Welcome!

God cares more about YOU than the situations that you’re going through.  Your circumstances are temporal; your soul is eternal.  In faithfulness and yet in compassion of an even greater measure, God permits affliction in order that you might be right before Him.  Whatever God ordains is right.  Amen.

Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.  Nahum 1:12b

During times I was afflicted, it was hard to see

That it was God, in faithfulness, allowing it to be.

Now I do attest that had it never come my way;

I would keep walking carelessly and in time, gone astray.

So without fail, where I’d go wrong, I meet up with affliction;

But I’d keep heading out of bounds, if there had been no friction.

I’ll ever yield to my God’s hand and trust His wise discretion;

Because afflictions come to send me in the right direction.

With God, it’s vital to be righteous more than comfortable;

Thank God that more than anything, He cares about my soul.

Psalm 119:

67 – Before I was afflicted I went astray:  but now have I kept Thy Word.

68 – Thou art good, and doest good; teach me Thy statutes.

71 – It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.

75 – I know, O LORD, that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

50 – This is my comfort in my affliction:  for Thy Word hath quickened me. 

Be Measurelessly encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  It seems that this devotion is covering 2 subjects.  It was supposed to be about how God overflows us with blessings.  But God how desires and purposes to bless us cannot be addressed without touching on God’s desire and purpose for blessing us.  This issue will be discussed more at length at another time because there is much on my heart and in the Word on that subject.

God has prepared blessings beyond comprehension for every believer.  Have you prepared to receive?  Have you a place to store it?  If these questions have you pondering and planning for ways to contain it in your own possession, then you have not adequately nor in equity with fidelity and biblical correctness prepared your heart to receive.  Remember:  God gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater; not seed to the collector and bread to the hoarder (Isaiah 55:10).  God gives to those who will be true to His purpose and intent for giving.  The heart of the recipient must be ready to produce and distribute; not keep for their own selves or selfish gain.

According to God’s Word, you won’t have room enough, no matter what you do.  So the blessings that God bestows are meant for more than only you!  It’s not meant for you to hoard and lay up where moth and rust corrupt; it’s not meant for your consumption to in your leisure to eat up.  It’s not meant for you to hide; where thieves can yet break in and steal.  It’s not meant for you to lord over, and be partial at your will.  It’s not meant for you to glory in, so some big name you can make.  It’s not meant for “your” own “ministry,” where no one else can partake. It’s not meant for you to fill up on and satisfy your greed, while you waste it on yourself and not use it for someone’s need.

When God blesses you in abundance, He has trusted you as a good steward of His goods.  God is the ultimate in equal opportunity.  He extends to everyone the opportunity to do well.  And though many do not handle it honorably, responsibly and obediently, God has yet given them the chance.  Only those who are faithful over a few things shall be made ruler over much.  Sadly, many are not faithful to God’s purpose and as a result, the trivial things become a ruler over them.  May we be found faithful and obedient to the blessings that God has called forth upon our lives!

Luke 5:

3 – And He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

4 – Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

5 – And Simon answering said unto Him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net.

6 – And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7 – And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

You’ve seen the Lord do wondrous things,

You’ve seen His mighty hand;

You’ve seen Him do the unexpected,

Yet, just like He’d planned.

You’ve seen His strength and miracles,

But don’t think that He’s through;

For though He’s done so much,

He’s just got started blessing you!

His giving does not taper off,

There’s so much that’s in store;

He’s working still in your behalf,

So, just prepare for more.

Although it’s more than you expect,

His blessings shall not cease;

And when you’re filled to overflowing,

That’s when they increase!

…And prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  Malachi 3:10

Be generously encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  I am enjoying the company of my family from Maryland this week, with more family to come in this weekend.  I can hardly contain the joy.  I receive so much, especially by the way of love, from my family.  I also get many life lessons from them, especially the younger ones (referred to as “younggins”).  My nephew Quinton (11 years old) had been praying to catch a Praying Mantis.  He & his sister Aria (9 years old) are into all sorts of critters.  He comes to Pittsburgh with his insect cages, nets & flashlight in tow (his mother tells me that the Airport Security had a field day with his bags).  He came prepared and expecting to receive and low & behold, one of the first insects to land on his mother’s leg was a Praying Mantis that he was able to catch!  Just like that!  I marvel at how simplistic prayer can be when accompanied with childlike faith and how complicated it becomes when the reasoning of adults is applied to it.  It’s sort of like an illustration of the theme from yesterday’s devotion.

One minister emphasized the importance of knowing God’s voice, knowing God’s hand and knowing God’s will.  So many Christians don’t, and as a result they find themselves fighting against an ally whom they have mistaken for an adversary.

Many times they may feel that they’re fighting a losing battle (and praise God because they would actually be defeating themselves and God’s purpose) while they are unaware that they have the victory.

Have you ever considered in your times of adversity, “What if this is God fighting for me instead of a fight from the enemy?”  Before you spring into action, be still before the Lord and don’t be surprised if you hear Him say, “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you…fear not, nor be dismayed…for the LORD will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17)

Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against…for this thing is from Me…1 Kings 12:24

There are times when life is filled with unrest and tumult.

It seems like things just came together to form a revolt.

It appears that they are getting further out of hand;

And the more you try, the more you cannot understand.

Then you see within your power means where you could opt

To fight against it, take control and have the whole thing stopped.

Just when you have determined what to do to make it right,

The Lord steps in and shows it to you in a different light.

He meets you at the turning point of where you’re sore dismayed;

And reassures you, “It is I!” and “Do not be afraid!”

The Lord speaks to your understanding, so you’ll clearly see;

What He’s saying when He tells you, “This thing is from Me.”

Only then can you survey the things that seemed so wrong;

And see that they’ve been working out His purpose all along.

Only through God’s Spirit can He show you to be still;

Or fight a losing battle as you fight against His will.

Often we’re not sure where something has originated;

But we rule out any chance God could initiate it.

So, before you act in haste to do what’s “not so swift,”

Just be sure it’s not the Lord who’s sending you a gift!

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  Matthew 14:27

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.  Acts 5:39

Be profoundly encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Thank you so much for visiting.  I am pressed for time right now but I will write back to everyone who has left comments for me.  Until then, please know that I am very encouraged because of you.  I always pray that all who visit will be encouraged in the Lord and come away with a joyful determination to serve Him like never before.  You let me know that my prayers are being answered!

Today’s devotion is about us being better off when we exercise our faith.  We can believe God—no matter how impossible or farfetched it may seem.  If God said it; that settles it:  Believe it!  Well, we don’t have to but it will be so much better for us if we did!

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  Mark 9:23

If you can just believe the Lord,

Then you’d be prompted to prepare;

For all the promised miracles,

He’s made in answer to your prayer.

If you can just believe the Lord,

And stand firm on His Holy Word;

His promise then makes perfect sense

When others think it’s most absurd.

If you can just believe the Lord,

Though you may be the only one,

You’ll see how the impossible

Can easily be said and done!

For when you just believe the Lord,

You’ll find His Word’s forever true;

He never speaks of anything,

That He cannot or will not do.

God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent:  hath He said, and shall He not do it?  or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?  Numbers 23:19

…If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.  Matthew 17:20

Be supernaturally encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

This devotion brought two precious pastors to mind:  it made me think on how the Lord told them (after He had made their names great) not to advertise but that the church that He was calling them to pastor would be built by His name and the work would be done in His name.  What a blessed assurance to know that something so powerful and sure as His name would be the foundation and structure of the house He charged them to build.  What an enormous amount of wisdom to be able to understand that in order to be effective in ministry, it’s not necessary for people to be able to identify us, but be able to identify with us as we then identify that it’s Christ that they see in us.

Many who lay claim to the ministry of the gospel are seeking to rise to the status of having a big name.  But every true believer who names the name of Christ Jesus already has a big name.  There is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved, there is no other name like His matchless name.  And every true Christian is satisfied being known by His name, celebrates bearing His name and sees no need to be known by any other.  Thank You, Jesus!

Be miraculously encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

At the time that I had just chosen this devotion to share and was tweaking it, my mom called me. As she was sharing some recent news that Anthony & Patrice received, I marveled how God had selected this devotion because it is so fitting for them.  So, I dedicate this to my precious family, especially sister & brother-in-law who have seen and will continue to see God’s guidance in a mighty and miraculous way.  Look forward to the great things that God is doing and rejoice all the way!

Sometimes it seems that the winds of swift transition come from out of nowhere.  But no matter what comes your way and from which direction, it can’t throw you off course because God is leading.  He is guiding you as well as all your affairs.

We must know that if we trust and obey God, He is leading no matter what we are going through.  Even when He takes us by a way that is unfamiliar to us and appears to be more dangerous or treacherous, we must continue to trust and be confident that He is guiding us and He will never lead us astray.  He will lead us safely to the promised land, the place that He has promised and that has promise, in whatever way He deems to be best.

This devotion contains two of the countless examples in the bible of how God leads His people in ways that are unheard of.  He continues to do so today.  Before the way closed up, He had already made a way.  His timing is such so that you don’t miss the opportunity that you would not otherwise seek out.  He has prepared your way and when all things are ready, He sends out the invitation to you to trust Him.  Oh, please accept!

Exodus 13:

17 – And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

18 – But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word:  for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.  Matthew 2:13

The path God sometimes leads us in is through a foreign land,

We must obey and follow Him, though we don’t understand.

Yet we can rest assured that the direction where He’s leading—

Is moving us into a place that has what we are needing.

He often has prepared a way avoiding some destruction;

And there is always safety when we follow His instruction.

When all seems unfamiliar, we’re still guided by His hand;

We never should get anxious for each step is fully planned.

He works out His own purpose through the time that we must stay;

He’ll guide us with His eye and also teach us in the way.

Although the path and place we’re in, we may not see or know;

We yet can trust in God who tells and shows us where to go.

Psalm 32:

32 – I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go:  I will guide thee with Mine eye.

33 – Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding:  whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

Be bravely encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

Please forgive my absence yesterday—I couldn’t get on the site to post my devotion.  I pray that you’ll be doubly blessed by this one today!

When we realize that our potential is based on what God has promised that we shall be, we will never succumb to the fear of failure because His promises are unfailing.

We are not to consider what has happened in the past, nor even what is occurring presently but we should only go by what God’s Word says.  We can’t look at ourselves because beloved, we are the children of God and it does not yet appear what we shall be.  But know this, we shall be just like God said we would be!  Be blessed!

Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He promised: there hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised…  1 Kings 8:56

No matter how your past has been nor what this day will bring;

You can look forward to a future that is promising.

It may be you’ve been told you won’t amount to anything,

Not so:  according to God’s plan, your life is promising.

And through each setback and adversity, you still can sing;

Because you have a song of hope that says you’re promising.

Your future’s bright and promising because God’s Word is true;

And you shall be successful based on what He’s promised you.

Let go of fear and doubt and to the hope you’re given, cling;

For God has plans for you and all of them are promising!

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.  Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Be unwaveringly encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

When we give to God, we are not putting something of ours into His hand, but we’re just taking our hands off of what is His to begin with.  That’s why He loves a cheerful giver because any other kind of giver has the mentality of a thief.  When God’s Word instructs us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, He’s not asking or demanding of us to sacrifice something that is ours, He’s merely commanding for what’s rightfully His.

Jesus commands us to first love Him with all that we have and every part of it (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30 & Luke 10:27).  Anything that we love better, more, in the place of or in front of Him is another god that we have placed before and above Him.  Worship Him only!  Worship the Lord in your giving; worship the Lord in your living.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  Romans 12:1

Some people really do believe they’ve given God their best,

And they have graciously with self-denial kept the rest.

But as it all is counted up and then the truth is known,

It’s been the better part that they have kept back for their own.

They’ll gladly give God more as far as quantity, but fear—

That He will ask them for that little part that they hold dear.

But it’s the cheerful giver that brings God’s heart much delight;

For He does not want what is left, He only wants what’s right.

Let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.  Hebrews 12:28 & 29

Be fully encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!

Many who pray never tap into the power of prayer.  In Oswald Chambers’ book titled “If You Will Ask,” he states that the purpose of prayer is not to get healed, get a job, get our house sold, or get whatever else we want.  The purpose of prayer is to get “the life of God in us.”   That’s God’s desire for us and toward us—that we would have the best: Him!  He wants us to have as much of Him as possible.  When our prayers grant the desires of God’s heart; that is desire in its purest form.  It’s when we seek first His kingdom to come and His will to be done in us as it is in heaven.  And that’s when God can give us whatsoever we desire when we ask.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  Mark 11:24

When we desire only to want what the Lord desires,

And willing to give up our dreams, if that’s what it requires;

When we abandon all the plans we thought to be ideal,

And let God guide our hearts instead of how or what we feel;

And when the “here and now” and things we could get instantly—

Are cast away for what will count toward eternity;

Then that’s when God can grant to us whatever we request,

Because we’re grafted in His will and only want what’s best.

1 John 5:

14 – And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:

15 – And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.

Be passionately encouraged,

Pam

Welcome!

If every blood-washed believer of the gospel could grasp the totality and all encompassing truth of Romans 8:28; that ALL things do indeed work together for good, we would never fret at anything.  We would be able to see every trouble as a vehicle to victory.

It just doesn’t happen but God causes it to be that way by His mighty power.  He who prepared mansions in glory for us while we were hell-bound and then set us free and turned us around, would it be anything other than indicative of Him to cause us to ride upon the high places of the earth?  He prepares a place that He ordained for us to be and then prepares the way to get us there.  The things that should overtake us will take us over to our destined goal.  The things that are supposed to block our way will become a way for us.  Rest in His care and allow Him to carry you through!

And in all that seems obstructive, God’s extending you assistance

It is added help you’ll need in your life’s quest to go the distance.

  …I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth…  Isaiah 58:14

As you progress in life’s journey, you may face an open sea;

And just how you’ll get across it, seems to be a mystery.

Then just when your courage rises and you say that you’ll be brave;

It gets quickly carried off with sights of the first angry wave.

But that’s when you should take courage, when you see the raging tide;

God shall use that very thing to make a way for you to ride.

So, your progress is not hindered and it’s not at all a loss;

All that normally would stop you comes to help get you across.

Isaiah 46:

3 – Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by Me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

4 – And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Be truly encouraged!

Pam