Pastor Caroline - In His Temple

 

In His Temple

 

I love this thought from Psalm 84 Verse 10 in the Good News Bible.

(10) One day spent in Your Temple is better than a thousand elsewhere.

 

Can you even imagine being in God’s Temple for one day? I should think if we were given that opportunity we would rather stay there than return. When we look at the full Psalm written by the author he says –in verse 2 - he longs to be there. There are days when we long to be with the Lord. This world can be so full of hurt and pain that our imaginations run toward heaven and we long to be standing at the gate of the house of the Lord, as the author says in the first part of verse 10.

(10) One day spent in your temple is better than a thousand anywhere else; I would rather stand at the gate of the house of the Lord than live in the homes of the wicked.

Now the author goes on in versus 11 and 12 and tells us this;

(11) The Lord is our protector and glorious king, blessing us with kindness and honor. He does not refuse any good thing to those who do what is right.

(12) Almighty God, how happy are those who trust in you!

 

Now take a moment and a deep breath and just imagine standing in front of our glorious King who protects us and blesses us with kindness and honour. Can you even fathom the amount of happiness that would rush through you as you stood there in His presence?

Just stay in that thought for a moment or two before reading on.

 

So if I were to leave here for 1000 days my expected date of return from today would be October 7, 2025. I would have spent 1000 days with the Lord. I cannot imagine that after that time or even as little as a week, or a day, would I want to return here. To be in the presence of the Lord and learn of His ways firsthand, to know the fullness of joy, to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His teachings, well folks I can only imagine!!  To meet the disciples, to speak with the great preachers who have gone to glory, to chat with Mary, the Mother of Jesus and to listen to Joseph as he speaks of the early days of Jesus’ life, how exciting and thrilling. To find relatives I never knew, and to rejoice with those I knew here on earth; family and friends, well I cannot imagine leaving them after meeting them once again. To hear the choirs of angels and perhaps be invited to lend my voice would be more than exciting I am sure.

To spend Christmas and Easter in heaven with the very One we celebrate here on earth; never having met Him in person; and to be there for over two years with Him – well, who would want to return here I ask.

 

When we invite Jesus into our heart and we start to live our life for Him here on earth our life is never the same again. So just imagine spending 1000 days with Him and then being asked to return to the earth. I would then declare as the author did here in Psalm 84 verse 10:

One day spent in Your Temple is better than a thousand anywhere else, I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God than live in the homes of the wicked.

 

I am certain, beyond a doubt that I would want to stay in heaven waiting for my loved ones, family and friends to join me there; as opposed to coming back. We long for heaven as the author says and when we read the word of God we can understand his thoughts.

 

To spend 1000 days with our protector and glorious King would be such a pleasure. I am certain I would want to stay in His Temple, declaring in a loud voice; How I love Your Temple, Almighty God!!!, the very line the author opens with here in Psalm 84. Wow, I can only imagine 1000 days with Him and then life forever more! Glory hallelujah!!!

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Romans Part 1

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - DECEIVED

 DECEIVED

From the very first part of the book of Genesis, the problem of deception has been a prominent factor in the Bible and subsequently the world. This is one reason we are warned, repeatedly throughout scripture, not to be deceived. In multiple places, one reads phrases such as:

• “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived…” (Deuteronomy 11:16)
• “…‘Take heed that you not be deceived…’” (Luke 21:8) 
• “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived…” (1 Corinthians 6:9)
• “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
• “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) 

There are other examples as well, but the main point from the above is to avoid deception and the Bible shows this as well. For example:

• “Your fierceness has deceived you…” (Jeremiah 49:16),
• “The pride of your heart has deceived you…” (Obadiah 1:3)
• “…‘My servant deceived me…’” (2 Samuel 19:26)

Being deceived by others can be, and is, a dangerous issue. Deceiving ourselves is even more so, and the deception that come through pride seems paramount:

• “When pride comes, then comes shame…” (Proverbs 11:2)
• “By pride comes nothing but strife…” (Proverbs 13:10)
• “Pride goes before destruction…” (Proverbs 16:18)
• “A man’s pride will bring him low…” (Proverbs 29:23)     

Pride is defined as “a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority” (dictionary.com) and is probably the dominant reason why we are either deceived by ourselves or by others. Even Eve admitted that she had been deceived when she said: “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3:13). She ate the fruit because she saw “…that the tree was good for food…pleasant to the eyes…[and] desirable to make one wise…” (Genesis 3:6). She was deceived by her own desires motivated by Satan.

So, it is still today. Satan still “…walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8) and this deception comes about through “…the lust of the fresh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life…” (1 John 2:16). Is it not pride that makes one feel that they deserve more than others, that they can do better than others, that they know more than others, or that they can lack respect for others?

It is not such sentiments that have caused and still cause mankind to create multiple religions in an attempt to improve on God’s plans? It was pride that made Hitler feel he could conquer the world and also pride which caused Europe to feel it could accept Hitler’s word. And it is pride again which is behind the world’s present difficult situation. 

Satan has deceived mankind in the past and still “…deceives the whole world…” as well as “…those who dwell on the earth…” (Revelation 12:9&13:14) because of man’s pride. Besides, has it not been man’s pride that has caused him to make his own way to reach God, with his own rules, religions, and promises rather than by the way God had intended? 

We should all, therefore, as the Bible states, “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them,” (Deuteronomy 11:16). The problem of pride and of bring deceived: certainly is something to think about.

Pastor Caroline - In Praise of God's Goodness

Condolences

 

Our deepest condolences go out to Sue Cooper from our church body. Her Mom went to be with the Lord yesterday, March 22, 2022.  Please keep Sue in prayer as she travels out West to be with her family and in this time of loss.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Sue and with your family, especially your Dad who will miss your Mom greatly.

The word of God will be your strength and He will comfort those who mourn. He is as close as the whisper of His name.
We are with you in spirit Sue.

Pastor Caroline and the church family of Master’s Hand Ministry.

Pastor Caroline - God’s Glory in Creation

 

God’s Glory in Creation

 

It is officially spring! See the snow. This is the poor man’s fertilizer as we say and we are grateful for the dusting of snow that will help to water our soil to prepare for planting. God’s glory shows here in this beauty. As we watch for the flowers to appear and are thankful for the longer warmer days that are on the way, we know God is supplying our needs and His ways are perfect.

 

Today let’s look at God‘s Glory in Creation as it is titled in Pslams 19 Verses 1 to 6 in the Good News Bible.

 

How clearly in the sky reveals God’s glory! Verse 1 (We see the works of His hands). How plainly it shows what he has done! Verse1

Verse 2: Each day announces it to the following day; and each night repeats it to the next.

Verse 3 says; No speech or words are used, no sound is heard;

 Verse 4; yet their voice goes out to all the world and is heard to the ends of the earth. God made a home in the sky for the sun;

Verse 5, it comes out in the morning like a happy bridegroom, like an athlete eager to run a race.

Verse 6, It starts at one end of the sky and goes across to the other. Nothing can hide from its heat.

 

This is a beautiful scripture and when you read it slowly it reveals much to us.

 

As we look at the sky in the morning, at noon, early evening and late at night we see new pictures every time. The glory of the Lord is shown to us through a new lens in the sky every 24 hour period – day after day – year after year and so on. For thousands of years people have looked to the sky for signs. For instance, the fishermen watch the sky to understand what the early morning may be like for their catch. Do you remember the saying? Red sky at night, Sailors delight. This means good weather is on its way.

Pink sky in the morning, Sailors take warning! This means rain and / or a rain storm is approaching.

 

We often see other colours in the sky, such as orange after a storm, we also see purple and green at times. The skies declare the glory of the Lord!!

I love to watch the sky. I have a friend and her and I often call one another when we see a spectacular sunset. We are always amazed at the beauty the Lord gives us at the close of the day. I remember older folks talking about the colours of the sky and their meaning when I was younger, but it escapes my mind now to recall what it was they actually said.

I remember my grandfather commenting on the colours of the sky and what that might mean for planting, for leaving the animals out to graze, or for harvesting. He seemed to watch the sky more than he paid attention to the weather forecaster on the radio.

 

The Shepherds watched the sky for signs from the Lord. The Psalmist David (who wrote this Psalm) along with many other Shepherds were careful to pay attention to what the Lord was showing them. God’s creation speaks to us. We may not hear words (no speech or words are used, no sound is heard) as we read in Verse 3; yet their voice goes out to all the world and is heard to the ends of the earth, we are told in Verse 4.

 

Have you ever sat by brook and listened to the water as it rushes over the rocks enjoying the sounds of what seems like a beautiful melody? Or sat under a fully leaved tree in a windstorm and heard the leaves make a beautiful swishing sound – like someone who plays the drums.  (The brush used to make this sound is made from metal wires and is lightly dragged across the drum to make that swish sound. The sound is soft and beautiful.) Or perhaps you have been in a cottage that had a tin roof and the pounding rain versus a gentle rain bring a special music of their own. The thunder speaks to us in a loud bang and it gets our attention just as we catch the beauty of lightning as it flashes across the sky. God’s creation speaks to us. Are we listening?

 

When we see the sun and the moon held in place along with the stars and clouds we are reminded of the majesty of the Lord. Only He could create such a masterpiece for us to behold, changing the beauty of it daily.

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west – going from one corner off the earth to another in just one day! That is amazing!!

 

I don’t know about you, but personally I’m amazed at how the glory of the Lord‘s creation teaches us every day of His power and might. Nothing is hidden from His eye and He wants us to see His glory in all He has made.

 

Every night leads into day and day into night and we are given the gift of every night and morning to enjoy the beauty within. How blessed we are!

 

My prayer is that you will all enjoy God’s Glory in Creation.

 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 26

Pastor Caroline is Taking a Mini-Vacation

 

Today is Sunday March 20th.

I am taking a vacation day today and asking if you will please read Psalm 34 in lieu of a video message tonight. Next Sunday I will use Psalm 34 as my message and share with you what I see in the Psalm written by David, the Psalmist.

I will have a written message Wednesday March 23rd., and look forward to being with you by video Sunday March 27th.

Please hold this thought in your mind in the coming week.
We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans Chapter 8 Verse 37 in the Good News Bible says it this way:
(37) No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us.

Wow- complete victory. Through Him who loved us!!  Praise the Lord.

Remember, the love of God will carry us through even these trouble times in the world today. As we continue to pray for Ukraine and Russia we know that God‘s love is consistent and His power and protection is over all. He created the world and all that is within and He reigns Lord of all. Praise His Holy name. 

Have a blessed week ahead.
Pastor Caroline.

Pastor Caroline - Be Patient and Respectful

 

Be Patient and Respectful

James Chapter 1 Verses  19 and 20 in the Good News Bible tells us this:

(19) Remember this, my dear brothers! Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

(20) Man’s anger does not achieve God’s righteous purpose.

 

Quick to listen

      Slow to speak

             Slow to anger

These are three things we can do to learn to be patient. Being patient with ourselves and with others is a great virtue. We see in Proverbs Chapter 14 Verse 29 in the Good News Bible this statement:

(29) If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are.

 

Wow- this statement is very straightforward.

Being calm, and slow to speak is wisdom; and having a hot temper is stupidity or folly.  This is my interpretation of how I see this proverb. How do you see this proverb?

 

In our wisdom we share our ability to discern a situation, give good instruction to bring about the best result for all, and hopefully enlighten others so they grow in wisdom. By remaining calm others are more likely to remain in the same state as well. When we listen to others in any given situation, good or otherwise; we can understand the fullness of what the situation requires. Then we can bring God’s action and a good result. His righteous purpose as we see in verse 20.

 

When we become angry, unkind words and actions take place. Sometimes these words or actions can never be forgotten by the person who was on the receiving end of such. They may well choose to forgive, (and I pray they do), as God instructs us to do, however, forgetting is sometimes a long journey. We see in Proverbs Chapter 15 Verse 4 (GNB):

(4) Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit. And now in Verse 7 of the same chapter we read;

(7) Knowledge is spread by people who are wise, not by fools.

 

So when we are calm, quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger we are wise, patient and respectful. This helps not only ourselves but everyone in close proximity because they can see our actions. They see us displaying God’s love and mercy. As God’s purpose is fulfilled in every circumstance in our lives others see Christ in us and us in Christ. With kind words and righteous purpose we bring to life; God’s purpose.

 

Every day we are given the opportunity to live the virtues given to us in the Bible. In Galatians Chapter 5 Verses 22 and 23 we see these 9 virtues;

(22) But the spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.

 

My dear friends, for us to exercise these virtues every day we certainly will live a life that is patient and respectful.

 

Enjoy your day being the word of God to the very best of your ability. Let others see His word in action in you. Be patient and respectful with yourself and with others. God bless you.

 

Please note – this Sunday, March 20th, I will not be presenting a video. I am taking a vacation day to spend time with family, however I will have a written message for Wednesday, March 23rd.

In lieu of my video may I suggest you take that time to read Psalm 34 and give thanks to God for His goodness. Also keep prayers raised for the Ukraine and Russia that this war would cease in the name of Jesus.

The last verse of Psalm 34 in the Good News Bible reads:

(22)The Lord will save his people; those who go to him for protection will be saved.

 

My prayer for you to end with after your reading on Sunday is:

To all people all over the world: May God‘s love and protection be with us always as we continue to put our hope and trust in Him.

Amen

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 25

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE DIE IS CAST

 THE DIE IS CAST

The above phrase was apparently attributed to Julius Caesar by Suetonius on January 10, 49 BC as Caesar led his army across the Rubicon River in defiance of the Roman Senate. It started the long civil war with Pompey and meant that there was no stopping what was about to happen; a point of no return had been passed and the world would probably not be the same again. 

There have been many times in the course of history when an event such as the above has occurred. A few examples include June 15, 1215 AD when the Magna Carta was signed laying the concept of the legal system we now know. Or July 4, 325 AD when, at the Council of Nicaea, the concept and recognition of the Christian Church was formalized. Or perhaps October 31,1517 when Martin Luther published his 95 Theses against what he believed to be abuses in the church.

In more modern times, there is Sept 1,1939 when WW2 started and perhaps even Feb. 24, 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. All of these events, and many others, signify times when something happened from which there was really no turning back.

The Bible also has many examples of defining moments as well. When Abraham was told to leave Ur, he made a defining decision. When Joseph refused the advances of Potiphar’s wife, it was a decision which eventually brought about his ascension to a high position in Egypt. When the Hebrew people, in Exodus Chapter 12, decided to follow God’s instruction and smear blood on their doorposts, even if it may have seemed foolish at the time, it became a defining moment in their history.

Throughout history there have been many moments when people and nations have been confronted by the need to make decisions from which turning back afterwards is not possible. Jesus made such a decision when He said: “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). The decision of Christ to follow His Father’s will and not His own became perhaps the most defining moment in all of history.

Just as it was God’s will that Jesus would suffer in our place, it is also His will that the Lord would be “…long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance,” (2 Peter 3:9). This is “…in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,” (Titus 1:2).

Just as nations and individuals in history have had their defining moments, so do each of us. We all come to those periods of time when life determining decisions must be made. Some of these can and will be altered in the future, others will be irrevocable. But what is certain, however, is that when our physical life on earth ends, then truly the die will have been cast and there will be no turning back. As with Caesar crossing the Rubicon, the decisions we have made up to that time will stay with us forever in determination of where our soul may be. As it relates in Daniel 12:2, “…many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Matthew 25:46 puts it a little differently: “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

God, through Christ, obviously wants no one to suffer.  God sent His only Son to suffer in our place, and Christ, having made the decision to do His Father’s will, endured that burden for us.  Therefore, perhaps doing the same, and following the Father’s will, is something we should all do before we cross our own Rubicon and our final die is cast. 

As it states in 1 John 2:17 “…he who does the will of God abides forever.” It’s certainly something to seriously think about.

Pastor Caroline - Faith - Believing without Seeing

Pastor Caroline - In Praise of the Lord

 

In Praise of the Lord

 

Psalm 117 entitled:  In Praise of the Lord is a short but powerful psalm. From the Good News Bible we read:

Praise the Lord, all nations!

Praise him, all peoples!

His love for us is strong,

and his faithfulness is eternal.

Praise the Lord!

 

In this time of uncertainty, for many reasons including the war in Ukraine and Russia, all we can do is pray; and praise the Lord as Psalm 117 instructs us to do.

 

Praise the Lord, all nations!

Every nation under the Lord is to praise the Lord at all times. God hears our praise. Praising builds our strength and confidence in the Lord. Praising reduces our fear and grows our faith. It brings us close to God and Him closer to us. Praising also helps us to keep our focus on the Lord and takes our eyes off the immediate danger, or circumstance, allowing us to rest our mind, body and spirit. It gives us a closeness with the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit will give us direction. Praising the Lord increases our love for Him and we feel His very presence around us. We thank the Lord for all things in our praise to Him.

 

Praise him, all peoples!

When everyone praises the Lord we can see humility like a blanket covering us. When we watch a television broadcast of an Evangelist who brings the word of God to a place where people have not heard the word, we often see thousands of people giving their hearts to Jesus. They realize their need for God, His love and protection. They understand God can and will supply their needs. They know He is in control and He rules the world. In our humility we are lifted up as the word of God tells us in James Chapter 4 verse 10.

(10) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (GNB)

 

His love for us is strong, and his faithfulness is eternal. Praise the Lord! Psalm 117 Verse 2

We are asked in Psalm 106 verse 2(GNB); Who can praise the him enough?

 

 When we praise God we show our dependence on Him and He strengthens us. People who see our dependence and ability to praise in whatever is going on in life; are drawn into our praise. They too are lifted up as we are. Praise is contagious, and a joy to give away. It reminds us of the powerful God we serve.

 

The Lord is like a strong tower, where the righteous can go and be safe. This is a wonderful proverb found in Proverbs Chapter 18 Verse 10. (GNB)

In our times of fear which we all experience throughout life, God is our refuge and strength. He is faithful to His word as we see in Psalm 119 Verse 90(GNB);

Your faithfulness endures through all the ages; you have set the earth in place, and it remains.

 

God sets the earth in place and He is faithful to look after it. All nations are under His control. Hallelujah!

This my friends is reason alone to praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

 

All nations and all peoples; Praise the Lord!

 

Please continue your prayers for Ukraine and Russia as prayer is powerful and can change much. Prayer and praise go hand in hand. 🙏🙏

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 24

Dr, Barclay with Something to Think About - WHAT TO BELIEVE

WHAT TO BELIEVE

It is interesting and difficult to understand why people don’t both read and believe the Bible. It’s even more concerning and difficult to comprehend why people who do read and understand the Bible often do not really believe what it says. Perhaps it’s because there has been such a long period of time that has elapsed between the events of the Bible and now; as a result, it’s just difficult to really grasp the significance and meaning of what is being said.

Perhaps it’s also the fact that history has shown us the great multiplicity of gods worshipped in the past and so it sometimes becomes difficult, for many, to distinguish between the gods worshiped in the past and the God we worship at present. Unfortunately, many seem to be turning back to the past to pay homage to those gods of that time.  Those are gods who seem to permit actions which people desire to do rather than actions which would honour the God who provides direction for us to do what would be best for our lives. This latter, of course, often grinds against our so called freedom.   

Two thousand years ago, people accepted and even died for the faith they believed in. It was new and visible and they related to it in a way that seems impossible today for many people. Multitudes accepted and believed, not just in Christ, and who He said He was, but also, after His crucifixion, that He was coming again to redeem His people. At present, that belief has waned and few, at present, seem concerned that such an event may be on the horizon. But then, doesn’t the Bible also state that such would be the case: “Let no man deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first…” (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

During the era of Judges, there were many times when Israel fell away from God only to have Him, for a time, reject them and allow them to go their own way. But when they realized eventually how much better off they were following His guidance than doing their own thing, they would repent and He would again provide a leader to show them the right way. This happened over and over again until realization set in that everyone doing “…what was right in his own eyes…” (Judges 17:6) didn’t work. They asked for a leader, a king, to unite them, apparently not realizing that they already had a king in God Himself.

Today, it again seems as if people want to do only that which seems right to them. As Adam and Eve felt it right to eat the forbidden fruit, or the sons of Jacob felt it ok to sell Joseph into slavery, or it felt right for David to commit adultery with Bathsheba.  It apparently seemed ok to Hitler for him to eliminate the Jewish people and now it appears that Putin feels that it’s ok to eradicate Ukraine.  

The world still needs the same King that Israel required thousands of years ago. But we have, to great extent, given up the belief that He is still there waiting for us to return to Him while there is still time. Jesus Himself repeated the warning regarding deception that was mentioned above in Thessalonians.

Take heed that no one deceives you.

For may will come in My name

…and will deceive many.

And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. 

See that you are not troubled, 

for all these things must come to pass…

For nation will rise against nation, 

and kingdom against kingdom.

And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes…

Lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

(from Matthew 24:4-7;12)

(This warning can also be read in Mark 13:5-13 and Luke 21:8-19)

Many no longer believe in Christ’s returning. And if that is the case, then they are not likely to accept fully that He came the first time, to receive the warnings regarding the future, or to learn from the lessons of the past. But considering the circumstances engulfing the world at present, to believe and accept, or not, is something each of us should seriously think about.

Pastor Caroline - Sunday March 6, 2022 - Pay Back with A Blessing

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday March 2, 2022 - Worry versus Prayer

 

Worry versus Prayer

Matthew Chapter 6 Verse 27 in the Good News Bible reads as follows:

(27) Can any of you live a little longer by worrying about it?

 

My husband, Spencer, often says, nothing in life is worth worrying about, because nothing is worth getting an ulcer over.  He is so right. Worry will make you sick. There is no need to bring on sickness if we can possibly avoid it.

 

In the world right now this war in the Ukraine is a lot to worry about. Our concerns are on high alert at this point. As we see the scenes on television and hear the news it makes one sick to their stomach and breaks our heart. Such brokenness bringing such disaster, devastation and death; and really no need whatsoever for it. I can only imagine how God must feel when He sees this. This is not what He wants for the world.

 

We worry. What will tomorrow bring?  Rather than worry (because in our worry we cannot change anything); let’s pray – – prayer changes everything!

In Matthew; Jesus tells us in Verse 27 here in Chapter 6 that we cannot live any longer by worrying about life itself. Actually Jesus is telling His disciples not to worry about anything but rather put their faith in God who supplies all our needs. God knows our needs and supplies them.  With this confidence, we can now change our worry to powerful prayer!

 

When you feel worry overtake you, pray about what causes you to worry. Go to the word of God and look up scripture to use to pray over what you are worrying about. Finances making you worry, loss of a job causing you worry, sickness or the loss of a loved one causing you worry, loneliness, or any number of things that are causing you to worry I suggest; you pray. Every one of these and much more is covered in the word of God in scripture. Take your worry to God, leave it with Him, and pray your way to peace of mind and power over your worries.

 

Right now, pray for peace. Pray for a change of mind in leader- ship in Russia. Pray for the Ukraine and its people, and for provision for every need there. Pray for protection for the citizens, their property, for comfort for those who have already lost loved ones and for all who are suffering the evil of this war. Pray for a swift end to this destruction. Pray for all government leaders who have much to discern at this time. Use your time wisely in prayer, powerfully in prayer and give way to worry for worry changes nothing but prayer changes everything!!

 

Focus on today and what you can do today. Help someone who needs you, spend time with the sick or lonely person that you know, reach out to help someone who needs an extra hand with the job they are doing or perhaps, help teach someone about the word and promises of God. Take your focus off worry! Put your focus on making the world a better place to live, starting in your community.

 

Please pray for all missionaries. They are in desperate need of prayer, especially right now as they serve the Lord, wherever they are – worldwide. Help fund needs in your local area or send funding to churches who especially fund missionaries and send Bibles to countries who need yet to hear and read the word of God. If you do not know how to help our church can direct you with pleasure. There’s great joy in giving and joy replaces worry. You will know you are helping to further the kingdom of God here on earth in these challenging times. Joy replaces worry and never made anyone sick; and I can say that with a confident heart.

 

In Matthew Jesus told the disciples not to worry about the birds or the wildflowers because God promises to provide for them always. Aren’t we worth more to God than the birds and the flowers, we are asked in Matthew Chapter 6 Verse 26.

 

Let’s agree today to take worry and throw it to the wind to be carried off and away from our presence. Now let’s agree to pray more about all things that come to our mind, especially what is happening in our world today.  Let’s bring those prayers to Father God, the Almighty, Who is more than able to answer our prayers. Then give all glory to God, for He is worthy of all glory and praise. Our prayers and His Almighty hand, can and will bring about the change this world needs. Today and every day until Jesus returns!

 

Worry causes fear and in the Bible, “Fear Not” is found 365 times – one for every day. Praise the Lord!

And this will be another writing for another day.

Please pray for the Ukraine and her people every day until we see an end to this war. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Thank you.

 

 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 23