responsibility and strong character as well as other males who go unacknowledged for being a strong role model for their sons and daughters, it’s imperative to the survival of the family to identify how important the position is to the household.

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” Gen 1:28

A father is not just a man who plants seeds in a woman’s womb and lives by his own terms. A father leads his children in their journey in life. He protects and provides for his children. He disciplines a child when they are in trouble or supports them when they are facing challenges. He listens to their needs and blesses them with every good thing. He shares his time and values building strong relationships. He is the head of household, not only financially but also mentally, emotionally and physically. He makes wise decisions and choices not with manipulation, dominance or control, but with Godly authority. He loves at all times and worries at all times while still trusting and knowing that God has everything in control. A father is not perfect. He makes mistakes and learns along the way. He also forgives himself for past mistakes as well as forgives his children for the mistakes they made. A father is a reflection of God’s love. He is an extension of God’s grace and mercy and the workmanship of strength, courage and honor.

We must constantly pray for the men in this country who battles with continuous struggles and carries heavy responsibilities in their personal and professional lives. It takes two responsible adults to join in union to have a child and care for a child. The child did not ask to be born, but often suffers due to the selfishness or lack of responsibility of adults.

Unfortunately, with so many broken homes, a child is torn between parents in a nasty custody battle or bounced from step parents on weekend stays which may provide an unstable environment. Society is at a critical point and needs to change its ways. The broken home is like a cancer which eats away at the nucleus of the family which eventual escalates and creates a fragmented social structure.

We must look to God (Our Father) to teach us all things. It takes the true character of God to work through us, heal us, change us and deliver us.