Dear Christian, FEELING DISCOURAGED, DEPRESSED OR EVEN DESPAIRING? Helen Howarth Lemmel experience the same when she was struck by a disease that caused her to go blind, and as a result was abandoned by her husband. Yet amidst her situation she turned to Jesus and wrote over 500 hymns of praise and worship! This beloved hymn came out in 1922. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." So I pray, Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  This is one of my favorite verses on God’s love and patience. There is nothing more revealing of His nature than the fact that He is patient with us because He doesn’t want a single soul to perish but wants EVERYONE to repent and be saved. If you have followed my writing for any length of time, you have seen me reference this verse numerous times.  The Apostle Peter wrote this verse amidst a portion of writing that addressed mockers, false teachers, and scoffers who argued that Jesus was not coming back because history was continuing unchanged. Peter reminded his readers that it was God who had judged the ancient world through the Flood which demonstrated the fact that God DOES intervene with history when there is a need. And Scripture tells us that the world is destined for destruction by fire in the future. The only way to avoid that end ourselves is to seek Him, repent, and turn to Him as Lord of our lives. He is not a God who sits outside of things and ignores all that is going on. He is a God with a plan, one that was put in motion when man first chose to sin by eating of the Tree of Knowledge, a plan that has been playing out over time and culminates with His Son returning to earth in triumph. The key to remember is that God works on a different time table than we do. He exists outside of time as we know it, which our minds cannot comprehend. Scripture tells us that to Him a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day, meaning time is nothing to Him because He sees everything - beginning, middle, and end. And because of this view, He can wait patiently for repentance. What we perceive as delay or Him being slow to respond is actually Him being exactly who He is - a patient, loving Father who wants none to perish. Knowing that our world is destined for destruction by fire, believers must live holy, Godly lives as we wait for the new heaven and earth. But more importantly, we should be actively sharing the Gospel with others, helping them to repent and turn to God, too. Christ’s return will arrive unexpectedly. We don’t know when it will happen.  So while we await that time, we must be prepared which means getting right with God and helping others do the same. What can you do today to set your heart right? And who can you share the Gospel with today?  Time is running out and there are millions who don’t yet know Him, who are living lives of sin, prisoners to their worldly practices. God is patiently waiting for all to repent but how can they repent if they are not aware of their need for Him? Let God use you today to help grow His kingdom and save a soul. #TEENS4JESUS #devotion #dailydevotional #christianteens #DailyBibleVerse

This morning I heard a Hillsong hymn that I've known for 20 years. Because I know the lyrics so well, I tried to record it for my content while driving to work. At first, I sang it with memories of my youth, but halfway through the song, my feelings changed and for some reason I cried because I remembered how difficult it was to sing that song with a smile like 20 years ago, amidst my most difficult situation that I've been going through for the past 7 months. "Lord, You are my reason to live and my reason to sing." For the past 7 months I've stepped down from my ministry as a Song Leader in church, this song broke my heart. Currently, I'm reorganizing my life. Friends, we may not know each other and haven't meet physically, but I believe we can strengthen and pray for each other. Please pray for me, so that I can recover from the financial downturn I'm experiencing. Thank you very much, God who will reward you. Amen. This is the full lyric of the hymn: WITH ALL I AM Into Your hands I commit again With all I am, for You, Lord You hold my world in the palm of Your hand And I am Yours forever Jesus I believe in You, Jesus I belong to You You're the reason that I live, the reason that I sing, with all I am I'll walk with You, wherever You go Through tears and joy I'll trust in You And I will live in all of Your ways And Your promises, forever Jesus I believe in You, Jesus I belong to You You're the reason that I live, the reason that I sing with all I am

Introducing "Higher Ways" - my exciting new song! These lyrics beautifully capture a moment of reflection and spiritual exploration, as the speaker contemplates their dreams, responsibilities, and a greater purpose. Standing at the dawn of a new day, amidst the hustle and bustle of life, they feel a strong desire for growth and guidance. Inspired by scripture, particularly Jeremiah 29:11, they embrace the idea of divine plans filled with hope, prosperity, and a bright future. This journey encourages them to set aside personal ambitions in pursuit of a higher calling. The lyrics inspire us to tap into our unique gifts, reminding us that by doing so, we can uplift our communities and discover true joy along the way! https://youtube.com/watch?v=OaYwVWT5WGY&is=jS5O23OVfWGvZwQg

Are you struggling with frustration over a recent setback? Sometimes patience can give a room to mistakes and setbacks but it doesn't mean you are a failure or a looser.! I pray for you, may you overcome unexpected delays, mistakes and life reversals amidst of patience and long waiting. May you gain amomentum to break cycles of stagnation. I declare divine restoration over your life, finances, and career in Jesus name. Amen.

🙏🛐Prayer Ministry-1🛐🙏 ✝️📖Lesson-11📖✝️ "O Lord, in the morning You will hear my voice; in the morning I will present my prayer to You and will look up." Psalm 5:3 David was the absolute king over millions of Israelites. He had to oversee all the affairs of the kingdom. There were many kingdoms around him that would attack him whenever they found an opportunity. For this reason, he had to spend his whole life at war. He also had to keep a strict eye on his soldiers to ensure they did not revolt. He had many wives and children. He had to spend a significant amount of time building royal palaces for each of them. Beyond all this, he also had to make extensive preparations to build a temple for God. In a word, he was a thousand times busier than we are. Yet, he regularly dedicated prayers to God every day. He did not stop at praying just once. He prayed seven times a day (Psalm 119:164). What an amazing person he was! It is astonishing to think how he could find time to pray seven times amidst such busyness. And this is why there was so much success in his life. The root of his success was his prayer. We often make excuses for not praying. We are experts at making excuses for not praying rather than actually praying. But when we examine the life of David, our successful excuses fade away. For those who truly love God, there is no difficulty in making time for prayer. Even after working hard all day, David would rise at midnight to offer praise (Psalm 119:62). His entire life was prayerful. "Pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

1 Samuel 1:5 KJV but unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. Good morning and praise God. I hope you're having a great day. Let's pray: Loving Father, thank you for this day and week. Speak to us we pray. Amen. Today we reflect on the life of Hannah the wife of Elkanah and cowife to Peninah. This woman really suffered for no good human known cause but unto fulfilment of God's plan to bring the greatest prophet Samuel into this world. Have you ever realized that challenges are what drove most of believers deep into seeking God? This is human nature and God knows it. Looking into the Bible we see that people that God greatly used passed through fiery fire like gold. Romans 5:3-5 reminds us this "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." When we persevere what God has allow us pass through, we grows a character that makes us useable to God in a way that out flesh and its pride cannot override. I encourage you to persevere through that challenge God has allowed in your life knowing it is to build you and not to destroy you. May God open your eyes to see beyond the pain but rather to building a deeper relationship with Him. See beyond the people like Peninah who might be used to cause you pain like how Hannah did it. Facing them might not work but facing God who called you will. Pray, read your Bible and fellowship amidst all what comes your way. God loves you, have a blessed day. Shalom. Shalom.

Lamentations 3:23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  The book of Lamentations is not typically a book of joy and hope. It was written by the prophet Jeremiah, who is often calling the weeping prophet. He wrote an entire book - Lamentations - or the laments of life. But amidst those weepings and laments we do find hope. We do see encouragement. And we do find joy. We see in today’s verse that the things of God, His  grace, forgiveness, and compassion, never run out. Instead, they are continuously renewed each and every  day.  They provide us with a fresh start, a new beginning, and 100%, full, wholly unwavering support no matter what challenges we may have faced prior. They are new every morning. New. Not just once or twice but new EVERY MORNING. Grace is not something that gets used up. It isn’t just granted once and then we have reached the quota. His compassion, His forgiveness, His love is new at any time, any point of any day. Every moment you are alive is a new moment to make better choices, to turn to Him, to repent, to receive grace. And He is faithful all the time. Despite our flaws, despite our fluctuating emotions or unpredictable nature, He loves us anyway and He remains faithful at all times. His faithfulness is the foundation from which His mercies come, His grace never failing. He can be counted on to do what He says He would. He has done it before, He will do it again, without fail. He can be counted on because He is faithful. The second half of this verse is the basis for the Christian hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." It is read or sung as a reminder of God's reliability, of His faithfulness,  and to offer comfort during tough seasons, such as those of grief, transition, or anxiety. He is a faithful Father and we can see why this portion of the hymn became the refrain in this much- beloved hymn. Today let’s pause and reflect on just how great His faithfulness is. Think of recent times when He extended grace or mercy to you, when He lifted you from despair, when He carried you through the storm. And then thank Him. Thank Him for all He has given you, the blessings in your life, and for always being the faithful provider to you. #TEENS4JESUS #devotion #dailydevotional #christianteens #DailyBibleVerse

Esther 6:13 KJV And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. Good morning and praise God. I hope you're having a great day. Are you glad to be counted one of God's children? Haman was a man who chose to be child of the Devil. He listened to first bad advise by his own wife and friends. He wanted Mordecai to bow down to him but unfortunately even in captivity, Mordecai kept his reverence to God only and therefore wouldn't bow to a human being like Haman. Unlike Job, Haman followed bad counsel from his wife and friends who told him to prepare a pole where he would impale Mordecai the so presumed enemy of hid. He planned this at the wrong timing because Mordecai and his people Jews were in prayers and so Heaven was with them to save them. Actually, the big plans for Haman was to annihilate all people of God, the Jews. Knowing this, people of God prayed and fasted as they had been requested by queen Esther in order for her to face the king. She also knew it was only God who would save. My friend, prayer works. On that night when Haman's plans seemed to have succeeded, the king would not sleep! This was God at work to uplift his people and most importantly Mordecai the man despised by Haman. Mordecai had previously saved king from being executed and this had been recorded in book and forgotten until this night where God intervened. He made king lose sleep and reward him accordingly. Haman's evil plans began turning back to him just as Proverbs 26:27 says "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them." His wife and friends recognized he was fighting with "wrong people." God fights for His own and you cannot defeat them! Haman with all his pride and furry did everything to prepare his own death. He was impaled on his own pole! Mordecai and all Jews were uplifted and honored after this. Be happy that you're a child of God. Be glad to pray and trust God even when everything seems working against you. Be happy when they make you suffer because of Jesus Christ you trust! Your Savior lives! Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Keep your salvation life fire flamed amidst all life circumstances. Pray, read your Bible and fellowship with others. God loves you, have a blessed day. Shalom. Shalom.

WHEN DESPERATION STRIKES From: Ron Hawks “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble…Psalm 46:1.” What do you do and where do you turn when you feel desperate? You are desperate when you feel hopeless, when you feel like you are in an impossible situation that is too much to deal with emotionally, physically or spiritually. Desperation is a human emotion ... it's going to happen. Unfortunately, it often functions as a logic suppressant. It makes us stupid. And, stupidity acts impulsively. We must be careful when we are desperate, or things could go south very quickly. These feelings can lead us to panic and to become isolated - a bad combination. Decisions made in isolation and acted upon rashly, rarely turn out well. We need not, however, follow the desperation tracks all the way to the station of utter despair. Instead, we can allow it to take us to deep places in our relationship with God. Some have even said only desperate people grow spiritually and are transformed. It's when we come to the end of ourselves and the resources at our disposal that we call out to God as God. And, it's only when we see God as God that we receive Him as He is and obey His leading as Lord. Here are a few things that can be helpful to remember when we feel desperate: 1. God has not left you; He is present within us amidst the trial. (Hebrews 13:5) 2. To greatly need God's wisdom, direction and/or intervention is not a bad thing - there is no need to be ashamed. 3. Take time to honestly consider your situation and feelings, don't run from them. 4. Pour out your heart to God. Express your real self - don't be afraid. Such expressions to God - even when they are peppered with anger - are a sincere form of worship, declaring that He exists, sees and hears the cry of the needy. (Genesis 16:13; Psalm 62:8; Hebrews 4:6) 5. Don't stay isolated. Get with others you respect in faith to share and pray. (James 5:16) 6. Look for and receive the counsel of the wise around you. (Proverbs 15:22) When feelings of Desperation fall upon your soul, speak God's presence into yourself. Prophesy to your soul that "God is with you - there is no need to cling to fear." Receive the presence of the Lord amidst your feelings and trial. His presence is a greater reward than deliverance. Treasure Him amidst the storm - and you will be transformed from the inside out. Learning to Cry Out to My God when I am at the end with you, Pastor Tom