February 2021 Edition
A WORD FROM OUR BISHOP:
I always look forward to presenting The Financial Series at the beginning of the year because of how it blesses people and refocuses me. The principle that I often reference and want to highlight today is that exposure expands you. I want to stress how important it is to go to new places, see new things, meet new people, and hear their stories. In particular, sites and stories that give you a different perspective on money. Just the other day, I heard a story of a billionaire businessman who owns 6000 grocery stores. I recently had a meeting with a gentleman who only travels on private jets. Not to mention, I’ve read
articles that stated that the homeless population is increasing significantly. The exposure to different scenarios expands my thinking, which helps me live a more full life as in the words of Apostle Paul ‘I’ve learned how to be abased and how to abound. Whatever state I find myself in, I’ve learned to be content.’ In conclusion, we must remember that the bitter substance mixed with the sweet produces the anointing. You need financial discipline and liberties to live a fulfilled life.
Bishop Eric K. Clark
OPM - Other People's Money
Sermon Date: January 24, 2021
Scripture: Luke 16:1-12
In Bishop’s sermon, Other People’s Money, he opens with the parable of the unjust steward found in Luke chapter 16. In the story, we learn of a steward who was entrusted with getting the debts owed to his Lord (employer). The steward decides that in order to get the debts paid, he would offer a lower rate as opposed to that which was actually owed. In doing, so he was commended because he had done it wisely.
From this passage of scripture, Bishop gave 3 vocabulary words that stood out, and we need to consider:
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Wasting: We should avoid wasting. We should not waste money, time, or energy with people that are not a part of our destiny and the purpose of God for our lives.
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Account: We should give an account/call ourselves into accountability regarding what we have done with our money.
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Stewardship: Consider what type of steward you’ve been. How have you managed your money?
How do you handle other people’s money? Having a credit card, a mortgage, or a car note is having use of someone else’s money. Are you paying on time? Are you paying more than the minimum payments? If you are faithful with that is another man’s, then you will have that which is your own.
In order to get our money right, we should be wise as serpents, understand the systems we are a part of, use wisdom and get good counsel.
Minister Claudene McCoy
How To Identify Opportunities
Sermon Date: January 17, 2021
Scripture: Genesis 41:28-38
When thinking of opportunities, we often think of our challenges. Instead, we must view them as life experiences. Failures can be part of the process of success. So, instead of looking at challenges as opposition, let them be opportunities. They can become learning experiences.
There are many opportunities:
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Don’t Miss Your Opportunity For Education-read, listen, talk
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Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Save and Invest-seed, time, and harvest
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Don’t Miss Your Opportunity To Get Out Of a Bad Situation-reflect, change, learn
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Don’t Miss Your Opportunity To Be Saved-Jesus Christ
Opportunities are a chance to reach your goals in life. I believe we can get an education, get our money right, get out of a bad situation, but the most important thing in life is to have a relationship with Jesus Christ! Mark 8:36 says, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Deaconess Karen Alexander
AIM - All Intentional Motion
Sermon Date: January 31, 2021
Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14
I was truly blessed by Bishop’s preaching on the Financial Series last month. If you are anything like me every so often, you assess your life. What you’re doing, what you should be doing, what you have been ‘somewhat’ doing (what you are procrastinating with), and what you want to do. Well, a lot of times, finances can play a significant role in those things. For some, finances might even be the ‘what’.
If you have not already assessed where you are financially and set some goals, I would like to encourage you to do so. If you don’t know where to start, you need to get Bishop’s Financial Series 4 pack: Get Your Money Right, OPM - Other People’s Money, How To Identify Opportunities, and Preparing For A Preferred Future. After you have gone through the books, go back and listen to Bishop’s message entitled- AIM (All Intentional Motion).
In this message, Bishop explained how the variety of choices we have, have become an adversary to a made-up mind; and he challenged us to begin to settle ourselves and come to a place where we pick a mark and aim at it. Why do we need to aim? Because if you aim at nothing, you are sure to hit it. We live in a world where there are more choices than ever before, making it hard for some to make up their mind. To help get to the place where you know what you want, it is imperative to understand that:
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Exposure Expands You - If you have not been exposed to better, you don’t know what better is.
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You Must Make A Decision - If you can make a decision, it will change your life.
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What You Choose, Will Choose You - When you get to a place where you know what you want, all the elements will come together to present it.
When you aim at something, you are declaring that it is the most important thing to you at that time. You are willing to make sacrifices, and you are determined to see that thing all the way through. It won’t always be easy, but in the end, it will be worth it.
So, I ask you, what do you want to accomplish this week, this month, and even this year, for your family, physical being, finances, and faith? Think about it, make a decision, and AIM!
Minister Erica Williams
Get Your Money Right
Sermon Date: January 13, 2021
Scripture: 3 John 1:2
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” KJV
In this bible study, Bishop Clark taught how God wants us to prosper. We need to reevaluate our finance for this new year. I want to highlight a couple of points made in that message.
1. Management skills
2. Wisdom
3. Faithfulness
We need a plan so that we can prosper—plan for a preferred future. Spend wisely, and don’t waste. Yes, things have changed for a lot of people since covid-19, but God can still work a miracle. We must give God our tithes and offering. Watch your seeds grow and bring forth a harvest.
Deaconess Karim Ward
Words From Pastor Lynora Clark:
Hello BOCA, I greet you in Jesus name!
By now, I’m sure most of you have received a personal phone call from me greeting you for the New Year and making sure you stay connected through our online streaming and commenting, also staying connected through your giving. Remember, the Lord has commanded us to be consistent tithes and givers. I personally count it an honor to give and to be able to give to others. If you know me, you know I love giving things away, and the highest honor is giving to our Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST. I encourage everyone to stay connected & stay consistent with your support.
Beginning April our food pantry will resume; we will need the support of volunteers. If you have never volunteered for the food distribution, please plan on it at least once this year. WE ARE LOOKING FOR FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS! If you decide to assist, inform Deaconess Rochelle Lattimore, and she will make sure you get the information you will need to help: office@boca1.org
