Author Archives: Barbara Hayes

Presiding Elder The Church Within You!

Do you suffer from ANXIETY?

BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING. Brother Paul’s instructions to us is to not be anxious or worried about anything! The one essential cure for worry is prayer, for the following reasons. Through prayer, we renew our trust in the LORD’s faithfulness by casting our anxieties and problems upon Him who cares for us (Mat. 6:25-34; 1 Pet. 5:7). The peace of God comes to guard our hearts and minds because of our communion with Christ Jesus. God strengthens us to do all things He desires of us.

When we call on God from hearts that sincerely endeavor to abide in His Word (John 15:7), then the peace of God will flood our troubled souls. Believers must place their minds on those things which are true, pure, holy, righteous, etc. That this is a prerequisite for experiencing the peace of God and freedom from anxiety is clear if you do these things, “The God of peace shall be with you.”

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

FLSB|LAB

THE SAFEST PLACE in the World is in THE WILL OF GOD!

Under the shadow of the almighty. This Psalm expresses the security of those who trust fully in God. It assures us that God will be our refuge and that we may seek His protection in times of spiritual and physical danger. It offers security for the children of God, those who commit themselves to the Will and Protection of the Almighty and daily seek to dwell in God’s presence.

The more fully we abide in Christ and His word, making Him our life and dwelling place, the fuller will be our peace and the greater our deliverance in times of danger. The four names for God in this Psalm describe different aspects of His protection.

  1. “Most High” shows Him to be greater than any threat we face.
  2. “Almighty” emphasizes His power to confront and destroy every enemy.
  3. “The LORD” assures us that His presence is always with us; And
  4. “My God” expresses the truth that God has chosen to associate intimately with those who trust in Him.

Nothing can happen to a faithful servant except by God’s permission, (recall the story of Job). This truth does not mean that there will never be unpleasant or difficult times, but that if we make God our LORD and refuge, everything that happens to us will work out for our good.

The safest place in the whole wide world is in the Will of God, underneath His wings is protection forevermore. It may be in the valley low, or on a mountain peak, remember if God said, go. Go!

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

AMP|FLB

LISTEN: Psalms 78 – Are we still testing God’s Patience?

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/LISTEN-Are-we-still-testing-Gods-Patience-e29le20


This psalm was written to remind Israel why so many devastating judgments of God came upon them throughout their history. 

(1) The song warns them to learn from the spiritual failures of their forefathers and to strive diligently to avoid the same unbelief and unfaithfulness.  

(2) God’s people today should pay close attention to this psalm since many churches and denominations have lost the presence and power of God through unbelief and disobedience to God’s Word.  By failing to make Biblical standards and experience the basis for truth and practice, they have gradually gone astray and turned to their own ways.

God’s people are exhorted not to follow in the unfaithful footsteps of their spiritual ancestors.
Israel failed spiritually, at least in part, because they forgot the deeds and miracles God had performed among their founding fathers.  Likewise, we must not forget the works and miracles of God done in and through the faithful believers of the N.T. church.

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

LAB

A SYMPATHY BREAKTHROUGH

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the LORD has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:12-13

Paul offers a strategy to help us live for God day by day (1) imitate Christ’s compassionate, forgiving attitude; (2) let love guide your life; (3) let the peace of Christ rule in your heart; (4) always be thankful; (5) always keep God’s Word in you; and (6) live as Jesus Christ representative.

The key to forgiving others is remembering how much God has forgiven you. Is it difficult for you to forgive someone who has wronged you a little when God has forgiven you so much? Realizing God’s infinite love and forgiveness can help you love and forgive others.

You were made in the image of God, were you not?

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

The Word for you today.

LAB|NIV

KEEP YOUR HOPE ALIVE (Part 2) The Conclusion

THE LOVE OF GOD … IN OUR HEARTS. Christians experience the love of God in their hearts through the Holy Spirit, especially in times of affliction. The verb “shed abroad” is a present perfect tense, signifying that the Spirit continues to flood our hearts with love.

It is this ever-present experience of God’s love that sustains us in tribulation and assures us that our hope for future glory is not illusory.

No matter what we may go through in this life, know that God is our present hope on every hand. Although at times it is easier said than done, we must continue to place our hope in the One that can and will deliver us.

Justification through faith brings the believer various results: peace with God, grace, hope, assurance, tribulations, the love of God, the Holy Spirit, salvation from wrath, reconciliation to God, salvation by the life and presence of Jesus, and joy in God.

Keep hope alive in your heart!

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

The Word For You Today

FLSB

KEEP YOUR HOPE ALIVE (Part 1)

“Grab … hope with both hands and never let go!” Whenever your situation looks impossible, remember what the scripture says in the book of Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.

This reading encourages one to hold on and trust in God. We do not know the plans that He has laid for us, however, if we believe in His Word He has said that He will never leave us nor forsake us. When things might look as if they will not come to pass, take a look at Matthew 19:26, where Jesus said “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”.

I know that life has a way sometimes to take the little hope that we have and dash it against the nearest wall; however, if we just hold on a little while and trust Him. As God has never lost a battle, grab hold of your hope with both hands and never, ever let go!

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

The Word For You Today

FLSB

AMP HB

GOD CAN CANCEL YOUR PAST (Part 3) The Conclusion

The Bible is clear that God pardons sins by His grace based on Christ’s work on the cross alone, not on man’s actions. The apostle Paul reminds us that we should have buried our old selves — and our old sins — symbolically through baptism (Romans 6:3; Colossians 2:12). God desires to forget our transgressions as though they had not happened in the first place. Jeremiah 31:34 says, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Forgiveness of sins and the resulting reconciliation with God are foundational in the new covenant; they are based on the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross (cf. Is. 53:4—6; Mat. 26:27—28; Luke 22:20).

Wounded for our transgressions (Is. 53:5). Christ was crucified because we have sinned and are guilty before God. As our substitute, He took the punishment due us and paid the penalty for our sins — the penalty of death (Rom. 6:23). Therefore, we can be forgiven and have peace with God (cf. Rom. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ.) Justification through faith brings the believer various results: peace with God, grace, hope, assurance, tribulations, the love of God, the Holy Spirit, salvation from wrath, reconciliation to God, salvation by the life and presence of Jesus, and joy in God.

The best description for today’s message is this: If we go to God seeking with a pure heart in repentance of our sins, He is just to forgive.

“It is finished”.

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

The Word for Today

FLSB

GQ.org

GOD CAN CANCEL YOUR PAST (Part 2)

The Word for Today

“The act of changing one’s mind.” This is what the scripture says about repentance. True biblical repentance goes beyond remorse, regret, or feeling bad about one’s sin. It means turning and walking away never to repeat the sin.

When we admit our sins and seek God’s forgiveness, He forgives and forgets those things. Our LORD God chooses to forget all the bad stuff that we once were entangled with. We are given a clean slate, basically a do-over!

Look at the story told in the Book of Luke 15:17—24, in regard to the Prodigal Son.

“17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

Just as the earthly father forgave his son, so will your Heavenly Father forgive you when you seek His forgiveness.

Remember God loves you — all of you and your imperfections. Only He can wash us and cleanse us from the past errors of our ways.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara Hayes

AMP BIBLE NKJ

THE WORD FOR TODAY

GOD CAN CANCEL YOUR PAST (1)

“The act of changing one’s mind.” This is what the scripture says about repentance. True biblical repentance goes beyond remorse, regret, or feeling bad about one’s sin. It means turning away, walking away and prayerfully the sin is never repeated.

When we seek God with a true heart and seek forgiveness through prayer, it means a change of attitude and action in our walk of life. To repent means to make an about-face, heart-directed turn away from self to God, from the past to a future ruled by God’s commands, acknowledging that the Lord reigns supreme over one’s existence. Now, once God accepts our sincere heart, those past things are washed away, gone, forgotten. I was told those sins are cast into the lake of forgetfulness. Once Jesus canceled the record of those past charges against us, they are done. Only man loves to go fishing.

God can cancel your past!

Blessings,

Elder Barbara Hayes

Bible

The Word for Today

THE JOY OF THE REDEEMED

Isaiah 35 1-2 glad. Isaiah 35 stands in contrast to Isaiah 34. This chapter opens with a lilt of joy. The desert plain shall blossom and break into bloom. Centuries before, Moses had warned of a day when the rain of this land would become “dust and powder” (Dt. 28:24). That day came because Israel was disobedient to God. But, at the second coming of Christ (Rev. 20:1-6), Israel will be restored spiritually, and with spiritual restoration comes physical blessing. When judgment is removed, great blessing follows. Restoration follows repentance, and restoration is accompanied by joy.

This is one of the greatest chapters in the Bible, a poem of rare and superb beauty. It presents a picture of the last times, when the redeemed, after long suffering, finally shine forth in all the radiance of their heavenly glory. Returning exiles traveling along the highway (vv. 8—10) offer a marvelous image of the redeemd traveling home to God.

Take a moment and read for yourself Isaiah 35.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

HSB