UPDATE & Life Word - Confident Trust

Hello KVM family,

I know it’s been a while since we’ve written and I just wanted to let you all know that we are doing well, and will continue to write as God leads us. As many of you know Daryle started law school this past Fall and he is doing wonderful. He is in the midst of his finals right now. About a month or so ago he was chosen to receive a scholarship for books from the MABL foundation Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers) in MN. We attended a gala and he was called up onstage, it was awesome, and we are giving God all the glory for it!!

Currently I am working on a Poem book that God had given me quite some time ago, it’s been a work in progress. I’ve picked it up and put it down and picked it up and put it down again, but I’m feeling the pull to finally complete it, so I will let you all know when that is finished.

Now that I’ve gotten you all updated : ) I wanted to encourage you all. Daryle and I have been going through some various things lately with my health, with family, with his heavy school schedule, trying to purchase our first home, etc. it’s been a whirl wind and it has been extremely hard. I’ll be honest a few weeks ago I was at a place where I was so broken down I didn’t know which way was up, and then God gave me a message…

Hebrews 10:35-36: 35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

We visited a church and the Pastor’s wife was giving the message and talked about endurance, she used the above scripture. The next day I got an email from my Spiritual mom in IL and she sent the same passage. I begin to meditate on the first part of that scripture. I begin to think about the ways I’ve confidently trusted in God. I confidently trusted in Him for my salvation, I confidently trusted in Him that my family would be saved, I confidently trusted in Him for a husband, I confidently trusted in Him to provide when we were both out of work, and in each of those things He has come through, plus so much more. I began to count my blessings and look at the things God has done for me, and I realized that I needed to put that trust back into Him because He can’t and won’t let me down.

Then on to the next line… “Patient endurance” whooooweeee. That doesn’t sound so great, so Lord you mean this isn’t going to end right now? You mean I still have to deal with this stuff? I didn’t like that too much, but then I kept reading and the last line says “Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Ok, so if I can just trust in Him and patiently endure and continue in His will, then I will receive all He has promised, I can do that! It was a turning point for me. The heaviness lifted, the peace came back in, and it was wonderful. I just had to shift my focus and perspective. Isn’t God such a loving Father, no matter where we are at, He always comes and gently reminds us of who He is.

I just wanted to encourage all of you out there going through things or waiting on things to happen. Continue to trust in your Father, continue to put your confidence in Him, continue to be patient, and you WILL receive ALL He has promised.

God Bless!

Tracy Houston

The Violent Take it By Force

Matthew 11:12 (KJV)And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

For years the church has used this scripture to inspire, to pump up the people, and used it as validation that possessing something by faith is something you have to do rather than just something you have to believe God for. I mean just imagine if you’re believing God for something and you hear a message being preached saying “take what you want from the devil by force”. I mean that sounds pretty good don’t you think, you get to beat up the devil and feel spiritually strong at the same time.

The more and more I mature in God I don’t think that this scripture is being used in the right context that it has been taught in. First of all it says the violent take it by force, I never understood how we as followers of Christ associate ourselves as being violent in any manner (Luke 3:14). Also, why do I have to take something by force when all things are given to me freely by God (Romans 8:32)? It just doesn’t add up to me.

Secondly, in the greek translation the meaning in context of the word “it” in that particular scripture is “them”. So the scripture can be read as; “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take them by force.”

When Jesus refers to the kingdom of heaven suffering violence He is not saying that we are a violent people that posses things by the force of faith. What Jesus is referencing to is that violence has come upon the preaching of the kingdom of heaven because of the conviction of sin it brings and in turn for a person looking for a better way, the freedom that is gained (the worlds system is designed to keep you in bondage, or in today’s terms in debt). The violence intent is to shut up the preaching of the kingdom.

If you study the history of many of the ministers preaching the kingdom, the first one to begin preaching the kingdom was John the Baptist. He is regarded as the one sent to prepare the way. Before John the Baptist the only reference to the kingdom of God and Jesus was through prophecy and prophetic events that took place. Through the preaching of the kingdom comes immense power and influence which threatens mighty worldly systems that are not of God’s design. In turn the result is that the stewards of those systems try to silence the message from being preached, because it also threatens the traditional of a way of thinking, culture and what people have believed to be true for so long. In North America it is hard to bring that home because persecution is something that we don’t regularly face here for the gospel of Christ. But in many other places on the globe followers of Christ are being persecuted regularly just as the Bible recorded thousands of years ago.

I can almost guarantee you that if the North American church really united as one. I’m not just talking about “Christians” attending weekly and Sunday services, but if everyone that professes to be a follower of Christ actually started to live what they confess than you would see an uproar in our system also. Right now the governing systems here don’t feel threatened by the church because the church has very little influence. Sure the church does a lot of good here in North America but I honestly believe the world views North American Christians as hypocrites and a shifty people. You may disagree but this is just my own personal thought. What I believe will happen is this. The church will begin to take its position and not just here in North America but on the earth in general. Once this happens we will begin to see positive change, worldly systems will topple and the kingdom of God will visibly reign on earth. As a result of this there will be a great addition of people into the kingdom of God. Will there be push back from the world, absolutely! But I believe it will have no effect on the progress of God’s plans.

So the main intent of why persecution comes towards followers of Christ is to plainly silence the message from being preached. Before Saul became Paul this was something he took pride in.

Acts 26:10 (NKJV)This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.

Nothing will ever be able to silence the Truth from being spread because it’s not a message created by man but by God.

Acts 5:39 (KJV)And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
So now that we have just a little insight on the context of the scripture next time I will go deeper into how that scripture is represented in the Bible, scripturally.

I pray that this has been a blessing.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

A Purposeful Life

God placed each and every one of us here for a purpose. Many of us may spend an entire lifetime just existing or “getting by”. Everyone has a purpose in life, something that burns in your heart, something you may only perceive to be a dream. When I look back on my life 5 to 6 years ago I thought my purpose was all about me. I wanted to be rich, I wanted to have this or that, it was all me, me, me. Now that I have come into the Kingdom of God what really burns in my heart is to help others.

Do I still desire to have some of the things I wanted in the past, yes; but now I have this passion to bless others. If you look at your life and your situation, can you say that you are operating in life for a purpose or are you just living? I want you to really think about it because I believe if we started to really seek God regarding purpose the world would be a much different place.

Some may say “well my purpose is to go to work and provide for my family”, in that regard I would say that is definitely something you should do but is that your purpose in life or just your function as a leader in your household? Now it may very well be that your purpose it to do that, I’m not saying that that can’t be someone’s purpose in life. All I’m saying is just do an evaluation. Is there a dream in your heart that just won’t go away? Do you have a feeling inside of you that you need to be doing something other than what you’re doing now? If that’s you I believe God is speaking to you about pursuing what He placed you on this earth for.

You may say “I have a dream of becoming xyz… but I can’t see how it can be accomplished in my current situation”. I say that’s all God, chances are that God is not going to tell you to do something that you can accomplish yourself. If He did then why would we need Him? When God speaks and gives you vision it’s usually something that blows your mind away. He might tell a farmer to go and preach the Word in a major city; He might tell a teacher to go be an astronaut. What has He shown you lately? God wants the world to witness His greatness through you. He wants people to actually see His mercy and grace and not just read about it. God can only accomplish this through you and me.

Exodus 9:16 (NKJV)
But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.

In the above scripture God is talking to Moses when He gave him the task of going to Pharaoh to deliver the messages. It’s no different today; God still wants and is still using His people in the same manner. The biggest hindrance in this process is our own selves. We can be quick to say I can’t, or that’s just a dream, etc… This is real; God wants to use you in such a mighty way. He wants to show you off to the world, He wants to put you on the stage and say “See there, that’s My son or My daughter”. We just have to take that first step of faith. Will it be a bit freighting, it may be. Will you have doubts here or there, you very may well. But through it all God is God and He will carry out what He has spoken in your life. It will happen if you just keep on walking.

So I say make a declaration that you will first pray and seek God as to what that purpose is in your life and then act upon it. I know that you can do it because God has already done it.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

The Redeemed!

Many people both believer and non-believer thinks that the devil has the power to cause havoc in their lives. There are also many individuals in this world today that also fear the devil to the extent that they put themselves into bondage using the Word of God. You may be asking yourself what I mean? What I am referring to is this; many people live their lives with the thought that if they mess up or in some way commit a sin than the devil will have reign over their lives. This is called living under the bondage of the law. Many believers live in this state of mind every day. If you were to rightly divide the Word of God you will see that as a new covenant church we are not bound to the requirements of the Law of Moses.

At no means am I saying that the Law of Moses was not of God because it was indeed holy. What I am getting at is this. There is a new covenant that we live under that is founded on grace. We need not focus on what we need to do to be in right standing with God but more on what has already been done that made us righteous forever. The price has been paid for all of your past, present, and future sins on Calvary. It’s time to redirect all that energy we put into trying to be pure and use it on building quality personal relationships with God. Relationship is what God wants with all of us and not dictatorship. It’s so awesome to know that I can have a personal relationship with the One who created me. I can go and talk freely and hear God without having to go to a middle man like in the times of Moses.

Hebrews 8:13 (NIV)
By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

Using God’s Word to keep His people in bondage under the law has been a very subtle deception that the devil has used for awhile to keep the children of God from progressing. Still with every thought and suggestion that may come from something other than the Holy Spirit, you still have the power to accept or reject it.

Acts 5:2-4 (NIV)
With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

The situation in the above scriptures is a perfect representation of your authority over unrighteousness. Did satan suggest that they try and deceive the Holy Spirit; no doubt. All the devil can do is give you a thought or a suggestion but it is ultimately up to us whether we will honor God or honor selfish ambition.

Colossians 2:13-15 (KJV)
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

The above scriptures can pretty much sum up everything that I am trying to convey.
1. You have been forgiven of ALL your sin.
2. The old covenant was fulfilled when Christ was crucified, so we are not to hold ourselves to that standard. Only one man was ever able to fully fulfill the law, and that was Jesus.
3. The devil has no hold in your life; he cannot do anything in your life unless you give him room in your heart. He can’t make you sick with disease, he can’t take your money, all he can do is give you an unrighteous suggestion or thought and in the end the decision to act still lies with you.

I pray that this has been a blessing to you.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

The Witness of Power

1 Corinthians 4:20 (KJV)
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

It is important that as followers of Christ we have to ensure that we are totally led by the Holy Spirit and not just by what we read. The Bible is a tool that God gave us to instruct us, guide us, and show us how to be effective witnesses for Him. One may merely read the Bible just for information and revelation but the Word of God is meant to not only provide information but more importantly provide transformation in our lives. In order for someone to accurately perceive someone who claims to be a Christian they need proof. In other words they need more than just someone saying I’m a Christian, and Jesus loves you. The world needs to witness what being a follower of Christ is. As soon as the church gets on one accord with this, the world will no longer be able to deny the power of God.

Acts 4:13-21 (KJV)
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

The above scriptures tell of the time when Peter and John are before the council. The council did not like the fact that they were preaching Christ and also understood that a miracle had been performed on a lame man. As you see they could not deny the power of God nor find a way to punish them because all the men glorified God. If this doesn’t show you how we ought to be I don’t know what does. When everyone comes on one accord and just gives God the glory the world will bow. It’s not about which preacher is right, about different intricacies of the Bible. It’s not about judging others if they slip and fall from time to time. If we all just give God the glory in all things the Holy Spirit will led us in all things. Many walk around puffed up because they may be more knowledgeable in God’s Word than another but I say are you displaying power with what you know? The ones around you do they just see you as someone who just talks or as one who performs?

Acts 2:22 (KJV)
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.

Jesus was approved (exhibited, pointed out...) by God not because of how much He knew but because of what He did. God performed many miracles through Jesus, and He wants to do the same through you.
Now a miracle is much more that just healing someone, the word in the Greek there is dynamis:
1) Strength power, ability
a) Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
b) Power for performing miracles
c) Moral power and excellence of soul
d) The power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
e) Power and resources arising from numbers
f) Power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

Now, miracles do consist of supernatural healing but also excellence of soul. As followers of Christ we are to exhibit miracles on a daily basis. When Jesus was on the cross being crucified and he said Father forgive them for they know not what they do, this was a miracle. Young men when a woman comes to you and offers herself to you and you resist the temptation, this is a miracle. Young women when you find out that someone has been talking about you behind your back and you choose not to hold that person at fault, this is a miracle. It’s time to begin to expand our minds beyond the traditions that we have been accustomed too. It’s time to not only know Word but actually display its power.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Reconciliation

Recently there has been a lot of talk about the world coming to an end and there are many people that are in a state of fear and panic. This has affected both the believer and the non-believer. This ought not to be the case when it comes to the children of God. Some may ask why not; shouldn’t we be concerned at the second coming of Christ? I say the only one that needs to be concerned with the second coming is the one who is not ready for it. Everyone loves to quote the scripture of how the Lord will come as a thief in the night. As believers we believe this to be true for us also, my friend this is not so. If you read the scripture in context you will be enlightened.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NKJV)
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

So in the concern with the end of the world, we ought not to be afraid because as the righteousness of God we are eternal beings (Matthew 25:45-46). There is no end, when we pass through this life on earth we will not die but will continue on. In verse 9 of the above scripture it says that we are not appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ. That is the purpose of why we live, to be witnesses of Christ to others so that they too may also decide to receive Jesus. In turn the Kingdom of God will expand.

Me personally I’m not watching the clouds everyday waiting for Jesus to come because that’s not what God has called me to do. But rather I am watching and being sober to the fact that there are many who are out there that need to hear the Truth. When the day of the Lord comes then I will be ready but until then my purpose is the ministry of reconciliation. To tell and show as many people I come in contact with about the goodness of the Lord and about the Truth. In doing this they too can make the decision as whether to choose life or not. My purpose is clear and in whatever function God has me carry it out in is fine. Reconciliation and not the great day of tribulation is what we are to be focused on.

2 Corinthians 5:19-21 (NKJV)
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

The Power of Repentance

When I was growing up in the church I was never really taught about the power of repentance. During that time I thought that repentance was asking God for forgiveness of some sin that I had committed. Naturally I was repenting almost about every Sunday; of course this was when I was still attending church. No one ever told me that repenting was not about going to the altar and feeling guilty and apologizing to God for my shortcomings.

As believers in Christ we must know that forgiveness for sin is not something that you need to be forgiven of constantly, but rather it is something you walk in continually. You have already been forgiven of your sins through the price that was paid on the cross. Every sin, past, present, and future has already been forgiven so you can stop condemning yourself for your shortcomings and start thanking Jesus for what He has already accomplished.

So now we know that we have been freed from the bondage of sin we can now start to understand what real repentance is and where it leads.

Acts 2:38 (KJV)
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Here Peter is speaking to a group and telling them to Repent. The word repent here is metanoeo which simply means to changes one’s mind for better. To me being a follower of Christ is not merely about doing good deeds but more about the renewing of one’s mind and the fervency for God in one’s heart. So in a sense Peter is saying wash your mind with Jesus Christ and then you will receive the power and guidance that Holy Spirit provides.

So you may be asking if repentance is not asking for forgiveness of sins than does that mean I will still commit sin. The answer is yes. The question is not will you ever commit sin again but it should be how will I let Holy Spirit mature me so I can resist those sins that I usually fall prey to. When I was younger I used to commit all kinds of sin, from fornication to stealing. When I washed my mind with what Jesus did for me on the cross and received power and guidance from the Holy Spirit I soon began to see that the temptations I used to fall prey to no longer had power to influence my decision making. As each day, month, and year past I grew stronger and stronger. Does this mean that I am sinless, no not at all. What I mean by that statement is this; I may no longer commit fornication but I may walk in unforgiveness even if it is for a short moment. Sin is sin, no matter if it’s something as horrific as murder or something as subtle as envy, it all weighs the same.

Clearly no believer can live a successful life without the help from the Holy Spirit and the first step to this is repentance. Remember not the repentance where you go up to the altar and ask for forgiveness and weep because of the guilt you carry. I’m talking about the repentance where you decide that you will change your thinking and stance on the things and situations that have hindered you and you say once and for all that those things and situations will no longer control your thinking or actions.

The above scripture informs us that when we repent we shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit that will help us with this life here on the earth. Now when you do go through that process Jesus says that you will be witnesses unto him all over. And your life will be a testimony unto all the world of the goodness of God.

Acts 1:8 (KJV)
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

As believers we are witnesses unto Christ, not because we live perfect lives but because we were transformed by the blood of Jesus.

I hope that this has been a blessing to you.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Who Knew No Sin

II Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

We recently celebrated Easter and during this time we really hone in on the sacrifice that was made on our behalf, and once Easter comes to an end we usually go on to a different topic. I think that the sacrifice of Jesus is the most important reference in the Bible. I say this boldly because without it we would be lost in sin, not knowing which way to turn. I was thinking about the price that was paid and it continuously astounds me that God loves us so much.

Let’s think about, God took his only Son and poured His wrath upon Him so that we would be set free. On the cross Jesus not only took our sins but He became sin itself. He became the only thing that God hates. He went from being the purest person on the entire earth to being the exact opposite of that. Now that’s grace my friend, and without it we are nothing.

We have to watch as believers how we view our relationship with God. Many people view it in many different ways. Until recently I viewed my relationship with God as one that was pretty much based on trying to please Him through my actions. I just recently realized this and it was the biggest weight lifted off my shoulders when God told me that He is already pleased with me and there is nothing I can do to change His mind. God is not mad at anybody; remember His wrath was poured out on His only Son on the cross. If God was mad at you that would be like saying His first sacrifice (Jesus) was not good enough.

But this is a revelation that we have to not only get but receive. When we think about the devil and his tricks we always think about some sinful temptation. We never think that He might try and use the Holy Scriptures to confound us and keep us in bondage. Many of us are still living according to the ways of the Law of Moses and not even knowing it. The Law will tell us that we have to do something to please God. The Law tells us that God can sometimes be mad at us and put us through various trials such as sickness and disease to mature us as Christians. The Law tells us that we’re not good enough until we do something that is good enough for God.

If we rightly divide the Word of God we will understand that first and foremost the Law is Holy, and given by God. We will also know that there is a new covenant and that no man but Jesus could have fulfilled the Law of Moses and we are to live according to the new and not the old.

Romans 6:14 (NKJV)
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Acts 13:38-39 (NKJV)
“Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; “and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things you could not be justified by the Law of Moses.

The above scriptures let me know that I am justified because I believe I am and that there is nothing I can do to earn extra brownie points with God because He has more points to give that I can imagine. God loves you for you and not what it is that you do or don’t do. Sounds a little too good to be true, but it is indeed so. Once we renew our minds to this truth freedom will reign in your life and you won’t feel like you are living in bondage by being a follower of Christ. I pray that this has blessed you in some form or fashion and if you know someone who is on your heart that might also be blessed by this, please feel free to share.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Will You Be The One?

This morning the Lord begin to speak to me about willing to be “the one”. “The one” who is willing to obey when others might not. “The one” that’s willing to be a voice when others might not speak. “The one” that’s willing to go lay hands on the sick, when others have already written them off as dying. “The one” who is willing to do something “radical”, when others want to play it safe. When you are willing to be “the one” and allow God to use you as that, you could be a vessel used to help facilitate a change for a person, a community, a nation, or the world. Let’s look at some examples of people in the Bible that were willing to be “the one”.

Noah - Genesis 6:9 “…Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless man living on earth at the time. He consistently followed God's will and enjoyed a close relationship with him.” Noah was willing to be “the one” person who walked as blameless and with God. He was “the one” that chose to obey God and because he did, he was “the one” God used to save the human race from physical death and start a new.

David - 1 Samuel 17:32 “Then David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." Now David was the youngest and probably the smallest man out on that battle field, he wasn’t even a soldier, he had just come to bring food to his brothers who were fighting, and yet he was “the one” that was willing to stand against Goliath for defying the army of the Living God. He was willing to say “Is there not a cause?" (1 Samuel 17:29), and although Saul even denied him at first when he said he would fight, David did not give up, he persisted until Saul agreed, and then he went and slayed Goliath saving Israel from the hand of the Philistines. He was willing to be “the one” used by God to slay the giant and save the people from being enslaved.

Ester - Ester 4:16 "Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I am willing to die." In the face of death, Ester was willing to be “the one” who would stand for her people, and because she was willing to be “the one” the Jews were spared and the one who tried to kill them was taken out instead.

Paul – Galatians 1:15-16 “But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being.” Paul was willing to be “the one” that stood up and was willing to take the Word to the gentiles so that they might also experience salvation. He didn’t consult anyone when God told him what to do, and even though he was looked at crazy by some of the Jews for taking the message to the gentiles that did not dissuade him from his purpose.

Jesus – John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” Jesus was willing to be “the one” who came from heaven to the earth, allowed himself to be brutalized and killed to save the world.

All of these are example of individuals who were willing to step out there and be “the one” no matter what was ahead of them. God is calling each and every believer out there to be “the one”. Each one of us might not be used to change something on a global scale, but we are each created to be used by God as conduits of change whether it is for one person or for billions. So be “the one” on your job, be “the one” at your children’s school, be “the one” at your local grocery store, be “the one” at the hospital, be “the one” in your community, be “the one” for your city. Wherever it may be, whatever it may be, hear God and obey and be “THE ONE”.

God bless!

Tracy Houston
Kingdomvizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

More Than A Conqueror

Romans 8:35 (NKJV)Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:

“ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

When we are taught about the above scriptures it is usually referenced in a way that defines believers as always having favorable outcomes in life. Have you ever experienced a setback and said “I am more than a conqueror”, have you ever been in the running for an important business deal and said “I am more than a conqueror”, have you ever been challenged in any way shape or form and have used this scripture to claim victory over what has been challenging you?

Now all of that is fine, as God’s children we have supernatural favor in areas of our lives that produces good results. But when I look at those scriptures now I see something totally different from what I have been taught. What really stands out to me is not verse 37 but rather verse 35.

Verse 35 speaks on being separated from the love of Christ and what how you can potentially let adverse situations separate you from that love. If verse 37 only references good times and always having favorable results then it kind of contradicts verse 35. Why would always being successful threaten the separation of the love of Christ, usually that is when most believers tend to draw closer to God.

You may be asking what I’m getting at. What I am getting at is this; every now and then we may come across an experience in life that does not produce the results we think that it should. Have you ever been rejected for a job, while being a Christian? Have you ever been turned down for that mortgage to purchase your dream house, as a Christian? Have you ever lost a loved one that you prayed so earnestly for, or have you ever been a part of bad relationship break up while being a Christian? We all have experienced some kind of unfavorable results while being a follower of Christ, results that we cannot explain and often question God as to why it happened.

When you experience disappointment and heartache how do you react? Someone who is more than a conqueror is able to remain in a state of peace, in a state where they can say “You know what God, it didn’t work out the way I wanted but you know what’s best for my life and I trust you always”. Someone who is more than a conqueror will overcome the mix of emotions that can adversely affect your mental mindset of peace. Am I saying not to grieve in the case of loss or maybe even be a bit upset, no not at all. I’m just saying be sensitive and able to discern that which threatens that peace and sense of love that we get through Christ.

Let’s take Jesus as an example; Jesus was being beaten and killed on the cross but through it all he was more than a conqueror. Through it all he said Father forgive them for they know not what they do. How many of us can honestly say they would be able to do that right now today.

So from this day on whatever you experience in life whether good or bad always know that you are more than a conqueror, not because you will always get favorable results you desire but because you will always be at peace in whatever situation you face.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Love is the Key

It has been about two or so years since Tracy and I started Kingdom Vizion Ministries, sending out Word of the Day messages. During this time God has built both of us up in wisdom and maturity. Many of the messages that we send out are messages that can be a little hard to read and ones that may even convict your spirit. The greatest lesson that I am learning is that the message is not meant to tear you down but to build you up.

My job is first and foremost not to tell you things you ought to do and not do them myself, as we progress in ministry and move closer and closer to one day establishing a brick and mortar church this is something that has to always be the case. When we write we write from a stand point of love and not disappointment. It can often be disheartening to see the potential but not yet see the fruit, but love is the standpoint we take. Today we want to let everyone who is reading this know that we love each and every one of you.

The last thing we want you to do is beat yourself up because you think that you are not perfect enough for God and that you are unworthy to be sent by Him. You are already perfect in Gods sight. Is everything we do always right on track, probably not. God cares more about your heart than your works, if your heart is pure than the rest will line up. Living by the Word of God is impossible out of your own strength and intelligence; it takes the working of the Holy Spirit to be able to carry out what He has established for you. So if you are out there beating yourself up because you try and try and try and always seem to come up empty handing, I say to you stop trying and just start walking.

There are many of you out there that are experiencing situations in your lives that are out of your control. I know I always talk about people putting themselves in their own mess but there are some out there that have been put in a mess that they did not create. You see what you want to do and it’s just not happening, you want a better life and it seems that it’s just not coming; you want to be healed of whatever it is afflicting your body and it seems to only be getting worse. For those of you that may be experiencing something like this, I say to you just keep praising God. For your breakthrough is coming, sometimes when a situation is at its worse that means the end of that thing is near.

Don’t lose faith, don’t grow weary, He is right there in the midst with you. Just like when the three Hebrew boys were thrown in the fiery furnace. God was right there in the midst of fire with them and they came out unbound and free because of their faith and confidence in God and what they knew was true. We often times think that God will rescue us from the fire and in some cases that is true. In other cases He will lead you through the fire because one thing that the fire does is purify you. You saw when the Hebrew boys were put into the fire their hands were bound and when they came out they were no longer bound. God did not leave them, He did not stop loving them, He led them through.

So I tell you just keep praising, keep believing, and keep strong in the faith. I was listening to a song today by casting crowns and every time I listen to this song I am moved so much because the song just radiates God’s love in the times we need it the most. You can check it out too, just click the link below.

Casting Crowns: Praise You In This Storm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw
Daryle Houston
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

It’s Time!

This morning as I got up to praise and worship I was looking for songs on the internet and I ran across this awesome song that was a great encouragement. It made me get up and dance around, and it started my morning off right. It doesn’t matter what happens the rest of this day let us let the words of this song permeate our hearts. I invite you all to rejoice with me this day. For any of you that might have had a rough start this week, or have been going through a lot lately. Put this song on get up, listen to the words and just let it all go!!It’s time to return to the joy of our salvation!

http://www.morningstarministries.org/Media/Player.aspx?fullpage=True&media_id=1000030958

Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”

Psalm 32:11 “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”

Mark 11:22 “So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.”

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”

Tracy Houston
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Rise Up

Today the Word I received from the Lord was “Rise up”. He showed me a picture of a wave. It started small and as He said “Rise up.” His hand pushed the little wave and it grew to a huge wave.

In this time of transition God is calling us to rise up and out of what we were, and into what He sees us as. Many of us have gifts and talents that we are holding captive within us. We might let them out here and there, but we are not letting them flow as God has intended them to flow. During this time His hand is upon us stretching us, pushing us up towards our full potential so we can be that large wave.

We weren’t created to be small people of God. We were created to have impact on our world, whether that be through serving behind the scenes or being in the public eye, each position is important, each position is just as impactful. It is time to walk in our God given autority and for the world to see the sons of God. So let’s get our minds renewed to the autority within us and the great purpose and vision God has for our lives. Let’s allow ourselves to be developed into the mighty men and women He has purposed for us to be. Let us allow ourselves to be pushed and stretched so that we can reach our full potential and walk in the authority God has given us. It’s time to rise up people of God, rise up!

Tracy Houston
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Enjoy Where You Are

I know right now many of you are going through a time of transition, a time of being shaken up, you are going through different situations and dealing with different circumstances in your life. There might be things in your life that you are believing God for. It could be a spouse, a baby, a job, a new home, etc. and sometimes in life the things which we don’t have, or the different situations we are dealing with can become our focus.

Yesterday I was watching Joyce Meyer and she said, “Enjoy where you are on the way to where you are going,” and for me it was a life changing statement. I know there have been times in my life where I’m so focused on what I don’t have that I miss what I do. For example Daryle and I were both out of work for over a year and we got to spend every day together, and much of the time I was looking at the fact that we didn’t have a job or income coming in, instead of looking at the blessing of time which God gave us to be together, to get to know each other better. After it was over and we both started working I realized that I could have made more of that time, I could have appreciated it more, and that is exactly what Joyce Meyer is referring to. Sometimes we look so much at what we don’t have or focus on what we really want instead of enjoying what God has already given us.

Jesus said I come to give you life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). Just because there are certain things we believe are missing from our lives we have to know that we have abundance right where we are. I challenge each of you today to begin to thank God for the little things, and appreciate what you do have right now. If you are believing for a spouse appreciate the time you have with just you and God now because believe me when another person is introduced into your life things change, you have to manage your time and life differently. If you are believing for a child appreciate the time that you have alone with your spouse, because when a baby come it’s going to be a whole new ball game and you won’t have the same alone time with your spouse as you did before. If you are believing for a job appreciate the time now that you have to just be, to just go out and enjoy God’s creation without interruption without having to be on a tight schedule. Enjoy God, enjoy yourself. Appreciate the now people of God! There is so much that God has blessed us with that we already have that we haven’t appreciated, and we can never get back our yesterdays. So from this day forward let us begin to enjoy where we are on the way to where we are going.

Tracy Houston
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Immature Christians Trying To Overcome Mature Issues

Today the Church is plagued by many issues that people in the world are dealing with. Issues such as depression, financial irresponsibility, divorce, etc… As I was riding home from work on the train the Lord starting speaking to me and He started telling me about how there are many immature Christians that are trying to overcome heavy mature spiritual issues all alone. The reason why the Church is not standing up and out like it is supposed to be is because of these issues and more importantly the results that we are getting as a result of spiritual immaturity.

Is it wrong for a person in Christ to deal and be tempted by things of the world? The answer is absolutely not. The conflict comes in with how we deal with what is being dealt at the time. What will that outcome be? Generations of religion and tradition has taught us that once we are in Christ than we ought to be perfect. The error comes in when the Church tries to live in a perfected manner according to what the world defines as perfection and not what God says is perfect. In the Bible the word perfect means full grown, adult, full of age, and mature, or in one word complete. So Jesus says in Matthew 5:48 to be perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect or in other words raise to a place of maturity that you were not at yesterday, or last year.

This is a key factor that we are missing, maturity. We love flowing in the gifts of God and the faith in God, but we don’t spend enough time using the wisdom of God to perfect the whole package. Now because we also have a fleshy nature by just being human, that means that we can be tempted by the lusts of the world from time to time, and it also means that we may become susceptible to things that try and test our faith in God. Today we live in a new day and in a new realm of understanding and relationship with God. Today you don’t have to be ashamed if you’re a born again Christian and struggle with temptations from time to time. We have to know how to overcome and resist.

When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, every time the devil tempted Him Jesus came back and the first thing that He said was “it is written”. This signifies that you can only overcome temptation with what God says about it. Too many of us like to go head to head with the devil only to find out that we’re not stronger than him just by yourself. We ought not to fight against temptation but rather resist it; the days of warfare are over. Why do we still consume the most of our time fighting the devil when the battle has already been won. In all actuality every minute you spend battling against the devil you spend less time with God.

Quick story: At my last job I used to go to work an hour early everyday so I could pray. I had a little office space all to myself uninterrupted and I would use it to pray. So one morning as I was praying I began telling the devil what he wasn’t going to do and how I was more powerful and etc… we’ve all been there before. When I ended I heard a quiet voice say to me “You let him steal My time with you”. As soon as I heard the voice I knew exactly what God was talking about. I let the devil come in and interrupt my praise to God and in a sense I gave it to the devil. The devil is also known as the tempter and the ways that he uses to tempt are very very subtle. That’s why we as Christians have to be strong in God’s word and in relationship to be able to discern various pitfalls when they present themselves.

Now as I was just referencing, it’s not a sin to be tempted, because in that very temptation lies deliverance. Many of us in the Church often fall prey to the temptation because one, we’re not strong in God’s word which keeps us immature and two because we feel ashamed to tell someone who may be able to aid us. Yes we cry out to God for help but in all actuality if you’re not strong in His word, leaving you immature and insensitive to His voice, you probably can’t even discern the voice of God from your own voice. So that leaves one other option, to seek help from someone who is a bit stronger than you are in the ways of God.

We have to overcome the fear of thinking that it’s taboo to go through certain issues and that you have to be perfect in the eyes of man. In the end you’re only deceiving yourself because if you keep trying to fight the temptation by yourself you will soon fall prey to that which wants to destroy you. We see it all the time in the church. Sister so-in-so is back in the world, brother so-in-so just cussed out whoever, etc…

Next month on the 17th will mark Tracy and I 2nd wedding anniversary. The past two years have been very rewarding and also challenging, in a good sense. So much maturity has come to both of us since we were married. Husbands if you are dealing with temptation you should not hold it in. One of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had so far is being able to be honest with my wife when things are tempting me. I have no problem telling my wife about the various things that tempt me, this includes the opposite sex.

First and foremost I made a vow to her and my future children and most importantly to God that I would never defile our marriage. This does not mean that sometimes the lust of my flesh wants to do otherwise. I am comfortable telling my wife that I need her to pray for me and that I need to not expose myself to certain things. When I was able to tell her these things that brought on struggle she began to pray and now that thing that use to be such a struggle is not anymore.

Too many husbands go through this same issue but hold it inside to eat away like a cancer and in the end they fall prey to it. Husbands we are to love our wives as Christ loved the Church. With that being said, if I really love her that much I will tell her if something is threatening that love. Husbands, next to Jesus in Heaven your wife should be your biggest intercessor on your behalf and vice versa. Keeping each other strong and covered in prayer is key to a successful marriage.

Wives don’t think that your husband is fault free. If he respects you that much to be able to come to you in a peaceable manner and confide in you in that manner you ought not to cast judgment or even think that it’s your fault. Instead return with wisdom and understanding and rejoice that your marriage has reached a new level of maturity with one another and most importantly in God.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Don't Abort the Promise

Today is Valentine’s day, a day of celebrating love. Today there are many people out there that are single, waiting on a husband or wife, and sometimes today can be a hard day for people. I remember before I met Daryle I would be so torn on Valentine’s Day. I’m a person that love’s love. I love to see couples together; celebrating each other and it brings me joy. I believe love between people is one of the greatest gifts God ever gave us. He intended for one man and one woman to be together and be as One sharing in each other, in fact when God created man and the man was alone He said it wasn’t good (Genesis 2:18), so He created woman.

On the other hand I didn’t have a husband, I didn’t have another person I could celebrate the day with, and I would watch all the other couples and be a little sad. Sometimes I would say to God (as some of you might have), when is it going to be my turn? Out of my own impatience I allowed myself to get into 2 relationships before I met Daryle. Needless to say neither man was “the one” and today I still thank God for His grace because I could have aborted the promise of my husband, but God kept me.

I’m saying all of this to the single people out there to show you that we all have a choice, we can choose to do it ourselves, or we can choose to wait on God and His direction. It is really strong on me today to encourage those of you out there that have been waiting on your spouse’s to continue to be patient; he/she might be closer than you actually think. You have no idea what God is doing behind the scenes to set everything up for your marriage.

When I look back at our lives before we met and compare our timelines and our walk I see that we couldn’t have gotten together before we did. For one, Daryle is 5 years younger than me. He lived in Chicago, Detroit, and New York; I lived in Seattle, Atlanta, and Minneapolis. I got saved in 2005; Daryle rededicated his life to Christ in 2006. I moved to Chicago in Aug 2007, he didn’t move to Chicago until March 2008. I started going to Living Word Christian Center (where we met) September 2007, He started going December 2008; God pointed me out to Daryle beginning of January 2009. Daryle approached me Jan 28, 2009. We married March 17, 2009.

As you can see from the timeline there were things that had to be put into place before we could meet, our age difference, where we lived, our salvation, and our mental mindsets. God was really doing it for us, but we couldn’t see it at that time. I want you to know out there God is doing the same for you. He is working it out. I don’t care if you’ve been praying for your spouse for 1 month or 20 years, IT IS coming together. I encourage you to keep your eyes focused on God and nothing else. Allow Him to do what He does and just continue to thank Him as you continue to walk with Him. DO NOT I repeat DO NOT abort the promise of that spouse. DO NOT I repeat DO NOT give in to your own desires. Sometimes you “think” you hear God about a person, but you are really hearing yourself. I know I “thought” I heard twice, but in my heart I knew different and God had given me clear signs along the way in these relationships before Daryle that I didn’t want to look at because I really wanted to be married.

Remember just because you meet a nice man or woman that goes to church, has a relationship with God and seems to have it together, that does not mean that they are your future spouse. Men you will know your wives, wives you will know your husbands. Wait on the Lord, and again I say wait.

God bless and much love!

Tracy Houston
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Transition - A Word From The Lord

This is the time for the opportunity for transition in your life. Within the body right now God is calling people to get real with who they are and where they are in life. He is now presenting us the collective opportunity to allow transition in our lives to get us to our God intended purpose and destiny. Right now each of us has the choice to move forward into this transition or stay where we have been. If you choose to move forward know that you will be faced with yourself. You will be shown what truly lies inside of you. You will be shown from different angles, and different aspects until you get the true picture. This journey will not be an easy one as confronting yourself never is, but it will be one with many rewards. If you choose to continue on this journey you will blossom into the man or woman God has created you to be, you will grow into a deeper relationship with God, and you will once and for all recognize who you are in Christ.

If you choose to not take this journey know that this decision will not take you anywhere. It will be a road of dryness, a road of routine, a road without vision. It will be a road like the children of Israel were on, wandering in a circle filled with regrets seeming like you’re going somewhere but really going nowhere. You will still be provided for just as they were, but you won’t enter into your promised land just as they didn’t.

I implore each of you in the Name of Jesus to choose the road of transition. Even as I’m writing this I’m being reminded of this scripture...

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” Deuteronomy 30:19

Here God says I give you two choices, it’s up to you to make a choice, but in His unfailing love for us He tells us which choice we should make, the choice that will be good and profitable for us. Today I say make the right choice, and make it by faith not your feelings.

Tracy Houston
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizon.org

Be Prepared To Back Up What You Say

Many people often times take the words that they say to God for granted. This is how you know that what you are saying is just a program language that you have learned from years and years of routine and tradition with the church. Moreover, God is more concerned with the state of your heart and the actions you take to carry out what you say to Him.

Have you ever been in church and you’re like “God I’ll do whatever you want me to do” or you’re like “God I’ll go wherever you want me to go” or more importantly have you ever said “God I give you my life to do with as you please”? Now these are some very big proclamations you are making to God, my question to you today it, are you actually living out what you promised or stated to God?

Exodus 19:8 (NKJV)
The all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.
The above scripture reference’s when Moses went to the mountain in the wilderness to talk with God. God told Moses that if the people would keep His covenant and obey His voice than they are promised certain things. Now the Bible is full of promises from cover to cover, but those promises are indeed conditional. Meaning in order to activate those promises in your life there is a part that you have to play. When we go to church we hear the preacher preaching good news, telling us that we’re blessed and that we have been set free, we are heirs to the throne. All of this sounds amazing but are we indeed like the children of Israel? When they heard the good news their mouths were saying yes but what were their hearts and actions representing.

So you can expect when you tell God you’re going to do something for Him be prepared for Him to come and expect to cash in on what your mouth said.

Exodus 20:20 (NKJV)
And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”
The above scripture tells when the children of Israel are by the mountain and they see the awesomeness of God descending on the mountain. Shortly after Moses calms everyone down God begins to dictate the Law to Moses to give to the people. The scripture says that God had come to test them so that they may not sin. When I read the context of everything going on, God is giving the Law so that the people may not sin against each and every statute and command but rather so they may not sin against the promise they made to God, which was following him whole heartedly.

We know that in the New Testament Jesus says that the greatest two commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to also love your neighbor as you love yourself. These two commandments were not instituted just in the New Testament but they were around in the days of the children of Israel in the wilderness.

If you look at the context from what the Law of Moses was derived from, first God stated the He is a jealous God and the He will show mercy to those who love Him and keep His commandments (Exodus 20:6) this is the first commandment that Jesus spoke of. Secondly if you look at the breakdown of the majority of The Law of Moses it has to do with the offenses of your fellow man and at the time what the consequences of the offense was. This is the second commandment Jesus spoke of, loving your neighbor as you love yourself. If you truly love you neighbor as yourself than you would be cognizant not to offend them because you wouldn’t want to offend yourself.

God is much bigger than what we make Him out to be, only if you keep the promises you keep to Him wholeheartedly will you begin to experience Him in ways you never though existed. It’s time to come out of ourselves and really truly step into Christ.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Not a Quick Fix

Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Sadly many people decide to give their lives to Christ for the wrong reasons. It has been taught that as soon as you give your life over to Christ that all of your problems will magically go away. Sorry to say that this is not the case. Giving your life to Christ means that you have decided to travel down a path to everlasting life, and not down the path of sure death. There is no other way to say it.

The scripture above references this journey, it tells that the way to this reward is difficult and narrow and few choose this path because it doesn’t make any logical sense. Many would rather choose the path that looks wide enough to comfort them and less fearful, but as we see this path leads to destruction. This scripture is not just speaking about people who don’t know Christ this is also references people that say they follow him also.

Can you remember the last time you accomplished something that was challenging and when you were finished how rewarding it felt. If you went to college, do you remember the hard work you had to put in, if you’ve been married for 20 plus years, the effort and time it took to get there? How great is a reward if there is no challenge to achieve it. I said before, we want to work hard at everything else but when it comes to the most profitable thing in our lives we just want a quick fix.

Why do you ask people to pray for you, is it because you would like to stop fornicating, or is it because you want to be debt free? Whatever the issue is we can pray for you in a thousand tongues but if you’re not willing to renew your mind to Gods principles and practices that prayer would be of no avail. People often think if they could just get touched by the Pastor than all their issues would resolve. The Pastor is just like you and I and goes through the same issues and temptations we endure. The difference between you and the Pastor (if they are a true person of God) is that they choose not to let what they see, feel, or touch dictate how they make decisions in the Lord.

They have decided to travel down the difficult and narrow path because their faith tells them that something is greater on the other side, even if they can’t see it right now. We need to stop wanting the quick fix of life and start desiring the profitable walk of faith down a path that seems impossible. In all actuality the path is impossible if you were doing by yourself, but since we have the Holy Spirit which leads us and guides us into all truth the path is achievable but only if you stand strong and have faith.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Faith + The Word = Power

On Sunday my Pastor preached an amazing message entitled “What Do You Say?” He talked about how we as Christians know the Word and what it says, but are we agreeing with the Word? What are we saying concerning the Word? It really made me take a look at myself and think about what I’ve been saying, and I realized that I’ve been saying more of how I feel then what the Word says about what is going on in my life. I begin to pray about this and God begin to show me that it’s even more than just saying, repeating, or confessing what the Word says. There is not necessarily power in that because we can speak things and not really believe in them or truly understand them. Sometimes we say things because we were taught to say them, or out of routine. He said to me “Faith is the power that activates the Word in your life.” It is when your faith agrees with the Word of God, then things begin to move.

We must make up our minds to stop saying what we see or how we feel, and make up our minds to say what the Word says in faith. It is imperative that we believe in what we are saying. We must believe in our hearts that the Word is absolute truth. It is that faith combined with the Word, that will activate the Word of God in our lives and we will begin to see positive change in our situations and circumstances.

Tracy Houston
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

The Blessing Which Comes From Obedience and Sacrifice

So I guess the theme that God is having me focus on is responsibility for the time being. Right now I have begun the process of studying the blessing of God. So far I have repeatedly come across the blessing that comes from obedience and sacrifice. From Genesis to Revelations you see results of individuals being blessed because of the actions that they performed first.

When we think about the story of Abraham, Abraham was constantly being commanded to do things. God instructed Abraham to leave his father’s house and go to a land that he was a stranger in. God instructed Abraham to sacrifice his only son without question. Now the reason why Abraham was so blessed is because of his actions or for better part his obedience to God.

When you think about the story of Issac, he gave instructions to Esau before he was going to bless him. He told him to go and hunt game and make him a tasty meal. Or you can translate that into going and preparing and sacrifice to present it as a worthy of receiving a blessing in return.

I think when the majority of Christians today think blessing they equate it to a one-sided condition. They think that all I have to do is pray and ask God for anything I want and He will provide. Now I’m not saying that it has never happened but there are conditions. Why would God bless you if you’re not faithful, responsible, or consistent with what you already have? There are actions that we must do in order to receive specific things from God.

We’re coming into a time of conditional relationship with God. You probably are thinking, God loves me unconditionally and you are absolutely correct. When you move into relationship though or into the most holy place, that place is very conditional. Just think before Jesus paid the price we we’re not even allowed into that dimension or realm. We had to have someone intercede on our behalf just to gain access. Now that we are all made into Kings and Priests we have access, but many of us don’t even know what that means.

In a relationship there has to be two sides, a giver and a receiver. So when I ask you do you have a relationship with God and you say yes, and then I ask you can you define that for me and you say yeah I go to church; what you are really saying is that you have a traditional relationship with your local church and the thought of God in your life.

When someone asks do you have a relationship with God your answer should be on the lines of this. Yes I do, He is the apple of my eye, there is not a day that goes by when I am not thinking about Him and His ways, He is the love of my life. God is everything to me, I consult Him in all of my decisions and because He is so loving I can go to Him with everything on my heart the good and the bad. I sit and sometimes I just listen to what’s on His heart and we walk and talk together. We are One. Now this is how I begin to define my relationship with God and there is so much more.

This place is very rewarding but you don’t get to this place without work and effort. If you are one who thinks that you don’t have to put in work and effort to build a relationship with God because it’s all about grace, than I will boldly say that you are wrong. You work at everything else, you work to be successful on your job, you work to have a good marriage, you work to afford things you want to buy. But when it comes to the most important thing in your life, and that’s a true relationship with God, all you do is show up… on Weds. night and Sun. morning. It’s time for a change.

Revelations 22:14 (NKJV)
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Praise Will Lead You To Your Breakthrough

2 Chronicles 20:20-26 NCV
Jehoshaphat’s army went out into the Desert of Tekoa early in the morning. As they were starting out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, people of Judah and Jerusalem. Have faith in the Lord your God, and you will stand strong. Have faith in his prophets, and you will succeed.” Jehoshaphat listened to the people’s advice. Then he chose men to be singers to the Lord, to praise him because he is holy and wonderful. As they marched in front of the army, they said, “Thank the Lord, because his love continues forever.”

As they began to sing and praise God, the Lord set ambushes for the people of Ammon, Moab, and Edom who had come to attack Judah. And they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites attacked the Edomites, destroying them completely. After they had killed the Edomites, they killed each other.

When the men from Judah came to a place where they could see the desert, they looked at the enemy’s large army. But they only saw dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. When Jehoshaphat and his army came to take their valuables, they found many supplies, much clothing, and other valuable things. There was more than they could carry away; there was so much it took three days to gather it all. On the fourth day Jehoshaphat and his army met in the Valley of Beracah and praised the Lord. That is why that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day.

This is a powerful story of how faith in God and praise destroyed the enemy that Jehoshaphat’s army was facing. Many times in life there are situations we are facing, things that look so big that we don’t know how we are going to get through them or overcome them. Well I’m here today to tell you that if you put God in His rightful place and seek Him first, and if you are willing to praise Him, honor Him, and have faith in Him in the midst of what you are facing, then just like Jehoshaphat’s army God will go ahead of you and fight the battle for you. It’s time to begin to take our eyes off of the problems that face us, and lift them up to our Heavenly Father who is our victory. Jehovah Nissi --- the banner of Victory! If we do this we will always be victorious. God bless!

Tracy Houston
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

What Are You Proving?

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I recently wrote a Word for the day using the above scripture. Today I’m going to reference the same scripture again because I believe God is calling us to a new level of maturity and responsibility. The above scripture tells us to be renewed so that we may prove what the perfect will of God is. So my question to you today is; what are you proving?

If you stop and take inventory of your life, what will you find? Will you find that you are living a life for others and a life dead to self, letting Christ rule and reign? Or will you find a life that is comfortable and steady with the major influence of your decisions coming from your own wisdom. When I began getting the words to write down, I was receiving images of a people that have a love for God and a desire to do His perfect will but are stagnant in their walk.

The stagnation has come from years of religion and tradition, and inadequate teaching. When someone looks at you from the outside how do they relate your life to Christ? Do they say yeah I know he or she is saved and goes to church or do they marvel at the power of God and his anointing upon your life? Now both characteristics are excellent ones but I sense that majority of people in church today can only relate to the first one. The Bible says that we are Kings and Priests, and that we are heirs to the Kingdom of God. If this is the case why aren’t people equating the walk that most of us walk with that? As just mentioned, people think Christian and they think salvation. There is so much more to living this life on earth in Christ. There are opportunities not being taken advantage of because people are not fully proving the perfect will of God.

Well you may ask how do I do that? The first step is to be born again, but we got that down pact. The next steps are to move into the realm of relationship with God. This realm is the most intimate of all and this is where you get direction, strategy, strength and so much more. If you are familiar with the Tabernacle of Moses and have actually studied it, you should have seen that the Tabernacle is a foretelling of Jesus and the walk with God.

There are three rooms; the Outer Court, Inner Court, and Most Holy Place. There is only one way into the Tabernacle. In the first room (outer court) you have an alter for sacrifice and the brazen laver filled with water. In terms of the Christian walk the alter represents the sacrifice Jesus made on Calvary. Sadly this is where many Christians begin and end. The very last room is the Most Holy Place; this is the dwelling place of God. This is a place where only the Priest may enter and if you weren’t a Priest than you would have died if entered. This is the place God desires for all of us to get to. When Jesus sacrificed His life it says that the veil ripped. The veil that the Bible is referring to is the veil that kept the Most Holy Place separate. There is no longer a wall of separation that prevents personal relationship with God because we were all made into Kings and Priest through the blood of Jesus.

The question is do you know who you are and what you have that is dwelling within you? We need to move past the elementary teachings of salvation and move into the place of true relationship with God. Once this occurs than we will see an emergence of a new type of saint. A saint that is not bound by the systems of this world, one who speaks power that is preceded by manifestations, and one who when people look upon they see the Father.

Hebrews 6:1 (NKJV)
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

If you are tired of everyday church I charge you to take action and control over your faith. You have the power to move as one with God and not just sit on the sidelines marveling at the ones who are.
Are you proving yourself as a King and a Priest or just as a sinner saved by grace?

I encourage you to fully study the Tabernacle of Moses.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

You Have To Change Your Mind In Order For God To Change Your Life

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I’m pretty sure we all know the above scripture quite well. The majority of time when it is referred to, it is in the context of not being like the rest of the world; but rather letting Gods Word transform you into a new. Well that is correct, but when you really begin to walk in true relationship with God you’ll understand that it’s not all up to God to make you better.

We all know that God is almighty, powerful, and His word is sharper than any two edged sword. What people fail to realize it that even though God is all of those characteristics and so much more, He will only perform in your life in you allow Him to. I think the disconnect that many Christians deal with today is the responsibility factor. Many of us validate our own laziness through God’s word. Have you ever heard someone say it doesn’t matter if I get a degree and get a good job or not because My God shall supply all my needs. Or how about the person that eats whatever kind of food they desire knowing that it’s not good for them and using the scripture by His strips I am healed.

Too many Christians have the mindset where they think they have no responsibility to themselves and that it is ok just to cruise through life without putting forth any effort. Why is it that so many people in the world prosper but Gods people are always getting the short end of the stick? Why is it that the majority of the wealthiest people in the world don’t even mention Christ? Why is it that the majority of the church are slaves to money instead of being the master of it? Many of you have been in church for probably as many years as I have been on this earth. Every Sunday the same prayer is prayed, a prayer for freedom from the worlds system, a financial breakthrough, and just an overall better life. This has been on the agenda of a lot of saints for too many years to count and it still seems like there is no change.

Why? Let’s take a look into the mind of today’s average North American Christian. We pray for financial breakthrough on Sunday but on Monday-Friday we waste money going out to lunch every day at work and freely spending what we don’t have. God won’t give you financial breakthrough if you have no fiscal responsibility. We pray for debt release and God say’s why do you want debt release; is it so you can go by a more expensive car? We pray for healing but don’t want to take responsibility over our own eating and health practices. When it all boils down to it, we have been lazy and stuck in the traditions of our fathers. No one is fed up with the system because it has been sustaining them.

In order for God to really move in your life like you desire it takes a little effort on your part. A little effort in the way of how you think. God won’t renew your mind for you, He can give you the tools to practice but it is ultimately up to you to put those tools to use. The scripture says “… that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” YOU have to prove it not God, God already did his part and now it’s up to you to do yours.

When the Bible says that we are heirs, and that He has freely given us all things; to me that is huge because I am an heir to Gods entire Kingdom. This is something I do not take lightly and I know if I am an heir than I also have responsibility. You have a choice, you can continue just reading His word or you can become it.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org