FIERY TRIALS

James 5:11 We give great honor to those who endure suffering. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Have any of you ended up in a bad conversation, and somehow your name ended up in the middle of it?

You weren’t there, as a matter fact, you weren’t even in the same state, you actually were on location elsewhere, yet your name somehow was singled out.

But so-and-so said it was you that said what was said, when it was said! You try to justify yourself, yet even your friends questioned you.

“You know (Mary/John), maybe you said something or did something, and it just slipped your mind. You must have offended him/her in some kind of way.”

Where is even the belief from your supposed to-be dear friends?

Have any of you had someone, other than Mama, or Daddy, boasted about you. “O’ that’s my friend he or she is so real.” They are so helpful to others; they will drop everything to be at your side in a heartbeat. They go on and on about all the good that you’ve done.

One, you didn’t ask to be put in the mix of someone’s ill-gotten story,

And secondly, nor to have the good you’ve done put on blast.

But it happens.

You just get thrown into the mix – have no idea of the whys and the how’s, innocent you just got thrown in.

The trials of life!

See, many people have heard about Brother Job and his trials; but not many people understood or even now understand what those trials were all about and what God was trying to accomplish.

Recall the scripture that I read: 1 Peter 1:7 CEV
Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire.

Sometimes our faith is tested. Sometimes we find ourselves standing in front and center of the furnace.

See there maybe conversations going on, even now, in the heavens that may concern you and you have no idea about such things or what the outcome of those conversations might be. Right now, here we are, sitting in church listening to the Word that was given to the preacher to present to you.

Oblivious, to a conversation that could possibly change your life forever.

Your task is to remain faithful to your God. No matter what kind of trial you may have to experience or go through. Your task is to remain ever-so faithful, to Him who is Faithful!

If you just allow me a few minutes, I would like to take a look at a particular man’s life. This man from the 18th book of the Old Testament, The Book of Job.

Recall I just said, even now, in the heavens there may be a conversation that may concern you and you here on earth are completely clueless to it.

Here are a few of the events that took place in the life of Job.

See, the book of Job is the story of a righteous man’s suffering, apparently because of a heavenly wager between God and ‘the Satan’.

They could not see into the future to realize that Job suffered as he did, so that God’s people today, might learn from Job’s experiences of yesterday, how to be patient in suffering and endure to the end.

You may have to go through the furnace to really grasp the message of the Book of Job. If so, don’t be afraid. By faith, just say as Job, in the…  

23rd chapter, verse10  But He knows the way that I take
    when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 My feet have closely followed His steps;
    I have kept to His way without turning aside.
12 I have not departed from the commands of His lips;
    I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

Job was a just man;  Job was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.

As I said to those in Bible Study, Job did not speak these words about himself, Job did not have to pay a source such as ‘Resume.Com’ to have someone write out his CV.

It was God, who testified about this man named Job.

(See man can stand and tell the world just how loyal you are to something, church, family, job. And it’s good to have a name of being a loyal person. If you do these things well, remember it’s just your expected service while here on earth. Because when it’s all said and done, it’s what you do for Christ that is going to last.)

Regarding Job, in a human sense, God was boasting about this man named Job.

There was a meeting held in the heavens, and all the Angels of God gathered. Satan also attended the meeting.

God inquired of him, of his whereabouts. He informed Him, our God that he had been going to and fro on the earth.

Now this is where the conversation grew legs…

It was God that put Job out there, it was when God, He asked Satan, have you tried My servant, Job?

This is where God stated Job’s resume.

There is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and eschewth evil?

And Satan’s reply; “Doth Job fear God for nought?”

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?

Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

But if put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Now this is where I want you to play close attention to… And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.

I want you to understand that God is always in control of everything and everyone, even Satan. The limit of his power is in the hands of God. This is why God said, in the first command, “Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. And in the second time; God said, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

Neither time did Job do as Satan had expected. Job never cursed God to His face, nor sin with his lips as he said he would. 

Because Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), God places a hedge of protection around His people to shield them from Satan’s attacks.

The “hedge” is like a spiritual “wall of fire” surrounding God’s faithful so that Satan cannot harm them.

“5 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’ Zech. 2:5

All believers who are faithfully endeavoring to love God and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit have a right to ask and expect God to place this wall of protection around them and their families.

Poor Job, he did not know of this conversation.

This is what my Bible has to say…

  • Job’s Character and Wealth
  • Satan Allowed to Test Job
  • Job Loses His Health

Job’s three friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, came and sat with him. Seven days and seven nights, they just sat with him. No one said a mumbling word.

After the time had passed (the seven days) each had their say in conversation about their thoughts on what, when and why such things happened to Job.

Sometimes, it is best to say nothing at all instead of speculating your thoughts. In all this back and forth, had Job call them, miserable comforters and that they were.

Then came along a young lad that thought he had it all solved…

God pointed it out for us – all – in the story of Job.

Job had it all, health, family, wealth, stature, friends.

Then the fires begin…

His wealth gone,

His possessions, prosperity, happiness, children, all gone. Now his health is so bad that he asks to be hidden in the grave.

All loss in the fires.

But understand this. Through it all Job never stop believing in his God.

He testified, “I know my redeemer lives”!

Through it all Job stayed faithful.

Then God speaks! 

Gold fears no fire. Whatever we had that was burned up in the furnace wasn’t worth having anyway.

Where in the Bible does it say, we are tested like gold?

And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns.

Only God can restore, whatever was loss in the furnace.

What fire, are you speaking about Elder?

The fires that show up sporadically in your lives.

Not just sickness, health, disease, these of the most serious ones, yet not the only fires…what about loss of job, loss of home, loss of financial stability, loss of marriage, loss of life, etc., etc. Loss of loss!

Whatever you thought your loss in the fire, remember that God can restore.

Nothing is final, unless God says it is final.

Restore – bring back – reinstate – put back – reinstitute – reimpose – refurbish – rehabilitate – rebuild – repair, refresh, rejuvenate, renew, and renovate. While all these words mean “to make like new,” restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.  

God can!

God is in control — He directs, preserves, and maintains His created order.  Although we can’t see it, God is divinely governing the moral and political affairs of people as well. By spending time observing the majestic and intricate parts of God’s creation, we can be reminded of His power in every aspect of our lives.

God can restore…

DETERMINATION—PERSISTENCE—PERSEVERANCE.

Prayer refers to the multifaceted communication of believers with the LORD God. In addition to such words as “prayer” and “praying,” this activity is described as calling upon God.

Mark 11:24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

For a very short while this morning, I would like to speak to you in regard to the following words and their importance in prayer.

Determination — Perseverance — Persistence

James 1:2 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”

Determination — is the act of deciding definitely and firmly. also : the result of such an act of decision.  A firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end.

  • Abraham is an example of determination because he was willing to leave his home and follow God’s instructions, even when it meant going to a land in which he was unfamiliar with (Genesis 12:1-4).  He obeyed God, and became the father of many nations, as God had promised.
  • Jesus was determined to do God’s Will no matter what surrounded Him. He was determined to live outside of the confinement of status and the opinions of other people.  He was determined to seek and save the children of God who had lost their way.

When one walks with the determination to succeed: they trust within their heart the Word in scripture that says: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:3

Perseverance— a continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.  It is the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness. One must be persistent despite the difficulties or delays we face.

The Bible teaches us to persevere in our faith, trusting God to fulfill His promises. When we face difficulties, we can trust that God understands our situation and sees our distress. Through perseverance, we build character, patience, gratitude, respect, and appreciation. Spiritual leaders with character have hope.  Not hope in themselves but hope and faith that God will never be defeated.

  • Jeremiah was blessed by God and tasked with preaching God’s word to His people. He is an example of perseverance by continually preaching and teaching God’s word, despite all that was done to him.  The tragedy of Jeremiah’s life was this:  he preached to deaf ears and reaped only hate in return for his love to his fellow countrymen. But that did not stop him, Jeremiah was nevertheless one of the boldest and bravest of all the prophets.  Despite great opposition, he faithfully carried out his call as a prophet to warn his fellow citizens that God’s judgement was at hand.
  • How did Jesus demonstrate perseverance?  He persevered through agony on the cross, gave His life for a sinner like me, and offered the most perfect example of endurance as He finished the race of life perfectly. Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of perseverance in the Bible!

Persistence —  is the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people.

What does the Bible say about persistence? “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

“As for you, my sisters and brothers, don’t grow weary in doing good, don’t be so quick to throw in the towel.” “For the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Prayers of persistence bring abundant blessings.  When we pray with persistence, God blesses us in ways we could never have imagined. He pours out His goodness on us and provides for all our needs. We should never give up praying because we know that God is faithful to answer our prayers and bless us abundantly.

Persistence is a virtue well worth cultivating; it’s when we hang in there and keep going no matter how tough our circumstances seem to be. It’s during the times of trials and tribulations that we build strength and endurance. Let’s recall that the race is not given to the swift, nor the victory to the strong, but to him that endures to the end.

These three words, determination, perseverance, and persistence is the roots to the definition of how one prays when they are calling upon God. We must be constant, ever pressing forward in prayer. Just as we must persist, by never stopping. In doing so, the value of persistence will bring answers to our prayers.

  • Jesus, promised that His followers would receive the Holy Spirit if they persisted in asking, seeking, and knocking at the door of their Heavenly Father (Luke 11:5-13).

Thus, after Jesus’ ascension, His followers continually devoted themselves to prayer in the upper room until with power the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2).

The Word says: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. The promised fulfillment of asking, seeking, and knocking!

Determination, perseverance, and persistence in prayer is found in the story of the widow that functions as a model for discipleship with respect to persistence in prayer.

The Bible says:  Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally, he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, lest by her continual coming she weary me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? 8 I tell you; He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

The Widow had determination, and she was faithful to what she believed in. She was persistent in her pursuit of justice.

Do you have the determination, and persistence to pray even when it looks as if your answer will never come. Do you lack the persistence to stay there in prayer inspite of what it looks like today?

Remember, the story in the Book of Daniel 10th chapter where it was said that Daniel had prayed but it seemed his prayers were seemingly unanswered. However, the scripture goes on to relay that, from the moment he humbled himself and received understanding, his prayer was heard, and the answer was sent. But it was waylaid by the angel-prince of the kingdom of Persia. But then Michael, one of the chief angels, intervened to help the answer to come and to be on its way.

Blessings delayed or not always blessings denied. Stay there and continue in your prayers. Seek, ask, and knock. I heard a Pastor’s message that said, “If it’s healing you are praying for, know this, if the LORD does not heal you on this side, you will be healed on the other. For there is a tree where the leaves or for the healing of the nations of all manner of illnesses. The final answer to all of our prayers is from the LORD God.”    

As I conclude this sermon, my prayer for you is that the LORD will provide you with the answer in which you seek. God is able and He can do what no other power can do. Therefore, until that time, I will continue to press my way.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

FLSB

THE DESIRE FOR SIGNS

Readings from the Book of Matthew 12th chapter. The Pharisees were asking for another miraculous sign, but they were not sincerely seeking to know Jesus. Jesus knew they had already seen enough miraculous proof to convince them that He was the Messiah if they would just open their hearts. But they had already decided not to believe in Him, and more miracles would not change that.

Many people have said, “If I could just see a real miracle, then I could really believe in God.” But Jesus’ response to the Pharisees applies to us. We have plenty of evidence—Jesus’ birth, death, resurrection, and ascension, and centuries of His work in believers around the world. Instead of looking for additional evidence of miracles, except what God has already given and moved forward. He may use your life as evidence to reach another person.

Jonah was a prophet sent to the Assyrian city of Nineveh. Because Assyria was such a cruel and warlike nation, Jonah tried to run from his assignment and ended up spending three days in the belly of a huge fish. When Jonah got out, he grudgingly went to Nineveh, preached God’s message, and saw the city repent. By contrast, when Jesus came to His people, they refused to repent. Here Jesus is clearly saying that His resurrection will prove He is the Messiah. Three days after His death Jesus will come back to life, just as Jonah was given a new chance at life after three days in the fish.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara Hayes

AMPHB

“THE GIFT OF GOD”!

Ecclesiastes 3:13, 14: And also, that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.  I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.  

May the LORD add a blessing to the reading, hearers, and doers of His Holy Word, Amen.

The ability to enjoy life and live it properly is a gift from God that comes only when we are brought into a right relationship with Him and sincerely submit ourselves to Him as our LORD and God. He then gives us joy in what we do.

To be happy and do good while we live are worthy goals for life, but we can pursue them in the wrong way. God wants us to enjoy life. When we have the proper view of God, we discover that real pleasure is found in enjoying whatever we have as gifts from God, not in what we accumulate.

What is the purpose of life? It is that we should reverence the all-powerful God. To reverence God means to respect and stand in awe of Him because of who He is. Purpose in life starts with whom we know, not what we know or how good we are. It is impossible to fulfill your God-given purpose unless you reverence God and give Him first place in your life.

The Teacher hinted at contentment in 2:24 [A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God], and was careful to say that this enjoyment of life was God’s gift. The advice of the Teacher is to seize the day in the joy of God, Biblical faith is a call for joy, even when we live in a wicked world and under terrible stress; this is because we find true joy in the living God.

Solomon is not encouraging pagan lifestyle, but rather the practice of enjoying God’s gifts as the fruit of one’s labor, no matter how difficult life may be. Life appears to be transitory, but whatever God does is forever. So, when we live for Him and let Him have His way, life is meaningful and manageable. Instead of complaining about what we don’t have, let’s enjoy what we do have and thank God for it.  The proper attitude for us is the fear of the LORD, which is not the cringing of a slave before a cruel master but the submission of an obedient child to a loving parent. (see 5:7; 7:18; 8:12, 13; 12:13.) If we fear God, we need not fear anything else, for He is in control.

So, don’t merely work for money; do something you like. Appropriate pleasures are a gift of God; enjoy them. But don’t expect to discover the ultimate meaning in these things. God has intentionally created dissatisfaction in life to drive us to Him.  You can’t change what God has made, so stop fighting the routine, the repetition, and the extremes of life. He’s made both life and you this way, so you’ll seek Him. 

Let us make ourselves easy, “rejoice, and enjoy the good of our labor”; as it is “the gift of God,” let us return to Him our sincere thanks and make Him the center of our joy, eat and drink to His glory, and “serve Him with Joyfulness of heart, in the abundance of all things.” Forever: (and everyone knows it, that knows anything of God.) His measures are never broken, nor is He ever put upon new counsels, but what He has purposed shall be effected, and all the world cannot defeat nor disannul it.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Remember: the advice of the Teacher is to seize the day in the joy of God, Biblical faith is a call for joy, even when we live in a wicked world and under terrible stress; this is because we find true joy in the living God.

I Thank you for allowing me to share with you the Word in thought of today.  I hope you can spare a moment and share your findings of what the Word found in Ecclesiastes 3:13, 14 means too you. Please let me hear from you.

THE CHURCH WITHIN YOU! podcast.

[https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/THE-GIFT-OF-GOD-e25pfh2/a-aa0mse9]

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

FLB|LAB|WSB|TEBC|MHSB

This is what the LORD says: I WILL DO A NEW THING!

THIS IS WHAT THE LORD SAYS. This statement emphasizes the authority of the words that will follow. Isaiah repeated God’s promise to bring His people out of captivity in Babylon and return them to the land of Israel (43:14). This would be an act of God’s covenant faithfulness and mercy, not a result of His people’s merits.

This is what the LORD says. The same phrase (v.1) is used to emphasize the ultimate source of this prophecy, God Himself. Redeemer. The LORD is described as Redeemer because He zealously defends, protects, and purchases back His people (Is. 41:14, Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I Myself will help you, declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel).

God takes to Himself such titles as were very encouraging to His people their Holy One. He assures them He will break the power of their oppressors, will take care to send a prince to Babylon [who] shall bring down all their nobles and all their people too, even the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

He reminds them of the great things He did for their fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. “He [who] did this can make a way for you in the sea when you return out of Babylon.”

I will do a new thing for you; this is God’s promise even unto this day. As God encourages Israel with the hope of the coming Messiah, He exhorts the people, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old” because something new is going to happen. Those things that you hope for, those things that seemed so far off in the distance, God is doing something new. We must not give up nor give in – TIME is just a word to the LORD. Keep and hold on to your faith in God, for He is the Author and Finisher of your faith. God has intervened to resolve our past and redeem us for a life eternal. Old things will be washed away, as He redeems us in the newness of life everlasting. When God forgives and restores His people, He wants them to forget the failures of the past, witness for Him in the present, and claim His promises for the future!

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

LAB|HBS|MHSB|TEBC|TWSB

THE HEALING AT THE POOL, YOUR EXODUS!

Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. John 5:2 “Do you want to be made well”? This is the question that Jesus asks the man that laid by the side of this pool. Legend had it that an Angel would come down into the pool and “stir up the water”. The first person into the pool after the stirring of the water, “was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted”. This poor man’s infirmity had lasted a total of 38 years. He had experienced prolonged disappointment at not being healed, while repeatedly looking unto God in expectation. Yet healing did finally come to the man, and it may have been largely because of the length of this man’ suffering that Jesus, in compassion, chose to help him. We must never give up hope that the time for God to move directly on our behalf may come soon.

Jesus often healed as a response to the faith of individuals. Here, however, He required no faith at all; the man was made whole merely at the Word of Jesus. Even today people may be healed according to God’s purpose even though they do not demonstrate faith in Christ. The Bible teaches that there are three contacts for healing faith: (1) the faith of the one being healed (Mat. 9:27-29); (2) the faith of others on behalf of the afflicted (Mat. 8:5-10; cf. 17:15-20; Jas. 5:14-16); and (3) the faith of one who is anointed to heal (1 Cor. 12:9). The man Jesus spoke to did not recognize Jesus as the healer, but rather was focused on the healing pools (v.13). When Jesus questioned if he wanted to be made well, instead of replying “YES”! he provided an explanation in the form of a complaint that he had no one to put him in the pool when the water was stirred by the Angel.

Know this, no matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, God can minister to your deepest needs. Some people have been stuck in their negative circumstances for so long that they have given up hope that things can change. Your faith and hope are your exodus out of any situation. Although one may feel that their circumstance doesn’t stand a chance, that one must not give up on hope. When your way seems dark and bleak, when life seems to have you bound by chains that are invisible to the naked eye. When you feel as if all doors are closed and you are locked away behind them, with no escape.

Don’t just sit there wallowing in mud or stand there grieving it, press your way. To make a way of escape, you will sometimes have to press. Make a road out for yourself. Do not idle! No matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, the water is being stirred, step out in faith.

Ordinarily, faith in Jesus was essential to miraculous healing; however, in contrast to the healing of the royal official’s son, (John 4:46), Jesus chose to heal this man who did not even know who He was. Jesus, ask the man, as he lay there on his mat, “Do you want to be made well”? In response, the man told Jesus that every time there was a healing opportunity, he never had anyone to help him into the pool when the Angel stirred the waters. The man’s situation was hopeless, and he had no one to offer him aid. However, when the LORD Jesus showed up, O’ what a change! My Bible said, Jesus said to the man, “rise and pick up your mat and walk.”

Do not allow a problem or any hardship to cause you to lose hope. God may have special work for you to do despite your condition, or even because of it. Trust God, He will never leave you nor forsake you. Trust Him, where you can’t trace Him!

This is your exodus, press your way.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

“THE CHURCH WITHIN YOU” podcast

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“AND HE DID IT, SUDDENLY!”

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/AND-HE-DID-IT-SUDDENLY-e24oo6s

This episode provides witnesses of those that because of their faith, and belief in the LORD Jesus received their healings instantaneously. Jesus once again emphasizes that the “kingdom of God” is associated with healing the sick. There were those that could witness, that when He healed them that He did it, suddenly.

There was the man that sat by the roadside and heard of the man Jesus and called out to Him, Jesus informed him that his faith had made him whole. The man received his sight immediately, and Jesus granted him his request for sight.

Prayer refers to the multifaceted communication of believers with the LORD God. In addition to such words as “prayer” and “praying,” this activity is described as calling upon God (Ps. 17:6), calling upon the name of the LORD (Gen. 4:26), crying unto the LORD (Ps. 3:4), lifting up one’s soul unto God (Ps. 25:1), seeking the LORD (Is. 55:6), coming boldly unto the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16), and drawing near to God (Heb. 10:22).

Just as those in this message believed by faith that Jesus could deliver and that He could do it suddenly. Although, they might not have expected it to happen instantaneously. However, no one knows the Mind nor the Will of God. The man lay by the side of the pool hoping to be able to make it to the waters when the Angel came to trouble the water for there was none that would help him. Because of his belief, Jesus told him to take up his bed and walk. Thus, he did walk.

Prayer is the necessary link alone with having faith, trust, and knowing that He is able to receive God’s blessings and power, and the fulfillment of His promises. Not only must we pray according to God’s will, but we must be in God’s will if we expect Him to hear and answer us. God will give us the things we ask for only if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. The apostle John unequivocally states: “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”

“DON’T QUIT!”

With all the challenges taking place today in our lives, we need sometimes to hear a word of encouragement. We need to feel that gentle wind at our backs pushing us forward and upward. “Don’t Quit”, provide us with just that little push. That unseen hand. As we know that things will go wrong, they often do, but we must pause and push our way through. Remember we have more strength than we know, we can’t give up now.

Don’t Quit

“When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low, and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don’t quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about When he might have won had he stuck it out; Don’t give up though the pace seems slow, You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out, The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far; So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit, It’s when things seem worse, that you must not quit.”

This Author is unknown to us I am thankful for the sharing of this message that was taken from his or her mind to pen and paper. Every day in every way we all at some time or another need just a few words of encouragement, to help us along our way.

“I just can’t give up now, I’ve come too far from where I started from. Nobody told me, the road would be easy. I don’t believe He brought me this far to leave me.”

Remember, reach beyond the break, and hold on!

Blessings to each of you,

Elder Barbara

Morning Prayer with Elder Hayes

Summary

Pray with me…

A prayer of David.

1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
    save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,
    for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
    for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
    abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord;
    listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
    because you answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
    no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
    will come and worship before you, Lord;
    they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
    you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
    you have delivered me from the depths,
    from the realm of the dead.

14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
    ruthless people are trying to kill me—
    they have no regard for you.
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
    show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
    just as my mother did.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
    that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
    for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

Transcription

A WARNING OF THE DAY OF THE LORD!

Summary

THE DAY OF THE LORD! Although this episode is twenty minutes in length it provides the listener with a full reading of the Book of Joel’s telling of the Day of the LORD! The purpose is to warn Judah of God’s impending judgment because of their sins and to urge them to turn back to God. The author was writing to the people of Judah, the southern kingdom, and God’s people everywhere. This is believed to have been written during the time in which Joel prophesied.

The people of Judah had become prosperous and complacent. Taking God for granted, they had turned to self-centeredness, idolatry, and sin. Joel warned them that this kind of lifestyle would inevitably bring down God’s judgment.

Joel begins by describing a terrible plague of locusts that covers the land and devours the crops. The devastation wrought by these creatures is but a foretaste of the coming judgment of God, the “day of the LORD”. Joel, therefore, urges the people to turn from their sins and turn back to God. Woven into this message of judgment and the need for repentance is an affirmation of God’s kindness and the blessings he promises for all who follow him. In fact, “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (2:32).

As you read Joel, catch his vision of the power and might of God and of God’s ultimate judgment of sin. Choose to follow, obey, and worship God alone as your sovereign LORD.

My question to you do you think, with all that is currently taking place in our world today self-centeredness, idolatry, sin, wars and rumors of war, hatred, COVID, and of the extra? Are we soon to face another THE DAY OF THE LORD?

When time permits, read the book of Joel, or listen to The Church Within You! podcast’s reading of the three chapters of this book.

As always, blessings.

Elder Barbara,

Presiding Elder The Church Within YOU!

The Life Application Bible

Transcription