Rise Up, Look Up, Get Up, Go Up, Stay Up

This past Sunday, we concluded this powerful series which began on Resurrection Sunday. Since April, we have dissected each command in the title: Rise up, Look up, Get up, Go up, Stay up. 2010 has been and will continue to be a year of Growth for Victory Life - for the Overcomers - and for the people of God, in general. Growth involves forward motion; Growth involves development, maturity, progress; Growth involves going from faith to faith, from glory to glory, from level to level, from dimension to dimension. In short, it involves going up. Up is the direction focused and headed toward Jesus, our savior and our example.

Now, we continue our journey up - closer and closer to our goal of being like and with Jesus. His power causes us to Rise up - then, it becomes our responsibility to put our focus on Him by Looking Up; as we Look up - it will help us to Get up; after we get up, we can begin to Go up... and, ultimately, we want to get to a place of stability and consistency where we can remain or Stay Up! We are now moving into the month of October - still in a season of Growth - we move into the 10th month of 2010. We move into a season of harvest - we enter into the 10. 10, the number where numeration begins ANEW on another level, in another dimension - we enter into the "up". Now, join us as we begin ANEW on another level - in another dimension - higher! Let's go in the up.

Connect - The Similarities Between Jesus & Moses

We had great discussion at Connect last night learning about the similarities that Moses and Jesus shared.
Both, sharing the intellectual ability of wisdom....people were drawn to both Jesus and Moses, they followed them and listened to their teachings. They both shared the attributes of humbleness and faithfulness as well. There are many more similarities that we discussed and many that we have not even covered. At Connect we always seem to spend at least 10 minutes on one question. The sessions are always rich with questions and various revelations that are gained from the scripture.

One of the highlights of last night's session was when one of the Overcomers asked why it is so easy for her to see all of the silly mistakes that the Israelites made when the Lord so obviously was guiding them, but that she can't always see things like that for her own life. Elder Hendrick Jones gave a wise response to this question, stating that even though the Israelites were brought out of Egypt, removed from the slavery and bondage....Egypt was still on the inside of them. That's also how we, as individuals act...It's not only about removing yourself from the situation but it's about your mindset after you have been removed.

In October, we move on to loans and credit scores with Bobby Fisher. What's your credit score with God? SELAH!

Anew '10

The month of October begins our season of Harvest. It is the 10th month of the 10th year (2010). The number 10 has great spiritual significance. The number 10 is the number where numeration begins ANEW on another level - in a new dimension. As a church we are looking forward to 10/10 so that we can begin ANEW on another level - in a new dimension. Join us for the month of October as we celebrate this harvest with speakers and musical guests from across the country!

I'm excited about what God is going to do for us throughout the 10th month of 2010. You don't want to miss it - if it's at all possible for you, you will want to block off every Sunday in October to worship with us at V-Life as we will be experiencing Extreme Praise, Intimate Worship and Life-Changing Word! Also join us for 10/9/10 as Pastor Robert Smith, Jr. from Columbus, GA delivers the word and we hear from special guest artists: Michael Essex & Vision and Nate Glasper & I Live2Praize Ministries.

Another highlight of the month will be 10/10/10 at 1pm. We will celebrate as Pastor Smith, Jr. again delivers a dynamic Word and we will also celebrate the success of the 2010 Capital Campaign. Joining us will be special musical guest, Catlindt Landrum.

Visit Anew '10 for more information. Ready, Set, Let's Grow!

Remain

What a service on Sunday! Lady C and Presence led us into the manifest presence of the Lord and God gave us a life-changing Word! The text came from John 15: 1-10, 16 (New International Version) and was entitled "You Have the Right to Remain!"

In our lives, we often feel like we're on a roller coaster - up and down and up and down. This message informed us that we don't have to stay on the roller coaster because God is trying to lead us to a place of stability and consistency and peace in Him where we go up and STAY up!

In the text Jesus teaches that His father is the gardener, He is the vine and we are the branches. He gives instructions that if we are to go up and stay up, we must remain in Him - in the vine - in the Word! We learned that God has the task of pruning us to rid us of things (and even people) that (who) hinder our growth. Jesus wraps the lesson up declaring in verse 16: ^"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last." He desires to bless us with sustained favor - our responsibility is to Remain in Him!

Images From A Sunday At Victory Life Christian Ministries

Here are some images I shot that I wanted to share from our Sunday (Sept. 19) service at Victory Life Christian Ministries in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Check out the latest images of V-Life:
























Sunday church service at Victory Life Christian Ministries is an important time for people of all ages and backgrounds to come and strengthen their relationship with God.

























Victory Life Christian Ministries hosts a regular church service at 1 p.m. on Sunday and hosts Connect (Bible study) Wednesday evening at 7 p.m.
























Pastor Razel leads us during yet another moment of deep worship at Victory Life.
























People of all ages join in during Sunday church service at Victory Life Christian Ministries. There are plenty of opportunities for kids to enjoy church services at V-Life.
























Pastor Razel leads us in song during a moment of worship at Victory Life Christian Ministries in Big Rapids, Michigan. Church service begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoons.















Here is a wide-angle shot of a nearly packed house at Victory Life Christian Ministries in Big Rapids this past Sunday.

Can't Come Down - Cannot Quit!

This weekend was a busy weekend. We had Presence/Band rehearsal on Saturday for several hours, took care of a lot of items at, and for, the church, had a great service on Sunday afternoon where we determined that we "Can't Stop, Can't Pause, Can't Wait, Can't Slip - I Can't Come Down - I Cannot Quit!"

Then, several of us traveled to Grand Rapids to Greater Works Ministries to celebrate 2 years of ministry for this wonderful church under the leadership of Pastor Drew and Lady Chantal. There, Presence and the Band ministered in song and I had the opportunity to share the Word of God with those in attendance.

It was a busy weekend - a purposeful weekend. I'm quite thankful to Presence, the Band and those who traveled along with us to support, to serve and to partake in what God was doing. It feels good to be supported - it feels even better to know that so many of the Overcomers at V-Life are using your talents, your abilities, and even your positive attitudes to serve God.

You all were like many energizer bunnies this weekend - kept going and going and going and going... You became the word with your energy - with your efforts - with your determination. I saw you display the word - "Can't Stop, Can't Pause, Can't Wait, Can't Slip - I Can't Come Down - I Cannot Quit!" Continue to be doers of the word - stay focused on the work God has called you to - never come down - never quit!

Pastor Razel

Images From A Sunday At Victory Life Christian Ministries

Here are some images I shot that I wanted to share from our Sunday (Sept. 12) service at Victory Life Christian Ministries in Big Rapids.

Check out the latest images of V-Life:

















Pastor Razel gives us the His word during service on Sunday, Sept. 12 at Victory Life Christian Ministries in Big Rapids, Michigan.













Lady Camille leads us in song at Victory Life Christian Ministries in Big Rapids.

















A moment of deep worship taking place at Victory Life Christian Ministries in Big Rapids, Michigan.

















Minister Darius speaks to Overcomers during service on Sunday at Victory Life.
























Brother Langston, Brother Jake and Brother Brian bring the sounds to Victory Life.













Pastor Razel speaks to his Overcomers during service on Sunday, Sept. 12 at Victory Life.

Underground work

Minister Mike Sears blessed us with a dynamic Word from the Lord this past Sunday. I'm still meditating on it. He talked about how God keeps us in the process to work on developing our roots - he talked about the underground work that many do and feel like it is unnoticed and maybe even unappreciated. In thinking about that, I just wanted to stop and take a moment to say that I appreciate the underground work done by you, the precious Overcomers of Victory Life!

Thank you for taking out the trash; thank you for every appointment scheduled on my behalf; thank you for coming out on Wednesdays and Sundays; thank you for working with the children in Kids Konnection; thank you for preparing for our youth; thank you for planting flowers; thank you for greeting people coming to worship; thank you for counting the offering; thank you for making the deposits; thank you for learning the songs; thank you for putting the images on the screen; thank you for making sure the microphones are right; thank you for setting up the video cameras; thank you for burning the cds; thank you for doing the opening prayer; thank you for praying for your pastor and leading lady; thank you for carrying bags; thank you for receiving the feedback; thank you for appreciating; thank you for everything you do - it may seem small to you, but it is huge in the grand scheme of things.

When you're faithful over small things, God can trust you and make you the steward of big things. Keep on building the roots; keep on doing the work; keep on being a blessing - your day is coming! It's taking so long to build the roots because the end-product is just that big!

Love you V-Life,

Pastor Razel

Images From A Sunday At Victory Life Christian Ministries

Here are some images I shot that I wanted to share from our Sunday (Sept. 5) service at Victory Life Christian Ministries in Big Rapids.

Check out the latest images of V-Life:

















Lady C brings the the V-Life to its feet with the sounds of worship.
























Victory Life is open to people of all ages who want to worship and strengthen their relationship with God.
























At Victory Life, Pastor Razel and others surrender to the Lord by raising their hands during service on Sunday.

















Pastor Razel fires up Overcomers and others during service at Victory Life Christian Ministries on Sunday in Big Rapids.

















More images of deep worship taking place at Victory Life Christian Ministries in Big Rapids.

















Minister Mike Sears delivers stirring words to the congregation during service on Sunday afternoon at Victory Life Christian Ministries.

Connect: Book Club Choices and Survey

One of the Connect offerings is a book club. This club is scheduled periodically through the year. It is open to male and female adult overcomers 17+ years. Christian fiction and/or nonfiction titles are discussed over a series of weeks in a small group session.

It is time to think of titles for discussion. Please take time to comment on the choices if you are interested in participating in the book club tentatively scheduled for November 2010.

One choice is The Five Love Languages, Singles Edition by Gary Chapman. This book allows us to discover more about our need for love and our need to give love. In the singles edition, it talks about how singles can do this in dating, parenting, work, family and friendship relationships.

A second choice is The Blessing by Dr. Gary Smalley and John Trent, Ph.D. The authors help us to understand our need for unconditional love. The book focuses on five key elements of blessing and offers suggestions for moving on from the heartbreak that we may experience because we did not receive those blessings. It also stresses the importance of us learning to be blessings with helpful suggestions.

A fiction choice includes Farther Than I Meant To Go and Longer Than I Meant to Stay by Tiffany L. Warren. Its the story of a woman who made decisions based on peer-societal pressures and fear rather than on the principles of God.

The second fiction choice is titled She Who Finds a Husband by E.N. Joy. Reviews indicate that this book is about a singles group started in a church by "Mother Doreen". The only problem is that only women attend the group and it turns into a monthly male bashing group. Through the ups and downs of their relationships they learn how to stop lying to themselves and to "let go and let God".

For more information on all of the above books, check out excerpts and reviews of them at christianbook.com. In addition to comments on these titles, feel free to offer other titles and authors that you would like for us to consider. Provide a brief summary of the book, if possible. Also, please indicate if you would attend the book club during the month of November or suggest a different time.

Announcements
*September 22 Connect on Campus. Stay tuned for more details
*September 29 Connect is cancelled for Quarterly Staff Training @ 7:00 p.m.

I'm looking forward to hearing feedback from all of our overcomers! Blessings!