Ps 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge”. (NIV)

NYU DOCTOR
You only have 3 months to live…Think about what you want to do

VERONICA
What?

JUNIOR
This is not fair

Except this was no script for some holiday film-but the Hickmans’ real life horror scenario.  Married since 2001 the Hickmans’ continuing narrative of love is full of laughter, tears and a whole lot of gratitude.  Ask them how they made it through their recent trial of Junior’s Pulmonary Disease terminal illness diagnosis due to complications with pneumonia, hemophilia, HIV, failed lungs and heart clots they will tell you almost synchronously- “Prayers 100%…The Doctors said it was a Miracle.” 

PULMONARY DISEASE is a non-contagious, chronic inflammatory lung disease causing an obstructed airflow from the lungs.  Due to long term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter (i.e. mold, mildew, dust etc), it is most often derived from cigarette smoke/smoking.  

February 2019, the doctors at New York University’s Kimmel Pavilion  on 34^th St & 1^st Ave informed Junior as having only months to live.  That what was needed to save him was a desperately needed lung transplant.  But first he to be placed on a organ donor list.  Both in which the whole process to obtain could take years.  Yet on May 2019 Junior Hickman was blessed by God with the gift of both within weeks his life was to expire.  He is a real life modern day miracle.

HEMOPHILIA is a rare disorder in which your blood doesn’t clot normally because it lacks sufficient blood-clotting proteins (clotting factors).

In asking Junior (Jr), still recovering from the fringes of death, on his thoughts; he states relating himself to Lazarus in the Bible.  “Like him I died and came back to life again… I got a 3^rd chance”, says Jr.  “First time, I had been told I would be dead in 1995.  I was a hemophiliac and took medicine made by blood in the 70s.  Back then there were no tests/screens for HIV.  I was told I had (contracted) it at 15 and would be dead by the age of 25”.  Junior disclosed he sold marijuana at 13, and crack at 16 off and on.  Knowing he was sick and stating that AZT was not helping -he felt himself dying.  Grateful now, yet reluctantly at that time, he studied the Bible in 1994 being prompted by his Christian sister Renita.  In view of his life Jr was baptized at 24.  Junior muses, “I carried a gun to my bible studies. Listen I was from the streets, I didn’t trust everybody.  I didn’t know all the men I was studying with…but gave it all up learning about the cross.  I became more grateful.  I felt my body become more alive.  My body started flourishing and I stopped doing it all -even getting high.  I believed God had something else for me to do.  I became happier and aware of things in life, grateful for things, family and friends.” Amen Jr!

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It harms your immune system by destroying the white blood cells that fight infection. This puts you at risk for serious infections and certain cancers. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the final stage of infection with HIV.

His wife Veronica, upon receiving the new news of Jr’s second bout with death, fought to remain upbeat.  “I was always singing and dancing to gospel music in his hospital room.  If this was the way God wanted him to go we were going to party this thing out.”   She admits tackling with guilt over family members possibly blaming her for his recent illness.  Then she recognized Satan’s attacks and showed her faith in thankful celebration of her husband.  Veronica went as far as even placing a king’s crown on Jr.  “I wanted my husband to know he was still the same ole Jr.. my king.”  Finally releasing these emotions after all this time, she shared her thoughts on her husband’s ephemeral death.  “Yes Junior did die.  He had this procedure because his lungs were closing in on him.  Something on the machine came loose and his blood was all over.  They couldn’t use the resuscitation machines because that would crush his lungs.  They had to physically pump him back to life and he was gone for 4 minutes.  Lights were flashing, people rushing into the room, I had to ‘stay out the way’.  A woman was praying like he was dead, they asked me if I wanted a minister.  I didn’t understand that at that moment they lost a life.  But God protected me all I could say was ‘God please’.  For me, to almost lose my mom then to lose my husband.  From everything we went through- to see how God made sure I always had surroundings and family.  I don’t know where I would have been. He allowed the two of them to be saved.  It helped me to survive.  A lot of it for me is gratitude.”

Lung donor shortage has been the major limiting factor to the number of transplants performed.  Lung organ acquisition rates from deceased donors have consistently been substantially lower than kidney, liver and heart acquirement rates.  Lungs are harvested from only 15 % of all cadaveric donors, whereas kidneys and livers are harvested from 88 % and hearts from 30% of deceased donors.

In closing, the Hickman team mutually agree, “Trusting in God, trusting in His word and prayer that’s what really, really helps”.  Winding up, I query them on how much prayer made an influential difference in managing their dilemma.  The Hickmans emphatically responded, “100%.  All of it.  It was the prayers of other people  that helped us through this situation.  Or it wouldn’t have happened.”  Junior adds, “God is big.  When we expose the situation that’s what makes God happy. He can handle it, he can take care of it.”  Veronica hooks, “He gets the glory out of all this”, Junior echoes the sentiment.  “You can say it was the doctors, but He used the doctors with their skills to do what they did.  Cause the doctors say, they have never seen anyone recover this fast.  They said it was a miracle.   They said it.  They did”  Veronica retorts, “Doctors usually don’t say that sort of thing.” Our time concludes with her favorite scripture.  “Psalm 62:8.  It covers the basis of everything. Sometimes you just don’t know what’s going to happen. Now we’re talking and I’m reliving this stuff. I never cried during this experience because I was so holding on- surviving.”  “Oh she cried but,” Jr inserts and they hold each other for an endless moment in the other’s eyes.  Veronica deeply exhales and continues, “Now it’s hitting me. I can’t believe we been through this.  I held it together because he made it.  Now I can breathe and I can cry.  I don’t feel bad about the crying because I need those emotions to come out.  I’m tired of trying to cover up for folks to look good.  I’m cool, it’s okay.” Amen the Hickmans are ok.

Concern(C): Daughter, how is your prayer life?  For yourself, the lost, for others and most of all for God.  Is giving trustful praise to God in thankfulness, joy and faith your focus.

Encouragement(E): 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NIV).  Whenever and wherever you are in life there is always an opportunity to see the blessing and be graceful.

Act(A):  Thanksgiving is every day for the children of God.  In everything be appreciative of God. For He is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136.

Thomas Hickman                                                              Veronica Hickman
CEO/Spiritual Vibe Records                                           Advisory Board Member
SV Films                                                                                 African American Day Parade

The Hickmans would like to thank the kingdom of God for their prayers, family for their love, friends for their support, and the doctors for their gifts.  Specifically, Fisherman’s cough drops that helped ease Jr’s coughing, Renita for sharing her faith with her little brother, the brothers that studied the bible with him Keith, Timothy, Karl & Lonnie, Tori the nurse who urged them to the emergency room, Junior’s mom for being there every day coming up from down south,  NYU for being the only hospital willing(after years of searching) to perform the surgery on a hemophiliac.  But most of all God and the saving power of His amazing grace.  Please continue in prayer for Junior’s strength to be regained.  And God’s blessings on the endeavors they do. Know this well –Prayer works! 

Editor’s Note:  This Thanksgiving I would like to thank the Hickmans who I am grateful to God for.  Veronica studied the Bible with me and Jr introduced me to my husband.  They are our children’s godparents and the couple has always been a source of love and encouragement for me and my family. May God bless them always.

Further info:
Follow Junior at Spiritual Vibe RD/SVFilms on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spviberdfilms/

Follow Veronica at We’re Going Productions on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weregoingproductions/

Organ donor registry.  (Please volunteer to save a life) https://www.organdonor.gov/register.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAoIPvBRDgARIsAHsCw0-s6den2hKSIPKci4_x7hjkgalZcLlgv4OXCrLieAg0DVdwXCk1IH8aAlXaEALw_wcB

Info about lung transplant: https://www.lung.org/about-us/blog/2018/09/things-to-know-about-lung-transplants.html

This blog is dedicated to the memory of Veronica’s father Joe Brown, Willie, his brother Shelby and sister Melinda Hampton. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jer 29:11 {NIV}

**Reposting this blog in honor of Sharryl Travis’ cousin Elijah Cummings an outstanding Congressman (served 1996-2019) who spoke about our need to defeat cancer “in our lifetime” and for treatment funding.  Noting that cancer is a disease unfairly fatal for African Americans, he incited people to obtain regular screening exams which is “critical to our survival”.   Cummings died on Oct 17, 2019 of  health complications yet believed by his brother James Cummings to have “..had cancer”*  

When our sister, Sharryl Travis, (pictured above along with her daughter Eboni a Mentor for youth whose parents have cancer) a nurse for over 20 years, thinks about why she is here, she knows it is because God is amazing!  She is a survivor, first diagnosed with cervical cancer over 26 years ago.  Like a lot of women she asked herself, Why me?, What did I do?, Will I make it?  Yet she believed it was a part of God’s plan to help inspire others fighting cancer.  And she is indeed a Cancer Patient Navigator (CPN) warrior and advocate for women with all types of cancer.

You think Halloween is scary.  Not taking a mammogram and other diagnostic tests to know if you have cancer or not is scary.  Did you know that “In the localized stage and with early detection the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%”. -American Cancer Society

Living with constant nerve and scar tissue pain after chemo and radiation therapy does not dismay Sharryl to Live.  Neither would she acquiesce to this disease or its effects.  Concerned more with staying around for her husband of over 33 years, her 5 children and her grandchildren, Sharryl is here on purpose, driven to serve God in this meaningful way.

*In 2019, about 1.8 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the US. An estimated 268,600 women and 2,670 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, which makes it the most common cancer diagnosis.  In 2016 when this article 1st posted that is over 6.81% increase from the estimated 1,685,210 new cases of cancer.  Additionally 606, 880 people will die from the disease in 2019 which is up 1.88% from 2016 -National Cancer Institute 

One of Sharryl’s missions is as a Cancer Patient Navigator (CPN) a program which began at Harlem Hospital by Dr. Harold Freeman and supported by Sloan Kettering Hospital.  However due to budget cuts, the CPN program has ended and she is now in partnerships with Albert Einstein and Montefiore hospitals.  A CPN helps people battling cancer to get through those barriers of cancer. The barriers Sharryl and other CPNs help breakthrough are: getting people resources to stop bill collectors, finding a doctor, obtaining childcare so one can focus on their well being and so much more!

Excitedly, Sharryl is about to commence on new cancer awareness events in various ministry partnerships as a National Cervical Cancer Coalition Chapter Leader and  as an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Team Leader.  Within these roles, she conducts training programs for CPNs that are Faith Based to teach others through the word.  CPN training involves how to do faith based support in outreach, screening, hospital referrals and end of life care.  Sharryl is very busy doing God’s will, for she is grateful for every moment.  We who have faith believe that she has a lot more living to do!

Concern (C):  Do you know that both men and women can acquire breast cancer?  Early detection is key especially for men who have a higher mortality rate due to lack of  awareness and subsequent early treatment.  Additionally, some cancers can be acquired through sexual intercourse by both sexes.  Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can cause various types of cancers, oral, genital and rectal.  Furthermore, men can get penile cancer from sex; whereas women can get vulvar and cervical cancer.

Encouragement (E):  There is Hope! People with cancer often seek God throughout this time, they know that it is possible to be healed through God’s word and proper treatment.  So Sharryl wants her sisters reading this to Trust in God with your temple, it belongs to Him and He will bring you through this.  In reciprocity, we would like to encourage Sharryl and her other daughter fighting cancer (who has been baptized into Christ for over 3 years now) that our prayers are with them.  We send up our supplications to God for their continued wellness and complete victory in cancer recovery.  Sharryl has been in remission for over 5 years.  Amen!

Act  (A):  Learn and Share the information.  Start a cancer support ministry/group at your place of worship like Sharryl did.  Consider the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendation to have the HPV vaccination for your child.  Call and/or visit cancer patients (bring food, unite in prayer, be authentic and attentive)- but ask for permission first.  Be an advocate for cancer screening budgets with your representatives.  Participate in walks and spur others to join and raise funds. Just be a friend.  Speak to someone who has been through this-including Sharryl herself.  For CPN and other info you can contact her at travis.nccdc@gmail.com or 646-281-2234.

Sharryl Travis would like to dedicate this interview to her family  and for those who have battled and died from cancer-especially her former team Pamela, Alva, Louisa & Alicia.

You can find Sharryl’s S,A.V.E.D 4  Life (Survivors, Awareness, Victorious, Early  Detections) organization on worldwide television, radio shows and tours with promoting cancer and Aids awareness. 

References:

*https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-james-cummings-20191018-kuu7kvpmlzehlg4trrhkmjj7jy-story.htmlhttps://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-james-cummings-20191018-kuu7kvpmlzehlg4trrhkmjj7jy-story.html

• https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/male-breast-cancer Please donate
• https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/common.html
• https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/navigators-help-cancer-patients-manage-their-care.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm.
• https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20180605/did-untested-therapy-cure-advanced-breast-cancer?  Pray for Cure

Rom 13:1  Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (NIV)

February is a month full of wonderful events.  Black History Month, President’s Day, Valentine’s Day and the well awaited—Superbowl.  Superbowl LII, that’s 52, was won by the Philadelphia Eagles for the first time in NFL franchise history on February 4^th, 2018!  As customary, the sitting President congratulates the team and invites them to the White House.  Before the big game, several players like Malcolm Jenkins reported to CNN during an interview that he would not be attending the presidential celebration in boycott to the current administration.  During the national anthem he and other players raised their fist aka “the black fist” in passive protest to the discrimination shown against African Americans.  According to an interview with Torrey Smith, it is not in protest to the anthem -it is a protest during the anthem.  Jenkins, like many others in support of these NFL players, want to see additional changes in the criminal justice system as well as” educational and economical advancement” of minorities.  The U.S. has had a history of athletes that have protested in similar ways for similar reasons.  Muhammad Ali refused to go to Vietnam War in 1967 for religious reasons and for freedom and equality at home, Tommie Smith and John Carlos protested the Olympic Games in Mexico City in 1968 because of discrimination against African Americans and Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem in protest to police brutality against African Americans and other minorities in 2016.  Overall, they all have in common, spoken in respect.

Yet the response from President Trump has been no less than incendiary, referring to these athletes with expletives and calling them “disrespectful” to the flag, the anthem and the country.”  How do you feel about it?  Are you like other people across this country saying, “He’s not my President” or are you in radical or reasonable agreement to his statements. As the 45th P.O.T.U.S. (President of the United States), some refer to him as simply “#45” due to his stance on immigration laws, Russian collusion, lack of aid to Puerto Rico, not showing tax returns, misconceptions & lies, hate/bullying speech against- minorities, women and the physically challenged, etc. It can be a real challenge to be and especially remain virtuous in these times.  As a Christian, you may feel “right” to become repugnant towards the newest Commander in Chief-being a subject or spectator of his vocalizations, I relate.

But wait a political minute sis, whether you agree with him or not…

Concern (C):  Have you considered what God thinks/says about your (un)righteous response towards authority and leadership? (I Pet 2:17) Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.  Christ always showed proper respect towards Caesar and Pilate for He always first respected God.  And if you do agree with the President have you shown love for your fellowman that do not.

Encouragement (E):  You are an ambassador of Christ (2 Cor 5:20).  You are are a leader! We are not to be so concerned with civilian affairs that we idolize politics over our position!  (2 Tim 2:4) Do not trade the temporal for the eternal, sister-please God.  On Facebook, Instagram whatever social media outlet you use, we need to remember and remind/rebuke our fellowship of believers not to stoop down to any worldly level for the sake of the lofty price we were bought for.  People are reading but God is watching.  “Add to our faith virtue” (2 Pet 1:1-8).  Virtue means goodness, kindness, high-mindedness and incorruptibility.  You are not politically passive when spiritually active in submission-to the Lord!  Trust God with all authority because (Prov 21:1)” In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.”  Jesus has all authority. Our focus should be on him and to go, make, teach disciples to obey all he commands. (Matt 28:18-20) That’s our Highest Commander in Chief!

Act (A):  So You want to truly ACT.  Then the Bible says to pray for our leaders.(1 Tim 2:1-2) so that we may lead “tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.”  Desire most to be at that heavenly party where donkeys and elephants don’t matter.  The last commission on authority in Matt 28:18-20  came from Jesus who bestowed on us his authority to go and make disciples.  That is our focus, our voice, our stance.  Pray for Trump, yes President Trump and all leaders around the world to be saved.  Also pray for peace, pray for love and pray for unity.  Still hard?  Then sister, pray for your heart.

Thank you for following us monthly as we continue our study of Godly Qualities
2 Peter 1:1-8 !  Please give us your feedback to the message.  Visit again soon & Check out previous blogs- sure to keep you inspired!  With love, ACE

2 Pet 1:5-9 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind,forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

On Jan 1st 2018 the first day of the new year, I celebrated the last principle of Kwanzaa -Imani meaning Faith with my family.  What an added enjoyment to the Christmas holiday to reconnect to my heritage and culture in this expression.  Since recently discovering my DNA results were predominantly from the Ivory Coast I have been searching for ways to stay identified to my roots.  Thanks to Dr. Maulenga Ndabezitha Karenga chair of California State University Black Studies Department for instituting this modern celebration based in Zulu and Ashanti traditions.  Renowned by over 25 million persons in the United States, Canada and across the African diaspora, Kwanzaa is ritualized from the day after Christmas (Dec 26) and ends New Year’s Day.

Originating out of despair, Dr. Karenga felt the need to empower and unite Blacks following the Watts riots aftermath in Los Angeles.  Sparking from police brutality, looting and rioting in Watts left over 30 persons killed, a thousand injured and over 40 million in property damages.  Kwanzaa derived from  phrase “matunda ya kwanzaa” (meaning “first fruits” in Swahili) was to celebrate history.  It consists of seven days  of lighting the kinara (candleholder) and celebrating the Nguzo Saba (7 values) in order- Umoja(unity), Kujichagulia (self-Determination) Ujima(Collective Work and Responsibility,  Ujamaa(Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith),

For us Christians, Faith should be first.  Peter stated in his second book that we are to make every effort to add to our faith.  It is going to take effort sister.  With faith as the foundation for all the other additions to come, it must be built solid on Christ.  So what is it?  Heb 11:1 says “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.  Faith is believing God, in His words and His Son.  Faith is trusting and having confidence that God is, was and will, always do and be, just what He says he could and would.  In short grasp that we have a God that Loves us so much to send his Son.

Concern (C):  Sister where is your faith today?  You are starting off a whole new year.  Do you believe in what God can do for you? I know you have been hurt, disappointed, shut out and shut down.  But in Matt 9:28 it says, “When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he (Jesus) asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” Don’t be spiritually blind to what the Lord can do for you, respond like the men Yes Lord!  Even after years of being in a certain place God can change your life still.

Encouragement (E):  Move Mountain Move!  With just a mustard seed of faith Jesus says we can move a mountain. Matt 17:20. He (Jesus) replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Impossible yes of course for us but nothing is impossible for God.  You Know that Jesus ain’t never lied! If your desires fit into His desires for your life consider it Done.

Action (A):  Show your faith by taking a step out on it.  James 2:14-20  ^“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.  You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ”  Sister, it is time for you to Move …and that means out of your own way!  Jesus time and time again asks us where our faith is.  It is that important!  He can do no miracle in your life without it. Don’t let him pass you by like he did faithless towns.  Don’t let him wipe the dust off his feet from your dreams!  Turn your faith dial to Miraculous  Level and set your hope course to More than You can Ask or Imagine speed.  Show it by what you do today and the days to come.  Ask him for a great 2018 full of your intents. Here’s to a great start.

Thanks for visiting our blog!  The Daughter Line is preparing for a great year & will continue blogs on a monthly basis. Check out links below for more great info.

https://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-Kwanzaa

https://www.ancestry.com/

https://odb.org/

A Conversation with Codependent Ministry Leader of Purity Group

1 Cor 6:13  The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Matt 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

One day a married woman was found engaging in self pleasuring acts with porn by her husband.  When they were able to discuss this with one another, the husband shared his feelings of anger and inadequacy among a host of emotions.  The wife/woman felt bad and apologized for the effect of her behavior on him.  This led to an increase in her feelings of extreme shame and guilt.  She stated that it was a longstanding habit.  Although she admits that it was somewhat a pleasurable act, it was not what she really wanted to do.  She could not feel good about herself knowing that she was being deceptive to so many, including herself but mostly to God.  She felt that God could never forgive her and therefore she must be destined for hell.  She stated she tried to stop before but felt hopeless because she did not know any other way to deal with such urges.  This led her into deep rooted sadness, self-imprisonment and loneliness that made her feel even more terrible. In committed love, together they agreed to get help…(1 Cor 7)

To live a Pure Christian life in today’s times seems like an impossible task.  Temptations to go astray seem to be everywhere.  On the outside they appear in -television, movies, music and other forms; on the inside they appear in- lust, evil desires, idolatry and the like.  God should understand our weakness right?  Wrong.  Heb 13:4 says that,”God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral”.  He demonstrated his seriousness even with David a man after His own heart committed adultery with Bathsheba and it cost him the life of his newborn.  Therefore, how important is it that we life in purity!

Sexual sin is one of the hardest sins to confess too because of the connotations of being dirty and private.  However, God exclaims we must be pure.  Noticeably, one of the first sins to be listed in the sins of commission in the Bible.  Gal 5:19, 1 Cor 6:9 (references homosexuality); Matt 5:28 (looking at someone lustfully).  Some sexual sins include pornography, adultery and masturbation.  Please don’t think marriage is the cure all and end up with someone you can’t stand because you are acting improper (aka hot and bothered) for each other!  Many married couples are addicted to online porn and struggle with adultery/sexual sin.   Being addicted to these things cannot make a Christian feel free or have a normal life.  Since it impedes on the quality of your life You Must Take Serious Action against this Sin.  You don’t have to cut things off for healing, perhaps therapy may help more psychological cases.  Fixing your relationship with God is the best way out!  Committing sexual sins against your own body hurts you, the people living with you but moreover grieves the Holy Spirit of God who lives in you.

I have spoken with the codependent leader who due to the sensitivity of the topic chose to remain anonymous.  She states a Codependent person is someone who lives with or is around a person who struggles with sexual sin (usually a spouse, roommate, etc).  Just like other groups, this group cannot help you unless the person who is struggling admits to needing help.  But what is different is that this group is Bible Based.  So if you or your partner is not a Christian and/or not committed to following God this is not the group for you.   You must understand God’s purpose for your life and your body otherwise you cannot find a solution and the risk is your salvation.

Concern (C):  What steps do you take when facing a sexual temptation that is not of God?  Do you talk confess it or keep it to yourself?  Do you justify it or do you seek to irrationalize it with the Word of God.  Satan is a liar might not be It for you Sis.  And neither is it just raging hormones.   Jesus was hungry  and weak (physical temptation), lonely and a spiritual “newbie” (emotional temptation)  Matt 4: 1-11 Jesus resisted Satan himself with specific scriptures  and the Devil had to leave.  Sister, do you have your armor ready?  One of my immediate weapons is Joseph in Gen 39:9, “How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”  Say No!  Then Go. Get busy with God’s business.  Satan finds it easy to tempt those who are idle.  Jesus was always on the go with his goals.  Lk 13:32. Our goal is heaven period.  2 Cor 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs then all.

Encourage (E): Paul has a problem in we can relate to in Romans 7:1-25. Highlight vs 25. Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.  This Purity Group is where you will find support in holding yourself accountable for your own sin!  No one is going to chase you for your blessing or healing.  But you will be checked in on weekly. Marrieds and Singles are very supported and come from various areas just to for the opportunity to grow in God.  When the struggling individual has consistent victories they do graduate from the group.  Yet will always be welcomed back for continued support in the recovery process. Married couples can discuss issues with other like individuals, men with men, women with women and of course together.  What is sad states the Codependent Leader is that women do not want to come out and support their husbands.  The perspective is it’s a “his” problem not an “our” problem.  This type of reasoning is marital suicide.  Being prideful with a negative attitude is not conducive to a victorious marriage and it is simply loving one another. Humble yourself to God through respecting your husband. Or were those vows for?

Act (A):  Sister, act immediately when facing temptation.   Memorize Scripture and have the Bible ready to read.  It will convict you and convince you to follow God’s thinking.  Offer up your situation to God in prayer.  He loves you and is waiting to hear and help you.  Variate your activities.  Don’t just watch that tv show that always goes there, turn it off. Or why not fast/eliminate cable altogether? Matt 5:30.  Don’t listen to slow music late at night how about some gospel or classical upliftment.  Get reviews about that movie that is so popular.  “If its not PG-13 then it isn’t for me”.  Get radical about your change.  Heaven’s done signed your name. Oh yes You’ve changed.  Everytime you want to give up, just before, make Every Effort to Call someone.  You need a partner in this who you trust can be reliable, understanding and helpful with your issue.  Make sure that person can burn the midnight oil with you if needed.  In an acronym sister  M.O.V.E!  God is always with you and you are His temple.  In closing, Remember you are not your own.  1 Cor 6:20 You were brought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Let’s get our House clean for 2018!

Do you know the psychological effects on the brain? Check out http://www.fighthenewdrug.org
For more info on where to find help, check out  PureandSimpleMinistry.org.