We live in such a dark world

"LIGHT"

We live in such a dark world, yet we are filled with the light of Jesus Christ. We must learn to let that light shine bright in every place we go. Matthew 5:14 and 16 says, "Ye are the light of the world ... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

 Please Pray:
    we will not fear the darkness of this world
    we will learn to be a light no matter where we are
    that those who want to leave the darkness will be drawn to God’s light in us

You will be ready to be a light to those who are seeking.

Tiffini Countaway, Conference Services Manager
MyHopeRadio Web Producer
United Pentecostal Church International 
(Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)

The Blind

"The Country of the Blind"

"And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (II Kings 6:17).

I heard a story mentioned by Rev. Ken Gurley during a daily devotion session that caught my attention.

H.G. Wells wrote a short story called “The Country of the Blind.” It has such a parallel to our battle in helping our world to see Christ!

A mountain climber gets hurt during climbing and stumbles into a village that has been separated from the rest of civilization.

As he began stumbling down to the village late in the day, he called out to the people he could see in the village. They turned toward the sound of his voice, but did not really see him.

As he came closer, he noticed no windows in the homes, ropes along the walking paths, and discovered that they were all blind.

They helped minister to his wounds and were kind, but when he tried to tell them about what he saw on his climb, they didn’t believe him, because they never could see.

Decades ago, a disease had begun to strike the children with blindness, and as time went on, all who could still see, died off. With them the stories of vision died also.

So, as he told of what he saw, they didn’t believe him. As time went on, he healed up and began to work with the community. They thought he was crazy when describing what he would see. They would do work at night as the heat of the day was uncomfortable.

He fell in love with the leader’s daughter, and wanted to marry her, but they thought his craziness of seeing things was too much. They finally had the doctor of the community check him out. When examining him, he felt the darting and movement of his eyes and determined that this was the cause of his craziness. So, he would be allowed to marry the daughter, if he would let them remove his eyes and be like them. He agreed.

However, at sunrise on the day of the operation, while all the villagers are asleep, He saw the morning, like a golden armored angel coming down the steps, it seemed to him, that before this splendor he and his blind world in this valley, and his love were no more than a pit of sin.

He then understood the following: My world is sight! He then climbed out of the village, and left the Country of the Blind.

Our world wants to remove our eyes, what we have seen in Christ, what He has told us in prayer, what we have seen in His glory!

Your world is seeing the truth of God’s power, promises, and truth. The world has forgotten the sights of Christ, His promises, and love. Because they have walked in the world so long, they may have forgotten how to see Christ. Don’t let them remove your eyes that see, but pray that God restores their sight. Spiritually, pray for The Country of the Blind.

Rev. Patrick Alvarez
WNOP NW Regional Prayer Coordinator 
Washington District Prayer Coordinator 
(Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)

Run with patience the race that is set before us

The Scripture says...
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord...

From the Scriptures: Hebrews 12:1-14 KJV 

What God told him to receive his healing

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.

3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.

4 And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.

5 And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.

6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.

7 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.

8 And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.

9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

16 But he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.

From the Scriptures: 2 Kings 5:1-16 KJV.

Intercessory Prayer

"The Power of Intercessory Prayer" by Angela Overton.

 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26)

Several years ago in Bible College, I developed an undeniable burden for a family member who had fallen away from God. I entered into a season of fasting and prayer for this individual, believing that God was going to do something miraculous in their life. One afternoon, I entered the prayer room, and a spirit of intercession came over me.

I prayed for almost five hours; it was physically exhausting, and I felt like an iron ball was in my stomach, weighing me down, causing me to remain tethered to the floor. In those few hours, it was as though I felt all of the shame, heartache, fear, regret, and pain of my loved one. My burden was great. In my desperation, I cried out to the Lord, “Take this burden from me, it’s too heavy for me to bear anymore.”

At that moment the Lord spoke to my spirit so beautifully said, “What you have felt for your family member, I have felt for the whole world.”

I proceeded to weep and thank God for His great love for humanity.



We serve a God who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15), meaning everything you have gone through, our Savior has carried it personally on the cross.

There is a power of intercessory prayer because when we pray in our understanding, we pray our prayer; we pray our own will. However, intercessory prayer lends oneself completely to God. Essentially, you say, “God, pray your prayers through me, I desire to be a vessel.”

I’m thankful to share with you that the person I prayed for that day years ago is now back in church and actively serving in ministry. God hears every prayer you pray and He loves your family and friends even more than you do. Continue to seek His face and yield your spirit to God’s.

(Information from: Pure Ministry Newsletter - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesconnections-upci.org@shared1.ccsend.com)

Remember now thy Creator

The Bible says...
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;

5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

(From: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 KJV)

Faith Renewal

"Renewal Of Faith"

“And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth” (Luke 18:7-8)? 

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).   

Our ability to receive the promises of God are directly connected to our faith in Him. The confidence we have put in our bank accounts, retirement, medical plans, and insurance can undermine the faith we have had to put in God. These things are not wrong in and of themselves, but our security cannot be tied to what we have on this earth. We are facing perilous and uncertain times, it is vital that our faith be a testimony to the world in this desperate hour. 

 
PRAY:  
    For a hunger for God’s Word. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). 
    For a purification through heartfelt repentance. “… purifying their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:9). 
    For separation from this world and sanctification for God’s purpose. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Act 26:18).   
    For righteousness to be revealed to the world. “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).   
    For faith to produce the fruits of the spirit in our lives. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).    
    For the Church to stand in the power of God. “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (I Corinthians 2:5). 
    That our faith would not fail. “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:32):   
  

Annette Parmley  
Arkansas District
 

Have faith in the good times and in the bad

"Faith Over Fear"

Fear is something that, if left unchecked, can rule our lives. God’s plan for our lives is not that we would be slaves to fear but overcome it through faith in Jesus Christ. My favorite verse in the Bible is II Timothy 1:7 which proclaims, “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Whenever I am going through a time where I can begin to feel fear creeping into my mind, I remember this verse and take comfort knowing that our Lord and Savior holds us in His hands. He has a plan for our lives and will be with us every step of the way. 

King David is a great example of how trusting in the Lord, instead of taking things into our own hands, or being afraid brings about the best outcome for our lives. David could have reciprocated Saul’s hatred or desired to cause him harm, but he remained faithful to the Lord and trusted that what He had told him would come to pass. Remaining faithful in the face of trials, disappointments, sickness, and anything else that comes against us can be difficult. However, in these times where our faith is tested, we can remember the story of David, as well as the stories of many others from the Bible, and know that our future is in the hands of the Lord.

Have faith in the good times and in the bad. The Lord loves and cares about us and is with us every moment of every day. We are never alone. Take comfort today knowing that God sees where you are and that He is with you. Choose to have faith in God and say no to the voices of fear and doubt that come into your mind. Have faith over fear.

Sarah Smith
WNOP Administrative Associate II
(Info from: Prayer Cnnect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)
 

Improve communication in your Marriage

Life Coach Lakelie Lopez explains how understanding your own personality can improve communication in your marriage.
"The Key to Better Communication"

Have you ever wondered why you click with some people almost instantly, while, with others, every conversation feels like a struggle? The answer often lies in our personalities. Personality encompasses the unique blend of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that make us, us. It is a collection of characteristics and behaviors that make each person and their response to the world around them unique. Our personality also shapes how we communicate and relate to others.

Effective communication can be challenging when two uniquely different personalities are joined together. A married couple may sometimes feel they need a translator to help decipher what their mate is trying to communicate. According to an article published in The Journal of Divorce and Remarriage in 2012, 53 percent of couples cite not being able to communicate effectively as a reason for divorce.

Understanding our personality improves communication and enhances our marriage and other relationships. As the saying goes, “Knowledge is power.” Peter Scazzero, author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, states, “The vast majority of us go to our graves without knowing who we are. We unconsciously live someone else’s life, or at least someone else’s expectations for us.” Recognizing our unique traits and emotions can empower us, placing us firmly in control of our interactions.

Being tuned in to who we are is key to effective communication within marriage, enabling us to become the whole person God created us to be. Consider what energizes you, brings you joy, or drains you. How do you best learn and receive criticism or praise? Are you in control of your emotions, or are they controlling you? The more we understand why we are the way we are, the more we can adapt, adjust, and improve—putting us in the driver’s seat of our emotional and mental health. 

The following are practical steps to self-discovery.

Take a Personality Assessment: Taking a personality test with your spouse can be enlightening. Remember, the goal is not to find excuses for our behavior or to label each other, but to uncover opportunities for personal growth and deeper connection.

Develop Emotional Intelligence: This involves improving skills in five key areas.

    Self-Awareness: Understand your strengths and weaknesses.
    Self-Regulation: Monitor your thoughts and emotions and accept responsibility for your actions.
    Motivation: Aim for realistic goals and embrace change.
    Social Skills: Be adaptable and ready to compromise.
    Empathy: Enhance your listening skills and strive to understand others' perspectives.

Understanding ourselves better and taking the time to understand our spouse more fully can open the door to better communication and a fuller realization of our potential. With better self-understanding and emotional intelligence, enhancing communication isn't just a goal—it’s a journey. 

What steps will you take today to start this journey with your spouse?

(Information from: Family Life Ministries Newsletter - UPCI Family Ministries - family@upci.org) 

Add to your faith virtue

The Bible says
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall...

Scripture from: 2 Peter 1:1-10 KJV

Some useful Videos

Access some useful Spiritual Videos Information
Most videos are from YouTube Channels online. Just use the link provided to see the videos. We are sharing some useful videos to help others who may be seeking Information that are relevant and connected to the Bible Scriptures and Teachings.
  
When Revival Comes 
by Johnny Godair BOTT 1990
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QJxMb2XgZg

The Progression of the Word
by Dr. Gerald Jeffers - Song of Solomon 2: 8-14 KJV
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtKnPFnlCuw

Yoked up with God. 
(RE: God will not put a Spiritual with a non Spiritual, Donkey and Ox, he cleaned Church toilet before preaching, etc)
by Dr Gerald Jeffers
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW5khzEkgZg 

What the Word of God says about The Leviathan 
Dr Gerald Jeffers with his wife Sister Jeffers Music/Singing Ministry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDgy3V-TFC0 
NB: To win the battle over sin and the devil each day ...you have to agree with God that God is right, your flesh and the devil are wrong! (See Amos 3:3 KJV).

The Power of the Spoken Word
by Dr Gerald Jeffers with Sister Jeffers Music/Singing Ministry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx-lGe8Qsko  

To win the battle over sin and the devil each day ...you have to agree with God that God is right, and your flesh and the devil are wrong! (See Amos 3:3 KJV). Our Faith and Love will work with God (Galatians 5:6 KJV) but our fear and worry mean we are working with the devil our enemy. We need to remember and do what the Word of God says.

5 Fold Agenda of God and Satan- Part 1 
by Dr. Gerald Jeffers
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnzXJQGP210

There Is Revelation In Your Situation - Part 1 of 2
by Dr. Gerald Jeffers - Exodus 3:13-17 KJV
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TsF_L4vZzk

Let God burn out the sins in our lives - Catch On Fire 
by Rev. Pastor Mark Morgan
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERgYlmKXVXg

The Word Of Faith 
by Marvin Bembry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t29NYR9isNk

Ministry Seminar (with the 5 Fold Ministries)
by Dr Gerald Jeffers
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtUMcLFqk2w

END of Information

We must trust in God

"After God's Own Heart"
King David is referred to as a man after God’s own heart (I Samuel 13:14). What does it mean to be after God’s own heart? It means putting others before ourselves in all things and having a humble spirit. It means doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes, desiring no recognition. David exhibited this when he continued his shepherd work despite knowing the anointing that was on his life. He had the humbleness of spirit to remain where he was and continue operating in his calling until it was time to do more. Even after David became King, he remained humble and respectful to God and others.

 
We must trust in God as well as be humble. We ought to trust in Him just as much during the good times as in the bad. Trusting in God means obeying His commandments even when we do not agree. At the end of the day, our Savior knows what is best for us and for His Kingdom. David trusted in God despite his circumstances. David was being hunted by King Saul and never wavered in his faith, but remained faithful to God, knowing that the Lord had called him to greater things, and He would bring him out of his situation. If God has called you or told you something is going to come to pass, then it will happen.

 
Finally, love the Lord with all your heart. This means loving everyone around you because we are all the children of God. It can be hard to show a godly love for those who have hurt you, so give your hurt over to God in prayer and He will repair your heart. Loving the Lord means having a relationship with Him daily. David loved the Lord deeply and had a personal relationship with Him which can be seen throughout the book of Psalms. When David messed up, he humbly turned to the Lord in repentance. He acknowledged that he had sinned, turned from his ways, and restored his relationship with God.

 
We can be men and women after God’s own heart by being humble, trusting in the Lord, loving the Lord with all our hearts, and serving Him each day in our thoughts and actions. Decide for yourselves to follow the example set before us by David and you too could be described as being “after God’s own heart.”

 
Sarah Smith
WNOP Administrative Associate II
(Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)

A clean heart

"Create in Me a Clean Heart"
In the Bible, King David's request for a "clean heart" is mentioned in Psalm 51. David composed this psalm after the prophet Nathan had confronted him regarding his sinful affair with Bathsheba, and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah.

David realized the gravity of his sins and was overwhelmed by guilt and shame. He deeply desired forgiveness and the restoration of his relationship with God. In Psalm 51:10, David pleaded with God, saying, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

Prayer is significant in a Christ-centered life because it allows believers to establish and deepen their connection with God. It serves as a means of communication with the Father, allowing individuals to express their gratitude, seek forgiveness, ask for guidance, and build a personal relationship with Him.

Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts filled with gratitude for the lessons taught by King David about true repentance.

    Help us recognize the areas in our lives where we have strayed from your path and grant us the courage to turn back to you.
    Lord, just as King David exhibited humility in acknowledging his mistakes, we humble ourselves before you.
    Teach us to be humble in our thoughts, actions, and interactions with others; recognizing that true greatness lies in serving and honoring you.
    Gracious God, we acknowledge the transformative power of your forgiveness.
    Just as you forgave King David, cleanse us from our sins and restore us to a right relationship with you.
    Help us experience the freedom and joy that come from being forgiven by your grace.

Dr. Margaret Banks-Butler
WNOP International Harvest Prayer Evangelism Coordinator
(Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)

The Lord opened the mouth of the Ass

The Bible says...
And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?  And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay.
From: Numbers 22:28-30 and read verses 1-41.

Rejoice

The Bible says...

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

(From: Philippians 4:4-7 KJV)

He did in fact recover

All For One…

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:15...).

Many years ago, in the late 1980s at our General Conference, I heard a message that greatly affected me. I do not recall the name of the minister speaking that night, but I profoundly remember the message he preached. He was recalling a story he had read in a magazine.

The story went something like this: A man was in a terrible car accident and was paralyzed from the neck down. He was unable to speak or move, but he had all of his mental faculties. His wife would come faithfully every day and visit with him, talk, and comfort him.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. She came in one day to explain that she was divorcing him and marrying another man. He said that in his mind he was screaming “NO, NO, NO! Im going to get better, Im going to walk again!” He wanted to scream out of frustration because she could not hear his desperate cries nor respond to him.

He did in fact recover, but he never forgot the horrible vexation of being fully aware of everything around him but unable to move or express himself.

CONTINUES at: https://files.constantcontact.com/aebf4de5001/a2e5f7da-d66b-480c-9c0d-4bed8ef096a5.pdf

I will bless the Lord at all times

The Bible says...

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

(From: Psalm 34:1-8 KJV)

I knew a Mother who got saved

Mothers Day 2024 is coming in May very soon. And it has been on my mind about how I knew a mother who got saved (according to Acts 2:38 KJV). I remember her personality and life before that happened, and after that.

All her life, until she was in her 50s, she believed another Doctrine about how to be saved (according to Matthew 28:19 KJV). Then one day that changed. Thanks to the help of her new Pastor who happened to be an Apostolic Minister/Pastor, that change took place. She believed and obeyed Acts 2:38 KJV, received the Holy Ghost/Spirit, and became a happy mother. That was unlike what she was, and the life she lived before that. She died as a saved Believer in January 2010 in Philadelphia Hospice Service after a short illness. But she died happy because she got saved before she died.

Salvation (i.e. receiving the Holy Ghost/Spirit) has a way of changing people lives for the better. Read Ezekiel 36:26 and John 4:10-14 KJV. When we live without the Spirit of God, we are at the expense and mercy of the enemy of our soul. God is love. And that is shown to us when we receive the Holy Ghost/Spirit. Because the love God has for us is revealed in His Spirit that he gives to us. And read John 10:27-28 KJV.

Living without the Holy Ghost/Spirit is almost like trying to live without natural water that our body needs. So as our natural body needs water, so our soul needs the Holy Ghost living water. The Holy Ghost gives us massive strength to resist the devil, the evil things/people of this world, and prepare us for Eternal Life. We need the Holy Ghost to be counted as one of Gods Sheep/People. Read Romans 8:9-11 KJV.

The Holy Ghost/Spirit changed a mothers life many years ago, and helped her live for God: Jesus in ways pleasing and acceptable to God. The mother I knew got saved by God: Jesus (not by man or a man-made religion) who gave His Holy Ghost/Spirit to her. So I knew a mother who was unhappy for many years, and a mother who became so happy only God can really tell how happy she was to be saved by God.

Hearing God Voice

Prayer for Hearing Gods Voice

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

We should remember that prayer is a dialog between the believer and God. It’s a two-way communication that involves both talking and listening. Prayer is not complete when we do all the talking and expect God to do all the listening. True prayer requires both. Let’s pray to hear God’s voice. Hearing God also represents a readiness to obey what He says. God does not speak just to give people a chance to decide if they want to obey. God speaks to those who take Him seriously and who stand ready to respond to whatever He says. Let’s learn to listen to the Shepherd’s voice.

Pray the following:

    Lord, I praise You as my Shepherd for You are the one who speaks so that I may hear Your voice and follow You were you lead.
    Lord, I Thank You, Oh God, for telling us the truth about Yourself, and about ourselves. 
    Lord, I confess any lack of desire or any personal failure in hearing Your voice. Help me to have ears to hear what Your Spirit is speaking today.
    Lord, give me listening ears to hear and discern Your voice from the many voices that are speaking.
    Lord, open my heart to Your impressions and please help me close my ears to the whisperings of the evil one.
    Lord, today I stand as an intercessor for those who are not listening to Your Word or Your Spirit and are straying from truth.
 

Rev. Stephen M. Harris, Christian Life Church, Port Washington, Wisconsin
Information from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com 

The Voice

The Voice of the Lord by Pastor Don Rogers .

“The voice of the Lord echoes through the skies and seas. The Glory-God reigns as he thunders in the clouds. So powerful is his voice, so brilliant and bright—how majestic as he thunders over the great waters. His tympanic thunder topples the strongest of trees. His symphonic sound splinters the mighty forests. Now he moves Zion’s mountains by the might of his voice, shaking the snowy peaks with his earsplitting sound! The lightning-fire flashes, striking as he speaks. God reveals himself when he makes the fault lines quake, shaking deserts, speaking his voice. God’s mighty voice makes the deer to give birth. His thunderbolt-voice lays the forest bare. In his temple all fall before him with each one shouting, Glory, glory, the God of glory!” (Psalms 29:3-9 TPT).

We live in a time with many voices competing for our attention, but the voice of the Lord prevails over every other voice when we choose to intimately respond to Him, through love and faith, in His love.

The voice of the Lord may produce four major kinds of responses:

Stubborn response – Like Cain (sometimes we like what we are doing and we resist God and wrestle to obey His voice) Hiding response – Adam hid when he heard God’s voice (fear and shame can cause us to hide from God’s voice). His voice becomes a terror to us.

Resentful response – One may ask, “why won’t God let me do what I want? I just want to be happy. I should be free to do what I want.” These are people who have a shallow reverence for God’s Word, especially if they feel His will opposes their desires.

Welcoming response – One would have the words of eternal life and would be delighted to hear His voice. These are people who see God’s Word like a honeycomb. They place their carnal appetites under the subjection to the voice of God’s Word and His Spirit.

Do you have a welcoming spirit and attitude towards the voice of the Lord? Is the voice of the Lord stronger than the voice of your carnal appetite? Is the voice of the Lord stronger than the ambitions of your personal aspirations? Is the voice of the Lord stronger than the offenses that occur relationally in your life?

Can you discern God’s rehma (utterance) voice during this endtime? Are you driven by fear and the affirmation of humanity or by the voice and the affirmation of God? His voice brings finality and authority to the inner man. It produces strength and peace in the midst of chaos. It is the highest voice among all other raging voices. We find God’s voice by spending quality time with Him and listening attentively for it. His voice helps to discern the times that we live in and to guide us in all things!

Pastor Don Rogers, The Pentecostals of Wisconsin, WNOP North Central Regional Prayer Coordinator

Information from: Prayer Connect - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com

Do you know and more Posts

Do you know about how to start a Prayer Ministry?

HOW TO START A PRAYER MINISTRY.

Pray. The proper place to began anything in the church is in prayer, and prayer ministries are no exception.

▪ Have the pastor’s support. No ministry within a congregation is likely to survive without the genuine endorsement of the pastor.

▪ Appeal to the influencers. There are always members of the laity whose opinions carry more weight than most. The greater the number from this group that will support the prayer ministry, the quicker the prayer environment will be changed.

▪ Get a covering. For all the reasons to start a prayer ministry, know up front that Satan will oppose you. You can rest assured that if you are making progress, he will increase his attempts to distract you. It is crucial that you pray for protection, pray for your family, those close to you and the others who are involved in building the prayer ministry. Prayer will cause Satan concern, and prayer is our best defense.

▪ Be careful not to organize God out of your ministry. Leave room for God’s hand in all that you do, but don’t sit around doing nothing.

▪ Teach Prayer. Take any opportunity to teach on prayer. This may include a special Sunday school class, using the first five to ten minutes of your prayer meeting, vacation Bible school and any other opportunity that arises to further the cause of prayer. Your job as a leader is to grow your people in prayer.

▪ Don’t start too many things at once. People will be overwhelmed by too many changes and it will stress your resources as well. It is much better to begin one or two new things at a time, and allow them to become established before adding another activity.

CONTINUES at: https://files.constantcontact.com/aebf4de5001/407be4c0-5dff-4f14-a0df-7ffe66457f30.pdf

Information from: The Prayer Life Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - wnopadmins@upci.org

AND

Do you know how to receive the Holy Ghost?

What the UPCI Pastor Billy Cole said.

How To Receive The Holy Ghost by Billy Cole BOTT 1991 - Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:38 and Acts 10: 44-48 KJV YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnGLCBvRqvc

NOTE: Please do not blame your Pastor or Preacher when someone does not receive the Holy Ghost. There are many different reasons as to why someone my not receive Him. But FAITH is the most critical element - faith on the part of the person seeking the Holy Ghost and from the Saints praying for and with them to receive the Holy Ghost.

AND

Do you know what the Bible says about Jesus and how to be saved?

The Bible says Jesus is God in the flesh. Read 1 Timothy 3 verse 16 KJV that says: ...great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. In Luke 7 verses 48-49 (KJV) we read And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

So we know only God can forgive our sins and Jesus forgave the sins of those he met while he was on Earth because he is God seen in human flesh. God is One God (not 3 persons in one) from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The Bible says in the Book of Isaiah 43 verse 10 (KJV) Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

How to be saved from sins and received Eternal Life was taught, preached and practiced by the Apostles at Acts 2 verse 38 when Peter said: ...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. So Peter knew what Jesus meant when Jesus spoke the words at Matthew 28 verse 19 and commanded the Apostles. The name from in the name of is Jesus Christ. And no where in the Bible was anyone baptized according to Matthew 28 verse 19 as mentioned. Why? Because Peter knew the correct understanding of that is Acts 2 verse 38 and many people in the Bible were baptized that way.

Read also Acts 2 verse 36, Acts 8 verse 16, Acts 10 verse 48 and Acts 19 verse 5 in the Bible. And there is no infant baptism recorded or taught in the New Testament. Jesus and the Bible also said we must be born of water and the Spirit to receive Salvation and Eternal Life from John 3 verse 5 in the Bible. So were are to seek and receive the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) to be chosen Saints of God Almighty. Read Romans 8 verse 9 in the Bible.

The most Important thing in 2024

The most important thing for 2024

Which one of the following would you say is the most important Spiritual thing in your life for the 2024 New Year?

The things are:

(A) More praying on a daily basis as a priority.

(B) Regular Church attendance and participation.

(C) Reading the Bible/Scriptures daily to know more.

(D) Keeping Gods Commandments with no exceptions.

(E) Giving more in Tithes and Offerings to the local Church.

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