NOTE: Your answer is so close that you won't have to look far for it. This isn't prophetic.Thanks be unto God who always causes us to triumph,If two of you will agree,New Testament,Matthew 18,
My dearest friend, how are you today? God Bless you. Bless God that I find myself writing to you again. I lift you and your family up in prayer daily but I never say the same thing. I realize that everyday different things happen to make our circumstances assorted so I don’t send up the same prayers for you everyday. I ask God to meet your needs because I trust Him, I know He knows what they are. I also stand in agreement with you regarding your prayer needs. You see, Jesus said in the 19th verse of the 18th Chapter of Matthew in the New Testament:
Again, I say unto you, That if any two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
You know, a friend of mine used to lovingly tease me and say: “What are you doing now?” I always laughed in a slightly guilty way. See, I always had a series of projects; I just sort of wandered into them. My problem was I wasn’t doing anything meaningful and I didn’t realize it. Eventually it made sense. Eventually, I had to kick it in gear. I’m still working on projects…only THIS TIME, I don’t have to feel guilty because I am working to please God according to the plan that He has for my life. I found out that I don’t have to talk about it, I just have to do it. This means that no matter how much time goes by, I am working on the goal that God has set before me. I won’t quit. I won’t be deterred. Don’t you do it either.
I hear people all the time saying: “I’m going to do this.” “I’m thinking about doing that.” That thought didn’t come from nowhere. Act on it. If it will benefit mankind, you have an obligation to do it. So I am led in many ways, but by faith I press on, by love I press on. You see, for years I felt that there was something that I was put here to do, but I wasted precious time, not doing it. It was deep in my heart, and even when I said : ‘I’m going to write a book.” Even I didn’t believe it. So of course, nothing happened. Are you making declarations that not even you believe? If you are, change it. You deserve better. Please forgive me if I seem to be pushing you to do your best, to reach higher. It’s just because you are so capable. God certainly knows it and He loves you.
I’m only using myself as an example to spur you on. There is something deep in your heart. We all have it. It’s there. So my question is: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AND WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT? I guess that’s just the first part. Next, I’ll ask: “How do you intend to do it?” First, you’re going to have to trust God. A lot of people don’t want to trust God. Some think it is just too much work. Others don’t know how. Some say that they are (trusting God). A lot of those same people do it like a 50-50 raffle. They trust God for half and then take over the other half. 75-25 is no better and neither is 90-10 or 95-5 or 99-1. It has to be 100%. Look at the date at the top of page one. Don’t let too much time go by before you get this. Please………
Then, I’d ask you to think of how what you’re doing is going to benefit others? I say this to you no matter what it is that you face. Perhaps right now there is a mountain in your life, a gigantic problem like Goliath. So you say: “Well, after I slay Goliath, I’m going to do this or that.” Or you might say: “I’m not even going to focus on this problem, I’m going to give it to God. (not an assignment, a problem) You get my drift right? Next, get a plan. Then, start making some notes in a notebook. If a STORM comes, (we’ve all had them) PRESS ON. Finally, give thanks and expect to be guided. To most people, it sounds kind of strange to give thanks in a storm, but trust God that is the best time.
In graduate Business School they teach the Game theory. (It’s kind of funny.) In other words there are all of these varied strategy to quantifiably win at something. But the most intriguing; yet easiest theory that I saw was the : “DO-NOTHING” theory. It speaks for itself. Are you using that theory? Do you know it all too well? Most of us don’t even realize that we’re using this theory. Sometimes we call it procrastination. Hmmm. It’s time for you to do something, but again I ask: What are you going to do and when are you going to do it?
Whatever it is that you have to do, do it. We all have something that we have to do that we don’t need to put off any longer. I challenge you to boldly declare that “In 2005, MY dream will come alive.” TAKE ACTION NOW. I love you and that’s all that I have to say.
Now thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 11 Corinthians 2 verse 14
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Tuesday, June 12, 2007
PEACE AND WISDOM IN YOUR LIFE By E. Davenport (Wednesday, June 13, 2007)
I’m going to ask you how you are doing, but I’m expecting you to say that you are well. You see, I’ve been praying for you. How are you doing?
Wouldn’t you like everything to be okay in your life everyday? Peace. Wouldn’t you like that even when it isn’t, that you are okay because you know that things will work out? Peace. Wouldn’t you like to make the right decisions, say the right words at the right time? Wisdom. Don’t you like the idea of not having to be anxious about anything, any situation or anyone? Peace.
My grandmother had a third grade education, but it didn’t really matter; she had divine wisdom. God was first in her life. She always knew what to do, what to say and how to do it. I used to be amazed. She never held a job outside of her household. Her husband provided for her and didn’t mind doing it. She baked and cooked for neighbors to earn money for her family. (Many days, the neighbors ate at our house for free, even the mailman. ) She earned the monies to put a down payment on their house during the depression. She had an inquisitive legal mind and she trusted God for her wisdom. I never heard her asking anyone for advice. People came to her for advice. She always knew what to do. She had the gift of wisdom. I didn’t realize that it was a gift from God for many years.
We grew up in a very small house on a street where the houses were very close together. I thought that we had it made. I actually didn’t figure out that we weren’t rich until I was a teen-ager. It didn’t matter though. We had a great home and an exciting childhood. I wouldn’t change it if I had the chance. I remember that my dad would work two or three jobs and when he would come home; we were usually very noisy, (we played piano, violin and clarinet and our house was often the neighborhood hang out) so he would say that he wanted some “peace and quiet.” Our house was so small, and that meant that we had to clear out of the dining room. That was where the television was. We only had one. When he realized that we really didn’t have anywhere to go, he stopped making that request. Instead, he would go into our remodeled basement and play music. I really believe it soothed his soul at the time.
So, I thought for a long time that the only way to get peace was if everybody was quiet, if I was sleeping good and well rested or if the house was empty. (smile) I was a kid, I really didn’t know about life’s woes. I’ll tell you, the day did come when I found out about life’s woes. It was never any big deal because I was walking in favor under grace and I knew it. I don’t know how to explain it but as a teenager, I used to tell people about how many times God had spared me. I was counting and I had confidence in God. (I still do)
It was going to be many years before I found out about peace. I didn’t know about it to verbalize it and not one person that I knew could explain it to me. The reason that I know about it now is because God placed teachers, prophets, evangelists, pastors and a bishop in my life to explain it to me and from that wealth of instruction… I’m passing the baton to you.
I’ll tell you as much as I can, but I’m asking you to seek the kind of information that will help you. We could all spend a lot of time everyday seeking information that isn’t really helpful to us, if we are not careful.
Many of you who receive this letter have peace in your life today. Some don’t, but you have had it. God wants us to have it everyday. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN SOMETHING COMES AGAINST YOU, OR YOUR FAMILY, YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FORTIFIED. GOD SAYS SO and so that’s the way it will be.
One biblical definition of the word peace means a calm repose. Repose means rest and relax, unruffled. Let’s say that you received a call that your car was stolen or that your lights have been shut off and they should be on. Imagine your being actually be very calm about any surprising situation. Wouldn’t that be great? You can do it because you are standing in faith.
I remember my kids used to call me at work and say, “I’m locked out or I got in trouble at school.” Was I calm? Not enough, I remember. I have found that once I was Blessed to have divine peace that I was able to stand strong in the face of the stressful situations that present themselves in my life or the lives of others who have called for prayer or comfort or just a listening ear. Faith is what led the way and peace was one of the many bi products.
I’ll tell you that I was once plagued by fear and phobias. Even before my brain surgery I was afraid to go out of the house, afraid of airplanes, afraid of cats, had anxiety attacks and to overcome it all. I allowed the whole aspect of the surgical nature to make me worse…and then I was delivered of the phobias, the fears and the anxiety. No more worry, no more fear, no more phobias, no more anxieties, now, I have PEACE. Praise God. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to tell people why I feel good all the time and how. It is because of the divine peace, divine wisdom and strength that is available to all of us.
Finally brethern, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
II Corinthians 13 v. 11
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Wouldn’t you like everything to be okay in your life everyday? Peace. Wouldn’t you like that even when it isn’t, that you are okay because you know that things will work out? Peace. Wouldn’t you like to make the right decisions, say the right words at the right time? Wisdom. Don’t you like the idea of not having to be anxious about anything, any situation or anyone? Peace.
My grandmother had a third grade education, but it didn’t really matter; she had divine wisdom. God was first in her life. She always knew what to do, what to say and how to do it. I used to be amazed. She never held a job outside of her household. Her husband provided for her and didn’t mind doing it. She baked and cooked for neighbors to earn money for her family. (Many days, the neighbors ate at our house for free, even the mailman. ) She earned the monies to put a down payment on their house during the depression. She had an inquisitive legal mind and she trusted God for her wisdom. I never heard her asking anyone for advice. People came to her for advice. She always knew what to do. She had the gift of wisdom. I didn’t realize that it was a gift from God for many years.
We grew up in a very small house on a street where the houses were very close together. I thought that we had it made. I actually didn’t figure out that we weren’t rich until I was a teen-ager. It didn’t matter though. We had a great home and an exciting childhood. I wouldn’t change it if I had the chance. I remember that my dad would work two or three jobs and when he would come home; we were usually very noisy, (we played piano, violin and clarinet and our house was often the neighborhood hang out) so he would say that he wanted some “peace and quiet.” Our house was so small, and that meant that we had to clear out of the dining room. That was where the television was. We only had one. When he realized that we really didn’t have anywhere to go, he stopped making that request. Instead, he would go into our remodeled basement and play music. I really believe it soothed his soul at the time.
So, I thought for a long time that the only way to get peace was if everybody was quiet, if I was sleeping good and well rested or if the house was empty. (smile) I was a kid, I really didn’t know about life’s woes. I’ll tell you, the day did come when I found out about life’s woes. It was never any big deal because I was walking in favor under grace and I knew it. I don’t know how to explain it but as a teenager, I used to tell people about how many times God had spared me. I was counting and I had confidence in God. (I still do)
It was going to be many years before I found out about peace. I didn’t know about it to verbalize it and not one person that I knew could explain it to me. The reason that I know about it now is because God placed teachers, prophets, evangelists, pastors and a bishop in my life to explain it to me and from that wealth of instruction… I’m passing the baton to you.
I’ll tell you as much as I can, but I’m asking you to seek the kind of information that will help you. We could all spend a lot of time everyday seeking information that isn’t really helpful to us, if we are not careful.
Many of you who receive this letter have peace in your life today. Some don’t, but you have had it. God wants us to have it everyday. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN SOMETHING COMES AGAINST YOU, OR YOUR FAMILY, YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FORTIFIED. GOD SAYS SO and so that’s the way it will be.
One biblical definition of the word peace means a calm repose. Repose means rest and relax, unruffled. Let’s say that you received a call that your car was stolen or that your lights have been shut off and they should be on. Imagine your being actually be very calm about any surprising situation. Wouldn’t that be great? You can do it because you are standing in faith.
I remember my kids used to call me at work and say, “I’m locked out or I got in trouble at school.” Was I calm? Not enough, I remember. I have found that once I was Blessed to have divine peace that I was able to stand strong in the face of the stressful situations that present themselves in my life or the lives of others who have called for prayer or comfort or just a listening ear. Faith is what led the way and peace was one of the many bi products.
I’ll tell you that I was once plagued by fear and phobias. Even before my brain surgery I was afraid to go out of the house, afraid of airplanes, afraid of cats, had anxiety attacks and to overcome it all. I allowed the whole aspect of the surgical nature to make me worse…and then I was delivered of the phobias, the fears and the anxiety. No more worry, no more fear, no more phobias, no more anxieties, now, I have PEACE. Praise God. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to tell people why I feel good all the time and how. It is because of the divine peace, divine wisdom and strength that is available to all of us.
Finally brethern, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
II Corinthians 13 v. 11
_____________________________________________________________________________________
DESPERATE (TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2007) By E. Davenport
NOTE: THIS IS A MESSAGE ABOUT HEALING, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAITH TO GET HEALED. SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A BLESSING TO GET THIS MESSAGE TO YOU TODAY.
JESUS IS THE SAME: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. Hebrews 13: 8
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. JAMES 5: 15
BLESSINGS TO YOU! I speak health, faith, wholeness and Godly wisdom into your life today. I pray for angels to move out in front of you to prosper your way and for you to allow...you to allow God to order your steps. I want to tell you how I was on the path to losing my life in two ways; and God saved me! I pray that it will be a Blessing to you or someone that you know.
I was always very weight conscious, so I noticed that bulge in my stomach almost immediately. I was busy. I put it in the back of my mind; on a shelf. I had just gotten out of Graduate School and life was living me. I worked in my yard, attended to my affairs and before I noticed it; three months had went by. I looked at my stomach again and it was noticeably larger. Panic struck my whole being.
I'll be honest; I didn't know much spiritually though I did talk to God. I had been turned off to churches not realizing that the BIGGEST LOSER in the end could be me. I'm sure that is why "discipleship" is so important to the Christian community. You can't just bring people to church, get them saved and forget about them. You have to check on them and let them know that you genuinely care about them and their walk with God!
My trip to the doctors wasn't good. He pushed and probed and referred me out. The second doctor immediately did an ultrasound. He pulled no punches for me that day. You have to have surgery is all he said. So we scheduled it.
In the meantime, God had sent a soldier to leave me a note about my spiritual life. It pricked me to the core, but though I decided to do nothing about it, God moved on with the plan.
This is my very first time being candid about this to an online audience that exceeds hundreds of people, but I feel that it will Bless some people. To God be the Glory!
________________________________________________________________________
It came to me at that time not being born again that I needed to put off the surgery I was being rushed into. I called the doctor and he got mad when I told him. His words cut me to the core: “You don't have time to get a second opinion." I told him nicely that I would anyway and that the surgery was cancelled.
I was compelled to pull my hospital records. NEVER, I REPEAT NEVER go into the hospital for any test or stay without getting your records to "see" for yourself. My records revealed cancer and no one was ever going to tell me.
I researched the type and began the worst kind of prayer for me a prayer warrior: "REACTIONARY PRAYER." It is praying after something bad has happened when you had NEVER prayed before with any consistency. Surprisingly, I wasn't afraid. God is so merciful. The research showed it to be a rare challenging cancer with a low low survival rate. I told my husband and we generally talked about my funeral plans.
Needless to say...I felt pretty lousy about it all. I placed it all in the back of my mind on a shelf; again. I began the search for another doctor and a course to get closer to God. The days ahead would bring changes that I had never expected and I was dug in and ready for the journey. A fight was imminent and the question was: "Was I prepared for it in the very least? Satan had plans for me and at the time, I really didn’t even know if he was even real. Love Sister Elaine
II Corinthians 4:4 says—
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
“Of course, it is not the literal eyes that Satan is blinding, but the minds of the people. A blind mind is worse than being void of sight. You will never understand anything good anymore because your mind has been blinded.”
WHAT DID I LEARN?
See, unless we learn something that be didn't know before, we can't get to the next level in Christ. I learned through all of this to Trust God. They sound like mere Words but they are powerful. You can';t see God, but He is there. You can't see what He's doing, but as soon as your request went forward in faith, He is moving behind the scenes to make the right things happen for you. That is why we walk by faith and not by sight. Please remember this.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
JESUS IS THE SAME: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. Hebrews 13: 8
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. JAMES 5: 15
BLESSINGS TO YOU! I speak health, faith, wholeness and Godly wisdom into your life today. I pray for angels to move out in front of you to prosper your way and for you to allow...you to allow God to order your steps. I want to tell you how I was on the path to losing my life in two ways; and God saved me! I pray that it will be a Blessing to you or someone that you know.
I was always very weight conscious, so I noticed that bulge in my stomach almost immediately. I was busy. I put it in the back of my mind; on a shelf. I had just gotten out of Graduate School and life was living me. I worked in my yard, attended to my affairs and before I noticed it; three months had went by. I looked at my stomach again and it was noticeably larger. Panic struck my whole being.
I'll be honest; I didn't know much spiritually though I did talk to God. I had been turned off to churches not realizing that the BIGGEST LOSER in the end could be me. I'm sure that is why "discipleship" is so important to the Christian community. You can't just bring people to church, get them saved and forget about them. You have to check on them and let them know that you genuinely care about them and their walk with God!
My trip to the doctors wasn't good. He pushed and probed and referred me out. The second doctor immediately did an ultrasound. He pulled no punches for me that day. You have to have surgery is all he said. So we scheduled it.
In the meantime, God had sent a soldier to leave me a note about my spiritual life. It pricked me to the core, but though I decided to do nothing about it, God moved on with the plan.
This is my very first time being candid about this to an online audience that exceeds hundreds of people, but I feel that it will Bless some people. To God be the Glory!
________________________________________________________________________
It came to me at that time not being born again that I needed to put off the surgery I was being rushed into. I called the doctor and he got mad when I told him. His words cut me to the core: “You don't have time to get a second opinion." I told him nicely that I would anyway and that the surgery was cancelled.
I was compelled to pull my hospital records. NEVER, I REPEAT NEVER go into the hospital for any test or stay without getting your records to "see" for yourself. My records revealed cancer and no one was ever going to tell me.
I researched the type and began the worst kind of prayer for me a prayer warrior: "REACTIONARY PRAYER." It is praying after something bad has happened when you had NEVER prayed before with any consistency. Surprisingly, I wasn't afraid. God is so merciful. The research showed it to be a rare challenging cancer with a low low survival rate. I told my husband and we generally talked about my funeral plans.
Needless to say...I felt pretty lousy about it all. I placed it all in the back of my mind on a shelf; again. I began the search for another doctor and a course to get closer to God. The days ahead would bring changes that I had never expected and I was dug in and ready for the journey. A fight was imminent and the question was: "Was I prepared for it in the very least? Satan had plans for me and at the time, I really didn’t even know if he was even real. Love Sister Elaine
II Corinthians 4:4 says—
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
“Of course, it is not the literal eyes that Satan is blinding, but the minds of the people. A blind mind is worse than being void of sight. You will never understand anything good anymore because your mind has been blinded.”
WHAT DID I LEARN?
See, unless we learn something that be didn't know before, we can't get to the next level in Christ. I learned through all of this to Trust God. They sound like mere Words but they are powerful. You can';t see God, but He is there. You can't see what He's doing, but as soon as your request went forward in faith, He is moving behind the scenes to make the right things happen for you. That is why we walk by faith and not by sight. Please remember this.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Father's Day by Gene McGuire, Guest Writer (Sunday, June 10, 2007)
The Family Good News -Letter
23rd Year June 17, 2007
Dear Friends and Family,
Father’s Day has never been a big deal to me until some 25 years ago; you see, I never really knew my biological dad. I am told that we had contact until I was about 5 years old, but my only recollections are those told to me by my three sisters. Eugene, Sr., supposedly, was a great dad but left a lot to be desired as a husband. It is alleged that he was quite a musician, loved to sing, had an outgoing, pleasant personality and got along with people very well. His fatal flaw – something my mother just couldn't deal with – was his love for booze. I know what he looks like because I have a picture of him in my bedroom. Now, I could say that I love my Dad, but those would be just empty words because I never really knew him first hand. I can’t recall him ever buying me ice cream from the Good Humor Man, tucking me into bed, or even telling me that he loves me. Basically I am saying that in order to truthfully say I love my father, I must know him first. Unless there is meaningful interaction between two individuals no intimate relationship is possible.
Fortunately, In 1982 I found a Father that I can truthfully say “I love with all my heart”. I love this Father because He loved me first. (1 John 4:19) We all know that love is an action word and He proved His love for me by giving His only begotten Son so that I could receive Eternal Life. (John 3:16) I've gotten to know Him more and more as I read His Word, receive biblical teaching and communicate with Him in prayer. Romans 8:15 tells us that I can cry out to My Father using the term Abba, Father!!! I've been told that this Aramaic word is an endearing and affectionate term that can be translated Papa God!!! He loads me up with His blessings daily. There are so many aspects about My Father that thrill and overwhelm me, but His accessibility has got to be very close to the top of the list. I don't have to make an appointment with Him, He’s never on vacation, and He doesn't even take an afternoon snooze. I can come into His presence anytime I wish; be it for a personal need, interceding for others, or just to praise and worship Him. And I can most assuredly attest to the validity of the Scripture that tells us that “In His presence there is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11) Some years ago a brother and sister singing duet called The Carpenters recorded a tune that aptly fits this situation to a tee. I believe the song was meant to give adoration from one human being to another, but in my book, "To Know Him is to Love Him" applies exclusively to My Heavenly Father. The more I know about His love, mercy, compassion and unmerited favor, the more I love Him.
Let me ask you a question: Is my Father your Father? Just because we're both human beings does not mean that we're related! Don't fall for that “Brotherhood of Man” baloney being bantered about. There are two distinct families on this planet: the Family of God and the family of the devil. (John 8:44, Eph. 2:3 and Romans 5:12) Psalm 51:5 tells us that everyone of us has been born in iniquity and conceived in sin. Here’s a quote from the Amplified Bible: Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful]. If you want to point a finger, direct it to our ancient ancestors, Adam and Eve. But accusations and recriminations won't help; we're got to deal with the situation as is. Just get over It!!!! The fact of the matter is that none of us are going to get out of this life alive, but if you don't have the right family affiliation when that physical death occurs, you'll miss Heaven and will spend your eternity in Hell. (Matt. 10:28, Luke 12:5 and Rev. 20:13:-15)
Now here’s a question that I've been asked before: “If your Father is so loving and merciful, why does He sends people to Hell?” The answer is that Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, not for us human beings. (2 Peter 2:4 and Matt. 25:41) furthermore, the Good Book proclaims that God desires that no person should perish, but that all would be saved. (Matt. 18:14) The choice is up to each individual. I believe the Almighty understands that all of us are not born rocket scientists so He made Salvation extremely simple to understand. The person who recognizes his or her need for a Savior and acts on that revelation by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has this result: But as many as received Him [JESUS] He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Gene McGuire, noted Internet columnist is a frequent Guest Writer at our site and we are privileged. You'll be Blessed by his insights and his wisdom.
PLEASE NOTE: Happy Fathers Day to those with children and or who have the Fathering spirit. All the best.
23rd Year June 17, 2007
Dear Friends and Family,
Father’s Day has never been a big deal to me until some 25 years ago; you see, I never really knew my biological dad. I am told that we had contact until I was about 5 years old, but my only recollections are those told to me by my three sisters. Eugene, Sr., supposedly, was a great dad but left a lot to be desired as a husband. It is alleged that he was quite a musician, loved to sing, had an outgoing, pleasant personality and got along with people very well. His fatal flaw – something my mother just couldn't deal with – was his love for booze. I know what he looks like because I have a picture of him in my bedroom. Now, I could say that I love my Dad, but those would be just empty words because I never really knew him first hand. I can’t recall him ever buying me ice cream from the Good Humor Man, tucking me into bed, or even telling me that he loves me. Basically I am saying that in order to truthfully say I love my father, I must know him first. Unless there is meaningful interaction between two individuals no intimate relationship is possible.
Fortunately, In 1982 I found a Father that I can truthfully say “I love with all my heart”. I love this Father because He loved me first. (1 John 4:19) We all know that love is an action word and He proved His love for me by giving His only begotten Son so that I could receive Eternal Life. (John 3:16) I've gotten to know Him more and more as I read His Word, receive biblical teaching and communicate with Him in prayer. Romans 8:15 tells us that I can cry out to My Father using the term Abba, Father!!! I've been told that this Aramaic word is an endearing and affectionate term that can be translated Papa God!!! He loads me up with His blessings daily. There are so many aspects about My Father that thrill and overwhelm me, but His accessibility has got to be very close to the top of the list. I don't have to make an appointment with Him, He’s never on vacation, and He doesn't even take an afternoon snooze. I can come into His presence anytime I wish; be it for a personal need, interceding for others, or just to praise and worship Him. And I can most assuredly attest to the validity of the Scripture that tells us that “In His presence there is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11) Some years ago a brother and sister singing duet called The Carpenters recorded a tune that aptly fits this situation to a tee. I believe the song was meant to give adoration from one human being to another, but in my book, "To Know Him is to Love Him" applies exclusively to My Heavenly Father. The more I know about His love, mercy, compassion and unmerited favor, the more I love Him.
Let me ask you a question: Is my Father your Father? Just because we're both human beings does not mean that we're related! Don't fall for that “Brotherhood of Man” baloney being bantered about. There are two distinct families on this planet: the Family of God and the family of the devil. (John 8:44, Eph. 2:3 and Romans 5:12) Psalm 51:5 tells us that everyone of us has been born in iniquity and conceived in sin. Here’s a quote from the Amplified Bible: Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful]. If you want to point a finger, direct it to our ancient ancestors, Adam and Eve. But accusations and recriminations won't help; we're got to deal with the situation as is. Just get over It!!!! The fact of the matter is that none of us are going to get out of this life alive, but if you don't have the right family affiliation when that physical death occurs, you'll miss Heaven and will spend your eternity in Hell. (Matt. 10:28, Luke 12:5 and Rev. 20:13:-15)
Now here’s a question that I've been asked before: “If your Father is so loving and merciful, why does He sends people to Hell?” The answer is that Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, not for us human beings. (2 Peter 2:4 and Matt. 25:41) furthermore, the Good Book proclaims that God desires that no person should perish, but that all would be saved. (Matt. 18:14) The choice is up to each individual. I believe the Almighty understands that all of us are not born rocket scientists so He made Salvation extremely simple to understand. The person who recognizes his or her need for a Savior and acts on that revelation by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has this result: But as many as received Him [JESUS] He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12)
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Gene McGuire, noted Internet columnist is a frequent Guest Writer at our site and we are privileged. You'll be Blessed by his insights and his wisdom.
PLEASE NOTE: Happy Fathers Day to those with children and or who have the Fathering spirit. All the best.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Stay in your lane by Elaine Davenport (Friday, June 8, 2007)
Having a prayer life can change your life. It will help you to move closer to God. It's amazing how many believers do not have a prayer life; but clearly that's not my call, not for me to judge.
See, we've all got to stay in our lane. If we get out of our lane, we get off the path of God's perfect will for us. That could cost us a lot including time.
A dear friend had a clear mandate from God as to what she was called to do. At the time, I did as well. However, her mandate seemed stronger because she talked about it more, so before I knew it; I was on her path. It took me over a year to get back on my own path. This is for somebody. Who knows what I missed when I was on my friend's path and not my own?
So today, I say to you all; appreciate and understand the path that others are on and if they don't know yet, pray for them. But as far as you are concerned; stay in your lane. IF you're completing an assignment where you are truly called by God; He'll make it easy for you. Be well.
See, we've all got to stay in our lane. If we get out of our lane, we get off the path of God's perfect will for us. That could cost us a lot including time.
A dear friend had a clear mandate from God as to what she was called to do. At the time, I did as well. However, her mandate seemed stronger because she talked about it more, so before I knew it; I was on her path. It took me over a year to get back on my own path. This is for somebody. Who knows what I missed when I was on my friend's path and not my own?
So today, I say to you all; appreciate and understand the path that others are on and if they don't know yet, pray for them. But as far as you are concerned; stay in your lane. IF you're completing an assignment where you are truly called by God; He'll make it easy for you. Be well.
Tell him off and mean it! (Conclusion) by Elaine Davenport (Thursday, June 7, 2007)
Of course you know that as soon as I began my series on identifying Satan and calling him out to put him in his place; he set me up. But that's okay too, because that just lets me know that I'm on the right track. All is well.
Just like you speak to people who make you mad with a directness, you have to speak to Satan. I don't have to act crazy when I talk to people or to Satan. This is a good example of what you can say:
Satan, you have no credibility with me, none whatsoever. Now listen to me good: I see you in every false situation, you can't hide from me. You have no legal right to afflict me or mine so get your filthy hands off of this situation. You're the lowest low, murdering, stealing and lying is your profession and I regard you not! Just in case you forgot; Jesus bore all our sins and griefs on the cross at Calvary and as a born again card carrying believer, I've been redeemed from poverty, sickness and spiritual death. Nothing you can do can hurt me. I have power over you, I resist you and you have to flee, so move along..in the Authority of Jesis; I speak to you so bow and run!
When you speak to the devil: mean it and don't be afraid, he's afraid of you and your knowing the truth!
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Just like you speak to people who make you mad with a directness, you have to speak to Satan. I don't have to act crazy when I talk to people or to Satan. This is a good example of what you can say:
Satan, you have no credibility with me, none whatsoever. Now listen to me good: I see you in every false situation, you can't hide from me. You have no legal right to afflict me or mine so get your filthy hands off of this situation. You're the lowest low, murdering, stealing and lying is your profession and I regard you not! Just in case you forgot; Jesus bore all our sins and griefs on the cross at Calvary and as a born again card carrying believer, I've been redeemed from poverty, sickness and spiritual death. Nothing you can do can hurt me. I have power over you, I resist you and you have to flee, so move along..in the Authority of Jesis; I speak to you so bow and run!
When you speak to the devil: mean it and don't be afraid, he's afraid of you and your knowing the truth!
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Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Tell him off and mean it (Part Two) by Elaine Davenport (Wednesday, June 6, 2007)
Note: Don't try to skim this. Just Read Part One first, you'll be glad you did. E
I see it all the time, it's an ugly thing. Unbelief,Fear and Discomfort. This is what happens to people one symptom or another when it comes to Satan. Even seasoned believers grapple with these obstacles, so don't feel bad. I have 3 sets of three word phrases to say to you: Get over it. Stand him down. Tell him off. Get focused. Here's what Webster's 1828 Dictionary has to say about that :
UNBELIE'F, n.
1. Incredulity; the withholding of belief; as, unbelief is blind.
2. Infidelity; disbelief of divine revelation.
3. In the New Testament, disbelief of the truth of the gospel, rejection of Christ as the Savior of men, and of the doctrines he taught; distrust of God's promises and faithfulness, &c. Matt. 13. Mark 16. Heb. 3. Rom. 4.
4. Weak faith. Mark 9.
FEAR, v.t. [L. vereor.]
1. To feel a painful apprehension of some impending evil; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotions of alarm or solicitude. We fear the approach of an enemy or of a storm. We have reason to fear the punishment of our sins.
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Ps. 23.
2. To reverence; to have a reverential awe; to venerate.
This do, and live: for I fear God. Gen. 42.
3. To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach by fear, or by a scarecrow. [This seems to be the primary meaning, but now obsolete.]
We must not make a scarecrow of the law, setting it up to fear the birds of prey.
(non reverential) FEAR, v.i. To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtility, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2Cor. 11.
Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Gen. 15.
FEAR, n. A companion. [Not in use. See Peer.]
DISCOMFORT, n. [dis and comfort.] Uneasiness; disturbance of peace; pain; grief; inquietude.
DISCOMFORT, v.t. To disturb peace or happiness; to make uneasy; to pain; to grieve; to sadden; to deject.
Figure out which category you fall in and deal with it. Tune in tomorrow and we;ll talk about the next step.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I see it all the time, it's an ugly thing. Unbelief,Fear and Discomfort. This is what happens to people one symptom or another when it comes to Satan. Even seasoned believers grapple with these obstacles, so don't feel bad. I have 3 sets of three word phrases to say to you: Get over it. Stand him down. Tell him off. Get focused. Here's what Webster's 1828 Dictionary has to say about that :
UNBELIE'F, n.
1. Incredulity; the withholding of belief; as, unbelief is blind.
2. Infidelity; disbelief of divine revelation.
3. In the New Testament, disbelief of the truth of the gospel, rejection of Christ as the Savior of men, and of the doctrines he taught; distrust of God's promises and faithfulness, &c. Matt. 13. Mark 16. Heb. 3. Rom. 4.
4. Weak faith. Mark 9.
FEAR, v.t. [L. vereor.]
1. To feel a painful apprehension of some impending evil; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotions of alarm or solicitude. We fear the approach of an enemy or of a storm. We have reason to fear the punishment of our sins.
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Ps. 23.
2. To reverence; to have a reverential awe; to venerate.
This do, and live: for I fear God. Gen. 42.
3. To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach by fear, or by a scarecrow. [This seems to be the primary meaning, but now obsolete.]
We must not make a scarecrow of the law, setting it up to fear the birds of prey.
(non reverential) FEAR, v.i. To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtility, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2Cor. 11.
Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Gen. 15.
FEAR, n. A companion. [Not in use. See Peer.]
DISCOMFORT, n. [dis and comfort.] Uneasiness; disturbance of peace; pain; grief; inquietude.
DISCOMFORT, v.t. To disturb peace or happiness; to make uneasy; to pain; to grieve; to sadden; to deject.
Figure out which category you fall in and deal with it. Tune in tomorrow and we;ll talk about the next step.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Tell him off and mean it (PART ONE) by Elaine Davenport ( Tuesday, June 4, 2007)
When my daughter was about thirteen years of age she had trouble at school from other children. Let me make it clear that I was not even a baby Christian then, smile; more like a newborn. My daughter would ride home on the school bus and kids would pick on her, ridicule her and call her names and tell jokes on her and she would do nothing or say nothing. She was really shy and easily intimidated. I taught my children never to fight or spar words with other people. They have adhered to that to this day though many years have passed.
When I first heard about a group of children from our neighborhood picking on her and pushing her; I almost couldn't believe it. I needed to see it for myself. So, I took off from work one day and drove home to meet the bus. When I turned the corner in my husbands car, I was surprised by what I saw. Two boys from around the block were pushing my daughter and my looking at them had no effect whatsoever. My daughter never turned around. I guess she though there was nothing that she could do, so she appeared to be accepting the pushing from rear with no response. I yelled out: "Hey, what are you doing?" One boy, the main perpetrator was quite proud to say: "I'm pushing her, I can't stand her." I replied: "I'm her mother, you better stop." Then I got out of my car.
There were about 5 kids in on it and they all were shocked to see me. I talked to them all at one time. I looked each of them in the eye and I didn't smile. I was furious. However, I wasn't about to act like a parent with no control, embarrassing myself or ending up on the five o'clock news. Each to his own, but that's not my style.
I pointed them out individually and I told them: "She lived here before all of you. In fact, I remember when you all moved in and she was the only one who not only befriended you, but introduced you to everyone else. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. I'm going to see your parents and tell them just how you are and what you've done. One little boy yelled: "My mom doesn't speak English." My reply: "Does she know the word lawsuit? Tell her I'm coming."
I only went to see one parent. That was all that was necessary. It never happened again. Word spread to watch out for me. I TOOK MY AUTHORITY AS A PARENT AND THE PROBLEM STOPPED.
Now let's talk about Satan
He'll not only pick on your children, he'll do it to anyone you know including you and the only problem is that you can't see him.
Jesus talked about him. This is what he said:
He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies (John 8:44).
Then he said:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10: 10
The Bible says:
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace... 1 Corinthians 14:33
The Bible even illustrates Satan's capability of entering into people and influencing their actions:
John 13:27 What thou doest, do quickly - This is not a permission, much less a command. It is only as if he had said, If thou art determined to do it, why dost thou delay? Hereby showing Judas, that he could not be hid, and expressing his own readiness to suffer.
If you want to know your enemy you need to study him:
These are references to Satan. Satan is real, you can't see him; but he is real. He's not a joke, but he IS under your feet. He gets his advantage if you don't know this, if you're afraid and when you don't believe this. He hopes that you don't.
*Unclean spirit (Matthew 12: 43)
* Evil one (Matthew 13: 19 )
* An adversary like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. ( 1 Peter 5: 8)
Now it's time for you to change your approach towards Satan. The average person gets madder at a fly or a mosquito than Satan. It's only a limited number of saints who even know how to talk to him in an effective way. Most people are just happy to know someone who has authority to call him out and tell him off, but they won't always be around.
It's time for you to tell Satan off and mean it.
That's what we're going to focus on and talk about tomorrow.
PART ONE
When I first heard about a group of children from our neighborhood picking on her and pushing her; I almost couldn't believe it. I needed to see it for myself. So, I took off from work one day and drove home to meet the bus. When I turned the corner in my husbands car, I was surprised by what I saw. Two boys from around the block were pushing my daughter and my looking at them had no effect whatsoever. My daughter never turned around. I guess she though there was nothing that she could do, so she appeared to be accepting the pushing from rear with no response. I yelled out: "Hey, what are you doing?" One boy, the main perpetrator was quite proud to say: "I'm pushing her, I can't stand her." I replied: "I'm her mother, you better stop." Then I got out of my car.
There were about 5 kids in on it and they all were shocked to see me. I talked to them all at one time. I looked each of them in the eye and I didn't smile. I was furious. However, I wasn't about to act like a parent with no control, embarrassing myself or ending up on the five o'clock news. Each to his own, but that's not my style.
I pointed them out individually and I told them: "She lived here before all of you. In fact, I remember when you all moved in and she was the only one who not only befriended you, but introduced you to everyone else. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. I'm going to see your parents and tell them just how you are and what you've done. One little boy yelled: "My mom doesn't speak English." My reply: "Does she know the word lawsuit? Tell her I'm coming."
I only went to see one parent. That was all that was necessary. It never happened again. Word spread to watch out for me. I TOOK MY AUTHORITY AS A PARENT AND THE PROBLEM STOPPED.
Now let's talk about Satan
He'll not only pick on your children, he'll do it to anyone you know including you and the only problem is that you can't see him.
Jesus talked about him. This is what he said:
He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies (John 8:44).
Then he said:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10: 10
The Bible says:
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace... 1 Corinthians 14:33
The Bible even illustrates Satan's capability of entering into people and influencing their actions:
John 13:27 What thou doest, do quickly - This is not a permission, much less a command. It is only as if he had said, If thou art determined to do it, why dost thou delay? Hereby showing Judas, that he could not be hid, and expressing his own readiness to suffer.
If you want to know your enemy you need to study him:
These are references to Satan. Satan is real, you can't see him; but he is real. He's not a joke, but he IS under your feet. He gets his advantage if you don't know this, if you're afraid and when you don't believe this. He hopes that you don't.
*Unclean spirit (Matthew 12: 43)
* Evil one (Matthew 13: 19 )
* An adversary like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. ( 1 Peter 5: 8)
Now it's time for you to change your approach towards Satan. The average person gets madder at a fly or a mosquito than Satan. It's only a limited number of saints who even know how to talk to him in an effective way. Most people are just happy to know someone who has authority to call him out and tell him off, but they won't always be around.
It's time for you to tell Satan off and mean it.
That's what we're going to focus on and talk about tomorrow.
PART ONE
Saturday, June 2, 2007
You've been chosen by Elaine Davenport (Monday, June 4, 2007)
…who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
(KJV) Esther 4: 14
Hello Friend! God Bless you today! You and your family, your friends and their families too. I have been thinking about you for some time. I thank God for you and the example that you give to us all. It is amazing you know, that each person has a special God given characteristic that can bring peace, light, wisdom and joy to someone else. That is how I see you. I’ve been thinking of you and just want to run some things by you. Please join me in prayer when you have a quiet moment, in our effort to continuously send petitions of prayer for those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Just your one prayer can put a thousand angels to flight. Bless God!
Several years ago, I came off of the freeway driving pretty fast. I had just bought a new car, but I wasn’t excited about that. I was anxious to get home. In my mind I became convinced that I had to see my family before something happened to them. My mind was shooting thoughts: “What if you never see John anymore?” “What is the last thing that you said to him?” “Did you tell him that you loved him?” “Did you tell the children that you loved them?” The questions were coming in rapid succession. I starting driving faster and faster even though I was only four blocks from my house. Smile. Did I have any reason to be anxious? Had I gotten an emergency call summoning me home? The answer to both questions is NO.
By the way, I arrived home and nothing was wrong. As soon as I saw my family I realized that my thoughts were off base. There was no reason for me to panic like that. It was a symptom that something was lacking, that something was needed; but I hadn’t a clue what to do.
Sometimes our bodies send out physical indicators. Sometimes we have financial smoke signals in our lives. Sometimes we have emotional or mental symptoms that bother us. Did you know that we get spiritual symptoms that are sometimes good and sometimes bad?
My feelings on that day were out of control, I experienced fear, worry and anxiety. I had no peace, no true happiness; in fact I didn’t really know what it was (happiness). Looking back I had a “earth” happiness. Joy? What was that? It wasn’t even in my vocabulary because that was just a “seasonal” word. I didn’t have low self esteem; I just had less. My panic in the car was just another outward expression of my hopelessness at that time. During that time, I basically never slept; my mind just raced every night with “what ifs.” It’s a miracle that I didn’t have horrible bags under my eyes and that I was so agreeable most of the time. I knew deep inside that there was a better way for me. I decided to follow that instinct. My search took me on a journey that I will never forget.
Last night, I stayed up so that I could explain it to you. I got “chose.” I know it’s not proper English; but that’s what happened! That’s what we used to say when I was growing up. Smile.
Imagine that you’ve fallen in love. You’ve met someone wonderful; they are the best thing that has ever happened to you. They want the best for you, they love how you look, they applaud your desires, they encourage you and fully support you, they know your past and it doesn’t bother them; they just forget it…permanently never to be brought up again. When you look at them you see nothing but beauty; nothing but LOVE . Wow! For the first time in your life you have met someone with no earthly shortcomings…in other words if you told your friends about this relationship; they’d say: “That’s too good to be true.” That love that you experience has put a fire in you, a passion for the things that are right. You now have a bold confidence that you always saw in others/wanted. You’ve become transformed. You are not your old self. People who knew you before can’t believe the change in you. You’re full of love and have a heart of compassion for others. In fact, you no longer accept strife, you avoid anger, you’ve matured and you no longer judge others; just yourself. All of this has happened because of this wonderful bond that you now have. That’s how it is with God and that’s only the beginning, He’ll be with you forever only loving you more. You can’t even believe it’s real; but you know it is…that’s how you start using the word: “JOY.” In an imperfect world; you have been singled out to have a perfect relationship with Him!
My journey led me to the only solution for me. I gave my life to Christ…fully. I needed some invincibility and I got it. When we are born again, we have eternal invincibility and the devil would love to see us lose it- he brings trials, conflicts and confusion of the financial, the physical, of the mind or in whatever area; hoping that we will give up our invincibility; because otherwise he can’t defeat us…and we know he’s a defeated foe! ETERNAL INVINCIBILITY…WOW! So stand! Invincible= unbeatable, unshakeable, unconquerable!
My message to you is a reminder that: You’ve been chosen!
*You’ve been chosen to take authority over your problems and challenges. You’ve been given the keys to the kingdom, instructions on how to overcome any problem.
*Again, you’ve been chosen to do some special things that only YOU can do at a special time, and you HAVE TO do them. Don’t MISS your window.
*You’ve been chosen to speak to some people in certain situations and you HAVE TO speak to them.
*You’ve been chosen to spread the good news of God and you HAVE TO do it.
*You’ve been chosen to love your neighbor as yourself and you HAVE TO do it.
*You’ve been chosen to pray for others and you HAVE To pray for them.
*You’ve been chosen to set the Godly example and you HAVE TO set it.
*You’ve been chosen to stand and fight for the kingdom of God and you HAVE TO stand and fight.
*You’ve been chosen for many things… but especially for such a time as this, but you HAVE TO take action! I’m so glad! Love Sister Elaine Davenport
ADDENDUM……… I say this with the greatest humility for to God be the Glory……..
As many of you know this letter began many months ago when I found out that three young friends had been diagnosed with cancer. My heart was touched. Vivid memories of the terrible brain tumor that tried to take me down (and failed) came rushing back. I knew that they needed encouragement so I began to write them to tell them how they could look to God for their healings. Faith strengthened and healing came profoundly and the letter continued. Eventually it began to reach more and more people into the higher hundreds.
This letter is also Online. It goes all over the world now to Japan, to Germany, to Iraq, to Puerto Rico and I understand even to Sweden; as well as the United States. God is Awesome! I was as shocked as you are when I found out that the letter was traveling; but I shouldn’t have been!
Last month, when the Victory letter was sent out ONLINE (the same one that you received)… an email came back immediately from Atlanta, Georgia. It was from a wonderful longtime friend Cynthia Johnson who was frustrated! (My friend Cynthia formed a foundation to feed children in Africa.) Bless God that she recently formed a partnership with Bruce Wilkinson who wrote The Prayer of Jabez; to plant well over one hundred thousand gardens in Africa! )
Well Cynthia told me that the letter arrived just in time and that she wanted me to agree in prayer with her; as she was stuck in Georgia trying to get to Soweto in Africa. That there was a labor strike and not only was her plane delayed; but she needed to get to Australia for an ordination for an Apostle as well. You know what she said in her email that just really stuck in my heart? She said: “Elaine, I just need you to agree with me in prayer” and then she went on with the problem.
It was Divine that I was on the computer at the exact time that the email came in!
YES, I HAD NO PROBLEM AGREEING WITH HER IN PRAYER!
We went off on the devil period point blank and in our email and we demanded that he cease and desist! We called the strike OVER! We called for FAVOR and favor we got! I agreed with Cynthia in Prayer and she with I. We celebrated her Victory and gave thanks! Beforehand…….The next email that I got from her I did not see until the next morning; she said the strike was over and she was on her way to Africa and then Australia. HALLELUJAH! I yelled out something like: GOD IS! We just have to stand in faith! WE CAN do this!
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(KJV) Esther 4: 14
Hello Friend! God Bless you today! You and your family, your friends and their families too. I have been thinking about you for some time. I thank God for you and the example that you give to us all. It is amazing you know, that each person has a special God given characteristic that can bring peace, light, wisdom and joy to someone else. That is how I see you. I’ve been thinking of you and just want to run some things by you. Please join me in prayer when you have a quiet moment, in our effort to continuously send petitions of prayer for those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Just your one prayer can put a thousand angels to flight. Bless God!
Several years ago, I came off of the freeway driving pretty fast. I had just bought a new car, but I wasn’t excited about that. I was anxious to get home. In my mind I became convinced that I had to see my family before something happened to them. My mind was shooting thoughts: “What if you never see John anymore?” “What is the last thing that you said to him?” “Did you tell him that you loved him?” “Did you tell the children that you loved them?” The questions were coming in rapid succession. I starting driving faster and faster even though I was only four blocks from my house. Smile. Did I have any reason to be anxious? Had I gotten an emergency call summoning me home? The answer to both questions is NO.
By the way, I arrived home and nothing was wrong. As soon as I saw my family I realized that my thoughts were off base. There was no reason for me to panic like that. It was a symptom that something was lacking, that something was needed; but I hadn’t a clue what to do.
Sometimes our bodies send out physical indicators. Sometimes we have financial smoke signals in our lives. Sometimes we have emotional or mental symptoms that bother us. Did you know that we get spiritual symptoms that are sometimes good and sometimes bad?
My feelings on that day were out of control, I experienced fear, worry and anxiety. I had no peace, no true happiness; in fact I didn’t really know what it was (happiness). Looking back I had a “earth” happiness. Joy? What was that? It wasn’t even in my vocabulary because that was just a “seasonal” word. I didn’t have low self esteem; I just had less. My panic in the car was just another outward expression of my hopelessness at that time. During that time, I basically never slept; my mind just raced every night with “what ifs.” It’s a miracle that I didn’t have horrible bags under my eyes and that I was so agreeable most of the time. I knew deep inside that there was a better way for me. I decided to follow that instinct. My search took me on a journey that I will never forget.
Last night, I stayed up so that I could explain it to you. I got “chose.” I know it’s not proper English; but that’s what happened! That’s what we used to say when I was growing up. Smile.
Imagine that you’ve fallen in love. You’ve met someone wonderful; they are the best thing that has ever happened to you. They want the best for you, they love how you look, they applaud your desires, they encourage you and fully support you, they know your past and it doesn’t bother them; they just forget it…permanently never to be brought up again. When you look at them you see nothing but beauty; nothing but LOVE . Wow! For the first time in your life you have met someone with no earthly shortcomings…in other words if you told your friends about this relationship; they’d say: “That’s too good to be true.” That love that you experience has put a fire in you, a passion for the things that are right. You now have a bold confidence that you always saw in others/wanted. You’ve become transformed. You are not your old self. People who knew you before can’t believe the change in you. You’re full of love and have a heart of compassion for others. In fact, you no longer accept strife, you avoid anger, you’ve matured and you no longer judge others; just yourself. All of this has happened because of this wonderful bond that you now have. That’s how it is with God and that’s only the beginning, He’ll be with you forever only loving you more. You can’t even believe it’s real; but you know it is…that’s how you start using the word: “JOY.” In an imperfect world; you have been singled out to have a perfect relationship with Him!
My journey led me to the only solution for me. I gave my life to Christ…fully. I needed some invincibility and I got it. When we are born again, we have eternal invincibility and the devil would love to see us lose it- he brings trials, conflicts and confusion of the financial, the physical, of the mind or in whatever area; hoping that we will give up our invincibility; because otherwise he can’t defeat us…and we know he’s a defeated foe! ETERNAL INVINCIBILITY…WOW! So stand! Invincible= unbeatable, unshakeable, unconquerable!
My message to you is a reminder that: You’ve been chosen!
*You’ve been chosen to take authority over your problems and challenges. You’ve been given the keys to the kingdom, instructions on how to overcome any problem.
*Again, you’ve been chosen to do some special things that only YOU can do at a special time, and you HAVE TO do them. Don’t MISS your window.
*You’ve been chosen to speak to some people in certain situations and you HAVE TO speak to them.
*You’ve been chosen to spread the good news of God and you HAVE TO do it.
*You’ve been chosen to love your neighbor as yourself and you HAVE TO do it.
*You’ve been chosen to pray for others and you HAVE To pray for them.
*You’ve been chosen to set the Godly example and you HAVE TO set it.
*You’ve been chosen to stand and fight for the kingdom of God and you HAVE TO stand and fight.
*You’ve been chosen for many things… but especially for such a time as this, but you HAVE TO take action! I’m so glad! Love Sister Elaine Davenport
ADDENDUM……… I say this with the greatest humility for to God be the Glory……..
As many of you know this letter began many months ago when I found out that three young friends had been diagnosed with cancer. My heart was touched. Vivid memories of the terrible brain tumor that tried to take me down (and failed) came rushing back. I knew that they needed encouragement so I began to write them to tell them how they could look to God for their healings. Faith strengthened and healing came profoundly and the letter continued. Eventually it began to reach more and more people into the higher hundreds.
This letter is also Online. It goes all over the world now to Japan, to Germany, to Iraq, to Puerto Rico and I understand even to Sweden; as well as the United States. God is Awesome! I was as shocked as you are when I found out that the letter was traveling; but I shouldn’t have been!
Last month, when the Victory letter was sent out ONLINE (the same one that you received)… an email came back immediately from Atlanta, Georgia. It was from a wonderful longtime friend Cynthia Johnson who was frustrated! (My friend Cynthia formed a foundation to feed children in Africa.) Bless God that she recently formed a partnership with Bruce Wilkinson who wrote The Prayer of Jabez; to plant well over one hundred thousand gardens in Africa! )
Well Cynthia told me that the letter arrived just in time and that she wanted me to agree in prayer with her; as she was stuck in Georgia trying to get to Soweto in Africa. That there was a labor strike and not only was her plane delayed; but she needed to get to Australia for an ordination for an Apostle as well. You know what she said in her email that just really stuck in my heart? She said: “Elaine, I just need you to agree with me in prayer” and then she went on with the problem.
It was Divine that I was on the computer at the exact time that the email came in!
YES, I HAD NO PROBLEM AGREEING WITH HER IN PRAYER!
We went off on the devil period point blank and in our email and we demanded that he cease and desist! We called the strike OVER! We called for FAVOR and favor we got! I agreed with Cynthia in Prayer and she with I. We celebrated her Victory and gave thanks! Beforehand…….The next email that I got from her I did not see until the next morning; she said the strike was over and she was on her way to Africa and then Australia. HALLELUJAH! I yelled out something like: GOD IS! We just have to stand in faith! WE CAN do this!
______________________________________________________________________________________
AN ANGELIC DELIVERY by ELAINE DAVENPORT(Sunday, June 3, 2007)
Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16: 15
Dear __________, How are you today? God Bless you and your family. I think about you a lot. I really do. I also pray for you. I don’t know what’s going on but your name keep coming up in my head and you’re on my heart a lot. You are a very nice person. You are a good person. It brings to mind a letter that I received from a dear friend by the name of Ruth Bankston.
Ruth left a message for me on my doorstep one day. I opened it up and it said: Elaine, you are a really nice person. You are a good person; you do so many beneficial things for the community. She went on to imply that I was pretty good at serving others unselfishly…and then she hit me with some words that would change my life. And so, of course; now I am going to say them to you:
ARE YOU FEEDING YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY?
Now maybe if you’re reading this letter, you might have a
long list of responses and I’ll say this: Who can tell? (that you’re feeding yourself and those around you spiritually)
I say this to encourage you to share what you know, to pass it on as though it is contagious. PLEASE!
When I read that letter, I was stumped. The question haunted me: What was this all about?... I thought. ( ARE YOU FEEDING YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY?) It really made me think. I felt guilty. What was I doing to myself? It’s a very simple question. I wasn’t even sure what the answer was, but when I became truthful with myself the answer was a FLAT OUT NO, I WAS FEEDING MY FACE (don’t laugh) but not my spirit. I’m just keeping it real ! I didn’t even know it was a problem until Ruth left that note on the doorstep.
That’s when I found out that I was spiritually starved! You see, I had never really thought about it. But from my background in life;
I just knew that there was something to this. Raised from a small child in the Lutheran church; I clearly knew that I was a spirit being.
I started thinking and thinking about that. My investigation led me to a new spiritual level. I took on some new habits. I started reading, hearing and speaking the Word of God and I found out that my spirit was just waiting for me to WAKE UP! I had a new walk, a new talk…I changed. Even after I realized all of this as you probably do too; I had to take extra care to protect myself to KEEP these good habits and to keep my spirit on full.
For those of you who are “seasoned” believers on a sure spiritual track…stay on guard. Don’t let anything get you off track. Don’t let anything slip…. The bible warns us in 1Peter 5: 8
(Peter commands saints to) Be sober, be circumspect, be cool, be marked by self-control, show sound moral judgment (Do it now. It is urgent). Be alert, vigilant, wide awake (Do it now. It is urgent). Your opponent (adversary) like a lion continually roaring and howling, is continuously walking around (pacing back and forth), continuously seeking to drink (you) down and devour (you).
I invite you to begin your own investigation NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE AT OR THINK YOU ARE OR AT. You have to do this my friend. And if you do…your life will get better (yes, it can even get better than it is now) and so will the lives of everyone who comes in contact with you.
I thank God for my friend Ruth Bankston. You see, she took the time to ask me that question and when she did; she gave me a gift. She thought me worthy of it. The gift…that gift was priceless! My life is changed. All because she cared. All because she loved God so much that when He asked her to say that to me…she didn’t blink an eye; she just did it! She had no way of knowing that I was really ready to receive it. I am humbled and I am thankful. If you don’t believe me, feed your spirit to see if my words are true. In the meantime, if you’ll just pass this gift on- you’ll be Blessed. Thank you and stay in touch. Love Sister Elaine
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dear __________, How are you today? God Bless you and your family. I think about you a lot. I really do. I also pray for you. I don’t know what’s going on but your name keep coming up in my head and you’re on my heart a lot. You are a very nice person. You are a good person. It brings to mind a letter that I received from a dear friend by the name of Ruth Bankston.
Ruth left a message for me on my doorstep one day. I opened it up and it said: Elaine, you are a really nice person. You are a good person; you do so many beneficial things for the community. She went on to imply that I was pretty good at serving others unselfishly…and then she hit me with some words that would change my life. And so, of course; now I am going to say them to you:
ARE YOU FEEDING YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY?
Now maybe if you’re reading this letter, you might have a
long list of responses and I’ll say this: Who can tell? (that you’re feeding yourself and those around you spiritually)
I say this to encourage you to share what you know, to pass it on as though it is contagious. PLEASE!
When I read that letter, I was stumped. The question haunted me: What was this all about?... I thought. ( ARE YOU FEEDING YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY?) It really made me think. I felt guilty. What was I doing to myself? It’s a very simple question. I wasn’t even sure what the answer was, but when I became truthful with myself the answer was a FLAT OUT NO, I WAS FEEDING MY FACE (don’t laugh) but not my spirit. I’m just keeping it real ! I didn’t even know it was a problem until Ruth left that note on the doorstep.
That’s when I found out that I was spiritually starved! You see, I had never really thought about it. But from my background in life;
I just knew that there was something to this. Raised from a small child in the Lutheran church; I clearly knew that I was a spirit being.
I started thinking and thinking about that. My investigation led me to a new spiritual level. I took on some new habits. I started reading, hearing and speaking the Word of God and I found out that my spirit was just waiting for me to WAKE UP! I had a new walk, a new talk…I changed. Even after I realized all of this as you probably do too; I had to take extra care to protect myself to KEEP these good habits and to keep my spirit on full.
For those of you who are “seasoned” believers on a sure spiritual track…stay on guard. Don’t let anything get you off track. Don’t let anything slip…. The bible warns us in 1Peter 5: 8
(Peter commands saints to) Be sober, be circumspect, be cool, be marked by self-control, show sound moral judgment (Do it now. It is urgent). Be alert, vigilant, wide awake (Do it now. It is urgent). Your opponent (adversary) like a lion continually roaring and howling, is continuously walking around (pacing back and forth), continuously seeking to drink (you) down and devour (you).
I invite you to begin your own investigation NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE AT OR THINK YOU ARE OR AT. You have to do this my friend. And if you do…your life will get better (yes, it can even get better than it is now) and so will the lives of everyone who comes in contact with you.
I thank God for my friend Ruth Bankston. You see, she took the time to ask me that question and when she did; she gave me a gift. She thought me worthy of it. The gift…that gift was priceless! My life is changed. All because she cared. All because she loved God so much that when He asked her to say that to me…she didn’t blink an eye; she just did it! She had no way of knowing that I was really ready to receive it. I am humbled and I am thankful. If you don’t believe me, feed your spirit to see if my words are true. In the meantime, if you’ll just pass this gift on- you’ll be Blessed. Thank you and stay in touch. Love Sister Elaine
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday, May 27, 2007
STRETCH YOUR FAITH By Elaine Davenport (Saturday, June 2, 2007)
Acts19 v. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; Not forsaking (neglecting) the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting (encouraging) one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10: 24,25
Dear Friend,
I prayed for you today. When I did, I got very emotional because I want to tell you in a way that you will not forget… that God loves you. It is not by coincidence that this letter arrived at your place wherever you are at this time in your life, on this very day.
Maybe your divine message will come by letter, but sometimes it will come in person. Mine did. My friend Ruth, left me the most beautiful note one day. She asked me if I had thought about feeding my spirit? When I got that note, I went and looked in the mirror. Did it show, I wondered? I was stumped. No one had ever asked me that question. While I was slowly mulling over my response, taking my own sweet time, I got really sick. Apparently I was already sick and just didn’t realize it. Well it looked like I was sick but I wasn’t. (HALLELUJAH) I almost fell for it too.
Overwrought and in despair, I ran to the bank. I had received the sentence of what I thought was certain death from the doctors and I tried to cover it up in my conversation with a friend from my post high school days that I ran into while standing in line. Thank God, my friend Adrienne wasn’t sold on my “faked” words that I was okay; which could not cover my spiritual deficiency. The truth was slipping out in the cracks.
I wasn’t well. My spirit was in turmoil and I was mentally down for the count. Her spirit told her that something wasn’t right and she practically delivered me right there on the spot. Now mind you, I was already pondering what to do about my spirit when God sent in the troops to rescue me.
Because she took the time to talk to me and tell me some things, I was able to claim my healing and I did. Think about that.
Is anything troubling you? Nothing, nothing is TOO BIG for God. How is your prayer life? I know that is a personal question, but I just want you to ask yourself that question. You know, how much time do you spend in prayer? Do you think that the results that you get far outweigh the investment of time? If you aren’t really certain, don’t feel bad. I’ ll give you the answer. THIS IS AN OPEN BOOK TEST. (Happy Face)
Here’s the answer: The more time that you spend thanking and praising God and praying, the better things will be. Try it.
You know, recently I conducted a focus group to try to assess how people viewed their faith. The results were amazing. What I found out is that most people feel that their faith is profound. I was encouraged by this; you should be too. It was a great experience for me.
I had to recently take my letter online. It is part of a bigger plan. In the past, I was not reaching enough people.
This is critical to the survival of this letter. (and it WILL survive) I realize that everyone is not online and will not be; but if you do have one, (an e-mail address) please send it to me. Instead of averaging 50 to 60 people (per month to a variety of people never fully being able to reach the 200 that I wanted to reach), the letters are now reaching 400 to 1,000 people (with increasing numbers.) each month.
*If you were one of the original bunch… (Which was around 300 people actually) THANK YOU. It was because of you and the fact that you are so very special that the message will pass on to even more people. I give a special thanks to the people who have thanked God, come together, for the miracles, the healings, the feet that never dashed against a stone, the prayers; those that stood in the gap and wrote notes, sent cards, sent e-mails, made phone calls, sent thanks, shared testimonies, called for prayer, I have especially enjoyed the contacts from total strangers, everything…it is amazing how the love of God affects us all.
Thanks to all of the people who wrote to Portia, she is much better thanks to your prayers. You’ll get a kick out of this. Last year, God reported that Portia
was healed of cancer. It took 8 months before her doctors agreed with that officially. WOULD YOU HAVE RATHER HAD THE FIRST OR THE SECOND REPORT IF YOU HAD CANCER?
I especially thank those of you who take the time to pass the message along; especially online to people that you know. My prayer is to see people healed and
made whole spiritually- to help the spiritually blind to see…I know because one time I was too(spiritually blind). I want to help those that can’t hear also but that’s another WHOLE letter. (smile)
I am personally asking you for a favor. No, I don’t need money. God takes care of me. Say something to someone today and please consider that you know someone who can benefit from this letter just as much as or more than you and help them. Maybe it’s not a letter that they need. Maybe they just need a hug, a card, a kind word, a good deed, a lift, something, a scripture, food, a bus ticket, a ride somewhere, a phone call, a bible, the Word of God, Jesus.
I’ll tell you a secret: MOST OF THE TIME IT ISN’T WHO YOU THINK IT IS. Please pray more, pray for guidance, pray for someone who needs a spiritual lift to call upon you. I pray for you and your family and friends daily and will continue on. Well, I’ve got to go. Remember that we ARE in a Holy season, a season of Blessings. You can get closer to God, even if you are already. Even if you are not. He chose you. You are special. He loves you. Be well. All is well over here. We finally have a name for this newsletter.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm 33 v. 12
______________________________________________________________________________________
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; Not forsaking (neglecting) the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting (encouraging) one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10: 24,25
Dear Friend,
I prayed for you today. When I did, I got very emotional because I want to tell you in a way that you will not forget… that God loves you. It is not by coincidence that this letter arrived at your place wherever you are at this time in your life, on this very day.
Maybe your divine message will come by letter, but sometimes it will come in person. Mine did. My friend Ruth, left me the most beautiful note one day. She asked me if I had thought about feeding my spirit? When I got that note, I went and looked in the mirror. Did it show, I wondered? I was stumped. No one had ever asked me that question. While I was slowly mulling over my response, taking my own sweet time, I got really sick. Apparently I was already sick and just didn’t realize it. Well it looked like I was sick but I wasn’t. (HALLELUJAH) I almost fell for it too.
Overwrought and in despair, I ran to the bank. I had received the sentence of what I thought was certain death from the doctors and I tried to cover it up in my conversation with a friend from my post high school days that I ran into while standing in line. Thank God, my friend Adrienne wasn’t sold on my “faked” words that I was okay; which could not cover my spiritual deficiency. The truth was slipping out in the cracks.
I wasn’t well. My spirit was in turmoil and I was mentally down for the count. Her spirit told her that something wasn’t right and she practically delivered me right there on the spot. Now mind you, I was already pondering what to do about my spirit when God sent in the troops to rescue me.
Because she took the time to talk to me and tell me some things, I was able to claim my healing and I did. Think about that.
Is anything troubling you? Nothing, nothing is TOO BIG for God. How is your prayer life? I know that is a personal question, but I just want you to ask yourself that question. You know, how much time do you spend in prayer? Do you think that the results that you get far outweigh the investment of time? If you aren’t really certain, don’t feel bad. I’ ll give you the answer. THIS IS AN OPEN BOOK TEST. (Happy Face)
Here’s the answer: The more time that you spend thanking and praising God and praying, the better things will be. Try it.
You know, recently I conducted a focus group to try to assess how people viewed their faith. The results were amazing. What I found out is that most people feel that their faith is profound. I was encouraged by this; you should be too. It was a great experience for me.
I had to recently take my letter online. It is part of a bigger plan. In the past, I was not reaching enough people.
This is critical to the survival of this letter. (and it WILL survive) I realize that everyone is not online and will not be; but if you do have one, (an e-mail address) please send it to me. Instead of averaging 50 to 60 people (per month to a variety of people never fully being able to reach the 200 that I wanted to reach), the letters are now reaching 400 to 1,000 people (with increasing numbers.) each month.
*If you were one of the original bunch… (Which was around 300 people actually) THANK YOU. It was because of you and the fact that you are so very special that the message will pass on to even more people. I give a special thanks to the people who have thanked God, come together, for the miracles, the healings, the feet that never dashed against a stone, the prayers; those that stood in the gap and wrote notes, sent cards, sent e-mails, made phone calls, sent thanks, shared testimonies, called for prayer, I have especially enjoyed the contacts from total strangers, everything…it is amazing how the love of God affects us all.
Thanks to all of the people who wrote to Portia, she is much better thanks to your prayers. You’ll get a kick out of this. Last year, God reported that Portia
was healed of cancer. It took 8 months before her doctors agreed with that officially. WOULD YOU HAVE RATHER HAD THE FIRST OR THE SECOND REPORT IF YOU HAD CANCER?
I especially thank those of you who take the time to pass the message along; especially online to people that you know. My prayer is to see people healed and
made whole spiritually- to help the spiritually blind to see…I know because one time I was too(spiritually blind). I want to help those that can’t hear also but that’s another WHOLE letter. (smile)
I am personally asking you for a favor. No, I don’t need money. God takes care of me. Say something to someone today and please consider that you know someone who can benefit from this letter just as much as or more than you and help them. Maybe it’s not a letter that they need. Maybe they just need a hug, a card, a kind word, a good deed, a lift, something, a scripture, food, a bus ticket, a ride somewhere, a phone call, a bible, the Word of God, Jesus.
I’ll tell you a secret: MOST OF THE TIME IT ISN’T WHO YOU THINK IT IS. Please pray more, pray for guidance, pray for someone who needs a spiritual lift to call upon you. I pray for you and your family and friends daily and will continue on. Well, I’ve got to go. Remember that we ARE in a Holy season, a season of Blessings. You can get closer to God, even if you are already. Even if you are not. He chose you. You are special. He loves you. Be well. All is well over here. We finally have a name for this newsletter.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm 33 v. 12
______________________________________________________________________________________
BOOMERANG FAITH! By Elaine Davenport (Friday, June 1, 2007)
And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered and said to one another, What manner of man is this? For he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
ST. LUKE 8 : 25
Dear Friend,
God Bless you today! (This letter ends with a special message just for you!) Be high and lifted up today because there is work for you to do. Yes, there is and it won’t be easy, but the rewards are great! A lot of people who receive these letters are in really good shape, but their families aren’t. Their friends are suffering and lost and their neighbors ( whom Jesus told us to love) are in worse shape. A lot of us have been Blessed and we continue to receive Blessings, but there is something that we are overlooking that is critical. What are you doing with your faith? Are you sharing it? Have you said a prayer for your family and your friends today? Don’t just wait until they call or you can go one better: you can strengthen them in the faith. There is a fight that we as believers are authorized to fight in; it’s the good fight of faith. Sometimes, just trying to carry the message will really seem like a battle or fight, but we must continue to do it anyway. We must!
Since most people have faith and since many have what they term in their ‘own’ words as “strong” faith; I just want to ask you what kind of effect does your faith have on other people? Do they know that you have really strong faith because they stood in your presence? Did they recognize your faith by your greeting? Do they know that you have faith by your words? Are your beautiful words of faith and love ALWAYS followed by appropriate words and actions when no one is watching or listening? Do people tell you that they know that it must have meant for them to talk to you? Do you exude so much faith that it has a MIGHTY effect on ALL that you encounter?
Does your faith hit people like a boomerang?
I always had thought that faith was about me professing it and declaring it, so I was doing that. Well, then I found it wasn’t enough. To make matters worse, after I detected that my words were causing ‘some’ people to frown, roll their eyes or just be downright uncomfortable, I went undercover with them (my words). I only used them around family or certain friends or in safe places. That’s what the enemy wanted me to do. That’s what most people do. One of my friends told me on a regular basis: it doesn’t take all that. I know what she meant. In the past, I would have said the same thing, but now all of a sudden, it was going to take all that and even more and when I began to profess my faith, I found out that it wasn’t hard or burdensome.
I found that there were millions of others who thought like me; but more importantly I found that God says it does take all of that. I don’t resent my friend; I am thankful that she pushed me to find out if I was overdoing what I was called to do and say or just doing the right thing like so many others. I know people who have been walking with God for years who say: I remember when I was like that, but I’ve mellowed. I have to say WHY have you mellowed or lost your enthusiasm? And after that I have to say that you cannot keep your love for God a secret!
YOU HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE! YOU HAVE TO! YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE!
I don’t care if they say they don’t want to hear it. If you don’t, the consequences for some poor soul are not pretty. You have to help!
We know what the word of God says about love. We know about the Great Commission, whereby our Lord Jesus instructed us to go forth to tell people about the good news or the gospel. It’s a funny thing, when I first thought about taking the gospel forth, I thought about faraway lands; which is good. Then one day, I wondered how many people was I missing in my own immediate circle? The answer was startling. Don’t settle. Don’t settle for a life that is right by your own definition. Too many times we compromise. Too many things have been lost in the shuffle. Find the truth, embrace it and tell it……………
PLEASE I BEG OF YOU. DESIGN A PLAN TO HELP CARRY THIS MESSAGE. AND EVEN IF YOU CAN’T COME UP WITH A HUGE OR ELABORATE PLAN; IN THE VERY LEAST PLEASE PRINT AND PASS OUT OR FORWARD THIS MESSAGE BECAUSE:
Perhaps, if you could do me one more favor. Please send me the email addresses of anyone that you feel would not remind receiving this newsletter OR if you can forward it AND let me know how many people it was. Write to: PeacefulOne@jesusanswers.com
ST. LUKE 8 : 25
Dear Friend,
God Bless you today! (This letter ends with a special message just for you!) Be high and lifted up today because there is work for you to do. Yes, there is and it won’t be easy, but the rewards are great! A lot of people who receive these letters are in really good shape, but their families aren’t. Their friends are suffering and lost and their neighbors ( whom Jesus told us to love) are in worse shape. A lot of us have been Blessed and we continue to receive Blessings, but there is something that we are overlooking that is critical. What are you doing with your faith? Are you sharing it? Have you said a prayer for your family and your friends today? Don’t just wait until they call or you can go one better: you can strengthen them in the faith. There is a fight that we as believers are authorized to fight in; it’s the good fight of faith. Sometimes, just trying to carry the message will really seem like a battle or fight, but we must continue to do it anyway. We must!
Since most people have faith and since many have what they term in their ‘own’ words as “strong” faith; I just want to ask you what kind of effect does your faith have on other people? Do they know that you have really strong faith because they stood in your presence? Did they recognize your faith by your greeting? Do they know that you have faith by your words? Are your beautiful words of faith and love ALWAYS followed by appropriate words and actions when no one is watching or listening? Do people tell you that they know that it must have meant for them to talk to you? Do you exude so much faith that it has a MIGHTY effect on ALL that you encounter?
Does your faith hit people like a boomerang?
I always had thought that faith was about me professing it and declaring it, so I was doing that. Well, then I found it wasn’t enough. To make matters worse, after I detected that my words were causing ‘some’ people to frown, roll their eyes or just be downright uncomfortable, I went undercover with them (my words). I only used them around family or certain friends or in safe places. That’s what the enemy wanted me to do. That’s what most people do. One of my friends told me on a regular basis: it doesn’t take all that. I know what she meant. In the past, I would have said the same thing, but now all of a sudden, it was going to take all that and even more and when I began to profess my faith, I found out that it wasn’t hard or burdensome.
I found that there were millions of others who thought like me; but more importantly I found that God says it does take all of that. I don’t resent my friend; I am thankful that she pushed me to find out if I was overdoing what I was called to do and say or just doing the right thing like so many others. I know people who have been walking with God for years who say: I remember when I was like that, but I’ve mellowed. I have to say WHY have you mellowed or lost your enthusiasm? And after that I have to say that you cannot keep your love for God a secret!
YOU HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE! YOU HAVE TO! YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE!
I don’t care if they say they don’t want to hear it. If you don’t, the consequences for some poor soul are not pretty. You have to help!
We know what the word of God says about love. We know about the Great Commission, whereby our Lord Jesus instructed us to go forth to tell people about the good news or the gospel. It’s a funny thing, when I first thought about taking the gospel forth, I thought about faraway lands; which is good. Then one day, I wondered how many people was I missing in my own immediate circle? The answer was startling. Don’t settle. Don’t settle for a life that is right by your own definition. Too many times we compromise. Too many things have been lost in the shuffle. Find the truth, embrace it and tell it……………
PLEASE I BEG OF YOU. DESIGN A PLAN TO HELP CARRY THIS MESSAGE. AND EVEN IF YOU CAN’T COME UP WITH A HUGE OR ELABORATE PLAN; IN THE VERY LEAST PLEASE PRINT AND PASS OUT OR FORWARD THIS MESSAGE BECAUSE:
Perhaps, if you could do me one more favor. Please send me the email addresses of anyone that you feel would not remind receiving this newsletter OR if you can forward it AND let me know how many people it was. Write to: PeacefulOne@jesusanswers.com
NO COINCIDENCES by Elaine Davenport (Thursday, May 31, 2007)
(I am begging you to read this letter today ALL the way through…it will BLESS you, I don’t know how, but it will. )
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Matthew 4 v. 19, 20
Dear Friend, God Bless you. How are you doing? I have to tell you, if you are reading this letter, just know that I pray for you and your family every day. I started off praying for my family. Then I added a few people, and a few more and before I knew it, I think there were over two hundred families in my prayer book that I specifically pray for. So I KNOW that “ALL IS WELL” with you. Please remember that when it seems like it isn’t well…it is only temporary and that’s when God wants you to stand on your faith.
It has been a faith filled month for me. One thing that I really learned was about “COINCIDENCES.” I have been trying to tell my children this over and over every day and I won’t get tired ever…I just want them to “get it.”
Let me tell you what happened to me. I was online at a website that gives out free stuff. I was so excited to be able to COLLECT all of this stuff for free. When I prayed, I was really thanking God. But not too long after that; I was led to give away something myself. I kept thinking: I don’t have anything to give away, that’s why I’m getting free stuff from other people. (smile) Then, I remembered that we had this Brand New Power Sprayer by Wagner that we paid good money for.
So, since we never used it, I checked with John to see if it was okay to give it away. After he said okay, I posted it as AVAILABLE at the various sites. I wasn’t prepared for the onslaught of mail! I was swamped with mail. I read over 90 emails and decided to give it to a young couple. I put it on my porch and they came and got it. Anyway, I was online later and I received an email from a girl who lived way out somewhere. She wanted to know if the Power Sprayer was still left. I promptly wrote her back to say that the POWER SPRAYER was long gone.
I’m going to call her Betty to protect her confidence. Betty wrote me right back.
“Thank You for responding so promptly.”
Then she said something very unusual. Now let me tell you first that I don’t talk to people online. Very rarely. She said:
I have six children, a job at the foundry and I walk to work. I have no car. I can fix cars and I need one. If you know of anyone with a car; please email me and let me know. God Bless you.
Well, I thought about it, I felt bad for her. Personally, I needed a car too and I can’t fix them. But, I knew what I could do to help.
I wrote her back and said: “I’ll be praying for you. Trust in God. He will help you. He will favor you. Trust Him. He will come through. “ Guess what? I meant it!
Remember what Peter said: Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give to thee….(so I gave her a boost of faith)
She wrote back and said: “Thank you, you’re right. I’d forgotten. I guess God wanted you to tell me that.”
I wrote her back and said: “REMEMBER THAT HE IS A GOD OF SUDDENLY.”
I kept telling her to EXPECT a car.
We agreed to stand in agreement that God would come through in the Name (Authority) of Jesus Christ. I then told her that I had to go. I knew that God would move, but the truth is she was a strange to me and I didn’t expect to know exactly when she got the car that we agreed that she was going to get. Well as soon as I got off the email there was an ad for a FREE CAR! I WISH THAT YOU COULD HAVE BEEN THERE. I wrote the people about Betty’s circumstances and asked them to SAVE the car for her. They didn’t know ME! Now mind you, it didn’t matter whether they knew me or not. God was in control. The last time that I heard from Betty was a day later.
She was emailing me to tell me that she was on her way to pick up the car and the title. I sent her back a HALLELUJAH and I never heard from her again. To tell you what a miracle it was, right after that my whole email files were wiped out and there wasn’t going to be any way to get in touch with her. But please see two things: Our jobs are to receive, but it is far better to give. We are equipped with valuable knowledge of God and it’s our job to encourage people in their faith and to REMEMBER that….THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES! Please, take some time to think about this story and about your own coincidences. If you want a copy of any letter from a prior month, let me know. Be Well Elaine Davenport
______________________________________________________________________________________
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Matthew 4 v. 19, 20
Dear Friend, God Bless you. How are you doing? I have to tell you, if you are reading this letter, just know that I pray for you and your family every day. I started off praying for my family. Then I added a few people, and a few more and before I knew it, I think there were over two hundred families in my prayer book that I specifically pray for. So I KNOW that “ALL IS WELL” with you. Please remember that when it seems like it isn’t well…it is only temporary and that’s when God wants you to stand on your faith.
It has been a faith filled month for me. One thing that I really learned was about “COINCIDENCES.” I have been trying to tell my children this over and over every day and I won’t get tired ever…I just want them to “get it.”
Let me tell you what happened to me. I was online at a website that gives out free stuff. I was so excited to be able to COLLECT all of this stuff for free. When I prayed, I was really thanking God. But not too long after that; I was led to give away something myself. I kept thinking: I don’t have anything to give away, that’s why I’m getting free stuff from other people. (smile) Then, I remembered that we had this Brand New Power Sprayer by Wagner that we paid good money for.
So, since we never used it, I checked with John to see if it was okay to give it away. After he said okay, I posted it as AVAILABLE at the various sites. I wasn’t prepared for the onslaught of mail! I was swamped with mail. I read over 90 emails and decided to give it to a young couple. I put it on my porch and they came and got it. Anyway, I was online later and I received an email from a girl who lived way out somewhere. She wanted to know if the Power Sprayer was still left. I promptly wrote her back to say that the POWER SPRAYER was long gone.
I’m going to call her Betty to protect her confidence. Betty wrote me right back.
“Thank You for responding so promptly.”
Then she said something very unusual. Now let me tell you first that I don’t talk to people online. Very rarely. She said:
I have six children, a job at the foundry and I walk to work. I have no car. I can fix cars and I need one. If you know of anyone with a car; please email me and let me know. God Bless you.
Well, I thought about it, I felt bad for her. Personally, I needed a car too and I can’t fix them. But, I knew what I could do to help.
I wrote her back and said: “I’ll be praying for you. Trust in God. He will help you. He will favor you. Trust Him. He will come through. “ Guess what? I meant it!
Remember what Peter said: Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give to thee….(so I gave her a boost of faith)
She wrote back and said: “Thank you, you’re right. I’d forgotten. I guess God wanted you to tell me that.”
I wrote her back and said: “REMEMBER THAT HE IS A GOD OF SUDDENLY.”
I kept telling her to EXPECT a car.
We agreed to stand in agreement that God would come through in the Name (Authority) of Jesus Christ. I then told her that I had to go. I knew that God would move, but the truth is she was a strange to me and I didn’t expect to know exactly when she got the car that we agreed that she was going to get. Well as soon as I got off the email there was an ad for a FREE CAR! I WISH THAT YOU COULD HAVE BEEN THERE. I wrote the people about Betty’s circumstances and asked them to SAVE the car for her. They didn’t know ME! Now mind you, it didn’t matter whether they knew me or not. God was in control. The last time that I heard from Betty was a day later.
She was emailing me to tell me that she was on her way to pick up the car and the title. I sent her back a HALLELUJAH and I never heard from her again. To tell you what a miracle it was, right after that my whole email files were wiped out and there wasn’t going to be any way to get in touch with her. But please see two things: Our jobs are to receive, but it is far better to give. We are equipped with valuable knowledge of God and it’s our job to encourage people in their faith and to REMEMBER that….THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES! Please, take some time to think about this story and about your own coincidences. If you want a copy of any letter from a prior month, let me know. Be Well Elaine Davenport
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Have you made your list? By Elaine Davenport ( Wednesday, May30, 2007)
Years ago, my husband and I weren't faith people like we are now, but we knew that God was real. We took our wedding vows quite seriously though we lived in a world where many people do not. This is no slam on them because we know that there are all sorts of circumstances that people face. It's just that for the two of us, marriage was a life long dream with the right person. It wasn't easy. It was worth it and God honored it.
Well, that's not my point just wanted to give you some background.
We started a habit of making a list of the things we wanted to accomplish over the next five years and we'd speak about it and as each thing happened we scratched it off the list. IT worked and we did this for many years.
OUR LIST WAS NOT A LIST TOTALLY COMPRISED OF MATERIAL THINGS; YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THIS. There were goals and objectives on there as well and we weren't "faith" people. We didn't have that advantage; you do.
And then we found out that there are biblical principles for this.
For example there is Abraham, who God called the Father of many nations before he even had children. That is amazing. Look at Romans 10: 17:
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Then we found this which Blessed us:
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. Habakkuk 2: 2
I wanted to write a book and I found this:
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I'm encouraging you to make a list. God will give you the things that need to be on there and the things that need not be on there. Just trust Him.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Well, that's not my point just wanted to give you some background.
We started a habit of making a list of the things we wanted to accomplish over the next five years and we'd speak about it and as each thing happened we scratched it off the list. IT worked and we did this for many years.
OUR LIST WAS NOT A LIST TOTALLY COMPRISED OF MATERIAL THINGS; YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THIS. There were goals and objectives on there as well and we weren't "faith" people. We didn't have that advantage; you do.
And then we found out that there are biblical principles for this.
For example there is Abraham, who God called the Father of many nations before he even had children. That is amazing. Look at Romans 10: 17:
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Then we found this which Blessed us:
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. Habakkuk 2: 2
I wanted to write a book and I found this:
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I'm encouraging you to make a list. God will give you the things that need to be on there and the things that need not be on there. Just trust Him.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
It was like SEPTEMBER 11 th all over again by Elaine Davenport(TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2007)
A nice site for information: http://www.digistat.com/gcf/spiritualwarfare.htm
Last week, I was piddling around the garden of a friend. It was a beautiful day, a little hot but there was peace in the air. n This bis a true story. I decided to get a shovel out of the car and as I walked towards the car, I heard a rumble from the sky. I also heard loud noises and voices, but I couldn't make it out. It sounded like there was a major war happening about two blocks away. I thought about September 11th and looked for smoke or fire in the sky. A minute later, there was no noise and I never saw any6thing at all. What to make of all of this?
When it all happened, I had been praying in the spirit all day.
I was reminded of the troops of Satan preparing for war with us. I know that their war is never ending and that many people have been picked off already. The bible says in Ephesians 6: 10-18:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
It's clear, there is a war going on.
AND THEN THE TEST CAME.
The Bible says in Mark 13: 19:
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
I know the Word of God. When it falls upon me, it's on good ground. So it cannot be snatched away, stolen away or caught away from me.
But Satan decided to test me anyway.
I was driving down the street in the car with a loved one, when all of a sudden they got mad at me. This is real. They began to yell at me. I was shocked. It was over nothing. I forgave them immediately as I prayed in the spirit.
Something inside my mind was screaming for me to yell out: "That's it! I'm finished, I've had it!" I said nothing. The bible says: "Don't give the devil any place." I won't.
I decided that they were not the SOURCE of the problem. Otherwise, it made no sense. I will not allow Satan and his imps to get their jollies by popping popcorn and sitting back wreaking havoc in my life like a made for TV movie. I can see them hoping that I would "fall" for it, saying: "That's good, that's good! And then being forced to say Aw!
Now someone may be reading this and saying: "Aw c'mon, it isn't that serious, I assure you that it is. My prayer is that you will remember this message here, God had you read it for a reason. Have a Blessed Day!
________________________________________________________________________________________
Last week, I was piddling around the garden of a friend. It was a beautiful day, a little hot but there was peace in the air. n This bis a true story. I decided to get a shovel out of the car and as I walked towards the car, I heard a rumble from the sky. I also heard loud noises and voices, but I couldn't make it out. It sounded like there was a major war happening about two blocks away. I thought about September 11th and looked for smoke or fire in the sky. A minute later, there was no noise and I never saw any6thing at all. What to make of all of this?
When it all happened, I had been praying in the spirit all day.
I was reminded of the troops of Satan preparing for war with us. I know that their war is never ending and that many people have been picked off already. The bible says in Ephesians 6: 10-18:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
It's clear, there is a war going on.
AND THEN THE TEST CAME.
The Bible says in Mark 13: 19:
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
I know the Word of God. When it falls upon me, it's on good ground. So it cannot be snatched away, stolen away or caught away from me.
But Satan decided to test me anyway.
I was driving down the street in the car with a loved one, when all of a sudden they got mad at me. This is real. They began to yell at me. I was shocked. It was over nothing. I forgave them immediately as I prayed in the spirit.
Something inside my mind was screaming for me to yell out: "That's it! I'm finished, I've had it!" I said nothing. The bible says: "Don't give the devil any place." I won't.
I decided that they were not the SOURCE of the problem. Otherwise, it made no sense. I will not allow Satan and his imps to get their jollies by popping popcorn and sitting back wreaking havoc in my life like a made for TV movie. I can see them hoping that I would "fall" for it, saying: "That's good, that's good! And then being forced to say Aw!
Now someone may be reading this and saying: "Aw c'mon, it isn't that serious, I assure you that it is. My prayer is that you will remember this message here, God had you read it for a reason. Have a Blessed Day!
________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Walls Fall down By Elaine Davenport (Monday, May 28, 2007)
First let me say that I am a tither before I talk about a often misunderstood and suspicious topic in the body of Christ: MONEY.
I believe in making offerings unto God and I believe in sowing seed into ministries that have proven that they help people all over the world and that further the plan of God. It's not up for debate since the instructions come from God. I serve God.
It isn't necessary to list all that I do but just to say that I trust God completely to order my steps. That said, let's move on. I take the Father's business quite seriously.
Money never meant that much to me. Smile. I shop frugally when I do and my money is (Kingdom) mission minded. I can say that quite easily, though my family may be challenged to understand it.
I try to avoid the "M" word on my Blog. The fact of the matter is that people take it the wrong way. Even though many have a financial challenge at one time or another. This is so. I went before God about a huge financial need and He taught me about faith even though I thought I knew quite a bit about it.
I was led to meditate in the Book of Joshua.
The following scripture seemed to jump out at me:
Joshua 1:8 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Then I was led to read Joshua Chapters 1-6 daily for one hour. My focus was on a business matter.
Here's the link in the Online Bible should you wish to read it: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%201-6;&version=9;
I did this for 6 days. On the seventh day, I had promised that I would go to the park and praise God or shout. However, when that day came, I had a lot to do and so I decided not to do it. At the appointed time, I went anyway. I got to the park and the place was packed, but I praised and yelled and meditated. It was a great feeling. Almost to the minute of when I finished, news came of an impending breakthrough.
I rushed off to verify it, but the enemy had plans to thwart it. There was a mix up and I could not find what I needed, what I did find, was better than what I was pursuing. God is good.
It was such a remarkable victory that I've decided to incorporate this plan in my daily prayer style. I felt like tall solid walls had come down that day.
I pray that it will be a Blessing to you. At the end of the week, I was able to write some wonderful confessions specifically regarding business matters.
___________________________________________________________________________________
I believe in making offerings unto God and I believe in sowing seed into ministries that have proven that they help people all over the world and that further the plan of God. It's not up for debate since the instructions come from God. I serve God.
It isn't necessary to list all that I do but just to say that I trust God completely to order my steps. That said, let's move on. I take the Father's business quite seriously.
Money never meant that much to me. Smile. I shop frugally when I do and my money is (Kingdom) mission minded. I can say that quite easily, though my family may be challenged to understand it.
I try to avoid the "M" word on my Blog. The fact of the matter is that people take it the wrong way. Even though many have a financial challenge at one time or another. This is so. I went before God about a huge financial need and He taught me about faith even though I thought I knew quite a bit about it.
I was led to meditate in the Book of Joshua.
The following scripture seemed to jump out at me:
Joshua 1:8 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Then I was led to read Joshua Chapters 1-6 daily for one hour. My focus was on a business matter.
Here's the link in the Online Bible should you wish to read it: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%201-6;&version=9;
I did this for 6 days. On the seventh day, I had promised that I would go to the park and praise God or shout. However, when that day came, I had a lot to do and so I decided not to do it. At the appointed time, I went anyway. I got to the park and the place was packed, but I praised and yelled and meditated. It was a great feeling. Almost to the minute of when I finished, news came of an impending breakthrough.
I rushed off to verify it, but the enemy had plans to thwart it. There was a mix up and I could not find what I needed, what I did find, was better than what I was pursuing. God is good.
It was such a remarkable victory that I've decided to incorporate this plan in my daily prayer style. I felt like tall solid walls had come down that day.
I pray that it will be a Blessing to you. At the end of the week, I was able to write some wonderful confessions specifically regarding business matters.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Don't Misunderstand Righteousness (PART TWO) by Allegra Howard, Guest Writer (Sunday, May 27, 2007)
It is as we begin to meditate, consider and call ourselves righteous, that we develop a righteousness consciousness. When we do this, we actually begin to produce better conduct or what the bible calls the fruit of holiness.
The next thing you may ask is, "What about my sin...that terrible unspoken habit I have? Well the remedy to getting rid of sin is merely a confession away. As we exercise our right in this area, maintaining our fellowship with the Father, we do actually see ourselves grow in righteousness and productive fruit thereof. It is as we grow in the Word of God and walk in the spirit that we will no longer fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
________________________________________________________________________________________
* This information cannot be copied or reproduced or distributed without the express permission of Allegra Howard
The next thing you may ask is, "What about my sin...that terrible unspoken habit I have? Well the remedy to getting rid of sin is merely a confession away. As we exercise our right in this area, maintaining our fellowship with the Father, we do actually see ourselves grow in righteousness and productive fruit thereof. It is as we grow in the Word of God and walk in the spirit that we will no longer fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
________________________________________________________________________________________
* This information cannot be copied or reproduced or distributed without the express permission of Allegra Howard
Don't misunderstand Righteousness by Allegra Howard, Guest Writer (Saturday, May 26, 2007)
If you were to ask someone if they were righteous, most people without any effort would say: "No." People usually equate righteousness with the goody goody way that you act. But righteousness has nothing to do with the way that you act. Holiness is conduct; and righteousness is what you become when you receive Jesus as Lord. In fact, righteousness is the reason Jesus came to earth because when Adam ate of the tree God commanded him not to eat of mankind immediately experienced a downward spiritual spiral. His nature changed from one that is righteous or in right standing with God to that of a sinner. Also, if we were to label what Adam's nature had become in uncommon terms, we could say that Adam was actually born again from that of a righteousness "er" to that of a sinn "er." So now, rather than having an inward spiritual tendency to do good, he had now inherited an inward nature to do evil. His nature had changed from one that was born of God to that of his illegitimate spiritual stepfather, Satan.
END OF PART ONE
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Allegra Howard is a noted writer, minister of the gospel, prayer intercessor and full time graduate student. She wrote and published, In The Garden, about the spiritual significance of The Garden of Eden.
She does freelance writing and is a sought after speaker. She loves the Lord, is born again and spirit filled. She is also a very dear friend.
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END OF PART ONE
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Allegra Howard is a noted writer, minister of the gospel, prayer intercessor and full time graduate student. She wrote and published, In The Garden, about the spiritual significance of The Garden of Eden.
She does freelance writing and is a sought after speaker. She loves the Lord, is born again and spirit filled. She is also a very dear friend.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday, May 20, 2007
HOW ARE YOU SERVING? PREVAILED, MAY 21, 2007 (MONDAY)
PREVAILED, MAY 21, 2007 How are you serving?,
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9: 8
MY BELOVED BRETHREN, BE YE STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD-1 Corinthians 15:58.
My Dearest Friend, Blessings unto you! It is my prayer that this letter finds you well. I have been praying for you. I just want to tell you to stay in faith. I’m not worried about you either; because you are a mountain mover! Jesus said that if you have faith you can move it (any obstacle or challenge) and I know that you have faith. Today, I am writing to you about a matter that is important to God and important to you. Let me say that I realize that this question may have exact timing or bad timing; but it is expedient that you give it some thought. I thank you.
At a service at my church one day, a call went out for volunteers to serve in church. I didn’t think it applied to me. That’s funny now; but I was serious then. I wasn’t being arrogant or selfish; I was just honestly overloaded. I was wrong and I truly didn’t realize it. You see, I was loaded with assignments and I was doing them and in my brain, I could not envision expansion of my schedule. I wasn’t supposed to be counting what I did; I was just to abound, to thrive, to flourish in the grace given to me by God. I couldn’t envision the Blessings that I was blocking, the spiritual growth that lay ahead, the new friendships, the unlimited reward, the opportunity to please God in a great way, the passion, the fire and the love that would take hold of me as I grew spiritually. The real truth was that; I was like a passenger trying to board a plane with too much luggage. It wasn’t going to happen. Something had to go but I did not realize it.
Well right after that, at an outside organization where I volunteered (and enjoyed great prestige) everything changed and it impacted my schedule even more. I wasn’t working with people who would really understand my spiritual calling; though they were very good people. I was led to step back and take a time out. In prayer one day, I was reminded of a prior instruction deadline to join a particular division of service at my church. In my mind it didn’t seem like I was “experienced” enough to be of any use. Even though I was obedient; I was challenged in that service. There was a lot more to it than my showing up. God was trying to take me to higher levels and I didn’t see it right away though it was clearly there in front of me. Fortunately I served with some wonderful people who helped and encouraged me. I kept my faith up.
Soon, my breakthrough came. I found out by the example of other people that serving is not just about showing up on time and being responsible, prayed up and sincere. It’s really about your heart. You serve with your heart. I was surrounded by tremendous example. You can hear this but knowing it is a whole new ball game. It’s about loving God so much and loving His children and His creation so much that you will go to great lengths to please Him. (maybe even leaving your comfort zone) You’ll show your love to whosoever that you are working or serving with, interfacing with, helping or assisting. You’ll be a Blessing by setting a wonderful example as well. Praise God!
Do you see that scripture at the bottom of the page with an asterisk in front of it? Would you please read it? Let’s just say for the sake of understanding that God has given us all assignments and asked us to do them. Sometimes that might involve front lines work and sometimes that might involve behind the scenes work; but if God tells us to do it-He wants it done. I always ask myself: “What if Jesus came today and I had to give an accounting of the assignments that I was given? How would it look?” That helps me greatly to keep things in perspective. God has given us the goods and my question is: What have you done with the goods? What have you done with the talents that He gave you? I hope this helps you and makes you think. It makes me think too. I’m still working it out praise the Lord! I’m looking forward to stepping up the pace! I declare that we will have a good report when it is time to give it! Please don’t put it off and don’t be afraid to step up. I thank you. Blessings and Love, Sister Elaine D. novelistoo@gmail.com
P.S. Please if you are led, pray for the body of Christ to examine themselves in this area. Thank you so much.
*THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AS A MAN TRAVELING INTO A FAR COUNTRY, WHO CALLED HIS OWN SERVANTS, AND DELIVERED UNTO THEM HIS GOODS. AND UNTO ONE HE GAVE FIVE TALENTS, TO ANOTHER TWO, AND TO ANOTHER ONE; TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS SEVERAL ABILITY; AND STRAIGHTWAY TOOK HIS JOURNEY. THEN HE THAT HAD RECEIVED THE FIVE TALENTS WENT AND TRADED WITH THE SAME, AND MADE THEM OTHER FIVE TALENTS. AND LIKEWISE HE THAT HAD RECEIVED TWO, HE ALSO GAINED OTHER TWO. BUT HE THAT HAD RECEIVED ONE WENT AND DIGGED IN THE EARTH, AND HID HIS LORD’S MONEY. AFTER A LONG TIME THE LORD OF THOSE SERVANTS COMETH, AND RECKONETH WITH THEM-Mt 25:14-19.
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And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9: 8
MY BELOVED BRETHREN, BE YE STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD-1 Corinthians 15:58.
My Dearest Friend, Blessings unto you! It is my prayer that this letter finds you well. I have been praying for you. I just want to tell you to stay in faith. I’m not worried about you either; because you are a mountain mover! Jesus said that if you have faith you can move it (any obstacle or challenge) and I know that you have faith. Today, I am writing to you about a matter that is important to God and important to you. Let me say that I realize that this question may have exact timing or bad timing; but it is expedient that you give it some thought. I thank you.
At a service at my church one day, a call went out for volunteers to serve in church. I didn’t think it applied to me. That’s funny now; but I was serious then. I wasn’t being arrogant or selfish; I was just honestly overloaded. I was wrong and I truly didn’t realize it. You see, I was loaded with assignments and I was doing them and in my brain, I could not envision expansion of my schedule. I wasn’t supposed to be counting what I did; I was just to abound, to thrive, to flourish in the grace given to me by God. I couldn’t envision the Blessings that I was blocking, the spiritual growth that lay ahead, the new friendships, the unlimited reward, the opportunity to please God in a great way, the passion, the fire and the love that would take hold of me as I grew spiritually. The real truth was that; I was like a passenger trying to board a plane with too much luggage. It wasn’t going to happen. Something had to go but I did not realize it.
Well right after that, at an outside organization where I volunteered (and enjoyed great prestige) everything changed and it impacted my schedule even more. I wasn’t working with people who would really understand my spiritual calling; though they were very good people. I was led to step back and take a time out. In prayer one day, I was reminded of a prior instruction deadline to join a particular division of service at my church. In my mind it didn’t seem like I was “experienced” enough to be of any use. Even though I was obedient; I was challenged in that service. There was a lot more to it than my showing up. God was trying to take me to higher levels and I didn’t see it right away though it was clearly there in front of me. Fortunately I served with some wonderful people who helped and encouraged me. I kept my faith up.
Soon, my breakthrough came. I found out by the example of other people that serving is not just about showing up on time and being responsible, prayed up and sincere. It’s really about your heart. You serve with your heart. I was surrounded by tremendous example. You can hear this but knowing it is a whole new ball game. It’s about loving God so much and loving His children and His creation so much that you will go to great lengths to please Him. (maybe even leaving your comfort zone) You’ll show your love to whosoever that you are working or serving with, interfacing with, helping or assisting. You’ll be a Blessing by setting a wonderful example as well. Praise God!
Do you see that scripture at the bottom of the page with an asterisk in front of it? Would you please read it? Let’s just say for the sake of understanding that God has given us all assignments and asked us to do them. Sometimes that might involve front lines work and sometimes that might involve behind the scenes work; but if God tells us to do it-He wants it done. I always ask myself: “What if Jesus came today and I had to give an accounting of the assignments that I was given? How would it look?” That helps me greatly to keep things in perspective. God has given us the goods and my question is: What have you done with the goods? What have you done with the talents that He gave you? I hope this helps you and makes you think. It makes me think too. I’m still working it out praise the Lord! I’m looking forward to stepping up the pace! I declare that we will have a good report when it is time to give it! Please don’t put it off and don’t be afraid to step up. I thank you. Blessings and Love, Sister Elaine D. novelistoo@gmail.com
P.S. Please if you are led, pray for the body of Christ to examine themselves in this area. Thank you so much.
*THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AS A MAN TRAVELING INTO A FAR COUNTRY, WHO CALLED HIS OWN SERVANTS, AND DELIVERED UNTO THEM HIS GOODS. AND UNTO ONE HE GAVE FIVE TALENTS, TO ANOTHER TWO, AND TO ANOTHER ONE; TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS SEVERAL ABILITY; AND STRAIGHTWAY TOOK HIS JOURNEY. THEN HE THAT HAD RECEIVED THE FIVE TALENTS WENT AND TRADED WITH THE SAME, AND MADE THEM OTHER FIVE TALENTS. AND LIKEWISE HE THAT HAD RECEIVED TWO, HE ALSO GAINED OTHER TWO. BUT HE THAT HAD RECEIVED ONE WENT AND DIGGED IN THE EARTH, AND HID HIS LORD’S MONEY. AFTER A LONG TIME THE LORD OF THOSE SERVANTS COMETH, AND RECKONETH WITH THEM-Mt 25:14-19.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday, May 17, 2007
OUR WORDS by Elaine Davenport (SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2007)
I was watching television one day; it was a show called STARTING OVER. I think it's off of television now. It was a series directed to help people who were stuck in a so called rut and to help these grab hold of the dreams. Funny how that parallels the life of a believer. They were supported by : "life coaches." It was sweet.
Before I stopped watching for a myriad of reasons, my attention was caught by a very talented woman. She wanted to be a country singer. When she received a compliment, she responded in awe of her accomplishment. By I was struck by a string of "words" I kept hearing her say. It was an expression, but she kept saying: "I could just die."
I wanted to write her a letter, I never did. I rationalized that she'd probably be offended and misunderstand my letter.
I just prayed for her.
We have to watch our words. The angels move on our words. We can best be aided by using words that speak life, Blessing, favor, wisdom and peace into our lives. Just try it. You'll be all the better for it. Have a Blessed Day.
You are taken as in a net by the words of your mouth, the sayings of your lips have overcome you. Proverbs 6: 2
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18: 21
"...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Mat 12:34).
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life" (Prov. 15:4)
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Before I stopped watching for a myriad of reasons, my attention was caught by a very talented woman. She wanted to be a country singer. When she received a compliment, she responded in awe of her accomplishment. By I was struck by a string of "words" I kept hearing her say. It was an expression, but she kept saying: "I could just die."
I wanted to write her a letter, I never did. I rationalized that she'd probably be offended and misunderstand my letter.
I just prayed for her.
We have to watch our words. The angels move on our words. We can best be aided by using words that speak life, Blessing, favor, wisdom and peace into our lives. Just try it. You'll be all the better for it. Have a Blessed Day.
You are taken as in a net by the words of your mouth, the sayings of your lips have overcome you. Proverbs 6: 2
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18: 21
"...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Mat 12:34).
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life" (Prov. 15:4)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
PRAYER FOR FAITH (Saturday, May 19, 2007)
FAITH
In the Name of Jesus, Father we come before you with
humble and thankful hearts. Father we are asking you to
strengthen________ (you) this day. We stand on your word for
you said:
According to your faith be it unto you. Verily I say unto you
that if you have faith and doubt not, you shall not only do this
which is done to the fig tree but also if you say unto this
mountain be thou removed …it shall be done. The just shall
live by faith, but if any man draw back; my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
Father, ___________( you) is believing for: __________
_______________
And___________________ etc. She/He is standing on
their faith and we stand in agreement that these things
will unfold exactly that way that he/she wants them to
in accordance with your Word; though there is no evidence
that can be seen, __________(you) is stronger and stronger
every day never doubting that these things will come to
pass. We also pray that YOU the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ , the Father of Glory , may give unto ___________
(your name) the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you.
That the eyes of __________’s (you) understanding being enlight-
ened that she/he may know what is the hope of his calling
and the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is
the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought
in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at
his own right hand in the heavenly places….For this cause we
bow our knees unto You the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ
of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.
That he would grant unto_________(you) according to the riches
of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in
the inner man; That Christ may dwell in my
heart by faith, that _____________ you being rooted and grounded
in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the
breadth and length and depth and height; And to know the
love of Christ; which passeth knowledge, that she/he/they
might be filled with all the fullness of God!
In the Name of Jesus we ask and Pray.
In the Name of Jesus, Father we come before you with
humble and thankful hearts. Father we are asking you to
strengthen________ (you) this day. We stand on your word for
you said:
According to your faith be it unto you. Verily I say unto you
that if you have faith and doubt not, you shall not only do this
which is done to the fig tree but also if you say unto this
mountain be thou removed …it shall be done. The just shall
live by faith, but if any man draw back; my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
Father, ___________( you) is believing for: __________
_______________
And___________________ etc. She/He is standing on
their faith and we stand in agreement that these things
will unfold exactly that way that he/she wants them to
in accordance with your Word; though there is no evidence
that can be seen, __________(you) is stronger and stronger
every day never doubting that these things will come to
pass. We also pray that YOU the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ , the Father of Glory , may give unto ___________
(your name) the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you.
That the eyes of __________’s (you) understanding being enlight-
ened that she/he may know what is the hope of his calling
and the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is
the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought
in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at
his own right hand in the heavenly places….For this cause we
bow our knees unto You the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ
of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.
That he would grant unto_________(you) according to the riches
of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in
the inner man; That Christ may dwell in my
heart by faith, that _____________ you being rooted and grounded
in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the
breadth and length and depth and height; And to know the
love of Christ; which passeth knowledge, that she/he/they
might be filled with all the fullness of God!
In the Name of Jesus we ask and Pray.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Pin the tail on the donkey; or not! By Elaine Davenport (Friday, May 18, 2007)
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 2 Corinthians 5: 7
I don't know what games they play at children's birthday parties nowadays. But, when I was a little girl we played pin the tail on the donkey. They put a blindfold over your eyes and stuck a pin in your hand (with a tail on it) and pointed you towards the picture of the donkey. After it was all over, whoever got the closest to the right spot won.
Faith is like that in some ways and in some ways it isn't.
You can't see where you're going by faith. You don't know how you're going to get there. You may as well be blindfolded.
But, it doesn't matter because the angels have been sent to guide you. God will make sure that you get it right. If you by some way get it wrong, you don't lose. God is rich in mercy and He is the God of the 2ND, 3rd, 4Th, etc. chance and you'll get more turns until you win. You just gotta believe! It's not a game, it's your destiny and God has designed it so that you win. Just remember.
______________________________________________________________________________________
I don't know what games they play at children's birthday parties nowadays. But, when I was a little girl we played pin the tail on the donkey. They put a blindfold over your eyes and stuck a pin in your hand (with a tail on it) and pointed you towards the picture of the donkey. After it was all over, whoever got the closest to the right spot won.
Faith is like that in some ways and in some ways it isn't.
You can't see where you're going by faith. You don't know how you're going to get there. You may as well be blindfolded.
But, it doesn't matter because the angels have been sent to guide you. God will make sure that you get it right. If you by some way get it wrong, you don't lose. God is rich in mercy and He is the God of the 2ND, 3rd, 4Th, etc. chance and you'll get more turns until you win. You just gotta believe! It's not a game, it's your destiny and God has designed it so that you win. Just remember.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, May 14, 2007
I GOT A GIFT I DIDN'T EXPECT WHEN I WENT TO HELP AN OLD FRIEND ( THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2007)
Dear Friend, how are you? I hope that you didn’t think that I forgot about you because I didn’t. Everyday, I think about the many people who come to this site and I get the prayers out for you. The word that comes to you today, seems a little different, but it is truly intended just for you.
Proverbs 17 verse 8 says:
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: withersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
Let me tell you a true story. I’ll try my best to make it short. (smile)
I never had the ‘knack” or ability for taking care of sick or physically challenged people. I was never really even comfortable, around “the sick” always feeling awkward or that I might say or do the wrong thing. This was so true about me; until I became sick and physically challenged myself. I was so shocked when it happened. At the time, I thought that it was the worst thing ever!
However, I learned some things, the main thing I learned was how it “felt.” I felt bad and people felt bad for me, but very few knew how to help me. During that time, I needed spiritual strengthening; I just didn’t know it! When it was all over and done, I began to view people in a different light. I had graduated to a higher level…I understood how it felt.
This new revelation and my love for God led me to go to visit friends’ mom who was in a Nursing home a while back. I was told that she was exhibiting the physical manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease. Her name is Gloria Lamb. My going to visit her Blessed my life. During the last holiday season, I was so moved by her humility, gentle sweet spirit and her faith that I wrote about her in the Southfield Goodfellows Newspaper. Thousands read the article and there was great feedback. You see, many times when people really need us; we forget about them and we just can’t do that.
Many days I read the bible with Gloria. She never ceased to amaze me with her eagerness to pray. She had such a gentle and sweet spirit. One day I went to visit and it was significant because I hadn’t been in two weeks. It was as if she had been waiting for me. When I sat down she started telling me how good God had been to her. She was saying how she had it better than a lot of people, she said that she had no complaints, no regrets…she was just thankful. SO THANKFUL!
As it turned out, that was to be my last visit with her. I attended her funeral earlier this month and I will tell you that she left a legacy by example for the three generations of her family that still remain. I’m asking you to pray for them and I know that you will. Thanks. The more I thought and prayed for Gloria and other people, the smaller my problems became.
Now please just STOP and think for a moment, here is a woman ravaged by Alzheimer’s, but REMEMBERING God through the BARRIERS in her mind and THANKING HIM! I wish that you could have had a front row seat to witness that! I was Blessed. All of this happened as a result of my giving a little of my time..my reward was an incredible gift! It was much more than I can now describe!
In this letter, it was not my intention to tell you of my giving. My intention is to challenge myself and you to “THINK HARD” daily of “whose” life we can make a little or a lot better. We can do that with just a card, a letter, a visit, an email or a phone call. I encourage you. A long time back, I decided I was going to stop apologizing for not thinking of people and not staying in touch. Finally I said, I’m going to FIX my own problem, I’m going to do better with this staying in touch stuff. I didn’t know at the time HOW GREATLY my life would be enriched as a result of that decision …I just didn’t know.
So if you’re down, oppressed, feeling incredible pressure, experiencing money woes, feeling alienated, in poor health or just not feeling like your young self…I ENCOURAGE you to REACH OUT to someone ELSE…THINGS will turn around SUDDENLY for you! I know it, but I challenge you to try it.
All of us have giving spirits; we just have to develop them! Thanks for listening and remember…my prayers for you to be Blessed, to have Favor, and for you to have all of your prayers answered.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Proverbs 17 verse 8 says:
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: withersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
Let me tell you a true story. I’ll try my best to make it short. (smile)
I never had the ‘knack” or ability for taking care of sick or physically challenged people. I was never really even comfortable, around “the sick” always feeling awkward or that I might say or do the wrong thing. This was so true about me; until I became sick and physically challenged myself. I was so shocked when it happened. At the time, I thought that it was the worst thing ever!
However, I learned some things, the main thing I learned was how it “felt.” I felt bad and people felt bad for me, but very few knew how to help me. During that time, I needed spiritual strengthening; I just didn’t know it! When it was all over and done, I began to view people in a different light. I had graduated to a higher level…I understood how it felt.
This new revelation and my love for God led me to go to visit friends’ mom who was in a Nursing home a while back. I was told that she was exhibiting the physical manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease. Her name is Gloria Lamb. My going to visit her Blessed my life. During the last holiday season, I was so moved by her humility, gentle sweet spirit and her faith that I wrote about her in the Southfield Goodfellows Newspaper. Thousands read the article and there was great feedback. You see, many times when people really need us; we forget about them and we just can’t do that.
Many days I read the bible with Gloria. She never ceased to amaze me with her eagerness to pray. She had such a gentle and sweet spirit. One day I went to visit and it was significant because I hadn’t been in two weeks. It was as if she had been waiting for me. When I sat down she started telling me how good God had been to her. She was saying how she had it better than a lot of people, she said that she had no complaints, no regrets…she was just thankful. SO THANKFUL!
As it turned out, that was to be my last visit with her. I attended her funeral earlier this month and I will tell you that she left a legacy by example for the three generations of her family that still remain. I’m asking you to pray for them and I know that you will. Thanks. The more I thought and prayed for Gloria and other people, the smaller my problems became.
Now please just STOP and think for a moment, here is a woman ravaged by Alzheimer’s, but REMEMBERING God through the BARRIERS in her mind and THANKING HIM! I wish that you could have had a front row seat to witness that! I was Blessed. All of this happened as a result of my giving a little of my time..my reward was an incredible gift! It was much more than I can now describe!
In this letter, it was not my intention to tell you of my giving. My intention is to challenge myself and you to “THINK HARD” daily of “whose” life we can make a little or a lot better. We can do that with just a card, a letter, a visit, an email or a phone call. I encourage you. A long time back, I decided I was going to stop apologizing for not thinking of people and not staying in touch. Finally I said, I’m going to FIX my own problem, I’m going to do better with this staying in touch stuff. I didn’t know at the time HOW GREATLY my life would be enriched as a result of that decision …I just didn’t know.
So if you’re down, oppressed, feeling incredible pressure, experiencing money woes, feeling alienated, in poor health or just not feeling like your young self…I ENCOURAGE you to REACH OUT to someone ELSE…THINGS will turn around SUDDENLY for you! I know it, but I challenge you to try it.
All of us have giving spirits; we just have to develop them! Thanks for listening and remember…my prayers for you to be Blessed, to have Favor, and for you to have all of your prayers answered.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
DREAMZ TEACHES US A LESSON IN FAITH IN SURVIVOR FIJI SEASON FINALE by Elaine Davenport (WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2007)
I'm a writer but I'm also an interpreter of the landscape. I know many faith people
watch little or no television, but I do selectively. I look for faith stories. Television doesn't intend for it to be that way, but sometimes it happens; especially in Reality shows. I won't watch many of them. However, I like watching Survivor.
When Survivor began it's new season, few people expected they would have a formerly homeless young Black man. He wasn't polished or refined but he sure was likable. He talked a lot and too much but we still kept liking him. We have this "thing" for the underdog. I never expected him to get to the end of the game. The pattern is that generally minorities get voted off right off the bat. Somehow, Dreamz made it.
There was a wild Season Finale on Survivor Fiji recently, the popular reality television show. I watched it looking for a faith story. I wasn't disappointed.
Dre Heard, (also known as DREAMZ) age twenty-five years old, had a tough life. He was homeless, was forced to drop out of high school and went back and got his GED. He was a popular underdog amongst many. My friend Anna Holmes always says, We're all going to face lessons but they don't all have to be hard. Dreamz faced a hard lesson in the Season Finale of Survivor Fiji last night.
The significant thing about this is that DREAMZ is reported to be a Christian.
The whole SURVIVOR situation forced him to take what I call: "The Faith Test."
SIDEBAR:
Earl Cole, age thirty-five wins Survivor Fiji. He is the first African American male to ever win. Every single jury member voted for Earl. This has never happened in the history of the show. Raised by a single mother, Earle quickly announced that he would share the money with his mom 50-50. It's safe to say, that if it were not for the faith test that DREAMZ had to take, Earl may not have won.
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED:
In one of the competitions, Yau Man (one of the survivors) won a 2008 Ford 350 Truck. He knew how much Dreamz wanted a car. So he made a deal with him that in exchange for the Ford 350 Truck, Dreamz would give up the Immunity Idol to Yau Man if he won it, when there were only four Survivors left in the game. It was a crazy request, but Dreamz agreed to it and took the truck.
THAT WAS HIS FAITH TEST.
END OF PART ONE******************************************************
PART TWO
WHEN EXACTLY DID DREAMZ GET HIS FAITH TEST?
His test was when Yau Man offered him the truck. He had to decide then whether to walk by faith and believe that God would give him the victory or to walk by sight and take the truck.
When there were four people left in the game, Dreamz won the immunity Idol. At that point it was clear that IF he gave it to Yau Man and kept his word, he'd miss out on an opportunity to win the million dollars.
So he had to decide: Would he keep his word and maintain his integrity as a Christian or would he succumb to the temptation to try for the million.
According to your faith be it unto you...Matthew 9: 29
DREAMZ MAKES SOME DECISIONS
Dreamz decided to take the Ford F350 TRUCK! He also agreed to give Yau Man an immunity idol in case he won it with four people left.
HE DID NOT KEEP HIS WORD
DREAMZ KEPT THE TRUCK AND THE IMMUNITY IDOL. FOR THE MEMBERS ON THE JURY; IT PROVED TO BE AN UNPARDONABLE SIN.
Dreamz had an opportunity to sit before the jury to be considered for the one million dollars. However, they had no sympathy for him because they felt he double dealed, back stabbed, betrayed alliances and did not keep his word. They didn't trust him in a game that many call: BACKSTABBING 101. Is it possible to win this game without smear or blemish? It's hard, but the people who generally win have usually managed to do this to a great degree. DREAMZ did not win the one million dollars but, will still win $100,000.
THE WAY SURVIVOR WORKS...It "looked " like Dreamz never could have won whether he kept his word regarding the truck or not. However, I would have hoped to see him keep his word. I truly believe his doing the right thing could have opened up the door for a Blessing for him. We'll never know.
I want to add that anyone can face a test of faith at almost any time. The only reason we saw the test that Dreamz faced was because he was on national TV. Make up your mind today that when your test comes, you'll pass it. If you fail your test, you'll have to take it over.
NOTE: I just want to say to Dreamz that I'll keep praying for you and believing that another door of opportunity will open for you. I know you'll be ready. Keep persevering.
_________________________________________________________
watch little or no television, but I do selectively. I look for faith stories. Television doesn't intend for it to be that way, but sometimes it happens; especially in Reality shows. I won't watch many of them. However, I like watching Survivor.
When Survivor began it's new season, few people expected they would have a formerly homeless young Black man. He wasn't polished or refined but he sure was likable. He talked a lot and too much but we still kept liking him. We have this "thing" for the underdog. I never expected him to get to the end of the game. The pattern is that generally minorities get voted off right off the bat. Somehow, Dreamz made it.
There was a wild Season Finale on Survivor Fiji recently, the popular reality television show. I watched it looking for a faith story. I wasn't disappointed.
Dre Heard, (also known as DREAMZ) age twenty-five years old, had a tough life. He was homeless, was forced to drop out of high school and went back and got his GED. He was a popular underdog amongst many. My friend Anna Holmes always says, We're all going to face lessons but they don't all have to be hard. Dreamz faced a hard lesson in the Season Finale of Survivor Fiji last night.
The significant thing about this is that DREAMZ is reported to be a Christian.
The whole SURVIVOR situation forced him to take what I call: "The Faith Test."
SIDEBAR:
Earl Cole, age thirty-five wins Survivor Fiji. He is the first African American male to ever win. Every single jury member voted for Earl. This has never happened in the history of the show. Raised by a single mother, Earle quickly announced that he would share the money with his mom 50-50. It's safe to say, that if it were not for the faith test that DREAMZ had to take, Earl may not have won.
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED:
In one of the competitions, Yau Man (one of the survivors) won a 2008 Ford 350 Truck. He knew how much Dreamz wanted a car. So he made a deal with him that in exchange for the Ford 350 Truck, Dreamz would give up the Immunity Idol to Yau Man if he won it, when there were only four Survivors left in the game. It was a crazy request, but Dreamz agreed to it and took the truck.
THAT WAS HIS FAITH TEST.
END OF PART ONE******************************************************
PART TWO
WHEN EXACTLY DID DREAMZ GET HIS FAITH TEST?
His test was when Yau Man offered him the truck. He had to decide then whether to walk by faith and believe that God would give him the victory or to walk by sight and take the truck.
When there were four people left in the game, Dreamz won the immunity Idol. At that point it was clear that IF he gave it to Yau Man and kept his word, he'd miss out on an opportunity to win the million dollars.
So he had to decide: Would he keep his word and maintain his integrity as a Christian or would he succumb to the temptation to try for the million.
According to your faith be it unto you...Matthew 9: 29
DREAMZ MAKES SOME DECISIONS
Dreamz decided to take the Ford F350 TRUCK! He also agreed to give Yau Man an immunity idol in case he won it with four people left.
HE DID NOT KEEP HIS WORD
DREAMZ KEPT THE TRUCK AND THE IMMUNITY IDOL. FOR THE MEMBERS ON THE JURY; IT PROVED TO BE AN UNPARDONABLE SIN.
Dreamz had an opportunity to sit before the jury to be considered for the one million dollars. However, they had no sympathy for him because they felt he double dealed, back stabbed, betrayed alliances and did not keep his word. They didn't trust him in a game that many call: BACKSTABBING 101. Is it possible to win this game without smear or blemish? It's hard, but the people who generally win have usually managed to do this to a great degree. DREAMZ did not win the one million dollars but, will still win $100,000.
THE WAY SURVIVOR WORKS...It "looked " like Dreamz never could have won whether he kept his word regarding the truck or not. However, I would have hoped to see him keep his word. I truly believe his doing the right thing could have opened up the door for a Blessing for him. We'll never know.
I want to add that anyone can face a test of faith at almost any time. The only reason we saw the test that Dreamz faced was because he was on national TV. Make up your mind today that when your test comes, you'll pass it. If you fail your test, you'll have to take it over.
NOTE: I just want to say to Dreamz that I'll keep praying for you and believing that another door of opportunity will open for you. I know you'll be ready. Keep persevering.
_________________________________________________________
Sunday, May 13, 2007
What do you "really" know about hope? by Gene McGuire (Guest Writer) (TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2007)
"Faith is the substance of the things hoped for the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
NOTE: When the word hope is used in the bible, it is not a wishy-washy wishing kind of thing. Recently I came across an explanation of that word which was so excellent that I wanted to share it with you. (The following is from "The Daily Devotional Bible" by Thomas Nelson Publishers, page 799.)
Hope is the desire for something with the expectation of fulfillment. Hope involves trust in someone or something on which the expectation is centered. The Christian's hope is "sure and steadfast" (Heb. 6:19). Any hope is only as sure as its source is dependable. Christian hope is fixed upon God and His Word. Since God is omnipotent, He can fulfill that hopeful desire that He creates in His children. The hope of the wicked is described as being as fragile as the hope of the reeds when water is removed from their roots. (Job 8:11, 12) The hope of the godless is as fragile as a spider's web. (v. 14) He trusts in material things (v. 15) and these never endure. So there is only one step between true hope and hopelessness. All depends upon the source of the hope. Only God and His Word are completely dependable foundations of hope.
Today's Thought: Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Mark 13:31
NOTE: When the word hope is used in the bible, it is not a wishy-washy wishing kind of thing. Recently I came across an explanation of that word which was so excellent that I wanted to share it with you. (The following is from "The Daily Devotional Bible" by Thomas Nelson Publishers, page 799.)
Hope is the desire for something with the expectation of fulfillment. Hope involves trust in someone or something on which the expectation is centered. The Christian's hope is "sure and steadfast" (Heb. 6:19). Any hope is only as sure as its source is dependable. Christian hope is fixed upon God and His Word. Since God is omnipotent, He can fulfill that hopeful desire that He creates in His children. The hope of the wicked is described as being as fragile as the hope of the reeds when water is removed from their roots. (Job 8:11, 12) The hope of the godless is as fragile as a spider's web. (v. 14) He trusts in material things (v. 15) and these never endure. So there is only one step between true hope and hopelessness. All depends upon the source of the hope. Only God and His Word are completely dependable foundations of hope.
Today's Thought: Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Mark 13:31
Can you fight? By Elaine Davenport (Monday, May 14, 2007)
The bible tells us to fight the good fight of faith.
Don't ignore this because as a believer, you are also a soldier. Soldiers fall in so many categories. There are: career soldiers, soldiers just passing through, officers, heroes, dishonorable discharges, medal winners, marines, Navy seals, Special Ops, Special Forces, soldiers who don't want to be soldiers, Elite Forces and many more.
You're going to have to decide what kind of soldier you are, are going to be because the enemy has set his troops in motion and they are moving against you right now as we speak.
We're part of the FAITH FORCES and we not only have to work together but we've got to be ON GUARD AND ON WATCH like the Bible says.
My advice: Stay in the Word, Stay in Faith, Pray, Be on Guard and never forget that you have to fight. Never
EPHESIANS 6: 10-18
In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.(B)
Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Don't ignore this because as a believer, you are also a soldier. Soldiers fall in so many categories. There are: career soldiers, soldiers just passing through, officers, heroes, dishonorable discharges, medal winners, marines, Navy seals, Special Ops, Special Forces, soldiers who don't want to be soldiers, Elite Forces and many more.
You're going to have to decide what kind of soldier you are, are going to be because the enemy has set his troops in motion and they are moving against you right now as we speak.
We're part of the FAITH FORCES and we not only have to work together but we've got to be ON GUARD AND ON WATCH like the Bible says.
My advice: Stay in the Word, Stay in Faith, Pray, Be on Guard and never forget that you have to fight. Never
EPHESIANS 6: 10-18
In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.(B)
Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Friday, May 11, 2007
Faith for supernatural debt cancellation and a turnaround by Elaine Davenport
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11: 6
You reach a point where you almost hate to talk about money, because people so easily misunderstand. However folks in this present world we wrestle sometimes with financial things.
THIS IS A TRUE STORY
I have a friend who had a horrible Child Support debt. He bore some responsibility because he ran from it many years ago and he says that it caught up with him. It went well into the thousands. He says that he paid on it for twenty years and the balance never changed. Then he began to chance his faith.
It was put on my heart to begin to intercede for him that his debt would be cancelled. It was clear that it had him in bondage. It's hard to convince people who are "new" in the faith to stand, but he did comply. Things began to happen in the spirit realm. Where he had met closed doors in the past trying to get reconciliation; people out of state that he contacted began to listen.
THEN SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED!
I was in deep deep prayer one day when my friend contacted me and told me that they took his income tax check! He was devastated. I'm sure he thought to himself that this faith thing ain't working.
BUT GOD....
I convinced him to hang in there. Shortly thereafter, he received a total refund from someone else in the exact amount that was taken from him.
When the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord, lifts up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19b
(REMEMBER THAT)
Not long after that, my friend says there was an audit on his account and his debt was reduced. He says he literally gave up, but I convinced him not to. I told him how Satan tries to put up a smokescreen. He tried to convince me to give up on the situation. My prayers continued. Even when I didn't know it, because I was praying in the spirit. A new person was assigned to investigate his case. He called them frantically. They told him not to call back, they'd take care of it. Months went by. Prayers continued. My friend put the situation on the back burner. Then one day he got a notice telling him he still owed, but not to send any payments.
Every place that my friend wanted to get credit at, he was turned down because of this debt. He was barely making ends meet. One day he was Online and decided to check his credit report, not long after he had been turned down for credit.
The debt was gone, canceled, disappeared! He never got a letter or a notice or anything at all. It just fell off the face of the earth!
Right now, his life has completely turned around and he serves in the kingdom of God. Bless God.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(James 5:16b)
Hebrews 11: 6
You reach a point where you almost hate to talk about money, because people so easily misunderstand. However folks in this present world we wrestle sometimes with financial things.
THIS IS A TRUE STORY
I have a friend who had a horrible Child Support debt. He bore some responsibility because he ran from it many years ago and he says that it caught up with him. It went well into the thousands. He says that he paid on it for twenty years and the balance never changed. Then he began to chance his faith.
It was put on my heart to begin to intercede for him that his debt would be cancelled. It was clear that it had him in bondage. It's hard to convince people who are "new" in the faith to stand, but he did comply. Things began to happen in the spirit realm. Where he had met closed doors in the past trying to get reconciliation; people out of state that he contacted began to listen.
THEN SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED!
I was in deep deep prayer one day when my friend contacted me and told me that they took his income tax check! He was devastated. I'm sure he thought to himself that this faith thing ain't working.
BUT GOD....
I convinced him to hang in there. Shortly thereafter, he received a total refund from someone else in the exact amount that was taken from him.
When the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord, lifts up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19b
(REMEMBER THAT)
Not long after that, my friend says there was an audit on his account and his debt was reduced. He says he literally gave up, but I convinced him not to. I told him how Satan tries to put up a smokescreen. He tried to convince me to give up on the situation. My prayers continued. Even when I didn't know it, because I was praying in the spirit. A new person was assigned to investigate his case. He called them frantically. They told him not to call back, they'd take care of it. Months went by. Prayers continued. My friend put the situation on the back burner. Then one day he got a notice telling him he still owed, but not to send any payments.
Every place that my friend wanted to get credit at, he was turned down because of this debt. He was barely making ends meet. One day he was Online and decided to check his credit report, not long after he had been turned down for credit.
The debt was gone, canceled, disappeared! He never got a letter or a notice or anything at all. It just fell off the face of the earth!
Right now, his life has completely turned around and he serves in the kingdom of God. Bless God.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(James 5:16b)
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
You've "got" the situation, it doesn't have you. by Elaine Davenport
Maybe it was my imagination, but the other day when the phone rang it seemed to ring a little louder than usual. I knew that it was a distress call. I rushed to get the phone. It was a long time family friend in great distress. She was dealing with some problems and we began to take different strategies as though the two of us weren't faith people.
SIDEBAR
We have to remember that we are "faith" people. We don't think like everybody else. We don't have to deal with the troubles that come. We have a Father who cares so much for us that He says, give it all to Me, I'll take care of it.
At the end of the conversation, we prayed and then I spoke to my friend. I encouraged her to remember who God is. I reminded her of the devil's plan to kill, to steal and to destroy. I reminded her that God's Word says the she has the power over the enemy who when he comes in like a flood, will be met with the standard lifted up by the Spirit of the Lord. We also prayed for her peace. We talked about the unknown situation she's walking into and how God has got it under control whether she knows it or not. I plead the Blood of Jesus over her situation.
What was it that struck me?
I was reminded of the fact that this lady is an active believer. What struck me was the severity of the attacks on believers by Satan and so I want to encourage you today to stay close. There's an end to this movie. The season Finale doesn't lead to another season of ups and downs. In the end, we win and don't you forget that. Stay close to God. Stay close to the Word of God. Build yourselves up in the faith.
Stay encouraged.
______________________________________________________________________________________
SIDEBAR
We have to remember that we are "faith" people. We don't think like everybody else. We don't have to deal with the troubles that come. We have a Father who cares so much for us that He says, give it all to Me, I'll take care of it.
At the end of the conversation, we prayed and then I spoke to my friend. I encouraged her to remember who God is. I reminded her of the devil's plan to kill, to steal and to destroy. I reminded her that God's Word says the she has the power over the enemy who when he comes in like a flood, will be met with the standard lifted up by the Spirit of the Lord. We also prayed for her peace. We talked about the unknown situation she's walking into and how God has got it under control whether she knows it or not. I plead the Blood of Jesus over her situation.
What was it that struck me?
I was reminded of the fact that this lady is an active believer. What struck me was the severity of the attacks on believers by Satan and so I want to encourage you today to stay close. There's an end to this movie. The season Finale doesn't lead to another season of ups and downs. In the end, we win and don't you forget that. Stay close to God. Stay close to the Word of God. Build yourselves up in the faith.
Stay encouraged.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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