Keep the Faith Now

  Today we are honored to spotlight Apostle Jimmie Ellis III. A true pioneer in the Kingdom of God and a testimony that makes the Black Church very proud. Dr. Jimmie A. Ellis, Ill the dynamic Senior Pastor of Victory Christian Center , is both recognized and respected for his standard of excellence in ministry. He is a highly sought after speaker who is anointed in the areas of teaching, leadership, mentoring and fatherhood. Dr. Ellis possesses an extraordinary revelation of the Word of God. His dynamic yet practical teaching style has led many to give their lives to Jesus Christ. His life-changing teachings on holy living, home and marriage, purpose and financial freedom are empowering generations. Raised in the Mount Olive Apostolic Church, under the pastorship of Dr, John Myers , Dr. Ellis accepted Jesus at the age of nine. By age twelve, Dr. Ellis began teaching Bible study. In 1983, he was released to pastor. He then founded the Bible Enlightenment Christian Center with jus...

  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...

  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...

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...

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...

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 ...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture : “Why will you die?” “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the sovereign Lord. Turn and Live! Ezekiel 18:31-32

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "For although we live in the natural realm, we don't wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bows in obedience to the Anointed One (God)" . 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ( TPT Bible ) Explanation: Paul is talking about strongholds, the aramaic word for strongholds can also be translated "rebellious castles". These strongholds take place in our minds, our thoughts, the center of our soul. They can also be referred to as, demonic strongholds or centers of opposition to the light of the gospel. Paul lets us know that our weapons are a divine...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "He canceled out every legal violation we had on our record and the old arrest warrant that stood to indict us. He erased it all---our sins, our stained soul, He deleted it all and they cannot be retrieved! Everything we once were in Adam has been placed onto His cross and nailed permanently there as a public display of cancellation." Colossians 2:14 ( TPT ) Explanation: Paul is speaking of the record of debt that stood against us and it's legal demands, he's speaking about the implications of not following God's will. In spite of man's criminal act against God He used Jesus to fulfill all of His legal demands against mankind. Exercise: Expunged is to erase or remove completely, something unwanted or unpleasant. To delete, wipe out, blot out, destroy, obliterate, eradicate, to eliminate. God through Jesus Christ successfully destroyed the records of every believer, through our conviction and faith are past is unavailable ...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "If I had the greatest gift of faith that could move mountains, but have never learned to love, then I am nothing." I Corinthians 13:2 ( TPT Bible ) Explanation: In midst of the conflict of spiritual gifts in Corinth, Paul prioritizes these gifts, setting in place the functions, purpose and boundaries, that if they are not exercised in love there use is in vain. Exercise: In the church today people are extremely driven by the gifts they possess. Many use their gifts to bring themselves glory rather than glorify God. Paul explains in chapter 12 the different gifts in the body of Christ but there is a superior way to live and operate in those gifts. Love is the key. It doesn't matter your talent or skill set but do you have love? You could be a great orator, speak in tongues, you can have great faith, but not know how to love and treat people. You can prophecy, be generous, be a matyr but without the pure motive of love it has no val...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you....both yours and mine." Romans 1:12 (EXBible ) Explanation: Paul writes this letter to the believers in Rome, he longs to get there that he might impart and enhance the spirituality of those in that region. He wants to motivate, encourage and strengthen them for ministry. His hope is that their faith would sync, that the encouragement, strength and comfort would be mutual. Exercise: It is so important to connect with the right people. Scripture tells us about the amazing miracles and moves of God when believers are in sync. Sync or synchronizing is to be in harmony, agreement or accord. Acts tells us that on the day of Pentecost in the upper room the saints were in sync and the Holy Spirit fell upon them all, His power worked through them, and that day 3000 were saved. Scripture also reveals to us about the power of being in sync, Matthew 18:19 lets us know that if two of you sync by ...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? Who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it's placed where everyone in the house can benefit from it's light." Matthew 5:14-15 ( TPT Bible) Explanation : Jesus is describing to His disciples the nature of a servant of the Kingdom of God. It describes the influence every true believer should have in this world. The function of light is to make things visible so people can gain understanding by what is seen. Any believer that fails to stay lit is going against his nature as a new creature in Christ. The light is a reflected light, so that through us many will believe and praise God. Praise in this text is a translated term which means to manifest, when we shine our light we manifest or make visible the character and the nature of God. Exercise: In urban vocabulary the word li...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward." Philippians 3:14 ( AMPC Bible ) Explanation: Paul in this scripture gives us an athletic metaphor. Compelling Christians to view themselves as contenders in a race. Keep running hard towards the finish line, concentrate and keep the aim in view. Paul was quite clear that he had not achieved the prize as of yet but that he would keep pressing and moving forwards no matter how difficult. Exercise: A seasoned athlete knows that the race isn't won or lost until you have reached the end. You have to imagine yourself a winner, you can't slack off and be laid back, you have to be persistent and persevere. You have to keep sprinting toward the only thing that counts and that is to cross the finish line. We have to mature so we can have the right thinking while trying to obtain the prize. You may not ever have it all to...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Then he showed me (the angel of the Lord) the river whose waters give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb." Revelation 22:1 ( AMPC Bible ) Explanation: The angel shows John a pure river of water, the water of life which flows from the throne of God and the Lamb. In the middle of the street of the city on either side of the river was the tree of life, yielding every month fresh fruit. The leaves of the tree were for the healing and restoration of the nations. The angel spoke to John revealing to him that there would no longer exist anything that is accursed, detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful or horrible. That the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. Example: Life in this world has left us dry and thirsty in a weary, weary land. But the good news is that there is a river that flows from the sanctuary of heaven that is pure, free from the delusional contents of this world. ...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. All at once every prison door flung open and the chains of all the prisoners came loose." Acts 16:26 ( TPT Bible) Explanation: Paul and Silas after being severely beaten, were thrown into prison, the jailer on duty was commanded to guard them securely. So the jailer placed them in the innermost cell of the prison and had their feet bound and chained. Undaunted by the situation, they prayed in the middle of the night and sang songs of praise to God, while all the other prisoners listened to their worship. Their cries and worship reached God and every prisoner was set free. Example: Miracles occur in painful places through consistent fasting, prayer and worship. God's heart was moved by His servants faith, prayer and praise and He responded with power. You may not be in a literal prison, but many of us are in situations that have us bound and in chains. In the darkest a...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Because they did not have any faith, He did not perform many miracles there." Matthew 13:58 (NIV Bible) Explanation:   "Jesus said to them, A prophet is respected everywhere except in his own town and by his own family." (13:57) The Lord was referring to His home of Nazareth. It was a small town where there was not much moral or religious character. Nazareth in the Greek form of Hebrew was nester, which means shoot or sprout, a watch tower. Jesus went everywhere, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. But amongst His own people and family He was misunderstood and rejected. Exercise: To every man is given a measure of faith. Often we see many who may not be followers of Christ believe for healing, for a better life, for their family, success, and receive it. Why? Because of faith, God honors faith. On the flip side of that I see followers of Christ not healed, not successful, because of our disbelief. We bel...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "God does wonders that cannot be understood; He does so many miracles [marvelous acts] they cannot be counted." Job 5:9 ( Expanded Bible ) Explanation: We all know the affliction of Job. In this chapter Job's friend Eliphaz makes an appeal assuming the cause of Job's situation. He tells his friend that if it was Him he would look to God and put his troubles in front of Him. He does great things, too great to be understood and the wonders of what He does and can do is limitless. He expands on the fact that God gives rain on the earth and sends water on the fields. He exalts the humble and lift those filled with sorrow to a safe place and that those who have no hope, will have hope and what is not right and good will have to shut it's mouth. Exercise: As Eliphaz made his appeal to Job, my friends I make mine to you! Confess your hope and confidence in the Lord, He will foil the plans of the enemy, it will be thwarted and it...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "God kept releasing a flow of extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul.....people took Paul's handkerchiefs and articles of clothing, even pieces of cloth that had touched his skin, laying them on the bodies of the sick and diseases and demons left them and they were healed." Acts 19:11 ( TPT Bible) Explanation: Ephesus was a large and important city on the west coast of Asia Minor where Paul founded a church. It was a very economical city being the trade center of that day. It's population was about 300,000 and was known for it's culture and the religion. The temple of Artemis was ranked as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Artemis was known as the moon goddess, the goddess of hunting and the patroness of young girls. Ephesus became famous for superstition, the dark arts, a cesspool for the occult, magicians, witches, clairvoyants, con artist, murderers and perverts. Paul comes in and aggressively and pers...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "We acknowledge You as our "Provider" of all we need each day." Matthew 6:11 ( TPT Bible) Explanation: Give us bread or life each day. Bread becomes a metaphor of our needs, physically, mentally and emotionally. In this prayer Jesus is teaching the disciples to always acknowledge God every day as Provider of everything needed for daily living. It refers to God's continual care and supplication. God extends to us what we need and desire, He relinquishes to us the necessities for life. Exercise: When you pray, ask God for the support to serve others. We don't seek God to provide just for us, but we seek in our request enough bread that we can give to our neighbor as well. God's word reveals to us that God has made adequate preparations and arrangements for our care. Jesus said don't worry about food and clothing, pursue the Kingdom of God and everything will be made available for you to live well. Provide origi...