Keep the Faith Now

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Gospel Moments In Black History

Today in our Gospel Moments In Black History we are excited to feature Bishop Sylvia Britton and Deacon Daniel Britton . Bishop Sylvia Britton is a mentor and spiritual advisor to many young pastors in the Body of Christ. Bishop Britton and Deacon Britton has served for 25 years as the Senior Pastor of the New Bethany Holiness Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . Sylvia Britton was c onsecrated to the sacred office of Bishop in October 1999 at the Holy Convocation of the Bethel Churches of Christ in Greensboro, NC and serves as the General Secretary on the Board of Bishops. Bishop is the Presiding Prelate and General Overseer of the Greater Bethany Fellowship of Churches . Deacon Britton also serves with Bishop Britton in ministry. He is a great man of intercessory prayer specifically covering his wife as she carries out her assignment. We honor this strong Black man of God as he stands with her. He is loving, caring, a father and friend to so man...

Gospel Moments In Black History

In light of Black History Month " Keep The Faith Now" and the " Urban Leadership Post Podcast" will be taking the time for the remainder of February to Spotlight some very powerful Black people who have made huge contributions to the work of the Kingdom of God. Today we are putting the Spotlight on Apostle Melvin and Marva Strothers . They are the Founders of New Hope Outreach Center in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. These two have given their lives and have made an incredible mark for the Gospel of Jesus Christ . They are the King and Queen of outreach. The love they displayed to the broken, captive, and lost stretched from Germantown, New Jersey, Lancaster Pa., including LA, California. The way they emptied their lives to serve people will never be forgotten and their reward is extremely great. Not only are they the Founders of New Hope Outreach Center Germantown, their church planting efforts landed them in New Jersey, Lancaster, and California. ...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "And He ( Jesus ) spoke to them in a parable to show that at all times men ought to (always) pray and never lose hope." Luke 18:1 Explanation: There was a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing about people. A widow in that city approached him for help, to protect her rights and provide the protection she needed. He never gave her the time of day but she kept coming and making her request and the judge acquiesced and granted her justice. Exercise: Just like this woman in the story we ought to pray and never lose hope. With hopelessness all around us, let me give you 13 Reasons Why we ought to pray and never give up. In the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why the story is about a teen who commits suicide and leaves a letter that gives 13 reason why she ended her life. What a sad parable unlike the widow in the parable of Jesus who understood life was valuable and that if she did not lose hope she would see justice pre...

BREAK IT!

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?" Jeremiah 23:29 Example: In Jeremiah's day and like today there were false prophets speaking under a false inspiration, plagiarizing messages from God. But God uses Jeremiah to declare that any message of a true prophet is like a hammer that can tear down and build up even the hardest rocks. Exercise: Today's seed is focused on the word of the Lord in Isaiah 58:6c , concerning the fast God has chosen for His people. That the oppressed be set free and the yoke be broken. "The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joint and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 What is oppressing you and has yoked itself to your l...

UN-DO!

S.E.E.D. For Today: Scripture: "Undo The Heavy Burdens" ( Isaiah 58:6 ) Example: There was a great deal of injustice in the land and with the rich exploiting the poor and the rulers using their authority only to make themselves richer. It was a conflict between truth and lies, just like in our land today. The people of God were no different in operating under the same system as this. But God called them out and wanted them to understand that their fasting was in vain if they did not undo the heavy burden they placed on others while still outwardly devoting themselves to religion or as they thought to God. Exercise: Let's invite the Holy Spirit to solve problems and aid us in lifting loads and overcome barriers that keep us and our loved ones from walking joyfully in the Lord. In self-denying love and care for others, let's undo any heavy burden or untie any yoke that we may have placed upon friends, family, associates or even employees. Devotion: Lord toda...

Bursting Out Of It!

S.E.E.D. For Today: Scripture: "Is this not the the fast which I have chosen: Loosen the bonds of wickedness." ( Isaiah 58:6 ) Explanation: There should be the right motive when we fast. The people of God in Isaiah observed but there was no change in them. When fasting we do not want to look at it as a religious ritual, but a means to transformation. The fruit of repentance ought to be evident in relationship with one another and our neighbor. If we fast and persist in arrogance, stubbornness, fighting and strife then we are only doing this out of routine. Exercise: Prayer is important to experience the grace and power of God when fasting. Without the consistency of prayer we will not see breakthrough. God is challenging us to do the fast He has chosen, the first means of business is releasing or loosing the bonds of wickedness. Whatever besets itself and entangles you again under the same slave system of missing the mark with God has to let you go. I challenge you ...