Everyone stops to think, “Is what I am doing worth doing?”Pat, a member of the GospeLines family and a Prayer Warrior since it began in the year 2000 recently shared her testimony with Sherry, Minister of Prayer and Praise:
Truly GospeLines is where I feel most comfortable in the ministry that God has asked of me. I am truly grateful to you and Tommy for allowing me to be a part of something so far reaching that I had always felt left out of. I truly feel that I am finally where God wants me to be in my life.
I have not had the types of relationships that shared so much about God and what he does in our lives, as I have had in the last Nine years that I have been with Gospelines. So I give all the Praise and Glory to GOD for bringing us all together as one big family to Help, Share and Support the World round.
It was in 2000 that Larry G. had been sending me devotionals and sent me the email for GospeLines. I had read it and thought it was going to be just more devotionals, but then it became so much more. And as it grew so did I with my prayers and the very big change it had made in my life.
Then when I started see Jeff in 2003 (who is now my husband) it seemed that my growth knew no bounds, God just kept blessing me more and more. I look forward to every day as I open my email and see that I am needed even more in Gods war to help others. He has blessed me with Love, Strength and Patience, from everyone who touches my life in GospeLines. I give GOD all the Praise and Glory for every prayer that is answered in His Way and His Time.
I have a friend who once who told me that when I sit down and talk to God on a specific prayer that GOD puts everyone else on hold to listen to my petition. I laughed because to think that I matter that much to GOD to listen to me was very humbling. (The reason he had said this is he was having trouble with his vehicle and needed work. So I prayed on it for a week, and he called me to say “Well, GOD was listening to you. I have a new vehicle and a really good job.”)
I was never sure I was praying correctly, No one really teaches you to pray they just tell you to do it. So basically I just talk to GOD. Throughout the day and then when Jeff and I do our prayers together in the evening.
With all the bad in the world, we really do need to stick together and fight the fight GOD has asked us to fight.
I know that Gospelines has not always been easy between internet problems and trying to get people to take it seriously was a struggle in the beginning. I am just so glad that Tommy and you have remained constant and vigilant in getting these prayers out all over the world. We have seen some major miracles over the years. Keep up the good work.
GospeLines Prayer:Father, we thank you for Pat and the many other faithful Prayer Warriors you have called to this ministry.They have blessed thousands through the years and are a blessing to us and You.Through Pat’s testimony, I pray that someone will be led to accept the call to become a Prayer Warrior with GospeLines.Amen and amen.
Two dear friends experienced a great loss this week.The impact of each touched my heart.
Experiencing a loss on any level is difficult for most of us – whether it’s your spouse, child, significant other, good friend, or a beloved pet.We loved them and we are not the same.
Our emotions may range from anger to disbelief to sadness.Some of us may withdraw into our own shell as though we can hide away, just as the Disciples disappeared when Jesus went to his death at Calvary.There are some unpleasantries (we believe) that we don’t want to face.And, yes, the Crucifixion was brutal and the men selfishly hid themselves, but Jesus was not totally alone, although it must have felt like it.Mary Magdalene was among the few witnesses who loved him and I can only imagine their grief.
And, while our situation isn’t of the same magnitude, in our heart, we feel that no one else can possibly understand our loss.We dread the finality of it, although they are never far away.We always carry them with us, in our hearts.There is also good news… while we say goodbye; God says hello.Our beloved is welcomed to His kingdom and we take comfort knowing that they are in His bosom and at a place of peace.
Prayer:Father, help us know that when we say goodbye, it is never final.Just as Jesus lives in us, so do those we loved.When we feel alone and lonely, we aren’t because You are omnipresent.When we feel it necessary to withdraw from others and You, give us Your gentle nudge. While our hearts may be heavy, every burden is lifted when we give them to You to carry for us.
No one said living would be effortless, but You make a way despite the way we perceive our circumstances.You are as vital to us as the air we breathe.
Thank You for saying hello, when we say goodbye…
In His Love,
Carla
≈ Devotional for Wednesday, August 4, 2010
“If I Should Die Before I Live”
Doris Dillon dreamed all her life of being a teacher. She not only made it, she was one of those wondrous teachers who could wring the best out of every single child. One of her fellow teachers in San Jose, California said, "She could teach a rock to read."
Suddenly she was stricken with Lou Gehrig's disease, which is almost always fatal within five years. She asked to stay on the job, and did.When her voice was affected she communicated by computer.
Did she go home? No…she was responsible for two elementary school libraries. When the disease was diagnosed, she wrote the staff and all the families that she had one last lesson to teach - that dying is part of living. Her colleagues named her Teacher of the Year.
The old saying, "He has one foot in the grave," is an unkind description of elderly people or someone who might be terminally ill.I have never been in a life-threatening situation, so I don't really know how I would deal with it. But I would hope that I could be courageous, as when David faced Goliath; and faithful, as the woman who sneaked through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus' garment.
To face my own mortality is humbling.No one knows the hour when we shall breathe our final breath, or give that last hug to a child, or say that last "I love you."God wants us to know that dying is a part of living, yes, but He wants me live right now, REALLY LIVE every day!The greatest testimony of a dying saint is that he/she lived until he died!
GospeLines Prayer:Father, my greatest fear is not that one day my soul shall pass from this mortal body into Your presence.My greatest fear is that I might die before I live.Let it not be, O Lord.Teach me how to live life to the fullest in the power of Your Spirit!
How many friends from your early childhood are still close to you today?Do you see them and/or talk to them frequently; or, like most of us, do you sometimes have trouble remembering their names?
As we grow older, friends from grade school, high school, or college tend to become just fond memories.It isn't intentional; growing apart is often part of the maturing process.No matter what our age, life has a way of changing around us and we change with it.We move, grow, and enter into new situations and circumstances that take us down a myriad of different paths.Somewhere along those paths, old friends become memories and new friends take center stage in our lives.However, sometimes, a few special friends will stay with us throughout our lives.
Those special friends may be separated from us my many years and many miles; but, they are still active players on the stage of our lives.We may not talk often; but, when we do, it's as if we've never been apart.My daughters have a name for those "special" friends.They're called "BFF's" - "Best Friends Forever!"
Do you have a BFF?Do you have someone who will always be there for you - someone who will always come when you need them; who will never turn from you because of your past mistakes but is always ready to forgive and start fresh?Do you know someone who will always love you even when you ignore them and sometimes refuse to acknowledge their presence in your life?If not, please let me introduce you to my BFF - His name is Jesus.
He will never leave nor forsake you no matter where you go or what your circumstances (Hebrews 13:5; Deut. 31:6).He will be with you "even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20 - KJV).Best of all, He will become BFF's with anyone who calls on His name (Romans 10:12-13).
Almost 2,000 years ago, Peter spoke these words to those who were not friends of Jesus - he spoke to the very ones who were complicit in His crucifixion:
"Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him...
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear...Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ...
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:22-39 - NIV)
Do you want to be His friend?Do you what to be His Best Friend Forever?If so, follow the same admonition Peter gave those assembled on that day in Jerusalem so long ago.Confess that Jesus is Who He says He is, repent of your sins and call on Him - ask Christ to become the Lord of your life; ask Jesus to become your BFF...
You know you're in a heat wave when the grass is like straw, the flowers are wilted, water usage is soaring, and your clothes stick to you no matter what do.
Summer heat not only affects nature, it is also dangerous to people.How can we protect ourselves? We are told: drink water, stay indoors and don't exert yourself, get into air-conditioning, dress lightly and so on. All of these are very good advice that we should take to heart.
There are other warning signs that indicate a serious problem of a like nature? Is your spirit dry? Has your love for God wilted? Is your compassion for others like the straw on our lawns? Do you feel like you don't have the energy to do anything for God? The Bible gives us advice to protect us from spiritual dehydration. You can find relief for your dry spirit in God's promises.
Drink Water
John 4:14 ... whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
Find shelter
Psalm 61:3-4 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah
Dress Appropriately
Ephesians 6:14-16 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Gospelines Prayer:"Father, let my thirst for righteousness be never ending; let my desire for sanctuary be eternal, and grant that my longing for righteousness will be as fresh today as the first day we met.Deliver me from the worldly elements of spiritual drought and soul starvation, and gird me with your goodness and power forevermore!"Amen and amen.