Little did I know that in one day my whole life would dramatically change. There was a hidden fear that had stayed with me and until this particular day I was not aware that I was bound by a stronghold of fear. I was about to learn quickly. This fear had attached itself to me in my teenage years.
And what was my unknown fear? The fear of DROWNING!! Continue reading
I have found it to be true in most cases that when we are having problems at work or at home with our family, we tend to blame someone else. Why are we so stubborn? Sometimes when we are angered or frustrated our inner thoughts may go like this; “How can others be so hard-hearted? Especially when they know I’m doing the best I can! Is this what I get for being kind? It’s the other person who needs to change, not me!”
Isn’t it always the other person’s fault from our perception? What’s the answer to this dilemma? Well, the answer is only found in the study of God’s word. If you are an honest seeker of the solution to this question, then experience, persistence and prayer will always bring forth the true answers. Continue reading
Proverbs 31:26  KJV says, “She opens her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Proverbs 31 describes the characteristics of a virtuous woman. However, there are many principles within this chapter that are applicable to both men and women, especially for those who are in the family of God. Our speech and the way we express ourselves verbally affects all areas of our life. Continue reading
Dear Friends,
This week friends and families will gather together to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday so the following devotion is very timely. In all your feasting and gathering, remember to give thanks for the goodness and mercy of our dear Lord. We are so blessed to be one of God’s own.
Please pray for those who have been devastated by the recent storms in the Philippines and throughout the United States. Pastor Jim and Lori send their love to all of you and may you have a blessed Thanksgiving. We love you and are praying for you.
Recently my family had a get-together that was organized in just a few short hours. My husband and I had decided to visit our family members in St. Louis. Our plan was to spend just a brief time at each house which is normally what we do.
This time was different, though, as we all we gathered together to eat out. The little ones saw grandpa and grandma (me) enjoying each of our children, grandchildren and daughter-in- laws. Cousins were having a great time and brothers were enjoying each other’s company. We made some good memories and it truly warmed my heart except for one thing….someone wasn’t there. Continue reading
Choices confront us every day. How and what we choose can pave the way for life’s experiences. God has set before us choices that can bring the blessings of God. The Bible is a wonderful book written from the heart of God that shares His hopes and desires for all human beings everywhere. The scriptures describe the trials and joys of many believers and non-believers — examples to follow and others to avoid.
So, do you ever wonder why some people don’t receive the goodness and blessings of our Lord, especially the forgiveness of their sins? Jesus took on the sins of humanity as He suffered on the cross. In Psalms 22 it was prophesied 1000 years before the occurrence that our Lord would be the sin offering for all of mankind. The ugliness and depravity of man’s sinful nature was so horrific that Father God Himself turned His back on His only Son, Jesus. God the Father could not look at His only begotten son bearing our sins. When that ultimate torture of isolation from Father God occurred, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why hath thou forsaken me?” Mark 15:34 Continue reading
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14 NKJ
As believers we can limit God’s blessing by not taking advantage of the angelic power He’s made available to us. We can neglect to put those angels to work when we don’t speak words they can act upon. In Psalm 103:20 we are told that angels hearken to the voice of His Word.
Psalm 103:20 AMP “Bless — affectionately, gratefully praise –the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His who do His pleasure.”
When we confess God’s Word over a situation, we release the angels to operate on our behalf and bring those words to pass. When we speak words of unbelief that are contrary to the Bible, it binds our angels and renders them inactive. Continue reading
“The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18 KJV
When we receive the Lord into our hearts, we are justified by faith. It is all by faith. “Just” refers to God’s people and has the same meaning as righteous. When we receive Christ into our hearts and are born again, we become the Righteousness of God in Christ. Someone has said that we are “just as if we never sinned!” Continue reading
We pray because we love God. We pray because we depend on God. God is our source – He is our life!!
Colossians 3:4 KJV “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
Through prayer we receive the comfort, the strength and all the other resources that we need in life – both naturally and spiritually. Prayer is our relationship to God – without Him we are nothing. Continue reading
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For You are with me: Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: You anoint my head with oil: My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23 NKJV
When going through hard times in life we need some comforting grace. The 23rd Psalm is a favorite of mine. When we meditate on the 23rd Psalm it just calms our nerves and gives us strength. I’ve heard it told that many men on battlefields survived because of the ability to meditate on the 23rd Psalm over and over until deliverance came. Whether it’s a person on their death bed, or a Christian in the underground church, or anyone just living their life, there is no end to the application of the 23rd Psalm. Continue reading
In the early 1970’s I was attending a camp meeting in Oregon. Those were the days of the charismatic renewal, when there was a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The prophetic words that came forth during that time period were very powerful and life-changing! Many were saved, delivered and baptized with the Holy Spirit.
The week of meetings were held at Aldersgate Park, a beautiful campground with a swift flowing stream that attracted all the young children and teenagers in attendance. One evening during the service, I felt impressed to check on my youngest son, who was around six years old at the time, to be sure that he was still in his class and had not wandered off to go swimming. The stream was swift enough that he could have easily drowned. Upon checking, I was relieved to find that he was in class and listening attentively to the teacher. Continue reading
