Tell Them Now (Tribute to Sister Icilma Penny - My 1st Sunday School Teacher)

And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: (Luke 21:3 KJV)

We should commend and pay tribute to people while they are alive too - not when they are dead only.

I started penning this devotional using my phone while the driver took me home from Sister Icilma's funeral. I felt the urgency of telling you now that you should express your gratitude to people while they are alive.

You see, a few minutes ago I walked away from the cemetery, having attended the funeral service of one of the first people who made a spiritual impact on my life. That was the late Sister Icilma Penny. She was apart of a duo who taught my first Sunday School class. As I write, I vividly recall her telling us to repeat after her, as she taught memory verses.

Many of these verses I use today as I write to encourage hundreds of people around the world on www.hopeisahead.com. My audiences also hear me declare them from the microphone while I preach at churches or to the world through the Caribbean's First Fully Dedicated Internet Church that I founded at www.thevictorycentre.com. 

Many of the HOPE  SESSIONS where I teach, counsel or empower, I have to pull stories and scripture verses from the Bible, some of which were taught to me by Sister Icilma.

No. . .I didn't sit and learn all of them alone. Many of these verses, I repeat, were taught and explained in my Wee-Wisdom beginners class by the late Sister Icilma and her colleague Teacher Adelaide (still alive).

Honestly, I wish I had told her thanks for the impact that she made on my life while she was alive. As I walk up the hill to my home and write this devotional, I wipe the tears from my eyes.

I don't cry because she's gone. I know she's in Heaven, a much better place. I cry because I never told her thanks for the impact she made on my life. I resolve today to never let that happen again. I have my faults and so do you. There is some GOOD in me and GOOD in you too that ought to be commended. Let's resolve to give praise where praise is due from today.

Shall we?

Sister Icilma, as we called her, wasn't the richest of women around while she lived, but she had a golden heart. She had a heart of compassion, mercy and love. When I heard that she had passed on early the other morning, I laid in my bed and reflected on the brevity of life. I later wrote a brief tribute, which I shared on a few bookmarks that were sponsored by Dare 2 Be Different International and distributed at the funeral. This is what it said.

She Made Her Impact

Icilma’s melodious voice would forever
replay in our hearts when ever we think of her.

Her dedication to God and service to His
work would always stand out as a great
example of how Christians ought to be.

Her meek and humble spirit always showed
that she believed firmly that a
soft answer turneth away wrath

Her simple smile was always sure to bring
encouragement to every downhearted person

Although we miss her tremendously, we
can peacefully rest assured that she’s in
a much better place --- HEAVEN

I wished I told her then, all that I have written now! Don't live to feel like me. Commend and support those that ought to be commended and supported while they live.

Memories of Sister Icilma will forever live in hearts everywhere. To my worldwide readers, I have no regrets comparing this great Sister to the widow woman mentioned in Luke 21:3. With the little that Sister Icilma had, she ensured that she gave ALL in SERVICE  TO  CHRIST. Why not learn from her example and give your life to Jesus today?

To Sister Sylvia Penny (mother) and the entire Penny Family, I've just instructed a team member to add your family to our Prayer Box. This would ensure that you are constantly covered in prayer for as long as God allows our ministry to last.

Brother Khrystus V. K. Wallace

Dare 2 Be Different International - www.daretobedifferentskn.com 

President & Founder - Since June 2008 

Email: drkhrystus@kvklives.com

Whatsapp: 1-869-661-0118

Other Tel: 1-869-765-7270

 SKYPE: kvkent

Love Should Last

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. (1 Corinthians 13:4 KJV)

Love should provide protection and care and happiness!

She was literally half naked in the street, having rushed out of the house. The pain and agony on her face was her evidence. She was being punished and abused. A white object slowly made it's way down from the sky. A neighbour who had heard the commotion and seen the young lady, had thrown her a white shirt to cover herself.

She was running from vehicle to vehicle begging for help but everyone was being careful to mind their own business. I didn't know who the young lady was until she grasped hold of my vehicle window and shouted, "Brother Khrystus - HELP  ME. HELP ME." I had taught her in Sunday School. "What was the matter?" I wondered. I felt so sorry for her.

All sorts of things started running through my mind. Should I get involved in this domestic situation? Should I drive off like everyone else and not be a Good Samaritan? Would I get into legal trouble if I intervened? I was like, "Lord - me again? You always put me on the spot? What should I do now?

I looked in my rear view mirror and saw the angry mother marching up the road with one of the biggest pipes I've ever seen a female hold in one hand. She was adamantly proclaiming that she was going to kill the teenager. I could hear and see from her aggressive march and voice that she was ANGRIER than ANGRY. She actually made me afraid and she wasn't coming for me.

I helped the girl make it to the Police Station quickly for I believe that was first a matter for the law.

Very early the following morning, I returned to talk with mommy and the family. Mommy was still angry, but not to the peak. She explained to me how she just wants the best for her daughter and was outraged that she had come from work that day and found her daughter in the company of a man, and not behaving appropriately.

I understood mommy. She begged me to talk to the teenager and so I did. During our conversation, one of the points that came out was the fact that LOVE and FANTASY were two different things. I told her that LOVE  SHOULD  ALWAYS  LAST. Fantasy ruins lives and disappears.

This is why I firmly believe that all relationships should have GOD as their foundation. During the course of my ministry, relationship and love problems have always seemed to take the forefront of HOPE  SESSIONS. I had to build an automated internet counselor webpage to help me deal with some of these sessions because they are so similar. Thus, I oft times send persons in love and relationship problems to a leg of Dare 2 Be Different called www.loveshouldlast.com before I talk with them.

It is on this website, I am quoted as saying. "I believe many more relationships and marriages would last if they are built on God's foundation. Too many are first built on a pleasant sexual experience after a first date." Dating should be getting to know. . . not a regrettable experience. And. . .nothing is wrong with dating more than one person - Get to know people and personalities first before you commit. Don't let our SOCIETY put you together with someone you are just getting to know. Think for yourself and seek GOD!

Friend, now is an appropriate time to examine the relationship that you are in and see if it's worth it, especially if you're not married. If you are married, it may be tough now, but try and work things out and invite Jesus in the relationship before things fall apart. He's always ready to help.

4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (1 Corinthians 13:4-5 KJV)

Love Should Really Last!

Brother Khrystus V. K. Wallace

Dare 2 Be Different International - www.daretobedifferentskn.com 

President & Founder - Since June 2008 

Email: drkhrystus@kvklives.com

Whatsapp: 1-869-661-0118

Other Tel: 1-869-765-7270

 SKYPE: kvkent

Hard Work Will Pay Off

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. ( Proverbs 22:29 KJV)

Continue to be diligent - you shall reap your rewards!

I heard the shout of my name from the other side of the road. I looked around and there was a mother crossing the road to approach me with a glow on her face. Having reached close enough and smiling, she said, "He's doing his degree now you know. He's studying something to do with computers." I instantly and immediately became overly joyous and proud.

You see friend, this mother brought her son to me shortly after I delivered my Valedictorian Speech from the halls of The Verchild's High School. She said, "I want you to be the example for my son. Your speech was great and he needs to start listening to someone or he'll be kicked out of school after fourth form or grade 10. I hope you can work with him and help him because he needs lots and lots of help."

I was sixteen at the time. I was just out of high school and I had agreed to work with the chap. After a few sessions, I wondered what I had gotten my self into. The young man could barely read, he had poor mathematical and comprehension skills, all his grades looked terrible. In my head, I said, only a miracle could change things.

Nevertheless - I worked and worked and worked with him. I was persistent and I forced him to be persistent too. I constantly reminded him that if he didn't work hard, he would have to leave school at the end of fourth form and he won't reach very far without qualifications.

After fourth form promotion exams, the chap did indeed make it to fifth form. Here now, the hard work had to continue. It was some late nights and long days, ensuring he completed his school based assessments and studied his work. He was a much better reader now, he was actually a star at Mathematics and he was slowly but surely grabbing hold of his other subjects thanks to The Dare 2 Be Different International Academy - www.daretobedifferentacademy.com (Previously known as The KVK Learning Institute). As I am a computer freak, he too became one. This made him a star in Information Technology.

When exam time came, I was a bit anxious. I really wanted the young man to do well. Not just well, REAL  WELL. 

I gave him his last words of encouragement and guidance. I said, "You know _____, over the last two years I've worked with you, I see that you have what it takes to shine in these exams and to reach far. I won't be with you in the room, but God will be right there. Before you take each one of those tests, before you even take up the paper, stop and pray and ask God to help you to remember just what you would have practiced and studied and he will help you."

He did as recommended and I couldn't wait for results to be announced. When they were finally announced, he passed SEVEN general subjects with a distinction in Computer (Information Technology). This was a child that the St. Kitts - Nevis SCHOOL  SYSTEM had earmarked to be thrown out of school when his mother approached me for HELP  FOR  HER  SON.  I was so happy, I could have back flipped several times and danced like David.

So, today, over TEN years after I graduated from High School, I am very happy to hear that he is completing his Bachelors Degree and is the I.T supervisor at a job he holds while he studies.

What the Bible says is indeed true. Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. ( Proverbs 22:29 KJV)

I am a firm believer in giving people a CHANCE. We all need chances in life. It is a fact that all students are not academically inclined, thus there is an URGENT  NEED  to put in place a working Vocational and Skills training programme for our youth.

Dare 2 Be Different provides skills training in Craft, Sewing, Information Technology, Landscaping and Cooking on a case by case basis to help to empower youth through our Mission Mobilization and P.E.Y.D.O (Pushing Entrepreneur Youth Development Opportunities) Projects through out Dare 2 Be Different Academy - www.daretobedifferentacademy.com that has been operating for over 10 years.


Continue to WORK  HARD. A prize is at the end of your diligence. Don't Give Up!

Brother Khrystus V. K. Wallace

Dare 2 Be Different International - www.daretobedifferentskn.com 

President & Founder - Since June 2008 

Email: drkhrystus@kvklives.com

Whatsapp: 1-869-661-0118

Other Tel: 1-869-765-7270

 SKYPE: kvkent

My Daddy's Testimony - God Is Still Working

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29: 11 TLB)

God is definitely still working!

As I awoke this morning, I appreciated the fact that God had given me yet another day to breathe. Actually another new month to live. I then had a little battle with The Master. I asked, "Lord, when are you going to work things out?" His ready response was, "Khrystus, in my time. My time is the best time and when I work it out, you'll be amazed again. Remember your father?"

I quickly stopped questioning God and my mind went back to what he had done for my Dad.

You see, approximately four months ago, my dad was rushed to the Joseph N. France General Hospital in Basseterre, St. Kitts because he had a mild heart attack according to the doctor's reports. I got there first and noticed that he was still at outpatients and he wasn't responding. I asked the nurses and doctors if he responded at any time since he was placed on the bed, they answered - No.

I then asked the doctor in the outpatient room with me how things were looking, he took me outside the room, in a little corner and said, "Honestly Sir, things don't look good at all. This is a fifty-fifty chance." I asked him about the possibility of flying him out, the doctor said, "Sir, I think that would be a waste of money because I don't think he'll make it." He recommended that I call my other family members.
Deep within my spirit, I didn't feel that God was ready for him yet. I went back into the outpatient room, drew the curtains and began to pray a Victory Healing and Deliverance Prayer. Maaaan - Did I pray. I called upon Jehovah Rapha and told him that I wanted his healing power to show up in this room as it did in Bible times. In Jesus Name. . . .Amen.

As if he were conscious, I said to him, "Daddy, I'm coming back. I'm going to call the others." He responded. "OK."  I don't think you get it. The gentleman I'm talking about who hadn't said a word since admitted. The gentleman who doctors and nurses said didn't say a word, responded to me and started talking after I finished praying."

Having finished talking with him, I stepped out of the room, told the doctor and nurses that he's now talking and could some preparation be made to put him on a ward. I don't like to assume or judge, but I believe that since they felt that he wouldn't make it, according to their words, he was being left there to pass on.

They quickly started making preparations and on my return with my family members, he was placed in the ICU - Intensive Care Unit. He spoke with us again but went non-responsive shortly after. Some of my family members as they went in to see him one by one, started issuing a verdict that he didn't look good and probably won't make it. To me, they were killing him even before he was dead. I honestly hate to be around NEGATIVE  THINKERS. Thus, I said goodbye to them and went back to my business and continued printing t-shirts. While they spent the day at the hospital down spirited, I was overly joyous - God had already given me a sign that he would live and today he is ALIVE.

When I listen to him talk today, he has a fresh passion to encourage, motivate, help and make a worldwide impact too. That's why we established the Health Education and HIV/AIDS empowerment leg of Dare 2 Be Different.

God has spared his life to make an impact and as a testimony for us all that he is still working. Today, my dad has published a book titled, "Craving Your Support", as a fund raiser for our Dare 2 Be Different Ministry, School and Orphanage in Kenya.

As I sit and type, I have three scripts of new books for final proofing and design that would be published soon and another one being typed that my dad has written and is eager to have published.

Friend - God is still working. Your situation is not beyond repair. Get Jesus involved and you'll be amazed. For, according to Jeremiah 29:11, God has GOOD plans for you. He wants the best future for you.

Don't stay around the negative talkers. You'll find them in acquaintances, friends, co-workers and family members. Like me, I had to move and go back to work, go back to a place where I could stay POSITIVE and focus on how powerful God is.

In my deep study of the Bible since I got saved at ten years old, I have noticed a common pattern. There is usually pain before the GAIN. David was constantly running from Saul before he was made king. Job lost everything before he got back double. Moses had a time of his life with getting Pharoah to release the children of Israel before they entered the promised land.

My dad had a fight for his life before Jesus intervened and gave him more time to live.

So too, your pain and trials now are just a PREAMBLE before your blessings come rushing in. Don't Give Up - Hope is Ahead!

Brother Khrystus V. K. Wallace

Dare 2 Be Different International - www.daretobedifferentskn.com 

President & Founder - Since June 2008 

Email: drkhrystus@kvklives.com

Whatsapp: 1-869-661-0118

Other Tel: 1-869-765-7270

 SKYPE: kvkent

Heading To The Championship

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ( Philippians 3:14 KJV)

Set your mind on the prize and go for the GOAL!

Pastor Clive Saunders, shepherd of the flock of which I was once apart, was dressed out of the ordinary during yesterday's Sunday Morning Worship Service. Typically, as Ministers of the Gospel, you would usually see us nicely attired in shirt and tie or full suits. The senior pastor came to church in basketball team clothing as seen below and had basketballs and jerseys all across the sanctuary. We would later find out that he wanted us to get a particular message.

 

I got it. The children got it. We got the message and I had to share it with you. As he preached, he reminded his audience and constantly postulated that Jesus is the ONLY way to the grand prize - HEAVEN. We were reminded of  what John 14:6 says, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

He used several analogies of current and past teams who were determined to get the grand prize at the end of the tournaments in basketball or football. "They ensured that they remained focused," he said, "they ensured that they played well and played as a team."

What I liked a lot about this particular sermon, is that Pastor Saunders consistently reminded his listeners to never let obstacles, barriers and naysayers prevent them from reaching the championship - getting the grand prize.

I needed that word right then and there and it was another reminder for me and for you to NOT  GIVE  UP because the CHAMPIONSHIP is ahead. Hope is Ahead. I left smiling and ready to face my week after expressing to him my gratitude for sharing what the Lord had laid on his heart.

Friend, I am going to the CHAMPIONSHIP. Even though things may be rough and tough for me and you at this point in time, let our eyes be on the PRIZE. Even though there may be others trying to keep us back from going. Let's be prepared to climb over the obstacles and not stop till we reach the prize. We must be prepared to fight the fight until the end. Don't Give Up!

May I suggest that I believe there is a mini prize here on earth and there is the grand prize of getting to enter HEAVEN.

On earth, that prize is success and prosperity in every area that God approves. 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

The second prize is the fact that once you accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour of your life, you will get into heaven. Several parts throughout the Bible and especially in Revelation, we get a true picture of what it'll be like over yonder. No pain or hurt, no tears, everything will be perfect there. Above all of this, the Jesus that we've trusted throughout our lives will be there.

Friend, it's no time to give up now. As Paul suggests in Philippians 3:14, "Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Let's head to the championship TOGETHER. Don't be selfish and leave anyone behind. Spread the good news of how JESUS can make the difference in people's lives. There is a better life ahead. Keep going! Keep going! Hope's Ahead!

Brother Khrystus V. K. Wallace

Dare 2 Be Different International - www.daretobedifferentskn.com 

President & Founder - Since June 2008 

Email: drkhrystus@kvklives.com

Whatsapp: 1-869-661-0118

Other Tel: 1-869-765-7270

 SKYPE: kvkent