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

Bible prayers are powerful.  They put things into perspective. When we pray let us first put our trust in the words in which we cry out to the LORD as we pray. For example, when that widow went before the unjust Judge in the Book of Luke, her plea was to the point; “Grant me justice against my adversary.”  Coming before the LORD in prayer, make your petition known (we know that God already knows the situation), therefore let’s not pray amiss (improperly, badly, incorrectly). James 1:6-8 says “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the LORD; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Acknowledge Him for who He is and make your prayers God-centered. Praise and recognize who He is in your life. And remember to pray that no matter the outcome, pray to His Will to be done.

God knows just what we need even before we ask, we might not like the way some prayers are answered, but God knows what He is doing. In all things, He is working for our good, therefore let’s remember to place our trust in His hands. God never makes a mistake.

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT|FLB NKJ NIV

Do not allow anyone to discourage your dreams. Folks try to inject “a dose of reality” into your life by telling you what’s best for you.

How many did not apply to a college or for a particular job, because someone said they wouldn’t make it or they would not hire you?

We need more people around us who will encourage, inspire, or speak to the heart, “I believe you can” and those who are willing to speak to the hope in your future instead of failure.

There is always going to be that one, Jon Walker wrote how his high school English teacher told him not to apply to Cornell University because he probably wouldn’t get accepted and if they did accept him, he wouldn’t be able to keep up with the work.  He said that he almost didn’t apply, but so happened, a few days later a former teacher of his said apply and if they accept you, go! He said this teacher told him; you can do it. Trust in yourself.

What the world needs now is more optimists, someone who trusts has faith, and has the heart to inspire. The one that will see the break in the line and will yell out to you to reach beyond the break and hold on!  

There is a future for you, your hope will not be cut off. Put your faith in God!

Blessings,

Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT|NIV

“I won’t believe it unless I see…” We’ve all heard or read about Thomas (nicknamed the Twin) in the Bible from John 20:25, well we may have heard or read this scripture, but it does not mean we have to be like him.

I recall the late Rev. James Cleveland singing the song about faith, “Where is your faith in God”? This is what we could ask all the doubters. Elisabeth Elliott said, “True faith only goes into operation when there are no answers.” God says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.”

Let’s all put on the garment of faith; it will look better on than off.

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT | NIV

The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

Here we have perhaps the most well-known verse in the Bible.  God loved the world of people, and His love was not merely sentimental. Rather, it prompted Him to act.  God the Father gave His only Son as a substitute for sinful human beings.  He would die in their place, bearing their sins. 

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara Hayes

TWSB|TEC|FLB|GQ.ORG|LAB

This four-part episode is a good example of how God leads His children.

Christ was born of Mary. For a betrothed woman to become pregnant would be considered adultery (Deut. 22:13-21). But Joseph did not punish or divorce Mary when he discovered she was with child, for the LORD had revealed the truth to him.

The Flight into Egypt: Herod pretended that he wanted to worship the newborn king when he wanted to destroy Him!

Massacre of the Innocents: Herod’s anger was evidence of his pride; he could not permit anyone to get the best of him, particularly some Gentile scholars!

The Home in Nazareth: Certainly, Joseph and Mary prayed, waited, and sought God’s Will.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara Hayes

WSB

God’s thoughts and ways are not those of the natural person. But human minds and hearts can be renewed and transformed by seeking Him (Rom. 12:1-2); then our thoughts and ways will begin to conform to His.

Our greatest desire should be to live in conformity to the likeness of our LORD that everything we do pleases the God we serve.

We can do this by abiding in His Word and responding to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Paul describes two classes of people; those who live according to the flesh and those who live according to the Spirit.

A question, are we listening? Communications strengthens you and prepare you for whatever is before you on your life journey.

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

FLSB | Jesus Calling

True humility is not convincing yourself that you are worthless but recognizing God’s work in you. It is having God’s perspective on who you are and acknowledging His Grace in developing your abilities.

“Just As I Am, Without One Plea”. I’m so glad that Jesus accepts us, just as we are! Aren’t you?

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT | FLB | LAB | THE CHURCH WITHIN YOU PODCAST