Labor and Rest

God established a system for us when we labor, then rest. Our problem is that we often either reverse the system to REST, then labor or we double up on one option and leave the other alone - i.e. labor, labor or else rest, rest. I don't know where you find yourself in this cycle of life, but I encourage you to do all you can to get to the point where you are working on the assignments God has given you, then upon completion celebrate your victory with some rest which will allow you to R.E.S.T. - 1. Reflect, 2. Energize, 3. Strategize and 4. Take-off!

1. Reflect on what you have accomplished - too many times we spend no time enjoying what we have accomplished and created.

2. Energize - get yourself ready for the next assignment. Once you've completed one, God always has another assignment for you to complete on another level and in a new dimension!

3. Strategize - make your plans for how you will accomplish your next assignment. What's your plan? You always need a plan before making a move!

4. Take-off - now that you've reflected, energized and strategized, get ready for take-off. Build up your speed and create momentum for yourself as you attack the next phase of your purpose.

Do the Rest!

Labor is what you were born to do. Work the work of Him who sent you. Work while it's day, for the night comes when no one can work.

But,

Rest is an action that we need to take. Rest is earned upon completion of assignments. Rest is essential to your success!

Create the right balance in your life of Labor and Rest!

Connected!

Last night was a phenomenal session of Connect. It seemed like everyone in the room had something good to offer to the discussion. I had been away from Connect for a few weeks and was excited to be back!

In the sanctuary, I led a discussion on movement towards your victory entitled, "Run for it!" We looked at what the bible says about running. What it means to run naturally and spiritually and how the principles of running can help us to advance towards our destiny.

We talked about how there are some things we need to run to and some things we need to run from. I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Here are some questions you could answer - answer one or answer them all - it's up to you!

• What kind of a race are you in? 
• How can you train to be ready to run?
• What happens if you stop running?
• How can running connect you to your victory? 
• Who is your competition in this race?
• Where is the finish line? 
• What happens if you win the race? 
• What are you running to?
• What are you running from?
• What kinds of things prevent you, or try to prevent you, from running?

I'm looking forward to hearing from you! 

Creation

I have enjoyed the series "Let There Be." It has been exciting to look at the first initiation of God. In this season, in which we are initiating God's plan for our lives, there are so many lessons we can learn from God's initial initiation.

We are in an interesting season. We are experiencing unseasonable weather patterns; here we are in mid-March and I'm making plans for golf in Michigan - that's uncommon! God is giving us access to things that are typically reserved for later seasons. As it is with our natural weather, so it is with our spiritual atmosphere; God is giving us access to things we normally would have to wait for - speeding up production and granting access!

In our series we are approaching day six of creation. This is the day when God created mankind, but it is also the day that he created dominion for you and I. It is in Day 6 that we find out that Day 1-5 were for me. I'm looking forward to diving into this topic on Sunday as we continue this series and this season. Invite a friend and have them come out and learn how they were created to rule.

Let there be...

Connect is back!

Last night we gathered together for Connect at 7:00 p.m. It was the first time in a couple months that we had Connect due to our 10 month Connect schedule and we were ready! Sister Jessica and team put together great offerings for adults, youth and children all focused on the subject of Love. Sister Vanessa taught the adult class about the Greek meanings of 'love' and how Christ is looking for us to give this love to Him and to our brothers and sisters! I have such a great time hearing the insights of the Overcomers and friends of the ministry who attend Connect. We have some great minds in our midst. From the profound, instigating insights of Dad Jones to the sincere reflections of brand new Overcomers, Connect provides us with an opportunity to hear multiple voices and to learn and to grow from whatever stage we're at in our spiritual development journey. It was a great start to February and phase 2 of the blessings, glory and favor of 2012 at Victory Life! I'm looking forward to diving deeper into the Word at Connect, every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. from February to November! If you happen to be checking out this blog, take a couple minutes and let us know what you got out of Connect this week!

Initiated

This year's Anniversary celebration was our best yet, in my opinion. We celebrated three years in style! Marcus Cole began the celebration presenting a Worship Now Seminar which opened our minds to worship in the next dimension. Then he set the atmosphere for a dynamic service on Saturday evening, leading praise and worship with a well-prepared Presence & the Sound. What a sound! We heard from Sister Jessica and Brother Cedric and were touched by their moving testimonies of what Victory Life has meant to their lives. Then, Lady Erica Glenn blessed us with her anointed vocals, setting the stage for her husband, Pastor Jermone Glenn to come to the stage and minister the Word - and that he did with power and accuracy! We were ready to initiate... and that's just day one.

We returned on Sunday and Lady Camille and Presence and the Sound brought Heaven down during praise and worship. Sister Jamie and Sister Vanessa shared insights into what the ministry has meant to their lives. Pastor Doriane Parker-Sims came with a Rhema Word for the house and for several individuals. Deliverance fell in the room and then a song from Heaven was birthed as we declared, "It all started with a sound!" 

Day 3 came and Lady C and Presence once again led us in extreme praise and intimate worship. Sister Tonia and Minister Darius moved us to tears giving their testimonies of what Victory Life has meant to them. Dad Jones shared stories and insight into the beginnings of my ministry (he even brought pictures). Dr. Hawthorne took to the stage to bring the Word of God for the final Initiate 2012 conference service. He presented a fatherly Word, full of wisdom, confirming much of what had been said on the prior two days. 

Each speaker left a deposit in us, inspired us and gave us tools to initiate the plan of God in our individual lives and as a church body. Now, the conference is over, but the season has just begun for us to Initiate the 2012 plan of God for our lives. It is time to make movement towards the plan of God for our lives - it's time to INITIATE!

3 years of Victory Life!

It is hard to believe that Victory Life has existed for 3 years already, but today is the anniversary of our official start date. We began on January 11, 2009 (1/11 @ 1pm).

In these 3 years, Victory Life has had a life-changing impact upon the area, our Overcomers and friends of the ministry. Help us compile a history of this impact by posting what Victory Life has meant to you in your life!

Overcomers past and present and friends of the ministry, we want to hear from you. What has been the impact of Victory Life on your life?

Better Done Than Said

This year we will Initiate the plan of God for our lives.

Tell us, what are you making happen in 2012?

INITIATE 2012!

Initiate 2012

Join us January 14, 15 and 16 for Initiate 2012. 

We are celebrating our 3 year anniversary and would love to have you celebrate with us! 

Our celebration has outgrown our current building, so we have moved the festivities to The Eagles Club: 

18631 16 Mile Road, Big Rapids, Michigan

View Map · Get Directions

Schedule

• Saturday, January 14 at noon - Marcus Cole leads a "Worship Now" Seminar
• Saturday, January 14 at 7pm - Pastor Jermone Glenn with musical guest, Marcus Cole
• Sunday, January 15 at 1pm - Pastor Doriane Parker-Sims
• Monday, January 16 at 7pm - Dr. Charles Hawthorne

All events are free with a free-will offering collected. 

Come to one or all of the festivities to celebrate what God has done and prepare for what He is about to do - let's Initiate!

For more information, visit the event facebook page, email the church or call 231.796.VLIF (8543)

Redeemed

What does it mean to you to be redeemed?
Can't wait to hear what you have to say!

Just saying thank you!

I must say, I am certainly excited and encouraged by how God has been moving in our services. God is favoring us with a unique outpouring of His Spirit. It has been amazing to experience and to see God renovating lives! The last couple weeks as I preached, God completely took over and changed the plans, giving fresh revelation which has been exactly what has been needed. Then, what can I say about how God used Lady Camille yesterday. In short, I guess I just wanted to stop by here to say, thank you Lord for what you're doing in our midst. Feel free to join in on my praise or add something new that you're thankful for! For us, thanksgiving is more than a day; it's a way of life!