Merciful Savior!

While riding in my car today and talking with a friend, I drifted away from the conversation and began to sing a song that was in my heart. I then realized that the song was an original flowing from my spirit. Often times, when this happens, I just fail to recognize my creative flow and return to what I was previously doing. Well today, the friend that I was talking with, just picked up the song from where I left off. How amazing! Well here is the lyrics and I pray that they bless you. The mercies of God is what prompted the words and ministry. I will add music to it soon and you will hear it at the next Stellar Awards. Believe It! Lamentations 3 reminds us that God refreshes our mercies anew EVERYDAY! What a wonderful savior......
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Merciful Savior
Merciful God
My blessed redeemer, Father and Friend
You are my healer, the great I am
Merciful Saviour
Wonderful God

Oh how I love you
And worship you too
I’ll honor and praise you
For all that you do
My merciful Savior
Merciful God
My blessed redeemer, Father and Friend!

Lyrics by: Rev. F. Demond Harris & Evangelist Maureen Chen
Written: March 31, 2008

A Continual Praise!

I was just thinking about the word "Praise" as it relates to God. And this one liner came to my thoughts. "I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES AND HIS PRAISES SHALL CONTINUALLY BE IN MY MOUTH" Psalms 34:1. Praise the Lord our God everyday!

The Beauty of Math

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?
And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this...
101% From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to GIVEOVER 100%. How about ACHIEVING 101%? What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help answer these questions:

If: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 25 26.

Then: H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K = 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E = 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But: A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E = 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D = 12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that: While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, It's the "LOVE OF GOD" that will put you over the top!

Be Blessed - F. Demond

My visit to March's INCREDIBLE PRAISE!

Sorry that this blog is almost 2 weeks late. But here is the latest report on this month's INCREDIBLE PRAISE. On March 16th, I again visited the Zion Baptist Evangelical Temple in Compton for the third service of "INCREDIBLE PRAISE". This service is purposed to be the premier worship experience for Young Adults here in southern california. It is a vision of Dr. Kevin Stafford that individuals from various churches can come together and praise & worship God. This month's service was "AWESOME". The attendance, momentum and flow was at an all time high as usual. Pastors, ministers, evangelists and musical guests was present and participatory (my new word). There was a great delegation of youth and young adults. The special guest were an anointed music ministry from Los Angeles, CA called A-TONE & Team Jesus and Rev. Theo Wilkins & Barack. These young people are surely on fire for the Lord. This month we did not have a lecturer, however Overseer Johnny Withers served as the Keynote Speaker. What a powerful and well received word. Overseer Withers serves as the Senior Pastor of Unity Christian Fellowship of Long Beach. What a night. The people of God was blessed and I look forward to round #3 which will take place on Mar. 16th @ 7pm sharp! This service is postured to take place every 3rd sunday of the month. I send a shout of to the ministry team of IP and ZBET for their spirit of excellence and servanthood. You will do yourself a favor to not miss the next "INCREDIBLE PRAISE". Until we meet again...........
F. Demond - www.newcopasadena.org

Bishop Robert W. McMurray

To all of my myspace friends, I have placed a video on my page of Bishop Robert W. McMurray. He is the original Pastor of Greater Bethany Community Church now (The City of Refuge, Bishop Noel Jones). It was during my early days of ministry that I would frequently visit this church. I believe that it was during this time that my spiritual foundation was planted. He was a great man. The song on my page was his "FAMOUS" theme song. Watch it and enjoy. It was some years back as you may see, however, it shows us how church has changed so much from what it used to be. THESE PEOPLE WERE CHURCHIN' ON THIS VIDEO. Oh how I remember these days.........

ENJOY+++++F.Demond

Court Sets "Aethist Holiday"

COURT SETS ATHEISTS HOLIDAY
(True Story)

In Florida, an atheist became incensed over the preparation of Easter and Passover holidays. He decided to contact his lawyer about the discrimination inflicted on atheists by the constant celebrations afforded to Christians and Jews with all their holidays while atheists had no holiday to celebrate. The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the long passionate presentation by the lawyer, the Judge banged his gavel and declared, "Case Dismissed!" The lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling and said, 'Your Honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter, the Lord's Supper, and many other observances. Jews have Hanukkah, Passover, Yom Kippur and many other feast days...yet my client and all other atheists have no such holiday!

The judge leaned forward in his chair and simply said, 'Obviously your client is too confused to even know about, much less celebrate his own atheists 'Holiday!' The lawyer pompously said, 'Your Honor, we are unaware of any such holiday for atheists. Just when might that holiday be, your Honor?' The judge said, 'Well it comes every year on exactly the same date - April 1st! Since our calendar sets April 1st as 'April Fools' Day,' consider that Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, in my opinion, if your client says there is no God, then by Scripture, he is a fool, and April 1st is his holiday! Now have a good day and get out of my courtroom!!! Way to go, Judge! AMEN.

Give me your thoughts about this and leave me a comment.

Saving More Money @ The Gas Pump!

One of my myspace friends sent this to me and I thought it was some good information. Please read, apply and spread this good information.
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Tips on Pumping Gas (VERY IMPORTANT INFO)

I don't know what you guys are paying for gasoline.... but here inCalifornia we are also paying higher, up to $3.50 per gallon.But my line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are sometricks to get more of your money's worth for every gallon..

Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose , CA wedeliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline.One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular andpremium grades.We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of16,800,000 gallons.

Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when theground temperature is still cold.Remember that all service stationshave their storage tanks buried below ground.The colder the ground, the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon.

In the petroleum business, the specific gravity andthe temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and otherpetroleum products plays an important role.
A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business.But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to afast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three(3)stages: low, middle, and high.In slow mode you should be pumping onlow speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return.If you are> pumping on the fast rate, some other liquid that goes to your tankbecomes vapor.Those vapors are being sucked up and back into theunderground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.

One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALFFULL or HALF EMPTY.The reason for this is, the more gas you have inyour tank the less air occupying its empty space.Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine.Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof.This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas andthe atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.

Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storagetanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up--most likely the gasolineis being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pickup some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom. Hope this will help you get the most value for your money.

"ESCAPISM" - A New Word For 4 Me

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." ~ Philippians 4:11

How do you handle your times in the valley or in the wilderness? How do you handle situations that you don't particularly like to be in? Most of us complain about it or pray for a way out it. I was thinking about that very thing this morning. There is a certain situation I had been praying that God would change, then this morning He spoke to me and said why didn't I pray that He would show me how to "go through it". We need to learn to be content where we are instead of seeking a route of escape. Whether we like it or not, there are some things we must go through. The valleys are needful in our lives. The wilderness does play a part. Even prisons, captivity, persecutions all can play a role in God's purpose and scheme of things. The backside of the dessert was a valuable place for Moses. The prison was a stepping stone to the palace for Joseph. Being presented before a heathen king was a set up for Esther. Too often we pray for a way out of the very place that we must go through in order to get us to where God wants to take us. His plan for you may take you to the valley. It took Jesus into the wilderness (Matthew 4), and the cross. If we would begin to pray that the Lord would show us how to go through it instead of how to escape out of it, we would benefit from it in the long run. We need to learn to be content instead of always wanting a way out just because it doesn't "suit" us. His grace is sufficient to see us through. This place that we are so eager to escape may be what brings us to the threshold of our destiny.Have a great day. Instead of complaining and trying to escape where you are, pray the Lord will show you "how" to go through it.
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Lorraine Ezell

I Will Not Retreat

I just wanted to share with my blog readers an interesting blog from a friend of mine named Evangelist Maureen Chen from Toronto, Canada. She often share blogs that encourage me and make me think everyday. She is also a contributing writer for "This Week's Promise". I'm appreciative to her expressions which provides another form of ministry for her. I also encourage my blog readers to support her ministry. Her ministry information is listed below. Please be blessed and enjoy.

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I WILL NOT RETREAT

Read Exodus 6:13

Right after God told Moses what He would do, He said to him, "You must believe it. I command you to do this thing." "Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron about the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he commanded them to bring the Israelites out of Egypt" (v. 13 NIV).God was saying, "This is going to happen. The Israelites will come out of Egypt. This isn't wishful thinking or a nice sentiment. I intend to bring it to pass. Get ready to execute the plan."So often the arrow that penetrates our soul at the weakest point is our unbelief. We know in our heads what God has said, but it takes faith to put it into gear, to get out there and start practicing what He has told us to do. Then and there, at that split-second of hesitation, the battle is won or lost.This is how we need to pray, even when we feel as if we never want to pray again: "Lord, I don't feel like praying right now, but hear my prayer anyway. Lord, I will believe You, even though the tide is rising, and I'm already on tip-toe. I will believe You, even though it seems like it's taking You forever to keep Your promise. I will believe You, even though I've come to the ragged end of my strength, the dregs of my hope, the broken shards of my plans. I will not look for a shortcut. I will not rely on a carnal option. I will not retreat from the battle. I will believe You!"God's promise to Moses is the same to us: "Because I am who I am, I will do what is best for you." There isn't a day on this side of eternity, no matter how grim, that can't be improved by clinging to that reassuring thought.

Evangelist Maureen Chen

Maureen Chen Ministries Inc.

myspace.com/maureenchen

*She is available for conferences, revivals, seminars, retreats and revivals!

He Paid A Price That We Could Not Pay!

As we approach the Resurrection season of celebration, my mind began to wonder how blessed we are as a people for the great sacrifice Christ made on our behalf. And while I was thanking God the Father for his precious gift to us, I thought about the fact that we did not even deserves the redemptive gift. My mind instantly went to the Apostle Paul's writings to the church at Rome, there in chapter 5 verse 7, he says "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". How amazing.......................These are just a few scattered thoughts about the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Appreciate, celebrate and embrace the gift of Christ everyday!

F. Demond
www.newcopasadena.org

How To Rebound From A Fall

I just wanted to share with my blog readers an interesting blog from a friend of mine named Pastor Marcus Beard. He often share blogs that encourage me and make me think everyday. I'm appreciative to his expressions which provides another form of ministry for him. I also encourage my blog readers to support his ministry. His ministry information is listed below. Please be blessed and enjoy.
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HOW TO REBOUND FROM A FALL
2 Samuel 12:20
"Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat."

It is critical for us to understand that each of us are subject to baking bad decisions. None of us are exempt from the reality that we can/will make poor choices in this life. It is especially important for us to understand that our choices good or bad, can impact the lives of others. As we examine ourselves and our struggles, we must consciously work to minimize the amount of poor choices we make. David in the previous chapter (11) made poor decisions, and his decisions not only impact him and his family, but it impacted the nation that he ruled over. As a leader in the Body of Christ, I have to accept the fact, that my decisions can have Kingdom impacts. While I can thoroughly examine David's sin, I choose in this email to look more at his response. I believe that David's response is worthy of our brief exploration, because many of us are dealing with God's decision to kill some things that we birthed out of our flesh.
The Bible shows us the Prophet Nathan showing David the impacts of his sinful behavior. We must surround ourselves with people who are courageous enough to hold us accountable for our actions, in love. God will always send people in our lives whose specific purpose is to bring accountability in our lives. By choice many of us have pushed these people away, and/or have devalued their Kingdom impact on our lives. Once David excepted the fact that he made a mistake, the Bible says that he fasted and prayed to the Lord for this child that Uriah's wife bore him, to be healed from an illness. What do you do, when you have given birth to something that is sick? What do you do when you have worked at something that God's hand has not blessed, and all you can do is see failure after failure, after failure? How do you continue being a leader when you know that cause of your failure is you? David could have easily resigned as king, he could have easily threw in the towel. But David falls on his face, prays and begins to fast. He posture leads us to believe that he was full of repentance. The reality is that we must not only except accountability for our actions, but we must go before the Lord in pure repentance.
The Bible tells us that while David was laying on the earth, fasting, and praying, his son dies. What do you do when God does not answer your prayers in the way that you think/want Him to answer them? How do you handle God allowing something to die in your life that you wanted to live? David was faced with this situation, and he responded by getting up, changing his clothes, eating some food, and worshiping God. Today, some of us are challenged with some stuff, your stuff may not be my stuff, my stuff is not your stuff, but the reality is that we all have some stuff that we are dealing with. And some of our stuff is caused by our poor decisions. But when God decides to allow things in our lives to die, we must still maintain our worship and reverence for him, and we must move on. We cannot afford to have secret anger toward Him, we cannot allow ourselves to cling on to the things that He allows to die. We must trust that His decision is the best decision, even when we do not agree with His decision. David shows us how to move on after a fall, how to respond to the loss of something that we wanted to live. Today, I am encouraged because I know that God's choice is better than mine. His decisions are painful but necessary to my development and my purpose. And sometimes He has to break me down, in order to build me up. Sometimes my deliverance from a poor decision is me dealing with the reality of a loss.

Pastor Marcus Beard

Garment of Praise Bible Church

5303 South Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90037

323 301-0688 * www.myspace.com/pastormarcusbeard

Services every Sunday at 10am

WBSC Mid-Winter Board Meeting

This week in Los Angeles, the Mid-Winter Board meeting for the Western Baptist State Convention is convening. This is one of three meetings for this convention that consists of 247 churches. It is the oldest african american convention in the state and one of the most powerful in the National Baptist Convention Inc. Dr. Joe B. Hardwick serves as the President. Our church is a member and is apart of the Central District Association under the leadership of Dr. John Lett. The session thus far has been great and informative. The fellowship with the brethern and sisters have been great as always. Much peace and blessings go out to all who are apart of this great gathering. Until we meet again............

F. Demond

Super Tuesday - Prayer and Fast

Good morning to All,
I wanted to invite each of you to fast with me today for any six hours of the day. I am believing God for a miraculous move this week. Our prayer focus will be: Healing, Deliverance, Restorations, Families, Spiritual Breakthroughs, Financial Increase and Protection for our family and youth. Please, let's invade the throne room of God with our petitions. Through much prayer, faith and fasting...............the word says that God will not only hear us, but answer also. Trust Him and keep believing in His power. I BELIEVE GOD!

An Advocate of Prayer,
F. Demond