BE QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK!

When we talk too much and listen too little, we communicate to others that our ideas are much more important than theirs.

In the Bible, the Book of James advises us to reverse this process by putting a mental stopwatch on our conversations and to start keeping track of how much we talk and how much we listen.

Let’s take a listen to today’s reading regarding waiting to see what the Holy Spirit gives us to say. Because when we provide our point of view in our responses, we could be offering dry breadcrumbs.

Therefore, before we speak let’s wait and hear what the LORD has to say.

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

LAB | Jesus Calling

ARE YOU ARMED FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE?

The Word for you today comes from the Book of Ephesians 6th chapter, which informs us of the importance of warfare clothing. In this Christian life, we battle against rulers and authorities (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by Satan, who is a vicious fighter). To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of His armor.

Your whole body must be armed to withstand the enemy’s attacks. Therefore, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Paul is not only giving this counsel to the church, the body of Christ but to all individuals within the church.  The whole body needs to be armed.  As you battle against “the powers of this dark world,” fight in the strength of the church, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit.

We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat the church which is within us. Your temple, which was not made by the hands of man, but molded and shaped by the Hands of God. This is the place where the Holy Spirit of God resides when you become a believer in Christ Jesus, the church within you!

Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, so that you can stand on the day of trial. Knowing and trusting that God is on our side.  

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT | LAB

JEREMIAH’S ASSIGNMENT—GO!

The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the Potters’ house, and there I will cause thee to hear My words.

Then I went down to the Potter’s house and behold he was working at the wheel.

And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hands of the Potter, so he made it over reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the Potter to make it.

Then the word of the LORD came to me, “O House of Israel can I not do with you as this Potter does? Says the LORD, behold as the clay is in the Potter’s hand, so are you in My hand O House of Israel.”

THE POTTER’S HOUSE. Jeremiah was told to go to a potter’s house, where he observed a potter fashioning a vessel out of clay.  Because the vessel was not suitable for what the potter had intended, he had to remold it into something other than what he had first designed.

This parable of the Potter and the clay contains several important principles for God’s work in our lives. As the potter has power over the clay, so God has sovereign authority over the nations. This doesn’t mean that God is irresponsible and arbitrary in what He does, even though He is free to act as He pleases.  The LORD’s actions are always consistent with His nature, which is Holy, Just, Wise, and Loving.  God doesn’t need any advice from us, nor do we have the right to criticize what He does.

As the Potter molded or shaped a clay pot on the potter’s wheel, defects often appeared.  The Potter had power over the clay, to permit the defects to remain or to reshape the pot.  Likewise, God had power to reshape the nation to conform to His purposes.  Our strategy should not be to become mindless and passive–one aspect of clay-but to be willing and receptive to God’s impact on us.  As we yield to God, He begins reshaping us into valuable vessels. We must remember that God is the Potter and we are the clay.

My prayer is “Mold me, shape me Dear LORD, make me a vessel of use for You.”

SERMON—Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

FLB | TWSB | LAB

‘HOW TO PRAY WHEN YOU ARE SICK’

Scripture invites you to seek strength from God through prayer. Draw near to your mediator, Jesus Christ.  He will represent you before God, make intercession for you (Heb. 7:25), and give mercy and grace to help in times of need (Heb. 4:16).  

We should take seriously God’s Word: “casting all your care upon Him: for He careth for you (1 Pet. 5:7). If we are happy in the LORD, we must sing songs of praise to Him (Ps. 33: 2-3), knowing and trusting that God knows just what we are in need of even before we pray.

James is speaking of physical sickness. We may deal with illness by sending for the elders or leaders of the church. It is the duty of the pastors and elders to pray for the sick and the shut-in and to anoint them with oil. (The oil probably represents the healing power of the Holy Spirit and was used as an aid to faith [Mark 6:13]).

It is the prayer that James emphasizes as most important. Effective prayer must be offered in faith if the sick are to be healed. The LORD will give faith according to His Will. People may or may not always be healed on this side; nevertheless, God promises to be with all those who cry unto Him in fervent prayer.

We must stay prayerful and continue to lean on the everlasting arms of God our Savior.

Blessings in prayer,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

THE CHURCH WITHIN YOU! podcast

FLB | TWFYT

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/How-To-Pray-When-You-Are-Sick-Jas-514-e2aipth

DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU ARE HERE?

Do you know why you are here; this is a question many of us have asked at one time or another. The answer is simple, it’s because God chose us! Paul says that God “chose us in Him” to emphasize that salvation depends totally on God. We are not saved because we deserve it, but because God is gracious and freely gives and blesses us with His salvation. The LORD does not want to see any of us lost to a world of sin.

We did not influence God’s decision to save us; He saved us according to His plan for us. Thus, there is no way for us to take credit for our salvation or to allow room for pride. The mystery of salvation originated in the timeless mind of God long before we existed. It is hard to understand how God could accept us. But because of Christ, we are holy and blameless in His sight.

God chose us, that is why we are here; “to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves” (Eph. 1:6).

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

THE CHURCH WITHIN YOU! podcast

LAB | The Word for you today

ARE YOU A HUMBLE PERSON?

Jesus told the parable of two men who went to the Temple to pray. One of these men was a Pharisee who did not go to the temple to pray to God but to announce to all within earshot how good he was. Whereas the other man who was a tax collector recognizes his sin and begs for mercy as he prays to God. This seemed to ignore the Pharisee, moving him to differentiate himself from other men stating how many times a week he fasted and how much money he gave to the church! What does this say about this person, was he more in tune with his own self-importance?

Self-righteousness is dangerous. It leads to pride, causes a person to despise others, and prevents him or her from learning anything from God. A self-righteous person thinks that he is righteous because of his own efforts; he is not conscious of the sinful nature within him, his own unworthiness, and his constant need for God’s help, mercy, and grace. Because of his exceptional acts of piety and outward goodness, he feels that he does not need the grace of God.

The tax collector, on the other hand, was deeply conscious of his sin and guilt, and in true repentance turned from sin to God for forgiveness and mercy. The tax collector’s prayer should be our prayer because we all need God’s mercy every day. He typifies the true child of God.

Don’t let pride in your achievements cut you off from God.

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

LAB | The word for you today

HOW TO INFLUENCE SOME & WIN OTHERS

“I have become all things to all men, that I might, by all means, save some,” Paul stated this to adopt the ways of either Jews or Gentiles. Paul’s attempt was to try to find common ground between himself and others. He did this by changing his behavior and manner of approach. To outside observers, Paul may have looked as one who was inconsistent, however, he was not behaving inconsistently, his main goal was to win people to Christ.

Regarding vv. 22—23 of the Book of 1 Corinthians 9th chapter, Paul was not a chameleon who changed his message and methods with each new situation. Nor was Paul a compromiser who adjusted his message to please his audience. He was an ambassador, not a politician. He simply adapted his approach to different groups. In non-essential matters, he was willing to adopt the ways of either Jews or Gentiles so that he might gain a hearing among them for the sake of the gospel.

What is your approach when winning souls to Jesus? Remember we are all workers in the vineyard!

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

WSBC|TEBC

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