The Healing Place Prayer Ministry!

Are You Ready To Commit To that Church?

1. It is important to learn the chain of command in a church. It is your responsibility to find out how conflict is handled. Are the leaders open to hearing your view? Is your view in direct opposition to what the church embraces?

2. Next, are you looking for a church to cater to you only? If you are looking for spiritual help you must understand that they will not say yes and amen to everything you want. If you want to be pampered or spoiled, join a spa. If you pay them enough they’ll do whatever you want. Most successful ministries focus on helping the body corporately and outreach projects. If you require special counseling or prayer it should be an occasional assistance not a daily time consuming event. Remember the needs of any one person or family shouldn’t dominate the entire ministry.

3. Next are you well versed on the doctrine of your belief and does it coincide with the prospective church practices? Knowing what the bible says about major issues helps when choosing a church. If you don’t take the time to learn as much as you can about your faith, don’t get frustrated when you are misled by someone else (church leader or anyone else) who is not informed. Believers must take responsibility and understand it’s your own fault if you allow laziness to hinder you from seeking out information that impacts your spiritual development.

4. Find out how the money is allocated. Are there any missions effort the church supports? Are there community endeavors the ministry contributes to? Many churches that support several outreach projects are less likely to have money being mishandled due to the fact that there are more people overseeing the various bank accounts.

5. Ask who is the mentor, spiritual advisor or leader of your perspective pastor, bishop or Apostle. This is important! Does the pastor take difficult issues in his congregation to a more seasoned leader for advice or does he just fly by the seat of his pants? Does he/she confront things head on or do they just not call or avoid you until you go away? Does the ministry seem to cater to the high financial supporters primarily? These are things to be aware of so be observant. Is everyone treated fairly in the ministry? Or is there any other group considered weaker or less important?

6. Meet with the pastor and inquire about where he went to school. I understand that in years past we relied on the spirit to direct us and that was acceptable because we were limited in educational endeavors but now we should expect the pastor to have had some kind of formal training whether it was a degree in theology or actual hands on work in a senior leadership role. Effective leaders should be a disciplined students of the word.

7. What is the pastor’s family like? Is he or she constantly dealing with marital problems that seem to be the focus of the church? Is their spouse constantly in trouble with the law, drugs, sexual indiscretions that seem to be the six o’clock news in the ministry? Is there a problem with their personal finances where the church frequently has to take up emergency offerings to come to their rescue? This may be an indicator that the leader is a bit distracted with personal problems Each case is different, but it’s something that should be noted when deciding to join a church.

This isn’t all inclusive and again, every case is different. The most important thing is that after all the scrutiny has been completed remember to seek God in prayer to find the ministry that is right for you and your family. Remember that no church, ministry or leader is perfect and even if a ministry has obvious problems, God may have placed you there for a reason. Don’t approach any ministry in a judgmental spirit or believing you hold all the answers. Trust me; it’s easier to make criticisms about a ministry when you are on the outside looking in.

Be encouraged child of the most high God~!

Dr. Denise Joyce Williams lives in Florida with her husband who is a career soldier. Her articles have been featured in CALLED and WOW magazine. Her book entitled, “The Healing Of A Broken Vessel” was released by Publish America in March 2009. The book can be found: http://www.publishamerica.com. She can be reached via her ministry website http://www.thebrokenvessel.com. She’s currently penning her next book entitled “The Chambers Of The Heart”.

Healing Through Forgiveness

Recently, I was thinking about forgiveness and have come to understand several important things surrounding this issue. First, forgiveness starts within. It starts with individuals making the choice to be free from the bondage that can accompany unforgiveness. We can triumph by recognizing there are very real components to forgiveness and forgiving. They go hand in hand and each is enhanced by the other. In order to appreciated the gift of forgiveness one needs to forgive. In order to understand forgiving others from the heart we would have to at one time stand in desperate need of forgiveness ourselves. It humbles us so that we can let go of our past no matter how messy it was.

When we can encompass this kind of freedom, we face our reality and accept the consequences of our actions. It’s not bad to make a mistake. However, it’s bad to cover it up, stick our head in the sand and hope it will go away. Bad decisions breed experience, setting the stage for a testimony of how god brought us out of an uncomfortable situation. God loves when we are accountable because it cancels out reproach. Condemnation creates an atmosphere of low self-worth, fear and guilt. God sees the aftermath of our actions before we take them but the good news is this: HE STILL LOVES US AND WANTS US TO BE FREE! I truly thank God for grace.

After we learn to acknowledge, accept and extend forgiveness we need to make restitution whenever we can. If possible we should desire to restore and make peace if we have knowingly hurt another person (Hebrews 12:4). We sometimes have to confess out loud that we’re sorry but we missed the mark. We need to actually say the humbling word “I’m sorry for hurting you”. We all deserve to have someone say that to us and return the sentiment as well. It validates us in our pain and gives us the tool of healing in order to truly move on. Lastly, we need to believe there is a place of peace, love and wholeness in God. When we doubt that God will forgive us it’s an indicator that we don’t completely trust Him. God will not violate our will and force us to trust Him. We have to yield our pride to God and rest in His love and forgiveness.

The valley of forgiveness can be a catalyst to initiate lasting change that heals. corrects and impacts those around us. We can walk in righteousness and be righteous even in the flesh. This can be done by putting on the righteousness of Christ (Romans 3:22) in love. With that said,let the healing begin.

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Denise J. Williams is the founder of Broken Vessel Outreach Ministries International http://www.thebrokenvessel.com. Her first book “The Healing of A Broken Vessel” can be found on http://www.publishamerica.com. She is currently completing her second literary effort entitled “The Chambers of the Heart”. She and her husband reside in Jacksonville, FL

Aisle Six

AISLE SIX

When I was a child I used to look forward to spending one on one time with my Dad. When we would have the time alone, one of the places he’d take me was to the toy store. I would be in awe, fascinated by all of the new toys on Aisle One.

My Dad knew some of the most expensive toys would be at my eye level and easily attainable in this aisle. He knew they would be shiny, expensive and sport other vivid colors. In spite of my fascination, my Dad would try to convince me that there are more choices and possibly toys I’d prefer better in the back of the store in Aisle Six. I was stubborn though and my Dad would endure my whining and finally let me choose the toy I thought I really wanted. He was quick to remind me that I can only have just one toy so I’d better make a good choice. His rule was one toy, one choice~That’s it! There were no substitutions or second thoughts. I remembered how I scanned the shelves at the front of the store, taking my time and examining each perspective toy as well as any eight year old could. Finally, I’d look up at him with a satisfied smile on my face holding up my prize. I was simply beaming. He asked me if I was sure this was the toy I wanted and was I told him I was absolutely sure the one I picked was right for me. I still didn’t want to explore the rest of the store and I told him I was happy with my choice.

After the cashier rung up my toy and bagged it for me, my father took me to the back of the store. I remember him holding my hand with a serious expression on his face. He walked me gingerly past aisle two, three, four and five. I thought this was a waste of time because I’d had my toy. I chose my treat. He stopped at Aisle Six. He was silent and just allowed me to look around. It was then I realized my mistake! I shouldn’t have been so lazy to not want to walk a bit further to the back of the store, shouldn’t have been so impulsive to pick up the first toy and shouldn’t have been so stubborn when Daddy suggested I wait. Aisle Six had better toys lining the shelves! They were more durable, better quality and more affordable.

The toys were more fun and offered in colors that appealed even more to me than the toy I chose from Aisle One. It was then that I regretted my decision to pick a toy so quickly. When my father saw my countenance fall he reminded me that I had only one chance to choose and I had to live with the choice of toy I held in my hands. What added insult to injury was that Aisle Six hosted an atmosphere of… peace? No crowds there or any commotion. I was then able to see that the toy from Aisle One was cheap, expensive and wouldn’t last any length of time for long-term fun. My limited experience didn’t allow me to see what would happen in the long run.

I learned from this experience with my Dad that day when answers are easily attainable doesn’t mean it is the best resolution to a problem. The toys or solutions may seem so easy to entertain when God isn’t in the decision making but ultimately it brings sorrow because it’s our own intellect that dictated the outcome. God’s blessings enhance us without adding sorrow to our lives. He only bestows good gifts to us when we acquire them the holy way and when we seek His direction.

Let us not move too quickly to find answers for life’s difficulties. We should always seek God for guidance and let Him help us with any decision, small or great. I thought I was being independent when I chose that toy from Aisle One with my Dad. Even though he knew I had a better toy waiting for me in Aisle Six, he allowed me to make my decision. He loved me enough to let me make that choice. He also required me to live my choice. We need to engage wisdom that is God given for every matter in order to live a successful Christian life. It is only then we can truly enjoy our time on earth and maintain our relationship with the Father. Let the Lord love you enough to expose you to the best He has in store. Don’t be so hasty to find the quick fix. Let the Lord give you the God fix for life’s dilemmas. Take a long walk with the Father today. Let Him show you all He has for you. Whatever you need is probably in Aisle Six.

Be encouraged child of the most high God~!

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Dr. Denise Joyce Williams lives in Florida with her husband who is a career soldier. She’s been writing since her teens with articles featured in CALLED and WOW magazine. Her book, “The Healing Of A Broken Vessel” was released by Publish America in March 2009. The book can be found: http://www.publishamerica.com and http://www.amazon.com. She’s currently penning her next book entitled “The Chambers Of The Heart”.

http://www.thebrokenvessel.com/healed