TRUE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

When we permit God to perform His “good work” in us, we grow in our love for one another.

True Christian fellowship is much more than having a name on a church roll or being spiritual. One source of Christian joy is believers’ fellowship in Jesus Christ.

Fellowship reaches beyond socializing; it’s a shared connection between all believers in our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. Those who are rooted and grounded in their faith know there is a special bond. This bond exists because of their belief in the One and Only True Living God.

We share a commitment to providing mutual support and encouragement as we grow in Christ. In essence, there is a sense of belonging and the benefits of help, both spiritually and in practical matters.

Fellowship among Christians is based on the growing realization that we are all undergoing spiritual transformation. Together in Christ, we can do all things!

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

The Wiersbe Study Bible | https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/TRUE-CHRISTIAN-FELLOWSHIP-e2t5iri

GOVERNED BY HIS LOVE

Ephesians 1:7

Liberation through Christ: A New Freedom.

“In Him, we have redemption through His blood. We have the forgiveness of sins. This is in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.

He made known to us the mystery of His will with all wisdom and understanding. It was according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ. This is to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment. The goal is to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” Ephesians 1:7—10

Blessings,

Elder Barbara Hayes

ML | WSB

The Power of Praise: Why We Should Glorify God

The call to praise God reverberates throughout the N.T.  Jesus Himself praised His Father in heaven.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAISE. The Scriptures often encourage God’s people to praise the LORD.  The writers of the O.T. used three basic words to call Israelites to glorify God. The first is the burak (usually translated in the KJV as “to bless” God). The second is the word halal (from which “Hallelujah,” meaning “praise the LORD,” comes). The third is yadah (sometimes translated as “give thanks”).

Did you know that praising God is also one of the main functions of angels? See Psalms 103:20; 148:2. Furthermore, God calls all nations to praise Him (Psalms 67:3-5; 117:1; 148:11—13; Is. 42:10—12; Rom. 15:11).  In other words every human being that breathes is called to shout forth the praise of God (Psalms 150:6). As His mercy and goodness it to everyone.

The first song in the Bible, sung after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, was a praise song (Exodus 15:2). Moses instructed them to bless the LORD their God when satisfied. He also exhorted them to give thanks for the good land He provided (Deuteronomy 8:10).

Why is it important to be reminded of offering our praises to God? In times of prosperity and abundance people are inclined to become satisfied. Prosperity brings the temptation to forget God and His commandments. They no longer seek spiritual blessings and fail to grieve over the sin and evil in the world. They soon forget that it is God who makes all things possible.

Paul exhorts all nations to glorify God! See Romans 15:9—11; Ephesians 1:3,6,12; and the Book of James calls us to praise the LORD (James 3:9; 5:13).

“Let everything that has breathe, praise the LORD!”

Praise Ye The LORD!

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

FULL LIFE STUDY BIBLE | https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/REASONS-FOR-PRAISE-e2rqp1q

Overcoming Fear: Embrace Love and Faith

1 Jn. 4:18, 19

Embracing Love and Faith Over Fear! “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 Jn 4:18,19).

Let us love one another. Although love is an aspect of the Spirit’s fruit (Gal. 5:22,23) and evidence of the new birth, it is also something that we are responsible for developing. We should not harbor the fear of love. For this reason, John exhorts us to love others. He encourages us to be concerned about others and urges us to seek their welfare (1 John 4).

The faith that overcomes the world sees eternal realities. It experiences the power of God and loves Christ deeply. Sinful pleasures, secular values, ungodly ways, and selfish materialism not only lose their attraction for us. We also look upon them with disgust, aversion, and grief.

Thus, let us walk in love; there is no other way in which we should live.

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT | TWSB

Understanding Emotions: Control and Faith

EMOTIONS are a natural part of the human experience. They can be positive or negative. Emotions range from mild to intense. They help one understand how to react to what you are experiencing.

For instance, Esau displayed his emotions when he wept bitter tears (Gen. 27:34), recognizing his choice had caused him to lose his inheritance. Samuel felt terribly upset when the people asked for a King to judge them (1 Sam. 8:6). He came to himself when the LORD God informed him of the truth. The people were not rejecting Samuel. They were rejecting God.

Emotions will do what we, in faith, order them to do. For example, when David prayed, he ordered his soul, the center of his emotions, to bless the LORD. He believed and by faith, took control of his feelings.

Remember our emotions are the center of our being. Failing to “keep” our hearts causes us to leave from the path of safety. It leads to entrapment in a destructive snare. Watching over our hearts with all diligence ensures that all our ways are established in His favor and grace.

Remember, by faith, we can speak to those things that try to overwhelm us. The core words are, ‘by faith’, which will free you from the drama of emotions!

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT | TFLSB | TWSB

REASONS FOR PRAISE

IMPORTANCE OF PRAISE. The Scriptures often encourage God’s people to praise the LORD.  The writers of the O.T. used three basic words to call Israelites to praise God. One is the burak, which is usually translated in the KJV as “to bless” God. The word halal comes next (from which “Hallelujah,” meaning “praise the LORD,” comes). Finally, there is the phrase yadah (sometimes translated as “give thanks”).

The call to praise God reverberates throughout the N.T.  Jesus Himself praised His Father in heaven. Paul expects all nations to glorify God (Rom. 15:9-11; Eph. 1:3,6,12) and James calls us to praise the LORD (Jas. 3:9; 5:13).

The Bible’s first song, sung after the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea, was essentially a song of praise and thanksgiving to God (Exodus 15: see v. 2).  Moses commanded the Israelites to praise God for His goodness in giving them the promised land when they entered it (Deut. 8:10). 

Praising God is one of the main functions of angels (Ps. B 103:20; 148:2) and is the privilege of God’s people, both children (Mat. 21:16; cf. Ps. 8:2) and adults (Ps. 30:4; 148:11-13; Is. 42:10-12). Furthermore, God calls all nations to praise Him (Ps. 67:3-5; 117:1; 148:11-13; Is. 42:10-12; Rom. 15:11).  In other words every human being that breathes is called to shout forth the praise of God (Ps. 150:6).

And in the end, the picture in Revelation is of a vast throng of both saints and angels praising God continually (Rev. 4:9-11).

Praise Ye The LORD!

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes | The Church Within You!

FLSB | https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/REASONS-FOR-PRAISE-e2rqp1q

GOT IT ALL FIGURED OUT!

Psalms 8 asks, “What is man that You are mindful of him? Or the son of man that You visited him. You have made him to be a little lower than the angels, You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made them rulers over the works of Your hands; You put everything under their feet.”  Amen.

It seems that man has once again reached a point of knowledge. The more they know, the less they worship the Creator of all things. Our LORD God, The One, who spoke all things into existence. The man, God’s creation, seems to believe they got it all figured out.

Man now believes that since he designed and created electric lights, and cars, developed medication, etc., etc. The man seems to have forgotten something important along the way. That, the thoughts and ideas formed in their mind come from the One who formed him.

Somewhere along the lines, we’ve forgotten our history. It can be because once again we think that we have it all figured out?

Recall the story of the Tower of Babel, an earlier time, when man thought he had it all figured out. The people came up with the idea, “Come, let us build ourselves a city. We will create a tower that reaches to the heavens. By doing this, we may make a name for ourselves. This way, we will not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”  The Bible says the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building.

After viewing the work that had taken place thus far. The LORD said, “As one people speaking the same language, they have begun to do this. Nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. They can achieve anything they plan.” Then the LORD confused their language at this time. They no longer understood each other’s speech. The LORD then scattered them from there over all the earth.

The Tower of Babel was a great human achievement, a wonder of the world.  But it was a monument to the people themselves rather than to God. Just when man thought he had it all figured out.  God stops by to remind him, that He was and is still in control!

Blessings,

Elder Barbara Hayes

GFTM/ML | LAB https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/Got-It-All-Figured-Out-e2qjujt

Your Quiet Time

What’s stopping you from your quiet time with God? Nothing but yourself. Listen, what do you do if you would like to build upon a relationship with someone?

First, you must spend time with them, and get to know them, right? If you want to get to know God, wouldn’t that mean praying, reading your Bible, and studying His Word?

Our God understands our weaknesses. Jesus is our “High Priest.” He is our Mediator with God and has full access to the Father. He entirely understands our reality. He knows what we are going through while here on earth.

Jesus truly gets us! Because it’s He alone that knows all about us. There is no secret between you and Him and nothing that He does not already know. Find your quiet space and tell Him all about your day, tell Him about what troubles you and why. Remember He knows everything about us and He loves to hear the voice of His children. So have that little talk with the LORD and He will give you an answer bye and bye.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and remember lean not on your own understanding.

Find a quiet space in your day. Take a moment to talk with your LORD. He is waiting for you.  

Blessings, Until next time, enjoy the rest of your day!

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

TWFYT | NIV  https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/YOUR-QUIET-TIME-1-e2qa1vk

FALSE TEACHERS

Mark 13:22

Believers today must be aware that within the churches there may be preachers, pastors, and ministers of God’s Word who are the same spirit and life as the corrupt teachers of God’s law in Jesus’ day. This is what the Book of Matthew 24 says, 11“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

Is it possible for Christians to be deceived? Yes, so convincing will be the arguments and proof from deceivers in the end times that it will be difficult not to fall away from Christ. Satan is a subtle adversary who works as an angel of light through false religious teachers, and many will be misled. “Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 2 Cor. 11

False teachers are not valuable; they are like wood and clay utensils. they are the ones “for dishonor,” common and unimportant, no matter how popular they may be today. Wood and clay will not stand the test of fire.

Jesus says that if we are prepared, we can remain faithful. But if we are not prepared, we will turn away. When the LORD judges our works, it will be revealed whether we as workmen have handled the Word of God honestly and carefully. Some who are first will end up last!

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

FLSB | HSB |TWSB| | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/FALSE-TEACHERS-e2q7llc

THE DOORWAY TO YOUR HEART

Your mind is the doorway to your heart. Therefore you must guard your thoughts.

The Word of God says, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:5

Christian warfare involves bringing all our thoughts into alignment with the Will of God; failure to do so will lead to immorality and spiritual death (Rom. 6:16, 23; 8:13). 

Beware that the mind is a battleground. Some thoughts originate with us, while others come directly from the enemy.

Be aware that God knows every thought and that nothing is hidden from Him. We will have to account to God for our thoughts, words, and deeds.

Focus your mind on Christ and heavenly things rather than earthly things, for the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.

It’s good to take advice but ask yourself what Jesus would do. Remember to guard your heart at all costs.

Blessings,

Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes

Grace For The Moment | Max Lucadohttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara375/episodes/THE-DOORWAY-TO-YOUR-HEART-e2pc8ej