Lying always comes with consequences. Proverbs 12:22 says “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.”

We can find many ways to turn words into weapons and damage others. As this verse points out, we hurt others by lying.  We also know that “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight! 

Solomon warns us against bearing false witness and violating the ninth commandment. When those around you find out that you have lied, it robs you of those ever-having confidence in you again.  Truthful words stand the test of time but lies are soon exposed.

This is what the Book of Ephesians has to say regarding being untruthful. Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. Eph. 4:25

The truth may sting a little, but its bite is not that of a lie. Recall this … Liar, liar, pants on fire!?

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT | TWSB [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/TELL-THE-TRUTH-e2gl9dc]

Come Out of That Corner, is a reading using the Book of Ruth, a love story about a man and a young widow. It’s a redemption story regarding this wealthy man, a young woman, and a near kinsman. The events in the Book of Ruth occurred during the period of the judges, a time not much different from our own day, if you focus only on the evils of today, you’ll become pessimistic and cynical. But if you ask God what field He wants you to work in and faithfully serve Him, you’ll experience His grace, love, and joy.

The Book reminds us that God is still at work in our lives and in our world. He has not forgotten you nor your faithfulness towards Him. Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

When Boaz saw Ruth, he called her out of the corner of the field into the midst of the harvest field. Even though you may be in a crowd of people, God can make it so, just like Ruth, that you stand out among them all.

Be assured God has not forgotten you, nor does He overlook you. When He has prepared for you, you will hear Him call, “Come Out of That Corner!

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT | TWSB | [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/COME-OUT-OF-THAT-CORNER-e2gl5l3]

The world’s worst prison is the prison of an unforgiving heart. If we refuse to forgive others, then we are only imprisoning ourselves and causing our torment.

Jesus warned that God cannot forgive us if we do not have humble and repentant hearts. We reveal the true condition of our hearts by the way we treat others.

In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Peter asked the LORD how often he should forgive his brother’s sin against him. He asked, “Should I forgive him? Up to seven times?” The LORD Jesus’ replied, “I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” 

Listen, I truly know that it’s hard, sometimes very hard to forgive someone who has done you so badly that it rocks your world.  The last thing you can think of is to forgive them or have someone who was not hurt in the mix-up say, you should forgive that person. Been there and spent the night!

Here it comes … however, nothing, nor anyone is worth you, spending eternity outside of heaven.  When we stop and think back over our own lives, there may have been a time or two when we messed up, and just as the Master of the servant in the Bible had compassion and forgiveness upon him, then we must dig deep and find that compassion too.  It may take a whole lot of praying, but if we ask of God, He will provide us with a heart to forgive.  

With a heart of repentance, we can gladly forgive those who have said, done or hurt us in any way. 

Today, search your heart and see if there is anything you hold against another, if so, let it go. Forgive with all sincerity, and please do not allow “that seed of unforgiveness” to make you miss heaven!

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

WSB | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/THE-UNFORGIVING-SERVANT-e2gjijm

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