Co n t3en t s January 2013

WMHK THe 20-Year CelebraTion Joe Grimaud ..............................................................................................Page 5 redisTribuTion Gladys Grimaud ....................................................................................... Page 5 GivinG THanKs in noT For is Your seCreT To viCTorY Tony Evans .............................................................................................. Page 6 esCHaToloGY Luella Redfern.......................................................................................... Page 8 CiTYliGHT Cross sTYle 5TH MissionarY JourneY To easT aFriCa ............................................................................................................ Page 10 HoW To sTarT a CiTYliGHT PraYer GrouP ............................................................................................................Page 12 5773 THe Year oF THe CaMel aYin GiMel Sylvia Mickens ........................................................................................Page 18 neWTons laWs oF inFluenCe Chakisse Newton.......................................................................................Page 22 HebreW TidbiTs Debra Galloway........................................................................................Page 23 is real love Possible? Jed N. Snyder, D. Min............................................................................... Page 25 Jesus PusHer Dr. Stephen Manley ................................................................................. Page 28 resisT THe devil and He Will Flee! Debra Galloway ..................................................................................... Page 31 our violenT HearTs (neWToWn, CT) Daniel Henderson .....................................................................................Page 32

ArtiCles

loCal evenTs & PoinTs oF inTeresT Midlands PraYer oPPorTuniTies

FeAtures

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PraYer needs & volunTeer oPPorTuniTies

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Local Events & Points of Interest JANUARY 12th

King grove Baptist Fundraiser
HigHway 78, SwanSea, SC King grove Baptist Church located on Hwy 78 outside of pelion, sC will be hosting a BBQ chicken dinner fundraiser for $10 on January 12, 2012. there will be a bake sale, yard sale and other goodies. Come check out what we have to offer.

JanuarY 2013
Publisher: Redfern II CityLight Founders: Joe & Gladys Grimaud Editor: Casey Lowe Creative Director: Gabe Lowe Director: Sylvia Mickens Logistics: Casting: Luella Redfern Photographer Videographer: Zoe Warren Sponsorship Manager: Sam Perry Contributors: H.L. Allen, Bonita Britt, Debra Galloway Joe Grimaud, Gladys Grimaud, Daniel Henderson, Stephen Koehn, Stephen Manley, Sylvia Mickens, Chakisse Newton, Luella Redfern, Jed Snyder For information about sponsorship opportunities and rates, please contact: Catalyst@CityLight.org Ph: 803.200.1940 CityLight P.O. Box 8642 | Columbia, SC 29202 CityLight.org

an evening For roBBy ott Featuring sHane & sHane witH tHree days redemption
FraniS marion univerSity PerForming artS Center | PH: 843-661-4444 201 S. Dargan St., FlorenCe, SC Benefit concert for youth pastor robby ott. robby has been diagnosed with stage 4 Colon Cancer. we celebrate how his life has touched so many hearts through his ministry in the pee dee region. shane & shane w three days redemption provide an evening of worhip. www.fmupac.org

JANUARY 17th

JANUARY 19th & 26th

St. anDrewS evangeliCal CHurCH 2609 Seminole roaD, Columbia, SC PH: 803-312-3494

maKe a diFFerenCe (m.a.d.) training

FirSt baPtiSt CHurCH oF elloree 6208 olD number Six Hwy elloree, SC this 4 hour fast paced, interactive multimedia event can help turn those fearful of witnessing into dynamic, excited, rescuers of the lost.
--------------------------------------------------For a Full liSt oF loCal eventS viSit:

Check Out The Catalyst Online Publication at CityLight.org!

Copyright 2013 CityLight Coalition Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. january 2013

wmHK.com/concertsevents
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WMHK The 20-Year Celebration

Joe Grimaud
(Eighth in a series of articles describing the situation and events leading up to the formation of City Light Coalition, Inc., and the 1997 Tony Evans Crusade.)

redistribution

Gladys Grimaud
n a cold, dreary, rainy day, I like to get in a quiet corner and read a good book. Ill grab my favorite warm fuzzy blanket, curl up in my cozy comfortable upholstered chair, and sip from a hot cup of Snickerdelicious coffee. On one such occasion recently, I found myself reading from I Samuel 7 about an occurrence that happened three thousand years ago but sounded just like it could have happened yesterday. The nation of Israel demanded that Samuel, the righteous prophet who judged Israel for a hundred years, give them a king to rule over them. Samuel gave solid leadership to Israel his entire life and was crushed when he heard the demand. The vote was in, the people had spoken, and all the elders of Israel demanded a king to rule over them rather than the God who had performed miracles in their behalf to deliver them from their enemies. God had been hard on the Philistines all through Samuels lifetime. All the cities from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored. Israel also freed the surrounding countryside from Philistine CityLight.org

fter embarrassing Linda White into signing up the South Carolina Coliseum for WMHKs 20th Anniversary celebration with Dr Tony Evans in March 1996, she got excited about it. And she went all out to make it an extraordinary event. We all did. It turned out that Governor David Beasley was also an avid listener to Dr Evans on WMHK, so Linda got an invitation for Dr and Mrs. Evans to stay at the Governors Mansion. But if God were working in this situation toward a Revival in the Carolina Stadium, and if He were using me in some small way, I needed to participate by using the mind He had given me. So I prayed for Gods divine guidance and my thoughts began to flow beyond the Coliseum to what needed to occur to go from the Coliseum to the Stadium. How could the Coliseum be a precursor to a Stadium event? Remember,

Continued on pg 29

Continued on pg 9 5

january 2013

GivinG tHAnKs in, not For, is your seCret to viCtory!

By Tony Evans

e are told in Scripture, In everything give thanks. It is a decree from God, recorded by Paul. It is a divine expectation. The psalmist says: It is good to give thanks to the LORD (Psalm 92 :1). Psalm 100:4 says: Give thanks to Him, bless His name. Psalm 103: 1-5 says: Bless the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, Omy soul and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, wbo heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle. God has given us ample reasons to thank Him. In fact, the Bible goes so far as to say that it is evil not to thank God. Paul says in Romans 1:21 that unrighteous men did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. God is the entity that is the most taken for granted in the universe. There is absolutely nothing we can do that is not dependent on Him. Every breath we take depends on Him to provide the oxygen as well as to 6 CityLight.org

make our lungs work. Everything we have is supplied by a source beyond us. The money in our wallets was printed from the paper from trees that God made in the ground that He owns. The cars we drive were fitted together from the metal that God placed in the earth. The gold jewelry we wear around our necks or wrists or fingers is from a deposit God provided. Scripture says over and over that God is the source of all good things, so we know He doesnt want us to forget the fact that He gave us everything we have. It is all His. Yet we are all ungrateful at times, unhappy with what we have and wanting more of what we dont have. These attitudes prevent us from focusing on Gods graciousness. As I get older in life, I realize how many things I used to take for granted that I dont take for granted so much anymore. I spent the entire day yesterday at my annual physical at the Cooper Clinic for my doctor, Dr. Cooper, to analyze, test, prod, probe and discover whether my body is functioning as it should, or if I need to make adjustments in my lifestyle or even in my schedule. Some of you may be in the same boat as me. You may be joining the group of us who are aging faster than we thought we ever would. Some of you may not be there just yet but, hang on, because you will be here one day. We forget to be thankful for what we have when we take it for granted. This leaves us open to complaining more than we should january 2013

Bless the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, Omy soul and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, wbo heals all your diseases; who redeemsyour life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalm 103: 1-5

and focusing on what we dont have rather than being grateful for what we do. God says to give thanks in everything. That doesnt mean you need to give thanks FOR everything. You dont need to give thanks FOR that bad day. Or FOR that bad relationship. Or being passed over at work. Financial hardship. Whatever it is you are not to give thanks FOR the difficulties, but rather IN the difficulties. That is a very important distinction, and one I think we often miss. Giving thanks IN everything shows a heart of faith that God january 2013

is bigger than the difficulties and that He can use them, if you approach Him with the right heart and spirit, for your good and His glory. Its hard to give thanks FOR everything and because it is, we often skip over it. But when you realize you are not called to give thanks FOR everything but rather IN everything - you are on your way to living the victorious Christian life. Do me a favor? Say a prayer of thanks right now, and Ill thank God for you! CityLight.org 7

esCHAtoloGy
ebsters defines Eschatology as a belief concerning death, the end of the world, or the ultimate destiny of humankind; specifically: any of various Christian doctrines concerning the Second Coming, the resurrection of the dead, or the Last Judgment. In the face of all the terrible tragedies in the world today, I stopped to take a moment to contemplate life, how precious it is and how Ive lived my 55+ years thus far. How do I plan to live the rest of my life? How do I plan to live eternity? In 2012,

by: Luella Redfern

survived December 21, 2012. It was not doomsday. The world did not end. It appears to me that someone took the Mayan Long Count calendar out of context. Talk of the end of the world has come often in recent years. Christian radio broadcaster Harold Camping predicted the end of the world incorrectly twice in 2011. Televangelist Pat Robertson stated the world would end in 2007 and the late Jerry Falwell also incorrectly stated that the world would end in 2000, then changed his prediction to 2006. The apocalypse did not happen and all those doomsdays passed

alone, we have experienced many disasters. In late October 2012 Hurricane Sandy devastated portions of the Caribbean, the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States. This storm was said to be one of the largest Atlantic hurricanes on record as measured by diameter. According to the national news there were 151 Victims of Mass Shootings in 2012, bearing witness to the worst year of gun rampages in modern US history. The most recent one was the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut where 26 people 20 of them first-graders, at the precocious age of 6 and 7, were killed. Realizing that all of this is beyond my control, Ive come to realize that I must live each day as if its my last. If you are reading this article then you 8 CityLight.org

Realizing that all of this is beyond my control, Ive come to realize that I must live each day as if its my last.
without incident. It seems that the December 21, 2012 date took on a particular fascination within our culture because of the Mayan calendar. I suspect the Mayans had more than one calendar.

As we look at the present state of the world, it is apparent that Jesus is committed to His long-term plan. With regards to our present culture, such long-term thinking may be disorienting to some. It is because of all the news in the media about the world ending on December 21, 2012; I ask myself, what does the Bible say about the end of time? What does the Scripture teach about the end of the world? For centuries we have read the bible and conclu ded that the world as we know it will come to an end. Continued on pg 14 january 2013

redistribution
By Gladys Grimaud

Continued from page 5

control. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites! It was stunning to read those words and I felt for a moment the way Samuel must have felt when they were spoken to him. Im certain he thought, How can they be doing this? This does not make any sense at all. Are they out of their minds? While in a state of confusion, God spoke to Samuel

his special friends. Hell take your harvests and vintage to support his extensive bureaucracy. Your prize workers and best animals hell take for his own use. Hell lay a tax on your flocks and youll end up no better than slaves. The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves. But dont expect God to answer. (I Sam 7: 10-18, The Message)

he who shall not work, shall not eat,

and simply said, So let them have their own way. But warn them of what theyre in for. Tell them the way kings operate and what theyre likely to get from a king. So, Samuel told them, delivered Gods warning to the people who where asking him to give them a king. He said, This is the way the kind of king youre talking about operates. Hell take your sons and make soldiers of themchariotry, cavalry, infantry, regimented in battalions and squadrons. Hell put some to forced labor on his farms, plowing and harvesting, and others to making either weapons of war or chariots in which he can ride in luxury. Hell put your daughters to work as beauticians and waitresses and cooks. Hell conscript your best fields, vineyards, and orchards and hand them over to january 2013 I read these words, and sat motionless for a moment. The only word that I could muster out of my mouth was, Wow! But, what follows is even more amazing because the people wouldnt listen to Samuel. No! they said. We will have a king to rule us! Then well be just like all the other nations. Our king will rule us and lead us and fight our battles. Israel was formed and shaped by God to light the way for all the nations of the world sitting in darkness, to help them find their way to the only true God. And Israels response: We want to be like other nations! Samuel took in what they said and rehearsed it with God. God told Samuel, Do what they say. Make them a king. (I Sam 7: 19- 22, The Message) CityLight.org

Continued on page 26

Citylight Cross style

5th Missionary Journey to east Africa

uring an annual December mission trip to East Africa, Bishop Redfern II, International Director for Cross Style Ministries announced the deployment of ten new Cross Style Bible Training Centers in East Africa and South Africa. The Cross Style Training Centers are set up to educate Christian Pastors. Rev. Ramon Balaguer, joined Bishop Redfern in traveling to 12 of the Training centers to officiate at the graduation services for the Centers. Both Redfern and Balaguer are from the United States. Balaguer is the chief Development officer of CityLight, an international prayer organization.

CityLight and Cross Style are partnering with the training and organization of pastors and churches. When pastors and church leaders complete the one or two year Cross Style curriculum they have a graduation service where the one year student receives a certificate and the two year student receives a diploma. Each graduate then organizes a CityLight Prayer Group of 12 to disciple and he teach them what he has learned as Jesus taught the 12 disciples. According to Balaguer, these CityLight Prayer groups form a vast network of local volunteers who helped build local communities.

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Charles Mpagi leads a group of center directors and head teachers for the Bible Training Centers. There are a number of other center directors in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo, Somalia, Rwanda and Burundi. Mpagi has been meeting with independent center directors inviting them to come together as an organizing council of Cross Style Bible College. James Odowe of Kenya, Donal James of Uganda, Richard Salima of Malawi are some of the founding organizers of the Council. Graduation ceremonies were held in 12 training centers this year. There were 67 graduates who finished the requirements for certificates and diplomas. Inn several of the Centers graduates have already formed CityLight Prayer groups and have launched local projects. In Magamaga, one CityLight womens Prayer Group has started a catering business serving local churches. They are using their funds to complete building projects in the churches. According to Mpagi, theres a mens CityLight Prayer Group who have adopted 32 children from a rural area. The men are paying school fees for the children and buying them clothes. The CityLight Cross Style partners have joined with the Ecumenical church to build a regional international headquarters and college campus in Magamaga, Jinja District of Uganda. The land has been purchased and the first building is nearing completion. The plan is to have a location for training center directors and staff throughout the region. The campus will be a living model of community service. Living the Cross Style model of Jesus flowing through each person serving the present age. The campus will have an assembly hall, health center, class rooms and a dormitory. Medical services will be available for women, children and their families. The campus will serve as a distribution center for food and clothes. january 2013 CityLight.org 11

How To Start a

Citylight Prayer Group

ityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change. Our main focus is prayer; seeking the face of God, turning from our wicked ways, receiving forgiveness and the healing of our land. II Chronicles 7:14 We invite you to join us in this great enterprise called - CityLight. As Christians we are committed to bringing Light to the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. CityLight is a movement of believers who have committed to living the Two Great Commandments and carrying out the Great Commission. We are not separate from, but active members in our local Christian Church. We are from many different cultures, countries, races, communities, societies and denominations, but we are united as one body in Christ. Our members are individuals, churches, ministers, and businesses who have come together in prayer asking God to guide us as we respond to the needs of our community. This response is in our Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism.

2 CHroniCles 7:14 (niv) 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. THe TWo GreaT CoMMandMenTs: Mt 22:36 [ Jesus], which is the great commandment in the law? And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets. THe GreaT CoMMission: Mt 28:16 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (NIV ) CiTYliGHT vision: To bring light to the world by responding january 2013

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to the prayer of Christ for complete unity with God and other believers. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. ( John 17:22-23) CiTYliGHT Mission sTaTeMenT: CityLight is a catalyst connecting Christ to the culture for community change. CiTYliGHT sloGan: The light of the world is Jesus. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

City Light and its leaders. Share your passion and love for the Lord Jesus and this mission of prayer with your fellow believers. Allow the call of II Chronicles 7:14 to resonate in your community and the spirit. Examine your life, the lives of those in your community and the spirit and values by which you live. As you discover the will of God for this generation, we pray that you will join us as we join with Him in complete obedience and submission. Knock on the door to your heart and the heart of this generation to live The Great Commission. Allow the door of prayer to open the hearts of a dying generation and give hope anew to those who have not heard the Good news. e the members of the CityLight group hereby solemnly pledge our lives, hopes, and dreams to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We promise to uphold, honor and promote the core values of our Christian heritage.
Continued on page 20

How To Start A Prayer Group

WorsHiP 1 The first step in starting a CityLight Prayer Group is to enter into a spirit of Worship... a spirit of unrelenting, unceasing prayer. Taking time to seek the face of God and experience His presence from the very depths of your soul. It is by the will of God and only by the will of God that you can be an instrument of this work. Ask God to reveal His purpose for your life. The purpose for the entirety of your being. Study the Word of God - the Bible. Pray for the manifold wisdom of God to be made manifest in your every endeavor. View the 5 twenty minute video sessions of Stephen Manleys study on prayer and the Book of Ephesians. Seek the advise, counsel and prayers of your pastor, deacons and church leaders. Learn more about january 2013

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eschatology
By: Luella Redfern | Continued from page 8

Jesus disciples asked Him the questions in Matthew 24:4, as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately asking Him to tell them when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of His coming, and of the end of the world? People in every generation since have wondered about this and asked similar questions. In not considering the concept of biblical Eschatology, we ourselves have the capacity to destroy the earth as we know it and wipe out the entire human race with weapons of mass destruction, bombs such as nuclear bombs, hydrogen bombs and atom bombs. Consider the possibility of earthquakes and tsunami, of disease outbreak, contaminated medication, terrorist attacks or a giant asteroid crashing into our planet. I have come to realize that our world is not so big that it is immune to destruction. However, according to the Bible, no one but God alone knows when the end of the world will come about. But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Mark 13:3 During Jesus ministry, He talked about a second coming, His return on many occasions. In John 14:3 He says I will come back, and in Matthew 16:27 He says For the Son of Man is going to return in His Fathers glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what He has done. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Believing in His promise that Jesus will return for true believers, how I live today will determine how I live for eternity. I determine my ultimate destiny, no matter when this world ends. In studying for the Esther retreat 2012, I ran across the poem The Dash by Linda Ellis.

This poem was very inspiring and really impacted me. As I read the poem referring to the dash between the birth date and death date on your gravestone, I thought about my life. The poem motivated me to think about the choices I make. How am I living my Dash while here on earth? Am I just saying or am I living a Christian life. If I died today, would I go to heaven; what would my husband or my children say about me. What would they remember about me? In thinking about how I spend my dash, what do I need to change? Am I considerate of others? Have I fed the hungry, or taken care of the

least of these? Do I have time to rearrange my life and change the things that need to be changed. Have I truly repented? Do I repent daily? Have I forgiven? James 4:14 states, why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Every cemetery has one thing in common, gravestones. Many of these gravestones have a birth date and a death date with a dash in between. The dash sums up that persons life on this earth. You cannot choose your parents.

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We have no control over where we are born or what period of time we are born in, but we do have control over how we live. We can celebrate our life with Jesus. Be encourage and you can live the best life filled with the very nature of Jesus Christ and you are guaranteed to live forever. When my earthly life is over, everything I have done, the life that I have lived and everything about me will be represented by a single dash between my birth and death date on my gravestone. What will this dash mean to my family and others who have known and loved me. Will I be pleased with my eulogy? How will you choose to live your life?

The Bible tells us in Revelation 21:1-6 of a coming day when heaven is coming to earth, Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. Also he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. And he said to me, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. I encourage you to study your Bible as the Lord leads you, to find out for yourself what the Word says about eternity. Talk to Jesus about how you should live your life today. Do not be concern about the end time and the age to come. Just know that we are just passing through this earth. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself. -Phil. 3:20-21 Lord Jesus help me to live a life on this earth that will have eternal significance. This is what my heart longs for because you created me for your purpose. It seems to me that our culture has rejected you. Trying to convince us to live life to the fullest in worldly ways. Help me to fight against deception and fulfill your purpose. Wake me up. Give me a greater revelation of eternity. Amen.

Many of you may think eschatology is just for the Bible Scholars of Theologians. Others may have never heard the term. The truth is eschatology is important because of how it greatly affects the way we live our dash from day to day. What you believe about the end time will impact your life dramatically, whether you set your heart on the age to come or just on this life. If you knew that you were terminally ill or if you believe that the next 70-80 years were all you had to live on earth, you would live very differently than if you know life is eternal and through Christ Jesus you will live forever.

luella redFern
Executive Director Esther Women CityLight.org

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GreaTer ColuMbia Call To PraYer 9:30 11:30a - second sat of every Month Columbia International University 7435 Monticello Road Columbia, SC For more information, H. L. Allen | 803-513-2003 allenhl@windstream.net CiTYliGHT PraYer breaKFasT ColuMbia, sC 1st Thursday each Month 7:00 8:30am Brookland Banquet & Conference Center 1066 Sunset Blvd. (US 378) W. Columbia, SC www.citylight.org WalK THe labYrinTH & PraY First Friday every month 10 am 8pm Wesley Hall at Lexington United Methodist 309 East Main Street, Lexington, SC www.lexumc.com | 803-359-6838 F irsT FridaY PraYer FoCus A day of fasting and prayer each month for revival and for those in authority 1 Tim www.ifapray.org. F irsT naTions MondaY For info visit www.firstnationsmonday.com Or Jeny Covill at jcovill@cyberport.com PraYer For Media & inFluenCers: Ongoing For more information, visit www.mastermediaintl.org 16 CityLight.org

PraYer For our naTion: Ongoing For more information, visit www.presidentialprayerteam.org lexinGTon area PasTors/MinisTers PraYer GaTHerinG Every Wednesday 10:30am 11:30am Riverbend Community Church 1015 Corley Mill Road Lexington, SC Each Wednesday morning pastors and ministers from around the Lexington area gather to pray for the many needs in our families, our churches, our state and our nation. All area pastors and those in any ministry are welcome. For Information, contact Pastor Dan Rummel | 803-356-8596 drummel@riverbendchurch.org. Call To PraYer For THe Poor & suFFerinG december 12, 2011 - 12:00 PM House of Prayer, Kansas City, MO. For information, visit www.prayforhope.com ColuMbia 7:14 JanuarY 12, 2013 9:30 aM -12:30 PM sHorTess CHaPel (Ciu) 7435 Monticello Road, Columbia, SC For Information, contact Tim Hanley | 803-960-3043 timh@chapinpres.com H. L. Allen or Janie Allen 803-513-2003 | 803-603-9559 allenhl@windstream.net january 2013

beaCon Hill PraYer GrouP JanuarY 5, 2013 8:00 10:00 aM CarinG in aCTion MinisTries oFFiCe 4616 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC For more information, contact Pastor Robert Reeves 803-603-8138 | 63ptc@earthlink.net. a daY To PraY JanuarY 20, 2013 For more information, visit www.ADaytoPray.com. ColleGiaTe daY oF PraYer THursdaY FebruarY 28, 2013. For more information, visit www.collegiatedayofprayer.org. seeK God For THe CiTY 2013 Forty days of prayer from February 13, 2013 to Palm sunday March 24, 2013. For more information, contact H. L. Allen | 803-513-2003 allenhl@windsteam.net www.waymakers.org Global daY oF PraYer MaY 19, 2013 www.globaldayofprayer.com or www.gdop-columbia.org naTional daY oF PraYer MaY 2, 2013 - 12:00 1:00 PM North Steps State House Downtown Columbia january 2013

& 6:00 7:00 PM 9/11 Monument at Marc H. Westbrook Judicial Center 205 East Main Street, Lexington, SC For more information, contact Chris Smith | 803-422-6337 chrisasmith@bellsouth.net H. L. Allen | 803-513-2003 allenhl@windsteam.net www.nationaldayofprayer.org CrY ouT aMeriCa (See You At The Pole) sePTeMber 11, 2013 For more information, visit www.syatp.org daY oF PraYer For THe PeaCe oF JerusaleM oCTober 6, 2013 For more information, visit www.daytopray.org inTernaTional daY oF PraYer For T He PerseCuTed CHurCH noveMber 10, 2013 For more information, contact Sam Elisha | 803-754-4030 semintinc@cs.com Gene Lewis | 803-788-9433 lewisgkm@hotmail.com H. L. Allen | 803-513-2003 allenhl@windsteam.net www.persecutedchurch.org www.persecution.com/IDOP www.idop.org CityLight.org 17

The Year of the Camel

AyinGimel
Submitted by Pastor Sylvia Mickens Written by Melissa Flores

5773

undown on September 16, 2012 marked the beginning of Rosh Hashanah or Jewish New Year. This year will reveal Yashua as our Gracious Benevolent Redeemer. The Hebrew alphabet doubles as numbers giving each character a numerical value. Since each Hebrew character possesses a pictorial meaning as well, there are layers of richness to each letter/number. Pictorial dates tell a story, revealing the Creators design for that particular year. Jewish calendar year, 5773, is pregnant with opportunities for recovery and redemption. During 5772, the winnower was at work, sifting the chaff from the wheat. Not one of us has escaped the process of being tossed

its maturation process. What protected and nurtured you in times past will be separated from you in the day of sifting. Only after experiencing the winnowers wind can you be ready for inclusion in the next chapter of Fathers plan. Sifting differentiates between what is worthless and what is of value. Many in Fathers house, are feeling quite worthless because the wind has blown away what they found central to their identity. Some things have departed that once gave us a sense of great significance. Perhaps you have drawn your identity from a particular assignment, ministry, relationship, or season of past success? Much has blown away

As we release our material wealth to Gimel (Holy Spirit), Father can redeem us from materialism, fear and self-centeredness.

and shaken. Rejoice, friend! Though you may feel stripped and inadequate, useless chaff has been loosed from your life. Divine Ruach (the breath of Yahweh) has blown consistently upon even the most solid areas of your life. Unrelenting at times, the Ruach has tempered your faith and has given you new perspective. Yesterdays sweet spot is todays chaff. Chaff is the husk or encasing that surrounds the kernel of grain during 18 CityLight.org

in the winds of 5772. Chaff has value and purpose, in its season. Wisdom beckons us to recognize the seasonal quality of what or who has exited your life in the sifting. Chalk it up to process. Sifting reveals not only the chaff, but also the mature, whole grain. You have been discovered on the threshing floor of Yahwehs house. Juanita Walker-ross, Annette balaguer january 2013

GiMel or 3 Number 3 in the aleph-bet, Gimel, is symbolic of the camel. Gimels pictograph depicts a walking camels head, neck and forelegs. Camels are burden-bearing beasts employed by kings of old. Unusually tolerant of heat, long periods of time can pass between waterings, making the camel the desert-travelers choice of transportation. For many, the past season has been a desert of hardship. Frankly, I struggled sharing this word in light of the prevalent discouragement among the body of Christ. The promises of Yahweh, however, stand regardless of our disappointments. What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify Yahwehs faithfulness? Not at all! Let Yahweh be true, and every man a liar, Romans 3:3-4 NIV. Dont abandon hope, but humbly accept the word Yahweh has planted in your heart, for it has the power to save your soul. During Ayin Gimel, Yashua will demonstrate faithfulness to the one who counts Him as faithful. Camels are the desert ships of kings and their riches. In 2 Chronicles 9:1, the Queen of Sheba brought Solomon gold, gems and spices on a caravan of camels. Eliezer

brought the bride, Rebecca, home to Isaac on a caravan of camels. Kings and wealthy businessmen used camels to transport goods along trade routes. Camel caravans were important to the economies of cities and empires. Camels are the best desert pack animals due to their amazing strength. They can carry anywhere from 350-1000 pounds each! Passengers could ride atop or be carried in baskets on either side. Camels can live on and digest thorny plants in the desert. Camels can survive many days without water as their body stores and releases water on journeys. Camels have callouses that protect them from the scorching sand. The eyelashes of the camel protect him from the blinding sun and the blowing sand. Camels possess an acute sense of smell that leads them to desert water sources. benevolent Ayin Gimel illustrates the Fathers ability

Continued on page 34

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How To Start a

Citylight Prayer Group

Continued from page 13

GenTleness, also known as mildness, is the tendency to allow provocations to go unanswered. FaiTHFulness is standing strong in faith, and strength against diversion away from faith and virtue. ModesTY refers to purity in appearance and self-image. selF-ConTrol, also known as continence, refers to purity in words as well as the tendency to avoid temptations. CHasTiTY refers to purity in actions, especially sexual purity. Chastity should not be confused with celibacy, which is the avoidance of marriage and marital acts.

The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity. These fruits are the result of growth in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These fruits are tendencies rather than mere willingness, because the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. In the person who possesses a Fruit of the Spirit, this willingness bears fruit in the life and behavior of the person. CHariTY is love, both of God and of neighbor. It is our love for God above all things for his own sake and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. JoY is the happiness found in union with the Lord. It is a glimpse of the perfect happiness of heaven that leads us to desire heaven. PeaCe refers to dealing justly with the world, as well as remaining in good conscience before God. PaTienCe, also known as long-suffering, refers to the tendency to endure both temptation and suffering without it leading to sin. Kindness, also known as Benignity, is the tendency toward acting kindly and doing good. Goodness is the tendency to avoid sin and do good. GenerosiTY is an openness to sharing ones own gifts and goods with others. It is the opposite of both gluttony and envy. 20 CityLight.org

Positions in your CityLight Prayer Group

Chairman Vice Chairman (Discipleship) Secretary Assistant Secretary Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Fellowship Coordinator Ministry Coordinator Photographer Internet Manager 2nd Generation Prayer Group (Evangelism) Chaplain (Worship Leader) Assistant Chaplain ColuMbia PraYer GrouP no. The members of CityLight Prayer Groups are individuals who are guided by II Chronicles 7:14 to save a generation and fit it for Worship and Kingdom Service. We pursue the Face of God in all that we do. We pray that our lives may be vessels of Holiness and Fruit of the spirit. In every area of life we offer our Utmost to his Highest. We are shaped and formed in groups with a leader and 12 disciples. Our Fellowship january 2013

is for Worship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism. Prayer is the cornerstone of our assembly each month. Each disciple in every group will grow and mature to start another group of 12 so that we may reach every heart with the Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ. We are a Chapter of CityLight Inc., a nonprofit 50 1(c)3 organization. We have purposely intentioned to find, recruit, develop, equip, and disciple Christians to be todays leaders with a new standard of Holiness. We are committed to God, our families, our children, our extended families and our church. We offer our lives in keeping the Two Great Commandments and the Great Commission. By the Seal of our Hands with our commitment to God, we commission CityLight Prayer Group No. Columbia as a new Chapter of CityLight on the___ day of the month of ___ in the year of our Lord ___.

Light to the world through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. CityLight is a movement of believers who have committed to living the The Great Commandments and carrying out the Great Commission. We are not separate from but active members in our local Christian Church. We are from many different cultures, countries, races, communities, societies and denominations, but we are united as one body in Christ. Our members are individuals, churches, ministries and businesses who have come together in prayer asking God to guide us as we respond to the needs of our community. This response is in our Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Evangelism. For more information, visit:

Recruit 12 People to Join You In Prayer one hour each month...

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and PRAY and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14 CityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change. Our main focus is prayer; seeking the face of God, turning from our wicked ways, receiving forgiveness and the healing of our land. II Chronicles 7:14 We invite you to join us in this great enterprise called- CityLight. As Christians we are committed to bringing january 2013

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Tools and Tips to Improve Professional and Personal Success

newtons laws of influence

chakisse newtons

esterday I did something that would have terrified me a few years ago: I spoke on the phone with a new client in Mexico completely in Spanish. Its not fear on the same level as a life and death situation. But the idea of having a flawed conversation with someone especially a paying client would have made me intensely uncomfortable because its been 15 years since Ive spoken Spanish on a regular basis. Heres what my client said to me at the end of our call: Your Spanish is absolutely perfect. Its not, but her comment did reinforce two lessons that are important to building a connection with others: PeoPle donT WanT PerFeCTion They want connection. When you try to understand where people are coming from and reach out to them, they are usually happy. They want to connect with you, not be dazzled by techniques. You succeed

TWo seCreTs To buildinG beTTer business relaTionsHiPs

whenever you make a connection. My client could have easily spoken to me in English, but she appreciated that I prioritized her comfort and spoke to her in Spanish instead. It built a bond between us. PraCTiCe MaKes PerFeCT Learning a language isnt something that you can do without actually practicing it. Listening is not enough. Reading is not enough. Youve got to actually speak the language and practice it in order to learn it. Because I practiced, and practiced and practiced with my Spanish all those years ago, everything came back to me when I needed it. The same is true with building relationships, which is essential for sales, public speaking, influence or any of the other activities you want to excel at. You get better at building connections with practice. And, when you do, youll be more successful and the people you interact with will consider your efforts perfect. What do you think? What works for you?

Chakisse NewtonCardinal Consulting | 803.753.1311 | CardinalConsulting.net 22 CityLight.org january 2013

he Hebrew word for to light is aliyah, which means, to elevate, to go up, to ascend, to climb, to excel, to be superior, to be exalted, to offer, to bring up. We, as Believers, are supposed to be the Menorah of Yahveh (Yahveh is the Name of our Creator as given to Moses in Exodus 3:15). We should allow our lives to be the light burning in the Menorah of Yahveh. When you have a revelation or when you are ministering, then you are lighting the Menorah of Yahveh. As the words come from your mouth, the people can see the

HebreW tidbits
by Debra C. Galloway

flames of the Menorah coming from your mouth. The Menorah in the Temple was one piece, but the lamp (the part where the wick is) was a separate piece. This teaches us that you can be a candlestick and not have your light burning. So, make sure you keep your Menorah (yourself ) lit with the Word of Yahveh. After all, it is all about what you do for Abba (Father) Yahveh. __________________________________ Debra C. Galloway is co-author of the Book, Take Me Back to the Truth Available at www.EshNaga.com

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is real love Possible?

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 hen we take a serious look at these statements which describe Christian love, and when we take a meaningful period of selfevaluation, we will be forced to recognize that no human save our Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, has ever really lived up to these characteristics. Can any of us say that we have never been arrogant, rude, irritable, or resentful? Now, we have a target set before us and can understand for what we should be striving. As we seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can humbly admit that in most every day we fail in some way
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Jed n. snYder, d. Min. Founder/President Jesus Every Day Ministries, Inc. | www.jedministries.com

to be loving. We often are given socially acceptable excuses. I did not sleep well last night and am so tired that I could not help myself from becoming irritable. Perhaps we can say that this definition of love is truly impossible for us consistently; however, we can use that humility to focus on the areas of weakness in our lives by seeking to become more loving and repenting when we fail. When the writer speaks of the forbearance of love, he is telling us that love thinks and hopes for the best in every situation. Love waits to see if the loved one will act honorably. Love seeks to help the other person carry their load. May we all happily love one another in Christ Jesus.

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redistribution
by Gladys Grimaud | Continued from pg 9

Joe had a military career that spanned twenty years. During that time, we lived overseas, as a family, in Japan for a year and in Germany for four years from 1968-1972. I was proud to be an American because of the comparisons I could easily see between Christian America and nations in Europe. Where once there were Christians, I then saw there were left only large stone church buildings, where once the buildings were full of enthusiastic worshippers, there they sat cold and empty, only shadows of their former glory. At the time we lived in Germany, it was common for couples to cohabit, but in America, couples often married before cohabiting. Legal marriage was between one man and one woman thus honoring God; Gods law of honoring the unborn was still in place; no one objected to the Ten Commandments being posted in the courthouse; the Nativity Scene was welcome in the public square; prayers could be offered at graduations. Forty years later, changes have come to America making the United States more like Europe than I would desire. While doing a little research about the founding of America, I discovered that the Mayflower was originally bound for the Colony of Virginia, financed by the Company of Merchant Adventurers of London. Storms forced the landing to be at the hook of Cape Cod in what is now Massachusetts. Before stepping off the Mayflower, forty-one adult male passengers signed a self-governing document written by Gov. William Bradford known as the Mayflower Compact:

This day, before we came to harbour, observing some not well affected to unity and concord, but gave some appearance of faction, it was thought good there should be an association and agreement, that we should combine together in one body, and to submit to such government and governors as we should by common consent agree to make and choose, and set our hands to this that follows, word for word. . . IN THE Name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, etc., having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the 11 of November, in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fiftyfourth. Anno Domine 1620. It is obvious to me from the reading of the Mayflower Compact that the Pilgrims came

Where once there were Christians, I then saw there were left only large stone church buildings, where once the buildings were full of enthusiastic worshippers, there they sat cold and empty, only shadows of their former glory.

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to this country with the idea of redistributionbutnot redistribution of possessions and material wealth as during Samuels time with a king who would take from those who worked to give to his friends. Their idea of redistribution was founded upon Gods love, compassion, and caring in voluntary redistribution of ideas, hopes and dreams as found in the book of faith, the Bible. When Jamestown was Englands first permanent settlement in the New World, John Smith trained the settlers to farm and work, thus saving the colony from early devastation. He publicly stated he who shall not work, shall not eat, (This thought comes from II Thess 3:10). His courage and tenacity overcame many adverse situations in a new land. This strength of character and determination overcame problems presented from the hostile Indians, the wilderness and the troublesome and uncooperative English settlers. Harsh weather, lack of water, living in a swampy wilderness, English unwillingness to work, and attacks from the Powhaton nation almost destroyed the colony. God has never and will never redistribute His Sovereignty but He has given all human beings a personal invitation to receive a portion of His heart of love, redistributed from His heart to the individual. His heart to heart invitation mandates us to love others as He has loved us, and when that happens, the world will then know that we belong to God enabling us to correctly selfgovern as our forefathers had the faith to believe. Miraculously, Gods redistribution does not reduce the portion that He has, but to the contrary, His portion increases as the portion He gives to me is also redistributed. However, this has always been and will always be on a voluntary basis. This is America, like Israel, birthed by God to be a light to other nations to redistribute faith in Him, not to become like other nations who do not even know Him. It is our responsibility. If the slide down the slippery slope of apostasy continues, the world will wag its head and proclaim, What a pity. America is no longer special.

Solas New Years Soup

INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 (10 ounce) package frozen bell pepper strips black pepper to taste 1 cup sweet white corn 1 (16 ounce) jar medium-hot salsa 1 teaspoon chili powder 2 (15 ounce) cans no-salt-added black beans, drained 1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained 1 (10.5 ounce) can chicken stock 1 cube chicken bouillon 3 cups water 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice DIRECTIONS: Heat the olive oil in a deep pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion, garlic, and bell peppers; cook until onions are transparent and peppers are soft, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with black pepper. Stir in the corn, salsa, chili powder, black beans, black-eyed peas, chicken stock, chicken bouillon cube, water, and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer at least 30 minutes until the rice is tender. CityLight.org 27

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am a Jesus pusher!!! The early disciples experienced prayer, (Acts 2:42). They did not only have established periods of prayer, but the reality of Jesus presence engulfed their lives. They lived moment by moment in His influence. Prayer in this sense ceases to be an activity, something you do or sessions of requesting. It becomes who you are! Prayer as an activity creates guilt. How many hours a day is enough to pray. How can one hour a day in prayer satisfy my hearts longing for Him every moment? Is three hours a day sufficient? Dont I have to devote all of my time to prayer? How can I do this? Prayer has to cease being an activity I partake in; I must be prayer. I must be so consumed with Him that He is in-

cluded in all things. He can even be in my distractions. We understand this clearly in relation to ourselves. We have lived with ourselves for years. We totally involve ourselves in all we do. We constantly maintain fellowship with ourselves. We go to bed at night and awaken in the morning with ourselves. We never make a decision without involving our own opinion. One man said, Everywhere I go, I go to, and spoil everything! I never have a moment when I am not aware of me. Will I allow Jesus to be this real in my life? Can He be as much at the heart of my life as I am? He will make me the person He created me to be! I need Him. I am a Jesus pusher!!!

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WMHK
By Joe Grimaud

The 20 Year CelebraTion

Continued from page 5

at this time the Confederate Flag was flying above the State house. There were church burnings and a great deal of racial tension and division. I asked Linda if she would allow me to take up the offering for the event. It seemed it would be a good time to put out the fleece for a Stadium event. She agreed to allow me to take up the offering. Have you ever enthusiastically promoted or endorsed something that gave you great concern as the situation approached? As Gladys and I drove to the Coliseum that night, we began to ask ourselves, What if the turn-out is not very good? What if we have been over zealous? But, before the service started, we approached the Coliseum and the parking lots were loaded. Our worries turned to rejoicing, even praise and exhilaration. After preliminary snacks and introductions in a side room of the Coliseum, concluding with prayer, we proceeded to the stage entrance. As we entered, the audience remained quiet, even when the Governor entered, but when Dr Tony Evans came through the door the audience came to their feet, erupting in loud applause. This was obviously Dr Evans crowd. After music and some preliminary speakers, the time came for the offering. Everyone was asked to stand to his or her feet. This offering, I said, is going for a good Christian cause, for WMHK Radio. I want you off of your billfolds so you can get to them. And you ladies should get your purses. But first, I want to share a little story with you. I then shared with them the earlier conversations with Linda White that led to stating my

dream for Dr Evans for the South Carolina Stadium in a regional revival. And then I added, If you feel the same way I do, vote with your pocketbooks. If you were going to put in a dollar, put in three. If you were going to put in ten, put in thirty. If you were going to put in twenty, put in sixty. Linda has told me how much to expect and by your offering we will know if you feel as we do that God is leading in this direction. The ushers will also have some sign up forms if you would like to help with such an event. Linda had told me they normally received an average of one dollar per person for their events. That would mean for this crowd of 8500, three times the normal offering would be about $25,500. Following the offering, Dr Evans delivered a great message. It was a message of salvation and reconciliation. The front filled with seekers following the service. Most of the offering taken that night was in small denominations, so it took three days before the final tally was completed. It amounted to $38,000, over four times what would normally have been expected. The fleece was soaking wet. God was directing. We took the cards that had been filled out from the offering and scheduled a meeting to form a preparation committee. Pete Cannon offered a room in his building on Washington Street as a meeting and work place. But as we discussed it in committee, it quickly became obvious that none of us had the slightest idea what would have to happen to bring such an event off. The committee seemed to have nothing but questions and we had very few answers. Lord, we prayed, Dont leave us now. We are going to need your guidance.

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Christ Centrals # 1 Commitment is serving everyone in a spirit of love and respect. Our devoted volunteers are dedicated to serve in excellence, regardless of how great or small the need. We are inviting churches, community organizations, and families to join us in showing the impact that love, caring, and sharing can have in the lives of the underprivileged. You can help by simply volunteering your time or resources to bring hope to enhance the lives of others. Some of the ways to volunteer are: Your organizations can sponsor a day during the month to come out to Christ Central Columbia and provide the lunch meal to our patrons. Providing the lunch meal includes any or all of the following: Providing the volunteers to cook and serve the meal for the day Providing and/or preparing the meal and/ or groceries Providing the entertainment and inspirational message for our patrons to enjoy during the meal. Sponsoring a Paper Drive to collect items we use on a daily basis in the center. Sponsor a Winter Coat/Blanket Drive.

volunTeer oPPorTuniTies

Supply baby items such as pampers, wipes, clothes etc. Monetary donations and contributions toward a cause that will change someones life in a positive way. All donations are tax deductible. Those are just some ways to volunteer toward a good cause. Any other means or methods of volunteering your time and services are greatly appreciated. I Corinthians 13: 1-2 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a thinking cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 13: And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity. How else can you help? If you and/or your organization are looking for volunteer opportunities or a place to donate goods and services, please consider Christ Central Columbia. Contact info: luella redfern volunteer Coordinator at 803-765-1998, Pastor sylvia Mickens 803-237-2547

Praying gives sense, brings wisdom, and broadens and strengthens the mind.The prayer closet is a perfect schoolteacher and schoolhouse for the preacher.Thought is not only brightened and clarified in prayer, but thought is born in prayer. - E. M. Bounds
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resist tHe devil

and He Will Flee...

Debra C. Galloway

onsider this a warning to you. Dont entertain Satan! If you do, youre gonna fall! Dont let Satan tempt you into revolting against Yahveh. Yahshuas death freed man and paid the price for your salvation. That is why Satan fights us so hard and why Satan and his principalities are constantly at war against us. However, we, as Believers, have power over those demonic principalities.

our sins, the only way Satan can get our rights, is if we give them to him. This is why the Scriptures tell us that if we stand our ground and resist Satan, he will flee from us. Submit yourselves therefore to Yahveh. Resist Satan, and he will flee from you. Yaacov ( James) 4:7. Why will Satan flee? He doesnt have a choice. Because of Yahshua, Satan no longer has power over earth and its inhabitants. Satan cant beat us. If you fight him, you will win. PERIOD. You just need to hang in there and fight.

Put on the whole armor of Yahveh, that you may be able to stand against the strategies of Satan. Because we wrestle not against flesh and dahm (blood), but against principalities, against authorities, against the rulers of the darkness of this olam (world), against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephsiyah (Ephesians) 6:11-12. As Believers, we have to be sure we assert our authority. Therefore take up the whole armor of Yahveh, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand, stand even more. Ephsiyah (Ephesians) 6:13. Satan and his demons take their job seriously. They will do all they can to deceive and trick you into giving up your rights. We have to remember that because of what Yahshua did for us when He died for january 2013

Debra C. Galloway is co-author of the Book, Take Me Back to the Truth Available at www.EshNaga.com
This Article uses some Hebrew terms in an effort to convey the truest meaning of words. Rather than use the term God or Lord when referring to the Master and Maker of the universe, out of reverence to Him, the author has chosen to use Yahveh, the proper Name of our Creator as He gave to Mosheh (Moses). The same is true when rendering the Hebrew Name of our Savior. The author uses the Hebrew Name Yahshua, which was given by the angel rather than the Greek/Latin name Jesus. The usage of Hebrew terminology is not intended to offend the reader, but rather to reflect the knowledge of emet (truth) given to the author.

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our violenT HearTs (neWToWn, CT)

o an Internet search on the subject of violence in the news and the results will be astounding. At this moment, accounts of the horrific murder of 26 children and adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT dominate the results. On a typical day you will read of the civil war in Syria, roadside explosions in Iraq or Afghanistan, mass murders by drug lords in Mexico, bloody tribal warfare in Africa, and a whole array of other notable demonstrations of the depravity of mankind. Outside the national news, local reports in any given locale will tell of gang violence, incidents of murder/suicides, and senseless shootings among family and friends. Our greatest need in the face of overwhelming societal violence is not more gun control, greater political diplomacy, or more security systems. The real issue rests deep in the human heart. Violence is the expression of hearts and minds that have become polluted with the angry, murderous, prideful poison of a life apart from a holy and loving God. Granted, some of these acts are fueled by extreme cases of mental illness, which is not the focus of this devotional. The causes, treatments, and role of mental illness in connection with some of the more extraordinary acts of violence are another discussion for another day. In these paragraphs, lets focus on issues of the heart. earlY and endurinG violenCe The first family of human history was ripped apart by the jealousy-driven murder of Abel by his brother Cain. As early as Genesis 6:11-13 the Bible says that the earth was

filled with violence. Warning of impending judgment, God spoke to Noah explaining that the end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence.... Gods holy disdain for violence prompted His judgment of the earth through the flood. Old Testament passages speak often of wickedness, pride, lying, injustice, spiritual unfaithfulness, robbery, greed, and murder all in connection with violence. We see the heart of God grieved by violence and His judgment coming upon cities and nations because of their character of violence. Describing the spiritual condition of the people of his day, David cried out to God, For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it.Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets. His words seem as if they could be the headlines in the newspaper of any modern-day city. Old Testament prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Malachi all decried the violence manifested in the behavior and incubating in the hearts of the godless Jewish people of their times. Even Gods chosen people, recipients of His covenant love and the revelation of His laws, gave place to hateful and destructive behavior that broke Gods heart and led to societal ruin. TurninG FroM God To violenCe Romans 1:28-32 describes the condition of spiritually darkened hearts when they reject

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an authentic intimacy with God: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. issues aT THe HearT oF violenCe Why does a husband abuse his wife? Why does a political leader slaughter his people? Why does a student viciously bully other children? Why does a wife gun down her husbands mistress? The complexities and motivations of the human heart are hard for us to accurately diagnose. Of course, God knows the heart and His word gives us understanding about these things. A primary root cause of violent behavior is pride a self-centered existence. The Psalmist wrote, ...pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment (Psalm 73:6). Paul warned of dangerous times that would come in the last day, evidenced in many ungodly behaviors. Yet, the first heart reality in a sense the sewer pipe through which all of this vile behavior flows is that people are lovers of themselves (2 Timothy 3:1-5). The man who lives with self as the center of his universe concludes, I deserve more than I have or I have been deprived of what I need, so he will take from others what he wants, sometimes at any cost. When a prideful heart encounters personal failure, relational difficulties, or obstacles to selfish aspirations, natural emotions become negative raging passions that result in destructive thoughts and even violent behavior.

The guilt of failure can turn into self-loathing and resentment of others who are better by comparison. Experiences of criticism, rejection, or interpersonal pain can spark a detrimental anger that becomes more intense over time. The poison of the heart eventually spills into behavior. Jesus made the correlation between the outward act of murder and the internal coddling of anger in Matthew 5:21-22. our HoPe in a violenT World Thankfully, we can turn from the headlines back to Gods word for hope, lest we become despondent or paranoid in the midst of the pervasive violence.We can trust His providence and protection in this out-of-control world. Like David, who knew the constant threats of King Sauls murderous assaults, we can say, The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies (1 Samuel 22:1-4). Jesus is the Prince of Peace. In the shadow of His cross Christs redemption has the power to neutralize pride and produce heartfelt humility. Jesus transforms His true disciple from a self-centered, agitated soul to a Christcentered, grace-giving servant. Pauls oftenrepeated blessing in his writings of grace and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ is a constant reminder of the possibilities of our experience in the face of disappointment, failure, and relational pain. Anger can be replaced with forgiveness. Revenge can be transformed into blessing. When we experience an authentic relationship of submission and trust with Christ, we are not overcome by the negative emotions so common in human experience. Rather, as Paul promised, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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5773

Year Of The Camel

Continued from pg 19 to provide for His children, even in a barren wasteland. The Talmud [writings of Jewish civil and ceremonial law] depicts Gimel as a wealthy man running to overtake an impoverished man with provision. Yashua, our wealthy king, has methods of sourcing His people during times of hardship. He is not limited in how He can achieve gimels aim! As we cross the stage of Ayin Gimel, One will be revealed Who is poised to overtake us with mercies. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, Psalm 23:6 KJV. redeeMer Gimel illustrates the redemptive power of Christ. It could be said that the camel is a type of Christ, Who lifts others and carries their burdens. Many will traverse the wilderness of 5773 in the basket strapped to Gimels side. Dont stop short with the mere hope of survival. Never doubt that Yahweh can redeem the losses of your prior season! Gimel never arrives on the scene emptyhanded. See, the Sovereign Messiah comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him, Isaiah 40:10 NIV. GrACious As the number 3 gimel speaks of the third person of the Trinity. If aleph 1 is the Father and bet 2 is the Son; then, gimel 3 is the Holy Spirit of truth that proceedeth from the Father and son ( John 15:26). It is the graciousness of the Holy Spirit that works redemption, not only for us, but also in us. Furthermore, it is the gracious Holy Spirit that works through us to make us agents of redemption and benevolence for others. This is the work of grace. The forecast for 5773 ends at a dichotomy. In the days ahead, we will both receive and 34 CityLight.org

be filled with benevolence from Heaven. Those who consume Fathers kindnesses and do not return the grace will face years of leanness ahead. The one who receives from gimel and in turn pays it forward, will become a part of Heavens caravan. One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed, Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV. I leave you with this challenge. Give to others this year as never before. If youre struggling to put food on your table, give to another of the little you do have. If ends dont ever seem to meet, work to bless another family in need. As we release our material wealth to gimel, Father can redeem us from materialism, fear and self-centeredness. Truly we depend on Christ to be our gimel in this year. However, by the end of gimels season, we should have become the camel of provision in others lives. Based on what we know about the camel, expect that you will grow into the following Christ-like traits: You will become important to the economy round about you. You will have developed amazing strength by learning to bear others burdens. Just as the camel can live on and digest thorny desert plants, so the undesirable things of this season will serve to fuel your journey. There will be times of refreshing that will hydrate you for lengthy periods. Your travels have given your feet callouses that will serve to protect you from the blistering sands. The eyelashes of the camel protect him from the blinding sun and the blowing sand. Just the same, your vision will not be impaired by inopportune circumstances. Camels possess an acute sense of smell that leads them to desert water sources. You will prove the inner guidance of the Holy Spirit Who leads you in the way you should go the way everlasting. january 2013

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