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EEW Magazine is a division of Hobbs Ministries, a Subsidiary of Training for Reigning Inc.
EEW Magazine is a division of Hobbs Ministries, a Subsidiary of Training for Reigning Inc.
It’s Not Over… It’s Only the Beginning (Continued)
By EEW Magazine Editorial Staff
By EEW Magazine Editorial Staff
Although Bishop felt somewhat out of his
element when asked by his wife Vanessa to
give the closing address at the conference,
God was about to show Eddie Long that he
was precisely the one for the job. No sooner
than he began reading the passage from 2
John 1:1 that says, “To the elect lady and her
children, whom I love,” the presence of the
Lord filled the room.
element when asked by his wife Vanessa to
give the closing address at the conference,
God was about to show Eddie Long that he
was precisely the one for the job. No sooner
than he began reading the passage from 2
John 1:1 that says, “To the elect lady and her
children, whom I love,” the presence of the
Lord filled the room.
Purchase a copy today!
You may be wondering, “Exactly what constitutes an
Elect Lady?”
Bishop Long tells EEW, “She is a woman who has
dreams and desires, and is well on her way to
making moves, when all of a sudden there is a
drastic interruption in her plans.”
Elect Lady?”
Bishop Long tells EEW, “She is a woman who has
dreams and desires, and is well on her way to
making moves, when all of a sudden there is a
drastic interruption in her plans.”
| "She is a woman who has dreams and desires... when all of a sudden there is a drastic interruption in her plans..." |
Little did Bishop Long know, the word God gave him that day would give birth to a powerful new book that would
profoundly impact the lives of women everywhere called, The Elect Lady: Life’s Obstacles Become God’s Opportunities
(Whitaker House).
In a chapter of the book written by Vanessa, she shares what went on that morning. “When he read the first words of
John’s greeting, ‘To the Elect Lady…’ before that packed house, something supernatural happened that surprised all of
us. I’ve heard my husband minister thousands of times before all kinds of audiences, but I sensed that something was
going to be different that morning…”
Lady Vanessa couldn’t have been more right.
Something indeed was going on… something that would, in effect, change the lives of millions of women all over the
world. But Bishop didn’t have the slightest clue about what was on the horizon.
“I just wanted to give a good message,” he recalls.
God had even bigger plans in mind. As Eddie Long ministered under the unction of the Holy Ghost, suddenly, a
crescendo of praise filled the house. In that moment, Bishop’s trepidation dissipated and the anointing took over. His
words penetrated the soul, as well as the psyche of each and every “Elect Lady” under the sound of his voice.
profoundly impact the lives of women everywhere called, The Elect Lady: Life’s Obstacles Become God’s Opportunities
(Whitaker House).
In a chapter of the book written by Vanessa, she shares what went on that morning. “When he read the first words of
John’s greeting, ‘To the Elect Lady…’ before that packed house, something supernatural happened that surprised all of
us. I’ve heard my husband minister thousands of times before all kinds of audiences, but I sensed that something was
going to be different that morning…”
Lady Vanessa couldn’t have been more right.
Something indeed was going on… something that would, in effect, change the lives of millions of women all over the
world. But Bishop didn’t have the slightest clue about what was on the horizon.
“I just wanted to give a good message,” he recalls.
God had even bigger plans in mind. As Eddie Long ministered under the unction of the Holy Ghost, suddenly, a
crescendo of praise filled the house. In that moment, Bishop’s trepidation dissipated and the anointing took over. His
words penetrated the soul, as well as the psyche of each and every “Elect Lady” under the sound of his voice.
"IT'S NOT OVER!"
-Bishop Eddie Long
-Bishop Eddie Long
He witnessed one such interruption in the life of his own mother when he was just a small boy; this day is forever etched
in his memory. “I get emotional whenever I think about it,” he says.
One day, young Eddie stumbled upon his mom in the bathroom crying uncontrollably. She hysterically repeated the
same phrase: “My life is over, my life is over, my life is over…” Eddie was horrified. “She was the glue to our family,” he
says.
How disconcerting for young Eddie to see the family’s glue coming unglued right in front of him. She was inconsolable,
oblivious to the peering eyes of her young son watching in confusion and dismay.
That day, after years of working hard to remain strong and resilient, Eddie’s 44 year old mom couldn’t keep up the facade
any longer. She finally fell apart.
“My daddy was a hard man to deal with,” says Bishop Long.
Though his father was a preacher, he had many controlling, abusive, and chauvinistic ways. Bishop Long loved his dad
and still honors his memory. Yet, he doesn’t deny that “Daddy” could be quite difficult to handle.
Eddie’s mom began packing her clothes as she wept. Little Eddie was beside himself. If Mom left home, she couldn’t
afford to take him and his brothers. Her earnings from cleaning houses were very meager and Daddy would never let the
boys go with her.
In a desperate plea, Eddie grabbed his mother as tightly as he could and begged with all his might for her not to leave.
As he held on to Mom with all his strength, he blurted out, “If you leave me, I will die!”
Those were the words that changed everything…
in his memory. “I get emotional whenever I think about it,” he says.
One day, young Eddie stumbled upon his mom in the bathroom crying uncontrollably. She hysterically repeated the
same phrase: “My life is over, my life is over, my life is over…” Eddie was horrified. “She was the glue to our family,” he
says.
How disconcerting for young Eddie to see the family’s glue coming unglued right in front of him. She was inconsolable,
oblivious to the peering eyes of her young son watching in confusion and dismay.
That day, after years of working hard to remain strong and resilient, Eddie’s 44 year old mom couldn’t keep up the facade
any longer. She finally fell apart.
“My daddy was a hard man to deal with,” says Bishop Long.
Though his father was a preacher, he had many controlling, abusive, and chauvinistic ways. Bishop Long loved his dad
and still honors his memory. Yet, he doesn’t deny that “Daddy” could be quite difficult to handle.
Eddie’s mom began packing her clothes as she wept. Little Eddie was beside himself. If Mom left home, she couldn’t
afford to take him and his brothers. Her earnings from cleaning houses were very meager and Daddy would never let the
boys go with her.
In a desperate plea, Eddie grabbed his mother as tightly as he could and begged with all his might for her not to leave.
As he held on to Mom with all his strength, he blurted out, “If you leave me, I will die!”
Those were the words that changed everything…
She stopped packing. She sat Eddie down on the bed and began hugging him. She never
attempted to leave again. Today, Bishop knows one thing with every fiber of his being— “I would
have been nothing if she walked out.”
He continues, “I’ve been able to touch the world and it’s only because of her covering.”
At the time, his mom didn’t realize that the little boy she was hugging on that bed would grow into a
mighty world changer for the Kingdom of God— the pastor of a 25,000 member congregation, a
world-renowned leader, author, speaker, and media personality.
Though his mom never made it past the sixth grade and didn’t realize many of her own dreams,
her sacrifice wasn’t in vain.
Because of her selfless commitment to God and her family, her children are now reaping the
harvest of joy from countless prayers sown in tears and agonizing grief. Her example has shown
Bishop Long that “Life’s interruptions can be God’s election.”
What does that mean?
“I am beginning to look at problems in a much different way,” Bishop explains. “Miracles stand on
the stage of problems… God never ends on a negative. He always ends on a positive. Behind
every problem is a promise. And the promise is always greater than the problem.”
Bishop believes that when you’re an Elect Lady, God trusts you with trouble. “If you can regroup
and hold to your faith, God will see you through…It’s not over. It’s just the beginning. God trusts
you.”
attempted to leave again. Today, Bishop knows one thing with every fiber of his being— “I would
have been nothing if she walked out.”
He continues, “I’ve been able to touch the world and it’s only because of her covering.”
At the time, his mom didn’t realize that the little boy she was hugging on that bed would grow into a
mighty world changer for the Kingdom of God— the pastor of a 25,000 member congregation, a
world-renowned leader, author, speaker, and media personality.
Though his mom never made it past the sixth grade and didn’t realize many of her own dreams,
her sacrifice wasn’t in vain.
Because of her selfless commitment to God and her family, her children are now reaping the
harvest of joy from countless prayers sown in tears and agonizing grief. Her example has shown
Bishop Long that “Life’s interruptions can be God’s election.”
What does that mean?
“I am beginning to look at problems in a much different way,” Bishop explains. “Miracles stand on
the stage of problems… God never ends on a negative. He always ends on a positive. Behind
every problem is a promise. And the promise is always greater than the problem.”
Bishop believes that when you’re an Elect Lady, God trusts you with trouble. “If you can regroup
and hold to your faith, God will see you through…It’s not over. It’s just the beginning. God trusts
you.”
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Just as God chose Bishop Long’s mom to nurture Kingdom giants, He has chosen you too. The Lord knew he could trust her. As a result, blessings can now transfer
from generation to generation.
Can God trust you also?
When Dianna asked Bishop Long what he most wanted women to take away from reading The Elect Lady, this is what he said: “I want women to carry away a mentality
and a spirit that says IT’S NOT OVER!”
Since the January 3rd release of the book, people all over the country are purchasing their personal copies. When you read it, you’ll agree that it is a refreshing
celebration of the beauty of the human spirit. It lauds all the nameless, faceless mothers who may have deferred their dreams for the well-being of their children. It
touts the virtues of sacrifice and selflessness—praiseworthy values, that in today’s modern world, are often depicted as ideals of generations past.
Most importantly, it reminds you and me that, when it looks like there is no hope and our lot in life is tough to bear, God has not forgotten us.
The blessing the Lord wants to bestow upon you doesn’t begin and end with you. On the contrary, it is a generational blessing.
“I’m thankful to God that he’s given me the ability to touch the hearts of women,” says Bishop. “It is certainly a blessing.”
To purchase your copy of The Elect Lady click here
To learn more about Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, log onto http://www.newbirth.org
from generation to generation.
Can God trust you also?
When Dianna asked Bishop Long what he most wanted women to take away from reading The Elect Lady, this is what he said: “I want women to carry away a mentality
and a spirit that says IT’S NOT OVER!”
Since the January 3rd release of the book, people all over the country are purchasing their personal copies. When you read it, you’ll agree that it is a refreshing
celebration of the beauty of the human spirit. It lauds all the nameless, faceless mothers who may have deferred their dreams for the well-being of their children. It
touts the virtues of sacrifice and selflessness—praiseworthy values, that in today’s modern world, are often depicted as ideals of generations past.
Most importantly, it reminds you and me that, when it looks like there is no hope and our lot in life is tough to bear, God has not forgotten us.
The blessing the Lord wants to bestow upon you doesn’t begin and end with you. On the contrary, it is a generational blessing.
“I’m thankful to God that he’s given me the ability to touch the hearts of women,” says Bishop. “It is certainly a blessing.”
To purchase your copy of The Elect Lady click here
To learn more about Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, log onto http://www.newbirth.org