No man is an island, no man stands alone. Each man`s joy is joy to me each man`s dream is my own. We need one another, so I will defend. Each man as my brother each man as my friend. I saw the people gather, I heard the music start. The song that they were singing is ringing in my heart. No man is an island far out in the blue. We all look to the One above who our strength He will renew. When I help my sister, then I know that I plant the seeds of friendship that will never die.

This is a brand “New Year.” For some of us, a New Year brings about renewed excitement into our lives. It gives us a fresh start with New Beginnings and an Empowering lift that we “hope” will help propel our lives to the Next Dimension. A key word here is “hope.” While hope is a good thing to have and hope can keep us positive, especially in hard times, hope is not enough. Let's not just “hope” that our lives will get better in “2011” let's MAKE IT BETTER!

Some may ask the question how is this possible, I am glad you asked. The answer is Leaving The Past Behind. We must learn how to let go of the past, with all of its mistakes, failures or even past successes. Do not allow past relationships to hold you down. No relationship is a mistake only a lesson that needed to be learned. Learn it and move on. It is time to leave the past behind. If you are going to succeed in this New Year “2011” and accomplish those goals you desire to accomplish then it is the past you have to leave behind. We are powerful human beings and we CAN create the most powerful, successful, joyous and the most prosperous year of our lives in “2011” as we Re-Think Possible With God! Let each of us determine in “2011” to move from Vision to Reality. We are all faced with a series of Great Opportunities disguised as impossible situations!

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. KJV

Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. MSG

I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own yet; but one thing I do it is my one aspiration: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. AMP

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. NLT Philippians 3:13-14

Time is filled with swift transition, naught of earth unmoved can stand, build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand. Trust in Him who will not leave you, what so ever years may bring, if by earthly friends forsaken still more closely to Him cling. Covet not this world’s vain riches that so rapidly decay, seek to gain the heavenly treasures, they will never pass away. When your journey is completed, if to God you have been true, fair and bright the home in glory your enraptured soul will view. Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand, Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand, Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

God desires us to have the best. He desires for us to prosper in every area of our lives spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially, mentally, and economically. God is definitely into us being holistically sound, living life more abundantly. But we can not do this if we live constantly in the past, take on too much at one time and leave God out of our plans. Let this New Year “2011” be one that out shines your past. Be the new you. Don't allow the past, with all of its mistakes, failures or even past successes, keep you from reaching your goals, and making your dreams come true. And I say this again, don't even allow past relationships to hold you down. Remember that no relationship is a mistake it was only a lesson that needed to be learned. Learn it and please move on.

Don’t look to the bigness of your need, look to the bigness of your God! Your circumstances are hindrances to seeing God’s abilities. If you keep your eyes on your circumstances, the devil will use those circumstances to defeat you and accuse the Written and Living Word of God in you. Your Victory is in keeping your eyes on the Bigness of your God and His Ability. He promised to take you step by step….Not all at once….But step by step and each step will be a MIRACLE. As long as we insist on looking at those circumstances, there will be unrest in our hearts. But as soon as we fix our eyes on God, there will come a restfulness and peace that only His grace can impart.

Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how Big Your God Is!!!!

Make up your mind, heart and soul. Get that list prioritized, give it all to God and allow Him to direct your path. What He has in store for the willing heart is far greater than the mind could ever ask, think or imagine possible! If you have a question, there is an answer. If you have a problem, there is a solution. If your heart can conceive it, your mind can believe it, and your spirit can receive it, then your physical being can and will achieve it!

God has kept me here for a reason. I survived because He has a plan for me. All my bad relationships, the severe illnesses, the addictions, the consequences, the bad credit, the repossessions, the death of my loved ones, the disappointment of those who I thought were friends, the negative thoughts or the lack of support, I made it because I am blessed.

Right now I release and let go of all past hurts, misunderstandings, and grudges because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I recognize them as the illusions they are and that they are sent from the enemy to kill my spirit, steal my joy, and destroy my faith, for God is all there is. All else is a lie.

Now give yourself a hug, wipe your tears away, and walk in victory, I love you, but more aptly, God loves you BEST. You are blessed and know that you are one with THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD! May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. Genesis 31:49. The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus The Christ be with your spirit….Always

God didn’t Promise days without pain. Laughter without sorrow or sun without rain, But God did Promise Strength for the day, Comfort for tears and a Light for the way. And for all who believe in His Kingdom above, He Answers their faith with Everlasting Love. The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases, His Mercies Never come to an End, they are New Every Morning. Lamentations 3:23 RSV

It shall be well with You this year. No matter how much your enemies try this year, they will not succeed. You have been destined to make it and you shall surely achieve all your goals this year. For the remaining months of the year, your agonies will be diverted, your victory and prosperity will be coming in abundance.

Today God has confirmed the end of your sufferings, sorrows and pains because He that sits on the throne has remembered you. He has taken away the hardships and given you joy. He will never let you down. The God we serve is a Mighty, Holy and Living God. Keep Looking Up!

“God still sits on the throne"
Each and everyone one of us are going through tough times right now but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can. Keep the faith. This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts that we can receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another. James 5:16

The Prayer: Father, I ask You to bless my family, friends, and those I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Where there is a need, I ask you to fulfill that need. Bless their homes, families, finances, their going out and their coming in. In the Precious Name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

God Grant Me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it, trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will, that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Reinhold Niebuhr 1892-1971

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. Remember, this is your season to take action. If you have the passion, the faith and the tenacity, hang in there. Remember real faith, like real people, are not easily broken.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us KJV

God can do anything, you know far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us MGS

Now to Him Who, by in consequence of the action of His power that is at work within us, is able to carry out His purpose and do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams AMP

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. NLT Ephesians 3:20

Everything must change nothing stays the same. Everyone will change, no one stays the same. The young become the old and mysteries do unfold for that's the way of time no one and nothing goes unchanged. There are not many things in life one can be sure of except, rain comes from the clouds, sun lights up the sky and hummingbirds fly. Winter turns to spring, a wounded heart will heal, oh, but never much too soon no one and nothing goes unchanged.

Stay Strong, Stay Focused and what YOU seek will truly come to YOU!

Bishop Matthew A. Barber the youngest son of his beloved parents Rev. William and Mrs. Annie Mae Barber, is a prophet, preacher, teacher, evangelist, inspirational and motivational speaker. He is known for his human but divine, life-applicable, realistic approach to preaching and teaching God’s Holy Word. Starting his Christian and musical education at an early age, when he was a member of the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church were his father Rev. William Barber, Sr. was the Founding Pastor, Bishop Barber now serves as Overseer of the church. In addition, he is the Establishmentarian and Visionary of I Believe God Ministries, Int’l Johnson City, Tennessee. He continues to build reputation as a force for reconciliation, harmony across ethnic, denominational, generational and geographic lines.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson

I BELIEVE GOD ~ HOW ABOUT U!!!!!!!
“You Be Encouraged”

Peace & Blessings To You and Those Whom You Love and Care About
Bishop Matthew A. Barber aka The Encourager
E-mail Address: theinterpersonalconnection@live.com