SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 15, 2011

Mark your calendars for a night of worship! NOW IS THE TIME TO WORSHIP!!!

John 4:23-24
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Come join the Young Adult s in a Contemporary Worship experience like you’ve never seen before!

Words cannot begin to describe what will take place at the “G” on

Friday, April 15, 2011

7-9pm

*WARNING: This is not a traditional worship service…ONLY COME IF YOU ARE READY TO BE USHERED INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE MOST HIGH GOD!!!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

P.S. This event is OPEN to people of all ages, all walks of life, and all denominations! 

Child-care will be provided!!!  Yes, a safe loving environment will be provided for your children while you are in service!

THERE IS NO REASON TO STAY AT HOME THIS NIGHT!!!

 

Hope to see you there!

Are you still giving God the same praise?

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good Morning!  Happy Tuesday to you all.  I pray that everyone had a blessed weekend.  Remember to keep God first in all that you say and do and watch Him pour out a blessing that you will not have room enough to receive. 

If you didn’t know I am in Grad school and in the next few weeks, Lord willing, I will be finishing up my first semester (YEAH) and needless to say this work load is a “BEAST”…giggling.  I say this to say, bear with me if the TFTD does not come out daily.  Thank you in advance.

TFTD: Are you still giving God the same praise?

*Read the entire 71st chapter of Psalm

Psalm 71:14-16 (New King James Version)

 ¹⁴ But I will hope continually,
         And will praise You yet more and more.
 ¹⁵ My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
         And Your salvation all the day,
         For I do not know their limits.
 ¹⁶ I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;
         I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.

As believers, we know that God is a good God.  Some would venture out to say He is awesome.  I would say, words can’t begin to express how good God has been to me and my family.  Think about how good God has been to you all of your life.  Now think about the praise that you offer Him. 

Are you still giving God the same praise that you gave Him from years ago, months ago, even a day ago? 

I ask this question because I believe that as we grow in Christ and experience Christ our praise should increase in Christ.  The God I serve is so awesome that I shouldn’t praise Him the same way I did five years ago.

Allow me to break it down for just a moment.  The scripture says, “And will praise You yet more and more.” The word “more” means a greater quantity, amount, or degree.  It also means something of greater importance.  We should praise God with greater quantity, frequency, intent, and passion.  When I first accepted Christ, my experience of Him was limited so I praised Him in the season I was in.  But as I grow in Christ and as I experience God in prayer, in worship, in His word, and through the manifestation of His promises, my praise should grow also.

I should not give God the same praise from ten years ago, because that would suggest God hasn’t done anything more than He did back then.  We all know that is a lie. 

The God I serve is worthy of a praise that demonstrates that I have changed.  It should demonstrate that I love, honor, and respect Him.  The more that is revealed to me the more I love Him.  In turn, my praise should increase. 

Are you still giving God the same praise or are you giving Him more?  If you’re praise hasn’t changed then I challenge you to spend more time with God.  I encourage you to live a little longer and watch God show up in a mighty way.  Don’t limit God to a five-year old praise.  Increase your praise to reflect your admiration for a great GOD!

Are you still giving God the same praise?

Have a blessed day.

Reflections of the Son by: Nicole Ellis is available now in person, by mail order or Pay pal! Contact me at niklellis@live.com or click on the BUY BOOK NOW page on the blog*

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

If someone read your story….

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good Morning!  Happy Thursday.

TFTD: If someone read your story

Luke 6:40 (New King James Version)

⁴⁰ A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

1 Corinthians 11:1 (New King James Version)

 ¹ Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

 If someone read your story, what would they read?  If they read the instructions from your walk would they learn how to live like Christ or how to live in strife?  How do you represent Christ?  Do you do Christ justice or serve as an injustice?

Your life may be the only bible that someone ever reads.  That means people are always watching you.  They are watching to see how you respond to crisis, they are studying how you handle financial difficulties, they are dissecting every word and phrase that parts your lips, they are even examining every Facebook post, every tweet, every email, and every text that you write. 

Now people are not just watching you to find fault in you, someone has been assigned to you by God to help them make it through this race called life.  What are they receiving from you when they read your story?  What does your body language say when your lips are closed?  Some studies have shown that over 80% of communication is non-verbal.  So yes, even when you are not saying a word your body is screaming to people.

How is your walk affecting the walk of another?  Do you bash marriage because you are divorced, possibly tainting the newly engaged couple who was assigned to you.  Do you criticize and complain about every process in your job and at your church, possibly crushing the hopes of the new member who joined the church or the new employee? 

The question really is not a matter of “IF” someone will read your story, it’s a matter of when they read your story.  What do people read when they read the story of your life?

Take time to make sure you are imitating Christ and not perpetrating a fraud.

Food for thought: In order to imitate Christ you must spend more time with Him.

Have a blessed day.

Reflections of the Son by: Nicole Ellis is available now in person, by mail order or Pay pal! Contact me at niklellis@live.com or click on the BUY BOOK NOW page on the blog*

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Is it worth it

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good Morning! 

TFTD: Is it worth it

James 4:13-14 (NIV)

 ¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Is it worth it

by: Nicole Ellis

Is it worth it to walk around mad at the world

Is it worth it to curse at little boys and little girls

Is it worth it to hold a grudge against a friend

Is it worth it if today happen to be their end?

Is it worth it to put other people down

Is it worth it to stomp their self-worth to the ground

Is it worth it to lie on your next of kin

Is it worth it if today happen to be their end?

Is it worth it to constantly fight with your spouse

Is it worth it to cause strife with everyone in your house

Is it worth it to stay angry with everyone and never bend

Is it worth it if today happen to be their end?

 

The bible tells us that our life is but a vapor.  Tomorrow is not promised and you should make the very best of today.  Love hard, laugh often, share tears of joy with everyone, hug tight, and stop being angry.  Stop holding grudges with your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and etc. 

Call someone up that you haven’t spoken to in a while and tell them you love them, send someone a nice note to tell them that you are thinking about them, technology is awesome-get on Skype, tango, or knocking and see a loved one who lives many miles away on your laptop, cell phone or iPad.  Do something today to let people know that you care.  Ask someone for forgiveness who you have been holding a grudge against for so long.  Make it your business to live for today and love in every way possible.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: If that person you are mad at today left this earth tomorrow, would that argument be worth it?

Have a blessed day.  Ask yourself is it worth it???

Reflections of the Son by: Nicole Ellis is available now in person, by mail order or Pay pal! Contact me at niklellis@live.com or click on the BUY BOOK NOW page on the blog*

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Monday morning-glory

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good Morning.  Happy Monday!

TFTD: Monday morning-glory

Philippians 4:19 (New King James Version)

¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

We’ve all heard the saying, “I got the Monday morning blues”, but I want to declare a new saying today, “I have Monday morning-glory”.  The bible tells us in Proverbs 18:21 that death and life are in our tongue.  So I challenge you all to speak life into your Monday.  I have Monday morning-glory.

I love Philippians 4:19.  Did you know that God will supply ALL of your needs according to his riches in glory?  I don’t know about you, but God is rich.  Rich in love, rich in wisdom, rich in power, rich in forgiveness, rich in longsuffering, rich in keeping His promises, rich in strength, and the list goes on.  He is so rich that we should wake up every morning with a great attitude.

Don’t diminish the power of God by the words that you say.  Why would you claim “Monday morning blues”, when God woke you up, clothed you, and placed you in your right mind?  Sounds like Monday morning-glory.  Why set yourself up to say, “I can’t stand Mondays”, when God gave you the gift of life and allowed you to be blessed to see another Monday.  Sounds like Monday morning-glory.

Everything you need to have a blessed Monday, God has already supplied.  Isn’t that amazing.  Not only will God supply your needs, but in most cases He supplied your need before you knew you needed anything.  Good gosh, God is good!   I hope you enjoy your Monday morning Glory!

God is so awesome and He is worthy of the praise.  Enjoy this day and give God your very best appreciation!

Have a blessed MONDAY enjoying God’s glory! 

 

Reflections of the Son by: Nicole Ellis is available now in person, by mail order or Pay pal! Contact me at niklellis@live.com or click on the BUY BOOK NOW page on the blog*

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Have a blessed weekend

I want to wish you all a very safe and blessed weekend.

It’s a beautiful day in my neck of the woods.  I pray that you all enjoy the creations of God.

Take a walk with your family today.  Listen to the birds chirping, feel the wind blowing against your face, look at the flowers as they begin to bloom, smell the fragrance of the outdoors, these are all simple ways that we can experience God’s creation.  Appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. 

Enjoy all that God has to offer.  Complain less and praise God more.  We have so much to be grateful for.

Continue to pray for those less fortunate, those who are spiritually lost, those who are sick, those who have lost a loved one, please pray for everyone at all times.

God bless and have a wonderful day!

~Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Standing on the Promises of God

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good Morning!  This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

TFTD: Standing on the Promises of God

Right now in bible study, my pastor  is teaching a series on praying on the promises of God.  He said something very simple yet profound last week, “In order to pray on the promises of God you must first know the promises of God.”

Do you know the promises of God?  When was the last time you took a promise of God and prayed on it daily? 

According to Everet E. Storms there are 7959 promises in Scripture made by God.  If we use one promise each day it will take us 22 (twenty-two) years to use each of the promises once.  WOW, 22 years to use each one of God’s promises.  Caleb lived 40 (forty years) on one promise. How may years can we live on 7959 promises?

If Caleb lived on ONE promise for forty years, I would dare to say that we can live on ONE promise for a long time too.  The problem is either we don’t know the promises of God, we are impatient and don’t pray on the promise of God continually or we just don’t believe in the promises of God.

Now is the time to learn the promises of God, believe them, and pray on them continually.

This scripture blessed my soul:  

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

 This means that ALL, not some, but ALL of the promises of God are answered with YES.  When you pray on the promises of God you can be confident that He will answer yes.  How awesome is that.  God is not a man that he should lie (Numbers 23:19) so you should have faith that He will see you through.

Here are two promises that I have been living off of for a long time: 

Romans 8:28 (New King James Version)

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

When things are going well and even when times get tough, I have gone to God and still go to God standing on the promise that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  This promise even serves as a reminder to me when people try to discourage me or when things seem grim, that ALL things do work together for good.  I’m standing on this promise.

Philippians 1:6 (New King James Version)

⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

 This one right here has gotten me through a lot and will continue to get me through a lot.  I believe I’ll ride this one out til Christ calls me home.  I have the confidence that the good work God is doing within me, He will complete it until the day of Jesus.  The vision that God has birthed in my belly will come to full term, through me, my children, and my children’s children.  Oh yes, I’m standing on the promises of God.

What promise(s) are you standing on? 

Have a blessed day standing on the promises of God!

Reflections of the Son by: Nicole Ellis is available now in person, by mail order or Pay pal! Contact me at niklellis@live.com or click on the BUY BOOK NOW page on the blog*

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Music & Poetry-Thursday, March 17, 2011

Date: Thursday, March 17, 2011

Time: 7:00-9:00p.m.

Location:

West Hampton Community Center

1638 Briarfield Road

Hampton, VA

Cost: FREE

Family Friendly Environment!!!

Music and Poetry Night celebrates Women’s History Month. Our theme is: The Strength of a Woman! Featured artist:GAYLA, she combines elements of finer-style classical guitar, folk rhythms, and jazz-infused chords as the i for her thought-provoking lyrics! Featured Poets include: Ann Shalaski, Nicole Ellis, and Nawlinschild! There is no charge for the show so Women come out and celebrate our Strength, Men are definitely invited too!

Word of the day: Integrity

Sunshine’s Word of the Day

Good Morning!  Happy Tuesday to you all!

Today’s word: Integrity

Job 27:3-5 (NIV)

³ as long as I have life within me,
   the breath of God in my nostrils,
⁴ my lips will not say anything wicked,
   and my tongue will not utter lies.
⁵ I will never admit you are in the right; 
   till I die, I will not deny my integrity.

Proverbs 20:7 (New King James Version)

⁷ The righteous man walks in his integrity;
      His children are blessed after him.

Integrity means the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards.

I’m sure many of you have heard the saying “My word is my bond.”  This means my word is binding like a contract and anything that I say I will do, I will carry it through.  Unfortunatley, integrity is lacking in the body of Christ.  The children of God are compromising their beliefs, standards, and moral principles in an effort to please the world and to fit in with the world.

Job was a man of integrity.  He was tested by the devil and challenged to curse God, but Job never did.  He was a man of integrity and he said til he die, he would not deny his integrity.  How many believers have put their integrity on the shelf in order to get ahead on their job or even in ministry at church?  Are you really succeeding when you compromise who you are in Christ?  I SAY, ABSOLUTELY NOT!

The word says a righteous man walks in integrity.  You have to stand on your moral principles even when everyone else is doing wrong.  When you walk in integrity you are not just doing it for yourself you are doing it for your children.  We live in a world where we are guilty by association.  If your parents where liars, then people will associate you as a liar because they look at who raised you.  You have to show them through your walk that you are a man/woman of integrity.  You must stand firm to your moral principles and walk in the way of the Lord.

When you stand firm on the things of God and walk in integrity, even when you are tempted or people try to challenge you, God will bring you through.  People can challenge your integrity all day long, but when you stick with God they are fighting a losing battle.

How important is integrity to you?  What do you need to change in your life in order to walk in the ways of the Lord?  The righteous walk in integrity, no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it.  Walk in integrity!

Have a blessed day.

Reflections of the Son by: Nicole Ellis is available now in person, by mail order or Pay pal! Contact me at niklellis@live.com or click on the BUY BOOK NOW page on the blog*

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Will you be ready

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good Morning.  Happy Monday to you all!  I pray that you had a blessed weekend.  My prayers go out to all who have lost a loved one, those who are suffering from illness, and those who are standing in need of prayer.  Let’s continue to pray for one another.

TFTD: Will you be ready

Mark 13:7-13 (New King James Version)

⁷ But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. ⁸ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
⁹ “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. ¹¹ But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. ¹² Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. ¹³ And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Mark 13:7-13 looks and sounds like the world we live in today, but have faith in knowing that God is with you.  You do not have to be afraid if you are a child of God.  There have been tsunami’s, hurricanes, rumor of wars, and other disasters that have swept the nation.  On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by terrorist.  In 2004, a tsunami in the Indian Ocean tore across Indonesian islands.  In 2005, Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans this city still awaits repair.  In 2010 an earthquake caused major damage to Haiti. In 2011, a tsunami has ripped through Japan, rolling to Hawaii.  The violent protest in Egypt have left numerous people killed or injured. Children are killing parents.  Parents are killing children.  We are living in perilous times, but you don’t have anything to fear with God on your side.

Everything that we encounter today has been written in God’s word.  We should not be afraid, rather we should be getting ready.  We should share the gospel with everyone that we know.  We should live a life that is pleasing to God.  I know this is not a topic that many like to hear about or even read about, but there are two things I am sure of, we will all pay taxes and we will all die one day.  We have to make sure that while we encourage and inspire others, we take time to prepare people for the things that lie ahead.

The question is, will you be ready?  Will you be ready when Jesus comes or calls you home before He comes?  We have a job to do and that is spread the gospel to the lost.  It’s not good enough to say, “I’m saved, I’m okay.”  We have to make sure we spread the good news to everyone.  JESUS SAVES!

There are families suffering each and every day and they do not know that God’s grace and mercy can bring them through.  They are not ready.  People look at the events listed above and many others not listed that have/are taking place in the world and they are fearful.  There is no need to fear if you are ready.

Ask yourself, “What do I need to do to get ready for when Jesus calls me home?  What can I do to help other people get ready?”

Will you be ready?

Let’s join together in prayer for all of the countries!

 

Reflections of the Son by: Nicole Ellis is available now in person, by mail order or Pay pal! Contact me at niklellis@live.com or click on the BUY BOOK NOW page on the blog*

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.