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Transcript of Visions Christian Magazine
YYYYYouth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Young Aoung Aoung Aoung Aoung Adult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004 1 V I S I O N Swww.visionschristianmagazine.com
YYYYYouth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Young Aoung Aoung Aoung Aoung Adult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004 www.visionschristianmagazine.comV I S I O N S 2
2929292929Anointed to SucceedAnointed to SucceedAnointed to SucceedAnointed to SucceedAnointed to Succeed
bbbbby L.C. Ty L.C. Ty L.C. Ty L.C. Ty L.C. Tararararardydydydydy
13 Serving the Lord’s Army
by L.C. Tardy
19 SPECIAL FEATURE: Pastor Tony Lee
Biography
20 Young, Gifted, and Blessed
by L.C. Tardy
23 Love
by Brother Chicago Long
35 You’re On Trial
by L. David Harris
39 SPECIAL INTERVIEW: King Soloman
by L.C. Tardy
42 BIBLE STORY:BUILDING A HOUSE FOR GOD
4 Power in Truth: Testimonial
by Author Unknown
6 Overcoming Strongholds: Testimonial
by L.C. Tardy
POEMS
10 “Have You Lost Your Hearing”by Joe Floyd
10 “You’ll Always Be There”by Joe Floyd
10 “Remembering God’s Love”by Joe Floyd
CONTENTS
TABLEOF
YYYYYouth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Young Aoung Aoung Aoung Aoung Adult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004 3 V I S I O N Swww.visionschristianmagazine.comCopyright 2003-2004 Visions Christian Magazine, Inc
L.C. Tardy PublishersPresident/CEO
Executive EditorsPenelope White
Writers/Regular ContributorsJoe Floyd
L. David HarrisChicago Long
L.C. Tardy
Graphic DesignersChauntika Broggin
PhotographerKevin Lucas
Print CoordinatorTCG Printing/Washington Times
Layout/Production Chauntika Broggin
Front cover picture taken by E. JohnsonBible references are from the KJV and NIV
Main OfficeVisions Christian Magazine, Inc
P.O. Box 7066, Largo, MD. 20792-7066202-882-7945
is available throughsubscription.
Please give us a call at202-882-7945
VCM is also availableonline at
visionschristianmagazine.com
Romans 10:9-10
9That if you confess withyour mouth, “Jesus isLord,” and believe in yourheart that God raised himfrom the dead, you will besaved. 10For it is with yourheart that you believe andare justified, and it is withyour mouth that youconfess and are saved.
www.visionschristianmagazine.come-mail: [email protected]
Visions Christian MagazineVisions Christian Magazine
Christian AuthorsChristian Businesses
MinistriesChristian Events
Call for ad rates202-882-7945
contact: Linda Tardy
PUT YOUR AD IN
YYYYYouth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Young Aoung Aoung Aoung Aoung Adult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004 www.visionschristianmagazine.comV I S I O N S 4
Power In TruthPower In TruthPower In TruthPower In TruthPower In TruthTestimonialTestimonialTestimonialTestimonialTestimonial by Author, Unknown
“But sanctify the Lord God in your“But sanctify the Lord God in your“But sanctify the Lord God in your“But sanctify the Lord God in your“But sanctify the Lord God in yourhearts: and be ready always to give anhearts: and be ready always to give anhearts: and be ready always to give anhearts: and be ready always to give anhearts: and be ready always to give ananswer to every man that asketh you aanswer to every man that asketh you aanswer to every man that asketh you aanswer to every man that asketh you aanswer to every man that asketh you areason of the hope that is in you withreason of the hope that is in you withreason of the hope that is in you withreason of the hope that is in you withreason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear:”meekness and fear:”meekness and fear:”meekness and fear:”meekness and fear:”
1P 1P 1P 1P 1Peter 3:15.eter 3:15.eter 3:15.eter 3:15.eter 3:15.
Iwas raised Catholic, although there
was little evidence of God in our home.
I attended a Catholic school also, and
mass several times a week, as well as confes-
sion. I was christened, confirmed, the whole nine
yards...but I always felt something was
wrong...there seemed to be a foreboding pres-
ence of some-
thing not quite
right there, and
so I was relieved
at the age of 13
when I began to
attend school in
the public school system. I did not retain any-
thing learned of the Catholic religion, and I cer-
tainly did not live a godly life...God was some-
thing very remote in my mind, although I did
believe he existed. I had a child and a failed
marriage at the age of twenty. I became an al-
coholic and had another child out of wedlock
by age 24. By the age of 28, I was living in an
ungodly relationship, had another child, and was
a full-blown alcoholic who also suffered from se-
vere depression. I was also an occassional drug
user, although I didn’t do any “hard” drugs. My
life was a mess...I took steps to improve it..I went
to college, got a degree, participated in self-
help programs for depression and
alcoholism...but nothing seemed to do much
good...I still felt very unfulfilled. At the age of 32,
my boyfriend of 9
years had allowed
me to become a
s t a y - a t - h o m e
mom...and I was
bored. But since I
was at home all
day, and all the children were in school most of
the day..I discovered TV...and the one thing I
discovered on TV was TV evangelism. I don’t
really remember much about what these people
had to say...but what I do remember noticing at
that point was their joy, their zeal, their peace,
and happiness. This was enticing to me. I dug
out an old bible, and began to read...although I
understood nothing of what I read...and my athe-
ist boyfriend didn’t help much although he was
YYYYYouth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Young Aoung Aoung Aoung Aoung Adult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004 5 V I S I O N Swww.visionschristianmagazine.com
tolerant of my curiosity. During this time, people
began to cross my path to tell me about God,
Jesus, salvation. But I would not hear them...I
had a very large fear. A fear of being mislead. I
looked around at all the religions, and I knew
they could not all be right..for they differed so
much. Now, the frequency of people crossing
my path was increasing to the point I could not
even go to the convenience store at 3AM with-
out hearing about Jesus! Finally, I decided to
talk to God..I told God I wanted to know him, but
I didn’t want to be mislead..I wanted truth and
truth only! Well, my relationship fell apart, I
moved out, my children were scattered as I
didn’t really have a suitable place to go. I was
living amidst drug dealers, drug addicts, even
though by this point, I had been relieved of my
alcoholism Even in my ignorance...I had prayed
for deliverance from this terrible thing..and God
was faithful to deliver me.
During these times I suffered through
many situations...poverty...hunger...emotional
abuse...family separation..sickness...despair..
but I think the worst thing I suffered through was
a feeling of hopelessness...
I had come to the realization that there must
be something better..and I had also come to the
conclusion it had something to do with God...I
mean I couldn’t really ignore it anymore.
Well, here I was...and things were changing
suddenly...I started a business, and was doing
well, saving money for my own place to live. One
day my friend whom I was living with, wanted to
go out...and so I agreed. She drank, I drove:). I
met a man that night that was soon to become
the most influential human being I had known.
For some reason, I felt I could trust this man,
and although he did some things that eventu-
ally led to hurt in my life, I will be eternally grate-
ful to God for using this man to lead me to him.
He encouraged me to read, encouraged me to
pray...assured me that God heard my
prayers..he answered my incessant barrage of
questions day and night...and he was patient
and kind in his guidance. I was able to obtain a
home, paid for...and restore my family. I was very
zealous in my search for God, for his under-
standing, for his truth..and God is faithful to re-
veal these things to me.
The first year of my new life, I read as much
as I could..I prayed about everything I read..but
it wasn’t until almost a year later that the under-
standing began to come...and it was so
wonderful...a feeling I can not describe...I was
YYYYYouth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Young Aoung Aoung Aoung Aoung Adult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004 www.visionschristianmagazine.comV I S I O N S 6
looking through my bible, and all of a sudden it
was like a great understanding overcame
me..everything I looked at just seemed to make
sense, come alive, I was leafing through pages
one after another, seeing the truth jumping out
at me in blaring reality! And soon after many
other exciting things began to happen to me in
my spiritual walk...I have seen things that have
awed me, felt things which I have never felt. At-
tained spiritual treausures in abundance...God
has come into my heart, my life, my whole
being...awakened me spiritually...recreated me!
Revived me! The peace and joy in having a re-
lationship with God is awesome...more than I
could ever have hoped for in my previous
life...and for this I continue to seek more of him.
I am convinced that anyone who is a DILIGENT
SEEKER of God can obtain this and much
more...for his treasures are endless. I will not
say I have not had trials since my new life be-
gan, but with the love and peace and comfort of
the Holy Spirit, I have been able to face these
trials head-on with no fear, no turmoil, no doubt!
It is so wonderful to see the goodness of God,
and experience it’s healing power in your life. I
no longer suffer from depression, alcoholism,
drug addiction, anger, turmoil...these things God
has replaced with a transformed mind and spiritin me.
HAVE BEEN POISONING MY
BODY FOR 32 YEARS, since the
age of 13. I lived in ignorance as do
many teenagers and adults of today. The devil
feeds on our ignorance and attacks us with dis-
eases and ungodly decisions. The worse thing
we can do to ourselves is to allow what is holy,
sacred and pure to be destroyed. Our breath
and blood are gifts from God, which is why the
devil tries to destroy us. The Bible says in 1
Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour,”
1 Corinthians 3:16 says: “Know ye not that ye
“OVERCOMING STRONGHOLDS”“OVERCOMING STRONGHOLDS”“OVERCOMING STRONGHOLDS”“OVERCOMING STRONGHOLDS”“OVERCOMING STRONGHOLDS”
by L.C. Tardy
My Testimony
I
YYYYYouth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Young Aoung Aoung Aoung Aoung Adult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004 7 V I S I O N Swww.visionschristianmagazine.com
are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God
dwelleth in you?” It wasn’t until I picked up a
magazine called, “Message,” the magazine for
virtuous living, (March/April 2001), and read an
article in the Healthspan column entitled, “A
Time to Quit,” written by Loma G. Davies-Silcott
that I began to realize what I was doing, and had
done to my body for so many years. You might
say thank God it was only cigarettes and no other
harsh drug. Think again! “Cigarettes are just
as deadly___ in fact, even more deadly than
heroin. In Loma G. Davies-Silcott’s article she
stated: “Health officials estimate that more than
350,000 excess deaths occur each year as a
direct result of cigarette smoking. An excess
death means that the person dies statistically
earlier than they would have normally, because
of accident or illness.” After reading about the
statistics and what cigarette smoking was do-
ing to my body, I began to pray, and to ask for-
giveness for allowing Satan to take over my
body. Then the Lord spoke to my heart, and
said, “Your body is the temple of God.” I shed
tears on that day, and got down on my knees
with the ashtray in my hand and repented. I ask
the Lord to take this thing from my blood, and to
remove this dreadful disease, and pain, and to
heal me. I shouted, “Heal me, Lord, heal me in
the name of Jesus.” With tears in my eyes, I
was determined on that day that I was not go-
ing to let the devil destroy my life, and take away
God’s most precious gift _______my breath.
I had been saved by the blood of the Lamb,
baptized with water, with the Holy Spirit. I
couldn’t understand why I couldn’t get over this
cigarette habit. Now I understand that I don’t
have the strength to overcome anything in this
life without the power of Jesus in me. It is only
through the power of God that I have been
saved from the dreadful disease of smoking.
Praise God! The thought of smoking has
entered my mind, but the Holy Spirit steps in
and kicks it out. In other words, the Holy Spirit
makes intercession for my infirmities (my
weakness) He is the intercessor. (Romans
8:26) When we put our lives in God’s hands,
FFFFFor though wor though wor though wor though wor though we we we we we walk in the flesh, walk in the flesh, walk in the flesh, walk in the flesh, walk in the flesh, we do not we do not we do not we do not we do not war after the fleshar after the fleshar after the fleshar after the fleshar after the flesh
FFFFFor the wor the wor the wor the wor the weapons oeapons oeapons oeapons oeapons of our wf our wf our wf our wf our warfarfarfarfarfararararare are are are are are not carnal,e not carnal,e not carnal,e not carnal,e not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holdsbut mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holdsbut mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holdsbut mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holdsbut mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds
2 Corinthians 12 Corinthians 12 Corinthians 12 Corinthians 12 Corinthians 10:3-50:3-50:3-50:3-50:3-5
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the Holy Spirit will not let the devil destroy His
property. In the name of Jesus I am victorious!
I didn’t have to use nicotron, bantron,
nicorette, or patches. I am living proof that I
was saved by the blood of the Lamb. He
protects me, orders my steps, directs my
path. He is my soul source, resource and
provider today. I can breath! I have more
energy! I’m happier! my skin looks better! I
Praise the wonderful name of Jesus! Now
when I smell smoke, I know that it is the devil’s
spirit that wants to destroy me, and the pre-
cious gift of God ____ my Breath.
If you are experiencing strongholds in your
life, pray this prayer with me: I (say your
name) AS A BLOOD WASHED CHILD OF
GOD, ask in the name of Jesus that Satan be
removed from God’s property. I am not
Satan’s property. But I belong to God, and I
am His masterpiece. I am God’s workman-
ship, made in His image, created and
handcrafted by Him. In the name of Jesus,
Satan is defeated! The blood of Jesus is
against him. In the name of my Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ, I am now smoke-free.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me!
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou
mayest prosper, and be in health, even as
thou soul prospereth.”3 John 2
God orchestrated my deliverance. I found the
Message magazine on the floor in my
roommate’s garage, and I had a cigarette in
my hand at the time (my roommate didn’t
allow smoking in the house) I took the maga-
zine up to my room to read it. Thank God for
using the hands of Loma G. Davies-Silcott in
a mighty way in the writing of the article “A
Time to Quit, “ in the March/April 2001 issue
of Message magazine. Our gifts are given to
us to bless others and bring healing to our
souls.
LINDLINDLINDLINDLINDA C. TA C. TA C. TA C. TA C. TARDARDARDARDARDY Y Y Y Y is an author of two books entitled, “Ripples In the Water,” and “Humility Before Honor,” and president of VisionsMagazine, a Christian magazine. She writes from Washington, D.C. This article was first published in Message Magazine November/December 2004 issue.
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CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORES
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Lord, forgive me for all my sinsAnd help me to do what’s rightProtect me from all temptations
Provide me a guiding light.
There’s no other power to turn toThere’s no one greater than you
My faith in you is absoluteI trust everything that you do.
I thank you for your many blessingsAnd I thank you for being there for me
If I tried to live without youThere’s no telling where I would be.
Lord, I love you with all my heartI’m blessed with your loving careI can walk without a single fearKnowing you’ll always be there.
Joe Floyd
God loves all his childrenHe enjoys to watch them grow
Feel safe and know God’s watchingWhere ever his children may go.
Never be afraid of the darknessBecause God will always be thereYou’ll be safe in the arms of GodYou are truly in the best of care.
God wants you to love your neighborEven if you’d been treated wrongTurn it around with a little kindnessAnd just maybe you can get along.
Learn to fight hate with loveThat is what Jesus taughtGod loves all his children
Always remember that thought.
Joe Floyd
You’ll Always Be There Remember God’s Love
Don’t you hear God talking to you?Or is it that you’re not really listening.
God wants you to know of his love for you,To ignore him you don’t know what you’re
missing.
God desires your full attention,Even if it is not what you want you want to
hear.His Holy Word is nothing but the truth,
And the truth is nothing you need to fear.
What on earth is more important than God?Why are you trying to tune him out?
God is the source of your salvation,Eternal life with God is what it’s all about.
Never turn your back on God’s Holy Word,Trust that his Word is always true
Believe that he will fulfill your every need,And that God will always have a love for you.
Open your ears and hear God’s Word,And be willing to give him your full attention.God just wants to show you his never ending
love,And that is the focus of his intention.
Joe Floyd
Have You Lost Your Hearing
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TEEN CHURCH
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T
”SERVING THE LORD’s ARMY”
bbbbby L.C. Ty L.C. Ty L.C. Ty L.C. Ty L.C. Tararararardydydydydy
he Mighty Men of Valor is a pow-
erful ministry of Men and Young
adults. The Leader of the Men of
Valor is Minister Rickey E. Macklin. Minister
Macklin’s mentor and Pastor the late Bishop
James R. Peebles, Sr., and son, James R.
Peebles, Jr. were the visionaries who gave birth
to the vision for the Mighty Men of Valor. Minis-
ter Rickey Macklin and Brother Robert Smith
The Jericho City of Praise’s Mighty Men of Valor
And the angel of the Lord appearedAnd the angel of the Lord appearedAnd the angel of the Lord appearedAnd the angel of the Lord appearedAnd the angel of the Lord appearedunto him, and said unto him, Theunto him, and said unto him, Theunto him, and said unto him, Theunto him, and said unto him, Theunto him, and said unto him, TheLLLLLororororord is with theed is with theed is with theed is with theed is with thee, thou mighty man, thou mighty man, thou mighty man, thou mighty man, thou mighty manooooof vf vf vf vf valoraloraloraloralor.”.”.”.”.”
Judges 6:12Judges 6:12Judges 6:12Judges 6:12Judges 6:12
ran with the vision. Minister Rickey Macklin
states that this vision has birthed powerful son’s
of God with integrity, confidence, self-worth, de-
termination, discipline and knowledge of the
word of God. This powerful Baby (Mighty Men
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“Through it all, I learned totrust in Jesus, I learned to trust
in God, I learned to dependupon His Word.”
of Valor) is 11 years old now, and increasingly
growing day by day. Every 1st Sunday at the
Jericho City of Praise in the Sanctuary the
Mighty Men of Valor perform their coordinated
Godly-steps. The Step performance, although
an inspiration to many, is always performed for
an audience of One - God of course. Truly
Jesus is lifted up and God’s name is exalted!
This group of young men knows how to spread
a powerful message from the word of God. The
Mighty Men of Valor’s leader, Minister Rickey
E. Macklin brings on a Spirit-led powerful
source of energy by spreading the gospel to a
crowd of over 17,000 members in the Sanctu-
ary at Jericho City of Praise, while instructing
the Mighty Men of Valor Step Team – “To Praise
God!” In their opening, the step team shouts out
with a loud voice, “We are the Mighty Men of
Valor of the Jericho City of Praise and we come
to Pr-a-i-s-e God! These young men are great
example setters for other young men in the
church and community as well. The Mighty Men
of Valor believe that you should never lose sight
of God and your God-given assignment. They
are followers of Christ, men of integrity and filled
with the fruit of the Spirit. Minister Rickey Macklin
explains that his ultimate goal for the Mighty Men
of Valor is to “transform young men into men
of standard, integrity and Godly character so
that God can be glorified and the devil made
a liar.”
1) Who are the Mighty Men of Valor?
We are a group that are comprised of sev-
JERICHO’S MIGHTY MEN OF VJERICHO’S MIGHTY MEN OF VJERICHO’S MIGHTY MEN OF VJERICHO’S MIGHTY MEN OF VJERICHO’S MIGHTY MEN OF VALALALALALORORORORORYYYYYOUTH GUIDELINESOUTH GUIDELINESOUTH GUIDELINESOUTH GUIDELINESOUTH GUIDELINES
Godly Godly Godly Godly Godly Men of integrity
ObedientObedientObedientObedientObedient To the divine will of God
DedicatedDedicatedDedicatedDedicatedDedicated Take up His cross daily, andfollow Christ
SincereSincereSincereSincereSincere Filled with the fruit of the Spirit
CaringCaringCaringCaringCaringCompassionate towards your friendsand your enemies too
HelpfulHelpfulHelpfulHelpfulHelpful Assisting those that are lessfortunate
InvolvedInvolvedInvolvedInvolvedInvolved Stir up your gifts that arewithin you
LoyalLoyalLoyalLoyalLoyal Hold to His word, and cling toHim – Trusted and Accountable
DependableDependableDependableDependableDependable Be worthy of others completeconfidence – Men of outstanding Character
RRRRRespectfulespectfulespectfulespectfulespectful Others as well as yourself -making listening a part of your life andprayer
EnthusiasticEnthusiasticEnthusiasticEnthusiasticEnthusiastic Rejoicing always in Him!
Never QuitNever QuitNever QuitNever QuitNever Quit Never lose sight of God andyour assignment – Be tenacious andimportune
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eral different components i.e., mentoring, drill-
ing, discipling, tutoring, stepping, outreach and
a host of fun activities.
2) What is the ultimate goal of the
Mighty Men of Valor?
My desire, by the help of the Holy Spirit, is to
be an instrument used by God to birth undeni-
able and unquestionable relationships between
God and each man and youth that walks through
our door.
3) When the Men Only Sessions take
place, what are the age groups?
The age group is 18 and up. I find this to be
so critical. So many men are hurting and need
other men to talk to. In these sessions, we
“keep it real.” I dare not talk about the many
things that we discuss but if men are seeking
an avenue for change in a trusted environment
“a safe haven” then this is the place to be.
4) Where are your mentoring classes
presently held?
We conduct our mentoring classes in the
choir room of our main sanctuary
5) How do you address teen peer-pres-
sure?
We address these and all other teen related
issues through videos and rap session
6) How big is the Men of Valor Minis-
try?
Wow! Good question. Hmmmmm…. I hate
using numbers because that’s not my motiva-
tion but for the sake of the record we have over
a hundred members on the books.
7) As a Minister, leader, teacher, author,
and mentor do you have any personal
goals of your own?
You know, my greatest desire is to stay in
the center of God’s will and as Jesus and the
Apostle Paul would say, to pour out myself and
be an offering for many. Simply stated, my de-
sire is to leave here empty having fulfilled all
God sent me here to do.
8) How do you spend your quiet time?
I spend most of it in meditation and writing.
9) You are Co-Leader of the Single’s
Ministry, what are some of the activities in-
volved in this ministry?
We do a number of activities ranging from
workshops, to retreats, to cookouts, to plays,
to rap sessions and other physical activities with
other churches such as volleyball, softball and
bowling.
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MEN
OF
VALORMinister Rickey E.Minister Rickey E.Minister Rickey E.Minister Rickey E.Minister Rickey E.Macklin is theMacklin is theMacklin is theMacklin is theMacklin is theleader of Mightyleader of Mightyleader of Mightyleader of Mightyleader of MightyMen oMen oMen oMen oMen of Vf Vf Vf Vf Valor atalor atalor atalor atalor atJericho City ofJericho City ofJericho City ofJericho City ofJericho City ofPraise.Praise.Praise.Praise.Praise.
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MISSION STATEMENT
(MOV) Mighty Men of Valor
The Purpose of this Ministry is to transform
the lives of both older and younger men. Our
first obligation is to reach the men through dis-
cipleship, male bonding and accountability and
consequentially produced the type of men that
are able to assist us with the second aspect of
the ministry.
PURPOSE (Two-fold purpose)
Our vision involves establishing accountabil-
ity relationships with other men and providing
positive activities that promote self-confidence,
self-worth, determination, discipline, and knowl-
edge of the Word of God in our young men. As
the angel of the Lord spoke into Gideon’s life
while he was cowardly hiding and called him a
“Mighty Man of Valor”, we believe that regard-
less of your background or present state you
too are a “Mighty Man of Valor,” (Romans 4:17).
Our second obligation is mentoring the
younger men. Our desire is to reduce school
dropout, reduce teen pregnancy, improve aca-
demic achievement, and improve anger man-
agement and other life skills. Furthermore, our
desire is to assist in transforming them into
godly young men by pulling out of them untapped
potential, leadership qualities and challenging
them with the word of God to ascertain what
their purpose and calling is.
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Name ________________________________________
Address _______________________________________
_______________________________________
Phone ____________________________
Email Address_______________________
Age _____
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY:
I am an interested parentI am an interested youthI am interested in volunteering my time
into this program
I am having problems that I would liketo discuss with other males
I am interested in establishing menaccountability relationships
JOIN THE MIGHTY MEN OF VALOR
Send ToJericho City of Praise 8501 Bishop Peebles Drive, Landover, Maryland 20785
Telephone: (301) 333-0500Apostle Betty P. Peebles, D.D. Senior Pastor/Overseer -Assistant Pastor Joel R. Peebles, Sr.
Linda C. Tardy is a Freelance Writer/Author. She is the Publisher of this magazine, Visions Christian Magazine.
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Rickey E. Macklin is a Minister at the Jericho City of Praise, and the leader of Mighty Men of Valor at Jericho City of Praise. He isalso the author of two books, “Daddy’s Waiting on You” and “God’s Whole Armor.”
Minister Rickey E. Macklin, son of the Rev-
erend and Mrs. Arthur Macklin Sr. of
Camden, S.C., is a graduate of SouthCarolina State University and Jericho
Christian Training College, and has his
Masters in Theological Studies fromNational Bible Seminary. Minister
Macklin serves as leader over Am-
bassadors For Christ Bible Minis-tries where the ministry’s primary
purpose is to provide books, bible
studies and various resources toassist Christians in discovering
their God-given purposes. Minis-
ter Macklin is co-leader of the Jeri-cho City of Praise Singles Ministry,
and leader of The Mighty Men of Valor
discipleship and mentoring program.Minister Macklin teaches “Christian
Courtship for Him” at the Jericho
Christian Training College andhas produced a book to supplement
the course entitled “Christian Courtship
For Him”. He is the author of “God’s Whole Ar-
mor”, “Daddy’s Waiting On You.” and his next
Spirit-led masterpiece entitled, “Anointed, But
Not Ready”.
I joined the United States Navy in Oct of 1990
and gave these great United States of
America eight years of my life (5 active). I must say that the experience is one that
I will never forget. I had never felt so
patriotic in all my life. Yet, I knew thatit was only a stepping stone. As I
mentioned in my book “God’s
Whole Armor”, shortly after my join-ing, the Gulf War started. I learned
such invaluable information regard-
ing preparation for war and its suc-cess thereof. Well, that was in the natu-
ral but one day I joined the Lord’s Army
and I’ll tell you that it’s an experience thatjust keeps on getting better. Like the
song writer penned it, “I’m on the battle
field for my Lord and I promised Him thatI would serve Him until I die.” After all,
where would I be without Him? What
would I have? What would I do? Who elsehas the words of eternal life? You see in
Him, I don’t have to worry about about
earthly promotions and awards — they all fadeaway. In Him, I have eternal rewards.
Minister Rickey E. MacklinMinister Rickey E. MacklinMinister Rickey E. MacklinMinister Rickey E. MacklinMinister Rickey E. Macklin
Biography
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Rev. Tony Lee is the Senior Minister toYoung Adults at the Ebenezer AfricanMethodist Episcopal Church wherehe serves under the pastoralleadership of the Rev. Dr.Grainger Browning, Jr. and theRev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning. Rev.Lee is an accomplished speaker and is knownthroughout the community for creativity inpreaching, teaching and worship. He bringscutting edge ministry to the hearts of youth andyoung adults throughout the community.
Prior to his role as the Senior Minister to YoungAdults, Rev. Lee served as Ebenezer’s SeniorMinister to Youth. During his tenure Rev. Leeoversaw the development of a wide range ofyouth ministries that engaged youth in a styleof praise and worship that embraced theirunique styles and interests. These ministriesincluded nationally recognized scouting andrites of passage programs; educationalministry; clothing design and cartoon ministries;as well as an exceptional persons ministry thatfocuses on youth with special needs. Youngpeople throughout the community continue tosee the bible studies, conferences and praisefests as places to gain the tools to deal withissues relevant to them in an atmosphere thatis shaped by youth for youth.Rev. Lee has also served as the Asst. Pastorat the First Baptist Church of Englewood, NewJersey under the pastoral leadership of Rev.John H. Spencer, Jr. In this position, he was anintegral part in the renewal of the YouthFellowship; the formation of two community
computer labs; the development of asummer youth employment program;
the formation of a college andcareer resource center; and adistance learning partnership withthe Howard University School ofDivinity. In addition to his duties at
the First Baptist Church, he also served asDirector of the Youth Department for the NewJersey State Progressive Baptists.
His theological studies were done at theHoward University School of Divinity and UnionTheological Seminary in New York City. Heholds a Bachelor of Science from the Universityof Maryland and a Masters of Divinity degreefrom Union Theological Seminary.
Rev. Lee has received numerous awards andcitations. These include recognition from theCoalition of Concerned Black Christian Men,the National Association of Negro Businessand Professional Women’s Clubs, the BergenCounty Branch of the N.A.A.C.P., as well as aresolution from the New Jersey GeneralAssembly. He was also acknowledged in anarticle on bet.com as one of “The Next SpiritualLeaders to Make History”. Rev. Lee can beheard week nights at 8:30 p.m. in the D.C.Metropolitan area on Heaven 1580 AM’s“Breaking Bread” show offering a “Word for theDay”.
Rev. Lee is the proud son of Orlando W.E. Leeand Nancy T. Lee.
Rev. Tony Lee, Senior Minister to Young AdultsEbenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church 7707 Allentown Road, Ft. Washington, MD 20744
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hile sitting in the Sanctuary at
Jericho City of Praise on Sunday
morning at 11AM service, Pastor Betty P.
Peebles introduced one of the youth choir
members, Mark McKinnon, who is a very gifted
and talented young man. Pastor Peebles
explained that Mark had a vision to write plays.
Mark was called to speak to the young people
on this day, and here is what Mark said, “No
matter how your circumstance look just keep
on believing and trusting in the Lord, because
God is a God that cannot lie, and your vision
will come to pass.” Wow! Just to here those
words coming from a young person really
blessed my spirit. The Lord spoke to my heart,
and said, “Feature this young man and his gifts
and talents so that he may bring me the glory! I
met Mark in the glory hall, and chatted with him
about featuring him in Visions Magazine, he
agreed, and was very excited. Mark is a very
blessed and anointed young man. The hand
of Lord is truly resting upon his life. It is so
important that we encourage our youth, and
keep the word of God pumping in their hearts.
Young, Giftedand Blessed
bbbbby L.C. Ty L.C. Ty L.C. Ty L.C. Ty L.C. Tararararardydydydydy
W
Mark McKinnon, playwright
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: Mark McKinnon
1) During your walk with Christ what
is the most important thing that you have
learned?
The most important thing I have learned dur-
ing my walk with Christ is obedience. Obedi-
ence is the key to the blessings and the favor
that I have received from the Lord. Without obe-
dience to His word, I don’t think I would have
the gifts that He blessed me with.
2) What keeps you motivated and de-
termine to accomplish your vision?
What keeps me motivated and determined
is what God told me in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I
know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper
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you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future”. Knowing this scripture just lets
me know that God will prosper my writings and
my acting. What also keeps me motivated is
the Christian friends and the mentor whom I
surround myself with. They are the ones who
give me God’s word when ever I’m going through
a situation. They remind me that I have to stay
in God’s word in order for Him to use me. Lastly,
knowing my mother is praying for me lets me
know that if I fall, she’s there to help me get back
up.
3) You have been a member of Jericho
City of Praise since 1999, how much have
you grown spiritually and creatively?
Spiritually, I have grown a lot at Jericho City
of Praise. Jericho has taught me how to pray
and back up my prayers with scriptures because
there’s power in God’s word. Through this, my
prayer requests have been answered. I have
learned that God created me to be creative. In
order for me to be creative, I must get closer to
God. I get closer to God by reading his word
daily and praying to him constantly. Jericho has
taught me the importance of getting closer to
God and how getting close to him gives me fa-
vor.
4) What is your favorite scripture, and
why?
My favorite scripture is 1 Timothy 4:12,
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because
you are young, but set an example for the be-
lievers through life, love, faith, purity, and self-
control”. This scripture is my favorite one be-
cause it tells me what I should be doing during
my walk with Christ. It also lets me know that I
am and will be an example setter.
5) Where do you see your vision in the
future?
I see my vision in the future drawing many
people, especially teens, to Christ. I believe that
God is going to elevate my vision so high be-
cause He has been blessing me with great fa-
vor now, so imagine what He’s going to do in
the future. If I stay faithful to my walk with Christ,
He’s not only going to bless me, but He’s going
to bless everyone who takes part in my vision.
6) Who is Mark McKinnon?
Mark McKinnon is someone who is deter-
mine to do anything he gets involved with. It
doesn’t matter what he does, if he wants to do
it he puts his all into it. Mark is someone who
knows the importance of keeping God in what-
ever he does. He knows how to call on Him
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BIOGRAPHYMark Anthony McKinnon was born October 27,1986, in Camp Le Jeune, North Carolina. Markattended Westlake High School, and willgraduate June 2005. Mark McKinnon currentlylives in Waldorf, Maryland.. Mark was born toMs. Jackie Thomas, who has a total of fourchildren. All together there are three boys andone girl. Mark is the second born toMs. Thomas. He has lived in a fatherless homesince he was very young. His mother is the onewho brought him up in God’s word. This young man attends Jericho City of Praise,located in Landover, Maryland. His PastorisApostle Dr. Betty P. Peebles. Mark is amember of Jericho’s Youth Choir. He has beenin the Youth Choir since March 1999. Recently,Jericho started a Teen Church that lets the teenswho attend receive God’s word at their level ofunderstanding. Mark has been known as oneof the leaders at the Teen Church. The vision that God gave Mark caught manypeople’s attention. God gave him a vision tostart a Teen Drama Production. This vision wasgiven to him when he attended T.D. Jakes’“Mega Fest” in Atlanta, Georgia, the summerof 2004. The purpose of the TeenDrama Production is to expose the many
anytime. He also puts God first and help his
friends to remember to put God first. Mark is
someone who knows he has a big future in front
of him and that he can’t be success in anything
unless he keeps God first.
talents of young teens by putting it in a stageplay. Mark is known for writing skits and plays to helpyoung teens get God’s Word. To kick off theTeen Drama Production, he is making his firstplay into a movie. God’s favor is really on Markbecause Outreach Ministries, a localproduction company has offered to help Markturn his play into a movie. His pastor has alsosaid that she wants her church to help fulfill thisvision. Besides his mother, Mark’s spiritual mentor isMr. Dwayne A. Williams, an adult Teen ChurchLeader. He helps Mark organize the TeenDrama Production, and also wants to make thisproduction a very successful one. Mark hasdeveloped his love for acting when he enteredHigh School. He has participated in his schoolplays including a leading male role in the stageplay, “Little Women.” He also played the roleof Officer Krupke in “Westside Story.” Mark hastaken theatre classes every year in HighSchool. Besides Mark’s love for acting, he is an athleteat his school located in Waldorf. He is thecaptain of his school’s Varsity BasketballTeam. Mark is also going to play varsity footballhis Senior year. After high school, Mark plansto go to college to Major in Acting and improvehis knowledge in Acting. With the favor of God,Mark has no choice but to live a successful lifeand help get God’s word to young teens. Markencourages teens to surround themselves withfriends and people who know and live God’sWord.
Linda C. Tardy is a Freelance Writer/Author. She is the Publisher of this magazine, Visions Christian Magazine.
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Love By Brother Chicago Long
A very powerful subject and action. It
raises the eyebrows and jump-starts
the hearts of most women; men and
children who have and have not experience its
truth, bliss and benefits. (Question) Who has
the monopoly on Love? What is love in its
fullness? Where did it come from? How do you
do it, and what will it cost? Now after reading
this I know you’ll want to experience it for
yourself, if you haven’t already. The real
question to you is can and will you give it? (Even
when you’re not getting it) Praise God! With out
further due lets go to the Word of God (The
bible) and find out what has God said about
love. Amen!
The bible says that God is love and that love
is God (GOD =LOVE) and he holds all power;
so if in fact God is all-powerful and he is love its
safe for me to say that Love is a power or it is
powerful. Amen! Lets go a little deeper in this
love thing or should I say in God. When you ana-
lyze love you’ll clearly see that it can be known
only from the actions it prompts; also that when
you love initially or responsively you’re walking
in your authority as an authoritative figure in
God and letting him be seen in you because he
is Love. Glory!
When we love someone God’s way it ex-
presses the deep and constant love and inter-
est of a perfect Being towards entirely unwor-
thy objects, producing and fostering a reveren-
tial Love in them towards the Giver, and a prac-
tical love towards those who are partakers of
the same, and a desire to help others to seek
the Giver. A Christian or Christ like love involves
the fruit of Christ’s spirit; which is of course the
agape love, Which comes in one size shape
and color and that’s Unconditionally; Then there
is the Joy of the Lord, his peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and
temperance. Now it takes the love of God to
walk in these characteristics. Now I believe
these behaviors to be some what the surface
and the aggressive side to love; Having said
that I also believe that love also has a respon-
sive and defensive side as well; The bible says
that love again it suffereth long in spite of the
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The number one commandment says we must love the LORDour God with all our heart mind and soul.
weight or turmoil coming against it. Love laughs
at the contrary and says bring the fire; and be-
cause it’s pure love and it’s from God and it’s
of God and it is God; It never fails, but endures
all things, bears all things, hopes all things, be-
lieves all things and no matter what, its kind.
Love is also well behaved it doesn’t act un-
seemly or out of the character of God, which in
fact is who your representing or allowing to be
seen through you. Amen. Love is not selfish it
doesn’t allow you to seek your own and forget
or leave behind another; but love isn’t love un-
less it’s given. Love is not easily provoked or
irritated and moody. It doesn’t carry excuses;
again love isn’t love unless it’s given away. Love
is not bossy or boastful it is seasoned with hu-
mility, mercy and grace. Love rejoiceth not in
iniquity but in the truth, it sees things God’s way
regardless of what the circumstances appear
to be it keeps hope alive. Love is not snotty or
haughty and it’s not puffed up and angry all the
time.
We have been called to love. The number
one commandment says we must love the
LORD our God with all our heart mind and soul.
The next greatest commandment says to Love
your neighbor as your self. Christ said that the
world would know that we are his disciples by
the Love we have one to another, which lets me
know that God’s people should be walking in
Love as Christ Jesus our Lord did when he
walked this planet as our great example setter.
Amen. We love him because he first loved us.
We love each other and the world because he
commands it and within that he is seen and glo-
rified. Apostle Paul shared his opinion about
love and he puts it like this, though I speak with
the tongues of angels and have the gift of proph-
ecy and understand all mysteries and knowl-
edge and have mountain moving faith, on top
of that he even gives of his goods to feed the
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poor etc. Paul said all this doesn’t profit him
anything and it stinks in the nostrils of God if he
doesn’t have love. Love is the very essence of
God and we are his hands and feet walking and
reaching out to a dying world and his mouth-
piece speaking out to these Godless nations.
God so loved the world that he gave his only
begotten son that whosoever believed on him
should not perish but have everlasting life. This
is how he showed his love to us when we were
lost in sin. God called us from out of death
(separation from him) to reconcile us back to
him because he loves us that much. Now we
are ministers of reconciliation and we are to
reciprocate that same love demonstrated and
given to us from God the Father and God the
Chicago Garfield Long born and raised in NE Washington, DC. In 1975; He was lead back to the Lord in
November of 1997,being deliverd from eight years of drug and alcohol abuse along with stress, oppres-
sion and a boat load of issues …even jail time.
Thus far he has stedfastly completed a four year Christian Discipleship program at the Jericho Christian
training College and he’s is diligently working as a teacher in the children’s church ministry. He was recently married
over the summer of 2003 to the beautiful and anointed Mrs. Michelle Long whom he met at Jericho College and she’s
mother of two sons and a daughter; He also brings a son to the marriage, making him a proud step daddy and father
of four beautiful children…He enjoys spending time with his family and spreading the gospel through evangelizing
and his written work. His goal is to bring God glory in all that he says and he does here on earth.
Son. I know we can do it because God lives in
us by his spirit. Amen So lets go forth as the
light of the world and love people into the king-
dom. Lets be imitators of God and serve in love
as ministers of reconciliation.
The bible says that we should love our neigh-
bor and our enemies and bless those that curse
us, and do good to them that hate us, and pray
for those that despitefully use us and persecute
us. Amen. It seems like love is always deter-
mined to prevail. Lastly; when we love, it cov-
ers a multitude of our sins. So let us love that
we may fulfill the commandments of God and
bring him glory and us and others good. So until
the next time, remember love isn’t love unless
its given out. Don’t just talk it, but do it.
I love youAnd God Bless
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PRAISE DANCERS
TEEN
Jericho Christian Training Center Youth:Classes are Monday thru Thursday from 7:00-9:30 p.m.
For more information contact Registrar at (301) 333-0856
MASS CHOIR
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Classes available for children, youth, and teens.held in the Jericho Christian Training Center College.
MIGHTYMEN OF VALOR
YOUTH CHOIR
CHURCH
For more information contact Registrar at (301) 333-0856
YYYYYouth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Young Aoung Aoung Aoung Aoung Adult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004 www.visionschristianmagazine.comV I S I O N S 28For more information contact Registrar at (301) 333-0856
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“The God who gir“The God who gir“The God who gir“The God who gir“The God who girded me with strded me with strded me with strded me with strded me with strength, and made mength, and made mength, and made mength, and made mength, and made my wy wy wy wy waaaaay safey safey safey safey safe.....He made my feet like hinds’ feet, and set me secure on the heights.”He made my feet like hinds’ feet, and set me secure on the heights.”He made my feet like hinds’ feet, and set me secure on the heights.”He made my feet like hinds’ feet, and set me secure on the heights.”He made my feet like hinds’ feet, and set me secure on the heights.”
Psalms 18:32-33Psalms 18:32-33Psalms 18:32-33Psalms 18:32-33Psalms 18:32-33
Anointed to SucceedAnointed to SucceedCoCoCoCoCovvvvver ster ster ster ster story bory bory bory bory by L.C. Ty L.C. Ty L.C. Ty L.C. Ty L.C. Tararararardydydydydy
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hat a POWERFUL ANOINTING!
What a MIGHTY! work the LORD
has done in Assistant Pastor Joel
Peebles, the youngest son of (Dr.) Pastor Betty
P. Peebles, Senior Pastor and Overseer at the
Jericho City of Praise. He brings forth a Rema-
Word every Sunday morning at 8am service.
The moment Pastor Joel enters the Sanctuary
the congregation stands to their feet applauding
this great son of God! He is truly anointed to
succeed. He feeds the flock pure Word. Pastor
Joel guarantees that after listening to the Word
that the Holy Spirit set in his heart, you will not
be the same when you leave! Pastor Joel was
led by the Spirit of God to teach on a series
called, “Anointed to Succeed,” The Spirit of the
Lord has been moving throughout Jericho like
a tornado that ripped through a city! Only not to
destroy, but to save souls, transform minds, and
take back the sons of God. The Lord has divinely
set a mega-Word in Pastor Joel’s heart, and is
using him to edify the saved and bring the
unsaved to Christ in a mighty way. Pastor Joel
said, “It is no consequence that you are here
this morning, you were purposed and called,
divinely setup to be here.”
On Sunday, October 3, 2004 the Spirit of the
Lord was moving through the body of Christ
ever so strong. There was a powerful anointing
in the Sanctuary. Pastor Joel preached the 10th
Series of “Anointed to Succeed,” “Don’t Let
Past Pains Cripple Your Success.” Everyone
became very quiet when Pastor Joel calmly
spoke the word of the Lord, in Ecclesiastes
3:11, “ He has made everything beautiful in
His time.” In other words, everything is done on
God’s time. No matter what your present
circumstance looks like. God is still working
on your behalf. He has already completed your
vision before the world began. On the faces of
some hurting Christians pours out an
abundance of confidence, and we leaped for
joy, dancing, singing and praising the Lord! The
Holy Spirit releases His powerful Word onto the
Pastor, and it spreads throughout the
congregation. There’s a strong anointing in the
air, and the corporate prayer begins to our Lord
& Savior Jesus Christ.
Pastor Joel used this quote in the 10th series,
“Anointed to Succeed.”
“It takes two things to blow down a tree: a heavy
wind outside and rot and decay inside. So it is
with man. The winds of adversity may cause
W
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him to bend, but if he’s strong and vigorous
within, he will arise and grow to new heights
after the storm passes.”
John Dobbert
Pastor Joel explains, “This is what the enemy
wants to do to us.
Using Abraham Lincoln’s life as a example,
Pastor Joel wrote:
“From 1831-1858 Abraham Lincoln was
defeated for Senate, Congress, speaker,
elector, vice president, legislature, had a
nervous breakdown, and failed in business
twice, but in 1860 he was elected president.”
Pastor Joel states that “Adversity makes some
men break, and others break records.” He
states, “As Christians we
have the Power of Resilience!
By the time I left the Sanctuary
I was pumped with
confidence, and felt “Anointed
to Succeed.” I thank God for
working so mightily through
Pastor Joel. He is truly a
“POWER HOUSE! Packed
with the HOLY SPIRIT, and
“Anointed To Succeed.” And the word of the
Lord says in
Proverbs 24:10 & 16 (NRSV), “If you faint in
the day of adversity, your strength being small;
for though they fall seven times, they will rise
again; but the wicked are overthrown by
calamity.”
On December 5, 2004 the Lord moved mightily
through Pastor Joel. He began preaching a
new series called, “Grow Up.” Part 1-”A
Season of Self-Examination,” and Part 2-
“The Power of Self-Examination.” Part two
series is an extension of part one. Every
church goer of every church in the world needs
to hear this states Pastor Joel. The whole body
of Christ was thirsty for this Word. He started
by feeding us the following “Nuggets.”
Pastor Joel in the Sanctuary, preaching on the series“Anointed to Succeed.”
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• Everything God created has the
potential capacity to grow.
• God cannot bless you beyond your
growth.
• Anything that does not grow is in direct
violation of its design.
• God has designed your next level of
promotion to coincide with your growth.
• Anything that achieves growth by any
other means other than self-examination is
painful.
Pastor Joel started this series, “Grow Up.” By
stating, “The reason why many in the body of
Christ are struggling to live in divine prosperity
is because most of us
do not stop to examine
ourselves. The Bible
says in Haggai 1:6&7-
”Ye have sown much
and bring in little; ye eat
ye have not enough; ye
drink, but ye are not
filled with drink, ye
clothed you, but there is
none warm; and he that
earneth wages earneth
wages (to put it) in a bag with holes. Thus saith
the Lord of hosts, consider your ways.” Psalms
139-23. Search me, O God, and know my
heart; try me and know my thoughts.
So what happens if I don’t like
correction….especially from others! Stated
Pastor Joel. Well, the Bible says in Proverbs
3:11-13 My Son, despise not the chastening
of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction;
for whom the Lord loveth He correcteth: even
as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the
man that getteth understanding.
Pastor Joel in the Sanctuary, preaching on the series“Anointed to Succeed.”
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Here is how God expects a true born Saint to
take correction:
Revelation 3:19 (AMP)
Those whom I dearly and tenderly love, I tell
their faults and convict and convince and
reprove and chasten. I discipline and instruct
them. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and
burning with zeal and repent, changing your
mind and attitude. So if my attitude is not
growing in Christ; we need to do what the word
of the Lord says to do: 2 Corinthians 13:5
(AMP) Examine and test and evaluate your
own selves. To see whether you are holdilng
to your faith and showing the proper fruits of
it. Test and prove yourselves (not Christ) Do
you not yourselves realize and know
(thoroughly by an ever increasing
experience) that JESUS CHRIST is in you –
unless you are (counterfeits) disapproved on
trial and rejected?
There is a benefit of evaluating and making
personal change states Pastor Joel.
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) –
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but
painful. Later on, however, it produces a
Pastor Joel Peebles is the Director of the TeenChurch at Jericho City of Praise, and teachesclass on Tuesday nights at 7:00pm –10:00pmto married couples and singles as well. Formore information please contact Jericho City ofPraise, Administration Office: 8501 BishopPeebles Drive, Landover, Maryland 20785(301) 333-0500.
harvest of righteousness and peace for those
who have been trained by it.
• The natural man – is going to hell. He
does not believe in the things of God.
• The carnal man – is saved but living
life in the middle.
• The Spiritual man - loves God.
WHICH ONE ARE YOU. THE WORD OF
GOD SAYS TO EXAMINE YOURSELVES.
Biography ofElder Joel R. Peebles
The young, yet highly anointed, Elder Joel R.
Peebles, Sr. has dedicated his life to the
reconciliation of man and the exaltation of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This burning
passion ignited his purpose.
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A licensed minister at 21, Elder Joel became
concerned with the enemies attempt to halt the
Body of Christ from receiving all the benefits of
salvation which were wrought by the death,
burial, and resurrection of Christ. Thus, he
began ministering at the 5 p.m. services at the
Jericho Ministries.
Elder Joel holds a BA Degree in Journalism
and a Minor Degree in Psychology from Bowie
State University. He also hold a MA from Bowie
in Counseling Psychology and a MA in Divinity
from the Wilbur Waters School of Divinity.
He is an extremely happy husband to his
gorgeous wife Ylawnda Peebles. Their bond
has brought 4 beautiful children, Joel, Jr., Janay,
Jordan, and Jeremiah.
Presently, Elder Joel presides over the 8:00
a.m. service at the Jericho City of Praise where
his weekly attendance is over four-thousand
(4,000) strong. Elder Joel honors his parents
who have been shepherds over his life his father,
the late, Bishop James R. Peebles, Sr. and his
mother,
Dr. Betty P. Peebles, his pastor and leader.
Within the life of a man, there is destiny...a goal
which must be achieved. This goal is not only
God inspired and God ordained, but necessary
for preservation and success of the present and
the future generation. So let us always
remember, we are not living for our own benefit,
but our achievements are to bless our
grandchildren.
Linda C. Tardy is a Freelance Writer/Author. She is the Publisher of this magazine, Visions Christian Magazine.
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Radical Freedom
The Acquittal
rder in the Court! All rise! The honor-
able Judge Noname presiding. We
are in a courtroom scene on the set of
NBC’s Law and Order. Each of the participants
are in place including the tough Executive As-
sistant Attorney, Jack McCoy along with his
partners from the D.A.’s office. Also in the court-
room are Detectives Green and Briscoe with
Lt. Anita Van Buren. You know that if all of these
folks are there at the same time, this case must
be serious. Obviously the judge is there, but
this judge seems to be biased. You are the one
accused and because you have no money, you
are stuck with a “bum” public defender instead
of a paid attorney who would have your best
interest at heart. The case seems hopeless
because you are on trial for a crime which if
convicted you face the death penalty. We don’t
even need to discuss the jury who after McKoy’s
opening arguments already seemed swayed
against you. Their facial expressions leave little
room for optimism. What is going on? If that is
not enough, the victim’s family, media, and even
your own conscience side with the D.A. to pros-
ecute you which incidentally feels like they are
persecuting you after all, you know and they
know that you are guilty as charged. What are
the odds of you being acquitted? All eyes are
on you and the outcome seems certain.
In the last article we discussed how Jesus
gives us forgiveness and the power to be victo-
rious over sin in real life situations. In this ar-
ticle we shift our focus to the heavenly judge-
ment hall where eternal destinies are deter-
mined.
Bringing You up to Speed
The courtroom introduction above leaves you
on the edge of your seat doesn’t it? What’s
going to happen to the defendant (accused)?
We will now shift our attention to the way court
was held in the ancient Jewish economy. In the
courtroom scene would be present the ac-
cused, accuser, judge and advocate. These
four were the only major players. This is the
way the heavenly pre-second coming judge-
ment is structured. In this case the accused
has actually committed the crime worthy of eter-
nal death. What was the crime? The Bible says,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God,” Romans 3:23. Further, the Bible says,
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of
God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
O
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Romans 6:23. The crime is sin, punishable by
eternal death. Since when we receive the gift
of salvation, we become God’s children, we
know that something wonderful must be about
to happen in this case though on the one hand
it seems hopeless.
On Your Side
Let’s identify the courtroom players more
closely shall we? We have already said that
we sinners are the accused and we are guilty.
The accuser is Satan. “And there was war in
heaven. Michael and his angels fought against
the dragon, and the dragon and his angels
fought back. But he was not strong enough, and
they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon
was hurled down—that ancient serpent called
the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world
astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his an-
gels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in
heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and
the power and the kingdom of our God, and
the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of
our brothers, who accuses them before our God
day and night, has been hurled down.” Revela-
tion 12:7-10. Who is the advocate or defense
attorney? “My dear children, I write this to you
so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin,
we have one who speaks to the Father in our
defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He
is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only
for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
I John 2:1,2. Jesus Christ the Righteous One
is our defense attorney. An interesting ques-
tion to ask following this description of our ad-
vocate is who is the judge? The text we just
read said that Jesus is our advocate with the
Father, which suggests that the Father is our
judge and in a way He is, however an incred-
ible shift of responsibility occurs here. “For just
as the Father raises the dead and gives them
life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is
pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges
no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the
Son, that all may honor the Son just as they
honor the Father. He who does not honor the
Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.”
John 5:21-23. Jesus is also our judge.
How does it feel to know that the accuser is
“hurled down” meaning defeated, the defense
attorney is your friend and the judge is your
friend? Does the case still seem hopeless
knowing that you are guilty as charged? Check
this out. I neglected to mention that when it
comes to the judgement, if there is any hope of
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L. David Harris is an award-winning author who has recently published two books entitled, Alive at 5—Victory in
Retrospect, Volumes 1 & 2. More information about his ministry can be found at www.AliveatfFive.com
acquittal, somebody has to be punished in or-
der for justice to be served. Well, we have al-
ready read in I John 2:1,2 that Jesus is the aton-
ing sacrifice for our sins. This means that Jesus
volunteered to take our punishment on the cross,
which was equal to eternal death. Knowing that
Jesus is our advocate, judge and the one who
paid the eternal death penalty for us, how does
the trial make you feel now? Are you hopeless
with all odds against you or hopeful because
you are friends with the only one who can ac-
quit you?
In your spare time read Zechariah 3:1-5.
These verses paint a living color portrait of all
that we have said. They portray an image of
the accused receiving clean garments repre-
senting the free righteousness of Christ in place
of the filthy garments representing self-righ-
teousness. Since Jesus never sinned and we
are seen wearing Jesus like a garment,
heaven’s verdict is that we are innocent. In
heaven’s eyes we never sinned.
One critical question must be answered in
closing, with all this talk about free salvation and
righteousness, does that mean that it doesn’t
matter what we do and we will still be saved? I
will answer this with a question. If you were
wearing a brand new full length Sean John
leather coat or Donna Karan Chinchilla fur,
would you pick the rainiest day to go outside
and find the sloppiest puddle to wallow in? I
don’t think so. When a person receives the gift
of Christ’s righteousness, they are empowered
to stay far away from the mud puddles of sin
just like Jesus did.
My friends, I have chosen personally to re-
ceive the free gift of salvation. I think it would
be a good idea if you did the same, besides, it
would not make sense not to. Remember, God
loves you.
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1) Who gave you the name King
Solomon, why the name King Solomon?
And what is your real name?
My mother actually told me that I would be
an entertainer and that I should use the name
King Solomon because King Solomon was
very wise and because my first is actually
Solomon.
2) What
do you plan
to achieve
through your music?
I want my music to push
people to have a
closer,relationship with
Christ, not to push my per-
sonal belief on my audi-
ence. I just want to give
people an insight on my life,
my struggle, my victories,
my pain, everything that a
Christian goes through but
people don’t necessarily
talk about.
3) When you’re not recording music,
what do you do?
I also have my own radio show on WPCG
AM Heaven 1580 Monday through Friday from
7pm to 10pm called Up On The Block w/ King
Solomon. If I’m not there, I am also Co-CEO of
my own production company called Jes-Us Da
Flock (pronounced Just Us Da Flock, look out
for us).
4) Where did you grow up? And where
are you from
now?
I was born in
Wa s h i n g t o n
D.C. but I grew up in Seat Pleas-
ant, Maryland which was just like
living in D.C..
5) How do you reach
young people who don’t
know Christ? Where do you
start?
I try to remember the same
things that reach me before I
knew Christ and I try to put those
things in my music. With the
Truth, period.
6) Would you briefly de-
scribe the meaning behind the name “King
Solomon?”
A man that soul desire is to do God’s will
KING SOLOMANInterview
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and nobody Else’s including his own.
7) What church do you attend?
I am currently a member of Refuge Living
Sanctuary under the anointed leadership of
Pastor Mark St. John Carson.
8) When did you realize that God had
called you?
One year ago when I went in the studio with
a budget of 2,000 dollars and in one week re-
corded an album that sounded like I spent
$20,000. No matter how much talent you have,
you don’t do something like that without Christ.
Thats when I knew that God was doing this and
NOT ME.
Thank you so much for this interview King
Solomon. You are a blessed son of God. I thank
God for using you so mightily for this genera-
tion.
I thank you for the opportunity to be heard
and I hope this interview really helps somebody
in this journey we call life down “The Road Less
Traveled” (that’s my next album so look out for
it, It’s Jes-Us Da Flock).
BIOGRAPHY: KING SOLOMONSolomon L. Johnson, professionally known
as “King Solomon”, entered this world on No-vember 6, 1977. As a young child, he had atremendous passion for music. He attendedDuVal High School and was a member of theschool band where Solomon learned to play thedrums, trumpet, and keyboards. At first,Solomon never took his love for music seriously.While attending high school, Solomon was fa-mously known for rapping the morning an-nouncements. It wasn’t until he graduated fromhigh school and received Jesus Christ as hisLord and Savior, did he realize that he had asoufflé of talent and gifts that were given to him,not only to entertain, but most importantly to upliftthe Kingdom of God and to usher people toChrist.
Solomon uses his gifts of comedy, rapping,singing, dancing, and entertaining, to grasp theattention of the youth of this generation. Goduses Solomon to teach that the youth their tal-ents are from God and are to be used for Hisglory.
Solomon is an On-Air Personality forHeaven 1580AM-WPGC and has shared thestage with many artists. He has ministeredalong with Tonex, T-Bone, Hezekiah Walker,Trinity 5-7, Mark St. John Carson, Byron Cage,Marques Houston, Natalie Wilson, Israel andthe New Breed, Kem, and Ginuwine. One thingthat is noticeable about King Solomon’s minis-try is that God has an anointing on his life thatallows him to go where hardly any other Chris-
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tian artist gets to go. His ministry is one thatwill break the barrier between the Christian in-dustry and the secular industry.
King Solomon has now paired up withRayVen-the messenger bird, a local rapper,and are co-owners and CEO’s of JesUsDaFlock record/productions company. Withthis ministry at hand, they are truly heading inthe right direction in completing and fulfillingtheir purpose. JesUs DaFlock will spread the
gospel through many different genres, with thesole intention of bringing souls back to Christ.King Solomon has proven to be a man of greatcharacter, integrity, faith, and passion for theKingdom of God. King Solomon is also a lov-ing husband, a loving father, and a man that’safter his Father’s heart. With these gifts andtalent, King Solomon looks forward to that daywhen he will look the Father in His face and beable to hear, “Well done, thy good and faithfulrapper”.
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he Law which God wanted the Israel-
ites to obey was written by him and
given to Moses on two flat pieces of stone,
called “tables of stone.” In those days the people
didn’t have typewriters and printing presses.
They didn’t have paper, either. So every time it
was necessary to write down something that
was important to be remembered it had to be
done on flat pieces of stone, or on pieces of
dried clay.
They didn’t write with ink, either. The writing
was scratched or chiseled on the stone or clay.
That’s the way the Ten Commandments of the
Law were written by God. These Tables of the
Law were given to Moses by God while he was
up on the mountain called Sinai.
After Moses brought these Ten Command-
ments down from the mountain, and the people
agreed to do what God asked them to do,
Moses went up into the mountain again, and
God told him to build a tabernacle, and how to
do it. Maybe you never heard that word “taber-
nacle” before. A tabernacle is the name the
Bible sometimes gives to a building in which
people worship God. It is God’s house.
Of course God doesn’t need a house to live
in as we do. God doesn’t sleep, so he doesn’t
need a bedroom. He doesn’t need to eat as
we do, so he doesn’t need a dining room. God
doesn’t get tired, so he has no need for a sit-
ting room. So you see when the Bible tells us
about building a house for God we must remem-
ber that it was not like our houses.
God’s house, or tabernacle, which Moses
was asked to build, was not made of brick or
stone. It didn’t have any floor at all. The sides of
the tabernacle were made of wide wooden
boards which were placed on end. But you
GODGODGODGODGOD’S PROMISES COME TRUES PROMISES COME TRUES PROMISES COME TRUES PROMISES COME TRUES PROMISES COME TRUE
BUILDING A HOUSE FOR GOD
BIBLE STORY
T
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wouldn’t think they were wooden boards when
you looked at them, because they were entirely
covered with gold. The gold was very thin, just
like paper, but it covered the boards so com-
pletely that it made them look as if they were
solid gold. These boards that looked like gold
were used to form the walls of the tabernacle.
The tabernacle didn’t have a roof of boards
or shingles, or tar, or anything like that. I guess
you are wondering how they kept out the rain.
That was done by very large curtains which were
thrown over the top of the tabernacle. There
were four of these curtains. The first one they
put on was like a large piece of fancy canvas.
Then, over the top of this they spread three other
curtains. Two were made by sewing together
the skins of different animals—sheep and
seals; the other one was made of goats’ hair.
These curtains were so large that they not only
covered the top of the tabernacle, but also hung
down over the sides, covering the gold boards.
That meant, you see, that when the tabernacle
was finished the only way to see the gold boards
that formed the walls was to look at them from
the inside.
God’s tabernacle didn’t have a door, either.
It had an opening at one end, and this opening
was covered with a very pretty curtain of blue,
scarlet, and purple. This curtain was called the
veil. One had almost to crawl under it in order
to enter the tabernacle.
Now I suppose you wonder how big the tab-
ernacle was! It was forty-five feet long, and fif-
teen feet wide, and fifteen feet high. Inside, it
was divided into two rooms by a large curtain
which was called the second veil. The curtain
covering the entrance from the outside was
called the first veil or door. The second veil was
fifteen feet front the far end or rear of the taber-
nacle.
So there were two rooms in the tabernacle.
They were not both the same size, though, for
the second veil was hung only, fifteen feet from
the rear end. Now, if you figure that out you will
see that the rear room was only half as large as
the front room. The front room was called the
“holy,” and the rear room was called the “most
holy.”
Most people today like to have their houses
surrounded by shade trees, and green grass,
and flowers; but God told Moses to stretch a
long white curtain all around the tabernacle and
in that way to form a big yard, or open space, in
which the tabernacle was to stand. This large
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open space enclosed with white curtains was
called the “court.”
The court was 150 feet long and 75 feet
wide. The tabernacle was placed toward the
back part of the court with the opening, or first
veil, facing the entrance. The entrance into the
court was called the “gate.” This “gate” was also
a beautiful linen curtain of blue, purple, red, and
white.
I suppose you are wondering if there was
any furniture in God’s house. There was, but not
the kind of furniture we have in our homes, be-
cause God did not live in his house is we live in
ours. But it did have what we may call furniture.
Even outside of the tabernacle, in the court,
there were two very important articles of furni-
ture. Near the gate in the court was the “brazen
altar.”
You remember that we first learned about al-
tars in the story of Cain and Abel. Abel, you will
recall, made in altar on which he offered a sac-
rifice to God. That is what altars were for; they
were places to offer sacrifice. This large altar
in the court was made of wooden boards cov-
ered with sheets of copper.
After passing the altar in the court, one came
to what looked like a large water basin. That is
really what it was, but it wasn’t called a basin. It
was called a “laver.” There was water in the la-
ver, and those who served in the tabernacle used
it when they washed themselves.
In the front room of the tabernacle, which
was called the “holy,” there were three pieces
of furniture. On the right, just as one entered,
was a small table. On this table there were two
plates of bread, called “shewbread.”
On the opposite side of the room there was
a large and beautiful candlestick, or lamp stand.
It had seven lamps which were kept burning all
the time. If these lamps were not burning, it was
very dark in this front room of the tabernacle,
because there were no windows.
And then, at the far end of the holy, or front
room, directly opposite the entrance, was the
golden altar. This altar was much smaller than
the one outside in the court, and it was covered
with gold instead of copper. The table and the
candlestick were also gold.
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So you see, all the furniture in the front room
of the tabernacle was of gold. With the gold fur-
niture the gold boards of the walls, it must have
been a very beautiful room, don’t you think?
In the most holy of the tabernacle, that is, in
the far room, which was entered by crawling un-
der the second veil, there was just one piece of
furniture. It was called the “ark of the covenant.”
It was about the shape of a large trunk. It also
was entirely covered with gold. The cover of this
large box was made of solid gold.
Extending out of that cover, and made of the
same piece of gold, there were two beautiful
statues like angels. They were called cherubim.
They faced each other, and at the same time
were looking down toward the cover of the ark.
This cover was called the mercy seat.
There were no windows in the most holy, ei-
ther, and no lamps such as there were in the
holy. So how do you suppose the most holy was
lighted? Oh, that was a wonderful thing! Be-
tween the cherubim, right over the mercy seat,
a bright shining light was put by God. It must
have been something like lightning, only instead
of being just a short flash of light, it remained
there all the time. No one had to keep it burn-
ing. It was God’s light!
This tabernacle was God’s house. Of
course, God did not actually live in the taber-
nacle, but the Hebrews knew that they enjoyed
God’s blessings because the tabernacle was
in their midst. So they thought of God as being
in the tabernacle. To them it was the house of
God, the place where they could find God. They
knew that they could always find God in the tab-
ernacle. Sometimes we can’t find our friends
because they are away from home, but God
was always at home in the tabernacle.
Of course they couldn’t see God. Nobody
on this earth has ever seen God. And when I
say that God was always at home in the taber-
nacle and that the people could find him there, I
mean that it was in the tabernacle that they could
find God’s blessings. But there was only a cer-
tain way in which the people could obtain God’s
blessing in the tabernacle. The Israelites could
not walk right into the tabernacle and talk with
God. Oh, no! There were only certain ones whom
God selected to do this, and even these had to
YYYYYouth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Youth & Young Aoung Aoung Aoung Aoung Adult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004dult Edition 2004 www.visionschristianmagazine.comV I S I O N S 46
come to God in a very special way.
They were called the “priests.” The first priest
was Aaron, the brother of Moses. He was called
the high, or chief priest. Aaron’s sons were also
priests, but less important ones. They were
called “under priests.” When the people wanted
blessings from God they had to receive them
through Aaron, or whoever the priest was. And,
even then, there was only one way to receive
blessings, and that was by bringing a sacrifice
to God. That was the purpose of the large altar
in the court surrounding the tabernacle. The sac-
rifices were burned on this altar.
Now why were these sacrifices necessary?
It was because the Israelites were sinful. Like
everyone else in the world, they could not do
things as God wanted them to be done.
As you read all these stories of the Bible I
want you to remember this lesson, that in order
for any of us to receive blessings from God there
must first be a sacrifice. Will you try to remem-
ber that? Because God loves us all he gave his
own Son, Jesus, who sacrificed himself for the
whole world. Wasn’t that wonderful? Whenever
you hear anyone say that Jesus died for us, you
will know what it means.
The sheep and calves which the Israelites
brought to Aaron at the tabernacle to be sacri-
ficed were not actually valuable enough to take
away their sins. The reason God wanted them
to bring the sacrifices was to teach a lesson.
The lesson God wants us all to learn is that we
can have his blessings only if we come to him
through Jesus, and that this is because Jesus
sacrificed his life for us. Let us try to remember
that, shall we?
It would take too long to tell you about all the
sacrifices of the tabernacle, so I will just tell you
about the most important one. This main sacri-
fice was offered once every year. This is the
way it was done:
First, Aaron took a young calf, which the
Bible calls a bullock. He killed it, and certain
parts of it, like the heart and the liver and the
fat, were burned on the altar in the court. The
main carcass of the animal was burned outside
of the court. The blood of this bullock was taken
by Aaron all the way into the most holy and
sprinkled on the mercy seat which covered the
ark of the covenant.
On his way to the most holy, the priest
stopped long enough at the small golden altar
to make an offering of incense. This incense
was a sort of powdered perfume which the
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priest sprinkled upon coals of fire brought from
the altar out in the court. The burning of the in-
cense caused a sweet-smelling smoke to drift
into the most holy ahead of the priest.
After the bullock was offered in this way,
Aaron killed a young goat and did the same
thing with it as he did with the bullock, finally
sprinkling its blood upon the mercy seat in the
most holy.
Now, as I was telling you, all this is a lesson
to teach us about something much more won-
derful than the offering of bullocks and goats.
The Bible tells us that the most holy of the tab-
ernacle represents heaven itself, which is God’s
real home. When Jesus died upon the cross
and was raised from the dead, he entered into
heaven, and God was so pleased with the sac-
rifice he had made, that now if we pray to God
in the name of Jesus we will be heard, and God
will bless us.
That is why the cover of the ark of the cov-
enant in the most holy was called the mercy
seat. It teaches us that because Jesus shed his
blood for us, God in his mercy will bless us, and
give us everlasting life. God has always loved
the people, but he wants us to know that there
is only this one way that we can be blessed with
his love.
I wonder if you still remember that grand
promise God made to Abraham that he in-
tended to bless all the people of the world? Well,
the lesson of the tabernacle and its sacrifices
is to remind us that these blessings which God
has promised will come through Jesus. They
will come true because Jesus died for us.
Maybe you are wondering why the priest sac-
rificed two animals, first the bullock, and then
the goat. It was because God planned to give
some of us an opportunity to sacrifice our lives
just as Jesus did. Everyone who has really fol-
lowed Jesus has sacrificed his life, because
he loves other people and wants to help them.
All those who do this will have the opportunity,
when they are made alive again, as Jesus was,
to work with him in giving life to the people.
Wouldn’t you like to be a follower of Jesus when
you grow up? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to use
all your time in doing things for others?
Q U E S T I O N S
What was the tabernacle? Who built it, and forwhat was it used?
What were the sizes of the rooms in God’shouse, and did they have furniture in them?
What is an altar, and for what purpose is it used?
Who did the work of God in the tabernacle?Dawn Bible Students Association
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