Welcome!

Until a person knows God in the darkness, they will never be able to see that He is the light that no darkness can overpower (John 1:5).  They can never bear witness of the true Light, Jesus Christ, that lighteth every man that comes into the world (John 1:4&9).  WOW!!!  That means that no matter what a person’s problem is, Jesus is the answer!  Basically anyone can have a problem brought to light, but the solution lies in the problem being brought to the Light!  Many cannot tell of how Christ makes a difference—but it’s not because He lacks power but because they lack the power.

Unless a person has encountered the glorious presence of God in darkness, they will be left in the dark concerning the meaning and purpose of ministry.  And they will not be able to handle the light in any respect.  They want light so it can shine on them and make them to outshine others.  Many people desire or profess to have their own “ministry”—but it’s just a program where people come minister strokes to their ego.  Very few want ministry where they are administered stripes to be able to know and convey His healing hand.  Light is to point the Way, not to point to us.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light:  and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.  Matthew 10:27

So many long for rooftops so their voices can be heard;

They want the world to listen but they haven’t got a Word.

A spotlight is their goal and mission on which they embark;

And still they’ll give no place for things God highlights in the dark.

But if they want a message that will prove worthwhile to hear;

They first must heed God’s call to darkness and to Him give ear.

Then those well-spent, precious moments will then set the tone

For them to tell in lights and heights, the truths that God’s made known.

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness…The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.  Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.  Psalm 112:4; 18:28; 139:11&12

Be bodaciously encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

Be adamantly encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

So many times with the things that we see, we need God to show us in order to view them correctly. 

Are you in a fight?  Does is seem like you’re constantly battling something?  Does it seem like God should step in and do something to help?  Well, He has and He is!!!  He’s showing you how to fight; He’s preparing you for a victorious journey.

If you're in Christ, you are not to be immobile--you are destined to go places.

And if you are going to go places, you’re going to have to go into enemy territory.

And if you’re to walk in obedience, you’re going to have to possess the land.

And if you are going to possess the land, you’re going to have to be a giant killer.

And if you’re going to be a giant killer, you’re going to have to be strong and know how to fight.

And if you’re going to fight to win, you need an excellent trainer.

Thank God that He’s there.  He’s not fighting against you; He’s fighting with you against your enemy.  He’s fighting for you so that you might have a fighting chance.  He's not condemning you; He's conditioning you so that you may earnestly contend for the faith!

Remember:  When it appears that we’re right & God is wrong, there’s something wrong with that picture!

I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.  Job 10:2

I had times of constant combat but I did not know what for.

Could it be that God was angry with me and was waging war?

But not so!  The Lord was teaching me, back then I could not see

That my God was training me for life, and not opposing me.

He would be unjust and cruel if He would not help me prepare,

Knowing that it was inevitable that I would do warfare.

And if there had been no hardness that He had me to endure;

Then no doubt I’d meet a quick defeat and lose my life, for sure.

So I trust Him now that He knows best and only does what’s right;

For He’s there for my conditioning to teach me how to fight.

Blessed be the LORD my Strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:  My Goodness, and my Fortress; my High Tower, and my Deliverer; my Shield, and He in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.  Psalm 144:1&2

Be aggressively encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

From experience I’ve learned that much of my distress was due to my lack of distrust (which came from a lack of understanding).  It wasn’t that the circumstances were so distressing, but that I was distressed from trying to make & mold them into a purpose with which I could be comfortable.  Also, I was searching in desperation for an explanation that could satisfy the curiosity of inquiring minds.

I’ve come to know that it’s in being spiritually minded that is life and peace (Romans 8:6).  When I’m armed with the mind of Christ (1 Peter 4:1), all that happens comes under that category of life and peace (Philippians 4:7).  As far as those inquiring minds, they will never be able to grasp or comprehend the majestic workings of God.  If I were to share the precious truths that God makes known to me, they would think I was making up an excuse.

I will close this devotional with scriptures from a poetic thought that I’m working on called “It’s All In Your Mind!”

Be richly blessed by today's devotional!

O God of my righteousness:  Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress…  Psalm 4:1

In life, I've suffered tragedy that seemed to be distressing;

Some thought it was God's punishment, but God made it a blessing.

My life met with adversity some did not understand;

They said, "Rebuke the devil!" but knew not it was God's hand

That led me in a large room filled with anguish and distress.

He then used circumstances that I thought were meaningless

To work it for His glory, for my good, and then make in it

A valuable experience where mankind's benefited.

I now see how God has appointed seasons that have strife,

No more are they considered "so uncalled for" in my life.

For God calls for each time on purpose as He fashions it

To make my life more fruitful and my heart compassionate.

My God's by no means limited; He even uses ill

That comes into my life to work His blessed, sovereign will.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus… And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor? For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? but we have the mind of Christ.  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering… And be renewed in the spirit of your mind… And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

Philippians 2:5; Romans 12:2 & 11:34; 1Corinthians 2:16; 1 Peter 4:1; Colossians 3:12; Ephesians 4:23; Philippians 4:7; Romans 8:5&6

Be Extremely Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

I started my morning by running for a bus that I really, truly needed to catch in order to arrive at work (before everyone else left for the day!).  In other words, I was sort of, kind of running behind schedule.  I was one city block and a half away as the bus passed me by.  I began to make a run for it, the worse it could do was drive off without me.  By the mighty hand of God, I got to the stop and I caught the bus!  It was an amazing feat made possible by a glorious string of miracles that aren’t visible to the natural eye!  As I sat down, a young man said to me, “You don’t give up easy, do you?  I saw you when you started running for this bus and I said to myself that there was no way that you were going to make it.  But you did!”  I laughed & replied, “Well, I don’t always make it, but all I can do is try.”  In all actuality, I had no time to think about not having enough time.  I could not stop to decide if I should keep going.  I could not pause to entertain giving up.

I thought about the many discouraging things that are plaguing my mind at this point and time.  No matter how tired I feel, how discouraging they are, someone is watching me.  Someone is looking for me to make it (even though they may not expect me to be able to).  Someone I don’t even know, or know about is counting on me.  And Someone I know (and must get to know even better) is doing the same.  Jesus Christ, who strengthens and enables me, is watching me, cheering me up and cheering me on.  I can’t give up this easily; I can’t give up at all.

Be blessed by this devotional!

MAKING A RUN FOR IT!

Habakkuk 2:

2 – And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3 – For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

I praise You for deliverance that You have sent for me;

I praise You for the way that at the present, I can’t see.

I praise You for the tears that flow because I know Your hand

That gently wipes them always seems to be at their command.

I praise You for the pain because it’s something that You feel;

And won’t dismiss as mere emotions but respects as real.

I praise You that when I can’t see, I yet rejoice for I’m

Aware the vision is yet for its own appointed time.

But until it comes to pass and speaks, I am submitting

To praise You that it tarries only ‘til the time most fitting.

Be tremendously encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

Today’s devotional deals with things worth repeating.  The passage is taken from Psalm 119.

All but 4 of the 176 verses in Psalm 119 speaks of God’s Word:  law; testimonies; precepts; statutes; commandments; judgments; ordinances & of course, His Word.

We should declare what God has declared and take His Word above anything else we’ve heard.  God’s Word is Alpha (first consideration) and Omega (final authority).  Besides, can we find a more reliable or desirable source?  Aren’t you glad that everything He says is true?  So the next time you hear something contrary to His Word, let God be true!

My prayer is that you will be blessed by this devotion!

With my lips have I declared all the judgments of Thy mouth...I trust in Thy Word.  Psalm 119:13 & 42

If instead of being blessed, it seems that you are cursed,

It could be from the bad report you’ve heard and then rehearsed.

If you will not dismiss it, but accept it and repeat it;

Then you should never wonder why it seems like you’re defeated.

What makes the Lord less credible than those with words of gloom?

Would He then be trustworthy if He spoke no hope, but doom?

Many times the words of doubt and unbelief you speak

Will cause the outcome of your circumstances to be bleak.

Why then dwell on a bad report, as if it’s of some merit;

Or take it over what God says to act on and declare it?

Receive God’s Word and let your speech reflect accordingly;

And make confessions based on how God’s Word said it shall be.

Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.  Proverbs 6:2

The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. Proverbs 12:13

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my Strength, and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

Be earnestly encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

What a privilege, what a pleasure to know the Lord and then to become well acquainted with Him in the fellowship of His sufferings and in the power of His resurrection!  What a mighty God we serve!

When we fail to bear affliction with a patient spirit, we deny ourselves a great pleasure that God has deposited in each one for our enjoyment and enrichment.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake:  for when I am weak, then am I strong.  2 Corinthians 12:10

May you be strengthened by this devotional!

Though much about infirmities, I do not understand;

I'll gladly take them as God's will to know His healing hand.

Reproaches for the Master's sake, I find a sheer delight;

I'm privileged to bear His name and suffer for what's right.

I thank God for necessities, they leave no place for greed;

And Christ is my sufficiency and satisfies my need.

I count it joy when I am persecuted for the Lord;

I am exceeding glad for I know great is my reward.

There's such a pleasure in distresses for I'm truly blessed

To face what others face and yet have perfect peace and rest.

Though some count it adversity, I'd still much rather be

Where His strength is perfected and His power rests on me.

I thank God for the pleasure that I've found in each of them;

They did not sever us but drew me ever close to Him.

So when I am invited to sup by His hand divine;

I'll welcome every moment of a pleasure that's all mine.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life:  in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.  Psalm 16:11

…In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:37-39

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:  for My strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

Be richly encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

Most people want to be strong and even if they aren’t, they’d like to demonstrate that they are.  But too often, through the course of action that they choose, they disprove what they’re attempting to display.  Any weakling can take action (Proverbs 25:28), but it requires someone who is strong in spirit to be able to forbear & be longsuffering (Proverbs 16:32).

Be blessed; be strong!

For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose:  therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.  Isaiah 30:7

There are times when it seems most ideal for me to act,

Like instances when there is an unwarranted attack;

But often when I could join forces and fight back, I've found--

The Lord ordained some things in life that I'll take "sitting down."

The Lord has purposed in those times for me to rest and sit;

And if my foolish pride tempts me to do the opposite:

Ungodly men will give me help but it would be in vain;

It's best to sit when there is nothing that I stand to gain.

Ungodly men seem great in power, but they are misleading;

To make me think God's not enough and they have what I'm needing.

Their numbers may allure some but they're only beckoning;

Some unsuspecting souls to woeful days of reckoning.

They won't come out ahead because their purpose is defeated;

They'll suffer yet their greatest loss when it is all completed.

For without God, there's just no way or chance they can prevail;

And all of the ungodly with the ones they help will fail.

So, I'll rest confidently in the safety of God's will;

And after all is said and done, I'll be with Jesus "still."

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  Psalm 46:10

Be abundantly encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

I have a shirt that says, “Exercise Your Faith…Walk With God!”

Now that’s a power walk!  It’s a walk that requires power in order to do it and a walk that generates more power as you do it.  Never is faith tested and utilized more than in our walk with God.  When we walk with Him, we must walk by faith in order to allow our steps to carry us and not be moved by what we see.  If we walk by sight, we won’t walk for long, we’ll give up, go back or go wrong.

Be blessed by this devotional:

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:  when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  Isaiah 43:2

Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters (Isaiah 43:16):

Not as you go around the waters, but as you pass through;

You will see that I’ve already cleared a path for you.

And though the rivers of unrest swell with enormous force;

I yet direct the waves so that they help you stay on course.

And you shall face what’s known as the most dangerous circumstance;

But it, instead of stopping you, shall cause you to advance.

So know there are adverse conditions, if you walk with Me;

But everywhere we go shall be a move in victory.

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.  Isaiah 59:19

Be real encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!

I would like to give shouts out by the way of belated birthday greetings to the "Fantastic Four"--Four absolutely, positively wonderful people that I know who were born March 17th—

Aunt Janet Carey Spencer

Curtiss W. Stuenkel

Today’s devotional is a reminder that we can never honestly claim that God has forgotten us.  If we would question the ‘right’ person (the one who happens to be in the wrong—what an oxymoron!) when we feel that way (forgotten), we would clearly see that it’s the other way around—we have forgotten God!

Be blessed!

I will say unto God my Rock, Why hast Thou forgotten me?  why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?  Psalm 42:9

Always remember what a mighty & omnipotent God we serve, and never forget what a weak & impotent enemy we have!

I once (well, more than once) was feeling lonely and depressed,

It seemed I’d been forsaken and betrayed;

With enemies against me and my friends that had turned on me,

I felt I had good cause to be dismayed.

I cried unto the Lord, ”How could You have forgotten me,

And have me mourn for what my foes could do?”

He said, ”My child, it may surprise you, but those questions are

The very ones I want to ask of you!

How could you have forgotten Me then set your thoughts upon

A mortal who at any time could die;

And be afraid of the oppressor, like he can destroy;

Or override My power from on high?

How could you have forgotten Me but then remember well

The evil that your enemies has planned;

And then dismiss the fact that every time I have come through,

And thwarted all their deeds with My own hand?

How could you have forgotten Me and My omnipotence;

When knowing I have never failed you yet;

And everything your enemies have tried, has not prevailed;

And all they've said has been an idle threat?

How could you have forgotten when it’s in Psalm 91,

That you shall only see them with your eyes,

And you shall not be made afraid when you see their reward;

They’ll be destroyed by their own enterprise?

How could you have forgotten that Isaiah 54

And verse 14 says they shall not come near;

Then verse 15 tells you that they shall gather, not by Me;

But they shall fall, and I’ve made you aware?

So, why you think that you must mourn because you’ll be oppressed,

And that it’s Me who has forgotten you;

Are questions that have answers in which only you can give,

Because you have to know those things aren’t true.”

I thought on all the things that God had spoken to my heart,

I had to turn the questions back to me,

“Why are you downcast, O my soul, when there’s a faithful God,

In Whom you can put hope continually?”

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  and why art thou disquieted within me?  hope thou in God:  for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.  Psalm 42:11

Please also read:

Job 5:12

Psalm 21:11 & Psalm 33:10

Isaiah 41:10–13 & 20

Isaiah 51:12&13

Isaiah 51:14–17

Isaiah 35:3&4

Be outrageously encouraged!

Pam