Expect An Answer

As a drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community of farmers was in a quandary as to what to do. Rain was important to keep their crops healthy and sustain the way of life of the townspeople.

As the problem became more acute, a local pastor called a prayer meeting to ask for rain.

Many people arrived. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in. As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles and socializing with friends. When he reached the front his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the meeting.

His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He then noticed an eleven year-old girl sitting quietly in the front row. Her face was beaming with excitement. Next to her, poised and ready for use, was a bright red umbrella. The little girl's beauty and innocence made the pastor smile as he realized how much faith she possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.

All came to pray for rain, but the little girl had come expecting God to answer.


"When you pray, you need to pray expectantly! If you truly don't expect an answer from God, then why should He give you one?"

"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


Waiting On The Lord

Sitting on my living room sofa, I flipped through the pages of my prophecy journals. I had filled one and a half books with words and dreams from God since I was saved in March of 2009. I read the dates on some that I had been praying for, wanting, needing, and waiting on for months, and in many cases, years. I started to ask God, why they were taking so long.

One was given to me in October of 2009 for January, so I expected it to come to pass in January 2010, which, it didn't. Needless to say, I was feeling a bit frustrated.

About 15 or 20 minutes later, my mom pulled up in my driveway, she had come to share a testimony of hers with me.

Something that she had been praying for for a few years, and that she received several prophecies about over the last three years, was finally starting to come to pass. And everything, thus far, as it was laid out before her, was much more than she expected, hoped or prayed for. She still had a little while longer before it was completed, but she realized that had it happened any sooner, particularly when she first started praying for it, that it would not have worked out, as she was not yet ready, spiritually and character-wise, among perhaps other ways.

As she shared this with me I felt very comforted, and I knew that God had sent her over to me to answer the questions that I had on my mind and in my heart, "When Lord?" and "Why so long?"

God was saying to me, through my mother, "Be patient My child. I have not forgotten you. But in MY (perfect) time, not yours."

Another aspect of that situation, is that my mother had emailed me in the morning to say that she was passing over by me later that day. So, even before I had actually asked those questions, God had already prepared to send the answers to me.

"Isn't He wonderful!?! *Big Grin*

Glory be to God!"

How Much Does A Prayer Weigh?

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work. They had seven children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store. Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can." John told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.

The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?" Louise replied, "Yes sir." "Okay" he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries."

Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head. Then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scale went down, and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it." The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales.

The scale did not balance, so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust.

Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list. It was instead a prayer which said: "Dear Lord, You know my needs and I am leaving this in Your hands."

The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said, "It was worth every penny."

It was sometime later that the grocer discovered the scales were broken; therefore, only God knows how much a prayer weighs.


"God knows all of our needs, which He always fulfills, and He always hears and answers our prayers! Sometimes, very creative and amusingly. *Smile*"

"...For your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him." - Matthew 6:8

The Geese & The Snowstorm

There was once a man who did not believe in either the virgin birth of Christ nor the spiritual meaning behind it, and was skeptical even about God. He and his family lived in a farm community. His wife was a devout believer and diligently raised her children in the faith. He sometimes gave her a hard time about her belief and mocked her religious observances.

"It's all nonsense... Why would God lower Himself and become a human like us? It's such a ridiculous story," he said.

One snowy day, his wife and children left for church while he stayed at home. After they had departed, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening.

Then he heard a loud thump, something hitting against the window... And, still another thump. He looked outside but could not see anything. So he ventured outside for a better view. In the field near his house he saw, of all the strangest things, a flock of geese. They were apparently flying to look for a warmer area down south, but they had been caught in the snowstorm. The storm had become too blinding and violent for the geese to fly or see their way. They were stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter, unable to do more than flutter their wings and fly in aimless circles. He had compassion for them and wanted to help them. He thought to himself, the barn would be a great place for them to stay. It's warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he opened the barn doors for them.

He waited, watching them, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. Nevertheless, they did not notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. He moved closer toward them to get their attention, but they just moved away from him out of fear.

He went into the house and came back with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread trail to the barn. They still did not catch on.

Starting to get frustrated, he went over and tried to shoo them toward the barn. They panicked and scattered into every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where there was warmth, safety, and shelter. Feeling totally frustrated, he exclaimed, "Why don't they follow me? Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm? How can I possibly get them into the one place that can save them?"

He thought for a moment and realized that they just would not follow a human. He said to himself, "How can I possibly save them? The only way would be for me to become like those geese. If only I could become like them, then I could save them! They would follow me and I would lead them to safety."

At that moment, he stopped and considered what he had just said. The words reverberated in his mind and heart: "If only I could become like them, then I could save them." Then, at last, he understood God's heart towards mankind... and he fell on his knees in the snow.


John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."

Whisper Or Brick

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and spun the Jag back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown. He jumped out of the car, grabbed some kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you!? Just what do you think you're doing!?" Building up a head of steam, he went on... "That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it!?"

"Please, mister, please. I'm sorry, but I didn't know what else to do!" Pleaded the youngster. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop." Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car. "It's my brother." He said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be okay. "Thank you, and God bless you." The grateful child said to him. The man then watched the little boy push his brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long walk back for the man to his Jaguar... a long, slow walk. He never did repair the side door. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention.


"God whispers in your soul, and He speaks to your heart. Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a 'brick' at you. It's your choice… Listen to the whisper, or wait for the 'brick'."





"Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way you expect it to be."

Divine Inheritance

Prosperity, according to Webster's, is "the condition of being successful or thriving." Prosperity does not mean the same thing to all of us. Prosperity is not in the possession of things, but in the recognition of supply and in the knowledge of free and open access to an inexhaustible storehouse of blessings.

In the great mind of God, there is no thought of lack, and such a thought has no rightful place in your mind. It is your birthright to be prosperous, regardless of who you are or where you may be. Develop a prosperity consciousness. Cultivate the habit of thinking that abundance is everywhere present.

Psalm 24:1 says, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." And the children of God are heirs to all good things.

Remember your identity. Remember that you are a child of God and that your inheritance is from God.

As a child of God, you have access to every needed thing. If you have property to rent or sell, if you need a place to live, if you need workers or work, or if you need money - whatever you may need - you have access to it, because all these things are part of your divine birthright.

The inexhaustible bounty of God is as much a part of you as is the inexhaustible life and strength of God. You can call upon God for supply and receive it as surely and as freely as you can receive healing, forgiveness, or any other blessing.

Luke 12:31 says, "Seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." Even though you may have built an awareness of lack within you that appears as some kind of lack in your life, you can quickly overcome it and remedy the condition by seeking the kingdom of God within you. You will discover God, not as something apart from you but as a living, active principle of Truth that is wonderfully responsive.

Just as words of weakness sap your strength, words of lack destroy your consciousness of divine substance and blind you to your limitless inheritance as a child of God. You are God's child, heir to all that God has. Accept your inheritance.

Refuse to worry, to doubt, or even to dwell upon any kind of lack. When you hear references to fear of lack or to difficulty of supply, remember that you have been promised "daily bread." Your daily bread is abundance to make your happiness complete, your growth steady and sure. Your daily bread is contained in your very thoughts. Your fulfillment is contained in the same powerful thoughts. So think fulfillment, believe in fulfillment, have faith in God. Have faith that each day's bounty comes to you in the perfect way to meet each day's need.

Remember that you are a child of God and that you have access to a divine inheritance. You have access to powerful faith and rich ideas, and with these tools, you have access to everything you need.


For Debt Release

Lord,

In the name of Jesus, I thank You for my deliverance from debt. Your Word says that I am to owe no man anything but to love him. As I continue to build my faith in this area, I fully expect to receive unexpected income and debt cancellation. I am wealthy and prosperous in every area of my life. My needs are met and my storehouses overflow with abundance.

I come against all oppression in my life and declare that I have supernatural protection against the onslaught of the enemy. I command the angels of God to go now and bring to pass my financial soundness and wholeness. I am a wise and faithful steward; therefore, I walk in manifested abundance and debt-freedom daily.

Lord, Your word says that You delight in the prosperity of Your servants. As I serve You with my finances, I declare that I have my harvest of debt-deliverance right now.

In Jesus' name. Amen!


© Creflo A. Dollar

The Silent Sermon

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone, then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit, and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday."


"We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken."


Some memorable scriptures on church attendance:

"And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword." - Leviticus 26:8

"Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 10:32-33

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:25

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." - Matthew 18:20

"I will declare Thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee." - Psalm 22:22

"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:12

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." - Romans 10:17

Some Of The Many Names Of God

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into It, and is safe." - Proverbs 18:10

Abba (Rom. 8:15) - Father

Alpha & Omega (Rev. 22:13) - The Beginning and The End/The First and The Last

El Shaddai (Gen. 17:1, Psa. 91:1) - The God of the Mountains/Almighty God/God Almighty

Immanuel/Emmanuel (Isa. 7:14, Mat. 1:23) - God with Us

Jehovah Jireh (Gen. 22:8-14) - The Lord our Provider/The Lord will Provide

Jehovah Nissi (Exo. 17:15-16) - The Lord our Banner

Jehovah Rapha (Exo. 15:26) - The Lord our Healer

Jehovah Shalom (Judg. 6:23-24) - The Lord our Peace/The Lord is Peace

Rabboni (John 20:16) - Master/Teacher

Amen (Rev. 3:14)

Ancient Of Days (Dan. 7:9)

Apostle (Heb. 3:1)

Bread Of Life (John 6:35)

Bright & Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)

Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)

Comforter (John 15:26)

Counselor (Isa. 9:6)

Creator (1 Pet. 4:19)

Everlasting Father (Isa. 9:6)

Good Shepherd (John 10:11)

High Priest (Heb. 3:1)

Holy Spirit (Isa. 63:11, Psa. 51:11)

I Am (Exo. 3:14, John 8:58)

Lamb (John 1:29)

Life (John 14:6)

Prince Of Peace (Isa. 9:6)

Redeemer (Job 19:25)

Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)

Root Of David/Offspring Of David (Rev. 22:16)

Saviour (Luke 2:11)

Son Of Abraham (Mat. 1:1)

Son Of David (Mat. 1:1)

Spirit Of Truth (John 15:26)

The Truth (John 14:6)

The Vine (John 15:5)

The Way (John 14:6)

The Word (John 1:1)

Wonderful (Isa. 9:6)

"Whatsoever you ask in My name, that will I do." - John 14:13

NeedHim.org

14 Ways To Encourage Your Pastor

Ephesians 4:11-13, "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

A Pastor is one of Christ's five office gifts to the Church. Yes, pastoring is a gift... and a pastor happens to be a gift that God gives to a church. The term pastor comes from, "shepherd", one who guides and cares for a flock.

Serving as a pastor is a remarkable and awesome blessing and privilege, but sometimes pastors can be the most misunderstood people in the church. Often their hours are long, the pay minimal, the criticism considerable and constant. Despite the joys of serving God, feelings of disappointment and discouragement can plague the best of them. However, here are 14 ways God can use you to become a blessing in your pastor's life, which also enhances your ability to receive from his ministry:

1. Roll up your sleeves and become a part of the team – Attend church faithfully and show that you're eager to follow his leadership. This will bless your life and be a tremendous encouragement to your pastor.

2. Be openly responsive - Nothing excites a spiritual leader like seeing people respond to the preaching and teaching. Show him that you're listening, and even say, "Amen" once in a while. Not only will it make his day, but it may make the service shorter, as it is a proven fact that preachers often unconsciously repeat themselves when they feel they're not connecting with their hearers.

3. Submit to the leadership of your pastor - The Bible places special emphasis on submission to spiritual authorities. The writer of Hebrews 13:17 says, "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you."

4. Treat him with proper respect - Treat him with as much or more respect that you would anyone else in authority. Sometimes folks tend to think of him as an employee, instead of their spiritual leader. A pastor, however, is God's appointed man, to help guide the soul of you and your family, and needs our love and respect. Express your respect to his authority by addressing him as "pastor" rather than by (just) his first name, especially while on the church premises.

5. Pray, pray, pray for your pastor - You know how much opposition that you receive yourself... from the world, the flesh, and the devil... and be assured, your pastor receives much more than you. Pray for him every day, and ask God to shower your pastor with an abundance of love, hope, joy, faith, peace, power, wisdom, and courage. Pray for your spiritual leader's maturity and growth in the faith. While you pray, be mindful of this wise advice from the German writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: "If you treat a person as he is, he will stay as he is; but if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be, he will become what he ought to be and could be."

6. Commit to stand with him through tough times - Be a real friend... not just a fair-weather buddy. A genuine friend is someone who remains steadfast with you regardless of what may come. He stands with you in the adverse circumstances of life, does not forsake you when others may abandon you, helps guard you when you are off guard, helps hold you accountable to your values, forgives and encourages you if or when you fail.

7. Toss out the cookie cutter - Don't expect your pastor to do everything the same way your last pastor did. Trust God to use your spiritual leader to bring about relevant and effective ministry to the present need. Don't stereotype him, either with the strengths or the short-comings, of other spiritual leaders you've known. Let your pastor be himself. Your pastor is an imperfect human being, and is unique with his own distinct personality, gifts, and talents.

8. Be patient and understanding - with your pastor, his mate, and his children. Do not expect your pastor or his family to be perfect, they are human too. A man of God has the same human tendencies that we all face, and so does his family. Let your pastor's spouse be herself, and don't place unspoken expectations on her to perform particular ministries or be like your former pastor's spouse.

9. Support him financially - so he can keep his mind on the work of the ministry. If a man cannot properly care for his family, he will be distracted from the ministry. It costs your pastor just as much to live as it does you, and in some cases much more because of added expenses, such as church equipment, transportation, or the way he is expected to dress. 1 Timothy 5:17 says, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine."

10. Give him the benefit of the doubt - Support your pastor even when he can't publicly explain why certain decisions or actions have been made. Oftentimes, to protect the privacy of others, pastors and leaders frequently can not disclose everything publicly, and professional ethics sometimes demand silence over issues that are very sensitive. If a tough decision takes place, support your pastor and avoid the criticism that usually comes along with such situations.

11. Knock off behind-his-back criticism - Ministers, as well as virtually all public authority figures, are often the subject of incessant criticism. If there is a legitimate matter that concerns the leader, it should be addressed to him personally, but criticism behind one's back certainly doesn't help them, and when distributed about can cause a lot of harm to a leader's reputation and credibility.

12. Squelch gossip and bad mouthing - Do not speak against, or listen to gossip or slander about your pastor. If you hear negative comments, respond with a positive one. If misinformation is being spread, correct it with the accurate information. Or, if people are gossiping, just walk away. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 5:19, "Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses."

13. Look for opportunities to encourage him - Tell him when he has helped you. Ephesians 4:29 teaches us to say things that edify, and you minister grace to your pastor whenever you tell him how he has helped you. He will be a more effective, dedicated servant of God if you give him some feedback on his ministry to you. Proverbs 3:27 says, "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." Be sure to also recognize your pastor and his spouse on birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. It is not always necessary to give gifts, but to be remembered on these special days is an expression of your love and encouragement.

14. Stay focused on the big picture - The big picture is JESUS. To love, forgive, and seek to bring souls into the Kingdom of God. Don't get weighed down by church politics, nonsense, offenses or whatever else goes on, but keep your focus on Jesus, and on what the church and the pastor are really about!


© Dr. Dale A. Robbins

Inspiration From A Friend

Hi Girl,

Nice to see that you are back *Smile* Your page is beautiful, and it just goes to show that God and only God knows the blue print of our lives... You found your words and your voice many years ago and yes, they were your calm in your storm at that time, and it all came flowing out, but now God is ready for you to use those same words and that same voice that you found then, only now it is to spread God's word.

I know that you know how hard this walk is, and to be honest, I have been struggling, but I never lose focus of God, because He still protects me and my boys, and I know that ALL good things are from God and the difficult things only HE carries me through it. Sometimes I wish that I had more Christian friends around as support through this, because God knows my heart and He knows that all I want to do is serve Him.... So I will continue to pray and I know He will show me the way.

Take care,
Tameka


"That was from an old friend yesterday morning. She's only one of three Christian friends that I have, outside of my church (and she lives overseas, so I haven't seen her in years). I'm praying for more.

'Thanks Tameka, for your kind and lovely words of encouragement. *Smile*' "

For Miracles

Dear God,

We come to You this evening with great expectations. With open hearts and with believing souls. God we ask You to make the supernatural natural in our daily lives. Lord, do not allow us to become spiritually or emotionally tired, bored, or lazy. Keep us active and excited Lord. Keep us excited for You and for Your power and Your miracles. For Your glory, Your wonder, Your power, and Your kingdom Lord. Manifest Yourself to us Lord. Speak to us. Speak to us in dreams and in visions. Speak to us through Your still, small voice Lord. Speak to us in our hearts, speak to us audibly, and speak to us through Your prophets. Allow us to visit Your home Lord, allow us to see Heaven, and to see what our future home looks like. Give us regular angelic visitations. Regular supernatural encounters. Let us regularly see and experience miracles, instant healings, remarkable deliverances, and Your prophecies to us and those in the Bible come to pass Lord God. Let us see Your son Jesus Christ Lord. Open our supernatural sight, our supernatural hearing, our supernatural sense of smell, of touch and of taste. Allow us to see, hear, and experience what is happening in the spiritual realm Lord. Let us be like Your mighty son, Jesus Christ, who while He was here on earth in human form said, in Your word, in John chapter 5, verse 19, "The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise."

Lord we are hungry for You. We are hungry for Your miracles. We are excited about Your wonders. We want the mantels and the spiritual gifts that You have in store for each of us Lord. Teach us to be ready for You. Teach us to be ready for when You are ready to work in us, and through, and with us Lord. Teach us to consecrate ourselves. Teach us to abide in You oh Lord and to never stray. Teach us to pray for and to talk to others who need to find You and those who have strayed from You Lord, so that we can help them to find You and to find their way back to You Lord.

Teach us to testify Lord. Teach us to not be selfish, so that when we begin to experience these supernatural manifestations and wonders that we will not keep them secret but we will share them with each other, with friends, family and even with strangers, so that Your name will be glorified and magnified throughout the earth Lord.

Lord, You told me once, as quoted in Jeremiah chapter 33, verse 3, to "Call unto You, and You would answer me, and show me great and mighty things, which I knowest not." Well, I am calling on You now and again Lord. And I pray that You will show me, and show everyone here tonight, great and mighty things which we knowest not dear Lord.

Lord, guide us, teach us, heal us, deliver us, bless us, comfort and keep us. In Jesus' most mighty, perfect, and holy name we pray.

Amen, amen, and amen!


© J. Nerissa Percival


God's Response (through Pastor "Reggie"):

I will see The Glory Cloud in my bedroom when I worship God.

"Thank You Lord God! *Huge Excited Grin*"

• For those of you who may not know what The Glory Cloud is, it is, God's Presence, which fills the atmosphere whenever you praise and worship Him, because He (literally) inhabits our praises.
  
  Sometimes His Presence is as a cloud, but usually it's as fire.
  
  "But Thou art holy, Oh Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." - Psalm 22:3
  
  "For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys." - Exodus 40:38
  
  His Presence (The Glory Cloud, whether it be in the form of a cloud, or in the form of fire) is only visible to those who can see into the spiritual realm, unless God opens an individual's spiritual eyes to see it.
  
  And also, for those who don't know, our spirit, can see, hear, touch, taste, and smell, just like our bodies can.

This is a lovely page with information on praising and worshiping God.

The (So-Called) Gardener

I gave my gardener very specific instructions on what to do and what not to do in my yard, so as to cut the grass, and not leave me with a big, long, tiring clean-up job in the hot sun afterwards. Especially as I cook, clean, do laundry, and work during the week, so on the weekends, sweeping off my huge (it is huge!) verandah in the hot sun, because of a messy and lazy gardening job, that I'm paying for, is NOT how I want to spend my time! Basically I told him to use the weed-wacker just around the plants (on the walkway, which is concrete tile, where grass grows between; and any other area necessary), the hand mower around the wall and steps of house (to avoid having any extra grass and dirt fly up onto my verandah, the walls, the furniture, and between the million and one banister posts that I have), his usual ride-on mower elsewhere, and then use his blower properly, and carefully to clean up my verandah and steps afterwards.

So two weeks after he returns (bearing in mind that he should have come a few days after our conversation, but didn't, and didn't call to say why either, so my yard had a ridiculous amount of grass and weeds by this time). He has his assistant use a hand mower on the entire yard, instead of his usual ride-on mower, and neither of them touch anywhere around any of the plants, nor anywhere directly around the house, nor under the elevated parts of the verandah! And, I have four bougainvilleas on one side of the steps along the front verandah wall, and four on the other side, so I can't even begin to explain how awful it looked having grass and weeds covering them, and clustered along the front walls (on both sides) of the house! Much less how bad the grass and weeds growing around the walls of the house, the steps, and under the verandah looked!

So as I saw him using his blower, which I know means that he's done for the day, I approached him (calmly and without any anger) and asked him what’s going on with the yard. I know he can’t be finished, so why is he using the blower already. Well he started up with attitude right there, and started saying, "Miss! I have lots of other yards to do, I can’t spend all day here! This is taking a lot of my time!"

Now usually by this point, I'd have lost it and the expletives would be flying! 'Cause ain't nobody got attitude like I use to have attitude! And I never argue if I’m wrong, so you know since I'm right I have an extra kick added in there! But, being a Christian now. I took a deep breath, thought to myself that maybe he's having a bad day and that I should just keep my cool, see what's up with him, and get this situation sorted out. So I mentally asked God to help me keep cool, and help me to sort this out.

The (so-called) gardener had gone back to his truck by this time, so I walked over there and proceeded to find out what was wrong. Nothing was wrong, he just simply decided to completely disregard my instructions and do his own nonsense. So, I re-explained my initial instructions to him, and made it very clear to him that it is HIS fault why this job is taking so long, and that he can NOT leave my yard looking the way that it is! He said he’d send someone back during the week (it was Saturday) with a cutlass to finish the job. I told him that doesn't make sense, he’s here now, so finish it now, and sending someone back during the week would make it more than a $100's worth job, and he’s not getting more than that (which is what I always give him), plus a cutlass would give a choppy look which I don't want, and, I do not want my yard left how it is period. It would have looked better if he didn't cut it at all. He said he'll deal with it, not to worry. I said ok, and went back inside.

Ten or fifteen minutes later he and his helper left! My yard was left as is, and he did not return until the end of the month… to collect his money!

For the two weeks that passed by I kept asking God what to do. Pay him $70 and fire him if he doesn't come back (which is what I was planning to do). Don't pay him and fire him (which is what I wanted to do). Pay him all and fire him (which is what my mother, father, grandmother, and aunt said to do, only because people are so crazy these days that they kill for money, even when it's not theirs and even when they don't deserve it). Or pay him $100, see if he ever comes back to deal with my yard again, and if not, simply get someone else (which was just a spare option in my mind).

God knows I did NOT want to give him a red cent! It was only my intention to give him $70 because during December, just before Christmas, while he was working on my neighbour's yard, he gave my front yard a little touch up with his weed-wacker. But I WAS going to give him the full $100 because everyone was urging me too. I certainly wasn't scared, 'cause I'm firm in my faith when it comes to God's protection, but I’m trying to follow advise from others, unless I hear from God directly, in situations where I am uncertain/undecided about what to do. So I had his full money ready and waiting for him, but I was still asking God, and waiting on Him, for a response as to what to do.

On the last day of the month, which was March 31st, the (so-called) gardener passed by. He sent someone out to get the money (which he's only done once before, and that was on either his 1st or 2nd time cutting my grass, usually he comes for it, and usually it's just him in his truck). A sure sign to me that he had a guilty conscience.

The person who he sent out of the truck said to me, "ABC wants to know if you have anything for him?" I said, "Ask ABC if he's finished with my yard." (I just wanted to hear what excuse he was going to give me, because no matter what it was, I was going to tell him not to pass back) The guy went back and repeated what I said (I could hear everything clearly), and then ABC replied to the guy with, "Chups. Let's go see." The guy jumped back into the truck and they drove off.


"Again, God knew that I didn't want to give him all the money (and that I have much more important things to do with that money, while I wait on my financial blessings from God, than to give it to an ungrateful and undeserving person), and of course He knew that I had it all there waiting for him. And when I asked God to show me how to handle the situation, I also asked Him to preferably handle the situation for me, or even to make it easier on me so that the 'gardener' will end up saying or doing something stupid when he comes for the money so that on the spot, he himself will make me decide if I should only give him $70 (or even $80)... And how lovely the way God did just that! He allowed him act so stupid that I didn't even have to end up giving him any! And, he fired himself, I didn’t even have to do that either! *LOL* Awesome!

The small miracles are the most amazing ones to me! *Wink*

So remember, God hears and answers all prayers, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, or even if you think that it is a situation that you should or can deal with yourself, you should ALWAYS seek His counsel and assistance! And He'll always bring you out victoriously! *Smile*

Glory to God!"


[update] I came home from my grandmother's, after work, on Friday afternoon (the 16th) to find my yard well taken care of, with the grass beautifully cut (including around all of my plants. My bougainvilleas in the front had surprisingly grown quite a bit under all of those weeds and grass during those few weeks too)! I called my mom to find out if she had gotten in touch with her gardener and sent him over to me, which I asked her to do three weeks ago, but I had spoken with her just about an hour before I got home and she told me then that she hadn't spoken with him yet, but now I just figured she did get in touch with him and wanted to surprise me (she loves surprises!). So just as my mind started to wonder about who on earth could have dealt with my yard for me, my mom told me that my grandmother brought her gardeners over to my house earlier that day! So I called my grandmother and thanked her. It was such a surprise, because she hadn't said a thing about it to me while I was with her (for about two hours), and we had even been discussing my yard! *LOL* She also told me that she made arrangements for them to come by once a month to deal with the yard for me, and that it would just cost the same amount that I was paying the first (so-called) gardener. She even stayed here with them from start to finish to instruct them, check my plants, and to ensure that they didn't destroy those at the front which needed serious weeding! *LOL*

"Thank you God for sending me help (sooo many different times) through my grandmother! *Grin*" [/update]

"I wrote this poem three years before I got saved, and the information, and detailed descriptions of Heaven (that are found in Revelation) contained in it prove to me that truly GOD IS ALIVE, as there is no way that I could have known any of this! And God did say to me, through a prophet, that He has given me talent and creativity, and that He gives me the words that I write in my poems (and this, along with most of my poems, particularly the spiritual ones, came to me in my sleep! I was literally woken up with the words pouring out of me)!

Glory to God! *Big Smile*"

Two Travelling Angels

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.

When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.

When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was angry and asked the older angel how could he have let this happen? "The first man had everything, yet you helped him," he accused. "The second family had little, but was willing to share everything, and you let their cow die."

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmer's bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem."


"Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way we think they should. But if you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to our advantage. You just might not know it until some time later."

Psalm 148:1-14

Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise Him in the heights.

Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts.

Praise ye Him, sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light.

Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.

Let them praise the name of the Lord: for He commanded, and they were created.

He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass.

Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling His word:

Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:

Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:

Let them praise the name of the Lord: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven.

He also exalteth the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto Him. Praise ye the Lord.


Psalm 150:1-6

Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness.

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp.

Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.

Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

God's Wings

An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God's wings.

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.

Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.

She could have flown to safety but refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast.

Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings had lived.


Psalm 91:1-16

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.

Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

(NIV) He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation.

John 14:1-21

Jesus: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.

In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Thomas: Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Jesus: I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.

Philip: Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

Jesus: Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.

Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.

If ye love Me, keep My commandments.

And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also.

At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you.

He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.

God Grew Out My Leg

Tonight I went to a prophetic gathering, hosted by Prophet Elmore Martin (my neighbour), at the Multipurpose Center. I got some wonderful words from God... And *LOL* Long story short... My left leg was a little shorter than my right leg (which I always thought, but was never sure if it was in my mind, 'cause I watch a lot of tv, or if it was a fact. But I always knew for certain though, that my walk was a little off, especially when I wore heels. And I knew for a fact, from doctors, x-rays, and God, that I also had a curved spine, which I now know was partly/wholly due to my leg *LOL*), so God called me up, by describing the shoes I was wearing! *LOL* I sat in a chair, stretched both my legs out, making the difference in length quite obvious/visible. The prophet, Kenneth Smith, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, put his hands under my feet and simply said that God is growing out my leg... And just like something from out of a movie... My left leg started to grow! *LOL* I'm so serious! I, along with my mom, and quite a few other people saw it grow (it was done to two other women as well)! I didn't feel any pain, not even any movement, nothing, but I SAW it grow and I felt the difference in my walk immediately!


"Isn't God AMAZING!!! *Huge Grin*

Glory to God!"

Parables
Earthly stories with Heavenly meanings


A Parable (Merriam Webster Dictionary): usually a short (fictitious or non-fictitious) story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle


[ My purpose for using parables as my main teaching method... ]


Well Known Parables Of Jesus:

1. The Good Samaritan
2. The Good Shepherd
3. The Ten Virgins
4. The Prodigal Son

Matthew 13:10-23

And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

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.

But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

The Ant & The Contact Lens

Brenda was almost halfway to the top of a tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens. "Great!", she thought. "Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet from the top, and now my sight is blurry!"

She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there.

She felt serious panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now as she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the Bible verse, 2 Chronicles 16:9, that says, "…the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth".

She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."

Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?"

Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of a rock, carrying it!

But the story doesn't end there! Brenda's father is a cartoonist, and when she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."


"I think sometimes it would do all of us some good to say: 'God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it, and it's awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will.'

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies those who He calls!"

Expectations

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As graduation day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car.

Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.

Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and a wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse:

Matthew 7:11, "And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to those that ask Him?"

As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words.....PAID IN FULL.


"Now, ask yourselves: 'How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged the way we expected?'

Remember: Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you don't have; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.

If your gift is not packaged the way you want it, that's because it's better packaged the way it is!"

Matthew 25:31-40

When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:

And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in:

Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee? Or thirsty, and gave Thee drink?

When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? Or naked, and clothed Thee?

Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.


The Girl In The Hospital

A few days before Christmas 2009, my mother requested that I get together a few items for a young woman who a mutual friend of ours (a minister) visited in the hospital, who had recently gone through a rough time with her boyfriend and had lost her home and vehicle.

Usually, giving to a complete stranger (and this girl I knew nothing about, not her name, her face, not anything) was something that was rather difficult for me to do. The devil would always put selfish thoughts in my mind, that would win me over, such as, "But what if after you give them this item you end up needing it?" "Or what if they really don't appreciate? You love it, so you keep it!"

But, I had been praying about becoming a more giving and caring person, even where complete strangers are concerned. So, after my mom left, I said a short prayer, went to my closet and started to take out quite a few items for this young lady. Even after I put aside some items, and went to take a shower, God reminded me of a few other things to take out for her. Along with both of my first two books, Butterfly In The Moonlight and Butterfly In The Sunlight, the second of which has in a short story of the ending of my first relationship, which lasted for seven and a half years, and ended abusively. My purpose for publishing this story was to let other young women, particularly those in my country, know that if I got through it, so can they!

In those books I signed them and included the following Bible verses:

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies." - Proverbs 31:10

I trust that my story, and those two Bible verses inspired her and cheered her up to some extent *Smile*


"Satan did bring a bad thought to my mind afterwards of course... "Suppose I end up needing some of the clothes or toiletries that I give to this girl for myself?" And I responded with, "Get thee behind me Satan! I have more than enough to give, and if I ever need more, the Lord will provide!" *Smile*

The Holy Spirit is indeed doing marvelous work inside of me!

Glory to God! *Smile*"