The Breakthrough Moment with Rev. Bernese Shaw - "Preparation" (12/28)

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation…

In three days the year 2012 will be here. How are you preparing your life and soul for a New Year? Are you going into New Year with the same old baggage? With the same old problems? With the same old sinful nature? This ending of one calendar year and the beginning of another should be a time of both reflection and anticipation. Reflect on how the Lord has brought you through whatever that may be going on in your life and the anticipation of whatever you have faith that God will be there with you all the way. This may be the year we should strive for a greater spiritually renewed commitment to the Lord. Again with the end of the old year 2011 fast approaching, we can look forward to fresh opportunities to experience a higher level of spirituality by leaving old behaviors and habits behind. Also, we should leave all of our depressions and un-assurances of the power and mercy of God behind. We need to take time to reflect on the past year and note how God has brought us through some rivers and over some mountains in our lives in this down economy. We need to look to the future year and reflect on how if we give ourselves to the Lord and humble ourselves in His grace and mercy as we step into the New Year with the peace of God that abides. Psalm 29:11 says "May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!" Philippians 4:7 says "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." And, we need to make resolutions to trust and walk by faith not by sight in the Lord. We can do all of this preparation through prayer and spending some time with our Heavenly Father. As the scripture says “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new”. Our new identity creates within us a new nature and a new life. In this new life, we have to put on the garments of Christian grace (becoming new). The first garment is tender mercies of willing hands, ready to work for the Lord. The second garment of Christian grace is kindness or goodness that is for the well-being of others. Humility is the third garment, the realization of our relationship to God and other persons. The fourth garment is meekness or gentleness. The fifth garment is patience or long suffering. 1Corinthians 13:4 says "Love is patient; love is kind." And, the sixth garment is forgiving. The Lord's Prayer tells us that as we forgive others, we are forgiven. The songstress sings when you put on a new brand new life, you moved from your old house, and you moved from your old friends, you moved from your old way of living. When you put on a brand new life in Christ, He will change your old way of thinking and He will change your heart and give you a new song to sing. Let us take time this week to make preparation for the New Year by becoming a new creation in the Lord. Psalm 32:8 tells us "thus says the Lord, I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you" and Proverbs 3:6 tells us "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." As you prepare for the coming year and as you travel through the coming year. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become! Become new in Christ as you’re preparing for the coming of the New Year 2012, let this be your year! To say I am a child of the King! I am a child of the Heavenly Father! I am a child of Jesus! Amen. Amen. Amen.

The Breakthrough Moment with Rev. Bernese Shaw - "What's In a Name?" (12/21)

Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.


After last week’s prayer call, I was asked about the focus scriptures: Isaiah 7:14b: "Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." And, Matthew 1:23: "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, "God is with us" about Jesus being named Immanuel. But, Matthew 1:21 was also used in the meditation that bears the name "Jesus” It reads,"She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." And if you read a little farther in Matthew 1:22 it reads All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet (Isaiah) "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, God is with us." All this was told to Joseph in a dream by the angel of the Lord. In my research, I could not find anywhere whereas Mary the mother of Jesus called him anything but Jesus. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means the Lord saves.There are many names for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In John 8:56-59, Jesus presents himself as the "I AM." The "I AM" is the divine name (Ex 3:14), a claim to pre-existence and oneness with God. Jesus is called the "Son of Man" because he is both divine and he is human. Isaiah 9:6 named the coming Messiah and consequently Jesus Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The ancient Law of Sacrifice calls Jesus as the Lamb of God. John 1 refers to Jesus as The Word. Some names are the Bright Morning Star, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. This Christmas season, a popular song Don't Forget The Baby sings His name is Jesus Mary's baby Manger born Don't Forget The Baby His name is Jesus Jehovah Jirah He's my provider don't forget the baby His name is Jesus Jehovah Raphe He is my healer don't forget the baby His name Jesus is The Great I am He'll be with me don't forget the baby His name is Jesus God Jehovah My everything don't forget the baby. His name is Jesus Jehovah Nissi He is my banner don't forget it, don't forget it His name is Jesus Emmanuel God with us don't forget the baby His name is Jesus Sweet Jesus oh Jesus don't forget the baby...So you may ask the question what’s in a name? In the name Jesus, there is joy because when I am down and out, all I have to do is call on His Holy Name Jesus, there is hope because I know that the scripture tells me that Jesus was born for my and your salvations, there is healing because when the doctor tells me there is nothing else that he can do I know a Savior that his name is Jesus healing my soul, in the name of Jesus there is strength when I feel like I can’t go on, my Father Jesus is there holding me on every side and giving me strength to run on and he will do the same for you, in the name of Jesus, there is power, in the name of Jesus, there is forgiveness, in the name of Jesus there is salvation – the scripture this morning tells us Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins, in the name of Jesus, there is peace, in the name of Jesus, there is wholeness, in the name of Jesus is my all and all. Philippians 2:10 says "at that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." So you might ask WHAT'S IN A NAME? In the name of Jesus, there is love, in the name of Jesus, there is peace, in the name of Jesus there is salvation, in the name of Jesus, there is joy and in the
name of Jesus, there is favor. This Christmas season everyone keep our eyes and focus on Jesus because in the name of Jesus, we are saved. AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.

The Breakthrough Moment with Rev. Bernese Shaw - "God is With Us"

Isaiah 7:14b Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23 Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us."

The name Immanuel, “God is with us," is the name belonging to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The name is expressive of the union of the two natures, human and divine, who being both God and man, is a middle person between both. In the name, you can call him 'Savior' because he will save. John 1:14 says "And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.” In this third week of Advent with the great anticipation of the Christ child should be enough for every one of us to begin each day with joy in our hearts. The scriptures have proclaimed that a virgin birth; a baby that will be called Emmanuel- God is with us. When you think about God, Our Heavenly Father is with us each and every second of our lives there can't be anything else but joy. The third candle for the third Sunday is a symbol of Christ, our joy. In this world of conflict and disturbance in our lives in the home and the work place, to know that a Savior was born to bear our iniquities should cause us to begin each day with a sense of liberating joy. We can say as Mary proclaimed in Luke 1:46 "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." We all should be confident that the grace we ask for will be given to us because of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came to earth. We will encounter sin in our own hearts and in our experience of the sin of the world. But we can pause in those moments and feel the joy of the words, from Matthew 1:21 "You are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Because of this, we can experience the Light shining into dark places of our lives showing us patterns of sinfulness, and invite us to experience God's grace and mercy. Our celebration of the coming of our Savior in history is opening us up to experience His coming to us this year, and preparing us to await His coming in Glory. The struggles and tragedies of this life need not affect your joy as a Child of God. True joy is based on the spiritual realities of who God is and what He has promised. God is good and God is faithful regardless of your situation. Despite your circumstances you can "glory in His Holy Name," and your heart can rejoice as you seek Him and the strength He offers. Whatever your circumstances, God longs to comfort you, heal you and give you His peace, joy and hope; God is with us. Take your needs to him in prayer. Lay all your hurts and worries before him. Ask Him to help you accept your circumstances, fix your eyes on Jesus and live life in joy and peace. The Lord is your hope; your joy; Psalm 42:11 says, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again my Savior and my God. God is with you”. As we sing that old familiar hymn Joy to the World! Joy to the world! Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and heaven and nature sing. AMEN.

The Breakthrough Moment with Rev Bernese Shaw - "Tis the Season for Praise and Adoration" (12/7)

With this being the second week of Advent which means “the coming” or “arrival,” we will continue with the scripture from the book of the Prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 9:6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. NRSV

Advent is the season of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas; the gift of Christmas. This should be a time for families to come together in prayer and devotion. But, in our hectic modern world and down economy, it is easy to get distracted with all the advertisement for shopping, the Christmas music, the Christmas parties, and Christmas decorations all around that tends to increase our anxiety. We start to worry about what we don’t have and how we are going to make it through this Christmas season of gift giving. However, the focus of the entire season is and should be the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. So in the midst of situations that may be happening in your life and mine, we need to always give praise and adoration for the one who came to earth and paid the price for our sins and salvations.
Helen Steiner Rice wrote, “Happiness is something we create in our minds – it’s not something you search for and so seldom find. It’s just waking up and beginning the day by counting your blessings and kneeling to pray.” I pray that everyone will take time out today to pray and thank God for another day in the land of the living. Thank God for another chance to get right today with what you did wrong on yesterday, that is a blessing all by itself. So despite your circumstances you can “glory in his Holy name,” and your heart can rejoice as you seek him and receive the strength he offers through praise and adoration. John 3:16 says For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Jesus came to earth in human form for you and me, live and died for us. It is the season to praise Him and give thanks to Our God for being Our Savior.
An old hymn sings “I’m So Grateful” says it all, I am so grateful that Christ is in my life. What would my life be without Him? It would be very dark and grim. When I’m sad He cheers me, when I am lonely He will my comfort be. That’s why I’m grateful, truly grateful, I’m so grateful that Christ is in my life. When my friends and my foes turn against me, and it seems I’m at the end of the road, there is a still soft voice saying within me, there is someone, someone greater who’s carrying the load. When my way gets as dark as the midnight, and my body is all racked with pain, Christ appears with His holy light, and by faith, faith and grace, I’m made whole again." This is the season for you to give praise and adorations (thanks) for Jesus being born and coming into our lives. It is hope, however faint at times and that God, however distant He sometimes seems, which brings to the world the anticipation of a King who rules with truth and justice and righteousness over His people. Tis the Season for Praise and Adoration who came to earth for us to be saved. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.

The Breakthrough Moment with Rev Bernese Shaw - "IT'S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS" (11/30)

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever."

The first Sunday after Thanksgiving is observed as the first Sunday in Advent. Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming") is a season observed by many as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas (the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ). According to Isaiah 9:6, the child will be called, The Prince of Peace; it is the Messiah who will establish everlasting world peace. In the Hebrew Scriptures, only the LORD is called el gibbor. This illustration clearly establishes the Deity of the child to be born. He would be Almighty God Himself! This is the same child prophesied by Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14 when he referred to Him as Immanuel, meaning 'God with us.' This child would be 'God with us'. He is the Mighty God, the Messiah! Authority, symbol of power, Mighty God, divine in might; Everlasting Father, continuing fatherly love and care; Prince of Peace, the king who brings peace and prosperity. It’s time that this season should always remind us that no matter what is going on in our lives that we have a Savior that was born and died for our salvation. That He is our Shepherd, our Father, our Guide, and we are never alone with the Lord on our side. So when life seems empty and there is no place to go; no one to turn to, when your heart is troubled and your spirits are low; when friends seem few and nobody cares, there is always God to hear our prayers. With faith in your heart, reach out for God’s hand and accept what He sends, though you can’t understand… For our Father in heaven always knows what is best. And if you trust in His wisdom, your life will be blessed… For always remember that whatever may come your way, you are never alone, for God is beside you. So despite our shortcomings, God sent His Son so that we might be saved from our sins. Romans 3:23-24 says For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. So this morning (today) my brothers and sisters after you have said that you are blessed and thankful during last week with Thanksgiving, IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS, to turn over your life and tribulations to God. IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS, so are you tired or troubled? Turn your heart toward God in prayer. Are you weak or worried? Take the time or make the time to study God’s Holy Word. Are you spiritually depleted (sick and tired of all this holy stuff)? Call on a fellow believer to support you, pray with you and for you, and the most important thing is to call upon Christ to renew your spirit and your life. IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS – it is the season – it is the moment to know that the Creator of the universe stands ready and always able to sustain, protect, and defend you. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS no matter what is going on in your life, IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS no matter what is going on in your marriage, IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS no matter what is going on in your family, IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS no matter what is going on with your children, IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS no matter what is going on on your job, IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS no matter if you are still unemployed, because Isaiah 9:6-7 says "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever." AMEN, AMEN, AMEN.

The Breakthrough Moment from Rev Bernese Shaw - Be Thankful Always (11/23)

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching us, just a week away therefore being thankful is something that every Christian should practice on a regular basis. Thanksgiving should not be limited to a certain day, but be a part of our lives at all times, in all circumstances. Not only is it appropriate for us to be thankful during the holidays but it would be beneficial to our spirituality if we made an extra effort to be grateful to God at all times, in all places, and for all things. No matter what’s going on in our lives, we should give thanks to Our Heavenly Father. Thanksgiving is an attitude, a natural part of Christian character. “Give thanks” is a command, an imperative. Giving thanks is not an option for the serious Christian. This command is in the present tense, so the instruction is to keep on giving thanks. Give thanks in everything and in all circumstances. Apostle Paul challenges us to be thankful of all things only makes sense in the light of the promise of Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God. Paul is not saying just give thanks for everything, but in connection with everything that happens. In every circumstance, no matter what or where, you can still thank God. Not everything that happens to us is good, but God uses everything that happens to work for our good; to make us stronger in our walk and faith in Him. Sometimes, we don’t know whether something is good or bad, but we can be thankful that God is working for our good in everything. Thanksgiving is the natural response to the grace and goodness of a great and wonderful God who cares and provides. Thanksgiving should overflow in the life of every Christian. God can take all things and use them for our good. So why should we give thanks? Though there are many reasons: We should give thanks because Rom. 6:17-18 tells us to be thankful for deliverance from sin. When we give our lives to Christ, we are freed from our slavery to sin and enter into a new relationship as children of God. I Cor. 15:57 tells us be thankful for the victorious life we have in Christ.

So how Should We Give Thanks: Through praise - There is something about praise that strengthens us, lifts us closer to God. And, through service - As a doctor judges the heart by a heartbeat/pulse, so people can judge our thankfulness by our lives. Real thankfulness results in service to God. When you become thankful and have an abundance of thanksgiving flow from your heart, people just naturally gravitate towards you. You become a source of inspiration and joy to those around you. Let us all be thankful for everything that God has done for us through Jesus. He has truly supplied all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. When we give a gift to someone, when we help another person, when we perform an act of kindness for a fellow human being, we expect some expression of appreciation. Our generosity or service may not be consciously motivated by any desire for recognition. Our action may be prompted primarily by our love, or our compassion, or our genuine concern for the other person's happiness. But if there is little or no evidence of gratitude, we are hurt and offended, and at times grow indignant. Our human desire for thanks is an echo from the heart of God. He, too, wants to be thanked. He expects us to show our gratitude for all His wonderful goodness to us. The Old Testament, as well as the New, rings with the summons to thanksgiving.
Psa. 95:1-2 tells us "O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!"
And Psa. 100:4 tells us "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name!" So, how do we express our gratitude to God? How can you and I tell if we are really thankful?
Obviously, we praise God with our lips. The author of Hebrews 13:15 says that through Christ we should "continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name". Words, nevertheless, are notoriously cheap, and the gratitude that contents itself with "Thank You" to God, however piously and eloquently phrased, can be cheap and insincere. Real Christian thankfulness should be a life – transforming dynamic. If we are thankful to God, then we shall obey Him. God has redeemed us in order to make us like Jesus. If we are grateful for all that He has done for us, especially for our redemption through Christ’s death on the cross, we shall express that gratitude by our obedience to His will. Out of our gratitude, determination is born to live a yielded life, the desire to please God in all things. A thankful Christian is an obedient Christian. We can be an obedient Christian with thanksgiving by Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily as long as it is call Today, so that none of you maybe hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. So praise God in good times and bad times. Praise in the morning, praise God at noontime, Praise God in the evening, praise God at night, give God thanks in season and out of season, be thankful always. AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.

The Breakthrough Moment with Rev Bernese Shaw - "Power and Strength"

Psalm 68:35 (NIV): The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Our faith is like a muscle. The more we exercise it, the more it grows and becomes stronger. The less we exercise it, the more spiritually weak we become. So with faith, when the circumstances of life are overwhelming, problems are stacked on every side and when we feel like we have been treated unfairly, we can be sure that God is on the move in our lives and He has a great reward waiting for us when we yield our hearts and lives to Him because we serve a “God who sees.” He knows our circumstances, and he sees what others have done to us. He is not only a God who sees, he is a God who acts and a God who empowers and gives strength to his people. God is our comforter in times of trial and sorrow. He is our refuge and strength when we feel as though we cannot face another trying day. He is our protection when problems grow too large for us to handle, and He is our shield and our deliverer. We may not have the strength to trust God, but Christ within us will give us this ability. Storms that arise in our lives could come from a telephone call, from a letter that brings disappointment, when our child has an accident, when a small pain develops into a serious illness, death, divorce, financial reverses, or maybe just the everyday pressures and tensions that build and build until the thunderhead erupts into a storm. Through it all, we have God - Isaiah 40:29 says “He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].” Philippians 4:13 says “I have strength for all things in Christ who empower me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].” Nahum 1:7 says “The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him.” Habakkuk 3:19 says “The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility].” And, Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through him who strengthen me.” So my brothers and sisters when life becomes a problem much too great for us to bear, instead of trying to escape, let us withdraw in prayer. For withdrawal means renewal if we withdraw to pray and listen in the quietness to hear what God will say because we receive power and strength through our Holy Father to withstand the storms of life. Make time every day to read and study God’s Word. Your devotion time will empower and strengthen you for your day. Also, you will gain a better knowledge of the scripture and be able to share the Word with others. Always give thanks to God for empowering you with grace and mercy in your weakness and to help you stand strong in your faith even when you feel that your prayers have not been answered and postponed dreams. Pray that the Lord will give you faith and patience to rest in His timing. Acknowledge He is our strength and pray that He will enable you to be strong and whole in mind, body and soul as you wait on Him to move on your behalf. When your world has been shaken, remember there is a God who is unshakeable. When you are weak, pray to God to give you strength to rise above your circumstances and continue to worship him in the face of fear. Pray for God to strengthen you by the power of His Holy Spirit; to stand strong no matter what comes against you and to help you not to lose heart, but rather to continue to grow in faith. Remember Ephesians 6:10 says “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” I am going to end this morning with the words of an old familiar hymn “We’ve Come This Far By Faith” We’ve come this far by faith leaning on the Lord; Trusting in His Holy Word, He’s never failed me yet. Don’t be discouraged with troubles in your life He’ll bear your burdens and move all misery and strife, that’s why we’ve come this far by faith because we get power and strength from the Lord. AMEN.