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Proverbs 29:18a says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (KJV) This is true for individuals, and it is true for entire societies. In our society today, many people have lost sight of God’s vision for family and are confused. So many families today don’t fit the model described in the Bible. In fact, a lot of people don’t even think you need to be committed in marriage. The idea of family has kind of become a confusing mess.

This shouldn’t really surprise us, though. You see, our enemy the devil knows that family, as God intended it, is the fabric of society. So, if he can get us confused about it, he can ultimately destroy us. Think about it: every societal problem can be traced back to the breakdown of the family. If we want to walk in the fullness of 20/20 LIFE, we need to get God’s Vision for Family.

This means recognizing that it is God’s will for us (with very few exceptions) to be married and have children. There should be no confusion in this. Yes, being single can be good as far as being able to go after God without hindrance. However, loneliness is no small obstacle. Because of this, God created marriage, saying, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’ (Genesis 2:18, NKJ) And, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.” (Proverbs 18:22, NKJ) Marriage, therefore, is a part of God’s plan, as well as a sign of His favor and blessing.

If you’re already married or thinking about getting married and wondering about the truth of that last statement, consider this: God intends for our marriage to reflect His relationship with us. It should be a relationship in which we say (as God says to us):

• I will forgive you when you do something wrong.
• I will be there for you when you’re going through trouble.
• I will listen to you and communicate with you regularly.
• We will have an intimate life together.
• We will live a life of adventure that will require faith.
• We will do something together that makes a difference in the world.
• I will never leave you or forsake you.

The second part of God’s Vision for Family is to equip our children to fulfill their purpose on the earth. Wait – you don’t want kids? Honestly, I think God’s got a problem with that. Why? Well, I don’t really have room to go into that here, so I encourage you to listen to or watch last weekend’s message where I went into it in detail. Suffice it to say that God “…seeks godly offspring” (Malachi 2:15, NKJ), and has commanded us to “Be fruitful and multiply….” (Genesis 1:28, NKJ) Beyond that, children are one of His best tools in delivering us from our selfishness. It IS God’s will for us to have children. That being the case, we need to ask and answer these questions:

• What are the character traits I envision my children having?
• What level of wisdom should they have before they leave the house?
• What kind of worldview do I want them to have?
• How will they think about money and possessions?
• What kind of person have I trained them to marry?
• Am I modeling a purposeful life for them to follow?

How we answer these questions will determine the vision we have for our family. So, I urge you: give your family a purpose. Walk in the blessings of 20/20 LIFE that God intends for you and your children. Get God’s Vision for Family!

This month, Victory’s Family Ministries was pleased to host our annual Valentine’s Dinner and Dance for married couples at the elegant Hilton Atlanta Northeast. With lots of fun, romance, great music, an exquisite dinner and a few surprises, the evening was a perfect opportunity for couples to refresh, renew, re-energize their marriage. Here’s how first-time attender, Jon Bagwell, described it:

Jon & Stephanie Bagwell

This was an awesome night full of fun and surprises – the first Valentines Dinner and Dance we have attended at Victory. Our anniversary lands on Valentine’s Day. And this year, as we celebrated five years of marriage, we decided that this would be our celebration this year.

The first thing you could not help but notice was how well put together everything was. You were greeted by very distinguished married couples who were some of the many wonderful leaders of the family ministries. Men were quietly told to go one way to pick up a rose for their wives while the women were directed to the registration table. The theme of the night was “RE”.

When I handed my wife her rose, I reminded her why I married her five years ago. She was very touched and, honestly, so was I. It wasn’t long before the fun began. Pastor Randall McNeil was the MC, and he was a blast! He was so funny. They had ticket raffles to win prizes – love teddy bears. And, what was special about these bears is they were all different colors. They had black bears, Caucasian bears and light skin bears…they were racially reconciled – one of the many ways Family Ministries represented the character and makeup of Victory. I love that about Victory!

All of the evening’s activities followed the “RE” theme of the night. First, we had to come up with as many words that started with “RE” as we could think of. One couple came up with like 90-something words…it was incredible!. The second activity was to RE-member our story and to talk about how we met, our first date, the first time we said I love you. The third activity was to RE-ignite, in which we were encouraged to think of just a few things we could do in the next three months to spark that flame again, or to make it bigger. In this way, we started planning how we would RE-ignite our marriage. The last activity was to RE-new. Pastor Randall challenged us to RE-new our love for our spouse.

We had a fantastic time!. The dinner was delicious, the music was nostalgic, the environment was elegant and experience was definitely one to remember. At the end of the night we won a Caucasian love bear and were able to announce our five year anniversary to everyone. We finished celebrating our anniversary with the Get-a-Room Option, spending a lovely night at the Hilton.

I want to thank Victory, Pastor Randall and Chris McNeil, as well as the other Family Ministries leaders for all of their hard work on making this a night to remember. We really enjoyed our anniversary, and spending with our church family made it that much more special!

On February 11, 2009, we were pleased to welcome author David Batstone and musician Brant Christopher. Together, they shared with us a message of freedom.

David Batstone is the founder of Not for Sale, a campaign to end slavery in our lifetime. Brant Christopher is a musician who has partnered with Not for Sale, helping to spread the word that human trafficking and slavery is a modern day reality.

During this special service, David Batsone delivered a powerful message of freedom for the captives. Eyes were opened as David shared with Victory the disturbing fact that 27 million people are currently enslaved. Yes, 27 MILLION! And this is not just in other countries, it’s happening in our own backyard – right here in the “land of the free.” Children and adults are being sold as slaves to a perverse world – a world full of evil, greed, lust, and spiritual deadness. David not only informed us, but empowered us with the wisdom, knowledge and truth necessary for us to do our part to end slavery. As Isaiah 61:1 says: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor…to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” (NIV)

Brant shared his heart for the issue by putting music to his words – playing guitar and singing songs that portray the unsettling emotions associated with human trafficking and slavery. Brant’s music seized our hearts and caused them to be sensitive to the issue at hand. Brant unselfishly used his musical talents for the greater good of all. Brant is a great example of how we all can use our gifts to raise awareness of this issue.

We are truly grateful to David and Brant for bringing this relevant and urgent message to Victory. As a result, many were challenged to take responsibility, take action, and take the message of freedom to all who are oppressed.

Taina Brown had this to say about the event:

I had heard [Batstone] speak on the cause last year at a Fusion service and, since that time, had developed an interest in joining the anti-slavery movement. The Fusion band had led us into a time of worship and there was a sense of expectancy in the room. There were those of us who had already been involved as modern-day abolitionists on several different levels, and there were those who were new to the movement and unsure of what to expect from the night. Interweaved with the backstory of Not For Sale and what we as average citizens can do to combat the terror of human trafficking, was music by Brant Christopher and visual images presented on the screens. It was a very creative presentation that gave us information and also touched the human soul at its core through the different types of media that were present.

An abolitionists is defined as someone who favors the abolition of any law or practice deemed harmful to society. How many of us would actually say that sex trafficking and human slavery is something that we favor? At the end of the night, we were encouraged to take action. Not by signing up on rescue teams or traveling abroad to places where it’s right before our eyes, but by signing up to be informed, by writing letters to major companies which deem it un-profitable to buy things like chocolate and clothing not made from slave labor, and by getting the word out. We were challenged to live differently, work differently, shop differently. We are no longer ignorant to this issue, and to do nothing is to turn a blind eye.

Christ did not die in vain! The true reality of our times is that ALL are free! Not a select group, class, race, or gender, but ALL. Freedom! Shout it from the roof tops! Proclaim it to the captives! “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36, NIV). ~ Alex Hogan

For more information on “Not for Sale”, check out their website: www.notforsalecampaign.org

Vision is one of my favorite things to talk about, and it’s one of the most important things for our lives. Proverbs 29:18a says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (KJV) Vision is what directs our life; without it, we suffer. The areas of our lives for which we don’t have a vision, whether marriage, parenting, health, finances, etc., are the areas that suffer and the ones that cause us the most trouble. Think about it. If we don’t have a vision for the health of our bodies, for instance, it becomes very evident. We can feel it, and everyone else can see it!

When we live without a vision, our lives lack direction, motivation, passion and purpose. Without these things, it’s impossible to live the life God has called us to live – to be and experience all He intends. Let me ask you: Is your life a glorious life? Does it represent the life that God intended for you to be living? Do others see the glory of God living through you? Do you live a passionate life? Too many of us have to answer no, or I’m not sure. But God never created us to live normal, average, inconsequential lives. He has called each of us to do specific things in this earth.

At some point, as we go through our lives, we come to a place where our life intersects with God, and we have a choice to make – to take His path or stay on our own. The earlier we start obeying, the less it costs us. On the other hand, the longer we put God off, the more difficult it becomes to obey Him. We have to learn to trust that if we are following Him, no matter how difficult life may be, no matter what circumstances we go through, God will eventually work everything out for our good. Obedience is the first issue that we have to work through in order to gain a 20/20 vision for life.

Next, we need to discover what our burden is. What is it about this world that needs to change that burdens us as individuals? Vision begins with the inability to accept things the way they are. Vision starts with a burden for something local and then, as we begin to work in it, it grows.

Third is the faith issue. We have to answer the question: How much of my life am I willing to trust to God? How much am I willing to let go of? Living by faith means living in the realm where we’re doing things that, without God, will not work. What are you doing in your life that is impossible or will fail without God? Having vision means moving outside of our comfort zones. Although it’s not comfortable, it’s more than worth it!

So, are you ready to get God’s vision for your life? If so, I encourage you to listen to or watch this week’s message and then don’t miss the next several weeks as we explore 20/20 LIFE!

During the month of January, we joined together as a church in 30 days of fasting and prayer. It was a time of consecration at the beginning of this year. As a part of that, many of us came together on each of the Sunday evenings in January for THIRST, a time of intense worship and prayer. If you attended any of these services, then you know for yourself just how thirsty Victory World Church is for God! Here’s what some of those who attended had to say:

“During each THIRST service, the presence of the Lord was ushered in by the sweet aroma of praise and worship that was lifted up by people from all walks of life. Prayers were made individually and corporately, and many experienced the healing power of the Lord! If you missed the THIRST services, don’t worry about it! The living God is available to you right now! Ask him to quench your thirst, and then come and join your brothers and sisters at Victory who have the same eagerness to serve the Lord as you do! It’s a new day at Victory! The chains are broken! The captives have been set free! Run! Dance! Jump! Shout! Allow the living water to quench your thirst!” – Alex H.

“Especially fervent worship ascended as Victory held its final Sunday evening service approaching the culmination of 30 days of congregational fasting and prayer. The Holy Spirit’s activity and presence were evident in a powerful service. Pastor Dennis Rouse challenged us to ‘press in’ and encouraged liberty in our worship in the aisles or at the altar. Pastor Colleen Rouse brought a fresh word concerning physical healing. Pastors, elders, and leaders who had been in prayer and fasting ministered, anointing with oil those desiring prayer for healing. The altars were full of believers seeking immediate financial intervention and employment, leaving strengthened and encouraged to trust for supply and divine connections to manifest. The evening culminated with ‘priests,’ those standing in ministry offices, anointing those ‘possessing land for the kingdom of God’ in the marketplace as business owners with oil and releasing upon their lives the ‘Kingly Anointing.’ Times of refreshing were certainly experienced in the presence of the Lord.” – Azira K.

As you can see, THIRST was amazing. We’ll be having more in the future so be on the lookout for the announcements!

This week, we celebrated our 19th anniversary as a church. Because of this, I thought it was fitting to invite one of our board members, Dr. Samuel Chand, President Emeritus of Beulah Heights University, to speak to us on this momentous occasion. I’ll paraphrase some of what he had to say in his message here, but I strongly encourage you to listen to or watch the entire message if you missed it! His word was dynamic, timely and uplifting.

Things can change. Look at what God said to Moses about the children of Israel in Exodus 3:8:

So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites.

The Israelites were born into bondage, but God came down to deliver them out and bring them up to a good and large land flowing with milk and honey. God wants to do the same for us. For, we were we all born into bondage…to sin. We were dead in our sins, unable to do anything for ourselves or anyone else. So, God also came down to deliver us.

He came down when we could not go up. None of our works could fix us – “All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put [us] back together again.” So, THE King, himself, came down to deliver us out of bondage in the person of Jesus. He came down, reached into the enemy’s territory and snatched us out.

And He didn’t stop there; He’s taking us up! Things may look down right now, but know this: the righteous are never forsaken. As Paul said, “My God shall supply ALL your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19 KJV; emphasis added) Our source is not Wall St., Washington, D.C., the bank or anybody else – our help comes from the Lord!

God is leading us to a good and large place – a land “flowing with milk and honey.” Now, think about this: cows make milk, yes, but they also make…stuff, lots of stuff. And, bees make honey, but they also sting. Life is full of stuff and stings! It’s inevitable. But, we have to remember that when we keep stepping in stuff and getting stung, that means there are cows and bees nearby…and that means milk and honey.

If we back off every time we step into some stuff, we’ll never enter the land of milk and honey. So, we have to keep what’s on the other side in focus and not get distracted. The enemy tries so hard to distract us from the milk and honey that’s just around the corner and keep us focused on the stuff. But, stuff is just stuff! If we’ll remain faithful in the middle of the stuff and dependable through the stings, we will walk into the Promise Land that God has for us!

Do you know that God has called us to be overcomers? It’s true! He never called us to be defeated by our circumstances – no matter how dire they may seem at the moment. Rather, we’re called to walk in victory, to experience inner peace and joy. Yet, too many of us have either forgotten this or just don’t know.

Here’s the truth: God wants to pour out His favor on us – to reward and bless us. However, in order for that to happen, we have to walk in faith by putting our trust in Him. Everything that involves God, involves faith. Think about it. It is only through faith that we are saved, healed and protected. Faith is necessary to receive the Holy Spirit, to have victory and to live right with God.

You see, God lives in the realm of the impossible, the realm of faith, and He wants us to live there with Him. How? We have to believe that He can do anything. We have to know God for ourselves, in our hearts, not just know about Him in our heads. The way in which we know Him determines a lot of things about our lives. Wherever we are in life, it’s a byproduct of our faith.

If we want to be People of Faith, there are four principles we need to know about how faith works:

1. Faith works through love. Love must be our primary motivation in whatever we’re doing if we want faith to work. As soon as we stop loving (by holding onto unforgiveness, for example), faith stops working.
2. Faith believes God regardless of the circumstances. Of the seventeen miraculous healings by Jesus that are recorded in the Gospels, Jesus attributed thirteen of them to the faith of the people involved; “…your faith has made you well…” All of these people were dealing with difficult circumstances, yet they believed.
3. Faith in the heart comes out through the mouth. What is there in your life that seems like an insurmountable mountain? Are you speaking to it in faith, or only about it? Speaking about a mountainous problem doesn’t make it any better; it only makes it bigger. If we want change, we have to change what we say.
4. Finally, faith acts on what it believes. Where we’re at is a statement of what we believe. God doesn’t call us to sit passively. Our circumstances may be testing us, but if we believe, and act on what we believe, then we will enter the “Promised Land” of God’s favor and blessing.

So, how are you doing with your love motivation? What are believing about your circumstances? What are you saying with your mouth? And, how are you acting? When you align your motivation, beliefs, words and actions with God’s Word, you are walking in faith. That’s why it’s essential to keep our eyes on Him and off of our circumstances! The more we keep our eyes on Him, trusting in His Word, character and power, the more insignificant our troubles will become, and the more peace, joy and victory we will experience!

(To get the full breakdown of this topic, click here to listen to/watch this week’s message.)