Author Archives: Barbara Hayes

There will come a time in your life when you stand at a crossroads. The decision is up to you whether you will go forward or go back. Will you step over the line and go forward in faith, not knowing what you may or may not face? This is where a young lady by the name of Ruth once stood, at the crossroads. She had to make an important decision to go or to turn back.

See when we first meet Ruth, she is a destitute widow. We follow her as she joins God’s people, gleans in the grainfields, and risks her honor at the threshing floor of Boaz. In the end, we see Ruth becoming the wife of Boaz. What a picture of how we come to faith in Christ.  We begin with no hope and are rebellious aliens with no part in the kingdom of God.  Then as we risk everything by putting our faith in Christ, God saves us, forgives us, rebuilds our lives, and gives us blessings that will last through eternity.

Here is where it will determine where your faith lies. Will you trust God, pray, set aside fear, and step out in faith? Think about it.

Will you be like Ruth and go forward, or will you be like Orpah and turn back? The choice is yours. [Read the full Bible story of Ruth]

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes  [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/Going-Forward-or-Going-Back-e2gh4jo/a-aaup721] 

TWFYT | LAB

Stewardship. The final verses of Psalm 65 fill in the picture for the Creator of the universe provides the sunshine and rain in their times and seasons so that people can plow the earth, plant seeds, and eventually harvest food.

The emphasis is on God’s goodness and generosity to His people. The rains come in abundance; the rivers and streams overflow; the harvest is plenteous; the grain wagons are full; and the grain spills into the wagon nuts. Why? Because God covenanted to care for the land of Israel and visit it with His blessing if His people honored and obeyed Him.

We today are now the stewards of His precious gifts.

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWSB | THE CHURCH WITHIN YOU! podcast

CATALYST: Enter into the inheritance God appoints for you and rejoice in it. Believe and receive what your Heavenly Father has for you. Since you have a glorious inheritance before you, keep looking up! The best is yet to come!

In Jesus Christ, all believers are one and are heirs of God. “You do not have, it because you do not ask” God for it!

God wants to give all His people their inheritance. Are you in line for your blessing? Remember your Father is rich in houses and land, He holds the wealth of the world in the palm of His hand! Aren’t you glad to know, you are a child of the King?

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

WSB

[THE CHURCH WITHIN YOU] podcast

When it comes to choosing a leader. There are plenty of good leaders around—don’t be afraid to follow them. However, regarding the blind guides that Jesus spoke of in the Book of Matthew 15:13,14, avoid them at all costs.

“If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

A leader should have a teachable spirit, with a servant’s heart, and not a they-are-always-right attitude. Beware of those who tell you about planting a “seed of faith in their ground” which means your money. Beware as they are money-grubbing. Here is God’s standard for leadership: “Not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve” (1 Pe 5:2).

This is what Jesus said about the religious leaders of His day: “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit” (Mt 15:13-14).

Poor leaders are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. Jude 1:12.

TWFYT says this: When choosing a leader, you don’t need a blind prima donna; you need one with a servant spirit. Amen!

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT | AMP

Are you tired of living in defeat? Then bathe your mind each day in God’s Word, and allow it to flow over you, and within you.

Allow His Word to wash away everything that tells you what you cannot do. Remember in the Word of God in the Book of Philippians chapter 4 that speaks to your heart, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.”

Whenever you are feeling defeated, reach inside where you have stored His Word as it is your armor in any situation where you feel defeated.

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

AMP | TWFYT | NKJV

Your Personal Guide!

“It’s easy to say, The LORD is my Shepherd, but do you truly believe in your own words? Let’s put it to a small test. Whenever you find yourself in a bit of trouble, or if an issue arises at home, or on the job, to whom do you reach out first? Think about it. It’s probably a friend, your spouse, or a parent, the last thing to come to mind is probably prayer. God is not deaf, He hears!

We forget that all-important verse, “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want!” We forget the promise that the Promise Keeper made to His children. “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” The Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20); and the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), as the LORD is the Good Shepherd, so we are His sheep—not frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers, wise enough to follow One who will lead us in the right places and in right ways. This psalm does not focus on the animal-like qualities of sheep but on the discipleship qualities of those who follow.

The LORD God is your Shepherd, and He knows not only your voice but your needs as well. Learn to put your trust in His hands, and remember this, if you confess to the LORD, you can call Him up! He is only a whispered prayer away. He may not come when you want Him, but He is always, always right on time! He knows the “green pastures” and “quiet waters” that will restore our souls when we require refreshing.

We must remember this the next time we are tempted to go our own way rather than that of our personal guide.

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

LASB | TWFYT | MCB [TheChurchWithinYou! podcast]

Most marriages stand on the foundation of love—but sometimes the foundation weakens and crumbles.  There’s not (I don’t believe) a couple that, from the beginning of their engagement to their wedding day, expects their marriage to be one of the ones that fail.  Time marches forward, children add to the union and life feels complete. As for those wedding vows, they sometimes become forgotten promises.  Unfortunately, all marriages do not make it to the death-do-you-part ending.  You are now single once again; you move on with your life except you and your ex will share your children forever.

Fate shines its light upon you once again, you meet someone, fall in love with that special someone, and decide on marriage!

Here’s what the ‘The Word for you today’ has to say:  “Due to the divorce rate today, both inside the church and outside, divorced men and women fall in love again and face the challenge of blending two families into one.”  Of course, peace is just a word, and here comes the Oh boy! Problems arise out of nowhere! A new family comes with bonding, discipline, visitation, money, etc., etc., etc. and the band plays on!  In all of this, you must remember you chose your new partner; your children had no say so in this matter.   

You both would like for the two families to get along, however, this is a ‘big ask’ when it comes to blending two families into one. This is where patience, understanding, and time play a very large part. TWFYT writer states, “Play nice, (when it comes to the children) their world has been turned upside down, and you must allow them time to digest the situation and find their place in the new order of things.”  All blended families do not turn out like the Brady Brunch, even this TV family experienced some problems!

First things first, put a plan in action before you stand before the preacher, find out how your hopeful parent their children (it may be their parenting style is quite different from you and your ex’s). This way you both will know if some adjustments need to be made on both sides.  It is important to talk to your children, listen to their fears, listen to their hearts, and do not dare tell them their fears are silly or promise them it is all going to work out”. Do not make promises you cannot guarantee.

There are many counseling centers available to answer your questions. The most important item in all of this is that you cannot leave God out of the equation. You must pray, pray, pray, and seek Him for the plan that He has for you and your family. If you ask, listen, and pay attention. God will provide you with His answer. “Your new mate may meet your personal needs for love and security—but remember that your children have those same needs too.”  There is a list of things that need to be addressed, but first and foremost is seeking God first in everything that you do.  

Take a listen to The Church Within You Podcast https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/TURNING-2-FAMILIES-INTO-ONE-e2f25hn

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT | FLSB

A prayer for help when feeling despondent. Heman is a man identified in 1 Kings 4:31 as a gifted wise man and in 1 Chronicles 15:16-19 as one of the musically gifted Levites who ministered in worship during the time of David.

Even amid despair, Heman confesses his faith in God’s saving goodness. Heman’s life had not been an easy one and now it had grown even more difficult, and he felt that death was very near.

But he did not give up! He still trusted in God, whom he addressed as “LORD”—Jehovah four times in this prayer. He was fervent in his praying. He believed in a God who would hear his prayers and do wonders, a God who loved him and was faithful to His people. All of this is evidence of faith in Heman’s heart, even though he spoke as though he was ready to give up.  He prayed day and night and trusted that no obstacle would come between his prayers and the LORD.

When we come before the LORD in prayer, we must be completely transparent when we pray and not tell the LORD anything that is not true or that we do not mean. How can you lie to the One that sees all and knows all? 

When this man prayed, he confessed that he was “full of troubles” and felt that he was “counted with those who go down to the pit,” the dead in their graves. He felt forgotten by the LORD, all his strength was gone. Have you ever felt like your back was against the wall and had fallen into the deepest of wells? All around you is darkness except for at the top of the well all you could see was a bit of sky above. Encircled by walls that felt as if they were closing in, you look up toward the opening and ask God, where are You?

Like Job, Heman wanted to know why all this suffering had come to him.  But he continued to pray and to look to God for help! This is what we must do when in times of trouble, look up and remember God is still there. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Remember Job 13:15, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him”; and one of my favorites “I would have lost heart, unless I had not believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!” from Ps. 27:13, 14.  

So, if ever feeling despondent remember God will never leave you nor forsake you. Trust Him where you can’t trace Him. We should never doubt in the darkness what God has taught us in the light.

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

GWFT | WBS | HSB | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/DESPONDENT–CALL-HIM-UP-e2ero92

No Reward For You if in your giving, you must shout from the rooftops of your charitable deeds! In your giving do not be like the Pharisees who did their giving to gain favor or to be seen by others. Their deeds were done to gain favor with God and attention from people, both of which were wrong motives. You know how some people are, they feel they must run and tell everybody within listening distance of the good they think they have done!  “Child, if it wasn’t for that donation I made, they would be outdoors, homeless!”

However, their given did not gain them favor with God. These seek the attention and praise of people. And to live for the praise of people is a foolish thing because human glory does not last.

No amount of doing or giving can purchase salvation, for salvation is the gift of God, see Eph. 2:8, 9.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give to one in need, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Our sinful nature is so subtle that it can defile even a good thing like sharing with the poor.  If our motives are to be publicly praised, then like the Pharisees, we will call attention to what we are doing.  But if our motive is to serve God in love and please Him, then we will give our gifts without calling attention to them.  As a result, we will grow spiritually, God will be glorified, and others will be helped.

When you give let your motives be in love not letting your right hand know what the left is doing, and your heavenly Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Give as unto the LORD. 

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT | WSB https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/NO-REWARD-FOR-YOU-e2eq79f

Refuse to allow your past to rob you of your future. It’s a new year and all the bad baggage of yesteryear is behind you. Some things happened back then that cannot be healed, such as relationships, issues, and that such-a-such a-thing with you know who!  Time has moved on and so should you, therefore let them stay right where they belong, in the past. Stop lying awake at night and allowing those past hurts to rob you of your much-needed sleep. It’s been ten years and you’re still crying over that old ghost that you allow to continue to show up in your mirror.  By the Grace of God, forgive, forget, and the LORD knows just move on! We need to step afresh into the new year with a new bounce in our steps and no longer allow those old ghosts to haunt us. We all struggle in many ways, especially with the what-ifs. But there comes a time when we must push forward. Looking back only makes us miss all those wonderful things the LORD has laid ahead for us.  God has a purpose and a plan with your name on it the only way to claim it is to step into this new year forgetting those things behind. Remember what Patty song, “a new dress, new shoes, I have a new attitude!” This year try your best to have fewer worries replaced with more smiles! Blessings, Presiding Elder B. Hayes