• Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

    How do you measure your prosperity? Is it by your bank account, or what you drive or live in? Is it by how many friends you have? Is it measured by how many ‘collectables’ you have acquired? What exactly does prosperity look like for you?

    Jeremiah 29:11 is everyone’s favorite verse to quote when it comes to times of ‘financial’ struggles. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

    The definition of prosper, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is this: (1) to succeed in an enterprise or activity/ especially: to achieve economic success (2) to become strong and flourishing.

    I Googled the original Hebrew verbiage and found that prosperous is not a word in the Hebrew language exactly. The word was ‘maschshevot,’ which in modern terms equates to peace, well-being and a positive future.

    The enemy is very good at taking God’s word and turning it into something BIGGER for his glory. He dilutes the Word to soften it; he adjusts the meaning of the Word to satisfy popular opinion; he creates a world of his translation of the Word to satisfy the egos of all those who want the easy way. Such as:

    Unconditional Love … that does not mean that I love your sin; it means that I love you enough to speak the truth in love, not judgment. The enemy will tell you that I am judging you, when I am not; I am just stating facts so that you can make an informed decision.

    Eye for an eye … that is hatred, according to Jesus, who says when someone harms you, turn the other cheek

    Prosperity preaching … from this verse … claims that if you ‘give’ to the church, then God will give to you, or rather that if you give to “their” church, God will give to you.

    Prosperity and riches. The enemy will hamstring you into believing that God does not love you because you have not ‘given’ enough or that your gift is not good enough. These are all lies. Starting with, God wants you to be financially rich. It is not that God does not want you to be financially rich, but he knows how easily it can distract you from Him. If you are financially rich, then your heart turns to protecting your money instead of worshiping Him who gave you the riches. Prosperity in Jeremiah is speaking of hope, peace, and well-being; not Richie Rich.

    I am not a RICH person, but I am better off than many. I have food in my belly, a roof over my head, people around me who love and respect me, a quality vehicle, but most of all … I have love. I have peace. I have joy. I have God. I am one of the most prosperous people I know.

    Today I encourage you to find your peace in Him. Worship Him. Praise Him. Embrace Him. Love Him. When you do those things with your whole heart … the world does not seem so hard to deal with. Your eyes are open to so many opportunities for His light and love to shine. This will bring so much joy to your heart that it overflows in abundance to those around you. He knows what the world is like, and He wants you to have His peace and prosperity.

    Be blessed.

    **But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33
    Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. How do you measure your prosperity? Is it by your bank account, or what you drive or live in? Is it by how many friends you have? Is it measured by how many ‘collectables’ you have acquired? What exactly does prosperity look like for you? Jeremiah 29:11 is everyone’s favorite verse to quote when it comes to times of ‘financial’ struggles. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." The definition of prosper, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is this: (1) to succeed in an enterprise or activity/ especially: to achieve economic success (2) to become strong and flourishing. I Googled the original Hebrew verbiage and found that prosperous is not a word in the Hebrew language exactly. The word was ‘maschshevot,’ which in modern terms equates to peace, well-being and a positive future. The enemy is very good at taking God’s word and turning it into something BIGGER for his glory. He dilutes the Word to soften it; he adjusts the meaning of the Word to satisfy popular opinion; he creates a world of his translation of the Word to satisfy the egos of all those who want the easy way. Such as: Unconditional Love … that does not mean that I love your sin; it means that I love you enough to speak the truth in love, not judgment. The enemy will tell you that I am judging you, when I am not; I am just stating facts so that you can make an informed decision. Eye for an eye … that is hatred, according to Jesus, who says when someone harms you, turn the other cheek Prosperity preaching … from this verse … claims that if you ‘give’ to the church, then God will give to you, or rather that if you give to “their” church, God will give to you. Prosperity and riches. The enemy will hamstring you into believing that God does not love you because you have not ‘given’ enough or that your gift is not good enough. These are all lies. Starting with, God wants you to be financially rich. It is not that God does not want you to be financially rich, but he knows how easily it can distract you from Him. If you are financially rich, then your heart turns to protecting your money instead of worshiping Him who gave you the riches. Prosperity in Jeremiah is speaking of hope, peace, and well-being; not Richie Rich. I am not a RICH person, but I am better off than many. I have food in my belly, a roof over my head, people around me who love and respect me, a quality vehicle, but most of all … I have love. I have peace. I have joy. I have God. I am one of the most prosperous people I know. Today I encourage you to find your peace in Him. Worship Him. Praise Him. Embrace Him. Love Him. When you do those things with your whole heart … the world does not seem so hard to deal with. Your eyes are open to so many opportunities for His light and love to shine. This will bring so much joy to your heart that it overflows in abundance to those around you. He knows what the world is like, and He wants you to have His peace and prosperity. Be blessed. **But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33
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  • #praise the lord
    #praise the lord 🙏
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  • 23-08-2026

    A Heart That Reverences God

    Revelation 15:4 (AMP)
    “Who will not fear and glorify Your name, O Lord, and bring worship to You, for You alone are holy? For all the nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts [Your judgments and decrees] have been revealed and displayed.”

    There is something powerful about recognizing who God truly is.
    Revelation 15:4 gives us a glimpse of heaven and reminds us that God alone is holy, worthy of reverence, and deserving of worship. One day, every nation will recognize His greatness. Every human achievement, title, possession, and earthly accomplishment will fade in comparison to the glory of our Creator.

    But we don't have to wait until that day to worship Him.
    We can choose today to live with a heart that says, “Lord, You alone are worthy.”
    Sometimes life becomes so busy that our attention shifts toward our problems instead of God's greatness. We can become consumed by what we need, what we fear, or what we cannot control. Yet worship redirects our hearts. It reminds us that God is still holy, still sovereign, and still worthy—even when we don't understand what He is doing.

    The verse also says that the nations will worship because God's righteous acts have been revealed. His character is trustworthy. His ways are righteous. His judgments are just.
    You may not understand everything God is doing in your life right now, but you can trust who He is.
    Today, don't only worship God for what He has done. Worship Him for who He is.

    He is holy.
    He is righteous.
    He is faithful.
    He is worthy.
    And He alone deserves your worship.

    Prayer
    Father, I worship You today because You alone are holy and worthy. Forgive me for the times I have allowed my circumstances to become bigger than my view of You. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on Your greatness and to trust Your righteous ways, even when I don't understand them. May my life become an offering of worship to You. Let my heart continually declare, “You alone are worthy.” In Jesus' name, Amen.

    Today’s Reflection
    What is one thing you can surrender to God today and replace with an attitude of worship and trust?

    Declaration:
    “Lord, You alone are holy and worthy of my worship. I will trust You, honor You, and praise You regardless of my circumstances.”
    23-08-2026 A Heart That Reverences God Revelation 15:4 (AMP) “Who will not fear and glorify Your name, O Lord, and bring worship to You, for You alone are holy? For all the nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts [Your judgments and decrees] have been revealed and displayed.” There is something powerful about recognizing who God truly is. Revelation 15:4 gives us a glimpse of heaven and reminds us that God alone is holy, worthy of reverence, and deserving of worship. One day, every nation will recognize His greatness. Every human achievement, title, possession, and earthly accomplishment will fade in comparison to the glory of our Creator. But we don't have to wait until that day to worship Him. We can choose today to live with a heart that says, “Lord, You alone are worthy.” Sometimes life becomes so busy that our attention shifts toward our problems instead of God's greatness. We can become consumed by what we need, what we fear, or what we cannot control. Yet worship redirects our hearts. It reminds us that God is still holy, still sovereign, and still worthy—even when we don't understand what He is doing. The verse also says that the nations will worship because God's righteous acts have been revealed. His character is trustworthy. His ways are righteous. His judgments are just. You may not understand everything God is doing in your life right now, but you can trust who He is. Today, don't only worship God for what He has done. Worship Him for who He is. He is holy. He is righteous. He is faithful. He is worthy. And He alone deserves your worship. Prayer Father, I worship You today because You alone are holy and worthy. Forgive me for the times I have allowed my circumstances to become bigger than my view of You. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on Your greatness and to trust Your righteous ways, even when I don't understand them. May my life become an offering of worship to You. Let my heart continually declare, “You alone are worthy.” In Jesus' name, Amen. Today’s Reflection What is one thing you can surrender to God today and replace with an attitude of worship and trust? Declaration: “Lord, You alone are holy and worthy of my worship. I will trust You, honor You, and praise You regardless of my circumstances.”
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  • GLORIOUS SUNDAY SERMON OF
    23RD AUGUST 2026

    Beloved of God, welcome to this amazing gathering of God's children. As we are about to hear from the throne of mercy, I declared that you will not come in vain, and you will not go empty handed.
    But before we share the word of God, let us pray

    ENJOY THE FULL VIDEO HERE
    https://youtu.be/-Zfqj60lXcU?si=XfTep0H_aLMP6SL7
    PLEASE WATCH, LIKE, COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE
    TO HELP MY CHANNEL GROW. THANKS

    LESSON: PSALM 139: 23-24.

    TOPIC:
    WHEN GOD LOOKS AT ME, WHAT DOES HE SEE?

    TEXT:
    For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)

    INTRODUCTION:
    Last Sunday, we asked ourselves a very important question: “What Kind of Christian Am I?” Today, I want us to go one step deeper. The question is no longer about what I call myself. It is not about what people call me. It is not even about the image I have created before others. The question is: “When God looks at me, what does He see?”

    People see the outside. They see our clothes.
    They hear our words. They see our church attendance. They see our posts on social media. They know our titles and positions. But God sees beyond all of that. 1 Samuel 16:7 says: “For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” That means I can impress people and still disappoint God. I can look religious before men and still be far from God in my heart. So today, let us allow God to examine us.

    EXPOSITION:
    1.GODSEES BEYOND MY APPEARANCE:
    We are very conscious of how people see us. We dress well because we want to look good. We speak carefully because we want to sound intelligent. We behave properly because we want to maintain a good reputation. There is nothing wrong with these things.

    But God sees what people cannot see. He sees the thoughts we hide. He sees the motives behind our actions. He sees what we do when nobody is watching. He sees the person behind the public image. You may deceive people, but you cannot deceive God.

    David understood this when he prayed in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart... and see if there is any wicked way in me.” That should become our prayer too. “Lord, search me.” Not, “Lord, search my neighbour.” Not, “Lord, search my enemies.” Search me.

    2. GOD SEES THE CONDITION OF MY HEART The heart is where God begins His examination.What is inside my heart? Is there unforgiveness? Bitterness? Pride? Jealousy? Greed? Hatred? Secret sin? Or is there genuine love for God and for people? Jesus said in Matthew 12:34: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our words often reveal what is already living inside us.

    Sometimes we say, “That was just a mistake.” But repeated words, repeated attitudes and repeated behaviours may reveal something deeper. And this is where the message becomes personal. What does God see when He looks into my heart? Does He see Christ? Does He see humility? Does He see love? Does He see repentance? Or does He see a heart that has become comfortable with things He has been asking us to surrender?

    3. GOD SEES WHETHER MY LIFE AGREES WITH MY CONFESSION:
    Perhaps this is the hardest question. Do I live what I claim to believe? If I say I am a Christian, can people see Christ in the way I treat them? If I say I love God, does my lifestyle demonstrate that love? If I say I have forgiven someone, have I truly released the person from my heart? If I preach holiness, am I pursuing holiness? If I tell others to trust God, do I trust Him when my own circumstances become difficult?

    Jesus said in Matthew 7:16: “You will know them by their fruits.” God is not only interested in what comes out of our mouths.He is interested in what comes out of our lives. Our character is preaching every day. Our conduct is preaching. Our attitude is preaching. Our relationships are preaching. Even when we say nothing, our lives are saying something.

    CONCLUSION:
    THE GREATEST TRAGEDY :
    My beloved, today God is not asking us to examine somebody else. He is asking us to examine ourselves. When God looks at me, what does He see? Does He see a Christian only on the outside? Or does He see a transformed heart? Does He see someone who has truly surrendered to Christ? Maybe today, we need to stop defending ourselves and simply say: “Lord, show me who I really am.” Because the greatest tragedy is not that people misunderstand us. The greatest tragedy is when we misunderstand ourselves before God.

    People may applaud us. People may praise us. People may call us wonderful names. But at the end of everything, the only opinion that matters eternally is God's. So, before you ask, “What does God think about other people?” Ask yourself: “When God looks at me, what does He see?” And if He reveals something that does not look like Christ, don't run from Him.Run to Him. Because the God who reveals our condition is also the God who can transform us.

    PRAYER:
    Father, when You look at me, let me not be ashamed of what You see. Search my heart. Remove every bitterness, pride, hypocrisy, unforgiveness and secret sin. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Let my private life agree with my public confession. Let my character reflect Christ. Let my words, actions and attitudes bring glory to Your name. And when You look at me, Lord, let You see the evidence of Your grace working in my life. In Jesus' powerful name, Amen.

    GOODWILL MESSAGE.
    This is my goodwill message to you this week:
    May the Lord search your heart and remove everything that does not represent Christ. May your private life be as pleasing to God as your public life appears before men. May your character reflect your confession, your actions reflect your faith, and your life become a true testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.

    HAPPY BLESSED SUNDAY!
    HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK.

    JESUS IS COMING BACK AGAIN SOON!
    REPENT AND BE READY FOR HIM!!

    This wonderful message is brought to you
    With Love from Pastor M O Glorious,
    CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH ,
    Palace of Mercy, Royal District, Restoration Zone. Damolapa, Laketu, Lucky Fibre, Ikorodu Lagos Nigeria.
    For prayer or counseling, pls contact us@
    08055646358: 09018952081
    or
    peganmireAnderson Mwila.com
    #WhenGodLooksAtMe
    #WhatDoesGodSee
    #ChristianLife
    #ExamineYourself
    #SearchMyHeart
    #ChristianCharacter
    #FaithInAction
    #JesusChrist
    #WalkWithGod
    #TheWordOfGod
    #GloriousPositiveVibes
    GLORIOUS SUNDAY SERMON OF 23RD AUGUST 2026 Beloved of God, welcome to this amazing gathering of God's children. As we are about to hear from the throne of mercy, I declared that you will not come in vain, and you will not go empty handed. But before we share the word of God, let us pray 🙏 ENJOY THE FULL VIDEO HERE 👇👇 https://youtu.be/-Zfqj60lXcU?si=XfTep0H_aLMP6SL7 PLEASE WATCH, LIKE, COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE TO HELP MY CHANNEL GROW. THANKS 🙏 LESSON: PSALM 139: 23-24. TOPIC: WHEN GOD LOOKS AT ME, WHAT DOES HE SEE? TEXT: For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV) INTRODUCTION: Last Sunday, we asked ourselves a very important question: “What Kind of Christian Am I?” Today, I want us to go one step deeper. The question is no longer about what I call myself. It is not about what people call me. It is not even about the image I have created before others. The question is: “When God looks at me, what does He see?” People see the outside. They see our clothes. They hear our words. They see our church attendance. They see our posts on social media. They know our titles and positions. But God sees beyond all of that. 1 Samuel 16:7 says: “For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” That means I can impress people and still disappoint God. I can look religious before men and still be far from God in my heart. So today, let us allow God to examine us. EXPOSITION: 1.GODSEES BEYOND MY APPEARANCE: We are very conscious of how people see us. We dress well because we want to look good. We speak carefully because we want to sound intelligent. We behave properly because we want to maintain a good reputation. There is nothing wrong with these things. But God sees what people cannot see. He sees the thoughts we hide. He sees the motives behind our actions. He sees what we do when nobody is watching. He sees the person behind the public image. You may deceive people, but you cannot deceive God. David understood this when he prayed in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart... and see if there is any wicked way in me.” That should become our prayer too. “Lord, search me.” Not, “Lord, search my neighbour.” Not, “Lord, search my enemies.” Search me. 2. GOD SEES THE CONDITION OF MY HEART The heart is where God begins His examination.What is inside my heart? Is there unforgiveness? Bitterness? Pride? Jealousy? Greed? Hatred? Secret sin? Or is there genuine love for God and for people? Jesus said in Matthew 12:34: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our words often reveal what is already living inside us. Sometimes we say, “That was just a mistake.” But repeated words, repeated attitudes and repeated behaviours may reveal something deeper. And this is where the message becomes personal. What does God see when He looks into my heart? Does He see Christ? Does He see humility? Does He see love? Does He see repentance? Or does He see a heart that has become comfortable with things He has been asking us to surrender? 3. GOD SEES WHETHER MY LIFE AGREES WITH MY CONFESSION: Perhaps this is the hardest question. Do I live what I claim to believe? If I say I am a Christian, can people see Christ in the way I treat them? If I say I love God, does my lifestyle demonstrate that love? If I say I have forgiven someone, have I truly released the person from my heart? If I preach holiness, am I pursuing holiness? If I tell others to trust God, do I trust Him when my own circumstances become difficult? Jesus said in Matthew 7:16: “You will know them by their fruits.” God is not only interested in what comes out of our mouths.He is interested in what comes out of our lives. Our character is preaching every day. Our conduct is preaching. Our attitude is preaching. Our relationships are preaching. Even when we say nothing, our lives are saying something. CONCLUSION: THE GREATEST TRAGEDY : My beloved, today God is not asking us to examine somebody else. He is asking us to examine ourselves. When God looks at me, what does He see? Does He see a Christian only on the outside? Or does He see a transformed heart? Does He see someone who has truly surrendered to Christ? Maybe today, we need to stop defending ourselves and simply say: “Lord, show me who I really am.” Because the greatest tragedy is not that people misunderstand us. The greatest tragedy is when we misunderstand ourselves before God. People may applaud us. People may praise us. People may call us wonderful names. But at the end of everything, the only opinion that matters eternally is God's. So, before you ask, “What does God think about other people?” Ask yourself: “When God looks at me, what does He see?” And if He reveals something that does not look like Christ, don't run from Him.Run to Him. Because the God who reveals our condition is also the God who can transform us. PRAYER: Father, when You look at me, let me not be ashamed of what You see. Search my heart. Remove every bitterness, pride, hypocrisy, unforgiveness and secret sin. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Let my private life agree with my public confession. Let my character reflect Christ. Let my words, actions and attitudes bring glory to Your name. And when You look at me, Lord, let You see the evidence of Your grace working in my life. In Jesus' powerful name, Amen. GOODWILL MESSAGE. This is my goodwill message to you this week: May the Lord search your heart and remove everything that does not represent Christ. May your private life be as pleasing to God as your public life appears before men. May your character reflect your confession, your actions reflect your faith, and your life become a true testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen. HAPPY BLESSED SUNDAY! HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK. JESUS IS COMING BACK AGAIN SOON! REPENT AND BE READY FOR HIM!! 🙋This wonderful message is brought to you With Love from Pastor M O Glorious, CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH , Palace of Mercy, Royal District, Restoration Zone. Damolapa, Laketu, Lucky Fibre, Ikorodu Lagos Nigeria. For prayer or counseling, pls contact us@ 08055646358: 09018952081 or peganmire[gmail].com #WhenGodLooksAtMe #WhatDoesGodSee #ChristianLife #ExamineYourself #SearchMyHeart #ChristianCharacter #FaithInAction #JesusChrist #WalkWithGod #TheWordOfGod #GloriousPositiveVibes
    0 Kommentare 0 Anteile 20 Ansichten
  • 🏻 I Praise God because he can be nothing but faithful.
    For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness endures through all generations - psalm 100:5
    🙌🏻 I Praise God because he can be nothing but faithful. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness endures through all generations - psalm 100:5
    Like
    1
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  • TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS:

    SERMON TOPIC:-

    WHEN GOD CLOSES A DOOR.

    Understanding Divine Closure, Redirection, and the Next Move of God.

    Key Scripture:

    Revelation 3:7 —
    “What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”


    There are times in life when you pray for a door to open, you believe God has answered, you prepare yourself to walk through it—and suddenly, the door closes.
    The job opportunity disappears.
    The relationship ends.
    The business deal fails.
    The application is rejected.
    The opportunity goes to someone else.
    The plan you prayed about does not work.
    And you ask, “God, why?”
    But here is a truth every believer must understand:
    A closed door is not always a sign of God's absence. Sometimes it is evidence of God's protection.
    We often celebrate God when He opens doors, but mature Christians must also learn to trust Him when He closes them.
    Sometimes God closes a door because what is behind it would destroy what He is building inside you.
    Sometimes God closes a door because the next chapter of your life requires you to leave the previous chapter behind.
    And sometimes God closes a door because He is preparing to open another one that you could never have opened for yourself.
    1. GOD CAN CLOSE A DOOR FOR YOUR PROTECTION

    Scripture: Proverbs 16:9

    «“A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”»
    There are things we desperately want because we can only see what is in front of us.
    But God sees what is beyond the door.
    You may see an opportunity.
    God may see a trap.
    You may see a relationship.
    God may see the pain it will produce.
    You may see a promotion.
    God may see the pride it could create.
    You may see a business opportunity.
    God may see the consequences you cannot yet see.

    Biblical Example:
    Balaam

    In Numbers 22, Balaam was travelling in a direction he thought was acceptable, but God placed an angel in his path.
    Balaam could not see the danger.
    His donkey could.
    What Balaam considered an obstacle was actually divine protection.
    Sometimes you are frustrated because something is blocking your way, while heaven is saying:
    “I am blocking this because I know what you don't know.”
    Don't curse every closed door.
    Some closed doors are mercy.
    2. GOD MAY CLOSE ONE DOOR TO REDIRECT YOU TO ANOTHER

    Scripture: Acts 16:6–10

    Paul and his companions wanted to preach in certain regions, but Scripture says:
    «“They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.”»
    Then Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”
    Notice something powerful:
    Paul was doing God's work, yet God still closed a door.
    This teaches us that:
    A good idea is not necessarily a God idea for this particular season.
    You can be sincere and still be moving in the wrong direction.
    You can have a legitimate opportunity and still not have divine permission.
    You can pray, plan, prepare—and God can still say:
    “Not this way.”
    The closed door redirected Paul toward Macedonia, where God had prepared a greater assignment.

    Spiritual Insight

    Never allow disappointment to make you disobey divine direction.
    When God closes a door, ask:
    “Lord, where are You directing me?”
    Not merely:
    “Lord, why did You stop me?”
    3. A CLOSED DOOR DOES NOT MEAN A CLOSED FUTURE

    Scripture: Revelation 3:7

    «“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”»
    One closed door does not mean your entire future has been cancelled.
    David was rejected by his family.
    Joseph was rejected by his brothers.
    Moses experienced rejection before returning to Egypt.
    Paul experienced opposition throughout his ministry.
    Yet God's purpose for them continued.
    Remember this:
    A closed chapter is not a closed destiny.
    You may lose an opportunity without losing your purpose.
    You may lose a relationship without losing your future.
    You may lose a position without losing your calling.
    You may experience rejection without becoming rejected by God.
    The enemy wants you to interpret one disappointment as the conclusion of your entire story.
    But God says:
    “I am still writing.”
    4. SOMETIMES GOD CLOSES A DOOR BECAUSE YOU HAVE OUTGROWN THE ROOM

    Scripture:

    Isaiah 43:18–19

    «“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing.”»
    There are seasons you cannot enter while continuously holding onto the previous one.
    The children of Israel could not remain in Egypt forever.
    Ruth had to leave Moab.
    Abraham had to leave his father's house.
    The disciples had to leave their nets and follow Jesus.
    Growth requires movement.
    Sometimes the door closes because God is calling you forward.
    You keep asking God to reopen what He has already closed.
    But God may be saying:
    “Stop trying to return to where I am trying to take you from.”
    Some people are praying for restoration when God is offering transformation.
    Some are asking God to rebuild yesterday when God is preparing tomorrow.
    5. LEARN TO TRUST GOD WHEN YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND HIM
    Scripture: Romans 8:28
    «“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”»
    Notice that Scripture does not say everything that happens is good.
    It says God can work all things together for good.
    The rejection can become redirection.
    The disappointment can become development.
    The delay can become preparation.
    The closed door can become protection.
    The ending can become the beginning of something greater.
    Faith says:
    “God, I don't understand this, but I trust You.”
    That is mature faith.
    Anyone can praise God when everything is working.
    But there is a deeper level of worship when you can say:
    “Even when I don't understand Your decision, I still trust Your character.”

    BIBLICAL CASE STUDY:

    JOSEPH

    Joseph received a dream from God, but his journey did not immediately look like the dream.
    He was hated by his brothers.
    He was thrown into a pit.
    He was sold into slavery.
    He was falsely accused.
    He was imprisoned.
    Door after door seemed to close.
    But God was not abandoning Joseph.
    God was positioning Joseph.
    The pit was not the palace.
    The prison was not the promotion.
    The rejection was not the conclusion.
    Eventually, Joseph stood before Pharaoh.
    Genesis 50:20 captures the revelation:
    «“Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.”»
    What looked like destruction became divine positioning.
    Somebody needs to hear this:
    Your current closed door may be part of a larger story that you cannot see yet.
    Don't abandon God because you don't understand the chapter.
    Keep walking.
    Keep praying.
    Keep serving.
    Keep believing.
    The God who gave you the promise is still working on the process.

    DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS

    1. Not every closed door is an attack.
    Some are divine interventions.
    2. God's “NO” can be as loving as His “YES.”
    A parent who loves a child does not give the child everything they request.
    God is your Father.
    3. Timing matters.
    Something can be good but wrong for your present season.
    4. Never force what God has closed.
    When God closes a door, human manipulation cannot make it God's will.
    5. Look for God's presence beyond the door.
    Sometimes we become so focused on what we lost that we fail to notice where God is leading us.

    PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS

    When God closes a door:
    1. Don't panic.
    Take time to pray before making emotional decisions.
    2. Don't force it open.
    What God has closed does not need manipulation.
    3. Examine your heart.
    Ask whether the closure is correction, protection, preparation, or redirection.
    4. Seek God's Word.
    Don't interpret your circumstances without Scripture.
    5. Ask for direction.
    Pray: “Lord, show me what You want me to do next.”
    6. Keep moving.
    A closed door should not become an excuse to stop your entire life.
    7. Trust God's timing.
    What you cannot understand today may become clear tomorrow.

    QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

    1. What closed door am I currently struggling to accept?
    2. Am I trying to force open something God may have closed?
    3. Could this disappointment actually be divine protection?
    4. What might God be redirecting me toward?
    5. Am I more committed to God's will or to my own plans?
    6. What lesson is God teaching me in this season?
    7. Can I still trust God even when I don't understand Him?

    POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS

    1.
    Father, give me the grace to recognize when You are closing a door for my protection.
    2.
    Lord, deliver me from forcing doors that You have closed.
    3.
    Father, when one door closes, give me spiritual eyes to see the door You are opening.
    4.
    Lord, heal every disappointment caused by rejection, delay, and closed opportunities.
    5.
    Father, redirect my steps into Your perfect will.
    6.
    Every door that must remain closed for my protection, give me the grace to leave it closed.
    7.
    Lord, open the doors that align with Your purpose for my life.
    8.
    Father, strengthen my faith when I cannot understand what You are doing.
    9.
    Every good thing You have ordained for my life, let no power of darkness permanently hinder it.
    10.
    Lord Jesus, let my life become a testimony that even through closed doors, You were working for my good.

    CALL TO ACTION

    Beloved, don't spend the rest of your life standing in front of a door God has already closed.
    There is a time to knock.
    There is a time to wait.
    There is also a time to walk away.
    If God closed it, trust Him.
    If God blocked it, thank Him.
    If God redirected you, follow Him.
    If God is preparing another door, wait for Him.
    You may not understand the closure today.
    But one day you may look back and say:
    “Thank God that door did not open.”
    The door you are crying over today may be the very door God closed because He saw something you could not see.
    So dry your tears.
    Strengthen your faith.
    Lift your eyes.
    Your story is not over.
    There is still purpose.
    There is still grace.
    There is still a future.
    And there are doors that only God can open.

    DECLARE BY FAITH:

    “I will not die at a closed door.
    I will not force what God has closed.
    I will not allow rejection to destroy my faith.
    I will trust God's direction.
    I will follow His purpose.
    And when my appointed door opens, no man will be able to shut it!”
    In Jesus' mighty name. Amen!

    If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church.
    You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below

    https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1

    https://selar.com/m/umoedem

    https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks

    CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447640

    Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
    TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC:- WHEN GOD CLOSES A DOOR. Understanding Divine Closure, Redirection, and the Next Move of God. Key Scripture: Revelation 3:7 — “What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” There are times in life when you pray for a door to open, you believe God has answered, you prepare yourself to walk through it—and suddenly, the door closes. The job opportunity disappears. The relationship ends. The business deal fails. The application is rejected. The opportunity goes to someone else. The plan you prayed about does not work. And you ask, “God, why?” But here is a truth every believer must understand: A closed door is not always a sign of God's absence. Sometimes it is evidence of God's protection. We often celebrate God when He opens doors, but mature Christians must also learn to trust Him when He closes them. Sometimes God closes a door because what is behind it would destroy what He is building inside you. Sometimes God closes a door because the next chapter of your life requires you to leave the previous chapter behind. And sometimes God closes a door because He is preparing to open another one that you could never have opened for yourself. 1. GOD CAN CLOSE A DOOR FOR YOUR PROTECTION Scripture: Proverbs 16:9 «“A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”» There are things we desperately want because we can only see what is in front of us. But God sees what is beyond the door. You may see an opportunity. God may see a trap. You may see a relationship. God may see the pain it will produce. You may see a promotion. God may see the pride it could create. You may see a business opportunity. God may see the consequences you cannot yet see. Biblical Example: Balaam In Numbers 22, Balaam was travelling in a direction he thought was acceptable, but God placed an angel in his path. Balaam could not see the danger. His donkey could. What Balaam considered an obstacle was actually divine protection. Sometimes you are frustrated because something is blocking your way, while heaven is saying: “I am blocking this because I know what you don't know.” Don't curse every closed door. Some closed doors are mercy. 2. GOD MAY CLOSE ONE DOOR TO REDIRECT YOU TO ANOTHER Scripture: Acts 16:6–10 Paul and his companions wanted to preach in certain regions, but Scripture says: «“They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.”» Then Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Notice something powerful: Paul was doing God's work, yet God still closed a door. This teaches us that: A good idea is not necessarily a God idea for this particular season. You can be sincere and still be moving in the wrong direction. You can have a legitimate opportunity and still not have divine permission. You can pray, plan, prepare—and God can still say: “Not this way.” The closed door redirected Paul toward Macedonia, where God had prepared a greater assignment. Spiritual Insight Never allow disappointment to make you disobey divine direction. When God closes a door, ask: “Lord, where are You directing me?” Not merely: “Lord, why did You stop me?” 3. A CLOSED DOOR DOES NOT MEAN A CLOSED FUTURE Scripture: Revelation 3:7 «“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”» One closed door does not mean your entire future has been cancelled. David was rejected by his family. Joseph was rejected by his brothers. Moses experienced rejection before returning to Egypt. Paul experienced opposition throughout his ministry. Yet God's purpose for them continued. Remember this: A closed chapter is not a closed destiny. You may lose an opportunity without losing your purpose. You may lose a relationship without losing your future. You may lose a position without losing your calling. You may experience rejection without becoming rejected by God. The enemy wants you to interpret one disappointment as the conclusion of your entire story. But God says: “I am still writing.” 4. SOMETIMES GOD CLOSES A DOOR BECAUSE YOU HAVE OUTGROWN THE ROOM Scripture: Isaiah 43:18–19 «“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing.”» There are seasons you cannot enter while continuously holding onto the previous one. The children of Israel could not remain in Egypt forever. Ruth had to leave Moab. Abraham had to leave his father's house. The disciples had to leave their nets and follow Jesus. Growth requires movement. Sometimes the door closes because God is calling you forward. You keep asking God to reopen what He has already closed. But God may be saying: “Stop trying to return to where I am trying to take you from.” Some people are praying for restoration when God is offering transformation. Some are asking God to rebuild yesterday when God is preparing tomorrow. 5. LEARN TO TRUST GOD WHEN YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND HIM Scripture: Romans 8:28 «“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”» Notice that Scripture does not say everything that happens is good. It says God can work all things together for good. The rejection can become redirection. The disappointment can become development. The delay can become preparation. The closed door can become protection. The ending can become the beginning of something greater. Faith says: “God, I don't understand this, but I trust You.” That is mature faith. Anyone can praise God when everything is working. But there is a deeper level of worship when you can say: “Even when I don't understand Your decision, I still trust Your character.” BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: JOSEPH Joseph received a dream from God, but his journey did not immediately look like the dream. He was hated by his brothers. He was thrown into a pit. He was sold into slavery. He was falsely accused. He was imprisoned. Door after door seemed to close. But God was not abandoning Joseph. God was positioning Joseph. The pit was not the palace. The prison was not the promotion. The rejection was not the conclusion. Eventually, Joseph stood before Pharaoh. Genesis 50:20 captures the revelation: «“Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.”» What looked like destruction became divine positioning. Somebody needs to hear this: Your current closed door may be part of a larger story that you cannot see yet. Don't abandon God because you don't understand the chapter. Keep walking. Keep praying. Keep serving. Keep believing. The God who gave you the promise is still working on the process. DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS 1. Not every closed door is an attack. Some are divine interventions. 2. God's “NO” can be as loving as His “YES.” A parent who loves a child does not give the child everything they request. God is your Father. 3. Timing matters. Something can be good but wrong for your present season. 4. Never force what God has closed. When God closes a door, human manipulation cannot make it God's will. 5. Look for God's presence beyond the door. Sometimes we become so focused on what we lost that we fail to notice where God is leading us. PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS When God closes a door: 1. Don't panic. Take time to pray before making emotional decisions. 2. Don't force it open. What God has closed does not need manipulation. 3. Examine your heart. Ask whether the closure is correction, protection, preparation, or redirection. 4. Seek God's Word. Don't interpret your circumstances without Scripture. 5. Ask for direction. Pray: “Lord, show me what You want me to do next.” 6. Keep moving. A closed door should not become an excuse to stop your entire life. 7. Trust God's timing. What you cannot understand today may become clear tomorrow. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. What closed door am I currently struggling to accept? 2. Am I trying to force open something God may have closed? 3. Could this disappointment actually be divine protection? 4. What might God be redirecting me toward? 5. Am I more committed to God's will or to my own plans? 6. What lesson is God teaching me in this season? 7. Can I still trust God even when I don't understand Him? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Father, give me the grace to recognize when You are closing a door for my protection. 2. Lord, deliver me from forcing doors that You have closed. 3. Father, when one door closes, give me spiritual eyes to see the door You are opening. 4. Lord, heal every disappointment caused by rejection, delay, and closed opportunities. 5. Father, redirect my steps into Your perfect will. 6. Every door that must remain closed for my protection, give me the grace to leave it closed. 7. Lord, open the doors that align with Your purpose for my life. 8. Father, strengthen my faith when I cannot understand what You are doing. 9. Every good thing You have ordained for my life, let no power of darkness permanently hinder it. 10. Lord Jesus, let my life become a testimony that even through closed doors, You were working for my good. CALL TO ACTION Beloved, don't spend the rest of your life standing in front of a door God has already closed. There is a time to knock. There is a time to wait. There is also a time to walk away. If God closed it, trust Him. If God blocked it, thank Him. If God redirected you, follow Him. If God is preparing another door, wait for Him. You may not understand the closure today. But one day you may look back and say: “Thank God that door did not open.” The door you are crying over today may be the very door God closed because He saw something you could not see. So dry your tears. Strengthen your faith. Lift your eyes. Your story is not over. There is still purpose. There is still grace. There is still a future. And there are doors that only God can open. DECLARE BY FAITH: “I will not die at a closed door. I will not force what God has closed. I will not allow rejection to destroy my faith. I will trust God's direction. I will follow His purpose. And when my appointed door opens, no man will be able to shut it!” In Jesus' mighty name. Amen! If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447640 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
    0 Kommentare 0 Anteile 17 Ansichten
  • *You O Lord and God, are worthy to receive Glory and Honor and Power,* f̲o̲r̲ ̲Y̲o̲u̲ ̲c̲r̲e̲a̲t̲e̲d̲ ̲a̲l̲l̲ ̲t̲h̲i̲n̲g̲s̲,̲ ̲a̲n̲d̲ ̲b̲y̲ ̲Y̲o̲u̲r̲ ̲W̲i̲l̲l̲ ̲t̲h̲e̲y̲ ̲w̲e̲r̲e̲ ̲c̲r̲e̲a̲t̲e̲d̲ ̲a̲n̲d̲ ̲h̲a̲v̲e̲ ̲t̲h̲e̲i̲r̲ ̲b̲e̲i̲n̲g̲ (Rv 4:11). *From You and Through You and For You are all things (Rm 11:36).* I will Praise The Lord all my life, *I will sing Praise to my God as long as I live Amen (Ps 146:2)*
    *You O Lord and God, are worthy to receive Glory and Honor and Power,* f̲o̲r̲ ̲Y̲o̲u̲ ̲c̲r̲e̲a̲t̲e̲d̲ ̲a̲l̲l̲ ̲t̲h̲i̲n̲g̲s̲,̲ ̲a̲n̲d̲ ̲b̲y̲ ̲Y̲o̲u̲r̲ ̲W̲i̲l̲l̲ ̲t̲h̲e̲y̲ ̲w̲e̲r̲e̲ ̲c̲r̲e̲a̲t̲e̲d̲ ̲a̲n̲d̲ ̲h̲a̲v̲e̲ ̲t̲h̲e̲i̲r̲ ̲b̲e̲i̲n̲g̲ (Rv 4:11). *From You and Through You and For You are all things (Rm 11:36).* I will Praise The Lord all my life, *I will sing Praise to my God as long as I live Amen (Ps 146:2)* ✝️
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  • Romans 2:

    "1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
    2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
    3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
    4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
    5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
    6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
    7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
    8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
    9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
    10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
    11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
    12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
    13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
    14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
    15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
    16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
    17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
    18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
    19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
    20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
    21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
    22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
    23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
    24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
    25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
    26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
    27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
    28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
    29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
    Romans 2: "1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. 17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. 25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
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  • Patsy and I have been married eight years. Before we met, we had both been widowed. She had been married 43 years to her late husband. I had been married 50 years to my late wife.

    The story of how the two of us met, fell in love and married is a testimony of God's grace and favor. During the time we've been married, we have served in ministry to the widowed community we lived in in Texas. We also served in marriage support ministry (we still do) offering premarital counseling to couples soon to be married, or to the very newly married. We also have ministered to couples who were experiencing troubles in their marriages.

    When we moved from Texas to Arkansas in 2021, we became involved in ministry to the addiction recovery community. The area in Arkansas where we lived has a major meth addiction problem. There are quire a few Christian ministries serving the recovery community there. She and I taught Bible classes at some of the recovery houses, and both of us engaged in much one on one support to those within the recovery houses.

    Upon moving to Arkansas, we began attending a particular church. There we were asked to form and lead a seniors ministry group. We did that until later when we felt that God was leading us to make a change. Then we moved to another church. This one was heavily engaged in the addiction recovery ministry. This church was growing and God was doing some wonderful things there. Lives greatly changed, and the bonds of addiction broken for many.

    Something happened, and I won't go into the details, but the church was suddenly abandoned. We had no pastor and we lost the building. It seemed that the intent was for the church to close, and for the attendees to find other churches to attend. But both Patsy and I, and several others felt that God was not through with the ministry of that church

    Both of us felt that this was what God had put us there for. I was able to get the non-profit corp. signed over to me, and took on the role of lead pastor. But we had no place to meet. and a goodly number of the former members had moved on to other churches. Every week we scrambled to find a place to meet. Renting whatever venue might be available for that Sunday. We had no equipment including no sound system for praise and worship time. We had nothing

    But God provided. We borrowed sound equipment and even folding chairs. We had different ones help us conduct our praise and worship time. And I brought the Word God had for us that day. Soon we were offered the use of an American Legion hall for Sunday mornings. The fee was very good as our numbers were small, and in that community, offerings were very small as well By the way, this American Legion hall had no bar so that was a plus.

    During that time we were able to slowly accumulate a few pieces of sound equipment. We also had a family join who had been experienced praise and worship leaders. They were musicians thus we now had instruments.

    Later the opportunity came for us to move into an abandoned church building. The building had not been in use for over five years. It had everything we needed in the way of chairs, a small fellowship room, and Sunday School rooms. It was ready to use for services. No longer did we have to go early every Sunday morning to the AL hall to set up for service and then take down following service.

    Now we had a six month lease and a regular place to meet. But we knew that God had bigger plans. In November of 2025 we were able to move into a much more capable church building. At the same time, since the couple who lead our praise and worship had been former church pastors, and Patsy and I knew that our time there would soon come to an end, we appointed them associate pastors. In January of 26, this year, we turned the church pastorship over to them. This was in preparation for our planned relocation to Florida.

    So now, here we are. We have connected with a wonderful church here in our city. We are not involved in leadership. What the future will bring, God only knows. But we will serve as He leads and what doors He opens, we shall see.
    Patsy and I have been married eight years. Before we met, we had both been widowed. She had been married 43 years to her late husband. I had been married 50 years to my late wife. The story of how the two of us met, fell in love and married is a testimony of God's grace and favor. During the time we've been married, we have served in ministry to the widowed community we lived in in Texas. We also served in marriage support ministry (we still do) offering premarital counseling to couples soon to be married, or to the very newly married. We also have ministered to couples who were experiencing troubles in their marriages. When we moved from Texas to Arkansas in 2021, we became involved in ministry to the addiction recovery community. The area in Arkansas where we lived has a major meth addiction problem. There are quire a few Christian ministries serving the recovery community there. She and I taught Bible classes at some of the recovery houses, and both of us engaged in much one on one support to those within the recovery houses. Upon moving to Arkansas, we began attending a particular church. There we were asked to form and lead a seniors ministry group. We did that until later when we felt that God was leading us to make a change. Then we moved to another church. This one was heavily engaged in the addiction recovery ministry. This church was growing and God was doing some wonderful things there. Lives greatly changed, and the bonds of addiction broken for many. Something happened, and I won't go into the details, but the church was suddenly abandoned. We had no pastor and we lost the building. It seemed that the intent was for the church to close, and for the attendees to find other churches to attend. But both Patsy and I, and several others felt that God was not through with the ministry of that church Both of us felt that this was what God had put us there for. I was able to get the non-profit corp. signed over to me, and took on the role of lead pastor. But we had no place to meet. and a goodly number of the former members had moved on to other churches. Every week we scrambled to find a place to meet. Renting whatever venue might be available for that Sunday. We had no equipment including no sound system for praise and worship time. We had nothing But God provided. We borrowed sound equipment and even folding chairs. We had different ones help us conduct our praise and worship time. And I brought the Word God had for us that day. Soon we were offered the use of an American Legion hall for Sunday mornings. The fee was very good as our numbers were small, and in that community, offerings were very small as well By the way, this American Legion hall had no bar so that was a plus. During that time we were able to slowly accumulate a few pieces of sound equipment. We also had a family join who had been experienced praise and worship leaders. They were musicians thus we now had instruments. Later the opportunity came for us to move into an abandoned church building. The building had not been in use for over five years. It had everything we needed in the way of chairs, a small fellowship room, and Sunday School rooms. It was ready to use for services. No longer did we have to go early every Sunday morning to the AL hall to set up for service and then take down following service. Now we had a six month lease and a regular place to meet. But we knew that God had bigger plans. In November of 2025 we were able to move into a much more capable church building. At the same time, since the couple who lead our praise and worship had been former church pastors, and Patsy and I knew that our time there would soon come to an end, we appointed them associate pastors. In January of 26, this year, we turned the church pastorship over to them. This was in preparation for our planned relocation to Florida. So now, here we are. We have connected with a wonderful church here in our city. We are not involved in leadership. What the future will bring, God only knows. But we will serve as He leads and what doors He opens, we shall see.
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  • Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
    Psalms 107:8
    Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Psalms 107:8
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